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Penric's Mission: A Novella in the World of the Five Gods
- Penric & Desdemona, Book 3
- Narrated by: Grover Gardner
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
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Publisher's Summary
In his 30th year, Penric fell in love with light.
Learned Penric, a sorcerer and divine of the Bastard's Order, travels across the sea to sunlit Cedonia on his first covert diplomatic mission, to attempt to secure the services of a disaffected Cedonian general for the Duke of Adria. However, nothing is as it seems. Penric is betrayed and thrown into a dungeon, and worse follows for the general and his kin.
Penric's narrow escapes and adventures - including his interest in a young widow - are told with Bujold's remarkable energy, wit, and humor. Once again, Bujold has created unforgettable characters and a wondrous, often dangerous world of intrigue and sorcery.
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What listeners say about Penric's Mission: A Novella in the World of the Five Gods
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jerri C
- 02-20-17
Penric and Desdemona continue
I have been a fan of Bujold's work for years. Now that she is semi-retired, she seems to be focusing on telling novella length tales about Penric and the demon (who he named DesDEMONa) who changed his life forever. These tales have a wonderful mixture of humor and philosophy and character building. I recommend reading (or listening to) the three tales in order, to watch how Penric and Desdemona develop and the way they learn to work together. I don't want to go into details about the plot, but this novella has Penric traveling to a place new to him, but a country where Desdemona started her demon life hundreds of years earlier. I especially love the visual impact, as Penric sees this sunny land for the first time. The ending may be a bit abrupt for some, but I find it hopeful, as Bujold is obviously leaving an excellent jumping off place for further adventures.
The Penric novella's are richer if readers/listeners also know the three full length novels set in the World of the Five Gods. If you move on to them, I recommend starting with The Curse of Chalion. But I feel that the novella's can stand alone.
6 people found this helpful
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- James
- 05-24-17
Love these stories about Miles -- I mean Penric
Lois McMaster Bujold is in my personal pantheon of science fiction and fantasy dieties (along with Isaac Asimov, Tolkein, Jack Campbell (aka John G. Henry), and Robert Heinlein.)
I have listened to most of her Vorkosigan series three times, but I had trouble getting through her latest Vorkosigan novel (Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen) even once. It is great to see her return to form with Penric, who is a lot like Miles Vorkosigan, only taller. And that is fine with me. Miles is one of the best characters in science fiction and I am happy to see him (or his alter ego) shift over to the fantasy genre. And having the same (very good) reader -- Grover Gardner --makes the connection seem ever closer.
All three stories in the Penric series are satisfying and fully contained, but I am eagerly waiting for the next one.
4 people found this helpful
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- Linda Luella
- 04-01-17
Too short
I started reading Ms. Bujold nearly 17 years ago with her first Vorkosigan novel, Shards of Honor. When she wrote her first 5 God's novel, I read it and had mixed feelings. This is just such a great change over from her superb Space Opera that I had to absorb the new direction before truly appreciating her excellent creation of some of the most elegantly entertaining main characters in this world, also.
I do appreciate Ms. Bujold's artistry in the World of the 5 God's series and this story did not disappoint sage it was far too short and took far too long to get to market.
I understand we are all getting into the retirement age generation and many of my favorite authors are slowing down but I have to beg here. Please Ms. Bujold, more stories? I hate the waiting to see if you will continue writing and when I can get my hands on the next book.
As always, Mr. Gardener is a most excellent narrator for this one of my favorite authors. Having met the author and spoken with her on numerous occasions, I have to believe she will continue to be consistent (unlike many other "suddenly successful" authors) and insist on the continued narration that has made her books a pleasure to listen to. I dislike when a great narrator is replaced by the powers that be!
3 people found this helpful
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- John James Dillard
- 03-06-17
Great
Bujold at her best. Finely presented characters in interesting situations. The world of the five Gods serves as a fine backdrop to this engrossing story.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sigríður
- 10-06-19
Ends in midair
As always Bujold tells a captivating story and you cannot help but fall in love with her main characters a little.
This novella ends suddenly in the middle of the story so to speak, leaving the audience feeling cheated. I cannot help but think this could have been a full-fledged novel if she had seen it to the end. So only 4 stars.
1 person found this helpful
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- IreneMBBT
- 07-13-19
ok, but...
I really like this series, but this is my least fave of the first 4 because it has little connection to the previous 3. It’s almost as if Penric is yanked out of context. Then the story ends with the 3 up on the mountain, with no clear resolution. For me, it’s as if the story and ending are both left dangling.
Lois McMaster Bujold is still one of my very favorite authors - top 5 - and I will always recommend her work. She earned all those awards.
Love Gardner’s work.
1 person found this helpful
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- Timothy R. Penningtonrus
- 03-22-17
Bujold and Gardner Always Deliver
Thanks to these audio friends of tens of years! I wish there was more, but I will patiently wait for the next, knowing the story will be ripe for the picking when it comes.
1 person found this helpful
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- ShoSho ST
- 02-10-17
Fantastic
Great narration and story.I Love Penric's character and the world building. I hope there are more books for Penric and Des
2 people found this helpful
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- David E. Wells
- 08-28-21
penric oh penric
started with lady vorkosigan then the general then miles and all of the other characters and quaddies. Intriduced my wife to Des and Pen and she loves them like I do so please keep them coming we listen together and its supercalifragilisticexpealidocis
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- a reader
- 07-17-21
These just get better!!
So happy I stumbled in these novellas. They are filled with very interesting characters and entertaining imaginative stories
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- M. Atkinson
- 06-09-20
An Excellent Five God's Novella
I love all Bujold's writing, and Grover Gardiner's reading is smooth and nuanced. An excellent novella in the Five God's series.
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- Keith K
- 05-25-18
Good yarn
A good well crafted yarn from Ms Bujold she writes either good or excellent never anything less.
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- Laith B.
- 02-22-18
loved it
loved it would recommend to all fans of the author loved it loved it loved it