Review by Booklist Review
Penric and Desdemona are back with friends last encountered in Penric's Mission (2016). Having accompanied his superior to Easthome, Pen is using the opportunity to learn about shamanic magic from his friend, Inglis. While enjoying a little fishing and theoretical conversation, the pair are suddenly conscripted for a mission by Locator Oswyn. The body of a local sorceress has been found, and their assistance is needed for the investigation. She has been murdered, and no one seems to know what a sorceress might have been doing in a glade in the middle of the woods. Pen is more concerned with what happened to her missing demon. After discovering someone has been setting traps in the forest, Pen and Des suspect the wayward demon may have jumped into a fox and is being deliberately hunted. If they are to save the demon before it, too, is killed, they will need the skills of Inglis and the shaman to find the spirit-invested creature. Bujold's fans will be delighted with this latest adventure featuring Penric and his resident demon.--Lockley, Lucy Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bujold adds mystery to the wry humor that runs through her Penric and Desdemona fantasy series with this entertaining novella. Set between Penric and the Shaman and Penric's Mission, this tale sees temple sorcerer Penric and his indwelling demon, Desdemona, once again involved in the affairs of shamans. When another sorcerer, Magal, is murdered in the woods near Easthome, Temple Locator Oswyl prevails on Penric to assist with the investigation, as he has in the past. Penric soon suspects that Magal's demon did not transfer into another human at her death but is now probably within a fox. As shamans are wielders of animal-based magic, several of them are called in to help find and communicate with the new demon-fox hybrid. Penric is a rather ordinary young man; Desdemona is a vastly experienced demon who finds him a somewhat challenging host. Their unique relationship is full of good-natured banter, all within one physical body. Intriguing secondary characters round out the cast and enliven this unusual fantasy whodunit. Agent: Eleanor Wood, Spectrum Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
After the events of Penric and the Shaman, sorcerer Learned Penric and temple demon Desdemona continue their journey, landing at Easthome, the Weald's capital. There Penric meets old friends Shaman Inglis and Locator Oswyl, who soon calls upon Penric and Inglis to help him investigate the murder of a sorceress whose body was discovered in the woods. With the dead woman's demon missing, Pen also must find where the creature may have landed. Working with Inglis and Oswyl, he gradually begins to uncover the truth that involves old family secrets and the curious cases of temple demons. With each novella adventure, -Bujold continues to expand her "Five Gods" world, reviving familiar faces along the way. The fascinating relationship between Penric and Desdemona is especially fun. -VERDICT -Bujold's many faithful readers will delight in this engaging blend of mystery and magic.-Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., South Deerfield © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
