Reviews

The Orphans of Raspay by Lois McMaster Bujold

Only show reviews with written explanations

dagsywagsy43's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Content Warnings

yak_attak's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Another solid 'perfectly fine' for Bujold in the Penric series, Orphans follows our sorcerer hero as he gets himself caught up in sea travel, port towns, pirates, and wayward children who ought not to be sold into slavery. As usual, it's all the makings of a great plot, but without quite enough depth for it to really be much more than a fun lark. The scenario he finds himself in is exciting and has some great twists (minus the D.E.M. ending), but the characters aren't too exciting - the titular Orphans are still pretty blank-slate by the end of things.

Pluses, Minuses, by this point you probably should know what you're going to get from one of these.

batesbarb's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

chirson's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Some hilarious and adorable moments, but overall, despite the greater (I think?) length, this one was a little more slight, compared to previous Penric novellas. The protagonist is off having an adventure with pirates and orphans away from his family, and the orphans don't get that much of a story. Still a pleasure to read, but not as special as Bujold can do.