Reviews

The Assassins of Thasalon, by Lois McMaster Bujold

bibliophilicwitch's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

To get a full length novel with Pen and Des is an absolute treat! As with all of the Penric and Desdemona books, the story was intriguing, held lovely characters - both old and new, and this time around, wrapped up a few loose ends from previous adventures. I look forward to how the changes from the end of the book will effect Pen and his family.

ndxmedina's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

badmc's review

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Another adventure for our sorcerer and demoness, dealing with some theological problems, scheming ministers, and my favourite eunuch from previous books. Enjoyable and a fast read. 

maeve_spry's review against another edition

3.0

Desdemona light

Saw a review that suggested the characters are overpowered... think it’s more that the combination of characters was seriously unbalanced. All in all it’s a good story, and a welcome addition to the Penric universe.

lizbusby's review against another edition

4.0

So wonderful to read a new Penric and Desdemona adventure, as always. More intrigue and detective shenanigans in this one, which is a nice return to form after some non-detective adventures. Exploring a possible loophole in the established system makes for a good hard magic fantasy. And I was happy that several threads from other books are resolved by the ending. There's nothing genre shattering about this series, but that's not what this book is attempting to be. This series has always felt very Sherlock Holmes to me--you're here because you love watching these characters find their way out of a puzzle, and that's just great for me.

davidsms's review

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

mousie_books's review against another edition

3.0

This series is like a warm hug. :)

Lois McMaster Bujold's writing is so good. This series is very scholarly (i.e. SAT vocab) as befits Penric.

Spoiler

Alixtra, bearing a baby demon, is sent to assassinate General Arisaydia, but is thwarted by Penric. (Demons can be used to murder once, and then the Bastard will claim them back.) Adelis is pulled back into Thasalon politics (The homeland that framed him for treason and blinded him.), and secretly ventures back home to help with a coup. Penric stays to lure and trap Alixtra. When the Bastard deems her an innocent patsy and refuses to take her demon, Penric sees it as a sign that they must rescue her son (held as hostage), and reclaim Learned Tronio's (the sorcerer behind the plot) corrupted demon.

They succeed, but the coup rendered unnecessary when Lady Tanar (Adelis's betrothed -- long delay due to the whole fake treason thing) assassinates Menthani (the mastermind, and Tronio's co-conspirator). Menthani is sundered for the blasphemy in using demons in this fashion. Tronio's demon is taken up by the bastard, and he is captured to stand trial. Adelis is cleared, and finally marries Tanar. Alixtra is pardoned (but exiled) due to the Bastard's judgement.

Penric's second child is on the way!

jkshields's review

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

fantasticraccoon's review

adventurous medium-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

2.75

khrystalynne's review against another edition

adventurous relaxing medium-paced

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

5.0