The Assassins of Thasalon

Of course I couldn't stop, and I read it all in...not quite one sitting, but one day. And stayed up too late to finish. Lovely - very like the novellas, but a slightly broader and more complicated (yes, more) story. Not a lot of direct godly action - a couple times, plus a lot of...possible influencing of events. The Bastard is deeply concerned with this - as we learn pretty early on, there's some very nasty twisting of rules, of all levels, going on here. Treason is the minor matter; the theological crimes are even greater. And it all comes out right, with a lot of loose ends tied off very neatly (and some new ones generated, of course). A lot of old friends show up, and some very rich new characters - we should be seeing a lot more of show more Aleksia, and (I hope) of Iroki. And like the novellas - my first thought on finishing is "that was great!" and my second is "I want more...". A great addition to the series - worth reading, and definitely worth rereading. In fact it made me want to reread the whole series, in order. show less

Penric would be perfectly content to stay in Vilnoc translating texts and spending time with his daughter and pregnant wife. But when an assassination attempt targets his brother-in-law and the method is unique, Pen's god sends him and Desdemona to Thasalon to solve the problem.

Pen is traveling with a Saint of his order and the would-be assassin who was spared by his god. The saint is Blessed Iroki who would rather be fishing and the assassin is a young woman named Alixtra who was forced into her new career because of threats against her five-year-old son. Alixtra was given a demon by a Learned in the Bastard's order at the urging of Minister Methani who is one of the minor Emperor's regents. She is completely ignorant about demons and show more what her responsibilities toward them are. As they travel back to Thasalon, Pen gives her a quick course in the theology of demon handling.

Upon arrival, they seek the assistance of Lady Tanar Xarre and her mother. Tanar is the fiancé of Pen's brother-in-law Adelis. She is wealthy and politically connected but not part of Minister Methani's party. She is also excited to pave the way for her fiancé to return to Thasalon. While Pen is more interested in the theological part of his mission and needs to bring the Saint in contact with the rogue Learned Tronio, he realizes that he is neck deep in the political implications too.

This was another engaging episode in the further adventures of Pen and his demon Desdemona. I really like the relationship between the two of them. I also like Pen as a teacher setting Alixtra on her path of demon-tending.

The plot was engaging and fast-paced. The world building was excellent and the characters all well-written. show less

I'm absolutely stunned that the series continues after this book, as this wraps up just about everything that can be wrapped up, unless Bujold's plan is to follow Penric until his death, presumably of very old age surrounded by grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

This is a highly enjoyable novel -- way better than The Physicians of Vilnoc, although there is still significant (off the page) animal harm in this one -- that nonetheless suffers a lot from the central problems of this series: once you've made your Specialest Boy a holy magician of the most power AND made religion a very real force in the universe, every single problem can be solved, and solved the same way. What are the stakes? Where is the conflict? What is the show more point?

Still. I enjoyed the glances at how many of the characters from previous books are doing (See? It's completely like a closing novel), I enjoyed the visit to Thasalon, and I enjoyed seeing justice done. It's a thoroughly pleasant, very low-stakes read. It's the plain custard of novels. Not a bad thing, and very welcome in some circumstances, but still: couldn't we add just a *little* vanilla? show less

The first full novel in the Penric and Desdemona series, The assassins of Thasalon is as delightful as the rest of the stories in the five god world, and the extra depth and texture afforded with the longer format makes it a great read.
Pens brother in law is the target of an assassination attempt that Pens resident demon, Desdemona, foils, setting them on a mission for their god that takes them from the streets of Orbas to the palaces of Thasalon, resulting in a reshuffling of the reign of the empire, as well as a severe intervention by their god, the Bastard.

I've enjoyed all the Pen and Des books, but this is the first one I've awarded five stars.

Pen is, in many ways, a reactionary hero. He doesn't go out looking for adventures or problems to solve. He would much rather be at home with his beloved family. But being a homebody does not match well with serving a god of chaos and mischief. The problem which drops into his lap this time brings legal and theological consequences as well as danger, which is perfect the perfect combination for Learned Divine Penric.

LMB is one of my favorite authors, and her ability to create wonderful characters is one of her most notable strengths. Assassins has a particularly vivid supporting cast, characters who I would be delighted to read about in their own show more books. show less

This is set after The Physicians of Vilnoc and is the first novel-length Pen and Des tale. After an attempt is made on Adelis Arisaydia’s life, Pen sets out to capture and question the sorcerer-assassin, expecting to then see her stripped of her demon and handed over to face justice. But the white god has other ideas -- there’s someone more dangerous who needs to be brought to justice.

I enjoyed the reappearances of characters from previous books and the progress on long-standing plot-threads. I also liked seeing Pen as a scholarly mentor. (Meanwhile Pen’s wife stays home, which is definitely what she’d want to do, but I wish there was some way for her to still have an active part in the story.)

Interestingly, Penric is five years show more older than he was in The Prisoner of Limnos and, as I read that in 2017, so am I… show less

Demons and assassination! Now there’s a combination!

I think Demon carrying sorcerer Learned Penric is one of my favourite fantasy heroes.
When Penric’s brother-in-law General Arisaydia is attacked by assassins from Cedonia and demons are involved Penric knows something is very wrong. It seems someone is embezzling demons. Penric contacts his order’s Chapter House and to his surprise is sent a Saint to help investigate the outrage. It seems they will be required to go to the source of the problem, Cedonia. All this as Arisaydia has been asked to return to his country. The same country he’d been hunted from. The same country that desired his death.
Penric and Blessed Iroki, a saint of the white God’s order, find both sorcerers show more and demons distraught. Many have been coerced into actions that go against the Gods’ rules for Temple Demons.
Once again a rich and unexpected episode in the World of Five Gods pantheon that ratchets up my appreciation for Bujold’s writings.
BTW, according to the Subterranean Press website there are apparently a limited number of signed hardback copies.

A Subterranean Press ARC via NetGalley show less