The Captain’s Log – the orphans of raspay (Lois McMaster Bujold) – another novella in the World of the Five Gods!

Ahoy there me mateys!  This be another delightful novella that takes place in the World of the Five Gods from the trilogy of that name.  That said, ye do NOT have to have read the trilogy first, though I did.  Book one of the trilogy, curse of the chalion, is one of the best fantasy books I have ever read and I really enjoyed the remaining two.

Last year, the Penric and Desdemona novellas were republished in a two-book omnibus set.  The first omnibus contained novellas 1 – 3 in the internal chronological order not publishing order.  The second set had the novellas 4 – 6.  I had mistakenly believed that those two books contained the whole series only to find out there were three more!  I normally read in publishing order but have to admit that I strongly feel this series should be an exception if ye be new to it.

This novella is number 7 and it contains spoilers (particularly for 4 – 6).  That said, it can be read as a standalone though it is richer if ye do read it in order.  This story follows Penric and Desdemona on what should be a simple journey that goes awry when pirates capture his ship.  Of course things be complicated when he finds himself in a cell with two little girls that are bound for the slave trade.  Penric has to save them of course.

I continue to love Penric and Desdemona.  As this is one of the later novellas, their relationship is pretty smooth going unlike earlier episodes.  I do miss watching their relationship develop but there is comfort in watching them do their thing.  Penric causes ruckus wherever he goes (of course!) but I rather enjoyed watching him scrabble in this one.  Also the ending is delightful and satisfying in how it turns out for the bad guys (the pirates of course!).

“Just once, Pen thought glumly, he’d like to get an answer to prayers, instead of being delivered as one.”
― Lois McMaster Bujold, The Orphans of Raspay

Side Note: I am so very excited to get started on the Vorkosigan Saga from the treasure trove the First Mate brought me.  Can’t wait to see how the sci-fi goes cause the fantasy be wonderful.  Arrrr!

Goodreads has this to say about the novella:

When the ship in which they are traveling is captured by Carpagamon island raiders, Temple sorcerer Penric and his resident demon Desdemona find their life complicated by two young orphans, Lencia and Seuka Corva, far from home and searching for their missing father. Pen and Des will need all their combined talents of mind and magic to unravel the mysteries of the sisters and escape from the pirate stronghold.

This novella follows about a year after the events of “The Prisoner of Limnos”.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Lois McMaster Bujold – Author

To buy the novella please visit:

the orphans of raspay – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

the curse of the chalion – book 1 (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
paladin of souls – book 2 (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
the hallowed hunt – book 3 (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
penric’s progress – omnibus 1 (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)
penric’s travels – omnibus 2 (Captain’s Log – Fantasy)
knife children (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)