Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
Title: knot of shadows
Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
Publisher: Subterranean Press
Publication Date: TODAY!! (hardback)
ISBN: 978-1645241140
Source: NetGalley
The Penric and Desdemona novellas take place in the World of the Five Gods from the trilogy of that name. 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. Penric, a sorcerer, and Desdemona, his chaos demon, are a fantastic duo that I ADORE.
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. I recommend the omnibuses. The first omnibus contains novellas 1 – 3 in the internal chronological order not publishing order. The second set has novellas 5 – 7 and the third has 4, 8-9.
Knot of shadows is number 11 in the series. No surprise that this is another wonderful addition. Penric and Desdemona are called on to visit a drowned man who seemingly comes back to life. Of course things are more complicated then they first appear. The darling duo are tasked with solving a murder, dealing with forbidden magic, and looking for a missing child along the way. Unlike other Penric novellas, this one ends with a rather sad conclusion even though everything is technically solved satisfactorily. It is always lovely to see how various characters’ lives are progressing. Recommended to Penric fans. Arrrrr!
NetGalley has this to say about the novella:
When a corpse is found floating face-down in Vilnoc harbor that is not quite as dead as it seems, Temple sorcerer Penric and his chaos demon Desdemona are drawn into the uncanny investigation. Pen’s keen questions will take him across the city of Vilnoc, and into far more profound mysteries, as his search for truths interlaces with tragedy.
To visit the author’s website go to:
Lois McMaster Bujold – Author
To buy the novel please visit:
knot of shadows – Book 11
To add to Goodreads go to:
Yer Ports for Plunder List
Previous Log Entries for this Author
The World of the Five Gods series – Fantasy
the curse of the chalion – book 1
paladin of souls – book 2
the hallowed hunt – book 3
penric’s progress – omnibus 1 (eArc)
penric’s travels – omnibus 2
the orphans of raspay – book 8
the physicians of vilnoc – book 9
the assassins of thasalon – book 10
The Sharing Knife series – Fantasy
knife children – book 5 (eArc)
The Vorkosigan Saga – Sci-Fi
shards of honor, falling free, and the warrior’s apprentice – books 1, 4, 2
ethan of athos, brothers in arms, borders of infinity, and the vor game – books 3, 5, 5.1-5.3, 6
Captain's Quarters 
I’m so glad you love this series so much, Cap:). Last year, when I was ill I listened to the audiobook version of Curse of Chalion, which was a solid delight. And confirmed that it’s one of my favourite fantasy books, too. I’m currently listening to A Civil Campaign, one of my favourite Miles Vorkosigan books, another wonderful book! Thank you for sharing:)).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw yer review for the Miles book. I haven’t gotten there yet. I am reading them in publication order and I am stuck because I don’t want to read more of the Cordelia book but that is next in line. I hate Bothari and know he will be in that story. But the goal is to finish the series this year.
x The Captain
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes… mostly reading series in publication order is the way to go. But even Lois advises that her readers don’t. She’s also written/released Penric and the Demon out of narrative time order.
LikeLike
I love all the Pen and Des stories! This one was so sad, though, even though it has a satisfying conclusion like you said. I need to reread this one. Or maybe I’ll just reread all the Pen and Des stories…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really love reading these. I have one earlier story to track down. I want to reread the earliest couple when Pen and Des are getting used to one another. I also loved the one where Pen was in the brothel.
x The Captain
LikeLike
Sounds fun! I saw this book advertised in Subterranean’s emails, but since I haven’t started the series yet this book did not seem like the place for me to start. I really want to try the series, though! It sounds so good, and our opinions on SFF books often line up nicely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t remember, have ye read the novels in the World of the Five Gods? Not that ye have to in order to read Penric. But they are good too.
x The Captain
LikeLike
I have not! I don’t think I’ve read anything by Bujold at this point.
LikeLiked by 1 person
DUDE! Read Chalion! I think ye would love it!
x The Captain
LikeLiked by 1 person