As he’s heading back home to his wife Nikys, Temple sorcerer Penric’s ship is overtaken by pirates, and he is taken hostage after hiding his true work and disguising himself as a scribe. In the hold of a Carpagamon raider ship, Penric also discovers two young sisters, Lencia and Seuka Corva, who were searching for their merchant father. Now the three—along with Penric’s resident demon Desdemona—are at port hoping for ransom. When a trader bids for them and their future as slaves seems certain, Penric uses his skills, along with his knowledge from one of Desdemona’s previous hosts, to try to escape. When Penric is discovered to be a sorcerer, he will also need to escape those who consider him an abomination.
VERDICT Bujold’s seventh “Penric and Desdemona” story (after The Prisoner of Limnos) is just as engaging as her previous works, highlighting a unique duo and their exciting travails. The expansive worldbuilding is detailed and filled with intriguing characters.
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