This was a strong twelfth book in the Penric & Desdemona series, it had everything that I was looking for and enjoyed from the series. The characters had that feel that I wanted and expected from the previous books. Lois McMaster Bujold has a strong writing style and left me wanting to read more.

I have enjoyed virtually everything Bujold has ever written and get her books immediately upon release. Demon Daughter is no exception and I read this Penric tale as soon as it was released. I am always pleased when the handsome and beautifully produced Subterranean Press Editions are released and I invariably add them to my electronic editions.

This volume is a bit slower and more somber than other Penric tales, lacking in the frequently antic adventure that makes the series so delightful. It is still very well done and poses some knotty moral challenges for Penric and his conjoined demon, Des. I enjoyed the thoughtful tone and slower pacing, though I did find heroine Otta somewhat unconvincingly mature for a six-year old. Nevertheless a winner for me and a strong edition to Bujold's wonderful body of work.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a candid review.