The Orphans of Raspay, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(Fantasy Adventure; Five Gods) The pirates who captured Penric’s ship are probably going to regret it, but there are limits to how much destruction a conscientious sorcerer can do, particularly when he wants to help two young orphans. (43,146 words; Time: 2h:23m)

This story probably stands alone without the rest of the Penric and Desdemona stories, but you'll get more out of it if you start with Penric's Demon.

The Prisoner of Limnos, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★★★ Lively, Imaginative, and Touching

(Fantasy Adventure; Five Gods) When Nikys asks for Penric’s help rescuing her mother from an imperial prison, he jumps at the chance to win her affections back. It’s obviously a trap, and he doesn’t know anything about the place, but he does have a demon to help him. (44,652 words; Time: 2h:28m)

Recommended By: 👍RHorton.r+1 👍RSR+2 (Q&A)

There isn’t enough backstory here to make it possible to begin the series with this novella. New readers could start with “Penric’s Mission,” although the most fun would be to start from the very beginning with “Penric’s Demon.”

Penric's Fox, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention

(High Fantasy; Five Gods) Penric helps investigate the murder of another sorcerer, whose demon must still be somewhere near the scene of the crime. (37,395 words; Time: 2h:04m)

This story absolutely requires the reader to have already read "Penric and the Shaman."

Mira's Last Dance, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★★☆ Funny, Tense, and Scandalous

(High Fantasy; Five Gods) Gravely injured, out of money, and pursued by the imperial government, Penric needs to get himself and his two companions out of the country, despite them being so recognizable. (28,183 words; Time: 1h:33m)

Although this story works well enough on its own, readers should start with Penric's Demon.

Penric's Mission, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★★☆ Great continuation of Penric and Desdemona's adventures

(High Fantasy; Five Gods) Penric's secret mission to Cedonia gets off to a bad start when he's arrested and thrown into a pit to die. (45,239 words; Time: 2h:30m)

Recommended By: 👍RHorton.r+2 👍RSR+1 (Q&A)

This review assumes you already read the previous two novellas, starting with Penric's Demon. This story is strong enough to stand alone, but it's much better if you read the other two first. Also, Bujold considers it a novella even though it's a bit over the limit.

Penric and the Shaman, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★★★ Award-Worthy

(High Fantasy; Five Gods) Young Penric, a powerful but fledgling sorcerer, joins the hunt for a fugitive sorcerer, suspected of killing his own best friend. (37,700 words; Time: 2h:05m)

Recommended By: 🏆Hugo+2 👍RHorton.r+1 👍RSR+2 (Q&A)

Penric's Demon, by Lois McMaster Bujold

[Single]

★★★★★ Award-Worthy

Penric, age 19, is accidentally possessed by a demon meant for someone else. Demons can be useful, but they are dangerous, and Penric has no idea what to do with one. (37,200 words; Time: 2h:04m)

Recommended By: 🏆Hugo+2 🏆Locus+2 👍RSR+2 (Q&A)