The Physicians of Vilnoc Audiobook By Lois McMaster Bujold cover art

The Physicians of Vilnoc

A Penric & Desdemona Novella in the World of the Five Gods

Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends April 30, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Physicians of Vilnoc

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends April 30, 2025 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $12.42

Buy for $12.42

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

When a mysterious plague breaks out in the army fort guarding Vilnoc, the port capital of the duchy of Orbas, Temple sorcerer Penric and his demon Desdemona are called upon by General Arisaydia to resurrect Penric’s medical skills and solve its lethal riddle. In the grueling days that follow, Pen will find that even his magic is not enough to meet the challenges without help from dedicated new colleagues - and the god of mischance.

©2020 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2020 Blackstone Publishing
Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Historical
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about The Physicians of Vilnoc

Highly rated for:

The Story Is Praised For Its Excellent Character Development, Brilliant Storytelling, And An Engaging Medical Mystery That Expands The Reader's Understanding. Bujold's Creative Imagination And Depiction Of Scientific Curiosity In Solving The Medical Puzzle Are Highly Appreciated. However, Some Readers Found The Lack Of Adventure And The Angst-filled Nature Of The Story To Be A Drawback. The Themes Explored Include Medical Science, Cultural Superstitions, Epidemic Diseases, Female Empowerment, And The Driving Force Of Scientific Curiosity.
Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    377
  • 4 Stars
    76
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    366
  • 4 Stars
    38
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    323
  • 4 Stars
    66
  • 3 Stars
    17
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another perfect escape into intelligent fiction

One of the things I like most about Lois’ books is the mind-expanding effect they have on my understanding of the world around me. I loved every word of this story. Thank you Lois!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Penric Story for Quarantine

Will Penric be able to handle his plague better than we have handled ours? A timely novella for Quarantine listening.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

just right!!

i am in love and must now look for more stories about Pen and Des! enjoy!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good - but read this after the first books

I enjoyed this book as an addition to the story, but it is not the story to begin on if you haven't enjoyed the others. There is much more depth to the characters if one starts this series at the beginning . If it isn't classified as YA, this series could be. I really enjoy Bujold's fantasy writing!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

What can be causing a rash of illnesses?

I love these 5 gods stories! I sympathize with Penric trying to save those that are ill, take on an apprentice, deal with military rules, solve the mystery of the disease vector . . . all while wishing so much to be home with his new baby.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

Great fun. Penric and Des keep growing.

I appreciate how hard LMB works on getting medical stuff right and making it believable.

I'm not Grover Gardner's biggest fan, but he has gotten much better over the years! I can distinguish who's speaking by his tone much of the time. So, this is the first time I haven't had to take a break from an LMB audiobook just to get away from the grating boominess & lack of inflection. Entirely listen-able.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Always subtle, understated, yet engrossing

Lois McMaster Bujold is a master of her craft.
I did not like her style of writing at 1st ( Vorkosigan Saga). I put it down and restarted several times. Now I enjoy it.
I still have to fill my blood 🩸 lust with Martha Wells (Murderbot) tho.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling medical mystery

It’s Interesting to have battle against the kind of foe we face in our world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Solid Entry

It isn’t a new story. Now was there anything unique or new added to the tale or to the main characters. Nevertheless, it was well written and I enjoyed the listen. I will likely re-listen to it someday down the road.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Hesitant, but I loved it

I was afraid this might be too much, considering current events, but I should not have worried. LMB is always exquisitely balanced.

it is a joy to see Penric growing and to see the fabric of his family and his life.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!