Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

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.

In 2020, these novellas were republished in a two-book omnibus set.  The first omnibus contained novellas 1 - 3 in the internal chronological order not publishing order.  The second set had the novellas 4 - 6.  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.

This novella is number 8 and it contains slight spoilers for other books though it can be read as a standalone.  This story follows Penric and Desdemona as a local garrison falls ill with a mysterious illness.  Aye, it be a plague novel.  But don't let that get ye down.  As always, it is a joy to read about Penric.  Though this book has sad parts, ultimately it is a comforting type of fantasy.  Bad things happen, even magic can't solve everything, and yet working towards the greater good is always worthwhile. 

This book does not have an action filled plot like some of the others but was satisfying.  I loved the two newer characters and I loved the ending.  I am biased because I will read every book put out in this series.  But try some of them.  Ye might join me.  Arrrrr!