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katieinca's review against another edition
3.0
Saying goodbye to this series with a shorter work, about a side character. This one checks in on things about a dozen years after the regular series ended, and from the perspective of a recovering rascal (well, I suppose a downright @$$hole for a while there) who's gained some maturity. I apparently liked this description of minding a toddler so much I highlighted it: "set to keep him from vigorously trying to kill himself in novel ways."
elizas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This “gift story,” coming many years after Bujold had wrapped up her Sharing Knife series, has actually become my favorite of them all. Barr, the heedless, self-centered teen of the main series, has become a mature adult when some consequences of his teen escapades catch up with him. What follows is a touching tale of families and of what makes a parent truly a parent, as well as the introduction of cantankerous, underappreciated Lily—a wonderful depiction of a teen starting to find her feet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
Barr’s “beguilement” of Bluebell was essentially a date rape drug. Marked “minor” only because there’s no description.kleonard's review against another edition
3.0
A pleasant if not particularly memorable continuation of the narratives begun in Bujold's earlier books set in the world of the Sharing Knife. In this world, people are born Lakewalkers, with special bonds to the earth and others and capable of certain magics, or farmers, who are, well, not Lakewalkers. Lakewalkers protect the world from creatures called malices, which feed on life and threaten communities. In this novel, a Lakewalker man finds that his daughter, born years earlier to a farmer woman, is developing Lakewalker powers, and seeks to help the girl learn to understand and train her powers. This has never been Bujold's most imaginative or complex series, but it's interesting enough for a few hours' read.
craftycarolynrose's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
honeypossum_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
tani's review against another edition
4.0
A nice little story about growing up, taking responsibility, finding family, making mistakes, becoming a parent, etc. It doesn't quite live up to my Bujold expectations, but those are exceptionally high and not everything can be equal to them. Regardless, I enjoyed this a lot, and it left with a warm and fuzzy feeling and some thinky thoughts, so certainly a success.
neglet's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyable, taking a secondary character from the original series and posing him a problem fraught with emotional complications so that he can grow. A worthy trip back to the world of the Sharing Knife.
maria_pulver's review against another edition
4.0
Though my hopes to know more about Dag and Fawn were dashed, I still enjoyed the story )
As usual, Bujold talks about responsibilities towards one’s children - some of her message comes in a rather direct form and some is more metaphorical, but both are very clear.
As usual, Bujold talks about responsibilities towards one’s children - some of her message comes in a rather direct form and some is more metaphorical, but both are very clear.
sandragon's review
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0