Reviews

The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold

bioniclib's review against another edition

3.0

If you go my the story's chronology, this is actually the 3rd book. That's the way Ms. Bujold recommends reading it and I'm glad I did. I was a little lukewarm towards the story after the first two (The ones Pub'd 1st and 7th). The story was good and I felt for the characters but found my attention wandering. I decided to give it one more book before making my final say on the series. And I'm glad I did.

This book features a disabled hero. Bold choice, that. Miles is a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants type guy. Physically disabled, he uses his wits to basically create his own mercenary army for reasons that really aren't all that selfish or power-grabbing. The action was consistent, the twists were good (if a little predictable). I really like the cast of characters in this story and methinks I'll continue on with the series.

ceridwenanne's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

4.25

On the one hand, it's goofy watching a privilege  kid fall upwards. On the other, Miles is severely disabled, out of his depth, and put through his paces, and then some. 

And this is kind of a lit asshole thing to say, but Bujold's sentence level craft is breathtakingly good. Hoorah. 

janaroos's review

4.0

My read-time on this is not a good reflection of how much I enjoyed the book.

Unfortunately, having plunged into the Vorkosigan saga with [b:Memory|61880|Memory (Vorkosigan Saga, #10)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1390667018s/61880.jpg|3036720] rather than the earlier works I already knew how a lot would pan out for Miles. Luckily, these books are difficult not to enjoy. Miles is a great main character--smart, insightful, insecure and confident at the same time, and flawed. The world, Barrayar especially, is fascinating and rich. Excited to move on to the rest.

peytonm's review

5.0

I think I first read this book in high school and was struck by how fun and compelling the characters and writing were. Now that I'm revisiting all these years later, I can see how this book series helped form my taste for sci-fi and fantasy. Super competent protagonist, fun cast of characters, space politics - yes, please! Now that I'm rereading in McMaster Bujold's preferred order, I understand more of the nuance of Bothari and Miles's relationship. I understand Barrayaran politics better this go around, which made the court room scene even more of a triumph. Watching Miles go from failed out cadet to Admiral Miles Naismith who accidentally acquired his own mercenary fleet was truly enjoyable!

jairbot's review against another edition

adventurous medium-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

4.5

maggie6832's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

These books are so satisfying, and I love a good space opera where you have a wildly competent leader who is also way out of their depths and just kind of faking it til they make it in their mind, but to everyone else is just absurdly brilliant. The craftiness, how everything comes together, and always the grand reveal/confrontation. Excellent novel!!

I cannot believe that Bothari died!! I think this book did a good job of reckoning with what he did and had been forced to do, the genuine awfulness that he has committed and the validity and weight of the captive Elena’s abuse, with the deep love that Miles and his family feels for this man who tried to make himself into something better, who protected them all as best he was able. Also, I did love Ivan, who’s kind of just blithely going through life, and the reckoning of Miles’s disability and its impact on his life in a heavily ableist society. One thing I didn’t love, which is probably a product of the period it was written in, was the choice of “its” pronouns for the Betan hermaphrodites, which felt off putting to me. But I appreciate that the author worked to include people outside of the gender binary.

kvothesduet's review

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

rlehmann16's review

adventurous funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book as an entry point to this series! It is a great introduction to the biggest main character Miles and others of the assorted main cast. I adore these characters and the plot is well done and interesting as well. I appreciate the moments of seriousness and emotional depth just as much as I love Miles’ wit and sense of crazy slightly twisty adventure. 

galaxywitch's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

jesmichan's review

4.0

LMB continues to be one of the best writers I've read in recent years