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rocketdea's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Violence
Moderate: Fatphobia
brandonag'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
katieinca's review against another edition
2.0
It's a Vorkosigan Saga book without a Vorkosigan. Ellie Quinn is fun, but a) not as much fun as Miles, and b) she's not our protagonist. That'd be okay, Ethan's not a bad narrator. But this future space society's homophobia is jarring and weird. The mystery/espionage plot works well enough, but it was one of those where things would be kind of explained and yet... I still wasn't quite getting it as early as I was supposed to, and it wasn't being intentionally opaque. I just wasn't getting the clues, or they weren't as clear as she thought they were.
So. It was okay. If you're reading the saga, I wouldn't skip it. But I wouldn't recommend it as a standalone.
So. It was okay. If you're reading the saga, I wouldn't skip it. But I wouldn't recommend it as a standalone.
djwudi's review against another edition
4.0
A bit of a deviation from the main thread of the Vorkosigan , but still related (similar to how Rogue One is “A Star Wars Story”). Bujold continues to demonstrate a gift for creating flawed but endearing characters and dropping them into situations both amusing and adventurous. And while I wouldn’t have expected much from a sheltered, naïve, gay obstetrician who’s never met a woman in his life before venturing off-planet, title character Ethan makes for a very entertaining protagonist.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. I guess this counts as a June pride month read? Had no idea what I was getting into :)
Reading about Ethan was humorous, he was a wide eyed innocent who had been indoctrinated to believe women were the devil. As a Dr. on a male only planet, he is tasked with finding new genetic material for reproduction (in the uterine replicators). He ends up on a space station where he meets the fantastic Elli Quinn. Kidnapping, adventure and a mystery all ensue. Nicely done little story with hope for little EQ-1's everywhere.
I sense a fond farewell to this saga, its time to move on. I will miss you Miles!
Reading about Ethan was humorous, he was a wide eyed innocent who had been indoctrinated to believe women were the devil. As a Dr. on a male only planet, he is tasked with finding new genetic material for reproduction (in the uterine replicators). He ends up on a space station where he meets the fantastic Elli Quinn. Kidnapping, adventure and a mystery all ensue. Nicely done little story with hope for little EQ-1's everywhere.
I sense a fond farewell to this saga, its time to move on. I will miss you Miles!
bluestockinglaura's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-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
4.0
ezribex's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gin19's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this one and was not disappointed by the lack of Miles. This was a lovely change of pace and another interesting civilization to learn about.
shalini_gunnasan's review against another edition
3.0
Looking forward to seeing more Elli Quinn! I really like this character. I do not like Ethan or Athos, because I really despise religious/cultural fanaticism and exclusivism. But I also recognize that, since there are real-life examples which denigrate and dehumanize women, Athos' attitude towards women cuts very deep and invokes a deep-seated anger. It's really personal bias, and if there's another book focusing on Athos, I would not read it. I find myself getting quite upset. Ethan redeemed himself in my eyes when he saluted his mother, but his is a secret and likely one-off.
I do recognize that there are feminists in this world who wish for a world like Athos', and there are books written exactly like reverse-gendered Athos. I dislike them as well, but I admit they did not anger me as much as this particular fictional planet did. Perhaps it's time to examine these books again...
On to the plot: Suspenseful, fun and first time meeting Jackson's Whole denizens for me. A romping adventure ticking all the necessary ingredients. Short read though, good for a train trip.
I do recognize that there are feminists in this world who wish for a world like Athos', and there are books written exactly like reverse-gendered Athos. I dislike them as well, but I admit they did not anger me as much as this particular fictional planet did. Perhaps it's time to examine these books again...
On to the plot: Suspenseful, fun and first time meeting Jackson's Whole denizens for me. A romping adventure ticking all the necessary ingredients. Short read though, good for a train trip.
grayjay's review against another edition
4.0
This side story in the Vorkosigan series features one of sci-fi's favorite tropes: a single-gendered planet—in this case a planet of men who breed via cloning from a limited supply of ovarian cultures.
When the supply gets low a reproductive doctor, Ethan, is sent to a nearby space station to broker a deal for more ovarian cultures. Along the way he meets a variety of fun characters, uncovers a galactic secret, and puts his abilities to the test.
I was a little worried for a while that this queer hero would fall in love with Ellie Quinn, female spy from the Dendari Mercenaries, but happily he did not.
When the supply gets low a reproductive doctor, Ethan, is sent to a nearby space station to broker a deal for more ovarian cultures. Along the way he meets a variety of fun characters, uncovers a galactic secret, and puts his abilities to the test.
I was a little worried for a while that this queer hero would fall in love with Ellie Quinn, female spy from the Dendari Mercenaries, but happily he did not.