Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold

6 reviews

valjeanval's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I've read this one before, and it's interesting the different perspectives you get when you read books at different stages of your life. Bujold is one of the best adventure writers, if you ask me, and Cordelia is one of her best characters. I really enjoy stories of competent couples, and Aral and Cordelia definitely qualify. I generally don't like too much romance in my sci-fi, but you know what? Neither do Aral and Cordelia. They've got a lot on their plates.

That said, there are definitely parts of this book that do not age well, in particular the treatment of SA. I feel like the subject is treated much too casually and while I see how she is trying to make Bothari into a complicated survivor of abuse himself, I think it puts the emphasis in the wrong place and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. For 1986, it's extremely progressive, but it doesn't pass modern standards in this one area and as such, carries a sizable SA content warning.

Still, if you portion that out, it's a classic of the genre, features one of the best female heroes of the time period, and a is great start to an epic saga.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Violence, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Torture, Ableism, and Misogyny

Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, and Death

unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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

4.25

Fast paced and complex, a great mix of harder science fiction themes (interplanetary politics, war, space travel, medical advancements) and more relationship focused themes. I enjoyed the depth of character portrayal and commentary on politics, military service, humanity, leadership, trust and just… people. Excited to read more of this series!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Torture, Sexual violence, Gore, Alcohol, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Sexual assault, War, Murder, Blood, and Vomit

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Rape

obviousthings's review against another edition

I wasn't finding the romance all that romantic to begin with, and then at the end of Chapter 14 Vorkosigan mentioned something heinous that he essentially just... let happen?? If it was meant to be a huge red flag I'd keep reading, but it seems like the book is really pushing the narrative that he's a good guy in spite of what people say, and I just can't stomach that at this point.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Rape, Ableism, Blood, Death, Confinement, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and War

Moderate: Gore, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Animal death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence

Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, and Vomit

toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Kidnapping, Confinement, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, War, Torture, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Child death

Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Pregnancy

pvbobrien's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Moderate: Medical content, Violence, War, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, Blood, Death, Gore, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Minor: Abortion, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Rape, Drug use, Infidelity, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexism, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

octopus_farmer's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

Read this on recommendation from a friend - I really appreciated how everything came together. The author is good at tying in loose ends in great ways. I especially loved how the characters had real tension between their duties and each other in realistic ways without monologuing. My only gripe is that it could have leaned more into unreliable narrators, but it would be a different book if it did. Saw the end coming and was still pleased. Highly recommend reviewing content warnings, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Rape

Moderate: Sexual violence, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Confinement, and Torture

Minor: Colonisation, Fatphobia, and Stalking