A review by ahsimlibrarian
Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen by Lois McMaster Bujold

4.0

This is definitely a book that won't appeal to the average SF reader and one that requires prior knowledge of the series. It is a story of widowhood and loss. It is a story about an open marriage and bisexuality. It is the story of finding love later in life. It is a story about parenting and what it means to choose to be a parent. Yes, Bujold's world-building is on full-display and SF plotlines intersect with these other ones. It is lovely to spend time with Cordelia and I love that Bujold gave her a book--again! But this is practically a literary novel wrapped in SF scaffolding, which is why I loved it. Bujold often remarks that few academic classes or articles spend much time on how series work, their nuances and accumulations over the arcs of series. Bujold herself does think about this, even if her work isn't given proper credit. Bujold is an author that rewards loyalty with depth. But if you are looking for space opera action, pick up Captain Vorpatril or Young Miles instead.