A review by yak_attak
Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

4.0

Ethan of Athos is a fast, riveting story throwing a fish-out-of-water character into intergalactic intrigue and spy vs. spy. Though things get dangerous at times, it's broadly a more lighthearted fare from Bujold, the main quirk being that, in her typical fashion she gives us an unexpected and carefully crafted main character - a conservative, religious, misogynist man from a planet with no women. Though this sounds about as dour as possible, Bujold balances expertly both pairing him with the go-getter lady who upstages him constantly, but also not pushing things too far. This isn't a story about a man *entirely* learning he's wrong from start to finish, it's simpler than that. More realistic, and the hesitancy pays off in the end.

As always, Bujold tells a great story. Maybe not the best in the Saga, but a highlight for sure in its own way.