My Goodreads review: Ethan of Athos

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This "side quest" novel in the Vorkosigan Saga may only feel like a five-star read to those of us in desperate need of SF comfort food right now . . .but if that's you, this may be the feel-good fix you're looking for. Although the plot does involve a character from a previous Vorkosigan novel (Elli Quinn, The Warrior's Apprentice), she is not the main character, & the book may be read enjoyably as a stand-alone.

The plot itself involves a reproductive physician from Athos, a single-sex planet (male) with a big problem after its shipment of ovarian cultures gets hijacked. Most of the action takes place on Kline Station, a space station orbiting a planetless star. The espionage-flavored chases, double-crosses, firefights, & mysteries make for a great deal of fun, but Bujold also does some thoughtful worldbuilding as she details the very sympathetic culture of Athos. For a book first published in 1986, this is an achievement in itself.

The Audible edition is narrated by Grover Gardner, who does a fine though unobtrusive job of it.




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