Reviews

Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold

bentheoverlordsbooks's review

4.5

 Ethan of Athos by Lois McMaster Bujold 💉💉💉💉.5/5 Firstly I just want to say how great Bujold is at giving us new POV characters who feel very different to those Ive read from before. Ethan is an excellent character and I loved following his adventure, and learning more about the culture of the people of Athos. His friendships with Elli and Terrance were excellent, and I loved following his beaurocratic nightmare of getting some DNA for his cultures. I also love that Bujold used the fact that he worked in Fertility to show us how the Athos society worked, and it made any exposition feel fluid and earned. 
I think currently this might be my second fav book behind Barrayar but at the same time these are so fun, and interesting little scifi adventures that its hard to decide. Also for a series started in the 80s I do love how casually queer/queer adjacent Bujold makes her worlds, and how each society deals with it. I'm excited to read on in the series to see if Bujold gives us other POVs from different worlds (I know Falling Free is new POVs but Im not sure if there are any more) 
Overall a really fun adventure 

seriuzbiznus's review against another edition

adventurous funny slow-paced

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

3.75

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

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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.

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!

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.