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davidsonrachel6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Abortion, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
readinginfl's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy, and War
iaraya's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and War
blacksphinx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
pvbobrien's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol
km_reads_and_edits's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"... I've always tried to walk the path of honour. But what do you do when all choices are evil? Shameful action, shameful inaction, every path leading to a thicket of death."
I have seen some reviews describe this novel as a 'romance'. I both agree and disagree. I feel as though this is a science fiction novel that has romance in it, rather than a romance novel based in a science fiction world - if that distinction makes sense. A significant amount of the plot actually revolves around political intrigue and manoeuvring. Cordelia, the POV character, gets caught up in this - and through the events that unfold, winds up forming a bond with a man who is supposed to be her enemy, Aral Vorkosigan.
"Well, I don't hate him. Can't say as I worship him, either." She paused a long time, and looked up to meet her mother's eyes square on. "But when he's cut, I bleed."
Cordelia and Vorkosigan's relationship is one that forms from mutual admiration and respect. How this tentative friendship progresses, and how they come to develop stronger feelings for one another, is beautifully done. Their connection, and how they navigated being somewhat 'star-crossed', was one of my favourite parts of the story. However, don't read this novel if you're after steamy scenes with heaps of sexual tension. Like I said, I would describe this novel as sci-fi political intrigue first and a romance second.
"The cup of victory; bitter on the tongue, heavy in the stomach, sad as defeat..."
Other things I loved about this story were the worldbuilding, Cordelia as a character, and - of course - the fact that it revolved so heavily around strategy and political intrigue. I'm a sucker for that stuff, so getting to enjoy it alongside a bit of romance made for a thoroughly enjoyable read!
I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes science fiction, obviously, but I would also recommend giving it a try if you're the kind of person who sometimes enjoys a sweet romance and other times enjoys a story about spies and wars and backstabbing. Because I would say Shards of Honour provides a nice blend of both of those moods.
Please check the trigger warnings before reading this book. This is a science fiction story where a war takes place. As such, there are naturally quite a few references to things like death, violence, murder, imprisonment, etc. as well as some mental health stuff like trauma, PTSD, and unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcoholism.
An additional trigger warning I would like to mention is that the "guns" used are actually "nerve disruptors" and can cause traumatic brain injury. This happens to one of the secondary characters at the beginning of the book and there is a lot of detail given in regard to his condition afterwards.
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Abortion, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
There is attempted sexual assault on-page but it is stopped before it can progress. There is no on-page rape. However, the previous exploits of the criminal are later discussed by other characters in moderate detail.melissahawco's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Violence and War
Minor: Confinement, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis