Reviews with content warning for Medical trauma - Shards of Honour

Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

Shards of Honour by Lois McMaster Bujold

11 reviews

xvicesx's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? Yes

4.25

Quite surprised by how much I liked this one, seeing how mixed the reviews were. Aral and Cordelia were very enjoyable lead characters, each wise beyond their years, caught up in entirely unwanted subterfuge and conspiracy. Seeing them come together was a joy.

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antropomorficzny's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

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

3.75

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davidsonrachel6's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

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kbhenrickson's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced

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

After finishing all of the books in her World of the Five Gods series, I've decided to give this science fiction series by Lois McMaster Bujold a try. Her writing is so wonderful and adds an extra dimension of enjoyment to each book I have read by her. This particular story was quite intense at times, which is a bit tricky for me with an audiobook because you can't casually glance ahead to check on the outcome if you need reassurance. I should have trusted that Bujold wouldn't cross the line (for me - I'm sure some other readers feel differently). If you are someone who avoids certain content,

there is a very intense almost rape scene, and, for me, at least, an even more distressing part where the main character is treated very poorly by mental health professionals and almost involuntarily committed to an institution for continuation of same

. I LOVED Cordelia - give me a smart, adult woman protagonist who can take care of herself any day. I also enjoyed the small details added to the story that gave it realism and sometimes humor - like how all of the Betans, when discussing their president, claim, "I didn't vote for him." I was a little confused by the Aftermaths section, though, so if anyone can shed light on that, I'd love to hear it. Grover Gardner does an excellent job with the narration, and it was a delight to hear his voice again after recently finishing the Penric and Desdemona series (which he also narrates). I am already getting started on the next book.

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unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense 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? Yes

4.25

Fast paced and complex, a great mix of harder science fiction themes (interplanetary politics, war, space travel, medical advancements) and more relationship focused themes. I enjoyed the depth of character portrayal and commentary on politics, military service, humanity, leadership, trust and just… people. Excited to read more of this series!!

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beccaand's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.75

adding Cordelia Naismith to my internal list of cool ladies I want to emulate

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obviousthings's review against another edition

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I wasn't finding the romance all that romantic to begin with, and then at the end of Chapter 14 Vorkosigan mentioned something heinous that he essentially just... let happen?? If it was meant to be a huge red flag I'd keep reading, but it seems like the book is really pushing the narrative that he's a good guy in spite of what people say, and I just can't stomach that at this point.

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