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ufowitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
seanhatesnamerestrictions's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. A bonus of "reading" the Warrior's Apprentice first is that I recognized Pilot Officer Mayhew when he had a cameo near the end of this book.
missy_evanko's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
A good old sci fi read with a romantic subplot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
bioniclib's review against another edition
3.0
A tale of star crossed lovers may be a plot older than even "Billy Shakes" and his Romeo and Juliet, but it's a winning formula.
Cordelia and Arel are soldiers from opposing sides who must throw in together to survive and then once they do they begin to see the other side for the complex culture it really is and not the stereotyped propaganda'd.
The romance seems a little forced and the theme of honor is a little worn. However, this is a rare breed of book: a sci-fi book by a woman. Being her first book, it's bound to be a little rough. There was enough interesting investigations, such as what's done with the babies begot through rape, to keep my interest. I wasn't captured by the tale but it was solid enough that I'm going to read another. If you read this one and want to move on (like me) the next book in the series isn't clear cut: https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-internal-chronology
Cordelia and Arel are soldiers from opposing sides who must throw in together to survive and then once they do they begin to see the other side for the complex culture it really is and not the stereotyped propaganda'd.
The romance seems a little forced and the theme of honor is a little worn. However, this is a rare breed of book: a sci-fi book by a woman. Being her first book, it's bound to be a little rough. There was enough interesting investigations, such as what's done with the babies begot through rape, to keep my interest. I wasn't captured by the tale but it was solid enough that I'm going to read another. If you read this one and want to move on (like me) the next book in the series isn't clear cut: https://www.goodreads.com/series/98254-vorkosigan-internal-chronology
arttuamigo's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Pretty good overall. Love Cordelia for sure and I think her relationship with Vorkosigan is nice. Plot isn't anything mindbowing but the worldbuilding is excellent. Lots of quatables as well. I certainly think it's a clear product of it's time and its very clear this is a book from the 80s.
lifeonline's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brownr7's review against another edition
2.0
Was expecting a science fiction story, but instead I got a formulaic genre romance. Reads very much like any modern paranormal or historical romance with a thin, unoriginal veil of science fiction.
marieketron's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
armedaphrodite's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
There are lots of things to like here. The prose has some excellent turns of phrase. The characters are complex and flawed, the lot of them. The plot comes together over time, but with enough happening at any given moment to give you a sense of tension in the immediate.
That said, the prose can fall down as well (I still can't believe "grimly glum" got past an editor). The book is also rather dated (1986 pub date) in its handling of mental illness - you can tell that there's a progressive (for the time) mindset around it being a medical issue and not reason itself for recrimination, but some rather heinous actions seem to be written off pretty quickly and the character returned to good graces. It removes agency from the character, and plays to stereotypes at the same time. Frankly, in general, characters move beyond traumatic or harrowing events pretty fast.
The epilogue - honestly, I wanted to bump the entire review up a whole star for the epilogue. It managed to craft a compelling story in such a short amount of time, to develop themes so quickly, and throw in relief the themes of the larger book as a whole. I settled on a half star because, well, why didn't the rest of the book capture me quite so soundly? Anyway, Lois, I realize this book is forty years old and you never saw fit to write about her again, but please give me some more Tersa Boni.
That said, the prose can fall down as well (I still can't believe "grimly glum" got past an editor). The book is also rather dated (1986 pub date) in its handling of mental illness - you can tell that there's a progressive (for the time) mindset around it being a medical issue and not reason itself for recrimination, but some rather heinous actions seem to be written off pretty quickly and the character returned to good graces. It removes agency from the character, and plays to stereotypes at the same time. Frankly, in general, characters move beyond traumatic or harrowing events pretty fast.
The epilogue - honestly, I wanted to bump the entire review up a whole star for the epilogue. It managed to craft a compelling story in such a short amount of time, to develop themes so quickly, and throw in relief the themes of the larger book as a whole. I settled on a half star because, well, why didn't the rest of the book capture me quite so soundly? Anyway, Lois, I realize this book is forty years old and you never saw fit to write about her again, but please give me some more Tersa Boni.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Physical abuse and Rape
Minor: Forced institutionalization
dave_peticolas's review against another edition
3.0
A good sci-fi adventure with interesting and well-drawn characters. The book leans more towards plot and character development than technological speculation.