This is not the greatest sf ever written, but it's a nice example of speculation on some of the futures of reproduction. Bujold also does a good job of spotting - and using - some features of living in the controlled environment of a space station. For example, what would be the response to a possible new variant of a contagious disease?

Here's the one area where I don't feel she's realistic: the main character comes from a world settled with the purpose of excluding women altogether (I feel sure Bujold had Mt. Authos, where women have been forbidden since 1046, in mind when she named the planet). Yet after spending his whole life being taught to fear them, when Ethan meets free mercenary Elli Quinn, he trusts and works with her almost immediately. Sadly, one of our species' greatest strengths seems to be an ability to define a subgroup as "OTHER" and whip up a hatred which can endure for centuries. Of course, the book is set in the future... maybe we'll be a little smarter then.

Placed in Medicine Chest Bookbox

I couldn't resist taking this one from the bookbox - obviously because I enjoy sci-fi, but also because my son's name is Ethan. Hopefully I will enjoy it ;-)

This was a nice, fast read and the very first I have ever read by Lois McMaster Bujold. I rather enjoyed the premise quite a lot and found McMaster Bojold's writing to be liberally sprinkled with dry humor. The pace of the novel was excellent and kept me turning the pages and eneded up reading the whole thing in a day. The newt/body disposal scene was a favorite of mine.
The one thing I wish was done just a bit better was the character development. Some of them were a little cardboard, but it didn't take away from the story.
I will be moving on to more of McMaster Bujold's writing since I picked up a couple of the Vorkosigan novels (to which this one is loosely tied) through the NPR VBB.

Thank you for sharing this one JudySlump612 - I will be taking this one to the next Bookcrossing meeting at the Joshua Tree Cafe in April to find a new reader.

I am taking this fun sci fi to the Bookcrossing meeting at the Joshua Tree Cafe today to find a new reader.

Picked up at the April Calgary BC meeting.

Well, the beginning was good, and the end was good, and I have absolutely no idea what happened in the middle. I read it over twice, I literally, do not know how all the plot threads came together.

I liked the ideas though, based on the timeline in the back of the book this is a spinoff from a larger universe, so that might be worth investigating.

Released at the Calgary Bookcrossing Meeting.

The book actually has, in my opinion, a better cover with a handsome astronaut gazing into the unknown with his " I'm sexy and I know it" pose, and his spaceship in the background.
I hope the story can live up to the cover...

Dr. Ethan Urquhart's character reminded me of some sequestered medieval monk sent out from the cloister having to deal with the local peasants. I really wanted Elli Quinn to physically knock some sense into him.
The cover art does not in any way reflect the character of Dr. Ethan Urquhart. Perhaps it is an advertisement for the space ferry Ethan used with the Captain portrayed in front of the ship. I really think cover artists should read the book before they pick up the pencil.

Taken to the Calgary BC Meetup at the Joshua Tree Cafe today.

Picked up at October's meeting. Adding to my really large TBR pile, better start reading...

I'm moving, so in an effort to reduce the amount I have to move I am passing books that multiple people wanted to the next person. This is a book I want to read and therefore want back, just not until I am settled in my new place.

Are you in the Calgary area and interested in meeting up with other Calgary BookCrossers? Please check out our facebook group, "BookCrossing Calgary" for details on how. Meeting are held on the second Saturday of every month at the Joshua Tree Cafe starting at 11am. New Crossers are always welcome.

Picked this up at the High Tea Christmas get together: from Crossing-Guard's stash.

I am returning this to the September meeting at Cravings. I have had it way too long and am just not interested.

Brought home from the September meeting - way, way too many books this month!

Taken to the April meeting! I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would!! It looks like it's going to be one of those sexist 70s sci fi books but look beyond the cover to the author....

To the finder:
Calgary has an active group of BookCrossers that meet to swap books and discuss book crossing every second Saturday of the month at 11am at Cravings Market on Fairmount Drive SE. We always love to meet new crossers, so please join us any time you like!

Picked up at the April meeting, we had 11 attendees with 2 new ones. As usual I came home with too many books.