a feminist notion a planet of men is, and how tied up with nurturing children Athos is, accounting for the costs in a way that doesn't dismiss it as 'women’s work.'" Library Journal noted that "the plot-driven story moves swiftly and will engage SF fans of all subgenres". Nicki Gerlach of SF Site wrote, "Bujold's got an uncanny ability to create multidimensional, flawed, and loveable characters in a very short space. Even though Ethan is almost painfully naïve throughout the book, it's hard not to sympathize with him and cheer for him right from the beginning." She also praises Bujold's dialogue, which blends humor and "snarky wit" with "the action, the politics, and the emotional pathos that make up the rest of the story." Gerlach also praises Bujold's deftness at "introducing more serious topics in her fiction, without having the story become entirely about The Issues." She writes: See also LGBT themes in speculative fiction Reproduction and pregnancy in speculative fiction Sex and sexuality in speculative fiction References External links 1986 American novels 1986 science fiction novels American science fiction novels LGBT speculative fiction novels Novels by Lois McMaster Bujold Novels with gay themes Single-gender worlds Space opera novels Vorkosigan Saga 1980s LGBT novels American LGBT novels Baen Books books