Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

4 reviews

jhbandcats's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

The sequel to Shards of Honor, Barrayar follows the story immediately. Aral Vorkosigan is now the Regent of the child Emperor Gregor, and a coup is already being plotted. 

I love this series because it’s exciting, with lovable main characters, vivid battle scenes, and heroic action. There are assassination attempts and desperation as the pretender’s forces are closing in, plus the crises of difficult pregnancies and poisoning. Cordelia’s father-in-law is doing everything he can to force the abortion of her poisoned fetus. It’s one struggle followed by another. 

I’ve read these first two books of the Vorkosigan Saga three times now. This is one of my favorite sci-fi series. I’ll likely read them three more times. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

blacksphinx's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? Yes

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and War

Minor: Confinement, Rape, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping

I truly cannot emphasize enough how much ableism is directed to people with physical disabilities by antagonists in this book. Additionally, this book contains a slur against intersex people (repeated twice).

pvbobrien's review against another edition

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, and Misogyny

Moderate: Biphobia, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Child abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

mizelse's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, and Classism

Moderate: Torture and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, and Suicide attempt