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Ethan of Athos Audiobook
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(3.00) - 4,411 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Set in Bujold’s Vorkosigan universe, this independent novel follows a doctor as he braces himself for his first encounter with that most alien of aliens—a female of his own species.
Dr. Ethan Urquhart is chief of biology at a District Reproduction Center. He delivers babies from uterine replicators. You see, on Athos there are no women. In fact, the planet is forbidden to them. Isolated from the galactic community by distance and a lack of exploitable resources, the Athosians have peacefully lived their peculiar social experiment for two hundred years. But now, the ovarian cultures dating back to the original settlement of the planet are giving out. With the future of Athos at stake, Ethan is chosen on behalf of his cloistered fellows for a unique mission: to brave the wider universe in quest of new ovarian tissue cultures to replenish Athos’ dwindling stocks. Along the way, he must tangle with covert operatives, killers, telepathy, interplanetary politics, and—perhaps most disturbingly—an indomitable female mercenary named Elli Quinn.
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"Don't start this one thinking Miles is in it. You'll only be disappointed. The little guy is mentioned quite a bit though and one of the major characters is Elli Quinn, some might remember her from The Warrior's Apprentice. The main protagonist is this chap Ethan. He lives on a male only planet inhabited by blokes who live in superstitious dread of women (otherwise known as uterine replicators with legs). The fun starts when he has to leave his home planet in search or a replacement supply of ovarian cultures to replace the failing existing cultures, without which his society can't reproduce. Due to massive culture shock (women everywhere) Ethan soon gets up to his neck in trouble. It's all quite light hearted but very amusing."
— Michael (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The plot-driven story moves swiftly and will engage SF fans of all subgenres. Recommended for all collections.”
— Library Journal -
“Bujold has created a compellingly attractive protagonist in Dr. Ethan Urquhart…Highly recommended for all SF collections.”
— Booklist -
“Ethan of Athos is an entertaining and out-of-the-ordinary romp.”
— Locus
Ethan of Athos Listener Reviews
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" It's fun and worth reading but without any real weight. I missed Miles. "
— Julie, 2/1/2014 -
" Very fun read! Bujold's characterizations are amazing! You have to love them all. Even the bad guys! I definitely recommend this to not only sci fi lovers, but readers in general. "
— Jeremy, 1/8/2014 -
" Oh, okay, this isn't anywhere near as good as the other Vorkosigan novels, but it has Elli Quinn! And sweet, dorky Ethan from the very gay planet of the patriarchy! Needs more Miles. Okay, *any* Miles. Or Cordelia. But it's a great comfort read. "
— Sandy, 1/2/2014 -
" Okay this one had me howling with laughter in places. "
— Dustin, 12/2/2013 -
" Amazing how many of the books in this series maintain high levels on enjoyable writing, great story wit actual plot advancement, and continued character growth. This one is a little light though. "
— Catherine, 11/23/2013 -
" This book is always fun. It's a bit of a departure from the rest of the Miles Vorkosigan series, but it was nice seeing Elli saving the day. Ethan was a very engaging and interesting character and I keep hoping Bujold returns to Athos to see how he and Terrence (and EQ-1's children) are doing. "
— Debbie, 5/21/2013 -
" The book that I've read completely as an ebook. Different from most Vorkosigan stories. 3.5 stars. Interesting, but not a page turner. "
— Tom, 4/10/2013 -
" Sweet and funny and twisted, this novel takes any number of SF tropes and turns 'em inside out. I love Ethan, full of outrage and indignation till he finds himself alone in the corridor. Have I said that I LOVE this series? I do, I so do. "
— melody, 2/5/2013 -
" Technically a part of the Vorkosigan saga, but Miles is nowhere in it. This story's protagonist is Elli, who has been sent on a separate mission by Miles. Enjoyable read, as always, but I missed Miles. "
— Alisa, 3/9/2012 -
" Amazing construct of a world. LMB can imbue her characters with the most amaznig emotions such that the reader gets them clearly. I hadn't read this one before, I am glad I read it now. "
— Mary, 2/25/2012 -
" Technically a part of the Vorkosigan saga, but Miles is nowhere in it. This story's protagonist is Elli, who has been sent on a separate mission by Miles. Enjoyable read, as always, but I missed Miles. "
— Alisa, 4/19/2011 -
" It was a very interesting adventure, but the plot was a bit simplistic. There was enough to be a fun read/listen. It was good to find out about Elli Quinn, but it was hard to know exactly when in the timeline this story happens. "
— Changos, 4/12/2011 -
" A quick and very enjoyable read. Reminded me a bit of "The Left Hand of Darkness," in its treatment of how a society would look with very different sexuality/gender roles, though much less philosophical about it. "
— Brenton, 3/31/2011 -
" While you can't say the book really wow-ed me, it's pleasant and exciting with a good set of characters. I enjoyed reading it. "
— Annis, 2/8/2011 -
" Now that I'm done her Vorkosigan Saga books, I'm catching up on standalone books in the Vorkosigan 'verse before reading Bujold's other series. Ethan of Athos was quite good, even as a standalone. Not one of her 5-star works, but a solid 4 stars for being enjoyable. "
— Ruth, 1/28/2011 -
" The book that I've read completely as an ebook. Different from most Vorkosigan stories. 3.5 stars. Interesting, but not a page turner. "
— Tom, 12/29/2010 -
" This was way fun. The gender politics in this one are the equivalent of Twain's racial politics in Huckleberry Finn. I'd really rate this 3.5 but I'll round it up because it was so entertaining and yay, the ending made me smile. "
— Isis, 12/12/2010
About Lois McMaster Bujold
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. In 2019 she was named a Damon Knight Grand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, one of science fiction’s highest honors. She has won seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. In 2011 she was awarded the Skylark Award for her significant contribution to science fiction. Hugo awards for Best Series were received by the Vorkosigan Saga in 2017, and the World of the Five Gods in 2018.
About Grover Gardner
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.