Oh, how I love the novels of Lois McMaster Bujold.

‘Ethan of Athos,’ a side story set in the Vorkosigan Universe, does everything a science fiction novel is supposed to do. It introduces new cultures and viewpoints, uses them to comment on contemporary society and the human condition in general, and tells a cracking good story. What more do you need?

Here’s the setup: Dr. Ethan Urquhart, an upstanding citizen of the monogendered (as in, all-male) and agrarian planet of Athos, is convinced / pressured / hornswoggled into venturing out into the wider galaxy to investigate what went wrong with the planet’s last shipment of fertilization-ready ova. Additionally, it’s up to him to procure some new and viable lines to secure the future of his people. In other words, an ambassador from the gay space-Amish is sent to a space station to solve a mystery, save his people, and generally do some good.

But this the Vorkosigan Universe. Sculduggery and hijinks are afoot. Before he knows it, Ethan is in well over his head: with no backup, no weapons, and no clue. Will he succeed? Will he survive? And where, exactly does mercenary spy Elli Quinn figure in all this?

And so, McMaster takes us on a wonderfully entertaining thrill ride of action, romance, and cultural commentary on sexuality. This is book is fun to read (or listen to), interesting to think about, and altogether satisfying. Best of all, it requires no prior knowledge of the Vorkosigan Universe. Interested readers can dive in right here, and explore further if it capture their imagination.

In short, I think ‘Ethan of Athos’ is wonderful. If you’re at all interested in science fiction, I think you’ll love it.