2020 book 166

 Lois McMaster Bujold’s The Warrior's Apprentice

This book focuses on the teenage son of the couple from the previous books, who I gather is really the main character in the series. Because of an attack before his birth, he’s physically handicapped, but he’s determined to be an army man like his father and grandfather. I liked this character a lot (aside from his lovelorn advances to his girl friend), and it’s really fun to see him think his way out of one mess, only to find himself in a bigger mess. This was written in I think 1986, so be warned that there is some business about characters who are hermaphrodites (I have the impression Bujold was trying to be progressive with this, but she calls them “it” which is gross). The main character also has to deal with a lot of people calling him names and being rude because of his disabilities. A good and satisfying wrap-up, though. B+.