I have always thought of Falling Free as a minor entry in the Vorkosigan saga (it's not even part of the saga proper, just set in the same universe). However, rereading it, I think it's as enjoyable as the books with Miles, although not boasting such a charismatic main character.

The story is straightforward but very appealing, and the stakes high: the very survival of the quaddies' race. They are a genetic experiment made by a giant corporation: people with four arms instead of two arms and two legs, perfectly adapted to work in free fall. They are basically slaves with no rights, even if they are relatively well-treated, as valuable instruments. Unfortunately, they are rendered obsolete just before going into production, because of the development of artificial gravity.

One of their teachers, a veteran engineer called Graf, decides to sacrifice his career and his pension to try to help them. I wonder if this would be considered politically-incorrect nowadays (someone who is not a member of a minority saving that minority, like the equivalent of a white savior). But it's done in a natural manner. The quaddies need Graf because the oldest among them are still very young and inexperienced when they have to fight for their life and their future, and some of the quaddies are also effective leaders of their 'revolution'.

One thing that bothered me is that the human administrators were a bit heavy-handed (like when assigning the quaddies reproductive partners against their will). If they have to manage workers who are basically slaves but don't know they are, it would make sense not to be too heavy-handed, because that way the quaddies will realize how little say they have in their own lives and some kind of rebellion is almost unavoidable.

Anyway, a good story, quite enjoyable, even if Miles Vorkosigan is not in it. ( )

Audio book/unabridged. Very good SF story about a race bred to be slaves in zero gravity with hands where legs would normally be. An engineer tries to lead this group to freedom when funding dries up and extermination has been ordered.

It was all right. Heroic engineer leads a revolution of the downtrodden IN SPAAACE. A decent premise but I didn't find the story or the characters very gripping. ( )

Very enjoyable, solid, classic sci-fi adventure. No wonder, of course, it's Lois McMaster Bujold ;) The adventure aside (with quite a bit of excitement there), you have such themes as the moral dilemmas of genetic engineering, human rights, and most of all, the choices we make.
The characters are not as memorable as in the rest of the Vorkosigan universe, but they are alive and you care about them. ( )

This was the first book I read in the Vorkosigan Saga and I really liked it. It had political intrigue, heroism, racism, exploitation, and genetic manipulation set in space with a great story. Fun, fast, entertaining read! ( )