4.09 AVERAGE

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thewonderelf's review

4.0

Originally read this in book format when I was in middle school, probably around 1999 or 2000-ish. This time around I listened to the audio book, in keeping with my re-read of the entire Vorkosigan saga from start to finish in audio format.

In this one, Miles meets a clone of himself. And at first, I thought, "Oh my Goddess, this is ridiculous." But I was still enjoying the book so much, I had to look deeper. It's actually not ridiculous at all. Bujould sets up the clone and the plot surrounding the clone perfectly, and Miles's reaction to the clone is great. And then you have the clone (his name winds up become Mark) himself, who does not behave how you want him to, but how he should and would given the circumstances he's in. Once again, Bujold proves her mastery of character. (And there's plenty of action in which the characters can try themselves -- it's no fun if they're sitting around a table chatting, now is it?)
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book was great. The first Vorkosigan book I completely enjoyed without caveat. Although I did groan audibly when I realized the pun in the title.

A very good read, like the whole series. Well paced with characters I know and love. The action is good, the humour too. There is some deeper stuff in it, character-wise, which I appreciate. But it doesn’t distract, it just adds a layer. It’s very well balanced.

Another doozy from Bujold. It romps along nicely, as one expects, but I was a bit disappointed to see so little of Earth (it's set on Earth!) given, say, how interesting and attractive the sights in Cetaganda appeared by comparison. The decor at parties was barely mentioned, and in other novels set elsewhere there were entire plot points built around the decor of parties! So weirdly, despite it being my planet, I had less of a sense-of-place than usual.

Also, the places we went were sort of ducts/back alleys/dockyards sort of places. She has an unlimited budget for sets, since it's a novel, so I wish the sets had been more attractive.

Minor quibbles!

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).

awesome
adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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: Yes

This one was part sitcom and part ihatemydad and both worked for me. 

Miles needs to stop proposing to women he hasn’t dated !!!! Baby !!!! 

Miles vs Mark
adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes