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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Generally a solid entry into the series. I think of this series more of a scifi mystery series a lot of the time and this book leans into that some.
So much fun! This was definitely my favorite Miles story so far. It just had everything - all of my favorite characters, fun packed action and Miles being stupidly clever. Mark if a fascinating character by himself and a great addition to the existing array of characters. Furthermore, I really enjoyed watching Miles dealing with and thinking about Mark.
Sadly, I already knew much about Mark before reading the book, so that was pretty spoiled for me.
Another aspect I found interesting is the location of the book on earth - future Vorkosigan saga earth - which Bujold haven't explored yet in any of her previous books.
I also enjoyed how the book dealt with the previous event in Komarr, which follow almost each of the books in the series so far without them actually being a part of it. The theme of dealing with our parents mistakes and starting a new future was very interesting.
The part I loved most about the book, However, is a spoiler.
Sadly, I already knew much about Mark before reading the book, so that was pretty spoiled for me.
Another aspect I found interesting is the location of the book on earth - future Vorkosigan saga earth - which Bujold haven't explored yet in any of her previous books.
I also enjoyed how the book dealt with the previous event in Komarr, which follow almost each of the books in the series so far without them actually being a part of it. The theme of dealing with our parents mistakes and starting a new future was very interesting.
The part I loved most about the book, However, is a spoiler.
Spoiler
Elli Quinn's refusal to be lady Vorkosigan was priceless. In many ways, I feel Bujold is reflecting here on Cordelia choice to come live in Barrayar and be lady Vorkosigan. Although it wasn't an easy choice for her, she did give up a lot for Aral, a part I also felt ambivalent about. I am happy another strong woman in the sage do not want to make the same choice. She doesn't even hesitate. I feel that Bujold is telling us - it was the choice Cordelia made, but it really isn't for everyone.
10/05/21 Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
Audiobook Re-Read =)
Currently on Audible Plus
Audiobook Re-Read =)
This book is, for me, the quintessential Miles book. Dendarii Mercenaries, Political intrigue, Barrayarian History, interesting FutureTech, and non-stop, frenentic, Miles-in-crisis.
We join them close to where we left them in Borders of Infinity – Miles has returned to his Barrayan job in order to tidy things up with his Dendarii and do a stint as being ordinary Vor Miles again. This involves reporting in to Simon and requesting funds to cover wages, supplies and most importantly, repairs their ship suffered in the recent battle. This is Miles though, and things are never that easy.
He’s happened to have to report in to Earth, to Captain Duv Galeni, a man who 1. hasn’t been briefed on Miles’s two identities, 2. doesn’t understand the need for the Dendarii and assumes it’s yet another ‘Vor thing’ where Miles has only got where he is thanks to his father, and, 3. has a bit of an issue with that considering his own background. Komarran. And considering the war that no one can forget and the fact he’s had to fight everything and everyone for his chance to get where he is… Oh, and, of course the fact that Miles’ father ‘the Butcher of Komarr’ is likely the one who killed his own father… well. He’s pretty civil, considering. Just bitter.
Requests have to be manually jumped through wormholes in order for one part of space to contact another, so it’s ten days between message to Simon and back to Galeni in order for the requested funds to come through. Considering the requested funds are to the tune of eighteen million marks, which is ‘more than ten times to budget for this entire embassy for a year’ this does nothing to invoke anything less than passive aggressive remarks, but he follows through. And then for a second time, when the funds are missing from the first response.
From here it’s a rollercoaster of spoilery-emotions. There’s a big reveal in this one that gives the book its title, but what’s interesting in this is how it’s handled. We have Miles, who is referred to as a mutant for all his health defects, and he’s come to terms with this all years ago. We see discussion of him and why his parents have never had any other children, more discussion on Barrayar and their thoughts on how fit he is in all senses of the word… and more that you can see in the upcoming discussion with Tsana.
Overall, this was an excellent piece of work, and I really hope we get to see all of these characters (Galeni and Mark mainly) much more, very soon.
He’s happened to have to report in to Earth, to Captain Duv Galeni, a man who 1. hasn’t been briefed on Miles’s two identities, 2. doesn’t understand the need for the Dendarii and assumes it’s yet another ‘Vor thing’ where Miles has only got where he is thanks to his father, and, 3. has a bit of an issue with that considering his own background. Komarran. And considering the war that no one can forget and the fact he’s had to fight everything and everyone for his chance to get where he is… Oh, and, of course the fact that Miles’ father ‘the Butcher of Komarr’ is likely the one who killed his own father… well. He’s pretty civil, considering. Just bitter.
Requests have to be manually jumped through wormholes in order for one part of space to contact another, so it’s ten days between message to Simon and back to Galeni in order for the requested funds to come through. Considering the requested funds are to the tune of eighteen million marks, which is ‘more than ten times to budget for this entire embassy for a year’ this does nothing to invoke anything less than passive aggressive remarks, but he follows through. And then for a second time, when the funds are missing from the first response.
From here it’s a rollercoaster of spoilery-emotions. There’s a big reveal in this one that gives the book its title, but what’s interesting in this is how it’s handled. We have Miles, who is referred to as a mutant for all his health defects, and he’s come to terms with this all years ago. We see discussion of him and why his parents have never had any other children, more discussion on Barrayar and their thoughts on how fit he is in all senses of the word… and more that you can see in the upcoming discussion with Tsana.
Overall, this was an excellent piece of work, and I really hope we get to see all of these characters (Galeni and Mark mainly) much more, very soon.
This is Bujold in her stride, with unrelenting challenges for her characters and some brilliantly subversive takes on SF. Very cleverly written, almost impossible to look away.
At this point in the Vorkosigan chronology Miles has been living his double life as Admiral Naismith for several years and his Dendarii mercenaries are a thriving concern. The action picks up with the Dendarii arriving at Earth and Miles having to make his double identity work in ways that he hasn't in the past. There are people trying to kill him, and it may not just be his usual crowd of enemies, and nor is it clear who they're trying to kill: Vorkosigan or Naismith.
This is a fairly run-of-the-mill off-Barrayar Vorkosigan story that would be familiar to anyone whose read [b:The Vor Game|68483|The Vor Game (Vorkosigan Saga, #6)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1322571824s/68483.jpg|1129239] or [b:Cetaganda|76812|Cetaganda (Vorkosigan Saga, #9)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924035s/76812.jpg|2802]. It does introduce some very important characters and relationships for later in the series though, particularly including Mark and Duv Galeni as well as establishing Elli Quinn a bit better.
This is a fairly run-of-the-mill off-Barrayar Vorkosigan story that would be familiar to anyone whose read [b:The Vor Game|68483|The Vor Game (Vorkosigan Saga, #6)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1322571824s/68483.jpg|1129239] or [b:Cetaganda|76812|Cetaganda (Vorkosigan Saga, #9)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1386924035s/76812.jpg|2802]. It does introduce some very important characters and relationships for later in the series though, particularly including Mark and Duv Galeni as well as establishing Elli Quinn a bit better.
Evading assassination attempts, kidnapping, clones. The usual life of Miles. I loved the kitty blanket and the imagining of a future London.