Reviews

Silly in a good way. Ivan's a character Bujold has used as the butt of some of the books' best jokes for years, while also sneaking in bits about his loyalty and carefully hidden intelligence. I was really excited he finally got his own (delightful) book, and a great romance, and a chance to show off. If I go back some year and selectively reread these, this is definitely one I'd be excited to pick up again.

kzimm2024's review against another edition

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5.0

“This is not a date, you idiot,” Tej snapped at him. To her annoyance, his smile inexplicably broadened.

Little does Tej know, that is his childhood nickname :) Ivan "the Idiot".

A thoroughly enjoyable story about middle of the road Ivan. It was fun hearing Ivan's thoughts- he was funny and wryly introspective. Here is a man who figures out what he wants and doesn't pursue the ambitious, alarming lifestyle because it ends up finding him anyway! Growing up with an Emperor and a child prodigy like Miles for "brothers", I can see why he wants NO part of any responsibility.

The more he tries to avoid trouble, it keeps finding him. Tej, now she starts figuring out that middle of the road is just fine as she finds herself exhausted by the scheming, driven family she is reunited with. She is happy with no ambition as well. It was telling that her family couldn't see her worth, but Ivan could. Tej's family look at each other transitionally, what can they get rather than loving each other for who they are.

We get Alys and Simon cameos, Gregor, the sinking of ImpSec HQ (Simons dream) and a happy ho hum life for Ivan. But what a fun ride to get there. I thought Ivan was a bit slow to realize that he wanted Tej but that's classic Ivan. Once he realized, he was all in.

Tej was just as blind as he was and it was sweet to see them both fall for each other. That whole Jewels thing was interesting and to see By with a chance for happiness was fun.

gabliotecaria's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

frithf's review against another edition

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3.0

This book has the trashiest cover I have ever deigned to read - and some of the content is correspondingly, and badly-disguised trash. But the focus on the enduringly likable Ivan and his own struggles in an inter-galactic diplomatic stoush, while making sense of a, hey, a relationship, make entertaining and enjoyable reading.

starfire_rhexia's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

awishman's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

vemana's review against another edition

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3.0

This book starts out so well and take some unexpected turns. The romance is good but not at the same intensity or depth as of Miles and Ekaterin. It does right by Ivan and his 'wife'. The first half is supremely entertaining and builds new characters very well while adding depth to the ones we are all familiar with in the Vorkosigan saga. However after a certain party arrives the party is over. It becomes a weird portmanteau plot with ineffective thrills and mediocre action sequences. Glad to see a lot more beyond Ivan's usual facade but wish it was a better. 3 stars wholly for the first half btw

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