Reviews

Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

binncheol's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

3.5

jairbot's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

bookedinthemitten's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny

5.0

aerofinity's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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

5.0

As long as you don't want that much sci in your sci fi this is amazing! Strong world building a complex and loveable cast of characters and rollicking plot all combine to produce a great story worthy of its Hugo win. 

bellesmith's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

grantelope's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

bluestockinglaura's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

chickenafraido's review against another edition

4.0

As a fan of sci-fi, I've been hearing about this series for years. I finally picked up Shards of Honour a few days ago and by the end of that novel, I have to say I was a little disappointed. To me it seemed pretty run-of-the-mill sci-fi, and I didn't love the characters the way every one else seemed to. I put the book down and figured I'd never continue the series, as it just wasn't for me.

However - a little bit of research led me to realize the author had written a direct sequel to Shards many years later, and that the two had been distributed as a single work at one point in time. To me, that said that Shards was incomplete, and that I hadn't yet had the ful story that Bujold had to offer me. Determined to see what everyone else had loved, I decided I would give Barrayar a chance. And I'm glad I did.

This novel gave me everything I wanted from the first. I cared about the characters, and I began to see why everyone loved Cordelia and her found family so dearly. I was invested in the story like never before, and determined to see where this strange society would lead the protagonists. I went from being content to drop the series, to now wanting to know where Miles story might lead me.

The seventh in chronology this might be, but it's truly a sophomore novel at its heart. Luckily, it's also a sophomore done right.

halfpintreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense

4.0

berlinbibliophile's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny inspiring tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

I really loved this book. Cordelia is such a fantastic protagonist and it was great to explore her new life on Barrayar along with her. I love stories about political and palace intrigue, and this was a really good one.There was so much at play in this book, and it shifted from fish out of water to family drama to chase through the woods to heist seamlessly. A lot happens, but it's never confusing and always welcome. I can't wait to meet Miles now.
Also, that "Shopping" line was iconic.