Reviews

Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold

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.

jenn_alwaysreading's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Biphobia, Ableism, Sexual assault, Murder, War, and Pregnancy

paula7's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-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? No

5.0

jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition

3.0

The story is told from the viewpoint of Cordelia, who arrives on the planet Barrayar for the first time as a foreign bride. She comes from Beta Colony, which is technologically and socially more advanced than Barrayar, and her new home wasn't likely to suit her well at the best of times.

This is not the best of times. Soon after her arrival, civil war breaks out, and most of the book is painful, arduous, and dangerous not only for her but for everyone else.

It's a well-executed book, but I suffer with the characters, and I really don't respond well to downbeat stories. At first reading, I gave it two stars. I find it more bearable the second time, knowing what to expect, and I suppose I can bring myself to give it three stars this time.

Its underlying purpose is to set up the leading characters for the rest of the Vorkosigan Saga, who will be with us for decades to come. It explains how Miles is born crippled, Ivan is born and loses his father on the same day, Gregor the boy emperor loses his mother (having already lost his father), and so on.

Bujold usually provides a happy ending (for which I'm grateful); a truly happy ending isn't really feasible here, but at least the ending has positive aspects: things turn out relatively well, could have been worse.

For me, this book is worth reading not so much for its own sake as for its role in the series as a whole.

stevenyenzer's review against another edition

4.0

Solid conclusion to what looks like a two-part series introducing the character of Miles. I'm looking forward to continuing this series. Although Bujold strays into hackneyed dialogue at times, her plotting is deft and often surprising.

notably_bookish's review against another edition

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? Yes

3.5

andrejt's review against another edition

4.0

A character driven political thriller set in the militaristic sci-fi world of Barrayar. The main characters have some very tough decisions to make under a lot of uncertainty. Add a couple of magnificent scenes of violence and some sincere meditations on parenting.

The quote that I think summarizes the book quite well:
"But pain... seems to me an insufficient reason not to embrace life. Being dead is quite painless. Pain, like time, is going come on regardless. Question is, what glorious moments can you win from life in addition to the pain?"

bluestarfish's review against another edition

3.0

This is the sequel to Shards of Honor and carries on the story of Cordelia and Aral in their new life together on Barrayar. There's more political intrigue and pregnancy in this book, the former being quite common in SF and the latter rare, with some off-world medical technology coming into play in dramatic ways. Cordelia does a lot of things in this novel and is the outsider hero helping us work out the new world we are in with wit and action. It's good fun space opera stuff.

gabliotecaria's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

4.75