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kitsuneheart's review
5.0
Okay, look. I think all of the Vorkosigan Saga books are good. But this one? THIS ONE IS MAGIC. And it's a little weird, because the scope of this book is so much smaller than the rest! We're not looking at a multi-planet plot with numerous deaths and the chance of interstellar war. The entire book takes place in Vorbarr Sultana, the capital city. And, while the impending wedding of Emperor Gregor is going on in the background, that's not what's important. The four major plots involve Miles's wooing efforts, Kareen Koudelka's attempts at becoming an adult in her parent's eyes, Mark's financial schemes, and an upcoming controversial vote on two possible members of the Council of Counts, one with some Cetagandan blood, the other of whom has only recently come into possession of male genitalia.
And it's all FASCINATING. Bujold makes you rabid to find out what's going on with each plot, so you're excited to switch to a new one, but so anxious to see the other three. Of course, the Miles holds center stage, but it's so good to see him not always in control, despite being in the absolute seat of his power, as both an Auditor and as Lord Vorkosigan.
Set aside however long you'll need to read this straight through, because once you start, there's no stopping until the last page!
And it's all FASCINATING. Bujold makes you rabid to find out what's going on with each plot, so you're excited to switch to a new one, but so anxious to see the other three. Of course, the Miles holds center stage, but it's so good to see him not always in control, despite being in the absolute seat of his power, as both an Auditor and as Lord Vorkosigan.
Set aside however long you'll need to read this straight through, because once you start, there's no stopping until the last page!
dwhito's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
roostercrows3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
eve_prime's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
5.0
This is probably my favorite of all the Vorkosigan books: a Regency-romance-style comedy in which Miles tries to win the heart of the woman he now loves while handling a complicated political situation (a competent woman wants to become her brother's heir but only men can be counts, so she went to Beta Colony for a sex change ). Meanwhile, Mark hope to make a fortune from the genetic engineering of some really ugly bugs, which he's keeping in the basement of their house (surely nothing can go wrong there), and, oh yes, the Emperor their cousin is getting married. So many great scenes, some of which I like to read several times before going on to the next.
kayteeem's review
I always enjoy books in this series. And Miles in love is adorably awkward.
cmbohn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Deadnaming, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Chronic illness and Mental illness
jonathanpalfrey's review against another edition
5.0
This novel is like a piece of music. It starts slowly and gently, not initially seeming of much interest, but gradually weaves itself into an intricate web of different themes, emotions, and instruments, leading up to a triumphal climax of the full orchestra.
Although it falls into the broad category of science fiction, that label describes only the background details. It’s mainly a complicated love story mixed with political intrigue, which is not the kind of book I normally read, but I'm flexible enough to accommodate it.
It’s a mostly serious novel, but the author has a sense of humour that emerges perhaps more often in this book than in others, reminding me slightly of P. G. Wodehouse. Aristocrats and aunts are involved. The hero, Miles Vorkosigan, even has a reliable servant vaguely akin to Jeeves.
Miles is generally a more capable man than Bertie Wooster. However, this novel is in part the story of his attempt to court and marry a woman recently widowed (see [b:Komarr|61884|Komarr (Vorkosigan Saga, #11)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322572043l/61884._SY75_.jpg|1129294]) who has no intention of remarrying. He lacks experience at this kind of thing, and his inept behaviour may amuse some readers, but I find it embarrassing; it’s the only element of the story that I don’t enjoy. Fortunately, he’s capable of learning from his mistakes, and handles himself better in the second half.
Gregor Vorbarra, the Emperor of Barrayar, makes a pleasantly reassuring figure because he seems to be the perfect emperor, rather like the modern Plantagenets in the world of [b:Lord Darcy|880461|Lord Darcy (Lord Darcy, #1-3)|Randall Garrett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388708394l/880461._SY75_.jpg|3103213]. It would be great to have an emperor like that. What a pity they seem to exist only in fiction.
This would be an excellent place at which to end the Vorkosigan saga, on the general principle of ending on a high note. However, in fact it’s followed by four more novels and two novellas.
Although it falls into the broad category of science fiction, that label describes only the background details. It’s mainly a complicated love story mixed with political intrigue, which is not the kind of book I normally read, but I'm flexible enough to accommodate it.
It’s a mostly serious novel, but the author has a sense of humour that emerges perhaps more often in this book than in others, reminding me slightly of P. G. Wodehouse. Aristocrats and aunts are involved. The hero, Miles Vorkosigan, even has a reliable servant vaguely akin to Jeeves.
Miles is generally a more capable man than Bertie Wooster. However, this novel is in part the story of his attempt to court and marry a woman recently widowed (see [b:Komarr|61884|Komarr (Vorkosigan Saga, #11)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322572043l/61884._SY75_.jpg|1129294]) who has no intention of remarrying. He lacks experience at this kind of thing, and his inept behaviour may amuse some readers, but I find it embarrassing; it’s the only element of the story that I don’t enjoy. Fortunately, he’s capable of learning from his mistakes, and handles himself better in the second half.
Gregor Vorbarra, the Emperor of Barrayar, makes a pleasantly reassuring figure because he seems to be the perfect emperor, rather like the modern Plantagenets in the world of [b:Lord Darcy|880461|Lord Darcy (Lord Darcy, #1-3)|Randall Garrett|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388708394l/880461._SY75_.jpg|3103213]. It would be great to have an emperor like that. What a pity they seem to exist only in fiction.
This would be an excellent place at which to end the Vorkosigan saga, on the general principle of ending on a high note. However, in fact it’s followed by four more novels and two novellas.
stevenyenzer's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely more of a "comedy of manners" than any of the other Vorkosigan books. I didn't love it but it certainly held my interest.
mebius's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
tani's review against another edition
5.0
I had a tremendous amount of fun reading this book. It brings a whole bunch of characters from the previous books together and then sets them loose. Wacky hijinks ensue. (For example, the dinner party from Hell. I almost died!) I think that for me, this book is destined to be one of those books that you dig out when you've had a rotten day and need something to cheer you up. Definitely five stars as far as I'm concerned.