Reviews

The story starts with Captain Cordelia Naismith, of Beta Colony, stranded on a planet with Admiral Vorkosidan, of Barrayar. Their two cultures are almost opposite of each other, Beta Colony steeped in science and education, Barrayar steeped in tradition and honor.

Cordelia and Vorkosidan must work together to survive on the planet, each finding the other is not what their cultures paint the other to be through stereotypes and biases. Each discovers virtues they didn’t expect in each other.

Both must go through a trauma. Cordelia is hardest to read and more in the forefront. The description of planned and intended rape in action is not easy to read, even when painted with broad strokes. This scene is pivotal for Cordelia and Sergeant Bothari. Meanwhile, Vorkosidan must allow the power hungry, dishonorable Prince Serg start a battle that will claim many innocent lives in order to save the nation from a rule that will destroy countless more lives.

Cordelia returns home to be hailed a hero who slew the Prince’s admiral. Cordelia tries to set the record straight. Her account is dismissed as PTSD from the time spent with Vorkosidan and not considered to possibly be telling the truth. This practice of Betans trusting their intelligence so much they cannot hear the truth drives Cordelia to run away to Barrayar and marry Vorkosidan.

This is where the second book picks up. Cordelia learns a lot about Barrayran culture. Some of it is charming and valiant while other parts of the culture seems backward and rooted in a refusal to grow past tradition and the past. Among the shocking discoveries are a caste system, disregard for the wounded and maimed, and rigid gender roles.

Cordelia uses what she learns to defeat the count who tries to usurp power, playing to his presumptions and relying on the help of a woman, a crippled man, and a mentally unhealthy man, all deemed to be of less value in the society.

The writing style isn’t one I would point to as a favorite of my favorites. That said, there are some brilliant quotes that hit the mark and resonate.

I come away from reading these with the following points.

We really don’t know as much about others (allies or enemies) as we think we do.
Our biases and stereotypes do more than leave us uninformed of truth, they cultivate judgments and conflict that hurts both parties.
Scientific and cultural development does not mean the people in the culture are virtuous or immune to prejudice.
People have intrinsic value and can contribute to society in powerful ways, even when we can’t see or imagine how.
Mentally and emotionally wounded people deserve to be treated humanely and given treatment and nurtured.

I like the cultural discovery and the characters most. I like how Cordelia finds ways to bring out the best in people without being perfect herself. This is a book that gets me thinking, which is one of my favorite kind of books.

katieinca's review

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4.0

This won the Hugo for best novel in 1992? It was a better novel than Shards of Honor and I enjoyed it, but I'm a little surprised. Maybe I'll just never like Bujold's space opera as well as I like her fantasy - even though we can apparently have some (?) queer characters now that we're in space.
Cringe moment: the original (my print copy) has a bit of dialog that goes "He's bisexual, you know." "Was bisexual," she corrected absently. "Now he's monogamous." The ebook my bf was reading adds a new response "Yes," she agreed absently. "Now he's monogamous," but also leaves in the original. Oops. Slick editing, guys.

brendalovesbooks's review

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3.0

This book started off pretty slow. I had a hard time being motivated to pick it up. But then it got really good and actiony, and I had a hard time putting it down. I'm excited to read the rest of the series, but I want more Cordelia, I'm not sure how much I care about Miles right now. I have a feeling Cordelia and Aral pretty much disappear after this, and may never be heard from again. Bummer.

This is the kind of science fiction I like, where the character development is really there, and it's not so technical and all about the science. I would rate this book 4/5, and would definitely recommend it if you like science fiction.

morrigan_le_fae's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

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

5.0

kzimm2024's review

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5.0

What a terrific, tongue-in-cheek story from Cordelia's POV. She is smart and funny and brave and all that good stuff. I want to be just like her. I have to say, these covers do not do justice to the stories they hold. A great secret is hidden in plain sight.

This story is a continuation from the first book "Shards of Honor". Cordelia navigates her newlywed state with Aral as he is drafted to become the Regent in waiting while the young 4 year old Gregor grows up under his protection. She is learning about her new world and is finding lots of things that are lacking (in her humble opinion).

She has the good fortune to become pregnant quickly and this story revolves around the life they had before the attack, the attack that causes her baby to be compromised, the the war that compromised his safety care and subsequent rescue.

They use the uterine replicator (these are cool) to save him and I hated Piotr for trying to end his own grandsons life.
--"Cordelia was not at all sure she wanted Piotr present, but until the old man did them all the convenience of dropping dead, she was stuck with him."--

Almost hated Aral too, but he did some redeeming things.

War breaks out and they are on the run for their lives, I thought it was hilarious when she was presented to a Dr. for care. A C-section and weeks on the run, this classic phrase is what that Dr. had to say:
--“I’m sorry, Lady Vorkosigan. We’ll simply have to begin at the beginning. Please bear with me. Do I understand correctly you’ve had some sort of female trouble?”
No, most of my troubles have been with males. Cordelia bit her tongue."----

And I was so impressed with her spine, she point blank told her husband that if he prevented her from doing anything to get their son back, he had lost them both. She had a wildly successful mission with a heart melting reunion.
--"They embraced each other so tightly, they had to back off to manage a kiss. “Don’t you ever,” he said, voice husky with strain, “pull a stunt like that again.”
“Don’t you ever let it become necessary, again.”
“Deal.” He held her face away from his, between his hands, his eyes devouring her.
“I was so afraid for you, I forgot to be afraid for your enemies. I should have remembered. Dear Captain.”---

That was super smart to use Gregor's shoe to prompt Princess Kareen to action.

LOVE the poor tortured Bothrati, he has been done SO wrong in life and I was happy to see his redemption. His smart take on orders to obey Cordelia as if she is the voice of the Emperor Regent himself!

The matchmaking of Dru and Kou was so funny and well written. So many good and slyly funny things in this story, I will enjoy it for a long time.

Oh! And the references to Arals wild sexual exploits are explained, in the last book I was not sure why it was even suggested but now it makes sense.
--"One corner of his mouth crooked up, then the quirk vanished in a thoughtful pursing of his lips. “He’s bisexual, you know.” He took a delicate sip of his wine.
“Yes,” she agreed absently, looking fondly across the room. “Now he’s monogamous.” Vordarian choked, sputtering.

Priceless.

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