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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Continuing my rereading of all things Vorkosigan while waiting for the newest book to come out later this year.
This was a much, much more enjoyable book than the previous one, simply because it's a lot easier to empathise with Miles' motivations as a military officer in this book. The first quarter of the book is mostly just setup, but its payoff in terms of the main plot (spoiler warning: I'm talking about the secondary antagonist and the unexpected companion to Miles in the middle of the book).
Highly recommend this book (though you should probably read the Warrior's Apprentice first).
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Publication order re-read:
And again, the publication order re-read helps clarify the oscillating quality - there actually was no oscillation. In my opinion, in publication order, this is the first book that starts the upward trend that eventually leads to ACC - in my opinion, this is the first good Miles novel.
Mild spoiler warning: in my opinion, the highlight of this book is Gregor, his motivations and relationship to Miles and the Vorkosigans, and his eventual role in the resolution of the plot of the book. I wish the books spent more time exploring Gregor, to be honest; he's one of my favourite side characters from the series.
Highly recommend this book (though you should probably read the Warrior's Apprentice first).
========================================================================
Publication order re-read:
And again, the publication order re-read helps clarify the oscillating quality - there actually was no oscillation. In my opinion, in publication order, this is the first book that starts the upward trend that eventually leads to ACC - in my opinion, this is the first good Miles novel.
Mild spoiler warning: in my opinion, the highlight of this book is Gregor, his motivations and relationship to Miles and the Vorkosigans, and his eventual role in the resolution of the plot of the book. I wish the books spent more time exploring Gregor, to be honest; he's one of my favourite side characters from the series.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read as part of [b:Young Miles|61916|Young Miles (Vorkosigan Omnibus, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1435940331s/61916.jpg|3302870].
There was A LOT going on in this book, which was both good and bad. While I liked the first section doing some world building, and giving Miles a chance to show some of his mother's character standing up to a bully, it seemed like there were a lot of dropped plot points that could have gone a totally different way.
Once we get back into space, we regain some of the frantic pace from [b:The Warrior's Apprentice|61906|The Warrior's Apprentice (Vorkosigan Saga, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1170597854s/61906.jpg|2792]. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't always totally clear on who was fighting who, what planet/space station they were on, who was an ally, backstabber or villian. The climatic battle was excellent though. These books are so freaking cinematic, I don't know why they haven't been adapted into a TV show yet.
The characters continued to shine and it was good to see some old friends. Gregor got some personality and showed that he actually is/will be a decent emperor. Miles isn't the only one who has to get out of the shadow of his father and grandfather.
I have mixed feelings on the ultimate villian. She was just as crafty as Miles, but with the added ability to use her sex to get what she wants. She was compelling, but in the end, essentially a femme fatale. I hope we haven't seen the end of her - with some added depth, she could be really excellent.
There was A LOT going on in this book, which was both good and bad. While I liked the first section doing some world building, and giving Miles a chance to show some of his mother's character standing up to a bully, it seemed like there were a lot of dropped plot points that could have gone a totally different way.
Once we get back into space, we regain some of the frantic pace from [b:The Warrior's Apprentice|61906|The Warrior's Apprentice (Vorkosigan Saga, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1170597854s/61906.jpg|2792]. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't always totally clear on who was fighting who, what planet/space station they were on, who was an ally, backstabber or villian. The climatic battle was excellent though. These books are so freaking cinematic, I don't know why they haven't been adapted into a TV show yet.
The characters continued to shine and it was good to see some old friends. Gregor got some personality and showed that he actually is/will be a decent emperor. Miles isn't the only one who has to get out of the shadow of his father and grandfather.
I have mixed feelings on the ultimate villian. She was just as crafty as Miles, but with the added ability to use her sex to get what she wants. She was compelling, but in the end, essentially a femme fatale. I hope we haven't seen the end of her - with some added depth, she could be really excellent.
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a fun space opera! I'm a little surprised that it won a Hugo, but I certainly enjoyed reading it.
The Vorkosigan books have quickly become among my favorite sci fi, but I found this one not quite as wonderful as some of the others. Miles is still charming with a self-deprecating humor that balances well his quick intellect and ability to awesomely get out of all kinds of sticky situations. But I got bogged down in the politics and the battles--maybe they were on too broad a scale. I missed some of the more personal interactions of "The Warrior's Apprentice" and "Shards of Honor." Still a good, fun space opera with great characters.