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jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Xenophobia, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death, Ableism, and Transphobia
beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War and Ableism
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
albernikolauras's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Miles is a force of chaos despite the doubts of others, and this book shows just how effective that can be. While he isn't his mother, I can't wait to see how his adventure unfolds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Ableism, Sexual assault, and Body horror
vivri's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual assault
christinecc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3 stars for having liked it in spite of some uneven pacing and characters that Bujold is brave enough to expose as flawed and in over their heads.
The story in a nutshell is about Miles Vorkosigan, the son of Barrayar's principal royal advisor and his wife Cordelia Naismith (the heroine of previous books in the Vorkosigan saga). After reading about Miles' parents earlier in the series, we now get Miles' adventures after his career path takes an unexpected turn. From there, we watch him con his way to bigger and bigger trouble, and when he tries to scrabble his way out it keeps getting worse until he learns the hard way that actions have consequences.
Don't worry, it all works out in the end. He has a whole series to lead. I think that explains why sometimes it all feels too easy for Miles to get so far. Then again, con artists will surprise you.
Bujold didn't grip me this time but, as usual, she gives a strong cast, moving passages with unexpectedly bleak realism, and a character with plenty of room to grow. He is a teenager after all, and if the reader is tempted to forgive his rashness, the other characters are less so inclined.
Recommended if you want an adventure with smugglers in space, a teenage con artist, and glimpses of death that leave indelible scars. I'll likely read the next in the series, but not until 2020 ends.
The story in a nutshell is about Miles Vorkosigan, the son of Barrayar's principal royal advisor and his wife Cordelia Naismith (the heroine of previous books in the Vorkosigan saga). After reading about Miles' parents earlier in the series, we now get Miles' adventures after his career path takes an unexpected turn. From there, we watch him con his way to bigger and bigger trouble, and when he tries to scrabble his way out it keeps getting worse until he learns the hard way that actions have consequences.
Don't worry, it all works out in the end. He has a whole series to lead. I think that explains why sometimes it all feels too easy for Miles to get so far. Then again, con artists will surprise you.
Bujold didn't grip me this time but, as usual, she gives a strong cast, moving passages with unexpectedly bleak realism, and a character with plenty of room to grow. He is a teenager after all, and if the reader is tempted to forgive his rashness, the other characters are less so inclined.
Recommended if you want an adventure with smugglers in space, a teenage con artist, and glimpses of death that leave indelible scars. I'll likely read the next in the series, but not until 2020 ends.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
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