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timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe three and a half. Nah, three.
This is a lightweight piece of fluff set in a universe where, unfortunately, I don't expect fluff.
I expect to go "Phew!" after reading a Vorkosigan book, not "Meh."
Ivan's surprisingly OK as the hero, and his style of always doing the right thing for the wrong reasons works here.
There's some interesting in-filling of how Barrayaran society works (and worked) but too much if it was "You see, ....." and wallowing around in "Vordipswitch betrayed Vorschmaltz, then allied with Vormalted to defeat Vorborscht."
The plot, hmm, was there a plot? Oh, yes, it's coming back to me, sort of.
The start was good, I'll grant. Very good.
Simon? Hint, hint, hint that he was going to be important. I won't say whether he was, but the constant references to his mysterious condition got tedious.
If there's a next one, it needs some Miles or Cordelia in it. They're so much more vivid.
This is a lightweight piece of fluff set in a universe where, unfortunately, I don't expect fluff.
I expect to go "Phew!" after reading a Vorkosigan book, not "Meh."
Ivan's surprisingly OK as the hero, and his style of always doing the right thing for the wrong reasons works here.
There's some interesting in-filling of how Barrayaran society works (and worked) but too much if it was "You see, ....." and wallowing around in "Vordipswitch betrayed Vorschmaltz, then allied with Vormalted to defeat Vorborscht."
The plot, hmm, was there a plot? Oh, yes, it's coming back to me, sort of.
The start was good, I'll grant. Very good.
Simon? Hint, hint, hint that he was going to be important. I won't say whether he was, but the constant references to his mysterious condition got tedious.
If there's a next one, it needs some Miles or Cordelia in it. They're so much more vivid.
captlychee's review against another edition
4.0
I voted for this for the Hugo in 2010 and on my second rading it is still as good as it was the first time, and you can't say that oo often. This one is sset in the Vorkosiverse but doesn't have Miles in it, as the action is concentrated on his cousin Ivan Vorpatril.
Ivan has always been a nice guy and itw good to see tha Ms Bujold can sustain a story based on the action os a nice guy being nice. I haven' seen that so well sustained since I came across Arthur Dent in [b:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|386162|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)|Douglas Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388282444s/386162.jpg|3078186].
Well worth the time, folks.
Ivan has always been a nice guy and itw good to see tha Ms Bujold can sustain a story based on the action os a nice guy being nice. I haven' seen that so well sustained since I came across Arthur Dent in [b:The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy|386162|The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)|Douglas Adams|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388282444s/386162.jpg|3078186].
Well worth the time, folks.
hugyourface's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
One of LMBs better books in the Vorkosiverse. And for a redemption of That-Idiot-Ivan, of all people!
guppyur's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good, typical Bujold. Nice to get a better look at Jackson's Whole culture.
piazelda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
roostercrows3's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
katieinca's review against another edition
5.0
Silly in a good way. Ivan's a character Bujold has used as the butt of some of the books' best jokes for years, while also sneaking in bits about his loyalty and carefully hidden intelligence. I was really excited he finally got his own (delightful) book, and a great romance, and a chance to show off. If I go back some year and selectively reread these, this is definitely one I'd be excited to pick up again.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
“This is not a date, you idiot,” Tej snapped at him. To her annoyance, his smile inexplicably broadened.
Little does Tej know, that is his childhood nickname :) Ivan "the Idiot".
A thoroughly enjoyable story about middle of the road Ivan. It was fun hearing Ivan's thoughts- he was funny and wryly introspective. Here is a man who figures out what he wants and doesn't pursue the ambitious, alarming lifestyle because it ends up finding him anyway! Growing up with an Emperor and a child prodigy like Miles for "brothers", I can see why he wants NO part of any responsibility.
The more he tries to avoid trouble, it keeps finding him. Tej, now she starts figuring out that middle of the road is just fine as she finds herself exhausted by the scheming, driven family she is reunited with. She is happy with no ambition as well. It was telling that her family couldn't see her worth, but Ivan could. Tej's family look at each other transitionally, what can they get rather than loving each other for who they are.
We get Alys and Simon cameos, Gregor, the sinking of ImpSec HQ (Simons dream) and a happy ho hum life for Ivan. But what a fun ride to get there. I thought Ivan was a bit slow to realize that he wanted Tej but that's classic Ivan. Once he realized, he was all in.
Tej was just as blind as he was and it was sweet to see them both fall for each other. That whole Jewels thing was interesting and to see By with a chance for happiness was fun.
Little does Tej know, that is his childhood nickname :) Ivan "the Idiot".
A thoroughly enjoyable story about middle of the road Ivan. It was fun hearing Ivan's thoughts- he was funny and wryly introspective. Here is a man who figures out what he wants and doesn't pursue the ambitious, alarming lifestyle because it ends up finding him anyway! Growing up with an Emperor and a child prodigy like Miles for "brothers", I can see why he wants NO part of any responsibility.
The more he tries to avoid trouble, it keeps finding him. Tej, now she starts figuring out that middle of the road is just fine as she finds herself exhausted by the scheming, driven family she is reunited with. She is happy with no ambition as well. It was telling that her family couldn't see her worth, but Ivan could. Tej's family look at each other transitionally, what can they get rather than loving each other for who they are.
We get Alys and Simon cameos, Gregor, the sinking of ImpSec HQ (Simons dream) and a happy ho hum life for Ivan. But what a fun ride to get there. I thought Ivan was a bit slow to realize that he wanted Tej but that's classic Ivan. Once he realized, he was all in.
Tej was just as blind as he was and it was sweet to see them both fall for each other. That whole Jewels thing was interesting and to see By with a chance for happiness was fun.