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nicreadsbooks's review
4.0
To be honest, I was feeling apprehensive about the book when I first learned of the potential plot. *spoiler* Cordelia with another man? It was unthinkable, but I had faith in Bujold's writing and magic. And she delivered. What needs to be said has been said by other reviewers, but her writing was comforting yet still charming.
wmhenrymorris's review
Bujold does something fascinating and emotionally satisfying with this book. It's romance in the aftermath but in a way that resonates with all the rest of the books in the series/saga.
nooker's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book where the title really does tell you what it's about. This is much more a romance than sci-fi or adventure that many of the other books in the series are. Still it is as well written and interesting as the others, so while a different focus, still good.
curgoth's review
5.0
I swear there should be a review here form the first time I read this.
In any case, audiobook re-read. It's still amazing. Grover Gardner's narration, as for all of the Vorkosiverse books, is solid. He manages to make Miles sound distinct from Jole without accents or pitch variation, just the meter and attitude of speech. Which I suppose owes a lot to Lois as well, but it works in any case.
For the book - this is a book about heart. A romance is central to the story, but the theme is bigger than that. It's about finding space in your heart for love next to grief, managing romantic love and familial love, and being yourself even when that changes.
In any case, audiobook re-read. It's still amazing. Grover Gardner's narration, as for all of the Vorkosiverse books, is solid. He manages to make Miles sound distinct from Jole without accents or pitch variation, just the meter and attitude of speech. Which I suppose owes a lot to Lois as well, but it works in any case.
For the book - this is a book about heart. A romance is central to the story, but the theme is bigger than that. It's about finding space in your heart for love next to grief, managing romantic love and familial love, and being yourself even when that changes.
hadas's review
3.0
I never imagined I could not enjoy a Vorkosigan novel, but life can be surprising. I say it with all my love for the Vorkosigan saga - "Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen" is not a bad book, but it is, in my opinion, a boring one.
I absolutely adore Cordelia, and I was really excited by the prospect of another novel from her viewpoint.
The premise of the book was a bit hard to swallow at first. I was saddened by Aral death, and I wan't sure I wanted to hear anything that could shatter the prefect image of Aral's and Cordelia's marriage.
After a while, however, I realized I actually really like this premise. While Aral was alive, Cordelia was grounded to Barrayar and to certain responsibilities. After his death, horrible is it may be, she became free to ask herself again what is it that *she* wants.
Another points I really liked is Oliver's backstory with Aral. At first, it was difficult for me to accept a third party at a relationship I liked so much. However, I quickly learned to embrace it. I enjoy reading about relationships which are not straight and monogamous. After all, Cordelia is from Beta colony.
So I got to the point in which I really liked the premise, and I was even excited to read about A new romance for Cordelia. However, there was one big problem. NOTHING HAPPENS. While the ideas behind the book are great - everybody getting over Aral's death, Cordelia moving on - There was no plot whatsoever. As much as I enjoy character development, it was simply not enough to keep the book interesting. I didn't suffer reading it, since I like the characters, and the dialog was great, like it always is. However, without any real plot, there wasn't much drive for me to keep reading.
I absolutely adore Cordelia, and I was really excited by the prospect of another novel from her viewpoint.
The premise of the book was a bit hard to swallow at first. I was saddened by Aral death, and I wan't sure I wanted to hear anything that could shatter the prefect image of Aral's and Cordelia's marriage.
After a while, however, I realized I actually really like this premise. While Aral was alive, Cordelia was grounded to Barrayar and to certain responsibilities. After his death, horrible is it may be, she became free to ask herself again what is it that *she* wants.
Another points I really liked is Oliver's backstory with Aral. At first, it was difficult for me to accept a third party at a relationship I liked so much. However, I quickly learned to embrace it. I enjoy reading about relationships which are not straight and monogamous. After all, Cordelia is from Beta colony.
So I got to the point in which I really liked the premise, and I was even excited to read about A new romance for Cordelia. However, there was one big problem. NOTHING HAPPENS. While the ideas behind the book are great - everybody getting over Aral's death, Cordelia moving on - There was no plot whatsoever. As much as I enjoy character development, it was simply not enough to keep the book interesting. I didn't suffer reading it, since I like the characters, and the dialog was great, like it always is. However, without any real plot, there wasn't much drive for me to keep reading.
vailynst's review against another edition
4.0
Mini-Review:
If you are looking for an action packed story full of intrigue and glory, this isn't it.
I was quite pleased to listen to this book. It's a great way to end a long series that covered a wide range of lovable characters in a variety of strange and demanding situations. The core of it is a love story. Love of a world that ranges the endless stars, a family of amazing fighters & snark, their friends & lovers and their fierce loyalty to what they deem important.
It was full of the characteristics and values that make up the foundation of the series. Towards the end, I snort-laughed in delight at the sneaky and seamless way Bujold wove a tale of utterly average events in an not at all average world. I loved it.
If you are looking for an action packed story full of intrigue and glory, this isn't it.
I was quite pleased to listen to this book. It's a great way to end a long series that covered a wide range of lovable characters in a variety of strange and demanding situations. The core of it is a love story. Love of a world that ranges the endless stars, a family of amazing fighters & snark, their friends & lovers and their fierce loyalty to what they deem important.
It was full of the characteristics and values that make up the foundation of the series. Towards the end, I snort-laughed in delight at the sneaky and seamless way Bujold wove a tale of utterly average events in an not at all average world. I loved it.
hwesta's review
4.0
A delightful character-focused revisit to Cordelia. Not as action-packed as some of the Miles books, but I really enjoyed getting to see familiar characters from Cordelia and Jole's perspectives, and some new context for events in older books.
paladinboy's review
5.0
A story to savor, rather than gobble down like many of the earlier Vorkosigan books, his story focuses on Cordelia and others in later life on the planet that started it all, Sergyar. Full of great biological metaphors (as always) and discussions of family and politics the book is both intro and retrospective. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, it is also a book full of hope for the future. This a book for long time fans of the series, preferably after a complete re-read to be sure to get all of the references to all the wonder of Vorkosiganerse.
ellagordonkhen's review against another edition
3.0
It was a nice, soothing read, badly needed after the heartbreak of the last book. The delightful dialogue and characters interactions compensated over the thin, nearly unexcited plot.
I do wish the new relationship reveals were more on the page in real-time and less of a retcon that felt a bit like cheating the readers out of it.
I do wish the new relationship reveals were more on the page in real-time and less of a retcon that felt a bit like cheating the readers out of it.