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detailsandtales's review
4.0
I really enjoyed getting back into Vorkosigan-land, and especially back into Cordelia's head. Hooray for budding romance - and for adults being able to work things out without undue melodrama. If I didn't already know Cordelia, it's likely I would have put this book down rather quickly. Since I do know Cordelia, reading it was, for the most part, wonderful. It was also great to see a story all about relationships or personal decisions could be based on a speculative element, such that this story is particular to this world with this level of science, and great to revisit a wonderfully alien planet with lots of new stuff to explore and discover.
The rest of my comments involve spoilers (mostly related to LGBTetc. stuff), so I hope I'm doing this correctly:
The rest of my comments involve spoilers (mostly related to LGBTetc. stuff), so I hope I'm doing this correctly:
Spoiler
Hooray for the existence of a stable polyamorous triad, especially among main characters. Less hooray for the fact that it feels retconned in, and also that we only get to hear about it in past tense. A friend of mine has also pointed out to me that Bujold has yet to show a healthy same-sex relationship in real-time rather than in retrospect, and others have noted that this follows the stereotype of bisexuals needing lots of sex from both men and women. On the other hand, bisexuals exist and are not just waiting to decide whether they're straight or gay. So... partial credit for trying. Not all the way there yet. Also, I'd love to see a story about how the triad got its start, and the working out of both the emotions and the logistics. I imagine, especially with Cordelia's practical approach, it would be rather entertaining.squirrelfish's review
4.0
Enjoyable romance between the mother of Miles Vorkosigan(main character of most of the books set in this universe) and a character who'd been around and somewhat unseen in the same timeframe. It definitely inspired me to do a re-reading in chronological order of the whole series with an eye-out for details. I'm not sure if it would be as enjoyable if you hadn't read the rest of the series, I'm pretty sure you'd miss out on some pieces, but maybe it would be more enjoyable without the earlier fixed characterizations? I'm glad I finally got around to reading it.
thiefofcamorr's review
5.0
This was the first book I got to see released in the series, and how everyone reacted to the surprise there would be another to read – at this point I’d been meaning to read the series for at least a few years. I still regret I wasn’t there for the ride, but also slightly glad I didn’t have to pay for an eARC copy.
Spoilers lie ahead.
But back to the story. So we’re back with Cordelia – just as we started the series, which is quite fitting. She’s made the decision to stay on the planet that changed her life and we get to learn a lot more about what kept her busy while we’ve been chasing her son Miles all around the galaxy. Also, who was keeping her busy, as it wasn’t just Aral in her life… we see the progressive side of Beta Colony again as she was more than happy to be in a poly relationship with Aral’s senior aide – Admiral Jole.
At this point in the series Aral passed away three years ago. His death had an understandably profound effect on nearly everyone, and we see that while Cordelia was kept as busy as possible as still being Vicereine of Sergyar we also see that she’s only just coming from her time of mourning, and able to look to her own future with more consideration. To which she plans to retire her position and go off and raise some more kids; all thanks to the wonderful science she’s been bringing with her from Beta Colony to everywhere she’s laid down her lightflyer. Even though she’s in her 70s that’s not that old by Betan standards (and also why it’s been so hard to lose Aral), and so now she’s going to have some daughters. And she also plans to stay on Sergyar – and not return to Barrayar.
And she offers the same future to the other important person in Aral’s life. Oliver Jole. And though before when Aral was around they were close, they were entirely there for Aral. It’s taken until now and for the hurt to fade for them to look again, and they find each other quite suitable, and Jole is offered the technology and ability to have a child of his own, even as he approaches his 50th birthday.
There’s not much action and adventure in this book at all. It’s all about Cordelia being brilliant and sorting the rest of her life out, although the main character of this book really is Jole… and he’s interesting, and there’s something excellent about highly capable people… but Cordelia is the draw card here. And how personal decisions do affect those around you and their very human reactions to things – such as Miles never really knowing about his father’s personal interests, and what he thinks about his mother having more children in her 70s, and so on. And how through respect and discussion anyone can really come through to understanding. Which is a good message to leave us on, I think.
Spoilers lie ahead.
But back to the story. So we’re back with Cordelia – just as we started the series, which is quite fitting. She’s made the decision to stay on the planet that changed her life and we get to learn a lot more about what kept her busy while we’ve been chasing her son Miles all around the galaxy. Also, who was keeping her busy, as it wasn’t just Aral in her life… we see the progressive side of Beta Colony again as she was more than happy to be in a poly relationship with Aral’s senior aide – Admiral Jole.
At this point in the series Aral passed away three years ago. His death had an understandably profound effect on nearly everyone, and we see that while Cordelia was kept as busy as possible as still being Vicereine of Sergyar we also see that she’s only just coming from her time of mourning, and able to look to her own future with more consideration. To which she plans to retire her position and go off and raise some more kids; all thanks to the wonderful science she’s been bringing with her from Beta Colony to everywhere she’s laid down her lightflyer. Even though she’s in her 70s that’s not that old by Betan standards (and also why it’s been so hard to lose Aral), and so now she’s going to have some daughters. And she also plans to stay on Sergyar – and not return to Barrayar.
And she offers the same future to the other important person in Aral’s life. Oliver Jole. And though before when Aral was around they were close, they were entirely there for Aral. It’s taken until now and for the hurt to fade for them to look again, and they find each other quite suitable, and Jole is offered the technology and ability to have a child of his own, even as he approaches his 50th birthday.
There’s not much action and adventure in this book at all. It’s all about Cordelia being brilliant and sorting the rest of her life out, although the main character of this book really is Jole… and he’s interesting, and there’s something excellent about highly capable people… but Cordelia is the draw card here. And how personal decisions do affect those around you and their very human reactions to things – such as Miles never really knowing about his father’s personal interests, and what he thinks about his mother having more children in her 70s, and so on. And how through respect and discussion anyone can really come through to understanding. Which is a good message to leave us on, I think.
fivemack's review
5.0
This is an interesting conclusion (and I'd not be surprised if it were a conclusion) to the thirty years of Cordelia's story since Shards of Honor. It uses all the back story of the series, and somehow manages to write an affecting pastoral romance on the rock of a no longer just-colonised but certainly recently colonised Sergyar.
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Xenophobia, and Outing
sashas_books's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My “let’s re-read the Vorkosigan saga” project - done!
And this last entry is even more brilliant than I remember :) It is slow and wise, letting us see the beloved characters in new ways. It is about what marriage can be, what family can be, about love and choices. I’m so glad I read it again.
And this last entry is even more brilliant than I remember :) It is slow and wise, letting us see the beloved characters in new ways. It is about what marriage can be, what family can be, about love and choices. I’m so glad I read it again.
jeninmotion's review
4.0
My god, it's full of fan service. I don't even think it has a plot, but you aren't reading this for plot. Go read one of the earlier arcs of Vorkosigan for plot. This, my friends, is all about putting die hard Vorkosigan fans and die hard Cordelia people 100% into their feels and as such, it succeeds. I have been reducing to giggling "faaaaan service" so hey, thanks. :) Note: this is based on an eARC.
wenestvedt's review
4.0
I liked it. It is more like a comedy of manners than a typical Vorkosigan book (where someone is threatened or in peril), and part of me was distracted as I waited and waited for the peril to arrive. Aside from that, there are many very nice turns of phrase, and I was impressed by the reflections on parenting and relationships.
acreech's review
3.0
I haven't read all of the books in the series, though there is enough context to follow the references. I picked this one up because I had enjoyed the others and it was only one that my libraries had on audiobook that I hadn't listened to yet. This book...is not like the others.
It has many of the characters from the other books, and is set in the same universe, but at a much later date than any of the books I had read. It's also lacking any of the action, intrigue, rapier wit, and getting out of one scrape after another that you might expect from a Miles Vorkosigan story. Though Miles is in the book, it's not his story, so that might explain how Bujold could write in this universe and not have peril around every corner.
This book is an exploration of middle age, parenthood, and what it means to be family. Though there are references to non-heterosexual relationships, it's a very heternormative story as well. That made it hard for me to connect with, particularly since I have never had any sort of interest in children or having any of my own. It's a testament to Bujold's writing -- or perhaps my boredom and unwillingness to find something else to read -- that I finished the book anyway.
It has many of the characters from the other books, and is set in the same universe, but at a much later date than any of the books I had read. It's also lacking any of the action, intrigue, rapier wit, and getting out of one scrape after another that you might expect from a Miles Vorkosigan story. Though Miles is in the book, it's not his story, so that might explain how Bujold could write in this universe and not have peril around every corner.
This book is an exploration of middle age, parenthood, and what it means to be family. Though there are references to non-heterosexual relationships, it's a very heternormative story as well. That made it hard for me to connect with, particularly since I have never had any sort of interest in children or having any of my own. It's a testament to Bujold's writing -- or perhaps my boredom and unwillingness to find something else to read -- that I finished the book anyway.
tasadion's review against another edition
2.0
This book failed to do the most basic task of story telling: Create some challenge, crisis or drama for the characters. Instead the author chooses to cast some of the characters in a new light with some clever reveals about relationships that were not mentioned in earlier novels. This reveal is well done early on in the novel, but after that _nothing happens_. There is a curious sense that we are reviewing all the past books in a leisurely coda to the series, but without any sense of tension at all. A poor addition to the series, and a story that would have been better mentioned in a paragraph in another (subsequent) book.
The second star was for the wonderful characters (not that they had anything to do) and the easy to read writing style, but this is ultimately only for the Vorkosigan enthusiasts, and even they may need to suck it in.
The second star was for the wonderful characters (not that they had anything to do) and the easy to read writing style, but this is ultimately only for the Vorkosigan enthusiasts, and even they may need to suck it in.