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tonka_blue's review
5.0
This is a book that doesn't have such as adventures/political schemes or something in-between as Bujold's previous books have had and as such it might not be for everyone. However, this is brilliant and it's one of Bujold's masterpieces.
Many writers are more than capable writing adventures and twists, but Bujold wrote a story about new start of already known character aka Cordelia Vorkosigan after her husband's death. And it was beautiful.
The characters, some old and some new, were realistic, humane and easily relatable. It was so comfortable to learn about all the changes that happened without having them shoved to your throat, and learning new things about the characters was not only realistic but it had shed a new light on events/characters from previous books. Humour and common sense were more than present. :)
Many writers are more than capable writing adventures and twists, but Bujold wrote a story about new start of already known character aka Cordelia Vorkosigan after her husband's death. And it was beautiful.
The characters, some old and some new, were realistic, humane and easily relatable. It was so comfortable to learn about all the changes that happened without having them shoved to your throat, and learning new things about the characters was not only realistic but it had shed a new light on events/characters from previous books. Humour and common sense were more than present. :)
lindzey's review
4.0
Eh. I liked this book, but it's one of my least favorites in the Vorkosigan saga. It's missing the intensity that I associate with the others. It's quieter, more contemplative, without Mile's usual driving urgency.
Like Memory, I think this book is about identity, and how the choices people make shape their identities. However, it didn't have the same intensity or urgency - the people involved are already more centered and self-assured than Miles was. There is no existential panic, only an awareness of the onward march of time at a crossroads where both futures are good, just different. As LMB said on her blog, this is a book about grownups. Moreover, these are grownups that are good at their jobs, helping to keep the related crises small. And the book wasn't about reacting to external events -
it was about internal change. Another reviewer commented that LMB usually "does the worst thing possible" to her characters, then watches them react. In this book, the "worst thing" was Aral's death in Cryoburn, and Admiral Jole & Vicereine Cordelia are still reacting to that. Almost the biggest crisis in the book is when Miles pays them a visit =)
Like Memory, I think this book is about identity, and how the choices people make shape their identities. However, it didn't have the same intensity or urgency - the people involved are already more centered and self-assured than Miles was. There is no existential panic, only an awareness of the onward march of time at a crossroads where both futures are good, just different. As LMB said on her blog, this is a book about grownups. Moreover, these are grownups that are good at their jobs, helping to keep the related crises small. And the book wasn't about reacting to external events -
it was about internal change. Another reviewer commented that LMB usually "does the worst thing possible" to her characters, then watches them react. In this book, the "worst thing" was Aral's death in Cryoburn, and Admiral Jole & Vicereine Cordelia are still reacting to that. Almost the biggest crisis in the book is when Miles pays them a visit =)
maiakobabe's review
3.0
The latest installment in the Vorkosigan family drama is the quietest and gentlest book in the series to date. Three years after Aral's death the sharp edge of Cordelia's grief has begun to wear down, though she is still followed everywhere by memories of him. Aral Vorkosigan was mourned in public by the empire, but in private he was painfully remembered by one man in particular. Oliver Jole was Aral's other great love, and Cordelia decides that the time has come for her and Oliver to see if more than just Aral connected them. I am still in awe of Bujold's multifaceted world, but this book lacks some of the energy and delightful plot twists of the earlier books in the series.
andrew_c's review
5.0
The best of the Vorkosigan Series, even better than Cordelia's Honour.
I always thought Cordelia was the best character in the series and it's great to see her at the centre of a book again. Unlike some, the actions in this book and what we learn about her and Aral's relationship seem perfectly in character to me.
And it's interesting to see another side of Miles, the concerned son and harried father, even if it's briefly.
I always thought Cordelia was the best character in the series and it's great to see her at the centre of a book again. Unlike some, the actions in this book and what we learn about her and Aral's relationship seem perfectly in character to me.
And it's interesting to see another side of Miles, the concerned son and harried father, even if it's briefly.
frothy's review against another edition
5.0
Gush gush gush. Cordelia is my favourite Bujold character (maybe one of my favourite characters full stop). Shards of Honour is one of my favourite books. This book stars Cordelia and is set on Sergyar, where much of Shards of Honour took place. I've been wanting to read more about Cordelia being Vicereine. I only wish we'd seen Mark.
This book was an absolute delight. I will be reading it again and again. Visiting with all the characters and hanging out with them? So fabulous.
This book was an absolute delight. I will be reading it again and again. Visiting with all the characters and hanging out with them? So fabulous.
elaineg's review against another edition
5.0
This is a lovely book; gentle and joyful. Set on Sergyar three years after the death of Aral Vorkosigan, it deals with how Cordelia and Aral's other loved ones reconstruct their lives and moving on.
The Vorkosigan books started out as being about guns, spaceships, and politics, but the conflicts and themes of this book are not violent. They are about personal choices, reproductive technology, the options available to people with longer lives, the wonders and hazards of exploring, love, and family.
The Vorkosigan books started out as being about guns, spaceships, and politics, but the conflicts and themes of this book are not violent. They are about personal choices, reproductive technology, the options available to people with longer lives, the wonders and hazards of exploring, love, and family.
emterf's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. It was more subtle than previous books, and more about people who have fully accepted who they are and who they want to be. It had no major galactic conflicts--the small amount of conflict was familial and intrapersonal, and it had a lovely ending that was more of a beginning. Or at least a middle.
bschlotz's review against another edition
5.0
(review of the eARC) Something about how bujold writes relationships fills my heart with warmth and my face with grins. This book lacks the cast-of-millions regency romcom part that makes civil campaign so great, and the sudden genre switch to caper that made captain vorpatril's alliance so fun, but stripped of those trimmings and you're left with a quiet book about people finding delight in each other. An absolute joy, in other words.
flaweddimension's review
First, Miles is involved. Second, I find no entertainment value to struggling to masturbate at a fertility clinic.