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jenny_mac's review
4.0
An intriguing read. The Sergyar setting means only fleeting glimpses of Miles and Ekaterin, Gregor and Ivan but a different insight into Cordelia, dealing with life after Aral. Less of an action packed adventure, although not without explosions, this is a quieter read but a welcome return to the Vorkosigan world. I sped through this and will re-read.
milshollini's review against another edition
5.0
Много санитментална 5-ца. Ще пиша подробно защо и как по-нататък :)
spriggana's review
4.0
Well, it is not a typical Vorkosigan novel, there is no Big Crisis of any kind, just a pair of people trying to get on with their lives after losing someone they loved. But I got to finally revisit Codrelia and Sergyar, got to know Oliver Jole and met a bunch of secondary characters I want to know more about.
Definitely book for long-time fans, but there is nothing wrong with that.
Definitely book for long-time fans, but there is nothing wrong with that.
seeinghowitgoes's review
4.0
Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen is a gentler entry into the Vorkosigan Saga, picking up three years after the death of Aral Vorkosigan, our main characters are quietly reeling and slowly piecing their lives back together. As part of this process, Cordelia makes an offer to Oliver Jole her former co-spouse with Aral that will shape their futures.
Firstly, it's been 9 years since I've read the bulk of the Vorkosigan Saga, Jole's introduction blew my mind and had me reaching for the previous novels to try read between the lines to see what I'd missed! The interaction between Jole and Cordelia is achingly lovely, it sets the tone for the novel and shows it's truly just about life continuing on.
For fans wanting more Space Opera it's not quite the book for them, but for a series which started with the introduction of Cordelia, it feels quite fitting to also address this chapter of her life.
Firstly, it's been 9 years since I've read the bulk of the Vorkosigan Saga, Jole's introduction blew my mind and had me reaching for the previous novels to try read between the lines to see what I'd missed! The interaction between Jole and Cordelia is achingly lovely, it sets the tone for the novel and shows it's truly just about life continuing on.
For fans wanting more Space Opera it's not quite the book for them, but for a series which started with the introduction of Cordelia, it feels quite fitting to also address this chapter of her life.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Gentle Jole and the Red Queen earlier this year, it prompted a 6 month long re-read of the entire Vorkosigan Saga before coming back to where I started. It benefits so much more with these characters being clearer in my memory, I really hadn't been doing Cordelia any favours going in so hazy. The tone of the novel is distinctly different to the rest of the series, there's no overarching mystery/adventure plot and instead it's simply the story of Jole and Cordelia continuing with life after Aral.
The few snippets we've seen of Jole prior to this were tantalising (I have the whole series in ebook form and actually searched every single one for the name Jole), and I wish that Bujold had brought him into the fold earlier to give us a better sense of him.
The few snippets we've seen of Jole prior to this were tantalising (I have the whole series in ebook form and actually searched every single one for the name Jole), and I wish that Bujold had brought him into the fold earlier to give us a better sense of him.
margotfoster's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
This book was different from a lot of the other books in the series, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that hasn't read at least most of the series. Because this book supposes that we *know * these characters.
GJ&RQ doesn't have a lot of the action that we might be used to in the Vorkosigan saga, no one is killed, kidnapped, plotting against, seeking revenge, or even trying to get a vote through the council of counts. But as I reflect back to what I've always told others about the Vorkosigan books, it's character driven.
This isn't really a Cordelia book, because while she is a POV character she isn't really at the center of the main conflict. Oliver Jole is a character we've met only in passing before back when Miles found Gregor in the Hegen Hub and again a few times at Vorkosigan House. But here is a man that contrasts with Miles whom we know best. Miles always driven by duty and his need to succeed. We have another who has achieved many of the things that Miles always wanted, but his motivations are entirely different.
Overall this was a really great read and at times I had trouble putting it down, but it was still different that the rest of the Vorkosigan saga. I occasionally found myself waiting for the action to start and it never really did, yet we still enjoy a great story with deep and compelling characters.
This book was different from a lot of the other books in the series, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that hasn't read at least most of the series. Because this book supposes that we *know * these characters.
GJ&RQ doesn't have a lot of the action that we might be used to in the Vorkosigan saga, no one is killed, kidnapped, plotting against, seeking revenge, or even trying to get a vote through the council of counts. But as I reflect back to what I've always told others about the Vorkosigan books, it's character driven.
This isn't really a Cordelia book, because while she is a POV character she isn't really at the center of the main conflict. Oliver Jole is a character we've met only in passing before back when Miles found Gregor in the Hegen Hub and again a few times at Vorkosigan House. But here is a man that contrasts with Miles whom we know best. Miles always driven by duty and his need to succeed. We have another who has achieved many of the things that Miles always wanted, but his motivations are entirely different.
Overall this was a really great read and at times I had trouble putting it down, but it was still different that the rest of the Vorkosigan saga. I occasionally found myself waiting for the action to start and it never really did, yet we still enjoy a great story with deep and compelling characters.
maria_pulver's review
4.0
It's complicated.
Bujold is one of my favorite authors and yet this probably is going to be my least favorite book in the series. I say probably, because I've finished the eARC in less than two days and will re-read it in a short while to get a better grasp on the finer details.
Based on this first and very fast reading I'd say the book lacks a prominent plot, the conflict implied is solved too easily and too many heroes are mentioned often enough to become part of the story but fall short on the in-depth development.
On the strong side, I love Cordelia moving on after Aral's death, and I like the direction her life is taking. It's good to see Miles growing up even more and it's reasonable enough to understand that his life with Ekaterin isn't all roses. And of course, all the social - genetic and moral - issues are the very high bar set for the reader to ponder at.
So far I don't like the book as a whole, but I lover the bits and pieces - I had things to mull about and plenty of fun while reading.
Bujold is one of my favorite authors and yet this probably is going to be my least favorite book in the series. I say probably, because I've finished the eARC in less than two days and will re-read it in a short while to get a better grasp on the finer details.
Based on this first and very fast reading I'd say the book lacks a prominent plot, the conflict implied is solved too easily and too many heroes are mentioned often enough to become part of the story but fall short on the in-depth development.
On the strong side, I love Cordelia moving on after Aral's death, and I like the direction her life is taking. It's good to see Miles growing up even more and it's reasonable enough to understand that his life with Ekaterin isn't all roses. And of course, all the social - genetic and moral - issues are the very high bar set for the reader to ponder at.
So far I don't like the book as a whole, but I lover the bits and pieces - I had things to mull about and plenty of fun while reading.
futuregazer's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5