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cedardleland's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is not at all like her other books, but I think it's my favorite thing that Lois McMaster Bujold has written in the Miles series. A lot about motherhood with Cordelia to bookend the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Murder
brakken's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
disastrouspenguin's review
3.0
(Tldr; not a must-read but maybe worth picking up if you find yourself missing this universe and don't mind a slow, wandering story. )
This book follows Cordelia Vorkosigan and old friend Oliver Jole, who had drifted apart following sad and spoilery events in previous books.
Here, Cordelia makes him an offer, and they rekindle their friendship as she tries to guide him without letting her own preferences bias the process.
If this all sounds rather chill, it is. No harrowing escapes, no hare-brained schemes upon whose results lie life and death. Just the day-to-day. Granted, Cordelia's day-to-day is much more exciting than anyone else I know.
The story reads almost like one big epilogue. A couple of interesting things happen, and interesting characters make an appearance.
This book follows Cordelia Vorkosigan and old friend Oliver Jole, who had drifted apart following sad and spoilery events in previous books.
Here, Cordelia makes him an offer, and they rekindle their friendship as she tries to guide him without letting her own preferences bias the process.
If this all sounds rather chill, it is. No harrowing escapes, no hare-brained schemes upon whose results lie life and death. Just the day-to-day. Granted, Cordelia's day-to-day is much more exciting than anyone else I know.
The story reads almost like one big epilogue. A couple of interesting things happen, and interesting characters make an appearance.
durantedianne's review
5.0
Love Bujold's writings. After reading this, I went back to *Shards of Honor* - you'll see why after reading it.
endiamon's review
3.0
An otherwise very fun book that is dampened thoroughly by a very odd choice.
I found the first half of the book to be quite entertaining and Bujold at her best. However, one character reaction near the end struck me as odd to say the least, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt that it ruined not just this book, but even managed to taint the series as a whole.
It feels especially odd coming after Cryoburn, which was exceptional and definitive proof that the series isn't going downhill. However, given how a similar situation arises in her Penric series, I have to wonder if this is going to be a recurring problem going forward.
I found the first half of the book to be quite entertaining and Bujold at her best. However, one character reaction near the end struck me as odd to say the least, and the more I thought about it, the more I felt that it ruined not just this book, but even managed to taint the series as a whole.
Spoiler
In short, Miles is presented with a pretty massive revelation about the lives of his parents. I don't know how to describe the situation except to say that it feels like Bujold considered the problem exclusively from Cornelia's perspective and never from his. I was waiting the entire book for a moment of catharsis when Miles could say how frustrated/upset/angry/sad he was that his parents kept this massive secret hidden from him, not because he was being childish, but because he wanted to know about their happiness. That Cornelia kept this a secret from him is peak hypocrisy, coming from the woman that valued honesty and openness above almost everything else. That Miles responds to the ultimate reveal with little more than shrugging acceptance simply feels bizarre, out of character, and in service of little more than justifying Cornelia's righteousness at every turn.It feels especially odd coming after Cryoburn, which was exceptional and definitive proof that the series isn't going downhill. However, given how a similar situation arises in her Penric series, I have to wonder if this is going to be a recurring problem going forward.
bosermoki's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.5-4 stars.
This novel is the culmination of Bujold's long running Vorkosigan series which I've burned through this year to great delight and regret it took me so long to get to.
I didn't love it the way I loved some of the last ones, but part of that is having gotten away from the well beloved prior cast. But once again it's a real achievement of excellent character work set against the backdrop of sci-fi drama that has made the series a delight. I did enjoy the center billing for Cordelia Naismith, one of the best leading ladies in sci-fi
This novel is the culmination of Bujold's long running Vorkosigan series which I've burned through this year to great delight and regret it took me so long to get to.
I didn't love it the way I loved some of the last ones, but part of that is having gotten away from the well beloved prior cast. But once again it's a real achievement of excellent character work set against the backdrop of sci-fi drama that has made the series a delight. I did enjoy the center billing for Cordelia Naismith, one of the best leading ladies in sci-fi
alwyshaveabook82's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Wonderful science fiction - Iʼve read only one very early volume of this saga plus this recent one. fun to explore different worlds with beings who balance ambition and duty, career and parenting, passion and discretion. There are strange dangers, generations of duplicitous policies, secrets, and also grounded descriptions like this: "people standing around trying to balance their portions of carbohydrates, grease and sugar on the inevitable too-flimsy disposable plates"
ellianderjoy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Biphobia, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Classism