Scan barcode
badamsadamson's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katieinca's review against another edition
4.0
More romance + politics than mystery or sci fi, and possibly one too many co-plots for its own good. But bonus points for finally doing a little more digging into with the fact that our main character's planet is one that other planets consider not only backwards in a general way, but sexist. If you can't inherit the dukedom because you're female, and you can hop to the planet around the corner and change that, well...
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
What did I just read? A carefully constructed plot, amazingly well done. I totally see the references to Dorothy Sayers, the complex plot that culminates in that dreadful dinner party- priceless. I laughed out loud several times, talking to myself as I burbled thru this wonderful story.
Butter bugs, overprotective (and shocked) parents of Kareen's, Mark's growth in therapy, Miles laying siege to his lady love, sex change operation in a desperate bid for inheritance, butter bugs escaping, Parole Officers, threats to take Nikki away, the Emperors wedding (finally!). What a mix.
Just genius. I wanted to skip ahead to this book a long time ago but am glad I waited and read Miles' journey to get to this point. I do miss reading his POV in these stories but I understand needing to get into Ekaterin's head in order to understand her. This story takes us from the beginning of their relationship to their engagement- which nearly didn't happen!
Lots of fun quotes:
“Lately, I have come to believe that the principal difference between heaven and hell is the company you keep there.”
----------
Which way would she pounce? Miles held his breath. Ekaterin leaned forward, gripping the railing with her knuckles going pale. “Let’s finish this. Lord Vorkosigan!”
Miles jerked in his seat, taken by surprise. “Madame?” He made a little half-bow gesture. “Yours to command . . .”
“Good. Will you marry me?”
----------
If this was a ploy to impress his colleagues with his innocence, would it work?
Who cares? Seize the moment! Seize the woman! Don’t let her get away again!
One side of his lip curled up, then the other; then a broad grin took over his face. He tilted toward her. “Why, yes, madame. Certainly. Now?”
She looked a little taken aback at the vision this perhaps conjured of his abandoning the chamber instantly, to take her up on her offer this very hour, before she could change her mind. Well, he was ready if she was. . . . She waved him down. “We’ll discuss that later. Settle this business.”
-----------
At last, he heard his father call his name. Miles’s head snapped around; such was the Viceroy’s aura that the crowd seemed to melt away between them. Ekaterin peered shyly into the mob of uniformed men from between her formidable outriders.
Miles strode over to her and gripped her hands painfully hard, searching her face, Is it true, is it real? She grinned back, idiotically, beautifully, Yes, oh, yes.
“You want a leg up?” Ivan offered him. “Shut up, Ivan,” Miles said over his shoulder.
He glanced around at the nearest bench. “D’you mind?” he whispered to her. “I believe it is customary . . .” His grin broadened, and he jumped up on it, wrapped her in his arms, and gave her a blatantly possessive kiss.
She embraced him back, just as hard, shaking a little. “Mine to me. Yes,” she whispered fiercely in his ear. He hopped back down, but did not release her hand.
-----------
And Miles is SO happy!!
Inside his own head, a continuous counterpoint ran in little popping bubbles, Look! I’m engaged! Isn’t she pretty? SHE asked ME. She’s smart, too. She’s going to marry me. Mine, mine, all mine. I’m engaged! To be married! To this woman!
an effervescence that emerged, he trusted, only as a cool, suave smile.
HA!
Butter bugs, overprotective (and shocked) parents of Kareen's, Mark's growth in therapy, Miles laying siege to his lady love, sex change operation in a desperate bid for inheritance, butter bugs escaping, Parole Officers, threats to take Nikki away, the Emperors wedding (finally!). What a mix.
Just genius. I wanted to skip ahead to this book a long time ago but am glad I waited and read Miles' journey to get to this point. I do miss reading his POV in these stories but I understand needing to get into Ekaterin's head in order to understand her. This story takes us from the beginning of their relationship to their engagement- which nearly didn't happen!
Lots of fun quotes:
“Lately, I have come to believe that the principal difference between heaven and hell is the company you keep there.”
----------
Which way would she pounce? Miles held his breath. Ekaterin leaned forward, gripping the railing with her knuckles going pale. “Let’s finish this. Lord Vorkosigan!”
Miles jerked in his seat, taken by surprise. “Madame?” He made a little half-bow gesture. “Yours to command . . .”
“Good. Will you marry me?”
----------
If this was a ploy to impress his colleagues with his innocence, would it work?
Who cares? Seize the moment! Seize the woman! Don’t let her get away again!
One side of his lip curled up, then the other; then a broad grin took over his face. He tilted toward her. “Why, yes, madame. Certainly. Now?”
She looked a little taken aback at the vision this perhaps conjured of his abandoning the chamber instantly, to take her up on her offer this very hour, before she could change her mind. Well, he was ready if she was. . . . She waved him down. “We’ll discuss that later. Settle this business.”
-----------
At last, he heard his father call his name. Miles’s head snapped around; such was the Viceroy’s aura that the crowd seemed to melt away between them. Ekaterin peered shyly into the mob of uniformed men from between her formidable outriders.
Miles strode over to her and gripped her hands painfully hard, searching her face, Is it true, is it real? She grinned back, idiotically, beautifully, Yes, oh, yes.
“You want a leg up?” Ivan offered him. “Shut up, Ivan,” Miles said over his shoulder.
He glanced around at the nearest bench. “D’you mind?” he whispered to her. “I believe it is customary . . .” His grin broadened, and he jumped up on it, wrapped her in his arms, and gave her a blatantly possessive kiss.
She embraced him back, just as hard, shaking a little. “Mine to me. Yes,” she whispered fiercely in his ear. He hopped back down, but did not release her hand.
-----------
And Miles is SO happy!!
Inside his own head, a continuous counterpoint ran in little popping bubbles, Look! I’m engaged! Isn’t she pretty? SHE asked ME. She’s smart, too. She’s going to marry me. Mine, mine, all mine. I’m engaged! To be married! To this woman!
an effervescence that emerged, he trusted, only as a cool, suave smile.
HA!
bingley's review against another edition
slow-paced
4.0
(240417) I didn't read Miles' other books bc I'm not as interested in the political intrigue and drama of Barrayar, so the only other Author's books I've read is "Shards of Honor," about Miles' parents. And my favorite part of that book was the end when there was an inkling of romance lol.
TLDR: slice of life, a tad verbose but those parts are easily skippable. Plenty of political intrigue but this time romance gets to drive the car sometimes too.
It was a tad whirlwind-ish: the entire cast of characters' names (of which there are purposefully several similar "Vor-" names), esp since I haven't read the other books. Thankfully Author does a good job at reintroducing ppl and giving context subtly.
I enjoyed the trainwreck humor of watching ppl just put their foot in their mouths XD, the social humor of tiptoeing around social dynamics and niceties, and the family push-and-pull humor of the exasperation that often accompanies family interactions.
Miles and Ekaterin were fun to read. Mark and Kareen I highly enjoyed as well, v entertaining. Ivan was more of a foil? And the cameos from Aral and Cordelia were terrific, given I read them first.
Def LOL-ed more than a few times.
Also def skimmed some passages, but if you like the political warfare of a planet, then you'll be in luck.
this technically is trans representation, but... IDK how Dono would identify, transman or transwoman. Or maybe it's not trans rep, and it's only genital reassignment surgery, without the gender bc Donna wasn't feeling gender dysmorphia (not that you have to to be trans) nor was she questioning before she transitioned. So this is curious indeed bc technically he's trans but he can also technically not be... lol
POV: multi, third person
DISABILITY REP: technically this is also disability representation... I'm curious whether the Author purposefully knew that?
TLDR: slice of life, a tad verbose but those parts are easily skippable. Plenty of political intrigue but this time romance gets to drive the car sometimes too.
It was a tad whirlwind-ish: the entire cast of characters' names (of which there are purposefully several similar "Vor-" names), esp since I haven't read the other books. Thankfully Author does a good job at reintroducing ppl and giving context subtly.
I enjoyed the trainwreck humor of watching ppl just put their foot in their mouths XD, the social humor of tiptoeing around social dynamics and niceties, and the family push-and-pull humor of the exasperation that often accompanies family interactions.
Miles and Ekaterin were fun to read. Mark and Kareen I highly enjoyed as well, v entertaining. Ivan was more of a foil? And the cameos from Aral and Cordelia were terrific, given I read them first.
Def LOL-ed more than a few times.
Also def skimmed some passages, but if you like the political warfare of a planet, then you'll be in luck.
POV: multi, third person
DISABILITY REP: technically this is also disability representation... I'm curious whether the Author purposefully knew that?
gin19's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
My favorite in the series so far. The return of so many great characters and I also loved the additional humor on this one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
piazelda's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
gabliotecaria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kudhirima's review against another edition
5.0
Me encanta la inteligencia de Miles. En esta ocasión es especialmente divertido, con enredos increíbles y momentos tristes y románticos. Lo he disfrutado 100%
starfire_rhexia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75