Scan barcode
katieinca's review
4.0
Me on page one: "Ugh, Mark. Really, Mark is back? It's not bad enough you invented this annoying character, now you're letting him narrate?" Me on page last: "Oh Mark is the best. You show 'em, Mark. I hope we get more Miles and Mark scenes next book." That's an impressive feat, Ms. Bujold.
Some slogging bits (and ugh I wish she could have found a better way to make Elena hate Mark in the first act), but I really enjoyed getting to see Aral and Cordelia again. Also I just sleep better knowing that Elena came back and learned more about her father from them.
Some slogging bits (and ugh I wish she could have found a better way to make Elena hate Mark in the first act), but I really enjoyed getting to see Aral and Cordelia again. Also I just sleep better knowing that Elena came back and learned more about her father from them.
kzimm2024's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Just brilliant. It was a darker book, one that deals with Mark coming into his own and working thru his demons. Some demons came forward when he is captured and horrifically tortured. Grunt, Gorge, Howl and Mark as distinctly different characters. Truly tortured.
We start this story with Mark as he passes for Miles, in order to get to Jackson Whole to break in and rescue clones. What starts as an ill conceived rescue mission ends up with the death of Miles. And the story goes on and on, just layer after layer. Miles is stuffed into a cryochamber, only for it to get lost, and then turn up empty?? What a twist on a mystery, and we are treated with a heartbreaking glimpse of Aral and Cordelia as the navigate the loss of Miles, the found of Mark and health concerns. I almost cried! This is what good stories do to us, this was a terrific story.
And this from Cordelia to Mark hit me especially hard, I found it profound-
"Your birthday was the seventeenth of last month, in point of fact.”
“I missed it anyway, then.”
He closed the bag and stuffed the uniform far back in his closet. “Not important.”
“It’s important that someone celebrate our existence,” she objected amiably."
One of my favorite parts was after everything is over and they all meet up and negotiate with Baron Fell, Mark is the one with the Plan for the next steps and Miles is just like "What? WHAT?" He is so confused when he sees this side of Mark. And to realize Mark is a trained killer was a reality check.
And Taura- loved this about her-
"Every day was a gift, each year a miracle. She was living her whole life as a smash-and-grab, and he heartily approved."
It was interesting to see the title apply to an actual dance in the story that was a sweet moment between Mark and Kareen, rather than just the dance between Miles and Mark as subject and clone.
We start this story with Mark as he passes for Miles, in order to get to Jackson Whole to break in and rescue clones. What starts as an ill conceived rescue mission ends up with the death of Miles. And the story goes on and on, just layer after layer. Miles is stuffed into a cryochamber, only for it to get lost, and then turn up empty?? What a twist on a mystery, and we are treated with a heartbreaking glimpse of Aral and Cordelia as the navigate the loss of Miles, the found of Mark and health concerns. I almost cried! This is what good stories do to us, this was a terrific story.
And this from Cordelia to Mark hit me especially hard, I found it profound-
"Your birthday was the seventeenth of last month, in point of fact.”
“I missed it anyway, then.”
He closed the bag and stuffed the uniform far back in his closet. “Not important.”
“It’s important that someone celebrate our existence,” she objected amiably."
One of my favorite parts was after everything is over and they all meet up and negotiate with Baron Fell, Mark is the one with the Plan for the next steps and Miles is just like "What? WHAT?" He is so confused when he sees this side of Mark. And to realize Mark is a trained killer was a reality check.
And Taura- loved this about her-
"Every day was a gift, each year a miracle. She was living her whole life as a smash-and-grab, and he heartily approved."
It was interesting to see the title apply to an actual dance in the story that was a sweet moment between Mark and Kareen, rather than just the dance between Miles and Mark as subject and clone.
shinyrobot's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
heyheyhell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
5.0
ough. it’s effective, and a lot of really good character work going on here- but ough.
gin19's review
4.0
It was great to get to know Mark better and to see some of Cordelia and Aral again! Another fast paced and entertaining read.
truthlessofcanada's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
Delivered. Crazy novel
9.4/10
9.4/10
shalini_gunnasan's review
5.0
Excellent - Bujold in fine form here. Even though the preceding books were entertaining, none of them had the same visceral pull that Shards of Honor and Barrayar had for me. I could hardly stop reading Mirror Dance, it was riveting. Miles had gotten rather god-like lately, and it's good to see character growth and development as per the earlier novels mentioned.
Mark Vorkosigan is an immensely interesting character, and to be honest, I rather got bored of Miles' scenes! I skipped over the horrible descriptions of torture, but it was still a part of Mark's growth. To see him come into his own as a person, as Mark, rather than not-Miles, was immensely satisfying. Further to that, Mark proved that he was different but equal to Miles. I'm only sad that he won't be returning so often.
Mark Vorkosigan is an immensely interesting character, and to be honest, I rather got bored of Miles' scenes! I skipped over the horrible descriptions of torture, but it was still a part of Mark's growth. To see him come into his own as a person, as Mark, rather than not-Miles, was immensely satisfying. Further to that, Mark proved that he was different but equal to Miles. I'm only sad that he won't be returning so often.
badamsadamson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
gabliotecaria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
chloekg's review
4.0
The series almost lost me here. The first ~115 pages were an expositional slog. But, after that, the plot and pacing were McMasterful: gripping adventure, endearing relationships, and ever thoughtful sci-fi grounding. The erstwhile Mark fleshes himself out as a character. Miles is more fully human for it. Holy Mother Cordelia is radiant and impeccable as always. There's mystery and mix-ups and deep psychological insights. Very fun and a few tears.