Excellent addition to the saga

If you've already read and enjoyed the rest of the Miles Vorkosigan saga, then you will enjoy this too. A great story in it's own right, but made all the sweeter by many references to events from other books.

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Typically Excellent Bujold

This book takes place in Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan universe. Like most books in the series it is a completely standalone novel, but readers of other works will recognise references to events and cameo appearances. The main character is Ivan Vorpatril, who plays second fiddle to Miles Vorkosigan in earlier books.

Whilst set in a sci-fi universe with stunners and plasma arcs, this is a very standard Regency Romance. The plot is almost a direct fusion of two of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels (I won't mention which two for fear of spoilers).

If, like me, you enjoy sci-fi based on character development and interaction then I recommend this as an undemanding, pleasant listen.

Grover Gardner does his usual workmanlike job of reading. He isn't great with character voices and accents- Ivan speaking sarcastically sounds the same as Miles speaking sarcastically sounds the same as his admiral speaking sarcastically - but he has a lovely reading voice suitable for hours of listening.

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As always a great listen

I like to low melodrama tone of Bujold’s writing paired with the narrator’s dry delivery.

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Worthy addition to a great series

This is the most recent addition to Lois McMaster Bujold's popular Vorkosigan saga, but it doesn't feature a Vorkosigan protagonist. Instead, "quiet life" Ivan Vorpatril (who tends not to have quite the Vorkosigan larger-than-life quality) gets to take centre stage.



There's a bit of an adventure plot and a slice of a mystery plot, but both of these take backseat to an enjoyable Georgette Heyer-esque romance story, which gives Ivan the opportunity to be a hero / knight errant in his own right. There's a some fun dialogue, and witty asides as Ivan is shocked to find himself in trouble without help from his cousin Miles, which is all very enjoyable. The heart of the story, though, is two people coming to terms with what they themselves want out of life, as opposed to what others expect them to want.



As with others in this series (which I have only listened to as audiobooks-please excuse misspellings of character names), the book is engagingly read by Grover Gardner. I don't want to give away plot details, but the story twisted enough to keep me interested, and whilst this isn't necessarily my favourite of the series, I'm certain I will be wanting to listen to it again at some point. Money (or credits) very well spent!

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3 people found this helpful

Ivan takes centre stage

It was a lovely surprise to discover another book in this series. I thought we had ended with Cryoburn. (this book is set a few years earlier). Ivan had shown some signs of maturing in A Civil Campaign and I'd been disappointed to see no more of him in the next books.

In this one he is still very much his own character, but we see the more grown up, responsible man. Where in a book about Miles we would become involved in an avalanche and enjoying the danger. Ivan still wants to avoid problems (and dark, wet, cramped places).

Miles does make a guest appearance, but this is not a book about him.



I wouldn't say it's the best of the series, but like most of Bujold's books it will certainly bear re-reading.



As always Grover Gardner narrates beautifully.

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