chirson's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like my review is sort of pointless because I read Jo Walton's thoughts on this volume on tor.com and I agree with her on all major counts. I don't think the romance between Miles and Ekaterin quite works :| All the issues I have with it are--not sure if addressed is the right word, lampshaded?--in the book itself. They are acknowledged, but then sort of waved away through the power of contrariness. And my contention is basically that compared to the glory that was Cordelia/Aral OTP-ness, Miles/Ekaterin is... so-so at best, and a bad idea for Ekaterin at worst.
This all comes to the fact that 10+ books into the series, I'm at a point where I enjoy most of the characters but I have serious problems with liking Miles. He could use some therapy, Beta-style.
On the other hand, Ivan was amazingly fun to read, Mark and Kareen were largely enjoyable, Ekaterin herself had less interesting an arc, but still good.
The conclusion (sans the embarassing slapstick part) was amazing, tense and so right.
(Will women's lib ever happen on Barrayar? It seems with the advances in reproductive technology, some movement should be inevitable. Maybe in a future volume...)
Spoiler
(He may want to give you a planet, but at his heart of hearts he doesn't really think women and men are equal, Ekaterin, that's the sad truth. Cordelia, you made some bad mistakes along the way. And one of them was probably letting him ever be around Bothari.)This all comes to the fact that 10+ books into the series, I'm at a point where I enjoy most of the characters but I have serious problems with liking Miles. He could use some therapy, Beta-style.
Spoiler
(Also: I find myself quite incapable of cheering on the romantic prospects of a dude who waves away the idea of supporting inheritance rights for women with the thought that that could put him in harm's way so NOPE. Get stuffed, Miles. Some things are bigger than you. Pun seriously unintended.)On the other hand, Ivan was amazingly fun to read, Mark and Kareen were largely enjoyable, Ekaterin herself had less interesting an arc, but still good.
The conclusion (sans the embarassing slapstick part) was amazing, tense and so right.
(Will women's lib ever happen on Barrayar? It seems with the advances in reproductive technology, some movement should be inevitable. Maybe in a future volume...)
ekortunov's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It is a good place to stop readibg the saga. God can she write. But the taste is bitter and the interest in Miles story or word is nearly lost with all this power abusing, lying, insane hypocricy, sex dreams on every page, freackin AnAlIsT sAlUtE, etc. It does not help that a lot of a story neatly arranges itself to help Miles be a shining knight whyle everyone else evil or stupid or evil and stupid. Ah yes, power abusing, have i written it yet? But overall these last book were catching and I did have a good time, even if a bit annoyed and sad. Not a good end of a cycle as far as these things go
glitterbomb47's review against another edition
3.0
I'm having trouble with Ekaterin. I don't really like her. I have a very hard time believing that a woman who sucked up the crap her 1st husband threw around for years is going to be able to stand up to Miles, who likes to eat the weak for breakfast.
uzoma's review against another edition
5.0
It’s always a good feeling to read a book you always thought you’d like and find that you like it
saoki's review against another edition
5.0
This book kept me awake on a saturday night until it turned into a sunday morning, but I'm not complaining. It's a political story, with conspiracy and spying, set into a manners-like setting, with so much romance on top of it that it probably made a certain kind of SF fan run screaming, but I couldn't possibly put it down.
There probably is a lot I could say about Bujold's use of romance tropes or how her consequences-focused narrative made nepotism seem like a logical and practical action. But, really, all I want to do is bask in the glory of having read a good book and be quiet for a while.
What can I say but <3
There probably is a lot I could say about Bujold's use of romance tropes or how her consequences-focused narrative made nepotism seem like a logical and practical action. But, really, all I want to do is bask in the glory of having read a good book and be quiet for a while.
What can I say but <3
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
These are such fun books! I love them! Much better than most series that are like a million books long.
heathersbike's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite fun. Very impressive writing. I would not recommend starting in the middle of this series, but obviously that's my mistake.
qupolina's review against another edition
5.0
Prvo sam bila razočarana koliko se ovo pretvorilo u ljubić, ali me knjiga toliko nasmijala par puta da eto, ne mogu reći da je ne bi preporučila.
swajoed's review against another edition
5.0
A little slow at first but holy crap - I’ve never been as enraptured by an intrigue-centered plot as with this book.