ferris_mx's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by a friend who misinterpreted my request for San Francisco (SF) fiction, I was surprised that this book was hardly set in San Francisco AT ALL. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading a woman's take on science fiction - and it was unmistakably a woman's touch. Setting the foreign Barrayan culture as a mix of Russian and Japanese was a bit limiting for my tastes.
sillypunk's review against another edition
5.0
I love Cordelia and Aral. I wish there were more books with just them: http://blogendorff.ghost.io/book-review-barrayar/
readingtheend's review against another edition
4.0
this was MUCH MORE UPSETTING than I expected it was going to be, based on the cover and cover copy, but it was very fun and good and I love Cordelia a ton. will I read more Vorkosigans? time will tell!
eric_conrad's review against another edition
5.0
Cordelia and Aral make the book a success. These are characters that you want to know. You want them to thrive and triumph.
titusfortner's review
5.0
This is definitely character-focused science fiction, with very minimal technological amazements. After my recent sci-fi disappointments, I was more than ok with this.
This book was two novels combined into one. I actually enjoyed Shards of Honor (the first novel she ever wrote), more than Barrayar, even though the latter won the awards. I felt the pacing was more consistent. Barrayar was a little slow through the beginning and just not as compelling for me, but picked up nicely at the end.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of her extensive Vokosign series.
This book was two novels combined into one. I actually enjoyed Shards of Honor (the first novel she ever wrote), more than Barrayar, even though the latter won the awards. I felt the pacing was more consistent. Barrayar was a little slow through the beginning and just not as compelling for me, but picked up nicely at the end.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of her extensive Vokosign series.
wetdryvac's review
4.0
So far so good. I've had this recommended my way from so very many places. Liking.
duenorth's review
2.0
Competently written space-opera with a typical, wants-to-be-epic militaristic galactic struggle in a decently crafted world. But the main character, Cordelia, starts off as strong and smart and rebellious only to drop everything for the 'right man' and ends up a weak, wishy-washy woman who falls in line behind her husband at the snap of his fingers. At least in book one. There will be no reading of the sequel for me.
[Another book I've read in my quest to find a strong, independent female protagonist to encourage and inspire my husband's teenage girl students. This is not that book.]
[Another book I've read in my quest to find a strong, independent female protagonist to encourage and inspire my husband's teenage girl students. This is not that book.]
clairetrellahill's review
4.0
I will die for Cordelia Naismith and also Aral Vorkosigan and Sergeant Bothari.
jandi's review
5.0
Wow. Cordelia is seriously badass (my comment would irritate her, but I don't think anyone can top her shopping spree!). Loved the character development, not just of the main character, everyone is very convincingly fleshed out. Loved the nuanced romance in "Shards of Honor", and the replicator blew my mind - that is technology that would seriously change the world and no other sci-fi book I've read has introduced something like that, so obviously useful. Loved the treatment of Kou's and Bothari's disabilities. "Aftermaths" was short but heart wrenching.
How did I not know about Lois McMaster Bujold before this? Her work has won multiple Hugos and Nebulas, and had I not been recommended this book by a friend, I would have overlooked it with its cheesy cover.
Other reviews say this is not the strongest work in the series. If that is the case, I'm really excited about the rest of the series!
How did I not know about Lois McMaster Bujold before this? Her work has won multiple Hugos and Nebulas, and had I not been recommended this book by a friend, I would have overlooked it with its cheesy cover.
Other reviews say this is not the strongest work in the series. If that is the case, I'm really excited about the rest of the series!
rachael1206's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
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
5.0