sebatinsky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chirson's review against another edition
5.0
It was a treat, with everything in just the right amount, no boring action sequences, a clever mystery, search for identity, cameos from all the old favourites save one, great pacing and astonishing warmth on all the margins and edges.
Simon <3 Aral <3 Cordelia <3 Duv <3 Alys <3
A lot of shipping and kittens.
It's a pity it doesn't really make sense to read it without reading everything else, first, because otherwise it would be a great way to get people to read Vorkosigans.
Simon <3 Aral <3 Cordelia <3 Duv <3 Alys <3
A lot of shipping and kittens.
It's a pity it doesn't really make sense to read it without reading everything else, first, because otherwise it would be a great way to get people to read Vorkosigans.
ekortunov's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Usually in the Vorkosigan books it was very easy to overcome disbelive arising from minor or not so minor plot holes, characters stupidity, disappearing and reapearing of main charachters, etc, because the books themseves were top notch, and the titular character was very likeble with his strife to win with watever cards he have been dealt, being in the same time humble and absolutelly honest, without pitying himself and whining. It is a pity, that in the end we got a lying, striving for promotion for a sake of a promotion, always whining, pulling his family advantage, escaping consequences due to his family nepotism Miles. I would call it a life resembling situation, if it wasnt presented so positevelly. Well, it wasnt OK for Miles to ask the emperor for entrance into the military school, but it was OK to use the same family connection asking for a promotion, for god sake, pathetic. It was absolutelly in the character to risk (and lose) all the hard won military career to save solders in the northen base, but now he was willing to lye, whine, ask for favors to save his position (not even career) at the risk of killing other people.
It does not help, that to provide Miles some space to get promotions, in the TENTH book in the cycle some uncnown power branch of Barrayar goverement was introduced, who wields great pover, even greater then Barrayar KGB... It is specifically mentioned, that to be in this brunch one should be completely honest, just before Miles is introduced in there, being caught on lying for promotion with great bad consequenses just 300 pages ago. The cycle really took unpleasant turn towards Mary Sue space opera, I am not sure I want to read futher. It is also wotrh mentioning that the disability side of Miles is basically forgoten (or better to say fixed in the books) , somewhat killing the general idea of the cycle. Overall it was sad to read, because it was really a very interesting character in the previous books who somehow became a prick. The book is to some extend entertaining and gives a good introspection of the cycle so far, hence not two stars.
It does not help, that to provide Miles some space to get promotions, in the TENTH book in the cycle some uncnown power branch of Barrayar goverement was introduced, who wields great pover, even greater then Barrayar KGB... It is specifically mentioned, that to be in this brunch one should be completely honest, just before Miles is introduced in there, being caught on lying for promotion with great bad consequenses just 300 pages ago. The cycle really took unpleasant turn towards Mary Sue space opera, I am not sure I want to read futher. It is also wotrh mentioning that the disability side of Miles is basically forgoten (or better to say fixed in the books) , somewhat killing the general idea of the cycle. Overall it was sad to read, because it was really a very interesting character in the previous books who somehow became a prick. The book is to some extend entertaining and gives a good introspection of the cycle so far, hence not two stars.
blusocket's review against another edition
4.5
Really excellent character work. Taura's accounting joke from the first few chapters was a hilarious touch of foreshadowing, and the forehead/palm benediction/luck kiss from Miles' final tryst with Elli Quinn made me scream. Bujold's prose is vivid and distinct but entirely approachable.
cedardleland'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
saoki's review against another edition
5.0
I spent a whole lot of this book crying. First because I was so into Mile's mind that I felt just as horrified as him when the consequences of his actions finally caught up with him (I did spent most of this month getting acquainted with him, after all), then because Simon's illness felt a lot like Alzheimer's, and I happen to have a personal history with that.
I had to open with that remark to explain fully why I liked this book better than other, more action oriented but equally awesome, parts of the series. Regardless of the absolute joy it was to read about young Miles in his Admiral Naismith self, it is much better to find him grown up and finding himself. And that what this book is all about. Growth, change, settling into adulthood and the bittersweet contrast between out memory of ourselves and of the people around us, and the actual person we were and are. Facts versus memory, if you will.
I've read quite a few character driven series and, eventually, every one of them approached this theme with various results. Some authors try to add some change to every book, like a kind of Lessons Learned chapter. Others, like Bujold and Seanan McGuire, prefer to show growth slowly, then all at once. This is, by far, my favorite way to handle it, and Memory is possibly my favorite book about change.
There is nothing special about the plot, although it is masterfully constructed. The author works mostly upon already-established worldbuilding and characters, putting pieces together in crafty ways and expanding upon whatever needed attention (I loved both Greg and Ivan in this book, and Cordelia is always marvelous). There are, also, some new characters, a few of which are intended as humorous interludes, something very welcome in what would otherwise be a very dark book.
It's a great story. Entertaining and deep, engaging and emotional. Everything I wish from a book, and everything I kinda wish to write.
I had to open with that remark to explain fully why I liked this book better than other, more action oriented but equally awesome, parts of the series. Regardless of the absolute joy it was to read about young Miles in his Admiral Naismith self, it is much better to find him grown up and finding himself. And that what this book is all about. Growth, change, settling into adulthood and the bittersweet contrast between out memory of ourselves and of the people around us, and the actual person we were and are. Facts versus memory, if you will.
I've read quite a few character driven series and, eventually, every one of them approached this theme with various results. Some authors try to add some change to every book, like a kind of Lessons Learned chapter. Others, like Bujold and Seanan McGuire, prefer to show growth slowly, then all at once. This is, by far, my favorite way to handle it, and Memory is possibly my favorite book about change.
There is nothing special about the plot, although it is masterfully constructed. The author works mostly upon already-established worldbuilding and characters, putting pieces together in crafty ways and expanding upon whatever needed attention (I loved both Greg and Ivan in this book, and Cordelia is always marvelous). There are, also, some new characters, a few of which are intended as humorous interludes, something very welcome in what would otherwise be a very dark book.
It's a great story. Entertaining and deep, engaging and emotional. Everything I wish from a book, and everything I kinda wish to write.
charlibirb's review against another edition
4.0
Really digging this series. The world (or universe) just keeps getting more detailed and fully-formed. I LOVE it.
bosermoki's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellianderjoy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Self harm, Chronic illness, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Confinement, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
caedocyon's review against another edition
5.0
I'm not sure why I initially gave this 3 stars. I've re-read it half a dozen times now, and I've come to believe it's one of the best single books in one of my absolute favorite series. The pace of the plot seems uneven when you read it first, but there are good reasons for that.