captroper's review against another edition
2.0
I don't usually write reviews, but I feel the need to for this book. The reason is that this is a well written book, and by all rights should probably be a 4/5 or so, instead of my rating of two. I gave it that rating because when hovering over the stars 2/5 was "it was ok" and 3/5 was "I liked it", and I think I was just not in the mood for this type of book when I read it which made it a slog to get through. Again, none of that was the book's fault and it IS a very well written book, and most people will probably love it!
mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A great ride from start to finish!
voxlunae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Love where this series is going. This one was so exciting!
iris_cadaver's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book right after Shards of Honor because it picks up where the first book leaves off, and apparently all the other Vorkosigan books are about Cordelia & Aral's son, so it seemed like a logical step.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. I felt like I didn't fully understand who Cordelia was--she felt so different than in the first book. She spends the first 80 percent of this book contemplating what it means to be a wife and a mother before she finally gets around to speaking out and taking charge. Once she gets there, the book is action-packed again, but for me it dragged in the getting there.
Knowing that the other books in the series are about another character, I'm not in a hurry to get to them. But I'm sure I'll pick them up the next time I get a sci-fi craving.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. I felt like I didn't fully understand who Cordelia was--she felt so different than in the first book. She spends the first 80 percent of this book contemplating what it means to be a wife and a mother before she finally gets around to speaking out and taking charge. Once she gets there, the book is action-packed again, but for me it dragged in the getting there.
Knowing that the other books in the series are about another character, I'm not in a hurry to get to them. But I'm sure I'll pick them up the next time I get a sci-fi craving.
rocketdea's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
reginasage's review against another edition
2.0
This book had too many offspring issues in it. But dang, it I don't love a story where the woman saves the day. Way to go, moms, for being so great.
Also, Vorkosigan is still a hunk.
Also, Vorkosigan is still a hunk.
holtopia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
albernikolauras's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An excellent follow up on Shards of Honor that picks up right where we left off with Cordelia handling Barrayar and Barrayar figuring out how to handle Cordelia.
This book just confirms how amazing Cordelia is and how much of a gem she is. I don't have any criticism to provide otherwise.
Regard trigger warnings with this and enjoy.
This book just confirms how amazing Cordelia is and how much of a gem she is. I don't have any criticism to provide otherwise.
Regard trigger warnings with this and enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Pregnancy
Moderate: Murder, Homophobia, Miscarriage, War, and Sexual violence
chirson's review against another edition
5.0
New review (2023):
I mean, I stand by my complaints about Bothari, but loved this book lots more on re-read. I no longer begrudge Bujold her love of a secondary romance (even if it would be improved 90% by no Bothari in the background). I no longer care about Cordelia's daring rescue mission being too over-the-top - it's supposed to be, and it works, and the pacing feels much better when I knew what was going to happen. I am still meh about the way Cordelia & Aral's relationship trouble gets solved too quickly / off-page, but I appreciate the focus on disability, on lasting effects of war and violence, and just seeing more Cordelia.
Original review:
Alas, I don't think this volume (for me) stacks up to the first one. Sure, the worldbuilding is much richer this time round, the world of Barrayar having gained a lot of detail in the meantime: details like different gender roles across societies, the complex history of Barrayar, backstories of various characters. And a lot of it works, and is well integrated, without feeling too info-dump-y. And the protagonists are as delightful as ever (and albeit I could have done with more Aral, his relative absence is understandable). I really liked the way in which Cordelia's and Aral's motivations are developed with regard to Miles, and how themes of parenthood are explored - and since this novel is in many ways a prequel, I do think it works well as backstory for Miles, making him all the more interesting. Finally, one of my complaints about the previous volume (which I didn't mention in the review) was that Cordelia didn't get to interact with women much (other than in the last part of the novel) - that is definitely addressed this time around.
But the entire main plot pales in comparison to the well-paced, well-developed, mostly believable storyline of Shards of Honour.
In addition, I kind of wish Bothari would disappear never to grace the pages of the other books.
I also didn't really enjoy the secondary storyline about "Kou and Drou" because it felt pasted on, a little.
But still, this book is nothing if not immensely readable, and so next on: young Miles.
I mean, I stand by my complaints about Bothari, but loved this book lots more on re-read. I no longer begrudge Bujold her love of a secondary romance (even if it would be improved 90% by no Bothari in the background). I no longer care about Cordelia's daring rescue mission being too over-the-top - it's supposed to be, and it works, and the pacing feels much better when I knew what was going to happen. I am still meh about the way Cordelia & Aral's relationship trouble gets solved too quickly / off-page, but I appreciate the focus on disability, on lasting effects of war and violence, and just seeing more Cordelia.
Original review:
Alas, I don't think this volume (for me) stacks up to the first one. Sure, the worldbuilding is much richer this time round, the world of Barrayar having gained a lot of detail in the meantime: details like different gender roles across societies, the complex history of Barrayar, backstories of various characters. And a lot of it works, and is well integrated, without feeling too info-dump-y. And the protagonists are as delightful as ever (and albeit I could have done with more Aral, his relative absence is understandable). I really liked the way in which Cordelia's and Aral's motivations are developed with regard to Miles, and how themes of parenthood are explored - and since this novel is in many ways a prequel, I do think it works well as backstory for Miles, making him all the more interesting. Finally, one of my complaints about the previous volume (which I didn't mention in the review) was that Cordelia didn't get to interact with women much (other than in the last part of the novel) - that is definitely addressed this time around.
But the entire main plot pales in comparison to the well-paced, well-developed, mostly believable storyline of Shards of Honour.
Spoiler
Cordelia replicates her foolhardy mission from volume 1, but where in Shards her actions made sense because the reward exceeded the risk for others and not only for her, here the entire climax is a series of scenes that demand tremendous suspension of disbelief, in addition to making little sense from a strategic point of view. I felt like it was only happening so she could be the proactive action heroine rather than because they made sense.In addition, I kind of wish Bothari would disappear never to grace the pages of the other books.
Spoiler
I get it. His being a rapist is partly because he was himself a victim of childhood sexual abuse and partly the result of him being used by his superiors. And so Bujold wants to pursue the theme of redemption, and culpability. But I feel like she doesn't quite succeed, that he would be allowed to raise the child his rape produced is not right, and reading about him is just profoundly unpleasant.I also didn't really enjoy the secondary storyline about "Kou and Drou" because it felt pasted on, a little.
But still, this book is nothing if not immensely readable, and so next on: young Miles.
mebius's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
It was fantastic book, funny and dark and emotional in ideal proportions. But then we got palace chapter and only because of it I lowering my rating to 4 stars.
So, our heroes successfully infiltrated palace controlled by enemy leader. Got into his bedroom, where he was sleeping at that moment and what do they do? They simple leaving him to go long way around to their goal. Why didn't they captured him at that moment having upper hand and having him as a hostage simply get what they want? It's baffling, considering that before that Cordelia was very logical person.
I reading this series in chronological order and as I understand author needed to kill Kareen since in previously published books she probably mentioned as dead. But it wasn't the way to do so. Basically Cordelia completely at fault in her death (first not capturing usurper when she had the chance, then pushing Kareen to the end), but in the remaining chapters we don't see any remorse.
I reading this series in chronological order and as I understand author needed to kill Kareen since in previously published books she probably mentioned as dead. But it wasn't the way to do so. Basically Cordelia completely at fault in her death (first not capturing usurper when she had the chance, then pushing Kareen to the end), but in the remaining chapters we don't see any remorse.