bosermoki's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- 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
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Blood, and Violence
caedocyon's review against another edition
2.0
Definitely not one of my favorite Vorkosigan books. Not that it was bad, I just have high expectations by now. Excellent world-building and believable (and relevant/realistic!) politics. But the story was lacking; there was so much portentious detail, and only a tiny fraction of it ended up being used at all.
Sam accidentally spoiled me for the ending, so that didn't have as much of an emotional impact as it otherwise might have. :( I really hope this isn't the end of the series, because it's kind of a let-down.
Sam accidentally spoiled me for the ending, so that didn't have as much of an emotional impact as it otherwise might have. :( I really hope this isn't the end of the series, because it's kind of a let-down.
tehani's review against another edition
5.0
The end of this book is a killer. I cried ridiculous amounts of tears, even though I KNEW it was coming – damn you, Bujold.
duffypratt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is one of the Vorkosigan books that treads the line between Sci-Fi and Mystery. It also, like these others, has the riddle at the center of the book also deeply entwined with intergalactic politics. Bujold seems to make these things come off easily and naturally. This one also delves deeply into the implications of a technology that would allow people to freeze themselves, with the expectation that they will be revived in a future where they could perhaps live forever, especially in a scenario where that technology is also tied to private corporations.
Overall, I found this one to be more interesting that some of the other Vorkosigan books from the pure Sci-Fi/speculative aspect, but less engaging from a character standpoint. Miles is away from home turf, so we have fewer of the returning characters that have grown so well throughout the series. There is, fortunately, a brief and quite good cameo by Mark - Miles' clone/brother.
A rather breezy installment in the series, which appears to be winding down. Nowhere near as good as A Civil Campaign, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance or Memory, but very enjoyable on its own, slighter terms.
Overall, I found this one to be more interesting that some of the other Vorkosigan books from the pure Sci-Fi/speculative aspect, but less engaging from a character standpoint. Miles is away from home turf, so we have fewer of the returning characters that have grown so well throughout the series. There is, fortunately, a brief and quite good cameo by Mark - Miles' clone/brother.
A rather breezy installment in the series, which appears to be winding down. Nowhere near as good as A Civil Campaign, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance or Memory, but very enjoyable on its own, slighter terms.
thegreekie's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe this is the last novel in the Vorkosigan Saga that features Miles as a main character. (I know I technically have a few more left featuring Cordelia but I might have to hoard those for a rainy day.) I am really going to miss reading the (mis)adventures of Miles, lord, space pirate, spy, auditor, and general swashbuckling rogue - to be honest, I could literally read another 100 of these stories. Thank you Lois McMaster Bujold for creating Miles and wonderful universe of the Vorkosigan Saga. I'm going off to cry in a little corner now.
Plot (Story / Pacing / Ending): 4/5
Characters (Characters / Development): 5/5
Writing (Prose / Dialogue / Style): 5/5
Other (Enjoyment / Read Pace / Worldbuilding / Etc): 5/5
Plot (Story / Pacing / Ending): 4/5
Characters (Characters / Development): 5/5
Writing (Prose / Dialogue / Style): 5/5
Other (Enjoyment / Read Pace / Worldbuilding / Etc): 5/5
kreef's review against another edition
3.0
Fun. Not the best in the (outstanding) Miles Vorkosigan series, but not the worst either. I gobbled this up in two days.
titusfortner's review against another edition
5.0
Another fun romp from Bujold. Nothing especially gripping here, but solid.
Spoiler
There was enough solid foreshadowing that I should have expected it, but the ending made me very sad...babble_75's review against another edition
4.0
Lord, how I missed Miles. It was very nice to have him back again.