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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
As with every Vorkosigan book, once started, I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
I liked the quieter pacing, and you could see the author really enjoyed writing this book. It was good to have another Cordelia story. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as first to read in the series, but to fans, this is a sweet read.
I liked the quieter pacing, and you could see the author really enjoyed writing this book. It was good to have another Cordelia story. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as first to read in the series, but to fans, this is a sweet read.
I didn't care for a lot of aspects of this book (like that title...), but at this point 'ol Lois can write what she wants and I will say thank you ma'am.
If this were the end of the series, I would be happy. It was very nice to get back to Cordelia's perspective after all this time.
My favorite literary device is that of the unreliable narrator and I rather like the idea that each of Bujold's books are done through a particular POV which is inherently biased (to varying degrees based on whose POV we are talking about). We haven't had a Cordelia narrated book in a long time so I can buy into the premise that there's a lot we the readers have therefore missed over her life and marriage.
However very little happened within the book in terms of plot. As fine as the writing is, and as astute and Bujold almost always is in exploring culture, emotions, sexuality and the almost infinite ways they intersect in humans...I needed more to actually happen in this book to like it more than I did.
However very little happened within the book in terms of plot. As fine as the writing is, and as astute and Bujold almost always is in exploring culture, emotions, sexuality and the almost infinite ways they intersect in humans...I needed more to actually happen in this book to like it more than I did.
SO MUCH LOVE.
I have no words for how much I adored this.
Cordelia is one of my favourite characters.
I have no words for how much I adored this.
Cordelia is one of my favourite characters.
You'll like this if you are a completist - it's like a nice short visit with friends, no drama, just catching up with things. I'll likely not be buying a copy of this for my own. Glad I read it but generally "meh."
3 Stars only because it was Bujold writing in her best universe with (some) of her beloved characters. It wasn't awful, but it had very little going on in it action or suspense wise.
I did like the second chance at love theme though, too bad she did that in a Civil Campaign.
I did like the second chance at love theme though, too bad she did that in a Civil Campaign.
If you are a Vorkosigan fan of course you will want to read this! But it is slow, doesn't really have a plot, and isn't....sorry...all that interesting. I loved my time hanging out with Cordelia and Miles but that's because I know the characters so well from the previous volumes in the series. A more ably plotted book would serve the series better. If you are just starting out, go to the beginning, don't start here!
You should listen to the Galactic Suburbia episode in which Tansy and I talk about this book for oh, about an hour (there's also about 30 min of Cordelia/Vorkosigan general discussion). TL;DL: I loved it and so did she. Although we disagree about how you should read the rest of the series.
http://galactisuburbia.podbean.com
http://galactisuburbia.podbean.com
If you like iddy wish fulfillment about post-menopausal women having lots and lots of babies with a hot younger guy, here is your book. Sadly, it's not actually my kink and there is no real plot to engage me with anything else, so I really couldn't care less for this book.
I'm just a little sad. Bujold's always been such an amazing author, enough that I think she could have sold me on Jole's history with Aral if she'd actually tried. I went in wanting to be sold on it, at least, because seriously that is so relevant to my interests. But she decided to indulge herself rather than seriously explore the premise, and so we get a book that is to the Vorkosigan series what Narcissus in Chains was to the Anita Blake series. Sure, there's going to be people who find this is totally their thing and that's fine, but that doesn't make it any more consistent with the rest of the series. And Jesus, if there's two authors I never thought I'd be comparing...
I'm just a little sad. Bujold's always been such an amazing author, enough that I think she could have sold me on Jole's history with Aral if she'd actually tried. I went in wanting to be sold on it, at least, because seriously that is so relevant to my interests. But she decided to indulge herself rather than seriously explore the premise, and so we get a book that is to the Vorkosigan series what Narcissus in Chains was to the Anita Blake series. Sure, there's going to be people who find this is totally their thing and that's fine, but that doesn't make it any more consistent with the rest of the series. And Jesus, if there's two authors I never thought I'd be comparing...