Rating: 
Summary: Reprint, what a disapointment
Review: I to was disapointed to find that this book was a compliation of previously printed works. I thought I was buying a "new" book which I was very thrilled about, only to read the first page and realize I was .... Still and all these are good works to read if you have never read them.
Rating:
Summary: Reprint, what a disapointment
Review: I to was disapointed to find that this book was a compliation of previously printed works. I thought I was buying a "new" book which I was very thrilled about, only to read the first page and realize I was .... Still and all these are good works to read if you have never read them.
Rating: 
Summary: ANOTHER compilation
Review: Lois Bujold is an AMAZING writer! Set me down with one of her stories and I'll ignore most all of my responsibilities to continue reading until it ends! So far I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every book or story she has written. So... when I saw the new book, Miles, Mystery and Mayhem, I immediately pre-ordered it from Amazon, thinking, "Great! The next installment in the Miles Vorkosigan series!"
Well, it arrived last Friday so I dropped everything (there go those responsibilities!) and opened my new book. Cetaganda? Ethan of Athos? This isn't new! It's another compilation book!
I was depressed all day Saturday.
Anyway, for those of you who missed some of Ms. Bujold's earlier works in the Vorkosigan universe, get this book! For the rest of us, well, we're still waiting......
Rating: 
Summary: Bujold's works are art in the form of Literature
Review: Lois is in my opinion one of the best artists in the world of literature. The way she weaves the tapestry in a combination of storyline locations and characters is like watching a magician on stage linking the rings and then cutting the woman in half and then flying off the stage to rescue the maden...wait a minute, thats what Miles(Bujold's best Character) does best.
Her books are simply must reads for any fan of Science Fiction or Fantasy.
Steve
Rating:
Summary: Recycled stories
Review: STOP -- before you buy this volume -- IT IS NOT NEW -- and yes I realize that I am shouting in e-speak. It is merely a compilation of three previously pubished works by the author: Centganda (1996); Ethan of Athos (1986) and Labyrith (1989). Needless to say, I was massively disappointed, not to mention feeling cheated, upon finding three old stories when I had happily prepared for a new "Vorkosigan Romp"
That being said -- if you haven't read any of the above -- they are marvelous stories. If you have ever wondered just how Sgt Taura and Miles met, Labyrith is an absolute delight. Ivan and Miles as "youngsters" in Centganda set the diplomatic world on edge and play between Ellie Quinn and an egg harvesting obstetrician from a men only world is enjoyable and engaging. Final word -- don't be scammed if you read previously, but a delightful volume if you have never encountered Miles Naismith Vorkosigan or wondered about his earlier escapades.
Rating: 
Summary: Compilation of not-terribly-thrilling older works
Review: This book is a republication of Bujold's Cetaganda, Ethan of Athos, and the short story "Labyrinth." Unfortunately, Cetaganda and Ethan of Athos aren't her best works, lacking the brilliant humor found in most of her other novels. Labyrinth is a good short story, but is also available in Borders of Infinity, an exiting short story collection.
Rating:
Summary: So It's Earlier Stuff That's Already Been Printed. So WHAT?
Review: This is the 3rd installment of reprints that combine Vorkosigan stories: this one containing -Cetaganda-, -Ethan of Athos- & the novella "Labyrinth". In these stories, Miles has fun taking several people down ... including scotching several nasty people when he isn't actually there!Although -Cetaganda- is a 'Miles and Ivan fall into a cesspool and come up with diamonds' adventure [& really, what more need i say?] that features Miles as Lt. Miles Vorkosigan, -Ethan- and "Labyrinth" involved Miles' *other* persona: Admiral Miles Vorkosigan of the Dendarii Mercenaries. -Ethan- is the story of Dr. Ethan Urquhart who comes from Ethos, a "Men Only!" planet, in his quest for viable eggs [the Uterine Replicator makes things *so* tidy!]. Finding himself in a frightening world where *shudder* WOMEN are not only present but exuberantly so, Ethan inadventantly teams up with Elli Quinn, Adm. Vorkosigan's second-in-command. With the cry of "Thank you, magnificent sneaky dwarf!" Elli foils several plots, dragging the bemused Ethan along to a marvelously pleasing conclusion. "Labyrinth", another Adm. Vorkosigan adventurer, finds Miles and the Dendarii Mercenaries camped in orbit of Jackson's Whole, a sleazy place where the Dendarii are reluctant mercenaries indeed. When Miles finds himself in a jam, he ends up rescuing a fairy-tale Beauty disguised as a very definite Beast ... and helps several others, including Dendarii, in the mix. Taken together, -Miles, Mystery, & Mayhem- ties together three early tales of the oddest Vorkosigan [and no, i'm *not* forgetting Mark; he's not *there*, yet!].
Rating:
Summary: So It's Earlier Stuff That's Already Been Printed. So WHAT?
Review: This is the 3rd installment of reprints that combine Vorkosigan stories: this one containing -Cetaganda-, -Ethan of Athos- & the novella "Labyrinth". In these stories, Miles has fun taking several people down ... including scotching several nasty people when he isn't actually there! Although -Cetaganda- is a 'Miles and Ivan fall into a cesspool and come up with diamonds' adventure [& really, what more need i say?] that features Miles as Lt. Miles Vorkosigan, -Ethan- and "Labyrinth" involved Miles' *other* persona: Admiral Miles Vorkosigan of the Dendarii Mercenaries. -Ethan- is the story of Dr. Ethan Urquhart who comes from Ethos, a "Men Only!" planet, in his quest for viable eggs [the Uterine Replicator makes things *so* tidy!]. Finding himself in a frightening world where *shudder* WOMEN are not only present but exuberantly so, Ethan inadventantly teams up with Elli Quinn, Adm. Vorkosigan's second-in-command. With the cry of "Thank you, magnificent sneaky dwarf!" Elli foils several plots, dragging the bemused Ethan along to a marvelously pleasing conclusion. "Labyrinth", another Adm. Vorkosigan adventurer, finds Miles and the Dendarii Mercenaries camped in orbit of Jackson's Whole, a sleazy place where the Dendarii are reluctant mercenaries indeed. When Miles finds himself in a jam, he ends up rescuing a fairy-tale Beauty disguised as a very definite Beast ... and helps several others, including Dendarii, in the mix. Taken together, -Miles, Mystery, & Mayhem- ties together three early tales of the oddest Vorkosigan [and no, i'm *not* forgetting Mark; he's not *there*, yet!].
Rating:
Summary: Great Gift Idea
Review: Yes, it's a reprint. With all due respect, "duh." Ms. Bujold's works, *especially* the new ones, don't just "appear." So, if you're a longtime Bujold fan, you are indeed out of luck. Unless, of course, you're--oh, I don't know--*holiday shopping.* This is a great gift for that person you keep meaning to hook on Bujold, but who can never seem to find the time to sit down with _Shards of Honor_. It's also great for that person you *tried* to turn on to Bujold but was left relatively cold by _Shards_. Many people who read Bujold and can't really get into _Shards_, _Barrayar_, or their compilation, _Cordelia's Honor_, wind up as great fans of *Miles* and his associates and exploits. Cetaganda and "Labyrinth" recount two of Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's early galactic adventures. Go ahead. Don't smile when you read about Miles, a dwarfish "four-foot-mumble" being trapped with a horny teenaged werewolf. I dare you. And his inappropriate if not off color limericks at a high Cetagandan funeral are not to be missed. And this is *besides* being great mystery/adventures. Ethan of Athos the story of an obstetrician on an all-male planet. No, that's not a typo. The gender and culture clash that ensues when he's "rescued" by Dendarii Mercenary Elli Quinn provide action, entertainment, and detailed, intricate characterization. Any more and that would be telling. So, pick it up for that tough to shop for SF fan. When they come for air in a couple of days, they'll thank you.
Rating:
Summary: Great Gift Idea
Review: Yes, it's a reprint. With all due respect, "duh." Ms. Bujold's works, *especially* the new ones, don't just "appear." So, if you're a longtime Bujold fan, you are indeed out of luck. Unless, of course, you're--oh, I don't know--*holiday shopping.* This is a great gift for that person you keep meaning to hook on Bujold, but who can never seem to find the time to sit down with _Shards of Honor_. It's also great for that person you *tried* to turn on to Bujold but was left relatively cold by _Shards_. Many people who read Bujold and can't really get into _Shards_, _Barrayar_, or their compilation, _Cordelia's Honor_, wind up as great fans of *Miles* and his associates and exploits. Cetaganda and "Labyrinth" recount two of Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's early galactic adventures. Go ahead. Don't smile when you read about Miles, a dwarfish "four-foot-mumble" being trapped with a horny teenaged werewolf. I dare you. And his inappropriate if not off color limericks at a high Cetagandan funeral are not to be missed. And this is *besides* being great mystery/adventures. Ethan of Athos the story of an obstetrician on an all-male planet. No, that's not a typo. The gender and culture clash that ensues when he's "rescued" by Dendarii Mercenary Elli Quinn provide action, entertainment, and detailed, intricate characterization. Any more and that would be telling. So, pick it up for that tough to shop for SF fan. When they come for air in a couple of days, they'll thank you.
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