Rating: 
Summary: Move over Asimov
Review: When I was reading E.E. "Doc" Smith and Asimov in the 50's the wisdom of the day was that only men could write good science fiction. McCaffery broke the ice and now Bujold has melted it. Her latest effort "A Civil Campaign..." continues to allow her hero to be human and grow right along with all of her other characters. I so enjoy Miles finally growing up from his younger days into a new, brillent more mature man that, like most men, still can't figure out women. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one sitting. Good characters, good plots, good ending. Almost like reading a letter from home, if your Mom was a world class author.
Rating:
Summary: Bujold has another winner!
Review: The continuing adventures of Miles Vorkosigan... on the home front. Miles has fallen in love with a young widow who happens to be adamant about not marrying again. Undaunted, Miles carefully plans his courtship the same way he has planned military campaigns in the past. This book is one laugh followed by another as Miles finds out that love and war can't be won the same way. His dinner party is an absolute riot! This book is great, but without a knowledge of the characters' histories you could get lost in who's who and what's what. I recommend you read other Vorkosigan novels first, then read this one. I couldn't put this one down until I had read the whole thing.
Rating: 
Summary: I Miss Admiral Naismith
Review: This was a very good book, and I will take the Vorkosigans any way I can get them. I do miss the adventures of Admiral Naismith and the Dendarii raiders. The problem that Ms.Bujold has is measuring up to her earlier fabulous Vorkosigan books. This book was a bit predictable. In my humble opinion, I think we need a good interstellar war to jumpstart this series. This is still far superior writing than 95% of current scifi. I hope she continues to give us one per year. Excellent enterntainment.
Rating:
Summary: A sparkling, frothy, delight.
Review: I've read all of the Miles Vorkosigan books and I must say they just get better. This book is classified as science fiction but it could have just as easily been called a romance or general fiction. We find Miles where we left off with him from the last book, 'Komarr', still helplessly infautated with the lovely widow Ekaterin. How appropriate that the title of the book is 'a Civil Campaign' because Miles' courtship of the widow is done in typical Miles style -- as a military campaign. And in typical Miles fashion he is...overwhelming. But before he can complete his strategy of getting the girl Miles must vanquish a political foe intent upon damaging his reputation by accusing him of murder. Mark, Miles' troubled clone brother, makes an appearance with a new friend whose new 'culinary' invention creates havoc in the Vorkosigan household. And in the meantime, Miles still has to participate in all the tedious round of socializing that preceeds Gregor's wedding. There is so much stuff in this book that you can't put it down. Ms. Bujold introduces a couple of fascinating new characters as well as reintroducing us to and enrichening some of our old favorites. The highlights of this book are many, but I especially loved Miles' comically doomed dinner party, Ivan's continued proof that he's no idiot and the wonderfully satisfying clamatic scene at the Council of Counts. And I always cry at weddings!
Rating: 
Summary: Too Many Plots
Review: Bujold takes risks in this narrative, for which I applaud her. Some of them fail, however, and she should learn from these failures. Had Bujold focused soley on the romance between Ekaterina and Miles, and the political intrigues, the book would have been solid and compact. Instead, Bujold intorduces several additional plots. The Kareen coming of age thread is, unfortunately, far too predictable in both the way it unfolds and in its outcome. The butter-bug plot fairs somewhat better, and is the source of a considerable amount of the humor in the book. Unfortunately, Mark is not used to good effect. While we are *told* about his therapy and his progress, we don't see it come through. Nor do we see much financial brillance on Mark's part. Finally, I really wish Bujold had resisted the urge to use Ivan as a narrative voice. For several books now, Bujold has consistently hinted that Ivan has been hiding his native intelligence a la Claudius in "I, Claudius." Sadly, Bujold is unable to pull this off succesfully when she lets us into Ivan's head. Ivan is a little smarter than he lets on, and a little deaper, but not much. So, on the whole, I think the book is enjoyable and worth reading. Unfortunately, Bujold's attempt to weave a more complex tale by interlacing multiple narratives does not work as succesfully as one would hope. Finally, even those who have read the series and are familiar with the characters should read the previous book *Komarr* before reading *Civil Campaign*.
Rating:
Summary: One of Bujold's Best
Review: I've always enjoyed Bujold's book, though I've usually been disappointed when they've won awards. Her early books were fun, but they really didn't seem like Hugo-quality books. The early Miles stories were enjoyable "emperor-of-everything" stories, fine classic SF, but little more. However, over the last few years, here books have gotten better. Miles has become a deeper, more interesting, more real character. Bujold has become a better writer. Her books are better, but still retain the energy and fun of her early novels. A Civil Campaign, the latest Miles novel, is one of the best Regencies I've seen in a while. The story is entertaining, the characters interesting. It's highly recommended. 1999 has been a great year for SF, and A Civil Campaign ranks among the year's best.
Rating:
Summary: Funniest SF Novel I've Ever Read
Review: I've been an avid reader for 50+ years, and in all that time I can remember laughing out loud only 3 or 4 times while reading a book. The dinner party scene in Vorkosigan House had me in stitches, and earned me some strange looks from my wife. Along with other reviewers, however, I would caution you that for maximum enjoyment of this book you should really work your way through the entire series. Afer reading Komarr I anxiously awaited this sequel - I wasn't disappointed, and I eagerly look forward to her next installment. Lois is an outstanding writer, and over the years it has been a joy to watch her growth. Her handling of dialog and character, while very good in her early works have steadily improved with every book published.
Rating:
Summary: I wept, I laughed, I lived!
Review: My best friend introduced me to LMB's books in 1992... and I've hung with baited breath for each subsequent release since. In Mirror Dance I feared along with Mark, in Memory I felt desperation and identified with Miles as he (and I) ended our military careers, In Komarr I wept with Ekaterin in frustration with her imprisoning marriage. After the last few books I couldn't conceive of how LMB could wring more raw emotion from me. Now I know... and the emotion is joy.
Rating:
Summary: Miles takes a Wife
Review: For Bujold fans, this is a wonderful book. Miles, our hero, has finally found a Vor lady he can love, and marry. But he attacks the problem of his love with the typical elan of his background, and conducts "A Civil Campaign" to woo and win his lady fair. Filled with characters that are old friends to the readers of the Vorkosigian series, and some new ones as well. The book is worth the read just to watch "Team Koudelka" at work! Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Great read that ties up many loose ends
Review: Like many people, I have read all 9 Vorkosigan books, and was waiting for this one. And like many others, I hope no newcomer reads this one first. If you don't know the Vorkosigan's already, this is not the place to start. This book shows Miles at his most mature and immature both/ While it is not as action packed as the others, it does show a lot of "mind action" - a comedy of manners and biology truly. We finally get to see everyone grow up, and get on with their lives. I can't wait to see what's next!
|
