Rating: 
Summary: A prime example of forward momentum.
Review:
One of the best things about Bujold's work is that the characters are as realistic as the plots are insane. BROTHERS IN ARMS is case in point. This book is really about the characters: Miles Vorkosigan, the hero of the series; his alter ego, Admiral Naismith; and Mark, a character introduced in this book. Miles is faced for the first time with some hard questions of identity, questions that don't really get resolved until MEMORY, the most recent book in the series. This book is also about family; Miles and Ivan, Miles and Mark, and Duv Galeni and Ser Galen all have to come to terms with what it means to be related to each other, what it means to be a family. All these characters resonate with emotional truth and are, at times, almost painfully realistic. These characters have souls.
The characters also have problems, and it is their problems which drive the plot. Well, in the beginning, anyway. The plot soon takes on a life of its own. The plot of this book, like its main character, gets by on forward momentum. It rushes, breathless and headlong, from the start to the finish, developing the most incredible twists in its path along the way. The pace is frenetic; the story never stops to rest. It carries you along, helpless, in its wake, and it is one wild ride. I read this novel cover to cover for the fun of finding out what could possibly happen next and for the enjoyment of Bujold's subtle (and not-so-subtle!) humor.
BROTHERS IN ARMS works on several levels. It is both a fun piece of escapism and a work of deep insight, as is all of Bujold's writing. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A prime example of forward momentum.
Review: One of the best things about Bujold's work is that the characters are as realistic as the plots are insane. BROTHERS IN ARMS is case in point. This book is really about the characters: Miles Vorkosigan, the hero of the series; his alter ego, Admiral Naismith; and Mark, a character introduced in this book. Miles is faced for the first time with some hard questions of identity, questions that don't really get resolved until MEMORY, the most recent book in the series. This book is also about family; Miles and Ivan, Miles and Mark, and Duv Galeni and Ser Galen all have to come to terms with what it means to be related to each other, what it means to be a family. All these characters resonate with emotional truth and are, at times, almost painfully realistic. These characters have souls. The characters also have problems, and it is their problems which drive the plot. Well, in the beginning, anyway. The plot soon takes on a life of its own. The plot of this book, like its main character, gets by on forward momentum. It rushes, breathless and headlong, from the start to the finish, developing the most incredible twists in its path along the way. The pace is frenetic; the story never stops to rest. It carries you along, helpless, in its wake, and it is one wild ride. I read this novel cover to cover for the fun of finding out what could possibly happen next and for the enjoyment of Bujold's subtle (and not-so-subtle!) humor. BROTHERS IN ARMS works on several levels. It is both a fun piece of escapism and a work of deep insight, as is all of Bujold's writing. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The meeting of the brothers...
Review: A great book by Bujold. If you liked the previous ones, this one is the way to go. It is the Miles' first encounter with his clone brother Mark, a charachter that will grow in future books. If you plan on reading later books of the series, this one is a must have, because it shows you the beginnig of their relationship. And also, this is probably the last fully action-packed book in the series. Later books are more oriented to portraying charachters, so you dont want to miss this one.
Rating:
Summary: Another Miles Vorkosigan Masterpiece
Review: A must own for Vorkosigan fans, and a good introduction for those new to the series. One of the best Miles adventures to date. Go and buy--you won't regret it. *peers through monitor screen* I said GO NOW!
Rating: 
Summary: Sci Fi Candy
Review: Another bit of fluff, though much better than "Ethan of Athos". As far as science fiction authors go, McMaster Bujold is one of the better ones at characterization. She usually brings her characters to life for the readers. This book however, suffered from undercharacterization for most of the characters and made me unable to transfer to the world she had created. The nature of this genre is to suspend disbelief to a point, however, I found some of the situations tiresome reading because it just too far fetched. I will say that Miles is one of the most interesting series characters in the history of science fiction. Though this is one of the more billowy books in the series, overall, the series never disappoints.
Rating: 
Summary: Another fantastic adventure
Review: As a faithful LMB reader, Brothers in Arms remains my very favorite. I laughed out loud time after time -- especially at all of the Shakespeare references. I'm glad to see that Miles' education includes the great bard. Galeni is a wonderful addition to Ms. Bujold's continuing collection of memorable characters, and I'm glad to see Earth as a setting, for once.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Book
Review: For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. It's an excellent segment of the Vorkosigan saga and introduces Mark. My only reason for downgrading it from a five star rating to a four star rating is that the very beginning irritates me. Essentially, Miles is being beaten by what appears to be bureaucratic bumbling. But, once he figures out what's really happening, things proceed nicely. Very good book.
Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Book
Review: For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. It's an excellent segment of the Vorkosigan saga and introduces Mark. My only reason for downgrading it from a five star rating to a four star rating is that the very beginning irritates me. Essentially, Miles is being beaten by what appears to be bureaucratic bumbling. But, once he figures out what's really happening, things proceed nicely. Very good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Annoying as a terrier on Ritalin
Review: Had this one (and all the other Bujold novels) recommended to me, and I'm sorry to say that it's pretty much conditioned me never to read another Bujold. It was profoundly irritating on some level that I find hard to pinpoint. Was it the paper-thin -- and universally idiotic -- characters? the click-bang attempts at humor? the juvenile, harried, "breathless" prose? I suppose I'll never know, but it's not worth re-reading the book to find out. It reminded me of a small, hyperactive, and attention-deficient dog, constantly yapping at my heels, demanding to be acknowledged: "Look at me, I'm cute, I'm cute, I'm cuuuuute!" Ugh. Somebody put it out of its misery. Sorry if that sounds cynical ... This book would have been fine when I was 13 and reading a lot of Harry Harrison, but there are boatloads of better science fiction out there.
Rating:
Summary: A fine addition to the Vorkosigan series
Review: I am another person who normally doesn't write reviews, but I also have to disagree with the negative review citing "paper-thin characters" below. In fact, I think characterization is what LMB excels at, and this book is a good addition to the series featuring Miles Vorkosigan, one of the most interesting characters in science fiction. It is also a classic "transition" book in the series, so it definitely shouldn't be the first one you read. I would recommend either "Borders of Infinity" (EXCELLENT short stories that span Miles' career) or "Warrior's Apprentice" (the first novel featuring a more-or-less adult Miles) for an introduction to Miles Vorkosigan. But it definitely adds a delightful twist to Miles' story, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has read and enjoyed the series.
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