Memory

Rating:
Summary: Another Excellent Vorkosigan Novel
Review: When I first figured out what Miles was going to do to resolve the initial dilemma of the book, I started yelling at the book "NO! NO! DON'T DO IT!" When he proceeded to ignore my advice, I thought the rest of the book would be a loss. But, fortunately for all of us, Bujold worked it out properly in the end. An absolutely wonderful book on par with "Mirror Dance." I'm not sure why Bujold felt it was time for Miles to move on. But, she did it well. This is the definite, no-going-back transition point. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites
Review: While this book could probably stand on its own, I think it's best suited for those who have followed Miles through all his earlier adventures. Memory marks the point in his life where he graduates from the hyper-kinetic activities of Admiral Naismith to having equally thrilling adventures as the grown up Lord Miles Vorkosigan. The problems he has making this switch make more sense if you know exactly what he's giving up in this transition.

I first read Memory when I was about 30 years old, and it struck a chord in me. I now reread it whenever I'm feeling particularly dissatisfied with myself, as reassurance that I can reinvent myself as needs drive. While I love the entire series, Memory is my favorite (with Shards of Honor a close second).

Rating:
Summary: Bujold forevermore
Review: Mrs. Bujold has two great strengths: 1) Letting her characters deal with a various assortment of highly interesting situations (and they will not necessarily make the best choices, being human like us reviewers *g*) and 2) Describing the world through the sharp lenses of her words, which sometimes you will not expect.

Conclusion: Read or you will be missing something extraordinary.
ps. for even deeper understanding i recommend you rereread this book and also the other novels in this series too (its not a must to read them in order..)

Rating:
Summary: Be still my pounding heart...
Review: This goes into my favorite of Bujold's books (and they're all great) along with _Barrayar_, and _Mirror Dance_. A great book for anyone just starting to read about Miles or those who are continuing the saga from earlier books. A book you'll want ot read again and again! It has a great complex plot, deep and unique characters who will get you attached, a bit of romance, and a great who dunnit mystery!

The suspense is just... outstanding. It's one of those books where you'll stay up all night attempting to finish it, and when you can't you'll allow yourself a few hours sleep before you begin your mission anew. So suspenseful you'll want to flip ahead just to ease the pounding of your heart.

It's also deep. Like Bujold's earlier books, it's not just about plot. It's about each character striving with his/her own demons and discovering new things about him/herself. Both Miles and Illyan are thrown down further than they thought they could go and have to find that they can go on, even if it hurts.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Character, Mediocre Detective Story
Review: You can start with this book in the series, although I strongly recommend reading some of the prior books first.

The main protagonist gets a rude and overdue wake-up call. The character development follows, which is what makes this such a great novel.

But, to quote Steven Silver "As a mystery ... Memory, while not a failure, does not succeed." I solved it about fifty pages ahead of Miles, and that was the hardback edition.

Without that major flaw of the weak detective story, this book would have merited a five-star rating. But even so, the way Miles has to deal with the huge blow to his lifestyle makes this a very worthwhile read. What are you waiting for?

Rating:
Summary: Miles grows up
Review: Following his death in 'Mirror Dance', Miles finds that there are complications to his recovery - complications that lead to near-disaster on a Dendarii mission. Rather than revealing all to Simon Illyan, Miles attempts a cover up. Found out, he is released from military service. The 'little admiral' must now cease to exist.

It is time for Lord Vorkosigan to come into his own, as a crisis develops over the life of Simon Illyan, as Simon's memory chip appears to go into meltdown. Miles is forced to take drastic action, with the aid of the Emperor, action which ultimately leads to his redemption. And finally Lord Vorkosigan gets a little of the respect that is due to him for his service.

Much less action in this book than previously in the series, the main point of interest aside from trying to work out who if anyone is the baddie here, is the internalisation of Mile's struggle to integrate Admiral Naismmith and Lord Vorkosigan into 'Miles'. The battle is internal and at one hilarious point also external. It is something very different from the previous books in the series, and clearly key to the next phase in Miles' life. He really comes into his own here, and the conflict is ultimately resolved peacefully, if not without losses.

A great addition to the series, if a little slower paced and with less external action than usual. It's about time Miles matured - it will be interesting to see where he goes next.

Rating:
Summary: Great story, a step above her others
Review: I've read all the Vorkosigan books and there's always been enough going on to raise them above simple space opera fluff. So many authors that write multiple books with the same characters can't manage to keep them fresh. But Miles continues to evolve and grow. I think this book will be more meaningful to people who have read the others but it's much better than her first couple of books, so I'm not sure what to recommend as a starting point. Barrayar maybe which won a Hugo.

I've been a fan of these since grade school (I'm 14 now) but this book amazed me so I just had to give it a review. If you read for characters read these books. This one in particular is a deeply character-based story and I was surprised I liked it so much. I usually like things with more action but I was riveted as I watched Miles screw himself over. It was just so utterly human. So many authors don't get how to make their characters human but Bujold is a master of this. When her characters mess up you cringe. When they triumph you cheer. Her ability to evoke that much passion in me is what makes me give this 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Read Me!
Review: These books should definitely be read in order. The list is below. Lois is someone in whom you should have faith; there are sci-fi topics I avoid, having seen them done wrong too many times. She uses them... and makes me feel ashamed for doubting that the book would be anything but perfect.

Shards of Honor
Barayar
(these two books are also combined into "Cordelia's Honor")
The Warrior's Apprentice
Short Story: The Mountains of Mourning
(all short stories are contained in "Borders of Infinity")
The Vor Game
Cetaganda
Ethan of Athos
Short Story: Labyrinth
Short Story: The Borders of Infinity
Brothers in Arms
The Borders of Infinity
Mirror Dance
Memory
Komarr
A Civil Campaign
Diplomatic Immunity

Rating:
Summary: A New Career for Miles
Review: The first half of the book deals with Miles' old life as Admiral Naismith becoming a memory: he has to re-invent himself (again). Tragic circumstances - his former mentor's loss of memory - open up an unusual opportunity for our hero: to become an Imperial auditor. To quote from the book: "imperial with capital imp".

So the book becomes a mystery with Miles as the investigator and - naturally - his cousin Ivan as the sidekick. And it is a great story with all the colorful, romantic background of Barrayar.

If "Mirror Dance" was the very dark but brilliant story about his clone-brother becoming Lord Mark, then this is Miles' turn to really become Lord Vorkossigan, new suite and kitchen-staff included. There is also romance in the book, but it mostly evades Miles - well, at least the emperor is happy ...

A mystery, romance, a search for oneself - it's all there in this book. I regard it as one of the best of this brilliant series. To read it before "Komarr" (and consequently "A Civil Campaign") is recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A Most Excellent "Memory"
Review: "Memory" is a major transition novel in the Vorkosigan Saga, with Ms. Bujold asking her characters to face questions about identity. This is an outstanding work of fiction, and "Memory" works well as a stand alone novel, but it can be seen as the second half of an adventure begun in "Brothers in Arms" and also as the start of a story which will continue into "Komarr" and conclude in "A Civil Campaign."

The Vorkosigan Saga follows the adventures of Miles Vorkosigan, starting with the early stories of how Miles' mother and father met. Miles is only 4'9" tall, and was born with brittle bones, the reult of a poison gas attack on his parents while his mother was pregnant with him. Miles is the heir to one of the 60 Counts on his home planet of Barrayar, a planet which places great pride on military (and therefore physical) skill. Circumstances resulted in a 17 year-old Miles creating a mercenary unit, the Dendarii Mercenaries, of which Miles assumed command, in the persona of Admiral Naismith.

In the world of Barrayar, Miles is Lieutenant Vorkosigan, publicly a mere galactic courier for Imperial Security (ImpSec). But Miles is also Lord Vorkosigan, heir to his father, Count Vorkosigan, future ruler of one of 60 Districts on Barrayar, foster brother to the Emperor himself. But out in the galaxy, Miles has the persona of Admiral Naismith, commander of over 5,000 people and a fleet of warships.

In "Memory", events conspire against Miles, who has always managed to overcome his physical defects by sheer will-power, forcing him to lose his positions as both Admiral Naismith and Lieutenant Vorkosigan. Miles is forced to ask himself "Who is Miles Vorkosigan? Is he Lord Vorkosigan, Admiral Naismith or Lieutenant Vorkosigan? Or perhaps he's someone more.

Simon Ilyan, feared head of ImpSec (and whom Miles had called Uncle Simon until he entered the Imperial military academy), is also forced to find out who he is. Ilyan had a memory chip installed in his brain on the orders of the past emperor, giving him perfect recall. But if a chip containing 40 years of memories goes haywire, is it the man or the chip that has been responsible for Simon Ilyan's legendary success?

"Memory" is an outstanding work of fiction. Ms. Bujold is a master wordcrafter, and her novels are always a delight. "Memory" and the rest of the Vorkosigan Saga cannot be highly recommended enough.