Barrayar

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular book
Review: Barrayar is an absolutely marvelous book. Cordelia is a wonderful character. It is far from thoughtless, but gives some of the same thrills as an regular adventure novel. There are a lot of great one-liners as well. This book has made me hungry for every mention of Cordelia in the books about her son. Especially the one in Brothers in Arms where Miles says that she is like the air.

Rating:
Summary: Barrayar, the jump point into a great series
Review: Barrayar is one of Bujold's best. It is THE starting point into Bujold's work. WIth it, you can step back to read Shard's of Honor and see where Codelia and the Vor came from, or you can step forward into Miles' world and life (forward momentum). Either way, Barrayar contains the best of the Vorkosigan world. Action and a true feeling of romance and family abound. The greatness of great people such as Aral an Piotr and Cordelia is given full view as they live up to nearly unmatchable honors and codes. Bujold's characters are people, first and foremost, but by their actions, decisions, determination, and honor, they rise above the label of normalcy and transcend into greatness. Aral and Piotr are both grim, honorable, and dependable. Bothari is mad and crazy and loyal above all. Cordelia, above all this is determined for a normal life and will do anything, including becoming great to get this prize.

If you read any new series, if you read any new series, start with this!

Rating:
Summary: So that's what happened to Miles!
Review: Barrayar is, chronologically, the second book in the Miles Vorkosigan series, though it was written after the first few books of that series came out. It continues the story of Miles' mother, Cordelia Naismith (though now she's married, so it's really Cordelia Vorkosigan). It ends with a very young Miles, neatly tying into the beginning of Miles' story (which is what the rest of the series is about). Barrayar won a Hugo award, one of the highest awards in science fiction writing, and I will have to say that it was well-deserved. This is a fabulous book.

After leaving her home planet of Beta to marry Aral Vorkosigan on his home planet of Barrayar, Cordelia tries to settle into a Barrayaran retired nobles' life. Aral has retired from politics and wants to lead a quiet life with his new wife. Cordelia is pregnant with their son, and he just wants to live a happy life with her. Unfortunately, events transpire to make that impossible. The Emperor is dying and his grandson (the son died in Shards of Honor, the first book) is only four years old. A regent must be appointed, and Vorkosigan is the only one who would be agreeable to the majority of Counts. Thus, Cordelia and Aral's life is turned upside down when he assumes his new duties. There is plenty of political intrigue as other Counts scheme for power because Vorkosigan wants to bring Barrayar into the current century while the conservatives want things to stay as they are. These events even go so far as to really affect the unborn Miles in ways that will be familiar to long-time Vorkosigan fans, but which I won't spoil in case you've never read a Vorkosigan book.

This book is fascinating in many ways. First, as a fan of the series already (I've only got two books to go, not counting the new one that's coming out this summer), it was very interesting to see the characters I've known and loved for so long before they became the characters I've known. It is interesting to see them develop the attitudes that I'm familiar with. Simon Illyan (the head of Imperial Security in the series) starts out as captain of Aral's personal security force. Emperor Gregor, who we've only seen since he was seventeen, is now a four-year old child, aware of what's going on around him but not really understanding the political situation. A lot of the nobility would like to control him, especially through his mother.

Not only the characters, but there's also many events that have been referred to in the series that we finally get to see happen on screen. Biggest of these, of course, is what happens to Miles. We have been told many times what happened, but it's interesting to finally see it. Of course, there has also been a lot that hasn't been mentioned before, and those events are intriguing too. A lot of what we know is now coloured a different way now that we know the events that surrounded it. Some people have suggested that you should read this series chronologically, starting with Shards of Honor. I'm almost of the opinion that you should have a few Miles books under your belt before tackling these, just because it makes these books even more interesting than they already are.

The second reason the book is fascinating is because of the view of Barrayaran politics that we get. Cordelia is an outsider, and some of the practices on Barrayar are almost barbaric to her. There is very little genetic manipulation of offspring, for one. Mutants are killed as soon as they are born so they don't affect the gene pool. Some other political aspects are so different than what she's used to that she needs some coaching in how to deal with them. Thankfully, Aral's family is up to the task. It's interesting to see these from an outsider's point of view. I don't think the story would be nearly as effective if it was just a political tale told from within Barrayaran society. Some of the most priceless scenes come from this weird dichotomy.

For fans of romance, though, there is definitely some of that in here. This book continues to develop the relationship between Aral and Cordelia, showing how strong their love is as it withstands the pressures that politics places on it. Again, as with Shards of Honor, this is a mature romance, though because they are actually together now (unlike Shards), there are some playful moments as well. These are two character that the reader cares deeply about.

I couldn't put this book down. It has everything: action, romance, explosions, intrigue, great characters. This one is certainly worth a pick up. It also stands alone, as you don't need to read any of the other books to enjoy it. It helps to read the others (especially Shards of Honor), but it's not mandatory. Wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: So that's what happened to Miles!
Review: Barrayar is, chronologically, the second book in the Miles Vorkosigan series, though it was written after the first few books of that series came out. It continues the story of Miles' mother, Cordelia Naismith (though now she's married, so it's really Cordelia Vorkosigan). It ends with a very young Miles, neatly tying into the beginning of Miles' story (which is what the rest of the series is about). Barrayar won a Hugo award, one of the highest awards in science fiction writing, and I will have to say that it was well-deserved. This is a fabulous book.

After leaving her home planet of Beta to marry Aral Vorkosigan on his home planet of Barrayar, Cordelia tries to settle into a Barrayaran retired nobles' life. Aral has retired from politics and wants to lead a quiet life with his new wife. Cordelia is pregnant with their son, and he just wants to live a happy life with her. Unfortunately, events transpire to make that impossible. The Emperor is dying and his grandson (the son died in Shards of Honor, the first book) is only four years old. A regent must be appointed, and Vorkosigan is the only one who would be agreeable to the majority of Counts. Thus, Cordelia and Aral's life is turned upside down when he assumes his new duties. There is plenty of political intrigue as other Counts scheme for power because Vorkosigan wants to bring Barrayar into the current century while the conservatives want things to stay as they are. These events even go so far as to really affect the unborn Miles in ways that will be familiar to long-time Vorkosigan fans, but which I won't spoil in case you've never read a Vorkosigan book.

This book is fascinating in many ways. First, as a fan of the series already (I've only got two books to go, not counting the new one that's coming out this summer), it was very interesting to see the characters I've known and loved for so long before they became the characters I've known. It is interesting to see them develop the attitudes that I'm familiar with. Simon Illyan (the head of Imperial Security in the series) starts out as captain of Aral's personal security force. Emperor Gregor, who we've only seen since he was seventeen, is now a four-year old child, aware of what's going on around him but not really understanding the political situation. A lot of the nobility would like to control him, especially through his mother.

Not only the characters, but there's also many events that have been referred to in the series that we finally get to see happen on screen. Biggest of these, of course, is what happens to Miles. We have been told many times what happened, but it's interesting to finally see it. Of course, there has also been a lot that hasn't been mentioned before, and those events are intriguing too. A lot of what we know is now coloured a different way now that we know the events that surrounded it. Some people have suggested that you should read this series chronologically, starting with Shards of Honor. I'm almost of the opinion that you should have a few Miles books under your belt before tackling these, just because it makes these books even more interesting than they already are.

The second reason the book is fascinating is because of the view of Barrayaran politics that we get. Cordelia is an outsider, and some of the practices on Barrayar are almost barbaric to her. There is very little genetic manipulation of offspring, for one. Mutants are killed as soon as they are born so they don't affect the gene pool. Some other political aspects are so different than what she's used to that she needs some coaching in how to deal with them. Thankfully, Aral's family is up to the task. It's interesting to see these from an outsider's point of view. I don't think the story would be nearly as effective if it was just a political tale told from within Barrayaran society. Some of the most priceless scenes come from this weird dichotomy.

For fans of romance, though, there is definitely some of that in here. This book continues to develop the relationship between Aral and Cordelia, showing how strong their love is as it withstands the pressures that politics places on it. Again, as with Shards of Honor, this is a mature romance, though because they are actually together now (unlike Shards), there are some playful moments as well. These are two character that the reader cares deeply about.

I couldn't put this book down. It has everything: action, romance, explosions, intrigue, great characters. This one is certainly worth a pick up. It also stands alone, as you don't need to read any of the other books to enjoy it. It helps to read the others (especially Shards of Honor), but it's not mandatory. Wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Why Bujold is one of the best writers around
Review: I am hopelessly a fan of science fiction. I am, also, hopelessly a fan of Lois McMaster Bujold. Yes, she can write. But what makes me truly like her work is the humanity that she puts into her characters. Miles is a great character because of what he is not. He is not the stapping, studly hero who is all conquering. Everything he does is by mis-direction, guile, and cleverness. Yet, he makes mistakes and has flaws. Bujold captures the implications of moral ambiquity.

This is the hallmark of all of Bujold's characters. Even the best of them have their inner demons, their flaws they must overcome. Even the "bad guys" have some redeeming virtues.

This contrasts with other characters in Sci-Fi series. For example, David Weber's Honor Harrington is just way too good, too controlled, and too principled. However, having said that, I am beginning to detect a little more character insight in his latter work. So, we shall see.

Rating:
Summary: Why Bujold is one of the best writers around
Review: I am hopelessly a fan of science fiction. I am, also, hopelessly a fan of Lois McMaster Bujold. Yes, she can write. But what makes me truly like her work is the humanity that she puts into her characters. Miles is a great character because of what he is not. He is not the stapping, studly hero who is all conquering. Everything he does is by mis-direction, guile, and cleverness. Yet, he makes mistakes and has flaws. Bujold captures the implications of moral ambiquity.

This is the hallmark of all of Bujold's characters. Even the best of them have their inner demons, their flaws they must overcome. Even the "bad guys" have some redeeming virtues.

This contrasts with other characters in Sci-Fi series. For example, David Weber's Honor Harrington is just way too good, too controlled, and too principled. However, having said that, I am beginning to detect a little more character insight in his latter work. So, we shall see.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing spectacular, but good.
Review: I compare this book and old Bujold books to a Clancy novel. Nothing inspiring or spectacular, just a fine read.

Bujold spends a lot of time before and after the action takes place, and it works quite well.

Rating:
Summary: I LOVED this book
Review: I read this book a few years ago and I loved it!!! It has stayed with me and is singularly responsible for my love and respect for this author. I tend to enjoy books with good characterizations and this one is chalked full of it. I loved Cordelia Naismith, Aral Vorkosigan and Bothari. This book is powerful and every bit deserving of the awards it has received. Lots of intrigue, suspense and just plain superb writing. Not typical SF fare to be sure. This novel is far more. As an SF enthusiust, I found the novel to be fullfilling. Unemcumbered by misplaced laser fights, starships and aliens, Bujold was creating a universe with compelling societies and projections as to what can happen to man as he expands his presence in the universe. What type of aborrations and mutations to our views of society and morality will ensue (as the future inevidably dictate will occur), once man extends beyond earth in the outgrowth of extraterrestrial colonies. Barrayar is just one interpretation. I think Bujold puts across these ideas and much much more. She does so brilliantly. Awesome book.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite SF author
Review: If you haven't read any of Lois McMaster Bujold's books then you are extraordinarily lucky. You may think this statement odd, since I rated _Barrayar_ a 9. You are lucky because you get to read them for this first time. I bought _Barrayar_ on a whim, read it in one day, then went out and bought everything else Bujold had written.

This is a novel of people, not science or machines. Bujold's characters are well-drawn, thinking, feeling people who are forced to face terrible problems. Many of the characters must face the worst thing that the author could possibly throw at them during this tale, and most of them learn and grow.

Lucky, lucky you--getting to start this series.

Rating:
Summary: bujold is the best
Review: If you like your science fiction to concentrate more on the humans and less on the toys you'll love Bujold's books. Lois Mcmaster Bujold has created some of the most memorable charachters in any series I've read. You might not like all the people, but she gives you enough information so that you will understand why they are the way they are. Yet she does it subtlely, no pages long exposition but a paragraph here and there naturally build your knowledge of Barrayar and its history which causes the peoples attitudes. I personally prefer to start at the begining of a series and then follow it through in chronological order so I would recommend reading Shards of Honor first. I love the humor sprinkled through her books and the scene after Cordelia returns to Aral with her shopping bag is truly outstanding.