Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable mystery/intrigue SF
Review: A friend, knowing I'm reading the John Ringo military series, recommended Bujold's books to me. This was the easiest to find immediately, but now I'm told I would've enjoyed it more if I had read the earlier books first. Could be, but I did enjoy this immensely. It had enough adventure, enough of a puzzle, and enough humor to make it one of the most enjoyable science-fiction books I've read recently. Although there's definitely some science in it, it's not what I think of as "hard" science-fiction. The characters don't get carried away with long technical dissertations, and I like it for that. Miles and his cousin are on a routine diplomatic visit to the adversary planet of Cetaganda and are immediately confronted with what appears to be a murder attempt upon them. Further events indicate that they are being set up in an elaborate plot that will result in hostilities between their world and Cetaganda. Miles is, at my first glance, a notable character. He doesn't have the looks to be a great romancer, though that doesn't keep his imagination from running free with possibilities. He has a knack for continually stepping into trouble and yet reasoning himself out of it. This is indeed among the most enjoyable recent science-fiction I've read.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable mystery/intrigue SF
Review: A friend, knowing I'm reading the John Ringo military series, recommended Bujold's books to me. This was the easiest to find immediately, but now I'm told I would've enjoyed it more if I had read the earlier books first. Could be, but I did enjoy this immensely. It had enough adventure, enough of a puzzle, and enough humor to make it one of the most enjoyable science-fiction books I've read recently. Although there's definitely some science in it, it's not what I think of as "hard" science-fiction. The characters don't get carried away with long technical dissertations, and I like it for that. Miles and his cousin are on a routine diplomatic visit to the adversary planet of Cetaganda and are immediately confronted with what appears to be a murder attempt upon them. Further events indicate that they are being set up in an elaborate plot that will result in hostilities between their world and Cetaganda. Miles is, at my first glance, a notable character. He doesn't have the looks to be a great romancer, though that doesn't keep his imagination from running free with possibilities. He has a knack for continually stepping into trouble and yet reasoning himself out of it. This is indeed among the most enjoyable recent science-fiction I've read.
Rating: 
Summary: This comical entree shows a different side of Bujold
Review: Although not one of my favorite Bujold novels, Cetaganda is still worth reading. Following the epic Mirror Dance, I felt let down by Cetaganda. When comparing this book with the Mountains of Morning we can see the variety in Bujold's works. Ivan gets to become a fully developed character in this story, but the Dendarii are missing.
Rating:
Summary: Flashback to a younger Miles Vorkosigan.
Review: Although this is (at this writing) Bujold's latest addition to her series about Miles Vorkosigan (one of SF's all-time best characters), chronologically it comes before Mirror Dance and Brothers in Arms. Missing, therefore, is Miles' clone/brother Mark, introduced in the latter. Also missing (and greatly missed) is Miles' alter ego, Admiral Naismith. Without the little admiral, the pace is not quite so bone-breaking and mind-bending, but this is still a very good story, very well told. It will best be appreciated, however, by those who have read the pre-quels. (Start with Shards of Honor and Barrayar, which are about Miles' parents, then the Warrior's Apprentice, The Borders of Infinity andThe Vor Game.) In Cetaganda, Miles and his foppish cousin Ivan travel to the capital of the Cetagandan Empire (perennial cold-war and hot-war rival of their own homework, Barrayar) to attend a state funeral, and they immediately get involved in murder and intrigue at the highest levels of this supposedly more sophisticated culture. The paperback edition of Cetaganda (at least) also includes a 3-chapter teaser from Ms. B's next book: Memory (described in the chronology at the back of the book as: "Miles hits thirty; thirty hits back")
Rating: 
Summary: Skullduggery in the Cetagandan Court...
Review: Another entry in the Miles Vorkosigan series that stands alone well. In this adventure Miles and his cousin Ivan have been sent on a diplomatic mission to the Cetagandan multi-planet empire (long the enemy of their native Barrayar). They are to attend the funeral of the late Empress. Never one to stay out of trouble long, Miles is soon up to his short, hyperactive ears in trouble. As in most Vorkosigan books there is a sorcerer's apprentice-like flair to the unfolding of events, with the quick-witted Miles one step (barely) ahead of the deluge. Odd events dog their mission, sabotage, assassination, or mere accident? Does some nameless enemy have a deadly grudge against Miles? As usual Mile's refusal to play by the rules, or accede to sanity, keeps his opponents guessing. Fast paced and intelligent. The intricacies of Cetagandan culture are fascinating, and as usual, Miles is an outrageous, larger than life (although smaller than most) hero. Great book.
Rating:
Summary: Skullduggery in the Cetagandan Court...
Review: Another entry in the Miles Vorkosigan series that stands alone well. In this adventure Miles and his cousin Ivan have been sent on a diplomatic mission to the Cetagandan multi-planet empire (long the enemy of their native Barrayar). They are to attend the funeral of the late Empress. Never one to stay out of trouble long, Miles is soon up to his short, hyperactive ears in trouble. As in most Vorkosigan books there is a sorcerer's apprentice-like flair to the unfolding of events, with the quick-witted Miles one step (barely) ahead of the deluge. Odd events dog their mission, sabotage, assassination, or mere accident? Does some nameless enemy have a deadly grudge against Miles? As usual Mile's refusal to play by the rules, or accede to sanity, keeps his opponents guessing. Fast paced and intelligent. The intricacies of Cetagandan culture are fascinating, and as usual, Miles is an outrageous, larger than life (although smaller than most) hero. Great book.
Rating:
Summary: Cetaganda: Light-Hearted but Missing Something
Review: Bujold's Miles Vorkosigan series has always employed a formula of two parts high adventure to one part light-hearted humor. In "Cetaganda", however, the balance swings to the humor side. Miles and his not-exactly-genius cousin Ivan are in the Cetagandan capital as envoys at a funeral for the Emperor's mother. Their banter is generally plenty witty, no doubt about that. The problem, rather, is that we get to much of it. Indeed, one could be forgiven for suspecting that Bujold wrote one major subplot just so that the two Vor lordlings would have a chance to toss yet more zingers at each other. By contrast, scenes of genuine suspense are toned down compared to earlier books in the series.
Cetagandan society itself is one of Bujold's imaginative triumphs. The ruling 'haut' class have genetically engineered themselves, not to mentioned their pets and decorative plants, almost to perfection. However, they spend most of their time hidden behind various social and physical barriers while a 'ghem' class controls the military and does most of the actual governing. With a few tantalizing and well-scripted scenes, Bujold shows us how the ghems are decaying and hints of societal breakdown are appearing throughout Cetaganda's structure. For that part, at least, she earns an A+.
In plot coherence, however, "Cetaganda" comes across as sloppy and poorly planned compared to her other books. While the villain is finally unmasked with much fanfare at the end, no sensible wrap-up of his evil plan is ever offered. In retrospect it looks like he was going out of his way to get caught. The other characters also don't pan out too well. For instance, on several occasions a group of haut women discuss their top-secret plans for the future of the empire while Miles, who is still ostensibly an enemy, is present and listening in on their conversation.
Rating:
Summary: Still up there, but not as entertaining as the first two
Review: Cetaganda was an enjoyable study of a society, and the Cetagandan society is very interesting. I continually marvel at how some of these authors create these societies out of whole cloth. Miles and his cousin Ivan are at the state funeral of the Cetagandan Empress when things start to go wrong (as they inevitably do with Miles). First, he's the target of an attack, and then things steamroll from there. Miles finds himself embroiled in a plot to change Cetagandan society forever. The really good thing about this book is that it's not as full of coincidences as the Vor Game was. One event led to another logically. There were no "chance meetings" that ended up moving the plot along. This is a big plus, because it's a big reason I only gave the Vor Game 4 stars. Miles once again has to continually use his head to get out of increasingly precarious positions. He gets to do things that no other outlander has ever done. Ivan is once again the ladies' man who gets caught up in Miles schemes. He continually wants to call in the authorities but Miles won't let him. The interplay between the two of them is priceless. The major problem with the book is that it's not that entertaining. The study of a society based so highly on genetics is interesting, but the story around it doesn't quite hold up its end of the bargain. The characters (other than Miles and Ivan) aren't as well-drawn as before. They aren't quite cardboard, but they're maybe 2.5 dimensional. The other good guys, for the most part, are around mostly to frown at Miles and let him get on with doing what he's doing. Still, when I say it's not that entertaining, that's in relation to the rest of the series I've read so far. Compared to most other books it is very good. You certainly won't regret reading it if you can get your hands on it.
Rating:
Summary: Still up there, but not as entertaining as the first two
Review: Cetaganda was an enjoyable study of a society, and the Cetagandan society is very interesting. I continually marvel at how some of these authors create these societies out of whole cloth. Miles and his cousin Ivan are at the state funeral of the Cetagandan Empress when things start to go wrong (as they inevitably do with Miles). First, he's the target of an attack, and then things steamroll from there. Miles finds himself embroiled in a plot to change Cetagandan society forever. The really good thing about this book is that it's not as full of coincidences as the Vor Game was. One event led to another logically. There were no "chance meetings" that ended up moving the plot along. This is a big plus, because it's a big reason I only gave the Vor Game 4 stars. Miles once again has to continually use his head to get out of increasingly precarious positions. He gets to do things that no other outlander has ever done. Ivan is once again the ladies' man who gets caught up in Miles schemes. He continually wants to call in the authorities but Miles won't let him. The interplay between the two of them is priceless. The major problem with the book is that it's not that entertaining. The study of a society based so highly on genetics is interesting, but the story around it doesn't quite hold up its end of the bargain. The characters (other than Miles and Ivan) aren't as well-drawn as before. They aren't quite cardboard, but they're maybe 2.5 dimensional. The other good guys, for the most part, are around mostly to frown at Miles and let him get on with doing what he's doing. Still, when I say it's not that entertaining, that's in relation to the rest of the series I've read so far. Compared to most other books it is very good. You certainly won't regret reading it if you can get your hands on it.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable romp with an intriguing society in the background
Review: Cetaganda, is, by Bujold`s own testimony, a rather light-hearted romp, a bit of a step down in seriousness and apparent ambition from Barrayar and Mirror Dance, the two Vorkosigan novels that immediately preceded Cetaganda, and two of her best novels. This novel is set a few years prior to the action of Mirror Dance. Miles is 21. He and his amiably dim-witted (by Miles` standards) cousin, Ivan, are sent to the home planet of the Cetagandan empire to attend the funeral of the Cetagandan empress. Naturally, no sooner have they arrived (indeed, slightly before their actual arrival) they encounter a mysterious character and come into possession of a mysterious object (i. e. a MacGuffin). Miles being Miles, he does not sensibly report the incident to the Barrayaran Ambassador, nor to the local Imperial Security agent (to be sure, conveniently for the purposes of the plot, this latter person is away on some vague assignment). Instead, Miles bamboozles Ivan into supporting him in an attempt to resolve what quickly becomes a very delicate situation, on his own. The two face deadly dangers, encounter beautiful ladies of both of the Cetagandan upper classes, and eventually find themselves enmeshed in a plot which threatens Cetagandan internal stability (and thus Barrayaran security, as Cetaganda is a traditional enemy.) A number of the details of the plot and the Cetagandan custom upon which the plot turns are unconvincing, but the book is exciting and entertaining and reads very well. Romance is somewhat backgrounded, although Miles does fall in love (hopelessly) with the most beautiful woman he`s ever seen (why does such a clever individual as Miles seem consistently to rate female beauty so highly? Though to be sure, he is only 21, and I guess us guys are guys, huh?!), and there is an almost perfunctory romance between two minor characters. (Ivan, to be sure, is quite amusingly involved with some beautiful Cetagandan women, and Bujold does provide one quite funny incident involving him and an anti-aphrodisiac: another quite pointed and appropriate (I suppose) comment on male-female relationships results.) The most serious side of the book is an exploration of Cetagandan culture, which is built around genetic engineering of themselves. This culture consists of the haut, who are the true rulers, and the most highly "engineered", the ghem, who provide the military might, and who are less "engineered" and less controlled (partly to allow for the spontaneous generation of potentially useful traits), the ba, neuter servants who also serve as useful safe experimental objects for genetic changes (safe because they are neutered and couldn`t pass on harmful traits), and, presumably, large middle- and under-classes of mostly normal humans. This society is quite interesting, and Bujold makes some subtle and intriguing observations on the sources of power, and the different kinds of power, in particular the power divisions between the males and females of both the haut and the ghem. However, I think a proper exploration of this society would require a good deal more space, and I would quibble with some of the assumptions, in particular, the Cetagandans don`t seem different enough to me to be the result of centuries of genetic engineering. Also, they seem to be optimizing for feminine beauty (by "normal" standards, yet!), even while sex is completely divorced (no pun intended) from their procreation efforts. I find that hard to believe. All in all, this is certainly an enjoyable book, though not her best.
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