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Liked It “First political science fiction novel I have made it through - I enjoyed it and will read more!” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“First political science fiction novel I have made it through - I enjoyed it and will read more!”
Sheila C wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love this book. I would understand why other wouldn't. But I really love it.”
Andrew W wrote this review Saturday, July 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“It's McMaster Bujold, it's Miles Vorkosigan, it's enough to say it all...”
Zuriel H wrote this review Friday, July 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I am enjoying these omnibus editions of the Vorkosigan stories. I read through the series several years ago, and as they are fine works of art, they deserve rereading. I have a strong preference toward reading stories in internal chronological order.
Mike H wrote this review Wednesday, June 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Miles is an inspiring hero, not merely because he overcomes personal and physical handicaps in order to succeed, but also because he has a set of core values to which he is always loyal, even when it means difficulty or self-denial. Miles represents all those whose personal attractiveness has to be created from the inside because nature gave the beautiful physique to someone else.
These stories are a fascinating glimpse, not only into Miles' life, but also into the culture that produces him, and by extension, into our own culture. Bujold tackles tough issues--discrimination, hierarchy, justice, war, competence, and adolescence, to name a few--and does it with humor, great storytelling, and fabulous imagery. My favorite in this collection is "Mountains of Mourning," a tale of family, responsibility, and detection. Oh--and horses.
I plan to move through the series again; stories this well-written are a joy to rediscover!”“Very good story telling (actually 3 stories). Pathetically defective underdog uses wit and cunning to conquer all.”
James W wrote this review Wednesday, December 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is the book that I was first introduced to in the Vorkosigan saga. He's a young Mr Darcy, he really is....”
Anika P wrote this review Friday, December 5 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is an omnibus containing two novels and one novella, and is, if I understand correctly, the second according to the internal chronology of the Vorkosigan series. Thanks again to everybody who nagged me to read these. You were right.
DKayeS wrote this review Tuesday, November 25 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
*****+ The Warrior's Apprentice.
The first Miles book. I love Miles, even more than his mother. I am, however, mostly convinced that it was best that I read Barrayar before this one. I might have enjoyed Barrayar more if I'd already been acquainted with Miles, but understanding his earliest history made The Warrior's Apprentice more understandable initially. I think. Eh. It's degrees of excellent, not the difference between 3 and 5 stars.
At the start of the story, Miles is trying to uphold the Vor tradition as well as his parents' more democratic ideals by attempting to enroll in the service academy like everyone else, rather than allowing political pull to just give him a position in the military. He fails the physical test, which sets in motion events that end up with him leading his very own band of mercenaries.
I thoroughly enjoyed Cordelia's Honor, but The Warrior's Apprentice blew me away. It's definitely my kind of story. Impossible odds, humor, excitement, adventure, and a hero with serious disadvantages who gets by on his wits and a talent for leadership. Hmm. Sounds familiar.
****½ "Mountains of Mourning".
This is the novella. It's a murder mystery, set in the Vorkosigan universe, with Miles as the detective.
After the events of The Warrior's Apprentice, Miles has to keep a bit of a low profile, and he's sent as his father's representative to solve the crime when a woman claims her husband killed their deformed daughter, in accordance with tradition, but against the new laws. Deformed himself, Miles is the perfect representative to try the case and to demonstrate the reason for the new laws.
It's an engaging story, and the characters and world-building details are excellent. It was just a bit of a let-down after all the excitement of The Warrior's Apprentice.
***** The Vor Game.
Miles gets his first posting...as the weather officer at the nastiest training post on Barrayar. He runs afoul of the insane post commander, getting himself arrested saving trainees' lives, so he's reassigned, which sets in motion events leading to him rescuing the Barrayaran emperor and averting a major war, while staying a half step ahead of the people trying to kill him.
As I've come to expect, the characterization is complex and detailed, and the plot has more twists than a Christmas bow.
It's safe to say that I'm hooked. I have A Civil Campaign in my TBR pile, but it's going to wait until the next omnibus in the series arrives from Barnes & Noble. Besides, I need to spread these out a little. Too many excellent books in a row, and my head will explode. ”
“A very good story. I liked the 3 stories about Miles and his progress through training, the lower military ranks, and the political situations. Excellent.”
HBee wrote this review Monday, May 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This is an omnibus of Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game, and as far as the character of Miles is concerned these are the first two novels in Bujold's Vorkosigan tales.
AllanR wrote this review Wednesday, August 1 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Additionally, the book contains 'The Mountains of Mourning.", a novella based on the time that Miles first returns home after his time at the Barrayaran Military academy. MoM has to the one of the saddest stories ever written; however, a friend in California, another Bujold fan, says that MoM is the best explanation one can get about the context and content of Barrayaran society.”
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