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At last a new Vorkosiverse book from LMB. This isn't due out until November, but Baen have released the uncorrected e-ARC for those of us who couldn't wait. And yes I am declaring bias. I am a fan of LMB and will probably also buy the hardback when it's released.
This is the long awaited Ivan book with Miles appearing only in a minor capacity and Cordelia and Aral not at all, though they are mentioned. And note it's before the events in Cryoburn. Miles is an Imperial Auditor, Aral and Cordelia are off on Sergeyar being Viceroy and Vicerine which leaves Ivan centre stage ably supported by his mother, the redoubtable Alys Vorpatril, and her (now) partner, Simon Illyin, the retired head of Imp Sec. Playing second fiddle to Ivan in this is Byerly Vorrutyer who starts off the whole story by turning up on Ivan's doorstep and asking for a favour.
Byerly is a deep undercover agent for Imp Sec and asks Ivan to pick up and babysit a woman who has been targeted by some of the villains he's shadowing. But Ivan's charm is not enough and hijinks ensue. With the aid of a packet of instant groats Ivan jumps in at the deep end, tying himself not only to Tej, but to her unscrupulous Jacksonian/Cetegandan family out for revenge.
It's a delightful book, light and frothy but with a solid plot. To make up for the lack of Miles (deliberately sent off-planet, I suspect so his manic energy doesn't derail the plot) we get extra helpings of Byerly Vorruter and of Simon (who is bored, poor love, with his retirement) and despite all his problems after losing the memory chip, still a smart cookie.
In previous books we've only seen Ivan as Miles' cousin and sidekick. Never without an attractive lady on his arm he is physically always a reminder of what Miles might have been without the soltoxin gass attack. Not just Miles' physical opposite, he and Miles are chalk and cheese mentally, too. Ivan's not dim, but he hates puzzles while, to Miles, a puzzle is like a red rag to a bull. Often referred to as Ivan-You-Idiot, and possibly (occasionally) deserving the title in his younger days, we now see an Ivan who is not an idiot when in full possession of the facts. He has a high powered job as a military aid and it's a job he can do well in his sleep - and that's the way he'd like it to stay. After all, promotion would just mean more work. Staying true to form he remains inclined to take the line of least resistance, so don't assume he's suddenly turning into a second Miles just because he has a book to himself.
This is a romance, a comedy of manners set in space, with a lot of good humour and some genuinely laugh out loud moments. There is action, danger, treasure, villains, refugees, commerce and the constraints of Vor society. The 'world' is detailed and complete. (You could take your suitcase and move in if you could find a way to get there.) Though a complete story, readers will benefit from reading at least some of the Miles Vorkosigan books before coming to this. Highly recommended. So is the whole series.
This is the long awaited Ivan book with Miles appearing only in a minor capacity and Cordelia and Aral not at all, though they are mentioned. And note it's before the events in Cryoburn. Miles is an Imperial Auditor, Aral and Cordelia are off on Sergeyar being Viceroy and Vicerine which leaves Ivan centre stage ably supported by his mother, the redoubtable Alys Vorpatril, and her (now) partner, Simon Illyin, the retired head of Imp Sec. Playing second fiddle to Ivan in this is Byerly Vorrutyer who starts off the whole story by turning up on Ivan's doorstep and asking for a favour.
Byerly is a deep undercover agent for Imp Sec and asks Ivan to pick up and babysit a woman who has been targeted by some of the villains he's shadowing. But Ivan's charm is not enough and hijinks ensue. With the aid of a packet of instant groats Ivan jumps in at the deep end, tying himself not only to Tej, but to her unscrupulous Jacksonian/Cetegandan family out for revenge.
It's a delightful book, light and frothy but with a solid plot. To make up for the lack of Miles (deliberately sent off-planet, I suspect so his manic energy doesn't derail the plot) we get extra helpings of Byerly Vorruter and of Simon (who is bored, poor love, with his retirement) and despite all his problems after losing the memory chip, still a smart cookie.
In previous books we've only seen Ivan as Miles' cousin and sidekick. Never without an attractive lady on his arm he is physically always a reminder of what Miles might have been without the soltoxin gass attack. Not just Miles' physical opposite, he and Miles are chalk and cheese mentally, too. Ivan's not dim, but he hates puzzles while, to Miles, a puzzle is like a red rag to a bull. Often referred to as Ivan-You-Idiot, and possibly (occasionally) deserving the title in his younger days, we now see an Ivan who is not an idiot when in full possession of the facts. He has a high powered job as a military aid and it's a job he can do well in his sleep - and that's the way he'd like it to stay. After all, promotion would just mean more work. Staying true to form he remains inclined to take the line of least resistance, so don't assume he's suddenly turning into a second Miles just because he has a book to himself.
This is a romance, a comedy of manners set in space, with a lot of good humour and some genuinely laugh out loud moments. There is action, danger, treasure, villains, refugees, commerce and the constraints of Vor society. The 'world' is detailed and complete. (You could take your suitcase and move in if you could find a way to get there.) Though a complete story, readers will benefit from reading at least some of the Miles Vorkosigan books before coming to this. Highly recommended. So is the whole series.
