Kibou-daini is a planet obsessed with cheating death. Barrayaran Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan can hardly disapprove—he’s been cheating death his whole life, on the theory that turnabout is fair play. But when a Kibou-daini cryocorp—an immortal company whose job it is to shepherd its all-too-mortal frozen patrons into an unknown future—attempts to expand its franchise into the Barrayaran Empire, Emperor Gregor dispatches his top troubleshooter Miles to check it out.
On Kibou-daini, Miles discovers generational conflict over money and resources is heating up, even as refugees displaced in time skew the meaning of generation past repair. Here he finds a young boy with a passion for pets and a dangerous secret, a Snow White trapped in an icy coffin who burns to re-write her own tale, and a mysterious crone who is the very embodiment of the warning Don’t mess with the secretary. Bribery, corruption, conspiracy, kidnapping—something is rotten on Kibou-daini, and it isn’t due to power outages in the Cryocombs. And Miles is in the middle—of trouble!
“Fresh, intriguing, and, as always with Lois McMaster Bujold, superb.” —Robert Jordan
“It is such a delight to read something by such a good writer, who now seems to be writing at the height of her powers. . . . I really have seldom enjoyed a book so much . . . I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” —Diana Wynne Jones
“Living breathing characters who inhabit unusual yet believable worlds.” —Jean Auel
“Bujold successfully mixes quirky humor with just enough action, a dab of feminist social commentary and her usual superb character development . . . enormously satisfying.” —Publishers Weekly
“One of sf’s outstanding talents . . . an outstanding series.” —Booklist
“Excellently done . . . Bujold has always excelled at creating forceful characters and she does it here again.” —Denver Post
“. . . an intelligent, well-crafted and thoroughly satisfying blend of adventure, sociopolitical commentary, scientific experiments, and occasional perils . . . with that extra spicing of romance. . . .” —Locus
About the Author
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers in the fields of science fiction and fantasy and has won five Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards, including a Nebula Award for Falling Free, included in Miles, Mutants and Microbes. She immediately attracted attention with her first novel, Shards of Honor, which began her popular Vorkosigan series, and quickly followed it up with The Warrior’s Apprentice, which introduced young Miles Vorkosigan, one of the most popular characters ever in science fiction. Her two recent fantasy series for Harper-Collins have been top sellers, from which Paladin of Souls took home her latest Hugo Award. The mother of two, Ms. Bujold lives in Minneapolis, MN.
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Product Review
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Product ReviewI think this is the best Miles novel yet. I think the ending was perfect, a moment that will change Miles' life forever. I agree that this is not the same Miles that we learned to love in other stories, but even Miles had to grow up sometime.
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Product ReviewI really don't think this should have been published. I never imagined having to drag myself through reading a story with Miles in it. I gave this one star based on the quality of all her other works. in this and other series. Its like she has either lost interest in the series now that she has others in print. or is just trying to end it with Miles slowly retiring to the country. I see allot left to go for Miles and truly hope the author is inspired to bring Miles back for many more adventures in the future.
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Product ReviewDisappointing. Feels like a first draft or that Bujold didn't really want to write another Miles book.
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Product Review
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Product ReviewThis was a very good book. My only complaint was that it was a bit short, but long isn't always better. I hate books that drag on and on and on without advancing the plot or characters much.
I bought and read the ARC since I love the Vorkosigan Series. Not sure if the final release was any different.
I also agree that the ending was perfect. I do hope we get more books in the series.Posted on
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Product Review
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Product ReviewThis is a wonderful novel, as always from Bujold. I don't know that it will enter into my rotation of re-reads, as many of her other novels have, but it is worth it nonetheless. As others have said, the story is a little more remote from the more personal Miles stories of the past, but it is still well written and engaging. And more Roic is always a pleasure. The ending, I thought, was perfect, exactly the way such things feel in real life. I won't say any more than that. Now please, Ms. Bujold, don't leave us waiting too long for the next one!
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Product ReviewPetty disappointing to a longtime fan. My first post was too harsh and melodramatic which I'll partially blame on the ending which was really the beginning of what should've developed into the last half or even third of the book. Left with a feeling of incompleteness instead of how her writing usually leaves me, with all of the loose ends neatly tied up but only wanting more. This one has mostly a cranked out feel to it but the ending really made me cuss and spit... Sorry...
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Product ReviewSoul Satisfying!
A gathering of all the strings to a grand conclusion.
The Worlds of Bujold and Vorkosigan still have many avenues to travel if the author wishes.
And, as one who has read and reread all the novels ... I hope so.Posted on
