Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life of a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Ivan, cousin to Imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, Ivan's chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventures have once more found Captain Vorpatril.
Tej Arqua and her half-sister and servant Rish are fleeing the violent overthrow of their clan on free-for-all planet Jackson's Whole. Now it seems Tej may possess a hidden secret of which even she may not be aware. It's a secret that could corrupt the heart of a highly regarded Barayarran family and provide the final advantage for the thugs who seek to overthrow Tej's homeworld.
But none of Tej's formidable adversaries have counted on Ivan Vorpatril. For behind Ivan's façade of wry and self effacing humor lies a true and cunning protector who will never leave a distressed lady in the lurch—up to and including making the ultimate sacrifice to keep her from harm: the treasured and hardwon freedom from his own fate as a scion of Barrayar.
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Product ReviewYet another GREAT book from Lois.
She is less prolific that many other Authors, but the finished product makes up for it.
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Product ReviewLois has created another great work here. Loved every minute of this book!
This whole series is by far the best series I have ever read.Posted on
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Product ReviewAwful book (for your sleep that is). Read it in less than 24 hours (with some sleep and other needed stuff thrown in like food) :)
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Product ReviewA good book. Much, much better than Cryoburn. I was getting worried!
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Product ReviewSuch a very sound book. Unhappy it ended. I think it is a bit more nuanced than many readers found it to be - that is Ivan Xav, while not an idiot, is not perfect - he justs believes in his own comfort. Tej is just right for him.
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Product ReviewAMAZING ! buy it now !
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Product ReviewI'd love to be able to give this one SIX stars. I'm still recovering from the shocks of stepping on the roller-coaster once more, but it was worth the trip, as we get to know Ivan from HIS viewpoint. Lots of surprises, including one scene where, for a moment, I wondered of Lois was channeling Edgar Allen Poe, even as I was gasping in utter disbelief.
I just finished it this weekend. Cover me. I'm going back in.Posted on
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Product ReviewLoved reading a story from Ivan's view. Great humor as I have come to anticipate from all of Lois McMaster Bujold's books.
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Product ReviewIt was great to read a book from Ivan's perspective. Finished it in a day. It was a worthy entry into the series.
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