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gabliotecaria's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
frithf's review against another edition
3.0
This book has the trashiest cover I have ever deigned to read - and some of the content is correspondingly, and badly-disguised trash. But the focus on the enduringly likable Ivan and his own struggles in an inter-galactic diplomatic stoush, while making sense of a, hey, a relationship, make entertaining and enjoyable reading.
starfire_rhexia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
awishman's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
vemana's review against another edition
3.0
This book starts out so well and take some unexpected turns. The romance is good but not at the same intensity or depth as of Miles and Ekaterin. It does right by Ivan and his 'wife'. The first half is supremely entertaining and builds new characters very well while adding depth to the ones we are all familiar with in the Vorkosigan saga. However after a certain party arrives the party is over. It becomes a weird portmanteau plot with ineffective thrills and mediocre action sequences. Glad to see a lot more beyond Ivan's usual facade but wish it was a better. 3 stars wholly for the first half btw
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Although, this wasn't my favorite Vorkosigan entry, it is always good to be back in this world.
cloudsinthecupboard's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
I love the Vorkosigan series- this installment is nearly Miles-less but makes up for it by giving Ivan his story in a highly satisfying way.
eve_prime's review against another edition
4.75
After more than a dozen Vorkosigan books, finally, we get Ivan's story, leading up to Ivan's happily-ever-after. Ivan is Miles's handsome, "normal" cousin who has worked hard to keep a low profile and avoid all the stress and hassle that people like Miles find for themselves. Ivan is asked to keep his eye on a particular young woman, Tej, who may be in trouble. She's lovely and has a beautiful sister with blue skin who's in hiding with her. Soon they're both facing serious problems, and the best way that occurs to Ivan to keep Tej and her sister out of trouble is to marry her (with the mutual intention of divorcing as soon as it's reasonable to do so). So now Ivan has a wife, and they're very much in love (though still with the intention of divorcing), and the reader has the great pleasure of getting to see more of their lives and Ivan's home planet, which have generally been rushed past in the Miles books. Then, almost exactly at the midpoint of the book, Ivan abruptly finds his life in chaos when about a dozen people from Tej's past life catch up with them. Most of the rest of the book is as pell-mell as anything that's ever happened to Miles, but now it's Ivan's turn. So much fun!
themanfromdelmonte's review
5.0
I think LMB must be getting a bit bored with Miles by now so Ivan makes a welcome change. It’s another terrific romance, much like A Civil Campaign but with more action. When the author is in her zone the words just fly by. A pleasure to read and re-read. In fact I’m going to dig it out and read it again now.