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A review by kzimm2024
A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
5.0
What did I just read? A carefully constructed plot, amazingly well done. I totally see the references to Dorothy Sayers, the complex plot that culminates in that dreadful dinner party- priceless. I laughed out loud several times, talking to myself as I burbled thru this wonderful story.
Butter bugs, overprotective (and shocked) parents of Kareen's, Mark's growth in therapy, Miles laying siege to his lady love, sex change operation in a desperate bid for inheritance, butter bugs escaping, Parole Officers, threats to take Nikki away, the Emperors wedding (finally!). What a mix.
Just genius. I wanted to skip ahead to this book a long time ago but am glad I waited and read Miles' journey to get to this point. I do miss reading his POV in these stories but I understand needing to get into Ekaterin's head in order to understand her. This story takes us from the beginning of their relationship to their engagement- which nearly didn't happen!
Lots of fun quotes:
“Lately, I have come to believe that the principal difference between heaven and hell is the company you keep there.”
----------
Which way would she pounce? Miles held his breath. Ekaterin leaned forward, gripping the railing with her knuckles going pale. “Let’s finish this. Lord Vorkosigan!”
Miles jerked in his seat, taken by surprise. “Madame?” He made a little half-bow gesture. “Yours to command . . .”
“Good. Will you marry me?”
----------
If this was a ploy to impress his colleagues with his innocence, would it work?
Who cares? Seize the moment! Seize the woman! Don’t let her get away again!
One side of his lip curled up, then the other; then a broad grin took over his face. He tilted toward her. “Why, yes, madame. Certainly. Now?”
She looked a little taken aback at the vision this perhaps conjured of his abandoning the chamber instantly, to take her up on her offer this very hour, before she could change her mind. Well, he was ready if she was. . . . She waved him down. “We’ll discuss that later. Settle this business.”
-----------
At last, he heard his father call his name. Miles’s head snapped around; such was the Viceroy’s aura that the crowd seemed to melt away between them. Ekaterin peered shyly into the mob of uniformed men from between her formidable outriders.
Miles strode over to her and gripped her hands painfully hard, searching her face, Is it true, is it real? She grinned back, idiotically, beautifully, Yes, oh, yes.
“You want a leg up?” Ivan offered him. “Shut up, Ivan,” Miles said over his shoulder.
He glanced around at the nearest bench. “D’you mind?” he whispered to her. “I believe it is customary . . .” His grin broadened, and he jumped up on it, wrapped her in his arms, and gave her a blatantly possessive kiss.
She embraced him back, just as hard, shaking a little. “Mine to me. Yes,” she whispered fiercely in his ear. He hopped back down, but did not release her hand.
-----------
And Miles is SO happy!!
Inside his own head, a continuous counterpoint ran in little popping bubbles, Look! I’m engaged! Isn’t she pretty? SHE asked ME. She’s smart, too. She’s going to marry me. Mine, mine, all mine. I’m engaged! To be married! To this woman!
an effervescence that emerged, he trusted, only as a cool, suave smile.
HA!
Butter bugs, overprotective (and shocked) parents of Kareen's, Mark's growth in therapy, Miles laying siege to his lady love, sex change operation in a desperate bid for inheritance, butter bugs escaping, Parole Officers, threats to take Nikki away, the Emperors wedding (finally!). What a mix.
Just genius. I wanted to skip ahead to this book a long time ago but am glad I waited and read Miles' journey to get to this point. I do miss reading his POV in these stories but I understand needing to get into Ekaterin's head in order to understand her. This story takes us from the beginning of their relationship to their engagement- which nearly didn't happen!
Lots of fun quotes:
“Lately, I have come to believe that the principal difference between heaven and hell is the company you keep there.”
----------
Which way would she pounce? Miles held his breath. Ekaterin leaned forward, gripping the railing with her knuckles going pale. “Let’s finish this. Lord Vorkosigan!”
Miles jerked in his seat, taken by surprise. “Madame?” He made a little half-bow gesture. “Yours to command . . .”
“Good. Will you marry me?”
----------
If this was a ploy to impress his colleagues with his innocence, would it work?
Who cares? Seize the moment! Seize the woman! Don’t let her get away again!
One side of his lip curled up, then the other; then a broad grin took over his face. He tilted toward her. “Why, yes, madame. Certainly. Now?”
She looked a little taken aback at the vision this perhaps conjured of his abandoning the chamber instantly, to take her up on her offer this very hour, before she could change her mind. Well, he was ready if she was. . . . She waved him down. “We’ll discuss that later. Settle this business.”
-----------
At last, he heard his father call his name. Miles’s head snapped around; such was the Viceroy’s aura that the crowd seemed to melt away between them. Ekaterin peered shyly into the mob of uniformed men from between her formidable outriders.
Miles strode over to her and gripped her hands painfully hard, searching her face, Is it true, is it real? She grinned back, idiotically, beautifully, Yes, oh, yes.
“You want a leg up?” Ivan offered him. “Shut up, Ivan,” Miles said over his shoulder.
He glanced around at the nearest bench. “D’you mind?” he whispered to her. “I believe it is customary . . .” His grin broadened, and he jumped up on it, wrapped her in his arms, and gave her a blatantly possessive kiss.
She embraced him back, just as hard, shaking a little. “Mine to me. Yes,” she whispered fiercely in his ear. He hopped back down, but did not release her hand.
-----------
And Miles is SO happy!!
Inside his own head, a continuous counterpoint ran in little popping bubbles, Look! I’m engaged! Isn’t she pretty? SHE asked ME. She’s smart, too. She’s going to marry me. Mine, mine, all mine. I’m engaged! To be married! To this woman!
an effervescence that emerged, he trusted, only as a cool, suave smile.
HA!