Science Fiction Aficionados discussion

hi everyone and welcome to the next installment of the Vorkosigan Saga. this one stars the irrepressible Miles and the equally lively Elli Quinn (last seen in Ethan of Athos, minus Miles). it also features... clones! now who doesn't love clones?

Looking forward to starting this soon.

yay clones!

I think of this one as the last full Admiral Naismith adventure in the series.

oh no! really?

This was a rollicking adventure, with Miles primarily in the role of Admiral Naismith. It was a fast and enjoyable read. I cannot wait to discuss it in a bit more depth.

And finally...(view spoiler)[some romance (hide spoiler)]!!!

Alexa, I took a peep even though I haven't read it yet. Wow really?

Really!

I've never been able to decide if I love that cover or hate it.

best cover

I think I like this one the best

definitely.

Ok I'm a couple of chapters in. Hey the earth is still around.

Quietly existing off in its own little corner of the universe - sort of like a living museum.

Alexa wrote: "Quietly existing off in its own little corner of the universe - sort of like a living museum."

lolol-It looks like London still has good shopping too!

So, we can now discuss the romance, since there are only 7 days left in the month? I was glad for Miles on that point, but you know, it's gonna create problems!

I have to believe that Mark and the Captain will make appearances in later books in this series. Poor Mark - he's got a lot to work through! I really liked the Captain and how he surprised Miles (and me) by being a good guy!

I'm almost finished but I don't think my impression of the Captian will change, but yes he was a pleasant suprize. I thought he was just going to be a throw off character, like someone in authority that Miles would treat as an obsticale.

I was glad for the romance too, but you can already see where it isnt going to work for long....unless she winds up in the same predicament that made Cordelia think that Barrayar was her only option!

The romance between Eli and Miles is doomed just because he is so Barrayaran and she's so galactic.

Captain Galleni served to illustrate the difficulties in assimilating a 'conquered' people into a larger culture. He's the first wave and paying heavily for it, imo.

Because Miles takes his Barrayaran duties as Lord seriously, it is unlikely that he and Eli can remain together. However, I think the romance is doomed more by neither Miles nor Eli wanting the other to be in danger, something neither can escape in their mercenary roles. I agree that Captain Galleni has chosen a very difficult role but I'm thinking he will be able to pave the road so it is an easier journey for those that follow him.

I think Miles loves Barrayar almost pathologically. He can't help it, he was bred that way.

I enjoyed this book a lot (no big surprise there). I agree, it is unlikely that Miles and Eli will remain together. I feel like Eli is very much like Miles, although a lot of that impression was gained from an earlier book. It's too bad she can't stand Barrayar =(.

This is one of my least favorite books, maybe because I do see it as transitional. I love Mark and Miles, but they both have a looooonnnnng way to go!