Cetaganda (Vorkosigan Saga, #9) in Beyond Reality

Aug 11, 2013 mark monday rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-modern, x-vorkosigan-saga

this one hit a sweet spot that I didn't know I even had: incredibly beautiful, highly intelligent, aristocratic geneticists who prize elegance and subtlety, float around in their floating chairs while encased in pearly force fields, and never cut their hair! much like the protagonist Miles, I was immediately enchanted.

unlike Miles, the reader is able to quickly discern that these remote and regal ladies actually control their empire. power lies not with the Emperor nor the warlike generals, and this one hit a sweet spot that I didn't know I even had: incredibly beautiful, highly intelligent, aristocratic geneticists who prize elegance and subtlety, float around in their floating chairs while encased in pearly force fields, and never cut their hair! much like the protagonist Miles, I was immediately enchanted.

unlike Miles, the reader is able to quickly discern that these remote and regal ladies actually control their empire. power lies not with the Emperor nor the warlike generals, and certainly not the various upper crust dandies who wander around creating scent-art; all bow to my newly-found sweet spot's authority. perhaps Miles was fooled by titles like "Consort" and "Handmaiden" - but still, it was a little surprising seeing that both Miles' mom and the love of his life are subtle, independent women who are completely in control. well I guess I can understand a little. Miles turns into a walking boner as soon as a "Haut" Lady (yes, that is what they are called, um) opens up her force bubble... and that state is not conducive to clear thinking.

speaking of walking boners, Miles' cousin Ivan is very much a part of this novel and he is just as enjoyable as ever. dim, grouchy-sweet, unimaginative, loyal, lady-killin' Ivan, what's not to like. and speaking of what not to like, Miles actually refers to himself as a genius in this one. oh Miles. you and Kvothe, sweet Jesus, the egos on some of these kids. fortunately, Bujold is aware of Miles' flaws and they are happily skewered. she is also completely aware that a person's flaws are often intrinsically connected to their virtues; one can't exist without the other in Miles, and in so many others. ain't that the truth!

the world-building was especially well-done in this one. not info-dump world-building, but rather slowly drawn-out Let's Figure Out This Mysterious Place Called Cetaganda type world-building. the empire of Cetaganda is a marvelous creation, layered and compelling and very carefully thought-out.

brisk, fun, smart. entertaining! ...more

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Sep 02, 2008 Stephen rated it liked it

Shelves: 1990-1999, audiobook, sf-space-opera

3.5 stars. A solid entry in this excellent space opera series. Not my favorite of the bunch, but still a good read.

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Jul 18, 2011 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: sf

"Mountains of Mourning" is still my favorite Vorkosigan story, but this one was an entertaining mystery in SF trappings. I thought it started stronger than it finished, and I had a little bit of trouble keeping all of the players straight, but it was interesting to get to know the strange Cetagandan culture. Also, I've never seen so much temporizing in one book. I guess everybody's doing it. ...more

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Sep 03, 2008 Nick rated it liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

Read this on an airplane. It's a award winning "Miles Vorkosigan" novel by Lois M. Bujold. I had never read one before. Anne MacAffrey says in a quote on the front, "Boy, can she write!" I'm not that enthusiastic. Still, I think Bujold does a good job of combining the sci fi genre with the detective novel, making it a pretty good commentary on popular genres. Tiptree, Jr.'s "Brightness Falls from the Air" is a personal favorite in the combination sci-fi/murder mystery field, and I don't think th ...more

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Dec 13, 2009 Frank Taranto rated it liked it

Shelves: science-fiction

Miles and Ivan go to Ceteganda for a state funeral. Miles gets involved in Cetegandan internal politics and plots and saves the day.
Great characters and a good use of humor make this a fun, fast read. I also enjoyed learning about the Cetegandan culture.

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