Katherine
This book was such a step up from Shards of Honor for me, and I really enjoyed that one! The Vorkosigan series was published in a frankly bizarre order- despite this one being listed as #7, it’s a direct sequel to #1- like, DIRECT sequel. I’d definitely recommend reading those back to back.
Barrayar really exemplified Bujold’s talent for great characters and great worldbuilding. You can tell that each element of the politics and culture were thought through, and the characters are so memorable and real. I loved the outsider perspective on a culture that is misogynistic and ableist and this character not understanding it at all. It really shines a light on the issues in our own culture and society. Bujold also has an insane talent to switch emotions rapidly- one moment, I’m tearing up at a sad or tender moment, the next I’m laughing my ass off, and right after that it gets extremely tense. I don’t know how she manages it, but she does. Definitely continuing the series, I’m really enjoying this take on the classic space opera.
This book was such a step up from Shards of Honor for me, and I really enjoyed that one! The Vorkosigan series was published in a frankly bizarre order- despite this one being listed as #7, it’s a direct sequel to #1- like, DIRECT sequel. I’d definitely recommend reading those back to back.
Barrayar really exemplified Bujold’s talent for great characters and great worldbuilding. You can tell that each element of the politics and culture were thought through, and the characters are so memorable and real. I loved the outsider perspective on a culture that is misogynistic and ableist and this character not understanding it at all. It really shines a light on the issues in our own culture and society. Bujold also has an insane talent to switch emotions rapidly- one moment, I’m tearing up at a sad or tender moment, the next I’m laughing my ass off, and right after that it gets extremely tense. I don’t know how she manages it, but she does. Definitely continuing the series, I’m really enjoying this take on the classic space opera.