Enthusiastically Ambiverted Hopepunk
Book 28 of 2025: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More good Vorkosigan adventure as Miles heads off to investigate cryogenic companies and ends up in more trouble than he expected. Toss in some cute kids, a menagerie, questionably competent criminals, and diplomats getting their first taste of Miles’s approach to problem solving, and it’s a lot of fun. Though the end took a turn I definitely wasn’t expecting….
Book 26 of 2025: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A nice short peek at Etakerina’s work on Barrayar, tying together several small threads from various points earlier in the series.
Book 23 of 2025: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
We turn to Miles’s cousin Ivan for this entry (Miles is reduced to a cameo role), as he gets drawn into helping refugees from a fallen House, dealing with a heist, and finding a little romance along the way. Another fun romp in the Vorkosigan saga, even if I don’t find Ivan to be quite as strong a character as Miles.
Book 19 of 2025: Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Miles heads out to solve a diplomatic crisis that quickly becomes more of a crisis than expected (which, well, of course, that’s how it works, right?). Ties together a lot of threads and brings in long unseen characters from prior books in the series. I continue to be impressed with how consistently enjoyable this series is. Only a few books left before I’m done!
76/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fun, quick read, as two of Miles’ current and former staff uncover a plot to foil Miles’ wedding.
75/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A two-century prequel to the Vorkosigan saga, as the Quaddies — humans genetically engineered for zero-G, complete with a second pair of arms rather than legs — make a break for freedom. Not quite as good as later Vorkosigan books, but also one of the earliest written, and still very enjoyable, with some neat feats of sci-fi engineering balancing out the less well-developed characters.
68/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was delightful. The series has moved on from the space battle adventures where it began and the political maneuvering and intrigue that it transitioned into, and now goes full-on romcom, complete with a hilariously disastrous dinner party where everything goes wrong…of course.
50/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A little military, a little mystery, and a little romance, as Miles goes along on his first major investigation for his new job…which goes as smoothy as one would expect. As fun as always, with the usual cadre of complex and believable well-rounded characters.
48/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recovering from the rather calamitous events of the last book, Miles has to solve an unusual murder mystery while trying to figure out how to deal with his two alternate lives. This one is less action and more introspection, mystery solving, and Barrayaran politics, always with Bujold’s signature wit and incredibly well-rounded, imperfect, and very real characters.
36/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1995 Hugo Best Novel
Complex in both story and character, this becomes an excellent exploration of the differing personalities of the Vorkosigan brothers in the midst of military adventure and political maneuvering. As with the rest of the series, it’s Bujold’s ability to craft realistically flawed characters, some in very serious ways, while still making them relatable, believable, and often quite funny, that really makes these stand out. Though most of the books in the series are written to be readable on their own, this is one where I’d definitely recommend reading earlier books first.
