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.
Lois McMaster Bujold
Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
Diplomatic Immunity by Lois McMaster Bujold
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!
Winterfair Gifts by Lois McMaster Bujold
76/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fun, quick read, as two of Miles’ current and former staff uncover a plot to foil Miles’ wedding.
Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold
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.
Brothers in Arms by Lois McMaster Bujold
32/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On a stopover at Earth, Miles’ double life as Lord Vorkosigan and Admiral Naismith finally comes to a head. More of the clever mix of military SF, politics, and quirky characters that continue to make this series such fun.
