I've been working my way through the Vorkosigan series and loved Bujold's humor and lighter touch in Cetaganda. High points for me were when Miles first meets the gorgeous genetically engineered Haut-lady Rian and is badly smitten (of course) and his second interview with the Cetagandan security colonel in the presence of the Barayaran imp-sec officer, who realizes just how much Miles hasn't told him about what's going on. It is very funny stuff.

In this book the only two characters from the earlier novels are Miles and his cousin Ivan. So far as the series is concerned, in this book one learns a whole lot about Cetagandan society and culture. In the earlier books they were just the somewhat mysterious expansionist enemy, although Barayar and Cetaganda are currently at peace.

For those interested in listening to/reading the novels in the series in chronological order I believe it goes this way:


1) Shards of Honor,
2) Barayar,
(these two books concern Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan, parents of Miles Vorkosigan)

3) The Warrior's Apprentice,
4) Short Story: ???The Mountains of Mourning??? (short story is contained in "Borders of Infinity"),
5) The Vor Game,
6) Cetaganda,
7) Ethan of Athos,
8) Short Story: ???Labyrinth??? ("Borders of Infinity"),
9) Short Story: ???The Borders of Infinity???,
10) Brothers in Arms,
11) Mirror Dance,
12) Memory,
13) Komarr,
14) A Civil Campaign,
15) Novella: ???Winterfair Gifts???,
16) Diplomatic Immunity,
17) Cryoburn.

Good sci-fi series, I plan to read the whole series. Our disabled hero Miles prevents a war.

Yes. I like the humour, intrigues and Miles getting in and out of trouble. How he convinced his cousin, Ivan to help him.

I like Grover Gardner's performance. He perform the different characters very well. Love it.

I've read this once before. But as I had recently been going through the Vorkosigan books on audiobook, I thought I'd get this one too. Reading (or listening) after I've gone through the previous 4 really made it stand out even more.

Not the best of the series that I've read so far, but still it stands out as a fun read. I continually really enjoy how there can be such varied cultures all from the same source. But of course humanity has such varied cultures on Earth, too.

The baroque culture of the world

Although there are no galactic invasions in this one, Cetaganda stands up well in the series. Miles Vorkosigan is a vortex of chaos seemingly in spite of himself.

I loved it when Ivan described his handling of being drugged

I heartily enjoy listening/watching Miles operate.

By what means do individuals and groups get others to do their bidding? An ancient question. Cetaganda is a fresh and thoroughly entertaining response to that old question. Of course, there is much more to the book: stunning visuals, amazing plot twists, lots of action, and totally absorbing dialogue. Bujold did it again. Grover Gardner's delivery is - as always - a perfect match for this series.

this is another Vor book and follows Miles as a Vor not the 'little admiral'

it was nice to see this side of him again

well done LMB

great book

This book pails in comparison to The Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game.

Miles has grown very arrogant.

I personally think he should be punished by his commanders for his behavior.

I also got tired of all the desrciptions of poker faces and hand gestures, and Miles' snide little comments to himself and others. In real life he would be an embarrassment to his goverment for his utter lack of protocol.

The Cetagandans are also not as interesting as one would hope.

The whole book had a very tired and repetitive feel.