Captain Vorpatril's Alliance

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 16 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Winner, Science Fiction, 2014

Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Cousin to imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, Ivan is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, his chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril.

Tej Arqua and her half-sister and servant, Rish, are fleeing the violent overthrow of their clan on free-for-all planet Jackson’s Whole. Now it seems Tej may possess a secret of which even she may not be aware - a secret that could corrupt the heart of a highly regarded Barrayaran family and provide the final advantage for the thugs who seek to overthrow Tej’s homeworld. But none of Tej’s formidable adversaries have counted on Ivan Vorpatril. For behind Ivan’s facade of wry and self-effacing humor lies a true and cunning protector who will never leave a distressed lady in the lurch - making the ultimate sacrifice to keep her from harm: the treasured and hard-won freedom from his own fate as a scion of Barrayar.

Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers of science fiction and fantasy, having won five Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. In 2011 she was awarded the Skylark Award for her significant contributions to science fiction.

©2012 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2012 Blackstone Audio

"Ivan You Idiot" to more competent "Ivan Xav"

What made the experience of listening to Captain Vorpatril's Alliance the most enjoyable?

Lois McMaster Bujold puts words together with a true eye to human nabure and a wry humor. Grover Gardner enacts the scenes keeping those features.

I loved it more than I expected to

Where does Captain Vorpatril's Alliance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 3rd- I have read a lot of great Audible books!

What other book might you compare Captain Vorpatril's Alliance to and why?

All of the Vorkosigan Novels

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

Everything, I love Grover Gardner's performance- he is Vorkosigan! He is the essence of Barriyar for me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Must see for Mc Master Bujold fans

Any additional comments?

I wish she would write more. Of course I love to read a new Vorkosigan novel- this one exceeded my expectations. I really liked to see a story about Ivan.

One of the best of this series.

After reading ~8 novels in the Vorkosigian series, I still enjoy them, but did not expect new ground. Bujold has found an engaging new angle. Good show!

Its good to see Ivan happy!

I recommend this series, the Vorkosigan Saga, to anyone who likes a bit of light space opera, sprinkled with believable romance. The characters, even the minor ones, are well fleshed out and, well, the sort of people I'd like to know.

This novel is about one of those minor characters, Ivan Vorpatril, cousin to the central character of most of the series. In earlier novels, he was portrayed as a confirmed bachelor, assiduously avoiding his mother's attempts to marry him off. A quintessential playboy. At the same time, he was a sad figure, at times, clearly looking for something he couldn't find and probably couldn't identify, and drowning his sorrows in wine. Here, he becomes the centerpiece of the story, and inadvertantly finds exactly what he needs, though it takes him quite awhile to realise it. That's ok, though, as there's plenty of fun along the way!

Love Grovner Gardner

I really like this series. The narrator, Grover Gardner is the best in the business.

You won't miss Miles!

I wasn't sure I was going to love this book because Ivan is not one of my favorite characters, and this book is strictly Ivan without Miles. In fact, I've most enjoyed the stories where bad things end up happening to Ivan and Miles comes out on top. This probably comes from reading so many Miles stories from the Miles perspective, and he always feels that Ivan has it easy and succeeds without exerting any effort. This book shifts the perspective a little and we see Ivan's point of view. It's interesting to see his jealousies regarding Miles, and some background on his "success" with women. Perhaps he's not so successful after all? In any case, this book is incredibly enjoyable. Some parts are hilarious in their absurdity. The plot seems simple enough and we're thinking it's a rom-com, but suddenly it becomes a complex heist drama! The shift of point-of-view between characters is masterful! Without giving too much away, it was very funny to see some people and situations from Tej's perspective. This is a fabulous book that moves along at a good clip and is packed with twists and turns. And Grover Gardner is a terrific narrator. He understands the material and delivers everything with the proper intonation. He's not simply reading words but including the right emotion behind them. I think everyone interested in any one of the Vorkosigan saga books should start with the first one and read them all. If you don't have time for all that, you can probably read this one and enjoy it. You will enjoy it more if you read the rest first, however!

Nobody dies ... and the humor is delightful

Ivan now has a story. "Don't let him get away!" is a very relatable sentiment for a woman to utter about a Vor lord. The woman who does so has a totally different reason than any of the women whom Ivan's mother tried to match him with.

Read the entire Vorkosigan series, then read this

What made the experience of listening to Captain Vorpatril's Alliance the most enjoyable?

I can't wait to get back in the car to listen to the next chapter. A new plot twist just at the right moment . . . over and over again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Captain Vorpatril's Alliance?

If you love Bujold's Vorkosigan universe, this book brings together the events and the people of a dozen prior books with new viewpoints and revelations.

Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

The role of Ivan Vorpatril had been under-developed before this book. You will like the trouble Ivan can get himself into . . . . and out of.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Just when all seems lost, Ivan finds a novel use for breakfast cereal.

Vorcosigin Saga Continues

While it is enjoyable to return to Barrayar, Ivan can not compete with Miles's predicaments.

IVAN!

No spoilers here other than I think that Bujold decided to dedicate an entire book to torturing Miles' cousin/best friend/frequent victim, Ivan Vorpatril.
This may not be the best of the Vorkosigan books, but it was a lot of fun. Many parts had me laughing aloud. It is fun seeing many of the usual characters from a different perspective. Heck, the capitol city's most infamous landmark is good for a laugh.
Grover Gardiner does his usual great job.
Listen to this book if you like Bujold in snarky mode.