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

Love the entire Vor series of books

Would you listen to Captain Vorpatril's Alliance again? Why?

Yes - I loved the characters, the plots, the historical background that the characters have - McMaster Bujold weaves these amazing stories of which you wish you could take part. Grover Gardener does an excellent job bringing these characters to life. I was so sad to have finished Cryoburn but was elated to have this installment of the series.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters and story development. Never disappointed.

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

Captain Vorpatril does not disappoint as interpreted by Gardener.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I think I might have listened to it all one sitting. I actually started it on a Friday and was finished with it early Sunday morning.

Any additional comments?

If you haven't listened to any other books in this series, start at the beginning, listen to this and then finish with Cryoburn. It will not disappoint. The world that McMasters Bujold creates is rich and you'll fall in love with the characters warts and all.

KEEP WRITING MS. LOIS!

If you could sum up Captain Vorpatril's Alliance in three words, what would they be?

Finally Ivan's turn!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Byerly Vorrutyer is just such a baaaad boy...and so much fun. Since his introduction into this series he's been such an enigma, and almost as much trouble as Miles. Byerly takes on more personality here and we learn just a taste of his history. I certaiinly hope we get to read further of his adventures in Jacksonian Space with his blue cherie amor.

Which scene was your favorite?

The tunnel scene at the end. The GEM grandmother and her family are just too entertaining in their frenzied search for riches. Then again, Ivan's first meeting with his Princess and her sister, all the way through Byerly showing up at the girls' apartment is pretty entertaining also.

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

Keystone Cops of Barrayar!

Any additional comments?

As with every one of the Vorkosigan books, this is another winner. It will never be on my top 5 list (or top 10, either) as the story line lacks something I can't quite define. Cetaganda is my least favorite and Shards, Barrayar, Memory, Komarr and Civil Campaign are probably my top 5. Then again, that list could change when I listen to some of the older ones again. The one thing I didn't get here was that it felt as though Aral was still living on Sergyar even though he passed away at the end of Cryoburn (another good installment).

As I commented above, the story wasn't a 5 star as it lacked some of the traditional surprise elements I have come to expect in Ms. Lois' Vorkosigan books. The storyline here was a bit too expected in my opinion (as in "I saw that one coming"). Very unusual for this author. So only 4 stars here for the story. But then almost every one of h installments has been a 5 star listen for me....very unusual. Perhaps this is because I've been anticipating this so long it couldn't live up to my vaunted expectations?

Unexpectedly compelling

I hesitated to buy this book because, although I love the Vorkosigan series and Bujold, Ivan had never been an especially interesting character to me and I saw him largely as a fairly simplistic foil to Miles. But, I couldn't find anything else I wanted to read, and Bujold is a wonderful writer, so I thought what the hell, I'll give it a shot.

Boy was I surprised! It was terrific. I laughed, giggled, smiled and just plain enjoyed the whole enterprise. I will say that in all honesty it is (in my opinion) not as deep and layered as Miles as his best, but it is a truly fun read.

Enjoy!

A Great Lullaby

For the last few years I've listened to this every night I go to sleep. I set the 15 minute sleep timer and I am almost always asleep before it runs out.

It is a sweet little story that has humor, romance, sarcasm, and people trying to out smart each other. Even though I've heard it over and over at this point it is still my go to for relaxing and falling asleep.

I love this series

Would you listen to Captain Vorpatril's Alliance again? Why?

Yes. Great story, well told, fun and funny, and as always, interesting with a multilayered plot with twists. I've listened to the whole Vorkosigan series, and really enjoy the characters, and it was great to have another installment so I had the pleasure of their company once again. Ivan has been a big part in many of the books, and I have always liked his character, however it was nice to have a more in depth look at him.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ivan, of course.

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

He does a great job with the story, pacing, characters. When I listen to him, I am transported and really "see" the story.

loved it

shes done it again fantastic can't wait to she does to all those kids and cousins

Very enjoyable - Ivan gets some air time

What did you love best about Captain Vorpatril's Alliance?

It was great to have a story that focuses on Ivan — an engaging but hitherto background character in the Vorkosigan books. Bujold's wit and charm are in full force. Having Simon Illyan's post ImpSec life fleshed out was a welcome addition

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

Grover Gardner's performance was excellent —the characters came through well. Ivan's occasional whine was very well done! There...but not excessive.

Any additional comments?

TO enjoy you really need to be familiar with the Vorkosigan books.

Ivan does have a brain!

Ivan Vorpatril, the womanizing village idiot. The hopeless, but handsome git that everyone who knows him, thinks a simpelton, is retconned into a witty, smart, kind and empathic hero who gets the girl.

To continue along the generational line of not settling for a home-grown Vor girl, or God forbid, someone of regular background he manages to lure a galactic girl of very high status in the end.

Meanwhile does he not only save the damsel in distress, but her whole family. And as a happy accident, he happens to uncover a treasure of immeasurable worth.

i would have found this a lot more interesting if he had pursued his previous relationship with Comtess Vorrutyer. Oh well, vanilla is nice, too...

Speaking of Vorrytyers By has somehow turned from the village gossip girl into a semi-respectable spy and into a way less sleazy character than previously.

A slight change in course turning two minor characters into the protagonist and his sidekick and 'Presto!', giving them abilities that none of the dozen or so previous volumes hinted at at all.

Oh well. Why not. I keep listening to these, but I'd never read any of this
Harlequin(ish) pulp with rivals among Central American telenovelas. Only because Gardner has some serious talent.

Yay! The rich schmuck wins again! And Bujold is laughing all the way to the bank.

Finally a focus on Ivan!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this series. It is best to start with Shards of Honor or The Warrior's Apprentice. Thru the series you will come to know Ivan as one of the continuing characters. Finally in this book he becomes the main character.

I loved this book. Fresh look at an old character

We've always seen Mile's Cousin as a dashing but somewhat unambitious, at times bumbling adjunct character to the series. This captivating and amusing tale shows a whole new side to his character and some surprising gifts as well.