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

My favorite of the entire series!!

And why shouldn’t Ivan be happy? The answer is.. he should be and so he shall be.

Long Awaited Ivan Story! Space Action & Romance

This book takes place between a Civil Campaign and Cyroburn. This was the first time I heard a Lois McMaster Bujold book before reading it. I think that added to the enjoyment, as I rather liked hearing the humour. I really like seeing a complete novel mostly from Ivan's POV. We have increasingly had hints that he is less of a lout and has a finely honed judgement of people's characters and motivations, and this is borne out by his actions in this novel.

The usual Bujold tropes of identity, honour and loyalty are delightfully explored in this romance/ espionage /action novel.

I think this book is better than Cryoburn, but not as good as her top notch books in this universe such as Memory or Mirror Dance. The last 3 or so chapters were a blast, but I felt the epilogue tied up too many ends, and I not sure about the final career path being hinted at for Ivan.

If you a fan of the series I thoroughly recommend the download. Oh, and Miles only makes a short (ahem) appearance (a shame as I was looking forward to seeing more of the Ivan as the Miles foil).

Ivan comes through for us all :D

This is a delightful Lois McMaster Bujold novel, with the fine writing, superb plotting, and tremendous character development one expects from such a gem of a writer. I grew very fond of Ivan, finally, with this book. The recording is excellent and it is one I will re-listen to a couple of times a year, so well worth the expense. Oh, and I positively love Simon in this novel.

Ivan, you are not an Idiot

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga ranks up there with my all time favorites, even after listening to the entire series many, many, many times. This book is no exception but a little sad as it sounds more like an ending of this fabulous series but also nice to see closure for not just one but two of the more 'entertaining' characters in the series..

Throughout the previous books you get tid bits about Ivan Vorpatril that start to make you think that he is not quite the idiot everyone says he is. This book shows both sides of his personality plus a lot more.

If you thought Miles' courtship was wild you will love Ivan's.

it depends

This book is good if one has read the others in the series. As a stand alone book it has a few failings and even if one knows everyone from Ivan's world the story is not compelling. It is a nice story and it is difficult to write about nice people. The narrator is continuity with the series. His voice is a challenge until it simply melts into the story. I am always surprised by that little magic. I always start not liking it, then getting comfortable, and then trusting it to carry the characters through the obstacles. This book is not the masterpiece A Civil Campaign is to listen to or read. Ivan is not a character with enough difficulty in his nature to create the humor of that book. There is a lot to be said for nice people and Ivan's turn into maturity is comfort to readers as well as his mother.

Classic

This is a classic Miles Vorkosigan story but follows Ivan Vorpatril (he cousin). Would think these stories would start getting old but I find myself excited every time a new one comes out.

The fun is back!

Any additional comments?

After the rather mediocre Cryoburn I thought this universe was played out, but maybe only Miles is played out. This one focused on Vorpatril was way better. I wouldn't mind seeing more books about the peripheral characters.

It's finally Ivan's turn, and it's great fun!

It's not my first time reading this book, but for some reason I didn't write a review before.

It is a great delight to have a book dedicated to Ivan, finally. While everyone--rightfully so--loves Miles and probably reads these books because of him, I have always thought that Miles did not properly appreciate Ivan. To borrow a phrase from Rodney Dangerfield: Ivan don't get no respect, even though on numerous occasions he is the only reason Miles manages to pull things out of the fire at the last minute, etc. Which of course is one of the long running jokes of the series. Well, in this book, Ivan finally gets his just desserts.

It also has to be one of the most comedic of the novels in this series. At least I found myself laughing out loud quite frequently, many times because of long ripening in jokes that can only be appreciated with a deep knowledge of the rest of the series.

We also get a whole new family of Jackson's Whole Wheeler dealers to play with, and you can never go wrong with that. (Although I still don't understand why it's Jackson's Whole, and not Hole)

A nice addition to the Miles/Ivan story

While I am a bigger fan of Bujold's fantasy I have enjoyed the Vorkosagean saga. Especially the earlier stories before Miles "settle' down. This was a nice story that kept my attention and paced fairly well. Ivan gets fleshed out and the glimpses of Miles and some of the other characters we have become familiar with was entertaining. This is not science fiction that dwells on the large issues of human existence as so much of the best science fiction does. But I like a good story, and I like to be entertained by stories that shows humankind does make it past our Earthbound existence. The plot here was feasible, the good guys likable, the love interest at least interesting. A nice listen as I drive around plying my trade.

Ivan finally gets his own book

i actually predicted. about 1-2 yeats before this book was published, that Ivan would marry the daughter of a crime lord who wanted out of the business. The journey was still a great ride.