Cetaganda

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel (Miles Vorsokigan, Book 9)

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

When the Cetagandan empress dies, Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan are sent to Cetaganda for her funeral as diplomatic representatives of Barrayar. Upon arrival, the two men are inexplicably attacked by a servant of the late empress. When the same servant turns up dead the next day, Miles and Ivan find themselves in the middle of a mystery.

Miles tries to play detective in a strange, complicated, and deceptively alien culture, while lascivious Ivan manages to get himself involved with several noble females at the same time, a diplomatic no-no of the first order. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that it's up to Miles to save the empire.

With her usual skill, Bujold addresses timeless issues of human identity through the personal dramas of her characters.

©1996 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Set in a vividly realized world where Machiavellian intrigues are played out behind a facade of aristocratic discretion, this novel, like its predecessors, blends high adventure with wry commentary on the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between human ideals and political realities." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Even] readers who normally eschew science fiction will delight in Bujold's intriguing plots, appealing characters, and wry humor." (Library Journal)

"As witty and well-handled as is usual for Bujold....In the wake of Bujold's new Hugo, even greater swarms of readers will flock to this book and swell even more the number of her fans, which is only what she richly deserves." (Booklist)

Great world building and very good listen.

No space opera this time. Instead a very interesting drama involving a fascinating Cetagandan society and some high palace intrigue and politics. Sci-Fi it is, but more in a sense of having a look at a very well built and complex futuristic culture.

As usual interesting, funny and well paced writing. An easy to recommend book.

Also, (as usual) great narration from Grover Gardner.

Third time around

A very interesting and enjoyable series. I read or listen to it every few years.

Fun fun fun

An enjoyable story that moves well, has humor and style.
Funny and suspension of reality. Use as pleasure distraction. take once a year to increase joy and improve mood.

golden classic from the Vorkosigan series

Not new but certainly not old! This is one audiobook which you can listen to many times over and not get bored. While not as famous as other books in the series you will have many hours of serious entertainment with it. Excellent book, excellent narrator.

Great story and storyteller

I enjoyed Grover Gardner’s work and always love Bujold’s stories! Feel free to get a good escape diving into Miles Vorkosigan’s world!

Wow

I don't know how it would be to read, but this book was awsome to listen to. Lois Bujold is clever, creative, tuned in to the kind of deep, wierd questions serious sci-fi fans sometimes wonder about and an excellent writer. Its hard not to laugh out loud during several parts of the novel. Great story.

A good installment in the series

The story stands alone even though it is part of a long series (or perhaps collection is a better term) of books that contain many of the same characters.

It is a mystery/detective novel set on a different planet. The main character, Miles, solves this puzzle and saves the day. The characters are believable and fully drawn.

The world is also well-drawn, the characters are interesting, and there is just the right amount of humor to make it a tad funny even though the story itself is not meant to be humorous.

The narration is well done. I will certainly listen to others in this series.

Mrs. Bujold keeps the Vorkosigan saga only rolling

Cetaganda is a good book in a great series. This, my 5th read in the ongoing Vorkosigan adventures, was a bit underwhelming. The mystery is somewhat confusing, due to the many characters and the coming and going between sets.
I really missed Miles’ mom and dad. The close knit affection the Vorkosigans share (with the reader as well,) lend a warmth to the stories that was missing. Here.

Super all the way

Would you listen to Cetaganda again? Why?

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

What about Grover Gardner’s performance did you like?

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

Amazing Sci-fi Political Thriller

I recently finished listening to Cetaganda, the sixth book in the Vorkosigan saga written by Lois McMaster Bujold and narrated by Grover Gardner.

Although I try and minimize them as much as possible, spoilers usually creep in when you are reviewing a book in a series. If this is an issue for you, I suggest you skip to the conclusion.

In this book Miles and his cousin Ivan are sent on a fairly straightforward diplomatic mission to the Cetagandan home world. Despite, or perhaps because of, Cetaganda's failure to keep Barrayar under their heels, they still treat them as barbarians from the distant wild frontier.

Such degrading treatment is usually insulting in a creative sort of way, the more subtle the better. Thus when their ship was initially directed to dock and, upon doing so, immediately had an armed station inspector board their ship and attempt to pull a disrupter on them, they were taken off guard but not truly surprised. The official quickly ran off, having left behind his disrupter and an electronic gizmo, after he was beaten.

The gizmo in question isn't easily understand. It has a bird symbol on it, however, it bore no other identifiers. Miles decides, as an intelligence gathering exercise, to wait to see who claims it. After all, is he not here to learn about the Cetagandan society?

The narrator, Grover Gardner, is eminently suited to the dry wit of both Bujold and Miles. In fact he does such a great job with every facet of these books that one need only listen to be immersed.

Conclusion: This is another excellent entry into the Vorkosigan saga. Truthfully these books just keep on getting better. Combine this stellar writing with an inspired narrator and you have a winning combination. I highly suggest this to any Sci-fi fan, particularly those who like a fairly complex political thriller built into their Sci-fi.