Cryoburn

A Miles Vorkosigan Adventure

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Kibou-daini is a planet obsessed with cheating death. Barrayaran Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan can hardly disapprove—he’s been cheating death his whole life, on the theory that turnabout is fair play. But when a Kibou-daini cryocorp—an immortal company whose job it is to shepherd its all-too-mortal frozen patrons into an unknown future—attempts to expand its franchise into the Barrayaran Empire, Emperor Gregor dispatches his top troubleshooter, Miles, to check it out.

On Kibou-daini, Miles discovers generational conflict over money and resources is heating up, even as refugees displaced in time skew the meaning of “generation” past repair. Here he finds a young boy with a passion for pets and a dangerous secret, a Snow White trapped in an icy coffin who burns to rewrite her own tale, and a mysterious crone who is the very embodiment of the warning “Don’t mess with the secretary.” Bribery, corruption, conspiracy, kidnapping—something is rotten on Kibou-daini, and it isn’t due to power outages in the Cryocombs. And Miles is in the middle—of trouble!

Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers in the fields of science fiction and fantasy, having won five Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. Her second novel, The Warrior’s Apprentice, introduced young Miles Vorkosigan, one of the most popular characters in science fiction. The mother of two, she lives in Minneapolis.

Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Vorkosigan saga.

©2010 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Fans…will not be disappointed by this thoughtful tale…Deft and absorbing writing.” (Publishers Weekly)

Miles on Ice

Any additional comments?

I love the Vor saga. No one but Bujold can handle the science part of SF so adroitly, and no one but Bujold can make 'sword and spaceship' stories feel so realistically scientifically. There's a reason she's tied with Heinline for the most Hugo awards given to novels.

The story basically centers around Lord Miles, a manic-depressive dwarf who's also his Emperor's go-to guy when it comes to the dirty jobs. In this case, he's investigating a planet managed by cryogenic storage corporations who control the democracy via the proxy votes of dead people. While I miss the Dendarii Merc characters from previous novels, Miles and his new sidekicks are fun too. And the mystery is really compelling. Even my non-audio-book loving husband was interested in hearing more. He loves the narrator, as do I.

Unfortunately, this is currently the end of the series, not the beginning. I hope Bujold writes another one. Think the coda made me cry sad, salty little tears.I also enjoyed her Curse of Chalion series, which reminds me of the works of Guy Gavriel Kay.

Cryo-heart-burn

The story about death, revival and renewal. And about cheating death, cheating others and cheating yourself. A very mature Miles story and perhaps a fitting end to the saga of Lord Vorkosigan. Although it is my deepest regret that it might be the end as Miles has so much more to give despite his diminutive stance.

Long story short, Miles tries to fix a broken world in the best way he can. Finding excellent friends, driving them crazy and forward, and leaving confusion and destruction in his wake. Renewal follows and new chances for life for all around. No spoilers.

Enjoy it but be aware of the more staid and mature content of this episode compared to younger Miles.

One of the best of a great series

This is another great book in a great series with excellent narration. Bujold is a master of the genre, with excellent character development, both in giving vivid personalities to minor players, and in allowing the protagonists to grow and change. The stories have some action and humor, but also illuminate the politics, history, prejudices, and predilections of the various societies in the Miles universe. Cryoburn is also quite interesting and thought provoking. The Miles series is one of the best, and this is one of the best books in the series.

Miles, Corporate Intrigue, and Death

Lois is in top form returning to Miles' adventures. The theme of yearning for immortality underlies both the main story and Miles personal concerns.And Lois manages some very touching moments using her unflinching ability to let small tragedies happen around Miles. She also continues one of the strengths of the Vorkosigan series-- an exploration of the maturation of an individual. Seeing Miles facing the concerns of a family man in early middle is an engaging element of the story. Well done! Finally, the Grover Gardner is one of Blackstone's best readers, which made listening a pleasure.

Wonderful

That last line by Emperor Gregor had me in tears. Fantastic book in a fantastic series.

You can't go wrong with Lois.

This is another excellent book in the series. But if this is your first, go to the beginning and buy The Vor Game. Then 15 books later you will get to this one and you will thank me. :-)

Pronunciation problems

Tau Ceti is pronounced like, Tall without the ‘L’, & Set’ ee, NOT ‘Taow See tie’!!! But the worst was the narrator’s CONSTANT, JARRING mispronunciation of the word, ‘Corps’!! It is NOT pronounced, ‘CORPSE’!! The ‘p’ & ‘s’ are SILENT!

A Day in an Auditor's Life

A lovely book where Miles' unique talents once again serve his Emperor. Warning--moves the story ahead to places you don't want to be out of sequence. Read it in timeline order.

Another Great Listen!

This was a wonderful story with an interesting plot and lots of fabulous, very well-developed characters, including a young boy. Several side stories fit in with the main seamlessly, enhancing the whole. The Aftermaths (mini epilogs from various characters) did contain a final—rather sad—note. Grover Gardner was wonderful, pitch-perfect as always.

entertaining.

Well paced and smart, believable premise and considered logical presentation of a fantastic future circumstance and the probable, real world, issues that aren't obvious till they're right in frontof you.