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Shards of Honor

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

It was the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons. And Captain Cordelia Naismith of the Betan Expeditionary Force would be forced into a separate peace with her enemy, Lord Vorkosigan.

Shards of Honor is the novel in which Lois McMaster Bujold introduced the science-fiction world to Barrayar and Aral Vorkosigan, Beta Colony and Cordelia Naismith. From this beginning the author has created a multigenerational saga spanning time as well as space.

Bujold is generally recognized as the current exemplar of the character-based science-fiction adventure story.

©1986 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[Bujold] gives [her] characters enough emotional depth, and enough sense, to raise their story beyond cliché." ( Locus)

Featured Article: 12 of the Best Sci-Fi Series in Audio


From the furthest reaches of space to the microbiology of pandemics and gene manipulation, to the future implications of technology for societies similar to our own, science fiction is a fascinating genre that offers listeners a wide variety of ways to access its themes. In looking for the best sci-fi audiobook series, it can be difficult to know where to start due to the genre's sheer number of iterations and variations. But what these series have in common is an acute devotion to telling a good story, as well as fully building out the worlds therein. The writing is enhanced by the creative and impassioned narration.

What listeners say about Shards of Honor

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    2,589
  • 4 Stars
    1,281
  • 3 Stars
    468
  • 2 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A great beginning to a great series in novels!

I loved this one. I can't wait for another.
Bujold is an excellent writer and holds her audience in every book and keeps the reader on course (informed on the characters and situations) no matter which one you start to read first.
I love the narrator! Don't change him!

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Sweeping Space Opera

This is just solid space opera in the vein of Star Wars with more thought behind the consequences of the actions the individuals take as well as the reactions of those around them.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The first of the Vorkosigan series

I don't think this one is as good as some of the later ones but it is still awfully good. The detail of her universe is wonderful.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

SciFi Romance Novel

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

This is the beginning of the Vorsorkian series. If you like hard core SF you'll truly enjoy this book. I'm a 68 yr old female, who has enjoyed a lot of SF over the years, and I can't remember if I ever read a Romance novel, I don't think so. I personally found Bujold's characters fairly realistic, and she addresses the universal problems prople face.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The heroine, Cordelia, an enticing character, who stands on her own two feet, but finds out that an honorable enemy is a blessing.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite part is where she rolled the pretender's head onto the conference table.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best Series EVER!

This series (Vorkosigan) is so well written. It has the best character development of any science fiction I've ever read.
#witty #characterdevelopment #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of Lois's best works!

One of Lois's first books and yet one of her Best! Who says S.F. can't have a believable female protagonist?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

LOVE this book and author

It’s been many years since I found this audio through my library’s Overdrive app and then purchased a copy through that other company. After I wised up and switched to Audible, I purchased another copy and the ebook. Yes, it’s that good. Also the series. And LMB’s writing - from the storyline to the characters to the words used.
And Barrayar, book 2 of Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan is as good.
Grover Gardner reading this book and series is pure gold.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Disjointed Story line

Too many holes and uneven flow from scene to scene. Simple love story set in SciFi world. interesting enough politically to finish the listen. Performance actually saved it in this case.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Captivating story

Great story overall I recommend the rest of the vorkosigan saga as well. Great performance by the narrator as well

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Loved this heroine

Would you listen to Shards of Honor again? Why?

Yes. It is a space story without being alien. The terms used for advanced objects was self explanatory and did not wast time to describe futuristic technology. Is was all about the story and characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Shards of Honor?

I enjoyed all the cuts with Cordelia. She is what I want in a heroine. Calm under pressure, realistic, intelligent with a sens of humor.

What does Grover Gardner bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I appreciate that he did not try to do female voices, it is not necessary. His pace and emotional variation was perfect.

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

Yes, I relay enjoyed the story and characters.

Any additional comments?

I would listen to the next in the series.

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