Komarr: A Miles Vorkosigan Novel

This one (in the series) has the feel of a set up for the rest of the books that come after it. On its own it is a good book, but if it is taken as a piece of the large picture of the series then it really keeps your interest. It still has some good action, mystery, and suspense. The characters introduced and developed end up playing key roles in the plots to come in future books. For these reasons, I have to take a starr off my review even though I loved the book. I love the series! If you like the 'Prince Roger' series by David Weber and John Ringo then you will love these too!

I have only recently discovered Bujold, and only in the context of her audiobooks, but I have found all of her works to be entertaining and sophisticated works for the genre. Komarr brings a new twist to the Miles saga, by telling half of the story from the point of view of Ekaterina, a female co-equal protagonist. Bujold's strength is no doubt her memorable and quirky characters, and here she develops not just more Miles, but a totally new character as well. And she throws in a mystery that drives the plot along very effectively. No doubt this is not her best novel, but as an audiobook, with a narrator who is totally in command of the material, this is a terrific "listen."

Komarr has grown on me considerably since I first read it in paperback years ago. I enjoyed it then but didn't find it as memorable as some of the others in the series, and yet listening to it in audio for the first time I discovered a whole lot I missed earlier. All the same, my rating is for the author rather than the narrator, who is very solid but more of a 4 than a 5. There are a few misreadings and what I think of as mispronunciations, although they might in fact be the different pronunciations standard in different countries and generations. Plus he sounds like he has a bit of a cold during some of the chapters, poor lad. I do like the fact that he narrates all the MV novels and have become very comfortable with his reading style. As far as Komarr is concerned, the plot serves the characters pretty well, and the characters themselves are complex enough to be interesting without being confusing.

Bujold is one of my favorite modern Sci Fi authors. Her characterization is very strong, with wit, intelligence, good stories, and even some romance ??? I think. Komarr is no exception. Komarr has less action than almost any of the other Vorkosigan novels, yet it had enough for me. It is truly remarkable that Bujold has written so many good books. Komarr has a nice little mystery and some action, but it is mostly character development and relationship building. This was not my favorite Bujold novel, but it was nevertheless superior to almost any other Sci Fi out there.

STORY BRIEF:
Inhabitants of Komarr live in domes and wear oxygen masks when outside. The planet is in process of being transformed into a more habitable place with the use of a solar mirror. The mirror is shattered by a starship. Miles is sent by the emperor of Barrayar to investigate. Miles and his co-investigator stay with Ekaterin and her husband Tien during the investigation.

Ekaterin is unhappy in her marriage. Because of her husband’s demands Ekaterin suppresses her personality. She lives as a stone but must pretend to enjoy Tien. She doesn’t stand up to Tien to get medical help for their son. She doesn’t have much backbone, but she does some smart and brave things later.

When pregnant with Miles, his mother was exposed to chemicals which caused birth defects. Miles is 4'9" tall due to skeletal problems and periodically has epileptic-type convulsions. He has a brilliant mind and had many successes as a spy and negotiator for the government (in prior books). He is currently a government auditor (investigator).

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This reads like a mystery - a long slow process of investigation with an eventual climax with the bad guys. The good guys win through smarts and bravery. This is not romance. A couple is not together at the end, but there is potential for romance in a sequel. Miles is attracted to Ekaterin, but she does not know it. She has not reciprocated. These are the two main characters in the story. She has accidental and coincidental interactions with the bad guys which keeps her in the story.

For me, I would have preferred more interesting characters. Many of the characters’ interactions and conversations were normal. Their actions could easily be set in current day earth - just change the bubble pods to automobiles and add some titles like “my lord auditor.” Sci fi fans should like this more than I. Wormholes facilitate interplanetary travel.

I didn’t know until after I finished this book that this is book #11 in a series with Miles as the main character.

NARRATOR:
I was uncomfortable with the narrator. I suppose he was ok, but his voice irritated me. His interpretation of different personalities might be different than mine.

Ending: good guys win.
Genre: sci-fi mystery.

With his usual "grace" Miles falls in love. This is the funny,heart warming, and just plain action packied good fun that we have come to expect from Bujold. This audio book is well presented and well paced. The Narrator even captures the wry wit of Miles.

The ending was perfect with just the right touch of humor.

The scene where Miles and Ekaterin go shopping was especially well done. The Madam shall we wade line delivered with just the right touch.

I can see this as a romantic sci fi movie. It is enough of a stand alone story that it could be adapted but the Tag line would have to be Love blooms under glass or something like that.

Get this book you wll enjoy it. It is one of ther author's best and is an excellent place to start in the series if you have not encountered Miles before now.

Admonition: I finished this series months ago but I just slammed a new SciFi compenduim so hard in a review that I felt bad, hence this review. :)

Some time ago I finished the last of the Vorkosigan series -- every reading was just outstanding. Lois McMaster Bujold is a strong writer with a good technical/science background. She is the perfect scientist, warrior, politician and all of the stories are woven like a cat's cradle of these elements.

Very much recommended.

This has been my least favorite book of the series so far. It was his first book in his new role, and it was a little rough. Not a lot of excitement and the plot kind of plodding along. At no point in this book did I feel excited to find out what happened next. It definitely had the feeling to be a setup book for the series. It was still a decent listen, just not nearly as good as the rest.

They focused a lot of character development, but the main plot was very weak and when it finally crested at it's high point, it was kind of a dud.

I liked that the Miles character was made to develop his approach to life, although I miss the cavalier characteristics, it seemed a natural morph of character and the change kept the story from being overly predictable.

it was okay

yes.....the reader is really good

no

no

Ekaterina, she was trapped in a terrible relationship, which seemed alright because it wasn't violent, until she realizes that she doesn't have to stay, even though leaving is scary. I wish I had recognized this when I was in a similar relationship, rather than seeing it in hindsight.