Shards of Honor

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

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)

Avoid this book if you prefer hard sci-fi.....

If you are a fan of traditional hard science fiction and space opera by the likes of Peter Hamilton, Alastair Reynolds and Iain Banks, then you probably won't like this book. It is basically a love story that happens to be set in a futuristic setting. Not a bad story (if you like this genre), but few if any new ideas were presented and this book could have just as easily be set in modern times.

Shows you what to look forward to in later books!

This is Bujold's first and definitely weakest novel. That said, if you are a fan of the Vorkosigan clan or Ms. Bujold in general, don't miss this. Despite a clunky plot and a writer who is learning to flesh out her worldview, I found myself entranced by the younger versions of characters and a world I had come to know and love in the later series. They foreshadow themselves, and make you want to go back and listen to all the later novels again! Grover Gardner's reading is superb as always, and even if you haven't read her other books, I think this might intrigue you enough to try the next one. But really, this is a treat for people who already know Cordelia and Aral. You'll enjoy seeing their younger, clumsier selves.

Enjoyed it

I listened to this out of order from the Vorkosigan series and liked the look at Miles' progenitors. An enjoyable listen.

An epic series at its beginning

Once in a while I buy a book because I have a credit, not because I have a desire to read it. So this book stayed on my shelf for more than a year. And lucky me! If I would have started it earlier, I would have been hooked to the series much earlier and would have read all 16 of them in the past months! And had read no other books...

This is the start of the Vorkosigan series, and together with its successor Barrayar outlines the details of how Miles' parents met and came together. I will not spoil anything by saying this. The story is believable and entertaining at the same time. Cordelia and Aral are slowly showing their own character in the various actions that fill this first volume. And some other characters are introduced which become more important in the next episode. Although I rate Barrayar a bit higher due to suspense and story, Shards of Honor does not disappoint and it is a worthwhile introduction to the series.

If you don't like this book, than you can skip the rest too.
By the way, the start of the story of Miles Vorkosigan himself is with 'The Warrior's Apprentice'. Some reviewers feel it is better to start with that one.

Grover Gardner is great as always.

Fair story, poor action, uninspiring characters.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really, but I get the impression the series improved with time. It must have.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lois McMaster Bujold? Why or why not?

Based on reviews of subsequent books, I would take the chance.

Which scene was your favorite?

None really stand out.

Do you think Shards of Honor needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, it has many.

Horrible choice of narrator

I first read this book shortly after it’s publication in 1986. I looked forward to rereading it so to speak with Audible. However my enjoyment of the story was greatly diminished by the choice of a male narrator. Back in 1986, it was rare to have a sci-fi book with a strong female protagonist. To have Captain Cordelia’s Naismith’s story narrated by a male with a bad falsetto for her voice was awful. Read the book. It’s much better.

thought I wouldn't like it...

Based on the opening, I thought it would be a wacky space story or a campy romance. Turned out to be quite a decent story, well narrated.

Great narration, the book is less so

The story lacks internal integrity, and while the main male character is masterfully developed the female one isn't so.
Gardner's narration is excellent.

great mix of action and character building

What made the experience of listening to Shards of Honor the most enjoyable?

timeless - did not realize this was an older book until after I listened to it, likeable characters who persist through difficult situations ...great story

Great Book!

Bujold has an amazing gift for storytelling. there are no words exempt to say when her characters are wounded you bleed.