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Avg. Rating: 4.5
Out Of Sync
Most of the quality aspects of the earlier books in the series continue in Brothers In Arms, which makes it surprising and a little confusing why this book misses the mark.
Miles, is by far, still the most interesting figure in the book. The wit and quick thinking way he is written is something I have yet to see in any other major sci-fi book. In nearly every book on the market, the main character is a physical dynamo and expert in all fields. The frailty the character is written with makes his silver tonged existence stand out all that much more.
Nearly all the other characters in the book also continue to be well constructed, avoiding most cliche's and seeming real and spectacular, as usual. The one major exception, and what more then anything draws down the book is Mark. He is whinny and, for lack of a better word, un-interesting. It amazes me that someone who is made to be a clone of the main character can feel so amazingly different. His sections are worth skimming more then reading.
The plot holds up, although to a less interesting degree then its' predecessors. Most of the mysteries and drama in the book were fine, but as with the character, everything involving the clone plot-line falls a bit flat.
This is not a bad bood by any stretch. It is still much better then most of its competitors ont he shelf. It just doesn't hold to the high standards set by the rest of the series.
Not Free SF Reader
Cousin clone kill.
Miles has problems on most fronts. The Cetagandans are none too happy with his escapades. His conservative opposition is none to happy with his escapades. He has a clone brother that wants to kill him. As far as I remember, I think he had enough clean undies and socks to go around though.
A spot of survival and reconciliation is in order.
Another excellent book in the Vorkosigan series
You can always count on one of Bujold's Vorkosigan books to be well-written, carefully plotted, and with interesting characters. This is no exception. Here, Miles has emerged from a major coup, liberating a prisoner-of-war camp, but comes to Earth for repairs for his mercenary fleet (which is actually being subsized by Barrajar, but that's not something we talk about). Of course, nothing ends up routine: he has enemies who track him down, and amazingly enough, replace him with a clone. Miles must deal with the situation while at the same time cope with his feelings for his "brother," who shouldn't suffer for the situation he's been forced into. As usual, Miles bends the rules, uses some brilliant tactics, has a suitable amount of angst, and comes out on top. You can always count on Bujold.
Miles is two men in one or is that 3 ?
Admiral Naismith has just come into Earth orbit with ships that need refitting, injured and dead crew that need medical care, and the Cetagandan hit squads hopefully lost behind. The Dendarii need their pay for the horrendously expensive jail break they just performed (See Borders of Infinity). He needs money and to check in with the Barrayaran Embassy.
The usual benign beginning turns into intrigue when the Embassy Security doesn't even know Naismith is owed money, his calls for money to his usual sources are unanswered, he's confined to quarters, the Dendarii are at loose ends and getting in trouble, these a plot afoot to kidnap him, a report thinks Naismith and Vorkosigan are the same person, and Ivan is working at the Embassy.
In this book we get an introduction to Galeni and to Lord Mark. There is a lot going on in this book. There's not only the story of the book but much of the background and history that will feature in the next several books is laid in this one.
If your looking for a book to take your mind of your life for a few hours--this is it. There's action, intrigue, plot twists, and the usual wit and humor. At least I know I wouldn't mind a living fur blanket that purrs providing I wasn't allergic to it.
Read and enjoy.
Vorkosigan series just keeps getting better
Courage, honor, psychology, truthfulness, patriotism, and intrigue. Romance, action, divided loyalties, manipulaton, suspicion, and mistaken identities. Grudge holding, family, adventure, living fur blankets, blackmail, and money. Fighting, showdowns, betrayal, plotting, and sex. And a whole lot more. "Brothers in Arms", the fifth novel, chronologically, in the life story of Miles Vorkosigan, is an explosion, packing in so much pure stuff into an utterly insane yet compulsively logical plot that it will make your head spin.
Shortly after pulling off the amazing prison break in "Borders of Infinity", the Dendarii mercenaries arrive at Earth with vengeful Cetagandans in hot pursuit. They need time for rest, repose, and repairs. Miles meets up with the Barrayaran embassy, but (surprise, surprise) problems develop. He tries to get an emergency payment from the emperor, but the money fails to arrive. Has he been duped? Is the current ambassador trying to filch the money? Is one of Miles' many enemies interrupting the transfer?
While he rushes to solve the mystery, more problems develop. Rogue mercenaries start a firefight in a London liquor shop. An Earth reporter is closing in on the secret of his true identity. An assassination attempt forces him into hiding. Then, out of nowhere comes a plot twist so huge it will dazzle you. And then another one. And then another after that. And more and more. I personally am surprised that one person could manage to craft a book like this without going insane. but Bujold has always been a woman of many talents. Here, on top juggling all the competing avenues of intrigue and suspense, she also manages to work in an amazingly detailed and sympathetic look at Miles' personal entanglements.
We've all heard this series referred to as the greatest space opera ever written. When you read "Brothers in Arms", you'll realize that the earlier books in the series are actually just setup for this and later volumes. Considering that the earlier books won three Hugos, I think that's pretty telling.
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