Book Fourteen in the best-selling Vorkosigan series! Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life of a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Ivan, cousin to Imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the Byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, Ivan's chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril!
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga)
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Special Offer until June 30, 2013: Receive an additional £5 promotional Gift Certificate, when you trade-in at least £10 worth of books. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By C Richards
Format:Hardcover
I'm a Bujold addict so needed to have the reviews as soon as I could: and of course nowadays that means borrowing from the US website (why the delay with the WWW....) so I'm cross posting, no apologies but perhaps a mini-spoiler alert:
Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Cousin to imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, Ivan is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, his chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril.
Tej Arqua and her half-sister and servant Rish are fleeing the violent overthrow of their clan on free-for-all planet Jackson's Whole. Now it seems Tej may possess a secret of which even she may not be aware -- a secret that could corrupt the heart of a highly regarded Barrayaran family and provide the final advantage for the thugs who seek to overthrow Tej's homeworld. But none of Tej's formidable adversaries have counted on Ivan Vorpatril. For behind Ivan's facade of wry and self-effacing humor lies a true and cunning protector who will never leave a distressed lady in the lurch. But when his attempt to ask the woman out ends up with her handmaiden knocking him out and tying him to a chair, Ivan realizes that something very bad is going on. It quickly becomes clear that there is only one way Ivan can save himself and his charge but that is but a step into many sub plots and competitors' agendas.... Read more ›
Captain Ivan Vorpatril is happy with his relatively uneventful bachelor's life as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. Cousin to imperial troubleshooter Miles Vorkosigan, Ivan is not far down the hereditary list for the emperorship. Thankfully, new heirs have directed that headache elsewhere, leaving Ivan to enjoy his life on Komarr, far from the byzantine court politics of his home system. But when an old friend in Barrayaran intelligence asks Ivan to protect an attractive young woman who may be on the hit list of a criminal syndicate, his chivalrous nature takes over. It seems danger and adventure have once more found Captain Vorpatril.
Tej Arqua and her half-sister and servant Rish are fleeing the violent overthrow of their clan on free-for-all planet Jackson's Whole. Now it seems Tej may possess a secret of which even she may not be aware -- a secret that could corrupt the heart of a highly regarded Barrayaran family and provide the final advantage for the thugs who seek to overthrow Tej's homeworld. But none of Tej's formidable adversaries have counted on Ivan Vorpatril. For behind Ivan's facade of wry and self-effacing humor lies a true and cunning protector who will never leave a distressed lady in the lurch. But when his attempt to ask the woman out ends up with her handmaiden knocking him out and tying him to a chair, Ivan realizes that something very bad is going on. It quickly becomes clear that there is only one way Ivan can save himself and his charge but that is but a step into many sub plots and competitors' agendas.... Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By ECT
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
How wonderful to spend time with Ivan without him being overshadowed by Miles. Miles is a great character but finding Ivan's hidden depths has been most enjoyable. This is a great addition to the Vorkosigan Saga and I hope Ms Bujold writes more books showing the supporting cast in greater detail.
As ever there are some wonderful pieces of humour & drama in this book (and the two are not mutually exclusive) with the usual lively pace drawing you on to the end. "I'll just finish this chapter......".
If you are a fan of the series this is a must have on your bookshelf or e-reader.
As ever there are some wonderful pieces of humour & drama in this book (and the two are not mutually exclusive) with the usual lively pace drawing you on to the end. "I'll just finish this chapter......".
If you are a fan of the series this is a must have on your bookshelf or e-reader.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
...and then I fell of my chair. I like regular Bujold but it's nice to have a central character, indeed more than one, who doesn't want anything more than a quiet life and would really like their hidden depths to remain hidden. Watching Ivan being dragged kicking and screaming into intrigue, matrimony and love (in that order) deal with his relatives (both old and new) and accidentally doing some major property damage (at one point I ran around my living room laughing like a maniac) was the most fun I've had with a book for ages.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The plot: Ivan Vorpatril is doing duty on Komarr, a colony planet, when an ImpSec agent asks for help - a help that neatly synches with Ivan's style in rescuing beautiful young women. Only, this time the women shoot him... and so starts another of those mad headlong Komarr/Barrayar/Jackson's Whole stories, with (and I quote) "almost-stolen treasure, crime lords, off-world invasion, secret bombings, ugly kidnappings of beautiful women, and much, much more..."
My opinion: most enjoyable - not her *very* best, I think, but that is after just one readthrough - a bit unfair, that, since I have read Cordelia's honor at least six times, and the others in the wonderful Vorkosigan saga many times as well. Bujold is up to her usual tricks, both stylistic and story-wise: you are being seduced into a romantic mood when the next bomb explodes all over the plot, literally or otherwise, and throws it all into glorious disarray... with Ivan, as usual, muttering "*not* my fault... " I was taken aback in seeing a reference about consulting Aral on Sergyar, but in the timeline stat at the end of the book I see this (CVA) slots in just *before* Cryoburn. More to come, we all fervently hope!
P.S. I almost forgot - Baen has provided, as usual, a ghastly cover (back cover, the front is standard SF fare) with really *really* bad interpretations of what the main personages look like - you have been warned!
My opinion: most enjoyable - not her *very* best, I think, but that is after just one readthrough - a bit unfair, that, since I have read Cordelia's honor at least six times, and the others in the wonderful Vorkosigan saga many times as well. Bujold is up to her usual tricks, both stylistic and story-wise: you are being seduced into a romantic mood when the next bomb explodes all over the plot, literally or otherwise, and throws it all into glorious disarray... with Ivan, as usual, muttering "*not* my fault... " I was taken aback in seeing a reference about consulting Aral on Sergyar, but in the timeline stat at the end of the book I see this (CVA) slots in just *before* Cryoburn. More to come, we all fervently hope!
P.S. I almost forgot - Baen has provided, as usual, a ghastly cover (back cover, the front is standard SF fare) with really *really* bad interpretations of what the main personages look like - you have been warned!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Cailleach
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
...and here it is! As usual this is a charming and witty blend of adventure and romance centred around well developed and well loved characters. It's one of those books where people give you weird looks if you read it in public because you can't help falling over helplessly with laughter. Like many of the later Barrayar books, it's worth reading because of the rich and detailed character history which the series has built up over so many years - if you haven't read the previous books you'd be missing a lot of context. Lois McMaster Bujold's writing is fluid, observant, entertaining, and full of gentle ironic humour and absurd twists.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Marshall Lord
TOP 100 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This latest novel in the "Miles Vorkosigan" universe provides at long last a story centred on Miles' cousin, and often his reluctant sidekick, Ivan Vorpatril.
Although at the time of writing (Feb 2013) this is the sixteenth and most recently published book in the series it is chronologically the fifteenth and penultimate story: it is set around a year after the conclusion of "Diplomatic Immunity" and about four years prior to "Cryoburn SC (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures)."
Captain Lord Ivan Xav Vorpatril came over, most unfairly, as a bit dumb during most of the previous books of the series because they were told from the perspective of his brilliant cousin Miles. Throughout his life he has never had the opportunity to forget how dangerous politics can be: his father was gunned down on the day he was born, (for the story of the "Vordarian Pretendership," an attempted coup in which Ivan's father was killed, see "Barrayar)" with the result that Ivan's birthday has also included a commemoration of his murdered dad. For the third of a century following his birth, until his cousin Emperor Gregor married in "A Civil Campaign (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures)" and started producing children, Ivan was never more than three heartbeats away from the throne of Barrayar, and therefore had to be constantly watched by Imperial Security.... Read more ›
Although at the time of writing (Feb 2013) this is the sixteenth and most recently published book in the series it is chronologically the fifteenth and penultimate story: it is set around a year after the conclusion of "Diplomatic Immunity" and about four years prior to "Cryoburn SC (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures)."
Captain Lord Ivan Xav Vorpatril came over, most unfairly, as a bit dumb during most of the previous books of the series because they were told from the perspective of his brilliant cousin Miles. Throughout his life he has never had the opportunity to forget how dangerous politics can be: his father was gunned down on the day he was born, (for the story of the "Vordarian Pretendership," an attempted coup in which Ivan's father was killed, see "Barrayar)" with the result that Ivan's birthday has also included a commemoration of his murdered dad. For the third of a century following his birth, until his cousin Emperor Gregor married in "A Civil Campaign (Miles Vorkosigan Adventures)" and started producing children, Ivan was never more than three heartbeats away from the throne of Barrayar, and therefore had to be constantly watched by Imperial Security.... Read more ›
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 246 reviews
4.6 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gosh. I found another one..
After many years of reading the miles saga over and over again it was a joy to find a story about Ivan who was always a lot brighter than he pretended. Thank you so much!
Published 7 days ago by Pamela Baird
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another episode in the Vorkosinan Saga and again I could not put it...
This book has non stop action and it is great fun. With a crazy plot full of mad characters. Just total escapism.
Published 27 days ago by pat wellard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging and worthwhile
I love McMasters writing and have always liked the Ivan character from previous books so it's good to see him getting a book to himself.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. M. Hatherell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Series
This just about finishes off everything in the Miles Vorkosigan series. It is excellent, funny and enjoyable. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Just Julia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
A tour de force from Bujold. I love all the Barrayar stories and have frequently sympathised with Ivan being dragged into Miles' mad schemes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Thornton Hough
5.0 out of 5 stars
lois mcmaster once again queen of the space opera
Am still reading it, but enjoying it immensely, think maybe Miles has truly rubbed off on Ivan, stunningly good read
Published 2 months ago by H. Fulford
4.0 out of 5 stars
I would buy another Vorpatril book.
Ivan's perspective on things is an interesting departure from that of Miles. He is not as exceptional as Miles and I do not know if I would have enjoyed this as much if I had not... Read more
Published 4 months ago by MR N TURTON
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nicely written, but below Bujold's usual level
Another in Bujolds science fiction series, focusing of Ivan Vorpatril, cousin of Miles, nephew of Cordelia and Aral. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Emmett
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable
I love the world of Vorkosigan and am really pleased to have Ivan's character expanded. I hope LMB continues to write in this world as much as possible. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just wonderful
The plot and style of this book remind me of an old screwball comedy, starring someone like Cary Grant. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cal
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192198663_.gif){kind=small}
Listmania!
|
|
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fiction > Family Sagas
- Books > Romance > Sagas
- Books > Science Fiction > Adventure
- Books > Science Fiction > Space Opera
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
