Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
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Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
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Narrated by:
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Grover Gardner
About this listen
Audie Award Winner, Science Fiction, 2014
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 - making the ultimate sacrifice to keep her from harm: the treasured and hard-won freedom from his own fate as a scion of Barrayar.
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers of science fiction and fantasy, having won five Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. In 2011 she was awarded the Skylark Award for her significant contributions to science fiction.
©2012 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2012 Blackstone AudioListeners also enjoyed...
Excellent addition to the saga
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Whilst set in a sci-fi universe with stunners and plasma arcs, this is a very standard Regency Romance. The plot is almost a direct fusion of two of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels (I won't mention which two for fear of spoilers).
If, like me, you enjoy sci-fi based on character development and interaction then I recommend this as an undemanding, pleasant listen.
Grover Gardner does his usual workmanlike job of reading. He isn't great with character voices and accents- Ivan speaking sarcastically sounds the same as Miles speaking sarcastically sounds the same as his admiral speaking sarcastically - but he has a lovely reading voice suitable for hours of listening.
Typically Excellent Bujold
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As always a great listen
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There's a bit of an adventure plot and a slice of a mystery plot, but both of these take backseat to an enjoyable Georgette Heyer-esque romance story, which gives Ivan the opportunity to be a hero / knight errant in his own right. There's a some fun dialogue, and witty asides as Ivan is shocked to find himself in trouble without help from his cousin Miles, which is all very enjoyable. The heart of the story, though, is two people coming to terms with what they themselves want out of life, as opposed to what others expect them to want.
As with others in this series (which I have only listened to as audiobooks-please excuse misspellings of character names), the book is engagingly read by Grover Gardner. I don't want to give away plot details, but the story twisted enough to keep me interested, and whilst this isn't necessarily my favourite of the series, I'm certain I will be wanting to listen to it again at some point. Money (or credits) very well spent!
Worthy addition to a great series
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In this one he is still very much his own character, but we see the more grown up, responsible man. Where in a book about Miles we would become involved in an avalanche and enjoying the danger. Ivan still wants to avoid problems (and dark, wet, cramped places).
Miles does make a guest appearance, but this is not a book about him.
I wouldn't say it's the best of the series, but like most of Bujold's books it will certainly bear re-reading.
As always Grover Gardner narrates beautifully.
Ivan takes centre stage
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