Journal Entry 1 by SheWhoReads from Athens, Georgia USA on Thursday, April 22, 2004

This is a fabulous book, the second in the Vorkosigan series (after Shards of Honor). Cordelia Naismith is a wonderful character, smart, funny, and possessed of a razor-sharp insight. This is, simultaneously, a novel about a couple gradually settling into the beginning of their marriage, what it means to be a mother and the lengths a mother will go for her child, political intrigue, and an action-packed sci-fi adventure. It's got something for everyone! I can't recommend it highly enough!

Here's the blurb:

"Cordelia Naismith, legendary ship commander in the Betan Expeditionary Force, a woman who beat the Barrayaran militarists at their own game, was never one to fulfill stereotypes. Having married the commander of the forces her side defeated in battle, she was ready to settle down to a quiet life devoted to raising little Vor lordlings, interrupted only by the occasional ceremonial appearances required of the Lady Vorkosigan.

"But Cordelia had not paid sufficient attention to what an important Vor lord she had married; when the Emperor died, only her husband's reputation for honor stood between her adopted planet and the unspeakable horrors of a dynastic civil war fought by first-rate soldiers armed with up-to-the-minute technology.

"Aral Vorkosigan had little choice but to take up the burden of Regency -- as Cordelia had little choice but to support him in his decision. But neither of them realized the part Cordelia -- and her unborn son -- would play in Barrayar's bloody legacy." 

Journal Entry 2 by SheWhoReads from Athens, Georgia USA on Friday, May 28, 2004

Journal Entry 3 by billhookbabe on Tuesday, June 29, 2004

It's here It's here. got it this morning. Thanks.
Look forward to the read. 

Journal Entry 4 by billhookbabe on Monday, July 19, 2004

I really enjoyed the fact that this book was written from the point of view of a mother and a captain. Cordelia does not want the leadership thrust upon her, but her leadership skills are great. She is a no nonsense woman working in a world that is virtually unfamiliar and opposite to her own, she is married to the most powerful man on that world and has to work to get to grips with all the manoueverings that go on in the military hierarchy. I really enjoyed the adventure in the book, but had trouble getting into the story because of the language. Once in it was great.

I should read the first one now.

Thanks for sharing this one SheWhoReads, It will be on its way within the week.
 

Journal Entry 5 by billhookbabe on Monday, September 06, 2004

This book has been with me for sometime now, so with permission I am going to send it on to katayoun in Iran as a suprise with another book she is expecting. I know this one by Lois McMaster Bujold was not on your list, but it was the nearest thing on your wishlist. 

Journal Entry 6 by katayoun from Tehran, Tehran Iran on Sunday, September 26, 2004

thanks, a very nice surprise, it seems that it's raining bujold for me, since i got komarr as loan from pdb11 and also have got memory from him and then HAD to go an buy a civil campaign when i was vacation (and near a bookshop!) and now this.
so now while i still haven't read any bujolds and would like to read one, i'm being tortured with them arriving right and left and me being stuck with 10000 rays/rings!! .... did i really thank you :)
i'll try to read this as soon as possible and certainly before any other bujold, since it seems its somewhere first in the series, and yet i have 4 more books before this. let me know where to send it next, or shall i advertise the ray and continue it? let me know