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Borders of Infinity (Vorkosigan Saga, #8)
by
Lois McMaster Bujold (Goodreads Author)
Fans of the bestselling Vorkosigan Saga can get this limited edition volume for a great low price. The series has won the Hugo and Nebula awards and has been called "space opera at its best" by "Publishers Weekly."
Paperback, 311 pages
Published
October 1st 1989
by Baen
(first published 1989)
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Following the resounding success of my Locus Quest, I faced a dilemma: which reading list to follow it up with? Variety is the spice of life, so I’ve decided to diversify and pursue six different lists simultaneously. This book falls into my GIFTS AND GUILTY list.
Regardless of how many books are already queued patiently on my reading list, unexpected gifts and guilt-trips will always see unplanned additions muscling their way in at the front.
I had scheduled this to be read several weeks ago, bu...more
The Vorkosigan Saga is adventurous space opera with some romantic relationships here and there. As science fiction it's not outstanding, even though some innovations are interesting. The strength of this series -- for me -- is how Bujold handles characterization and plot development. Her pacing is good, too.
I'm becoming fixated on Miles Vorkosigan, a brilliant mind in a brittle body. He's nothing to look at, standing not five-feet tall in his boots, with a skewed spine and bones that easily brea...more
I'm becoming fixated on Miles Vorkosigan, a brilliant mind in a brittle body. He's nothing to look at, standing not five-feet tall in his boots, with a skewed spine and bones that easily brea...more
3 likes · like · see review
Oct 13, 2009
Carolyn
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
science-fiction_space-opera
Read all three of these novellas as part of the omnibus editions.
Mountains of Mourning - Miles is sent to the backcountry of his home district on Barrayar to investigate an infanticide and dispense justice, if he can. This is during the early stages of his career, best to read sometime before the midpoint of the series, as it is briefly referred back to in the later books.
Labrynth - Miles and the Dendarii are sent to collect a geneticist who wants to defect to the Barrayar from Jackson's Whole....more
Mountains of Mourning - Miles is sent to the backcountry of his home district on Barrayar to investigate an infanticide and dispense justice, if he can. This is during the early stages of his career, best to read sometime before the midpoint of the series, as it is briefly referred back to in the later books.
Labrynth - Miles and the Dendarii are sent to collect a geneticist who wants to defect to the Barrayar from Jackson's Whole....more
3 likes · like · see review
Great character development through three linked novellas about young Miles Vorkosigan working his way along in his military career in Bujold�s outstanding space opera series. In �Mountains of Mourning�, he is tasked while on leave by his Prime Minister father to serve as judge and detective in a case of infanticide in a rural backwater on his home world of Barrayar. In �Labyrinth�, he has to infiltrate a prison camp of an empire at war with Barrayar as preparation for a rescue of the 10,000 pri...more
My favorite Miles Vorkosigan tale is the one where he rescues prisoners of war. It's in this volume, but I can't remember the name of it.
Labyrinth is a story where Miles has to retrieve some genetic material; he is astounded to learn that the material is part of a super soldier created by committee...
The Mountains of Mourning is his investigation of an infanticide in his district's own Dendarii Mountains.
I especially appreciate how Bujold's characters grow and learn over the course of the series...more
Labyrinth is a story where Miles has to retrieve some genetic material; he is astounded to learn that the material is part of a super soldier created by committee...
The Mountains of Mourning is his investigation of an infanticide in his district's own Dendarii Mountains.
I especially appreciate how Bujold's characters grow and learn over the course of the series...more
1 like · like · see review
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Originally published on my blog here in August 2001.
Though this book is described as a novel, it is a collection of three previously published novellas with linking passages which amount to the thinnest of narratives and which can only total about ten pages. The three stories are of a far higher standard, particularly Borders of Infinity itself.
The first story, The Mountains of Mourning, set early in Miles' career, is a murder investigation, complicated by the backwoods Barrayan attitude to muta...more
Though this book is described as a novel, it is a collection of three previously published novellas with linking passages which amount to the thinnest of narratives and which can only total about ten pages. The three stories are of a far higher standard, particularly Borders of Infinity itself.
The first story, The Mountains of Mourning, set early in Miles' career, is a murder investigation, complicated by the backwoods Barrayan attitude to muta...more
This is a collection of three novellas, which take place between Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game, with a little bridge between them of Illyan debriefing Miles on the three events. All three are great examples of Miles in action - One as Miles the other two as Admiral Naismith of the Dendarii mercenary fleet.
The Mountains of Mourning - This story is Miles first real test as the heir to the Vorkosigan legacy as he gets unintentionally involved in a infanticide investigation in the hill coun...more
The Mountains of Mourning - This story is Miles first real test as the heir to the Vorkosigan legacy as he gets unintentionally involved in a infanticide investigation in the hill coun...more
Feb 13, 2012
Jessica Snell
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
romance
Here is my theory - and if anyone besides me has noticed this, I haven't read about it, so it's just begging for a English term paper to be written on it - I think that Lois McMaster Bujold's novella The Borders of Infinity is (among other things) a riff on Dante's Inferno.
Why? (Here there be spoilers. For both works.)
1. The Borders of Infinity opens with Miles Vorkosigan thinking, "How could I have died and gone to hell without noticing the transition?" Hell. Yes. That one word is part of my...more
Why? (Here there be spoilers. For both works.)
1. The Borders of Infinity opens with Miles Vorkosigan thinking, "How could I have died and gone to hell without noticing the transition?" Hell. Yes. That one word is part of my...more
This short story, collected in the Miles Errant omnibus, is a tidy set piece. It opens with Miles in a Cetagandan prison camp. The camp consists of some terrain enclosed in a dome shaped force field. No visible guards or anything like that. Every day, ration bars (one per prisoner) are passed through the force field. Inevitably, fights break out about the food. Equally inevitably, cliques have formed, for mutual protection and for acquisition of food. Miles has a secret agenda, but how will he t...more
Mar 08, 2011
June
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Bujold fans
Shelves:
adventure,
sciencefiction
Miles is recuperating from having replacement surgery for his fragile bone. Simon comes to get the details on reports and accounting for the Dendarii. This is an excuse for some flashbacks. He remembers the Mountains of Mourning where a woman comes to his father for justice when her newborn is killed due to the mutation of a harelip. Miles father sends Miles to be his Voice. Messenger and message delivered in a way to that can not be ignored that times had changed. Simon asks Miles to go over hi...more
Three novellas about Miles. The frame story is fairly weak, though it does give us a little more perspective on Illyan.
In "The Mountains of Mourning," he investigates a crime in a rural area of his district. It's an emotional story that works on several levels. Miles feels a personal connection to the case and struggles with the idea that justice isn't just a matter of finding the culprit.
"Labyrinth" is about some complications that arise during a Dendarii mission at Jackson's Hole. The genetic...more
In "The Mountains of Mourning," he investigates a crime in a rural area of his district. It's an emotional story that works on several levels. Miles feels a personal connection to the case and struggles with the idea that justice isn't just a matter of finding the culprit.
"Labyrinth" is about some complications that arise during a Dendarii mission at Jackson's Hole. The genetic...more
Apr 11, 2013
Christy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own-it-audible,
audio-listened
Two weeks later, I have to upgrade this from 4 to 5 stars because of the resonances of these novellas throughout the rest of the series. This collection seems essential.
-------
The three novellas comprising this book are all thought-provoking and disturbing in different ways. All three give wonderful insights into the demons that drive Miles, in a way that maybe isn't as obvious in the novels.
In "The Mountains of Mourning" we are taken into the Barryaran backwoods to see up close the culture of...more
-------
The three novellas comprising this book are all thought-provoking and disturbing in different ways. All three give wonderful insights into the demons that drive Miles, in a way that maybe isn't as obvious in the novels.
In "The Mountains of Mourning" we are taken into the Barryaran backwoods to see up close the culture of...more
Jan 27, 2011
Maureen E
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
scifi,
short-stories
“The Mountains of Mourning,” “Labyrinth,” and “Borders of Infinity.” I’d read two of the three stories before, in other omnibus editions, but it was interesting to see the three linked by a very loose sort of narrative arc. I was trying to figure out why these three were chose in particular when I happened to see the front flap which helps tell us that, “Here are three episodes from the life of Miles Vorkosigan illuminating his painful training and experience.” Painful is right. None of these ar...more
Once again, Miles' adventures with the Dendarii Mercenaries have landed him in hot water. A rival faction in the Council of Counts is planning to make political hay from the (admittedly steep) expenses incurred by the Dendarii. To avert the brewing scandal, Miles must confess to his boss, the formidable Simon Illyan, the truth about three noteworthy (and quite costly) missions.
Of the three stories, I think the last, eponymous one (in which Miles attempts to liberate a particularly horrifying pri...more
Of the three stories, I think the last, eponymous one (in which Miles attempts to liberate a particularly horrifying pri...more
May 06, 2012
Lisa (Harmonybites)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Science Fiction Fans
There are two works by Bujold to be found under this title and both are part of her Vorkosigan Saga featuring Miles Vorkosigan. One is a grouping of three novellas with a framing story that includes the short story "Borders of Infinity" as well as "Mountains of Mourning" and "Labyrinth." The story is also included in the omnibus edition of Miles Errant along with Brothers in Arms and Mirror Dance. This review and rating is for the short story alone, which epitomizes so much I love in Miles. Brai...more
Three Miles stories from three different times of his life and career. They are all absolutely fantastic and each are defining moments for Miles. "Mountains of Mourning" shows the reader the rural, brutal Barrayar that is only hinted of in the rest of the series; "Labyrinth" gives us a delightful first look at Taura and Jackson's Hole; and "Borders of Infinity" never fails to make me tear up. I wish that Baen had decided to do without the framing story which really adds nothing to either the boo...more
Miles is in a POW camp and true to his personality, he can't abide conditions that degrade the population. After a chance meeting with the wandering and supposed madman, Suegar, Miles becomes imbued with religious zeal and inspires the population of the camp to unite for a common purpose. Of course, beyond their next meal, none is quite sure what this purpose might be - except Miles.
My favourite Vorkosigan novella so far, leads perfectly into the novel Brothers in Arms.
My favourite Vorkosigan novella so far, leads perfectly into the novel Brothers in Arms.
Mountains of Mourning. A pretty young Miles (21) is sent to find out who murdered a handicapped baby. Very sad because Miles, if he had lived in this small town, might have been murdered too because of his difference. Sad, compelling story. Loved Miles' relationship with his horse.
Labyrinth. I read this in another omnibus so I will not give another review of that short story here.
Borders of Infinity. Heartbreak! A friend and a potential romance cut
down. I'm at jury duty whispering "Oh, no!" S...more
Labyrinth. I read this in another omnibus so I will not give another review of that short story here.
Borders of Infinity. Heartbreak! A friend and a potential romance cut
down. I'm at jury duty whispering "Oh, no!" S...more
1 like · like · see review
Three very satisfying Miles short stories. I read them in publication order during my Vorkosigan saga re-read, which is to say: I read "The Mountains of Mourning" after finishing The Warrior's Apprentice, then read The Vor Game and Cetaganda, and finally came back to read "Labyrinth" and "The Borders of Infinity" -- a convoluted reading order which gets the thumbs-up from me.
You get the most out of "The Mountains of Mourning" if you've also read Barrayar recently, I think. The main plot is basic...more
You get the most out of "The Mountains of Mourning" if you've also read Barrayar recently, I think. The main plot is basic...more
Miles’ mother was pregnant with him when an assassination attempt was foiled; however, she was still exposed to the poison, and as a result Miles was born with health problems: fragile bones. It subsequently stunted his growth, but did nothing to affect his brain. He worked hard and was eventually able to graduate from the military academy, and it was his cleverness that caused him to be recruited into the Service (the equivalent of the CIA).
This is not the first, nor the last, book about Miles...more
This is not the first, nor the last, book about Miles...more
Aug 26, 2009
Nicolas
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cycle-la-saga-vorkosigan,
enquête,
guerre,
humanité,
innocence,
mutants,
nouvelles,
sexe,
rayon-fantasy-et-sf
Ce livre regroupe trois longues nouvelles fort différentes mettant en scène Miles dans toutes les facettes de sa vie.
Dans la première, "les montagnes de l'oubli", Miles va être envoyé en tant que voix du comte pour résoudre une petite affaire d'infanticide de mutant au fin fond de la cambrousse. C'est une histoire assez dure, qui montre bien comment des conditions de vie rudes peuvent rendre à leur tour les gens rudes. Elle montre également, et c'est plus subtil, que si le progrès et la toléranc...more
Dans la première, "les montagnes de l'oubli", Miles va être envoyé en tant que voix du comte pour résoudre une petite affaire d'infanticide de mutant au fin fond de la cambrousse. C'est une histoire assez dure, qui montre bien comment des conditions de vie rudes peuvent rendre à leur tour les gens rudes. Elle montre également, et c'est plus subtil, que si le progrès et la toléranc...more
The Borders of Infinity is a unique addition to the Vorkosigan Saga, since except in the loosest term it is not really a novel. It is three long stories joined by a nominal frame, touching on various portions of Miles's life. The story begins with Miles flat on his back after surgery, reflecting on various adventures in his life. The first story, the Mountains of Mourning, is a self-contained tale about an infanticide case for which he acted as judge and jury in his role as Count's Heir; the bab...more
I can't even begin to describe in this short entry how much I enjoyed Borders of Infinity by Lois McMaster Bujold. This limited edition novel is actually made up of three novellas previously published in science fiction magazines. Then a few extra pages were written to wrap the stories together as a series of interviews between Miles Vorkosigan (the protagonist) and Simon Illyan.
The first story: "The Mountains of Mourning" was published in Analog in 1989. It covers Miles time back home after gra...more
The first story: "The Mountains of Mourning" was published in Analog in 1989. It covers Miles time back home after gra...more
This is another in the Miles Vorkosigan series. When reading an earlier book, I could not decide if I liked Miles. I've decided now that I adore Miles! To quote a friend, "He's such a Kirk!" [return][return]In this installment, Miles recounts three adventures that led to his hospitalization and inquiries concerning the amount of money his mercenary forces are spending. Miles recounts the successes of the three jobs, and the devastating losses.
I've actually read two books in this series by Lois McMaster Bujold (Ceteganda) and loved both (just forgot to update my Good Reads since I am new to this). The main character is compelling, the stories are interesting and complex, and there is great humor throughout as well as tension. Very entertaining. Now I need to go back and read the first one in the series because I like to read these things in order:)
Three novellas
The Mountains of Mourning: Aware of his own deformities and the remedies his parents originally faced (abortion or infanticide), Miles investigates a case of infanticide among the mountain people in the Vorkosigan district. Follows The Warrior's Apprentice chronologically and a part of the Young Miles omnibus.
The Mountains of Mourning: Aware of his own deformities and the remedies his parents originally faced (abortion or infanticide), Miles investigates a case of infanticide among the mountain people in the Vorkosigan district. Follows The Warrior's Apprentice chronologically and a part of the Young Miles omnibus.
Labyrinth: Miles and his Dendarii mercenaries only have to pick up a defecting geneticist from Jackson Whole, a planet run by organized crime syndicates. Sounds simple? Follow
...more
Genre: Science Fiction
I don’t go back and re-read this very often, because it’s a trio of novellas tied together with a framing story, rather then a “normal” novel. However, this is a disservice to the book. It really is Bujold at her poignant best. I think this is the first in the series that seriously starts looking at trust and honor. Listening too it I really saw the kernels that will become Memory (my all-time favorite novel).
Per usual, Grover Gardner gives a stellar performance.
I don’t go back and re-read this very often, because it’s a trio of novellas tied together with a framing story, rather then a “normal” novel. However, this is a disservice to the book. It really is Bujold at her poignant best. I think this is the first in the series that seriously starts looking at trust and honor. Listening too it I really saw the kernels that will become Memory (my all-time favorite novel).
Per usual, Grover Gardner gives a stellar performance.
I really loved this book when I first read it, and still loved it after re-listening to it. Actually, listening to someone reading it adds a new depth to the story of Miles and I enjoyed it a lot. All the stories in this collection are not exactly "happy" stories, but leave you with something that makes you contemplate on the importance of "how" you live your life...
Good collection of 3 short stories told as flashbacks while Miles is in hospital after the adventures described and mentioned in Brothers in Arms (although the third story is referenced a lot in Brothers in Arms, so I'm not sure what the right reading order is). The last story has way harsher language than the rest of the series so far, which irritated me.
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One of the most respected writers in the field of speculative fiction, Lois McMaster Bujold burst on to the scene in 1986 with Shards of Honor, the first of her tremendously popular Vorkosigan Saga novels. She has received numerous accolades and prizes, including two Nebula Awards for Best Novel (Falling Free and Paladin of Souls), four Hugo Awards for Best Novel (Paladin of Souls, The Vor Game, B...more
More about Lois McMaster Bujold...
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updated May 09, 2013 04:08am