October Science Fiction Selection: Shards of Honor

[[deleted user]]

So, What did you think? I like Bujold but I never started this series until about 6 days ago. Before I share my opinions, I want to know what you all thought ... :-)

[Charles]

I don't know when I'll get around to reading this. I liked the one novel in the series I read (don't remember the name off the top of my head), and really liked the novella The Mountains Of Mourning, so it's definitely worth a look for me -- along with all the other stuff waiting for me to look at. :-(

[Brenda]

One of my favorite books of all time.

[Donna]

I looked back and I read Shards of Honor in June of 2012. I was a bit surprised at my review:

"I know the Vorkosigan Saga is very popular and this first book was on sale at audible.com so I decided to give it a try. It didn't blow me away but it was good enough that I will continue with the series and see how it develops."

Well, 16 months later I have read 13 books in the Vorkosigan Saga and it is one of my all time favorite series. Shards of Honor is important as a foundation story but the series really takes off with the introduction of Miles Vorkosigan, the intrepid hero of the series.

[Ben]

I enjoyed this book. I did not love it as some people did but I enjoyed it. Bujold absolutely fills the book with plot and action and I liked how it is the protagonists feelings for each other that motivates much of the action rather than some silly quest or McGuffin.

I had heard that it was going to be a SF romance and in the older sense of the word - fantastical adventure it definitely lives up to this but there was not too much development of their relationship, feelings and emotions as there would be in a traditional romance - they fell in love quickly and whilst it felt credible it was not a terribly interesting part of the story.

I enjoyed having a credible female character who was not just a man in a womans body but felt genuinely feminine and capable. She was a strong character and I enjoyed her being the protagonist more or less.

I would have liked more world building and for the world building to be more interesting - but there was so much action it would have been hard to fit more in.

There were a few jolting moments that I didnt like and I normally go for more substantial SF / fantasy. Compared to what I normally go for the writing was bland and the book was a bit insubstantial but it was an enjoyable read and I can see why she is so popular.

I went on to read mountains of mourning but probably will not rush to read anything else by her.

[Brenda]

At the very minimum you should read the next book. Holy hannah, that's a great ride.

[[deleted user]]

See. now I think I read it wrong. I've heard great things about the series and I just hated this book.

It started with Vorkosigan and what's her name Camilia being enemies stranded together, working together ... blah blah blah .... and I don't think I ever recovered. I stopped halfway through because it was doing so little for me.

and the thing is that I adore her Chalion series so I was looking forward to this one.

[[deleted user]]

I read this as an ebook before there was a Kindle on my Dell PDA. It wasn't bad but neither was it great. I eventual read the second book and a few of the Miles novels. I haven't them all from a legal Baen CD. I might go ahead and read the next one, but this is not the kind of novel I'll ever reread.

The best thing about Bujold is she can be entertaining; the worst is that's all she is. Her books are like McDonalds Cheeseburgers -- the fast food of writing.

I also think this book very much takes its structure from Romances novels.

[Sharon]

I have been a long-time Bujold fan but I arrived at the Vorkosigan series from the first Miles book. The two Cordelia books I read later, after I was already firmly convinced the female I would most like to be when I grew up was Cordelia even though Miles definitely resonated with me ... hyperactivity and all!

That said, I do find Shards of Honor a bit on the 'lightweight' side. I re-read it and enjoy it on occasion because I like Cordelia so much as a character, but it is the second book about Cordelia, Barrayarthat is my absolute favorite.

All through this series, there are very occasional references to the 'I'm tired of your war, end it' speech by Cordelia and it never fails to bring back that scene vividly to me, with great amusement.

[Jack]

I liked "Shards" when I read it. I didn't love it. "Barrayar" is still my favorite Cordelia book. Shopping trip.

The whole series is consistently entertaining. The first flash of brilliance IMO comes in "Mountains of Mourning". The arc between "Memory" & "A Civil Campaign" is consistently excellent. WRT Cordelia, the Barrayaran dismissive reaction to [the bug maker's] adulation in "A Civil Campaign" is a hoot.

[Carey]

I like the Vorkosigan series. I read this book after some of the Miles books. I agree that Cordelia is a very strong woman character that just gets stronger in the other books.

I would recommend that if you did not like this book at least try some of the books with Miles as the main character.

[Andrew✌️]

I started this book only yesterday and I read the first 20%. I like the story and the different societies you can see through the main carachters. But it's true that the entire series is composed by 19 books? And it's an unique story or is the union of different stories?

[Brenda]

Are you asking if each of the volumes is free-standing. Yes, they are. In theory you can pick up any one and just begin. Although there are certainly less-propitious places to begin, and the reading order of the volumes is a point of contentious debate. But since you have begun, do not worry about it.

[Andrew✌️]

Brenda wrote: "Are you asking if each of the volumes is free-standing. Yes, they are. In theory you can pick up any one and just begin. Although there are certainly less-propitious places to begin, and the readi..."

Ok. I asked because I'm not sure to find all the volumes, even in English only. I would hate to lose some pieces.
Thank you.

[Chad]

I asked because I'm not sure to find all the volumes, even in English only. I would hate to lose some pieces."

Digitally at least Baen.com has them available in reasonable omnibus editions

[Andrew✌️]

Chad wrote: " I asked because I'm not sure to find all the volumes, even in English only. I would hate to lose some pieces."

Digitally at least Baen.com has them available in reasonable omnibus editions"

Thank you. I found it very interesting.

[Andrew✌️]

I finished this book and I liked. This is one of the best saga I ever read. I think I'll read the next, to see if the feeling will be confirmed. However, I have the impression that this book is only a panoramic, an introduction in the Vorkosigan Saga. We'll see.

[Fayley]

I read this in the omnibus Cordelia's Honor which is Shards and Barrayar together, so I don't know if I would have enjoyed Shards alone. My reading enjoyment depends most strongly on characters that I admire and/or like and who behave in a believable manner (given whatever far out premise the author takes), and conduct their relationships in a healthy manner (no he stalks and controls me so he must love me B.S.) So this is right up my alley.

[Brenda]

If you loved this you will love the Miles books. There are only 14 or 15, so I warn you now: pace yourself. Do not read them all before Xmas! Bujold does not write all that fast. If you power through all the books then you will be left lamenting, along with all the rest of us.

[Stephanie]

I made several starts with the audiobook and was just confused. When I got the ebook, I pretty much read right through.

This was a great story, especially appealing to women who as a group, tend not to read sci-fi. Has military exploits, planets, strange mysteries, lots of political maneuvers, humor and even a little romance.

[Michael]

Personally, I only mildly enjoyed the this first book in the Vorkosigan Saga. I liked the character Cordelia, but never really warmed to Aral, which I think hampered my full enjoyment of the book.

It was a solid story, but I really liked the later books that focused on their son Miles, particularly his "pirate" period. I found Miles a much more intersting character, with his physical disabilities and his drive to prove himself worthy of his nobel family.