Lois McMaster Bujold - Page 3

bjones6416 · 07-23-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slm

The nice thing about the series is how much of it isn't representative of the series.

(I'm particularly thinkning of Ethan of Athos)

I was on such a "Miles" kick by the time I got to that one that I skipped it since he's not in it. I read it later, though, along with "Falling Free."

AlexBell · 07-24-2010, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slm

The nice thing about the series is how much of it isn't representative of the series.

(I'm particularly thinkning of Ethan of Athos)

There's also The Spirit Ring which is in a series of its own - a one book series - and is quite different from anything else she's written.

Also worth mentioning is The Vorkosian Companion which isn't by her, but contains several very interesting article by her or interviews with her.

Regards, Alex

Worldwalker · 07-24-2010, 04:35 AM

The Aral/Cordelia books, the Miles books, Ethan of Athos, and Falling Free are part of the same future history, with Ethan being a side story in which one of the main-line characters puts in an appearance, and Falling being a several-hundred-year prequel.

The Chalion books are fantasy, and naturally in a totally unrelated world. Hallowed Hunt is not closely connected to the first two.

Spirit Ring is a different fantasy -- it was her first try at fantasy -- and I really, truly wish she'd write another story in that world. It was much less derivative fantasy than most of what's on the market.

The Sharing Knife books are romantic fantasy in yet another world. I liked them up until the river trip; there are only so many disparate characters I really want wandering in and out of a story.

And yes, The Vorkosigan Companion is a must-buy.

wayspooled · 07-27-2010, 02:10 PM

Barrayar and the first three Miles books are excellent. In fact I'd rate Barrayar in my top 20 sci-fi.

Kirtai · 07-28-2010, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldwalker

Spirit Ring is a different fantasy -- it was her first try at fantasy -- and I really, truly wish she'd write another story in that world. It was much less derivative fantasy than most of what's on the market.

I like all her books but yes, I'd really like to see another book in the Spirit Ring setting

FatDog · 08-01-2010, 06:40 PM

Yes many of her books have more than a touch of romance in them - but she writes CHARACTER-DRIVEN novels.

Where else can a boy crippled by a gas attack against his mother and raised on a planet with a strong warrior caste succeed? Wanna see how he does it? Read about Miles.

How about his mother going through a battle, killing the leader of the opposition and then being taken to the medic when she returns (because shes a bit banged up) and being advised by the young doctor to "start an exercise program" to manage her exhaustion. Well written, engaging characters and sly humor. This is what I expect from LMB.

I am not as much a fan of the Sharing Knife series but I have bought and read all but the last one because shes a good writer I'm a fan.

FlorenceArt · 08-02-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATDrake

Baen Free Library has "The Mountains of Mourning", a short novella which gives a standalone, beautifully encapsulated look-and-feel of Miles Vorkosigan and his world.

I've often wished that she'd also offer the "Borders of Infinity" novella to bookend it, because it's about as perfect a representation of the Naismith side of Miles as TMoM is for Vorkosigan.

Anyway, it's only a long-ish short story and it won't cost you anything but a bit of time to try it. If you still don't like it, then you probably won't care for the Vorkosigan series in general.

Well, I just finished Mountains of Mourning, and I have to admit... I may be hooked. I really didn't expect this. I'll go try to find some more. Thank you all for the recommendation

Hatgirl · 08-02-2010, 08:54 PM

Yet another LMB junkie here!

Regarding whether her books contain any "hard" SF, as a biologist I find her ideas about how genetic engineering and in vitro gestation would affect societies fascinating. From that point of view, Falling Free, Ethan of Athos and Ceteganda delve into those topics quite deeply.

bjones6416 · 08-02-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

Well, I just finished Mountains of Mourning, and I have to admit... I may be hooked. I really didn't expect this. I'll go try to find some more. Thank you all for the recommendation

I'm so glad! THIS is why I come to MobileRead, by the way. People here are open-minded and willing to try books that don't appear to be what they normally read. The reverse is true, also -- I've found recommendations for books that I would have never considered reading, and tried them, and liked them.

Enjoy your journey with Miles!

bjones6416 · 08-02-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatgirl

Yet another LMB junkie here!

Regarding whether her books contain any "hard" SF, as a biologist I find her ideas about how genetic engineering and in vitro gestation would affect societies fascinating. From that point of view, Falling Free, Ethan of Athos and Ceteganda delve into those topics quite deeply.

I loved this passage in Komarr:

"Nikki was a body-birth. No gene scan. The Old Vor way. Old Vor have good blood, you know, no need to check anything."

He looked as if he'd bitten into a lemon. "Whose bright idea was that?"

Hatgirl · 08-03-2010, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjones6416

I loved this passage in Komarr:

"Nikki was a body-birth. No gene scan. The Old Vor way. Old Vor have good blood, you know, no need to check anything."

He looked as if he'd bitten into a lemon. "Whose bright idea was that?"

Kitten Tree. Ew. Ew. Ew.

DarthV · 08-03-2010, 11:27 AM

Loved Chalion/Paladin, but could not get into the Sharing Knife series at all.

FlorenceArt · 08-05-2010, 11:14 AM

Now reading "The Warrior's Apprentice". It's not as good as "The Mountains of Mourning" (probably the latter is a later and more mature work? That's what it feels like anyway), but still very engaging. I bought it in the "Young Miles" pack, which also includes "The Mountains of Mourning" (again) and "The Vor Game".

Worldwalker · 08-05-2010, 11:20 AM

The Warrior's Apprentice was, I believe, the second book Ms. Bujold ever wrote. She's had more practice since. It's still one of my favorites. All that forward momentum, you know.

Lastblade · 08-05-2010, 11:28 AM

I have only read LMB's Miles saga and loved it. I also like Walter Jon William's Dread Empire's Fall trilogy.

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07-24-2010, 04:35 AM	#33
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	The Aral/Cordelia books, the Miles books, Ethan of Athos, and Falling Free are part of the same future history, with Ethan being a side story in which one of the main-line characters puts in an appearance, and Falling being a several-hundred-year prequel. The Chalion books are fantasy, and naturally in a totally unrelated world. Hallowed Hunt is not closely connected to the first two. Spirit Ring is a different fantasy -- it was her first try at fantasy -- and I really, truly wish she'd write another story in that world. It was much less derivative fantasy than most of what's on the market. The Sharing Knife books are romantic fantasy in yet another world. I liked them up until the river trip; there are only so many disparate characters I really want wandering in and out of a story. And yes, The Vorkosigan Companion is a must-buy.

07-27-2010, 02:10 PM	#34
wayspooled Crab In The Dark Posts: 486 Karma: 2328180 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Device: Tablet PC until a 10" comes out that I like	Barrayar and the first three Miles books are excellent. In fact I'd rate Barrayar in my top 20 sci-fi.

08-01-2010, 06:40 PM	#36
FatDog Witless protection Agent Posts: 290 Karma: 1002898 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Yes many of her books have more than a touch of romance in them - but she writes CHARACTER-DRIVEN novels. Where else can a boy crippled by a gas attack against his mother and raised on a planet with a strong warrior caste succeed? Wanna see how he does it? Read about Miles. How about his mother going through a battle, killing the leader of the opposition and then being taken to the medic when she returns (because shes a bit banged up) and being advised by the young doctor to "start an exercise program" to manage her exhaustion. Well written, engaging characters and sly humor. This is what I expect from LMB. I am not as much a fan of the Sharing Knife series but I have bought and read all but the last one because shes a good writer I'm a fan.

08-02-2010, 08:54 PM	#38
Hatgirl Addict Posts: 296 Karma: 955301 Join Date: Oct 2008 Device: Sony PRS-300, Sony PRS-T2, Kindle (7th Gen)	Yet another LMB junkie here! Regarding whether her books contain any "hard" SF, as a biologist I find her ideas about how genetic engineering and in vitro gestation would affect societies fascinating. From that point of view, Falling Free, Ethan of Athos and Ceteganda delve into those topics quite deeply.

08-03-2010, 11:27 AM	#42
DarthV Enthusiast Posts: 37 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2010 Device: Nook WiFi	Loved Chalion/Paladin, but could not get into the Sharing Knife series at all.

08-05-2010, 11:14 AM	#43
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	Now reading "The Warrior's Apprentice". It's not as good as "The Mountains of Mourning" (probably the latter is a later and more mature work? That's what it feels like anyway), but still very engaging. I bought it in the "Young Miles" pack, which also includes "The Mountains of Mourning" (again) and "The Vor Game".

08-05-2010, 11:20 AM	#44
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	The Warrior's Apprentice was, I believe, the second book Ms. Bujold ever wrote. She's had more practice since. It's still one of my favorites. All that forward momentum, you know.

08-05-2010, 11:28 AM	#45
Lastblade Nookie are we Posts: 175 Karma: 496294 Join Date: May 2010 Location: NYC Device: Nooks with and without color	I have only read LMB's Miles saga and loved it. I also like Walter Jon William's Dread Empire's Fall trilogy.