Two freebies at Baen

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Really?
Yay!

About freakin' time that "Ivan, you idiot!" got his due.
He really is a quick thinker (as evidenced in Cetaganda) and a lot savvier than he lets on (Civil Campaign). But given the company he keeps it is safer to keep his head down.
I was afraid she would transition straight to the Hellion and never give Ivan his moment to shine. Now if only she'll do an Ekaterin story, too. What she did to those poor terrorists...!

Now I'm definitely cycling through the series again.

And I want a Lady Alys story.

Nice thing about the Vorkosigan universe, it's rich in interesting characters.

I'm happy for an Ivan story - I wonder if she's teaming him up with Byerly as she once threatened to do?

[Andanzas]

Thanks so much for the answer, guys! I'll start with Warrior's Apprentice, then. I am a little bit ashamed to admit it, given how much you all like this publisher, but it'll be the first Baen book I've ever read!

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by khalleron

And I want a Lady Alys story.

Nice thing about the Vorkosigan universe, it's rich in interesting characters.

I'm happy for an Ivan story - I wonder if she's teaming him up with Byerly as she once threatened to do?

Lady Alys, hmm...
Be interesting to get a look at the High Vor through her.

Ivan + Byerly? Definitely fun but Ivan would be at risk of getting sidekick-ed.
I want him forced to play hero...and then deal with the fallout of altered perception.

Rich in interesting characters, yes, but also the societies.
Cetaganda has been reasonably fleshed out but even Barayar could stand some ground-level exploring, to say nothing of Komarr, Jackson's whole (probably on the agenda for Mark's return), and Betan.

It's an intriguing universe of splinter cultures.

[TheLongshot]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

Perhaps you are unaware that the "Mary Sue-ish athletic conservative scientist ubermench main character" is a straight rip-off of the real-life characteristics of a fan John Ringo met shortly before he started work on the book. That fan is the co-author of books 2-N in that series. And is now an SF author in his own right. And is the star of the current TV series "Rocket City Rednecks" (now airing on the National Geographic Channel).

Yup. The main character of the Looking Glass series is a thinly disguised rip-off of Travis Taylor... Who has each and every one of the degrees claimed for the main character of Looking Glass. And the martial arts trophies. And the mountain biking trophies. And... (you get the idea).

I too was dubious, until I actually met the guy. He's every bit as disgustingly, depressingly smart, competent, and conservative as portrayed in the book. I'll bet he gets a real hoot out of writing further adventures of a character based on himself.


Xenophon

You are right that I didn't know that. Unfortunately, I have a feeling I'd find him as insufferable as the character in the book.

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Really?
Yay!

About freakin' time that "Ivan, you idiot!" got his due.
He really is a quick thinker (as evidenced in Cetaganda) and a lot savvier than he lets on (Civil Campaign). But given the company he keeps it is safer to keep his head down.
I was afraid she would transition straight to the Hellion and never give Ivan his moment to shine. Now if only she'll do an Ekaterin story, too. What she did to those poor terrorists...!

Now I'm definitely cycling through the series again.

Given how many times in the Vorkosigan Companion people say that they want to see Ivan get hitched, it wouldn't shock me if that is in the next book.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by TheLongshot

You are right that I didn't know that. Unfortunately, I have a feeling I'd find him as insufferable as the character in the book.

Taylor's been on several science shows as well as the national geo series.
Comes across as seriously hyper and self-assured but not particularly smug, which his counterpart is.
I sure hope Miriam Moon is purely fictional, though.
It would tire me just to be in the same universe with her.

[Harlock415]

I totally need to catch up with the Miles Vorkosigan series. The last one I read was Cetaganda, i started Ethan of Athos, but not committed yet since it's not exactly a Miles story.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by Harlock415

I totally need to catch up with the Miles Vorkosigan series. The last one I read was Cetaganda, i started Ethan of Athos, but not committed yet since it's not exactly a Miles story.

Ethan of Athos is taking place at the same time as the events in Cetaganda.

EofA seems a lot more dated than any of her other works, because attitudes towards homosexuals have changed so much since it was written.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Ethan of Athos is taking place at the same time as the events in Cetaganda.

EofA seems a lot more dated than any of her other works, because attitudes towards homosexuals have changed so much since it was written.

Dunno, but there is no more guarantee that todays attitudes will still be dominant hundreds or thousands of years from now than the attitudes of the 80's or 50's or the spartans. I wouldn't be so quick to brand it dated; give it a few more decades and it might prove prescient.

Societies change in fits and starts and what is tolerated or encouraged in one era becomes anathema in another. In the Bujold Nexus, mankind has been out colonizing hostile planets for centuries and dealing with the challenges that brings. It is hardly inconceivable that on those worlds genetic diversity might become a public matter and customs such as reproductive monogamy discouraged or outlawed. And with homosexuality involving a genetic component the potential is there for... well, let's say "change" and leave it there.

One of the benefits of writing SF in an undefined future is that it divorces the story from the shackles of the times; yes, a development that might be controversial in one era or region becomes just another plot point in another, or an accepted one might become offensive to some (Huckelberry Finn?) but a good SF story is an entity unto itself: it says what it says and lets the reader, of whatever time and place, make of it what they will.

It's a well-written story and it has something to say.
A good deal, and worth checking out whether you buy it from webscriptions, get it off the Cryoburn CD or (better yet, both).

(Staying on topic, really I am. )

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Andanzas

Thanks so much for the answer, guys! I'll start with Warrior's Apprentice, then. I am a little bit ashamed to admit it, given how much you all like this publisher, but it'll be the first Baen book I've ever read!

Oh, my. Next up, try Sharon Lee & Steve Miller's Liaden Universe series. I'd start with Agent of Change, which is in The Agent Gambit.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by khalleron

And I want a Lady Alys story.

Nice thing about the Vorkosigan universe, it's rich in interesting characters.

I'm happy for an Ivan story - I wonder if she's teaming him up with Byerly as she once threatened to do?

From the transcripts of con readings....Byerly is present in at least one scene.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by Joykins

From the transcripts of con readings....Byerly is present in at least one scene.

Byerly is an interesting character in his own right and a part of Ivan's circle, like Team Koudelka and Dono, so him being around is no shock. Ditto for Alys and Cordelia.

I just would prefer to see Ivan alone in the spotlight, cringing at all the attention.