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Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) [Hardcover]

Lois McMaster Bujold
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (235 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 6, 2012 Vorkosigan Saga
A new installment in the New York Times best-selling, award-winning Vorkosigan science fiction adventure series.

Book Fourteen in the best-selling Vorkosigan series.

GOOD INTENTIONS, BAD INTEL

Captain Ivan Vorpatril sometimes thinks that if not for his family, he might have no troubles at all. But he has the dubious fortune of the hyperactive Miles Vorkosigan as a cousin, which has too-often led to his getting dragged into one of Miles’ schemes, with risk to life and limb—and military career—that Ivan doesn’t consider entirely fair. Although much practice has made Ivan more adept at fending off his mother’s less-than-subtle reminders that he should be getting married and continuing the Vorpatril lineage.

Fortunately, his current duty is on the planet Komarr as staff officer to Admiral Desplains, far from both his cousin and his mother back on their homeworld of Barrayar. It’s an easy assignment and nobody is shooting at him. What could go wrong?

Plenty, it turns out, when Byerly Vorrutyer, an undercover agent for Imperial Security, shows up on his doorstep and asks him to make the acquaintance of a young woman, recently arrived on Komarr, who seems to be in danger. That Byerly is characteristically vague about the nature of the danger, not to mention the lady’s name, should have been Ivan’s first clue, but Ivan is no more able to turn aside from aiding a damsel in distress than he could resist trying to rescue a kitten from a tree.

It is but a short step down the road of good intentions to the tangle of Ivan’s life, in trouble with the Komarran authorities, with his superiors, and with the lethal figures hunting the mysterious but lovely Tej and her exotic blue companion Rish—a tangle to test the lengths to which Ivan will go as an inspired protector.

But though his predicament is complicated, at least Ivan doesn’t have to worry about hassle from family. Or so he believes . . .

About Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga:

 “Fans have been clamoring for Hugo winner Bujold to pen a new Vorkosigan Saga novel. . . her deft and absorbing writing easily corrals the complex plot.”—Publishers Weekly on Cryoburn

 “Bujold mixes quirky humor with action [and] superb character development…[E]normously satisfying.”—Publishers Weekly.

“One of sf’s outstanding talents . . . an outstanding series.”—Booklist

“. . . an intelligent, well-crafted and thoroughly satisfying blend of adventure, sociopolitical commentary, scientific experiments, and occasional perils . . . with that extra spicing of romance. . . .”—Locus

About Vorkosigan series entry Diplomatic Immunity:

“Bujold is adept at world-building and provides a witty, character-centered plot, full of exquisite grace notes. . . fans will be thoroughly gripped and likely to finish the book in a single sitting.”—Publishers Weekly


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Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) + Cryoburn (The Vorkosigan Saga) + Miles in Love (Vorkosigan Adventure)
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Set a few years before the most recent Miles Vorkosigan story (Cryoburn, 2011), this may be one of the most anticipated and long-awaited entries to Bujold’s acclaimed Vorkosigan saga. For years fans have clamored for Ivan Vorpatril’s story, and at last Bujold delivers something that will both thrill the devoted audience and entrance new readers. For many years, Ivan has been perfectly content to live a quiet bachelor life and serve as a staff officer to a Barrayaran admiral. With no desire for the imperial throne or the types of death-defying adventures that his cousin Miles so adores, Ivan has become a master at avoiding political intrigue and entangling alliances. Asked to look after a young woman during a brief trip to Komarr, Ivan is happy to oblige. But when his attempt to ask the woman out ends up with her handmaiden knocking him out and tying him to a chair, Ivan realizes that something very bad is going on. It quickly becomes clear that the only way Ivan can save himself and his charge is to marry Tej Arqua and bring her home to Barrayar. Longtime readers will love seeing a new side of Ivan as well as hearing his views on many of the series characters. New readers can enjoy Ivan’s story on its own but will miss many of the nuances that add depth and character; best to begin at the beginning. Essential for all SF collections and a must-read for Bujold and Vorkosigan fans. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: In the SF world, a new release doesn’t get much bigger than this one. The wait is finally over for Bujold’s followers. --Jessica Moyer

About the Author

A science fiction legend, Lois McMaster Bujold has won six Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. Her Miles Vorkosigan saga is a hugely popular science fiction mainstay with multiple New York Times bestsellers including previous entries, Cryoburn and Diplomatic Immunity. The mother of two, Ms. Bujold lives in Minneapolis.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 432 pages
  • Publisher: Baen; Book Club (BCE/BOMC) edition (November 6, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1451638450
  • ISBN-13: 978-1451638455
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (235 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 63 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Five stars for fans November 6, 2012
Format:Hardcover
I'm a fan of the Vorkosigan series, so for me, this was a five star book. I bought the electronic version through Baen and have already reread it.

For non fans, I'm not sure how it would go, but probably 4 stars. Would people who don't know Ivan understand the complaint of Ivan's boss? The boss asked why Ivan's mother asked him about Ivan's personal life instead of asking Ivan. Ivan responded, "Experience, maybe."

There are gems all the way through the book for fans and non fans. It is mentioned that on Barrayar people were subjects, not citizens. Someone notes that the emperor is the only one on Barrayar that isn't a subject and wonders if that makes him an object. Humor abounds and all sorts of characters from previous novels make cameo appearances. Bujold sensibly keeps Cordelia, Miles, and Mark largely out of the picture, because they tend to dominate. The plethora of minor characters would be a problem for a new reader of the series, but are enjoyable to people who've met them before.

Bujold had a difficult task in this book. She has a hero that is not an overly ambitious man, and she made him sympathetic and enjoyable. Ivan is shown at his best. He is brave, loyal and chivalrous. He comes through when he needs to. He's not as bright as Miles or Cordelia, but he isn't stupid.

I would not advise people who haven't read Bujold before to start here, although her writing has never been better. If you haven't read the Vorkosigan series, there are a number of good books waiting for you.
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66 of 72 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Possibly the best Vorkosiverse entry to date. November 6, 2012
By R. Ault
Format:Hardcover
It's really hard to discuss this tale without including spoilers, but I'll try. The only summation that I'll provide is an indirect one; this book takes large parts of the plots of Komarr and A Civil Campaign, mashes them together, turns them inside out, and twists - hard. This is not the first Barrayar story that has been centered on someone other than her main protagonist, Miles Vorkosigan, though he has been the focus of most of them. The events of Cryoburn left Miles with a very much restructured life, however, and it may be difficult for Bujold to write more about him entertainingly, so it's not surprising that she has shifted to Ivan here. He has been a background character since early on, and this is where he finally comes into his own. He's getting respect, he's lost his customary middle name (it has been a running gag across many volumes that he's usually called 'Ivan-you-idiot'), his career is solid and stable - and then Byerly Vorrutyer drops in to ask for a favor. That's where the toboggan run starts, and this one's got more than its share of unexpected turns. Along the way, we get a hefty dose of the ever-treasured one-line zingers that have increasing marked Bujold's writing, and some surprising supporting character development as well. It's clear that Bujold is not done with adding to her Barrayar series, and if this is any indication of what's to come, I hope there are many, many more!
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40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing and light hearted November 6, 2012
Format:Audible Audio Edition
I think this was the most enjoyable Vorkosigan Saga book since "A Civil Campaign", for many of the same reasons that book was fantastic. It is a light-hearted look at family and balancing the obligations of family, friends, and society. Ivan had not been doing a good job of balancing those obligations, and he receives his long-awaited karmic reckoning.

The last 30 or so pages are an absolute riot.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Change of pace for this author
I love all her works, but this seemed to be a little more humorous. Puts a new slant on Ivan.
Published 1 day ago by SHARRON DELA CRUZ
5.0 out of 5 stars love it
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my all time favorite writers and there isn't much she can do wrong in my book!! I want more Ivan stories!!
Published 3 days ago by xena
5.0 out of 5 stars read it in one day
I had been waiting for a new Vorkosigan book. I don't care for her fantasies that much. Lois just needs to accept that Vorkosigan's world is her life's work! : ) Loved it. Read more
Published 4 days ago by danna1
5.0 out of 5 stars Another in a long and well loved series
Lois McMaster Bujold is as magnificent as always in this most recent Vorkosigan saga. Would that she wanted to write a dozen more, either sequels, featuring Miles' children, or... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Margie
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by Bujold!
Bujold is just a great story teller. She can really weave a tail!

I like anything in the Vorkosigan series, no matter where it fits in the timeline. Read more
Published 7 days ago by Jonathan D. Oman
5.0 out of 5 stars Another enjoyable trip to the Vorkosigan Saga
I have been reading this series for the better part of 20 years. Each new book I eagerly await and usually devour over a free days. Read more
Published 7 days ago by E. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Bujold scores again.
A very interesting alternate look at the Vor society. The action is funny and always character driven. Captain Vorpartil's story of maturation is worth reading.
Published 8 days ago by Ancient Aviator
4.0 out of 5 stars Typically excellent Bujold fare
You know who you are. You've read everything she's written since you first discovered her. Is this any different, just because it focuses on a different scion of the bloody,... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Grant Sundin
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Worthy Installment of the Series
It's fascinating to get a new perspective on the Vorkosigans from someone outside the immediate family, but still intimately connected. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Amber Pearce
5.0 out of 5 stars Ivan comes through again!
Never just a cousin of Miles, Ivan Vorpatril's pluck and hapless wit make yet another outstanding book from McMaster-Bujold. Read more
Published 9 days ago by P. J. Lowery
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Captain Vorpatril's Alliance
I loved the way Ivan's love interest in the book kept referring to Miles in her head as "The Coz"
Nov 7, 2012 by Chad Winters |  See all 12 posts
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