Kibou-daini is a planet obsessed with cheating death. Barrayaran Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan can hardly disapprove—he’s been cheating death his whole life, on the theory that turnabout is fair play. But when a Kibou-daini cryocorp—an immortal company whose job it is to shepherd its all-too-mortal frozen patrons into an unknown future—attempts to expand its franchise into the Barrayaran Empire, Emperor Gregor dispatches his top troubleshooter, Miles, to check it out.
On Kibou-daini, Miles discovers generational conflict over money and resources is heating up, even as refugees displaced in time skew the meaning of “generation” past repair. Here he finds a young boy with a passion for pets and a dangerous secret, a Snow White trapped in an icy coffin who burns to rewrite her own tale, and a mysterious crone who is the very embodiment of the warning “Don’t mess with the secretary.” Bribery, corruption, conspiracy, kidnapping—something is rotten on Kibou-daini, and it isn’t due to power outages in the Cryocombs. And Miles is in the middle—of trouble.
Download and start listening now!
"This book contains the further adventures of Miles Vorkosigan. Like all his adventures, it is a fun and satisfying ride from beginning to end. And, like all his adventures, there is a bit of pain and suffering involved. Bujold is pretty much my favorite SF writer that is writing today." — Alan (5 out of 5 stars)
"This book contains the further adventures of Miles Vorkosigan. Like all his adventures, it is a fun and satisfying ride from beginning to end. And, like all his adventures, there is a bit of pain and suffering involved. Bujold is pretty much my favorite SF writer that is writing today."
“Fans have been clamoring for Hugo winner Bujold to pen a new Vorkosigan Saga novel since 2002’s Diplomatic Immunity, and they will not be disappointed by this thoughtful tale…Bujold introduces appealing characters to join familiar ones in exploring the ramifications of a planet-wide culture of postponing death, and her deft and absorbing writing easily corrals the complex plot and softens the blow of a tear-jerking conclusion.”
“Excellently done…Bujold has always excelled at creating forceful characters and she does it here again.”
“One of sf’s outstanding talents…an outstanding series.”
“An intelligent, well-crafted and thoroughly satisfying blend of adventure, sociopolitical commentary, scientific experiments, and occasional perils…with that extra spicing of romance.”
" I really love this series my McMaster Bujold. This is her latest. The book is a bit more staid and not a freewheeling space opera as the earlier books. But I think this is more than appropriate -- as Miles ages his actions and responses to situations will also change. "
" This was fun, and I would definitely be interested in the rest of the books in the series with this main character. "
" A wonderful new set of characters to enjoy. I particularly like seeing the situation through Armsman Pym's point of view. "
" I love the Vorkosigan saga, and this is one of the best (and toughest) yet. Not quite as good as Memory, but hey, what is? "
" Always enjoy a Miles Vorkosigan saga. "
" Not the strongest of the Vorkosigan books, but still enjoyable. Miles seems to have mellowed a _little_ bit with age. It felt like the story was over by the time it really got rolling. "
" Another fine addition to the Vorkosigan series as again Miles finds himself dropped into trouble. This time on a new world where cyrostasis is a major part of the economy and politics. "
" This was enjoyable plane reading, but not one of the better ones in the series. I think we need to move on from Miles and follow some new characters. "
" Tempted to give this 5 stars just to celebrate a new Vorkosigan book...loved it. Miles up to his usual tricks. "
" Not great literature, but a fun read. "
" This was a fun book but I think I would have liked it better had I read more of the series and actually read the book and not the audio book. "
" Vorkosigan is an unlikely hero, love all of his stories, lots of heart along with the SciFi. Thought I would be bored with this one, newest in a long line of stories, however was sorry when it ended. "
" Bujold's skills transcend the genre; as always, adventures with Miles are far too infrequently, and end far too quickly. The "Aftermath" drabbles are wonderful exercises in precision; Gregor's quote at the end brought a tear to my eye. Beautiful. "
" Again, Miles crushes in people's lives while on what is basically a fact-finding mission. Saving some, bringing others to justice. Mostly by accident, but in a good way. "
" A lovely, very fun addition to the Vorkosigan series. And then some stuff that needed to happen in Miles's life happened. "
" 3.5 stars. An enjoyable Miles adventure, although strangely shorter than I expected. "
" Another exciting Miles book! With rows and rows of bodies as a bonus! This is pretty much the Best Series Ever. The end hints that the series itself might be winding down, which does make me a bit sad though. "
" As always LMB offers up a thoroughly enjoyable read. Miles has grown up, but he hasn't changed... "
" This went all the places I wanted it to go - very satisfying. Miles is still so very Miles. "
" I really enjoyed this book. Listened to it on audiobook and found it quite amusing. Love Miles smarminess. Just an entertaining light sci-fi story. "
" Miles is on another adventure. This book left me stunned! I enjoyed it very much and thought everything was settled until the last few pages. Now I'm stuck because there is not another Miles book to jump right into. What ever will I do? "
" Not great, not terrible. Probably more enjoyable for those who, unlike me, have read any of the previous 13 books in the series. "
" Not so much a reread as a reskim--I like to just page forward to my favorite parts and then read those over and over again. That letter from Miles is the cure for all ills. :) "
" So freaking funny! A worthy follow-up to all that has come before. "
" What can I say? As good as always, Bujold is an all-time comfort author. "
" My favorite LMB Vorkosigan novel, by far. "
Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the most honored writers in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. In 2019 she was named a Damon Knight Grand Master by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, one of science fiction’s highest honors. She has won seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards. In 2011 she was awarded the Skylark Award for her significant contribution to science fiction. Hugo awards for Best Series were received by the Vorkosigan Saga in 2017, and the World of the Five Gods in 2018.
Grover Gardner (a.k.a. Tom Parker) is an award-winning narrator with over a thousand titles to his credit. Named one of the “Best Voices of the Century” and a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine, he has won three prestigious Audie Awards, was chosen Narrator of the Year for 2005 by Publishers Weekly, and has earned more than thirty Earphones Awards.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.