Bujold, Lois McMaster
KOMARR
Lois McMaster Bujold
BAEN publications 1998
Pb 366 pages
ISBN#
0-671-57808-1
KOMARR is reminiscent of CETAGANDA in that Miles is faced with another off-world dilemma without the backup of his Dendarii Mercenaries. Now he's Lord Auditor Vorkosigan, the "Emperor's Voice." He and Lord Auditor Vorthys are on Komarr to investigate the collision of an "out-of-control inner system ore freighter with the (orbital) isolation mirror that supplemented Komarr's solar energy." This subject is of great interest to the Barrayarans because the bio-transforming world of Komarr guards the only wormhole access to Barrayar. If this collision turns out to be more than an accident (which it does) Barrayar could soon find itself isolated from the greater galactic civilization--again. And, like in Miles's investigation at Cetaganda, he gets a crush--again--on a woman he can't have. This one is Lord Auditor Vorthys's niece, and she's already married. Unlike several of the Vorkosigan Saga's previous books, this one takes multiple viewpoints. Raised on Barrayar, Ekaterin Voroisson is a proper demure lady. She does what her husband tells her to, even if it isn't in the best interests of her family. Thus, Ekaterin is miserable. Miles, who is half Betan, surprises her with his liberal attitude regarding women. This conversation she has with Miles (after the tragic death of her husband) shows Ekaterin what kind of women Miles is accustomed to:
"'Have you had a great many girl-friends?' If he hadn't, she'd have to dismiss her whole gender as congenital idiots. The man could charm snakes from their holes, nine-year-olds from locked bathrooms, and Komarran terrorists from their bunkers. Why weren't females following him around in herds? Could no Barrayaran woman see past his surface, or their own cocked-up noses? ... 'Mmm...' A rather long hesitation. 'The usual progression, I suppose. Hopeless first love, this and that over the years, unrequited mad crushes.' ... ' Who was the hopeless first love?' she asked, fascinated. ... 'Elena. the daughter of one of my father's Armsmen, who was my bodyguard when I was young.' ... 'Is she still on Barrayar?' ... 'No, she emigrated years ago. Had a galactic military career and retired with the rank of captain. She's a commercial shipmaster now.' ... 'Jumpships?' ... 'Yes.' ... 'Nikki would be so envious. Um...what exactly is this and that? If I may ask.' Would he answer? ... ' Er. Well. Yes, I think you should, all things considered. Better sooner that later, belike.' ... He was growing terribly Barrayaran, she thought; that use of belike was pure Dendarii mountain dialect. This outburst of confidences was at least as entertaining as putting him on fast-penta might be. Better, given what he'd said about his weird reaction to the drug. ... 'There was Elli. She was a free mercenary trainee when I first met her.' ... 'What is she now?' ... 'Fleet Admiral. Actually.' ... 'So she was this. Who was that?' ... 'There was Taura.' ... 'What was she, when you first met her?' ... 'A Jackson Whole body-slave. Of House Ryoval--very bad news, House Ryoval used to be.' ... 'I must ask more about those covert ops missions of yours sometime. So what is she now?' ... 'Master Sergeant in a mercenary fleet.' ... 'The same fleet as, um, the this?' ... 'Yes.' ... Her brows rose, helplessly. Her Aunt Vorthys was leaning back with her finger over her lips again, her eyes alight with laughter; no, the Professora clearly wasn't going to interfere with this. 'And...?' she led him on, beginning to be immensely curious as to how long he'd keep going. Why in the world did he think all this romantic history was something she ought to know? Not that she would stop him, nor would Aunt Vorthys, apparently, not for a bribe of five kilos of chocolates. But her secret opinion of her gender began to rise. ... 'Mm...there was Rowan. That was--that was brief.' ... 'And she was?' ... 'A technical serf of House Fell. She's a cryo-revival surgeon in an independent clinic on Escobar, now, though, I'm happy to say. Very pleased with her new citizenship.' ... Tien had protected her proudly, Ekaterin reflected, in the little Vor-lady fortress of her household. Tien had spent a decade protecting her so hard, especially from anything that resembled growth, she'd felt scarcely larger at thirty than she'd been at twenty. Whatever it was Vorkosigan had offered to this extraordinary list of lovers, it hadn't been protection. ... 'Do you begin to notice a trend in all this, Lord Vorkosigan?' ... 'Yes, he replied glumly. 'None of them would marry me and come live on Barrayar.' ... 'So, what about the unrequited mad crush?' ... 'Ah. That was Rian. I was young, just a new lieutenant on a diplomatic mission.' ... 'And what does she do now?' ... He cleared his throat. 'Now? She's an empress.' He added, under the pressure of Ekaterin's wide stare, 'Of Cetaganda. They have several, you see.' ... A silence fell, and stretched. He shifted uneasily in his chair, and his smile flicked on and off."
KOMARR is a mix of mystery, feminine empowerment, wormhole physics, and action/suspense--with just a hint of romance thrown in--and true to Ms. Bujold's high standard prose. It is recommended reading for all Miles Vorkosigan fans &/or any sci-fi/romance addict who needs the background before taking on its hilarious story-arc mate, A CIVIL CAMPAIGN.
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