Bujold, Lois McMaster
CORDELIA'S HONOR (an omnibus of SHARDS OF HONOR and the Hugo Award winning
BARRAYAR)
Lois McMaster Bujold
BAEN Publications, 1996
Pb 596 pages
ISBN#
0-671-57828-6
SHARDS OF HONOR: Commander Cordelia Naismith is from the planet Beta Colony, now out on a scientific expedition that is smashed by barbaric Barrayarans intent on invasion. Knocked out and taken prisoner by the infamous Vor lord Aral Vorkosigan, Cordelia must hold her peace until she can escape. Meanwhile, she discovers that 'The Butcher of Komarr' is a gentle man, his reputation is not entirely accurate, and he has a mutiny on his hands. It seems there is division among the ranks of these barbaric Barrayarans. Lord Vorkosigan is faithful to his emperor, but there are a few who follow their irrational prince into an invasion against which Cordelia later finds herself fighting. After her escape, she manages to convoy a deadly cargo to Escobar before being retaken by the Barrayarans. She falls first into the wrong hands and discovers the Barrayaran emperor's worst secrets. The war is soon over. The Barrayarans lost because of the timely arrival of Cordelia's cargo. Released from a POW camp she returns home to Beta Colony only to realize that her prying superiors have no business knowing Barrayar's most desperate secrets. But escaping Beta Colony is no easy matter.
In the story BARRAYAR, Cordelia is now Lady Vorkosigan, married to the man she loves who suddenly has found himself Regent of Barrayar. Emperor Ezar dies, leaving only a five-year-old grandson as his heir. He chose Aral Vorkosigan to serve as regent until Prince Gregor comes of age, knowing Admiral Lord Vorkosigan is the best man for the job. But others in the Barrayaran capital city of Vorbarr Sultana don't agree with Ezar's choice. Regent Lord Vorkosigan and his wife are targeted and it's all they and their loyal entourage can do to stay alive. With her acute Betan wits, Cordelia pinpoints the danger even before Lord Vorkosigan's security chief Illyan figures it out. But nobody moves fast enough to prevent a poison gas bomb from exploding in the bedroom where Cordelia sleeps with her regent husband. They are rescued, but not soon enough to prevent the poison's antidote from damaging Cordelia's unborn child. The doctors are able to successfully transfer the fetus to a uterine replicator though not without a lot of social prejudice from Aral's father the Count. Barrayar, you see, had once been isolated from the wider galactic civilization, an isolation that of necessity bred a cultural horror of physical handicaps and deformities that would be a hindrance on the poor society that supported them. Now Cordelia's son can be kept alive, but it is known in advance that he will be deformed and thus rejected by his own society. Meanwhile however, Cordelia and Aral face a larger problem: Commodore Count Vordarian moves in for the throne and the deadly Barrayaran play of power politics turns bloody. Cordelia shines through with intelligence, honor, bravery, and assertive command.
A sample of the text: After many days on the run, Cordelia find a doctor who says, "'Five weeks post-partum.' He made a note on his chart. 'And what is your present complaint?' ... I don't like Barrayar, I want to go home, my father-in-law wants to murder by baby, half my friends are running for their lives, and I can't get ten minutes alone with my husband, whom you people are consuming before my eyes, my feet hurt, my head hurts, my soul hurts ... it was all too complicated. The poor man just wanted something to put in his blank, not an essay. 'Fatigue,' Cordelia managed at last. ... 'Ah.' He brightened, and entered this factoid on his report panel. 'Post-partum fatigue. This is normal.' He looked up and regarded her earnestly. 'Have you considered starting an exercise program, Lady Vorkosigan?'"
CORDELIA'S HONOR is recommended for readers who enjoy a good space adventure with a strong female protagonist. Ms. Bujold's expansive style is full of wondrous detail. A master work, well deserving of the Hugo award BARRAYAR won in 1991.
Return to
Reviews