Bujold, Lois McMaster
Lois McMaster Bujold's THE VORKOSIGAN SAGA: A Chronology of Omnibuses
The story of Lord Miles Naismith Vorkosigan was originally published in fourteen volumes. Due to BAEN's wonderful idea to combine these into omnibuses, the reader now only has to acquire eight books. But the titles can be misleading, and the unwary buyer could accidentally purchase duplication. So, here is the breakdown in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER (see reviews for details):
Omnibus CORDELIA'S HONOR holds the original books SHARDS OF HONOR and BARRAYAR--a high action story of Miles's parents.
Omnibus YOUNG MILES holds the original book THE WARRIOR'S APPRENTICE, followed by the story "The Mountains of Mourning" (from the book BORDERS OF INFINITY), and the book THE VOR GAME--a high action introduction to Bujold's main character Miles.
Omnibus MILES, MYSTERY, & MAYHEM holds the original books CETAGANDA and ETHAN OF ATHOS, followed by the story "Labyrinth" (from the book BORDERS OF INFINITY)--In CETAGANDA, Miles and his cousin visit their enemies the Cetagandans, and of course get into trouble; Miles isn't in the story ETHAN OF ATHOS but his friend Eli Quinn takes his place in spying out trouble; and "Labyrinth" is good old Naismithian fun, just as good as the omnibus YOUNG MILES.
Omnibus MILES ERRANT holds the story "The Borders of Infinity" (from the book BORDERS OF INFINITY), and the original books BROTHERS IN ARMS and MIRROR DANCE--this is Naismithian fun at its best, except now Miles discovers a brother he never knew he had, and they each get into more danger than they ever dared wish for.
The stand-alone book MEMORY is not in an omnibus though its placement fits neatly with the MILES ERRANT set. In this excellent work Miles must reconcile his two personalities into one.
The book KOMARR is currently a stand-alone, but I won't be surprised if someday it gets omnibused with A CIVIL CAMPAIGN (also a stand-alone at this time). Together they take Miles not only through more Barrayaran intrigue, but also into the romance of his dreams.
The stand alone book DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY takes Miles and his new bride into Quaddiespace and danger in the form of Cetagandan intrigue.
This amazing space fantasy series carries a fine thread of genetics and reproduction throughout as its skeleton upon which is hung excellent characterization, plotting, and description. Ms. Bujold is a master writer who held my attention through all these volumes with intelligent wit and great action. MILES ERRANT is my favorite, followed closely by YOUNG MILES, MEMORY, and A CIVIL CAMPAIGN.
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