Darien bowed to them all, courteously, one by one, and they stood there above the trees, waiting again. Darien stood alone in the center of the grove, for Apple and I were away toward the edge of the trees. He lowered his head for a moment. Then he touched one hand to his pebble. He reached out h...
All true wealth is biological: Lois McMaster Bujold’s Mirror Dance Mirror Dance (1994) is my favourite of the Vorkosigan series. It’s the third Hugo winner of the series, and Bujold’s third Hugo Award–winning novel in a row. It’s a very long book. It doesn’t look any longer than the others, but i...
If there was one thing the Farthing Peace had settled once and for all it was that the Continent was its own lookout. Why should I care what Hitler—or Pip for that matter—was doing to the Jews of Europe, even if I believed it? In fact, as I’d said to Siddy, I knew it was vastly exaggerated.At las...
“Why would that be better?” David asked, frowning. He was halfway into a pair of proper country trousers, linen ones with a crease. “Because it’s Sukey who would have to do any organization necessary, not that there’d be much, beyond telling Mrs. Smollett to feed us. And Sukey can always tell Mum...
Orlam seemed to be quick and clever, which would also be useful. It was such a pity Darag didn't have a sister. Then he could marry her and Darag could marry his sister Locha. Or his sister Moriath, if Darag preferred her. It didn't matter which one. If they could have done that it would make the...
"I was joking about more fighting!" I said, shaking my head in disbelief. "The ale's gone to your head, Marchel. If anyone's to blame for this invasion it's your brother Chanerig stirring up trouble in Tir Isarnagiri." "Chanerig brought a whole island under the banner of the White God," she shout...
The dressmaker managed to simultaneously cluck over Betsy’s arm and reassure her that she’d be the most beautiful deb ever. Then she said the same thing to me, while sticking a pin into my hip and warning me not to do without my beauty sleep. I suppose I still wasn’t properly caught up after my n...