I feel like a bit of a broken record, but best include the warning anyway: spoilers below for earlier books in the series! So if you haven't read those, just go and do so. Please, you won't regret it!In Komarr, we see Miles in his new life. His supposedly temporary appointment as Imperial Auditor was made a permanent one at the end of Memory, and he's been assigned his first proper case. A ship has crashed into the Soletta Array, a system of solar mirrors that is crucial for the planet of Komarr to get enough sunlight for terraforming to take. It was a bit of an inexplicable accident, and given Komarr's history of rebellion against their Barrayarran Imperial masters, ImpSec want to be sure they can rule out sabotage. Thus, Miles is dispatched to investigate, together with a fellow and more experienced Imperial Auditor, Professor Vorthys.But things get more complicated than expected. The Soletta incident has some bizarre characteristics, and there's also clearly something amiss in the terraforming project. Not to mention the personal entanglements. Professor Vorthys has family in Komarr, a niece who is married to one of the Barrayarran administrators. He and Miles stay with them, and the better Miles comes to know Ekaterin Vorsoisson, the more he likes her.I enjoyed every minute I was reading Komarr. The investigation is twisty and really well done (Miles does NOT get involved in easy cases), and I was riveted by the embryonic romance. First of all, it was interesting to see Miles, right from the beginning, from a woman's point of view (the POV switches from Ekaterin and Miles). And Ekaterin herself was... unexpected. I, like most of his family, expected Miles would end up falling in love properly with some sort of exciting galactic lover, like the imposing women he's so often got involved with. Ekaterin is not that. She is, to all appearances, the perfect proper Vor lady. She married young and had a child and her life is subsumed in supporting her Vor husband. She's serene and demure. But her life hasn't been easy, and it becomes clear that her imperturbable serenity is more a defense mechanism than a part of her personality. It was particularly interesting to see her marriage in real time at the beginning of the book, rather than in some sort of flashback. It wasn't an over-the-top abusive marriage, but it was quite clear how her husband's emotional manipulation ground her down. It was sad and frustrating and oppressive, rather than scary. And by the end of the book, we see that Ekaterin is just as impressive as Miles' previous girlfriends, just in her own way.I also loved the secondary characters: Ekaterin's Uncle and Aunt Vorthys and her son, Nicky (who's not some perfect plot moppet). Even Ekaterin's husband was well done, and felt completely real. Not to mention the setting, which gives us the opportunity to see more about how Barrayar is seen from the outside.The thing is, Komarr didn't feel quite as satisfying as the previous few books have. I think that might be because it felt like Miles was having it too easy. Bujold has got me used to a certain approach, which is basically her putting her characters through the wringer and facing them with the very things they fear. This doesn't happen here. Miles' professional situation is stable and assured. He's in a job that's perfectly suited to his intellectual talents, but where there isn't (or rather, shouldn't be) very much risk, physical or careerwise. His status ensures that all those around him defer to him and scramble to do his bidding. He enjoys the respect of his peers, whom he respects just as well. I thought at the beginning that the angst was going to come from the fact that the woman to attract his attention is married. But even that obstacle disappears quite easily, and then the only thing between him and his objective is that Ekaterin has had a bad marriage and is now understandably skittish.What it comes down to, I think, is that Miles is in an unusual position of power all through this book, where he can even dictate to ImpSec. For all his extremely privileged upbringing and background, circumstances conspire in all the previous books to put him at a disadvantage and having to struggle to overcome this. In previous books, I've always been afraid for him. I wasn't here. It makes the book very pleasurable to read, and I loved it, but it didn't punch me in the gut, like pretty much all the previous ones have. On to A Civil Campaign!MY GRADE: A B+.
This is one of my favorite books. Not merely among Bujold’s novels or SciFi novels but in general: one of those books I reread whenever I feel blue and need a dose of cheers. You know, one of those where you remember all the plot twists, can recite some words and passages by heart, but keep reading all the same for the sheer pleasure of it. I’m aware that most people don’t consider this novel the best in the series, but for me, it’s the best. And its impact doesn’t diminish with rereading. This time, like all the other multiple times I’ve read it, I enjoyed it. What do I like about this book?The narrative is terrific, spare and expressive at the same time, showing the master at the top of her game. The scenery of the futuristic world is vivid, giving us the details in 3D and colors. The humor is subtle, not slapstick like most comic writers in America. And the plot is so fast and crazy, and so inherently logical, it leaves you breathless with the courage of the writer. Unlike most SciFi stories, there are no wars and no villains, no chase sequences (almost) and no shooting contests, except of the minds. The heroes try to outsmart their enemies, not to beat them to a pulp. But the best parts of this novel are its protagonists. Miles Vorkosigan – everyone who has read the series knows him, a complicated hero, a damaged prince of the SciFi genre. In this novel, Miles finally falls in love. His love interest Ekaterin is no less sophisticated a female protagonist. In her, Miles found his match at last. Half the novel is told from her POV, and I consider her half the best. Their love story is as complex as its participants. It’s also intertwined with the lesser tales of patriotism and loyalty. In the course of the novel, the heroes ask themselves many questions, some of them quite unique for a SciFi novel, and the answers aren’t always forthcoming or simple; not for them and not for us, readers. What is marital loyalty and how far does it extend? What is the value of compromise? How far does it stretch before becoming a betrayal? When a woman denies herself to salvage a marriage, is it poison for her soul or medicine for her family? Or both? Or neither? Is it patriotism or terrorism, when you cling to the past long gone and try to terrorize the former enemies? That one is a rather relevant question just now. Who are your enemies anyway? And who are your friends? While many of us shy away from such treacherous subjects or try to ignore them, the heroes wrestle with the answers, simultaneously battling fear and despair, unrequited love and menacing engineers. And finally, the dialog the characters engage in – it belongs to them. Even without the tags of ‘he said,’ ‘she said,’ just from the lexicon and language structure employed, you can guess who is speaking. None of the cast said a word or used a phrase incongruent with his or her set of mind or vocabulary level: from Miles down to Ekaterin’s nine-year-old son. It’s a pleasure to read the boy’s monosyllabic responses to the adults’ self-important utterances. Contrary to so many children in speculative fiction today, those exchanges are instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever been a parent. A delightful read. Definitely recommended.
What do You think about Komarr (1999)?
One of the more interesting aspects of the Vorkosigan books is the subtle and not-so-subtle reminders that democracy turns you into a big pussy. The heroes of the saga, the Barrayarans, are a militaristic culture with hereditary government and no written law to speak of. The democratic planets, in this case the conquered Komarrans (but most often the famously liberal Beta Colony) have a lot to offer in terms of personal liberty and diversity, but when the shit hits the fan they rely entirely on a neo-feudal empire like Barrayar to bail them out. The two villains in the Vorkosigan universe that seem at all credible as threats -- the Cetagandan empire and the Great Houses of Jackson's Whole -- are likewise neo-feudal powers. What exactly are you trying to get across, Bujold?In this novel, some Komarran rebels have a perfectly good plot to get back at Barrayar for the relatively recent conquest of their planet, the details of which I won't spoil, but they cock it all up because they just aren't manly enough to get the job done, constantly wimping out by putting things to a vote or showing kindness to their victims. Their fecklessness makes the threat they present seem pretty academic to this reader, and made me long for the ruthlessness of a Cetagandan invasion fleet.On the positive side, we meet Ekaterin Vorsoisson and get a first-hand account of her crumbling marriage. It's a surprisingly vivid and touching treatment of the subject, among the best that I've read in any genre. Bujold also puts the alternating narrative perspective to good use in examining the blooming relationship between Ekaterin and Miles. But between this space-Jane-Austen action and the weak / amorphous villainy, there's just not a lot of tension or excitement of the space-battle variety, and that was a real letdown.
—Zach
I wasn’t excited, but it was ok. It kept my interest.STORY BRIEF:Inhabitants of Komarr live in domes and wear oxygen masks when outside. The planet is in process of being transformed into a more habitable place with the use of a solar mirror. The mirror is shattered by a starship. Miles is sent by the emperor of Barrayar to investigate. Miles and his co-investigator stay with Ekaterin and her husband Tien during the investigation.Ekaterin is unhappy in her marriage. Because of her husband’s demands Ekaterin suppresses her personality. She lives as a stone but must pretend to enjoy Tien. She doesn’t stand up to Tien to get medical help for their son. She doesn’t have much backbone, but she does some smart and brave things later.When pregnant with Miles, his mother was exposed to chemicals which caused birth defects. Miles is 4'9" tall due to skeletal problems and periodically has epileptic-type convulsions. He has a brilliant mind and had many successes as a spy and negotiator for the government (in prior books). He is currently a government auditor (investigator).REVIEWER’S OPINION:This reads like a mystery - a long slow process of investigation with an eventual climax with the bad guys. The good guys win through smarts and bravery. This is not romance. A couple is not together at the end, but there is potential for romance in a sequel. Miles is attracted to Ekaterin, but she does not know it. She has not reciprocated. These are the two main characters in the story. She has accidental and coincidental interactions with the bad guys which keeps her in the story.For me, I would have preferred more interesting characters. Many of the characters’ interactions and conversations were normal. Their actions could easily be set in current day earth - just change the bubble pods to automobiles and add some titles like “my lord auditor.” Sci fi fans should like this more than I. Wormholes facilitate interplanetary travel.I didn’t know until after I finished this book that this is book #11 in a series with Miles as the main character.NARRATOR:I was uncomfortable with the narrator. I suppose he was ok, but his voice irritated me. His interpretation of different personalities might be different than mine.DATA:Unabridged audiobook reading time: 12 hrs and 44 mins. Swearing language: moderate to strong. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one vaguely described with no details. Setting: a future time on the planet Komarr. Book copyright: 1998. Genre: sci-fi mystery. Ending: good guys win.OTHER BOOKS:I’ve reviewed the following Lois M. Bujold books. Dates are copyright dates.Miles Vorkosigan Series: (sci fi)2 stars. Mirror Dance (Book 9) 19943 stars. Komarr (Book 11) 1998The Sharing Knife Series: (young adult fantasy romance)3 stars. Beguilement (Book 1) 2006
—Jane Stewart
Another great addition. Thank you Fellow Goodreaders for turning me onto this series. What I enjoy about this series so far. Miles VorkosiganHe is foremost his parents son and he is also his own man. But you see that is how they raised him. Through this character we learn a lot about the importance of valuing our fellow human. Not just that it is important but that it enhance all life, not just the ones we directly value. The plots. The stories weave a mystery with action and human drama leaving us with moral insight. Oh and they are entertaining.Humor. The humor comes from the characters. Culture. Some aspects of the futuristic culture are attractive and some are not (kind of like real life). But by introducing us to these strange and different cultures we better understand our own.Last and certainly not least, the writing. It's just that good. I confess it did take me a book or two to develop a taste (some get it right off). Komarr is a great addition to the series in every way.
—Banner
