Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold starting on August 10, 2024.


Happy Reading!

Thank you!

In chronological order, as recommended by the author
#1 Shards of Honour (Dec 10 2023) [Link]
#2 Barrayar (Jan 10) [Link]
#3 The Warrior's Apprentice & #3.5 The Mountains of Mourning (Feb 10) [Link]
#4 The Vor Game (March 10) [Link]
#5 Cetaganda (April 10) [Link]
#6 Ethan of Athos (May 10) [Link]
#6.1 Labyrinth (short) in Borders of Infinity (May 10)
#6.2-3 Borders of Infinity titular story and framing story (June 10)
#7 Brothers in Arms (June 10) [Link]
#8 Mirror Dance (July 10) [Link]

#9 Memory (Aug 10)
Memory is only available in audio format for free from Hoopla. It also was not included in the omnibus print editions.

#10 Komarr (Sept 10) [Link]
#11 A Civil Campaign (Oct 10) [Link]
#11.5 Winterfair Gifts (short) (Oct 10)
#0 Falling Free (Nov 10) [Link]
#12 Diplomatic Immunity (Dec 10) [Link]
#13 Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (TBD 2025)
#13.5 The Flowers of Vashnoi (short) (TBD 2025)
#14 CryoBurn (AL, H, NOL) (TBD 2025)
#15 Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen (TBD 2025)

audiobook: Most books are on Hoopla and Audible +
eyebook: no subscription/library copies.

The Salt Lake library actually has this on audio! That’s crazy.

Started my re-read... this is one I rated 5 stars in the past, after being disappointed with the previous Mark Vorkosigan book...

This time, the duplicity is really rubbing me wrong, and it's more of a 4 star for me...

Luckily, I know the good stuff is coming up in the next couple books...

So glad I read the previous book and this one back to back. Very much enjoyed these. I don't know how they are so much like comfort reads with the plots that are in them. Maybe just spending so long with the characters and watching them grow? I wish I took notes about some of the lines that made me pause and stuck with me for a while... A text copy would come in handy right about now!

The main plot of this one is one of my favorites… despite issues with first 25%

Through Ch. 2... (view spoiler)[ Boy, Miles is not having a good day... He almost killed one of his own men while having a debilitating seizure, and Elena and her husband are leaving to have a family... And he had a fight with Quinn! He is not winning right now... (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 7... (view spoiler)[ Ooohhh, no! He got discharged from his post!!! And now he is going to get completely depressed, I am sure!!!

Also, I think the Komaran girl isn't going to be hooking up with the Komaran officer... I kind of feel sorry for him...

Ivan trying to snap him out of it is so Ivan like!!! I still can't believe they promoted him to a Captain! (hide spoiler)]

In Ch. 15... (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Simon is going through this! I am wondering if it is some type of sabotage by someone.... Also, does Ivan's mother have something going on with Simon??? (hide spoiler)]

Bow-chicka-wow-wow... ;)

Hahaha! That seems much more appropriate for Ivan's hookups:)))

Through Ch. 21... (view spoiler)[ I don't trust the acting director in Simon's place... Too many things to lead me to suspect him .. But why would he sabotage Simon? I don't know yet...

Cordelia is home!!! Yay! (hide spoiler)]

This was fun, as always. I am a tad melancholy that (view spoiler)[ we are saying goodbye to Admiral Naismith, but am happy that Mike is coming to terms with who Vorkosigan is. No more Quinn as a love interest, thus making free space for a new relationship...

I liked how he wrapped up the case and how he came to his new job.

Laughed my ass off when the girls said No to Ivan:)))) (hide spoiler)]

Loved it!

Choko wrote: "This was fun, as always. I am a tad melancholy that ."

The bits with Ivan in this one were great (view spoiler)[ and how he was morally offended by his mom and Simon 🤣
A bit too late on the uptake of a wife there Ivan.... At this point Miles is going to get married first :D (hide spoiler)]

Emily, I think you are absolutely right! And yeah, Ivan is a scene stealer:))))

Timelord Iain wrote: "The main plot of this one is one of my favorites… despite issues with first 25%"

Agree--the first quarter of the book is total squirm... really the worst thing that could ever happen...remember Cordelia saying that she'd only start worrying about Miles (view spoiler)[if he was ever forced to stop playing the little admiral? (hide spoiler)] But once it all comes clear this becomes one of my favorites... Will be here tonight or tomorrow.

Nirkatze wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "The main plot of this one is one of my favorites… despite issues with first 25%"

Agree--the first quarter of the book is total squirm... really the worst thing that could ever..."

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Choko wrote: "This was fun, as always. I am a tad melancholy that ."

The bits with Ivan in this one were great ..."


I agree with all three of you. I was disappointed in Miles for much of the book's beginning. But he truly is a cat with nine lives, always landing on his feet. I estimate he has about 4 or 5 lives left.

Ivan is a hopeless mess! LOL

The changes at the end are both bitter-sweet and exciting.

Yeah, bitter sweet indeed... I guess he needs to settle down eventually, mostly because he wants to.... Since he does, he needs to do something new...

Ivan is adorable:)))!