Cryoburn (Vorkosigan Saga)

These 3 stars are measuring Cryoburn against the rest of the Vorkosigan series; by any other standards it is well-written and presents a technology and an end-of-life issue truly worth pondering. But I pondered instead why I was disappointed.

Cryoburn does not have the weave of story arcs and characters pursuing different agendas whose convergence makes the rest of the series so entertaining. More tellingly (and perhaps spoilers for those who would otherwise read in anticipation) some villains are just names on a page, and the henchman who do appear in person aren't really ever successful enough to warrant the action scenes to stop them. A more competent villainy is also largely "off-stage". The "worst case scenarios" that this author is known for, and for which I would happily trade out any number of villains, are not allowed to play out. I personally love how usually in this series a personal worst-case meets a society-wide or even an intergalactic worst-case; it is so worth reading other books in the series for that alone.

Lois Bujold is a great author, and she and her publisher will make money, but I regret that there wasn't a friend to say, Lois, you have to step it up. You're giving us The Sharing Knife simplicity of plotline, in a universe where characters are literate and have scientific knowledge, and where there are political entities of every scale. What worked in the "flat-earth" context just seems lazy here.

Cryoburn does not stand by itself -- who's Mark, all of a sudden? I only know from the rest of the series. But, knowing of Mark from the rest of the series, I think if this had been his story, and Miles stayed home -- where he could have a story arc, to be sure -- I think there would have been more of the texture I associate with the series. Mark is a complex of story-arcs all by himself, although I can't see him dispatched on Gregor's official business, it would have to be something under-the-table for Laisa -- I can see Mark and Laisa forming some connection based on their economic acumen -- If Mark, headed to Kibou-Daini anyway on behalf of his life-extension business, were to undertake a clandestine mission on the side to look at -- or better, to scuttle -- a deal in which Gregor would not want his foreign born empress to seem to interfere, yes: Add some sort of Barayaran politics there, and subtract the automatic backup that Miles commands from the Barayaran embassy on Kibou-Daini there; figure in bribes that could really tempt the main character, the stretch that Mark would have to make to deal with children and botched rescues and cryo-revivals (memories of Jackson's Whole), and perhaps even involve him in the physical fights -- Mark would be a lot more interesting than Roic in those situations, the possibilities of underestimating him more satisfying. And if Mark's seemingly shady doings placed his standing on Barayar or with Kareen, or even with the Duronas', in jeopardy -- Well, I think Mark could have made a real addition to the series, here, in place of Miles. I can even see Mark giving revolutionary pointers to the fanatics -- a sort of "Galen-as he-should-have-done-it" moment for him and a less fade-to-nothing ending for them. So many possibilities. . . which I have enjoyed coming up with in place of reviewing the actual book!

Speaking as someone who loves, loves, loves (and re-reads) all the Miles books --(I was sooo excited to recieve this book) I am sorry to say how dissapointed I was. I just finished it *sigh* - I found more drama in the last few pages than the rest of the book.
My attention kept drifting...I wasn't dazzled by the kids, or Roic, or the plot (which for me just limped along) I was just a bit bored by it all..
But, even after saying that - I was so happy to return to "Miles' world" and I'd love it if Bujold wrote another one..I'd buy it again - even if it was called "Miles goes to Walmart" or "Miles picks belly-button lint" or...
So for anyone new to this series, start at the beggining - you'll fall in love with them
and eventually you'll buy Cryoburn, too

Like many other reviewers/long-time fans of Bujold here, I was thrilled to learn that she had finally added another installment to her much beloved Vorkosigan series, so I pre-ordered a hard-copy. Not unlike other reviewers here, I found the book immensely disappointing, sorely lacking in the wonderful qualities and masterful writing found in other books throughout the series. To add insult to injury, Bujold/her editors saved her best for the very last, no doubt losing a majority of her readers before the big reveal. Bujold struts her stuff in the final chapter, and a series of beautifully written vignettes. It's as if she/her editors are taunting her die-hard readers saying, "I've still got it, but I'm gonna make you work for it." Everyone's entitled to a flop or three, but if this is "the new normal" Ms. Bujold, please put the Vorkosigan pen to rest and preserve the unparallelled quality of the series. Thank you for the gift of Miles and family and their fabulous adventures....

I looked forward to Cryoburn with a lot of anticipation, having followed Miles joyfully through all of his previous adventures. I was anxious to see how he would mature, and wondering what kind of father he would turn out to be. I was looking forward to hearing the patter of little feet in Vorkosigan House, as well.

Cryoburn gives next to nothing in that regard. Instead, we find Miles alone on a completely unfamiliar world, in an extremely slow starting story that keeps the reader confused and guessing in an uncharacteristic manner for chapter after chapter. Once it finally becomes clear just what is going on, the novel becomes much more fun, and has Miles surprising everyone in true Vorkosigan fashion for a fast paced and upbeat ending.

Cryoburn explores a world where the dead seem to matter more than the living. Life on a planet where people's hope of eternal youth (once science has defeated the aging process, and they are revived from cryostasis) holds some ghastly prospects for the living. Huge corporations control everything for their own profit, while the unemployed struggle simply to survive. Sound familiar?

Miles uncovers some sinister dealings that would have threatened the Barrayaran Empire, and saves the day again. There is a great deal of rollicking adventure here, a wonderful friendship with a young boy, with the social commentary deftly delivered in its midst. However, Ekaterin is completely absent, we learn that Miles' four (yes, four) children are growing up without meeting any of them, and word of the death of Miles' father is tagged on almost as an afterthought. I sincerely hope that Bujold will go back to fill in some of those gaps if the Vorkosigan saga is to continue. For the first time in this series, Cryoburn makes me wonder if Bujold is running out of steam with this character and this world. I hope not.

I looked forward to Cryoburn with a lot of anticipation, having followed Miles joyfully through all of his previous adventures. I was anxious to see how he would mature, and wondering what kind of father he would turn out to be. I was looking forward to hearing the patter of little feet in Vorkosigan House, as well.

Cryoburn gives next to nothing in that regard. Instead, we find Miles alone on a completely unfamiliar world, in an extremely slow starting story that keeps the reader confused and guessing in an uncharacteristic manner for chapter after chapter. Once it finally becomes clear just what is going on, the novel becomes much more fun, and has Miles surprising everyone in true Vorkosigan fashion for a fast paced and upbeat ending.

Cryoburn explores a world where the dead seem to matter more than the living. Life on a planet where people's hope of eternal youth (once science has defeated the aging process, and they are revived from cryostasis) holds some ghastly prospects for the living. Huge corporations control everything for their own profit, while the unemployed struggle simply to survive. Sound familiar?

Miles uncovers some sinister dealings that would have threatened the Barrayaran Empire, and saves the day again. There is a great deal of rollicking adventure here, a wonderful friendship with a young boy, with the social commentary deftly delivered in its midst. However, Ekaterin is completely absent, we learn that Miles' four (yes, four) children are growing up without meeting any of them, and word of the death of Miles' father is tagged on almost as an afterthought. I sincerely hope that Bujold will go back to fill in some of those gaps if the Vorkosigan saga is to continue. For the first time in this series, Cryoburn makes me wonder if Bujold is running out of steam with this character and this world. I hope not.

This is the latest Miles Vorkosigan book, and while not the best in the series (That was won hands down by "A Civil Campaign") it is a good place to start from to read the series. Miles is not just a character, but a whirlwind, that blows through all the planets and societies he deals with, and to start with how that whirlwind began, you need to go back to the beginning... And by the end, you will be different, too. Enjoy!

This was an interesting continuation of a long and excellent series. Miles, the hero, was incredibly lucky on so many occasions, the story lacked any realism, but perhaps that was the point? It was a fun read.

Lois McMaster Bujold is one of the best story teller in the world and the Vorkosigan series is some of the best Science Fiction ever written. "Cryoburn" is either a great ending to the series or it is the end of the second act for our intrepid hero. the store as always delivered expediently and made ordering it painless.

Well it's not Mirror Dance.

Cryoburn feels like it was written with the head, not the heart. All that careful idea selecting and deselecting gets you...a plot that was generally interesting, coherent, and connected back to earlier novels, but without real tension. As to the kids and critters...Remember the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi? Like, why are we suddenly all cute and fuzzy here? It's not as though you're worried about scaring your audience, after Empire. I had the Ewok-reaction of "I just don't get this" towards the new (diminutive) supporting cast in Cryoburn. We see a lot of the story from a child's uncomplicated point of view, which is amusing and relaxing but dilutes the force of the plot. After a couple of chapters I predicted that no one important would die or even get hurt and I was (almost) right.

This was also a tell-not-show novel with almost no internal dialog beyond the typical Miles-mania. I never got a good visual image of the new planet. Roic was reduced to basic-overworked-flunky status with standard grumblings, whereas he shone in the much shorter novella about The Wedding (forget the title).

Finally, I have always admired Ms. Bujold's remarkable ability to turn an evocative and memorable phrase. One- or two-liners that resonate as Just Great Writing. Not only were these absent in Cryoburn but there were a number (grant you not many) of sentences here and there that were simply clunky.

The best writing in the book was in the Epilogue - limiting yourself to precisely 100 words will really sharpen you up (I have had similar experiences limited to 500 words for scientific publishing). Here the story regained the crystalline prose and emotional density of Ms. Bujold's best work.

I hope that Cryoburn is intended as a mid-weight transition novel and that the author has more and better work in progress. Ms. Bujold has maintained an almost unprecedented originality and quality in her writing as evidenced by the continuing rain of Hugo and Nebula awards over decades. I suppose every author poops out at some point. I just hope she can produce the grand whopper Vorkosigan finale before then. And please oh please no "little Vorkosigan kidnapping" standard plot schtick...if I may be so bold as to make this request.

As usual Bujold has written another excellent novel. I've been awaiting another Vorkosigan novel for a long time. She has not disappointed me with this one. If you enjoy reading this author's work, buy this book!

I was a little underwhelmed by this release. Let me explain why: Books in the series have been about over-the-top space adventure, or about growing up and personal relationships, or both. Cryoburn has some of the former, isn't well executed in the latter. It feels like Miles is too burdened by his responsibilities to allow for care-free adventures, but nearly all of the interesting characters from the universe aren't on-planet for this book and have no chance to act. They seem to live on the sidelines, viewed through vague references.

Bujold shows her usual skill of making characters real and dialog life-like. A solid read, but not as sparkling fun as some other books in the series. It almost seems as if the book serves as a filler and delivery vehicle for the cliffhanger.

My first book by Bujold.. actuallt my first fiction book in a year, due to exams ect.
I could hardly put it down. My tv was pitch black during my reading of this book :-P
Most recommended for both techies and the average detective litterature fan.

Ms. Bujold continues her Vokasigan Saga in her incredible style and uses her magic vocabulary to wrap the reader into the world of Miles. As always,she pulls you deep into the story and transports you to the scene. She makes it compelling to continue and in the end she earns your applause. Amazing is only the start.

Once again, Lois McMaster Bujold has written a fast-paced, funny thriller featuring Miles Vorkosigan. As she has demonstrated throughout the series, Miles proves to be not only witty and quick, overcoming his physical difficulties with his gifted perspective on problems, but he also grows as he moves through life. We are no longer watching the madcap adventures of a lunatic youth, but now viewing the no-less-exciting times of Miles, the parent.

This book would be all that you would expect from a Vorkosigan story, except for the fact that, as usual, what you expect to happen doesn't. It makes for another excellent read.

Lois Bujold's strengths are, as usual, on display with this book. Her strong characterization is on prominent display, with the two characters we know a bit older and more mature, but still the comfortable characters fans of the series have grown to love. The new characters, primarily Jin, are well fleshed out and believable, and we quickly come to care for him. The returning minor character(Raven Durona) gets a good fleshing out.

Ms. Bujold's fascination with medical/life technology and it's effect on society is once again on display, and once again she creates an interesting society based on those changes. How would easy, convenient cryogenics affect society? This is something that could happen before long, and it could have a large impact on society. While the scenario she paints in this book is far fetched, it does a good job of illustrating the kinds of things society will face at some point.

The story is fun, the action exciting, the humor laugh out loud. Pacing is perfect. So why does it fall short? Well, to be honest it really doesn't, except in comparison to her own earlier work in the series. The first thing to note is that except for Miles and Roic, the rest of the large cast of characters we love to read about simply are not there, or only there briefly. No Cordelia, no Aral, no Ivan, no Simon, no Alys, no Gregor, no Ekatrin, no Pym. Mark and Kareen show up, but briefly. This is very frustrating to longtime fans, as [art of the pleasure of the Vorkosigan books is seeing how all those characters grow and interrelate.

More importantly, while the story is fine, it's not up to the standards of most of Bujold's books. The plot feels disjointed at times, and it felt as if she had a great idea's on the themes to tackle, but just was going through the motions on the story itself. It's not a bad story, but I expected better as she has shown herself quite capable of writing much better stories. And I think that is the biggest problem with this book, that Ms. Bujold has spoiled us, and we almost expect too much.

I sincerely hope that she does revisit the Vorkosigan universe again, and in much less time that it took her to do this book. I just hope that we see some of the old characters(especially Ivan, who does deserve his own book), and she returns to the form she is capable of. I do recommend this book to her fans, and to those who have not yet discovered the joys of the Vorkosigan books. It's not bad, it just could be better.

Cryoburn is a comfortable read, and it was certainly nice to catch up with Miles again, but I somewhat missed the wry humor in the face of constant impending disaster of prior Miles Vorkosigan novels.

I totally enjoyed this sci-fi masterpiece. The humanity was there like in the Best of Madame Bujold's literary successes. This story was people oriented, but the science supported the story, it was not THE story...the best kind of sci-fi.

I refuse to give the story away....but the ending made me do something I have not done since I was a toddler...

A hardy and rousing 5 out of 5, without hesitation.
The only book better in the series was 'The Warriors Apprentice".

Bujold is a treasure. As always she uses adept plotting, interesting and engaging characters, and an understated wit to examine issues and personalities. All of her books are so much fun to read that we sometime overlook her strong ethical and moral base. How lucky we are that she writes for us.

A really nice visit with old friends. A metaphor for the mortgage crisis, sort of. Probably not one of the books I'll reach for in the middle of the night, but a really good book. Interesting plot, interesting issues. Appearances by characters I care about. Funny as hell in bits. Sad, too.

Kindle readers, worry not! Included with my hardcover copy of Cryoburn was a cd with ALL the Vorkosigan books, including this one. What a deal, i get the book the day it comes out, i can still read it on my kindle AND i get the rest for free! yay!

Just got the book and anxiously pulled out the CD I'd heard mentioned in other reviews. YES!!! E-book versions of ALL the Miles books. I've been doing the the store "request a kindle version" for all of them, only now I'm delighted to get them all for a mere $13.99 (but I have already bought paper copies of every one, yes). Plus I get the new book in both paper and e-book. I'm saving Cryoburn for a special treat when I've got more time to savor it. Okay, I did sneak a peak at the very exciting beginning. Not sure how long I can hold out.
Thank you Ms. Bujold and Baen publishing! Not exactly sure what they are thinking giving it all away, but I wish some of my other favorite series would do this. If you haven't read a Miles Vorkosigan book before, I have no idea if Cryoburn itself is a good place to start, but since you get the whole series on CD, you can find out which one would be, if you have a computer or any e-reader. And if you love them as much as I (and many others) do, go and buy the paper copies for yourself or as gifts so they stay in business and get Ms. Bujold to write more! My copies are well-worn from being passed around and re-read.