Komarr, Lois McMaster Bujold's latest novel, continues the saga of Miles Vorkosigan. Miles is a charismatic hero - even though he is short, twisted by malformed bones, and in his own mind, repulsive. To compensate he is witty, charming and infinitely resourceful. Perhaps it helps that he is the son of the ex-Prime Minister of Barrayar. Previous readers of Bujold's works will be familiar with Mile's driving ambition; but in Komarr he is slightly tamed down. Although that doesn't mean this novel lacks for action. In fact, Miles has been assigned, in his new capacity as an Imperial Auditor - a title which would be better described as Imperial Investigator, to find out why a space cargo ship crashed into a solar mirror. It should be an easy assignment, but the solar mirror orbited Komarr. Komarr is a conquered planet, annexed by the Barrayaran Imperium before Miles was even born, by Miles's father. Quite naturally, the Komarrans resent the Barrayaran interference in their lives and specifically resent Miles for carrying the name Vorkosigan. As Miles deflects the hostilities of the Komarrans, he is beset by an additional problem. He is attracted to his host's wife. Whilst the main mystery plot carries the action, the main emphasis of Komarr is not on the crash, but on character development. Miles has emerged from his catharsis in Bujold's previous novel about him, Memory. He is still finding his place in a civilian world, one where although he has immense power as an Imperial Auditor, he is hesitant to use or abuse it. Bujold introduces a range of new characters, not least Miles's love interest, Ekaterin. Married, with a child and a whole baggage of her own worries, Ekaterin is something that Miles has never had to deal with before: domesticity. Bujold excels at sparkling dialogue; the kind you just have to read aloud to anyone within listening range, be it a partner, stranger or your pet cat. I thoroughly enjoyed Komarr, and so will all Bujold's fans. Hopefully still more will be converted by this latest adventure. There's a mystery to solve, love to be found and as always, planets to save. -Nikki van der Walt Komarr takes up the adventures of the newest Barrayaran Imperial Auditor, Lord Miles Vorkosigan, three months after the events chronicled in Memory. The planet Komarr, which was forcibly annexed into the Barrayaran Imperium some decades earlier by Miles's father, has suffered catastrophic damage to a solar mirror vital to its terraforming efforts. Together with another Imperial Auditor Miles must pinpoint whether the damage was accidental or sabotage. If sabotage, who is to blame? Komarran extremists? Barrayaran isolationists? Komarr is a shorter and more relaxed book than its immediate two predecessors, Mirror Dance and Memory. This is probably deliberate since its gives Miles, the author, and the reader a chance to catch their breaths. It also serves to allow for the introduction of a major new character in Miles's life. The outstanding characterizations which are a hallmark of Lois McMaster Bujold's work are employed to good effect and there is some sparkling dialog to match. The answers to the questions which Miles must answer are intriguing when they come and are not quite as simple as the original questions would have suggested. Komarr is one of those books which can be reread to good effect as the small details which were missed on the first time around are integrated with the story. Although old hands will appreciate the references and allusions which are tastefully scattered through the book for their enjoyment, Komarr can stand on its own without reference to the remainder of the series. Recommended. Especially so for those who have already been drawn into the Vorkosigan universe. -Franz Tomasek
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Read a sample chapter of Komarr on the Baen website.
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| About the Reviewers
Nikki van der Walt is a youngish, blondish woman who reads to her cat, Tybalt and talks to bonsai. Slightly odd, but quite charming. Doesn't bite and rarely has fleas. She has a completely unbiased opinion of Bujold's work as do all of her fans. Franz Tomasek hails from Johannesburg, South Africa where every two years or so he plots and schemes to obtain an advance review copy of Bujold's latest work. The rest of his time he spends frustrating his clients' ambitions to reduce their tax bills, planning to get to Worldcon, and associating with local science fiction fen and other dangerous people. |
Komarr