I love Ivan. I love when Miles and Ivan have to work together. Throw in a planet full of Cetagandans and yet another plot against Barrayar and you have a winner.

I feel so sorry for Ivan. If Miles weren't in the picture, Ivan wouldn't have anything to live up to and would be perfectly happy in his life. But despite Miles' physical appearance, Miles intelligence and drive to overcome his appearance (and Barrayar's prejudice) means that Ivan's only defense is to appear dumber than he appears, which means that in this instance Miles is free to work behind the scene and foil every attempt to frame Barrayar and the Count. Miles never wavers in his determination, even when it saving Barrayar means he must save the Centagandan Empire, too. And, of course, Ivan has no choice but to fall in behind Miles and help him save the day. ( )

Bujold is a brilliant writer and the adventures of Miles Vorkosigan are always fun. This book is almost impossible to find in the UK but I managed to scrape a copy. It is a fun, light read with Miles as usual unable to avoid interfering in events around him on a world where the true power is hard to define.
I will be hunting Brothers in Arms next. ( )

Another lesser book in the series. The description of Cetagandan "post-human" society had its moments, though. And Ivan for once gets to prove his worth, or at least his talents.

A fascinating look into the Cetagandans, the Barrayarans' most hated enemy. As usual, Miles (and cousin Ivan) don't disappoint! ( )

One of my favorite of the Barrayar books, this is a mystery novel inside a political suspense novel inside what is really just an extended and exuberant exercise in worldbuilding - as Miles and Ivan attend the Empress' funeral, they get to see an unexpectedly intimate view of the circles inside circles of the Cetagandan aristocracy - and the grand beauty of their culture. The friendly enemies are all suitably honorable, the bad guys are all suitably despicable, the plots are baroque, and for once, Miles gets *exactly* what he deserves. ( )