Vorkosigan, but not Miles

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Somewhat. It's a nice enough story, but a real departure from other vorkosigan saga.

Would you recommend Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not. It's really not my cup of tea.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Nothing really springs to mind. Not that it is bland, it just did not grab me the way the usual vorkosigan saga would.

Do you think Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. Give me back the space opera!

Any additional comments?

I was tempted to return the book, but I did enjoy the narration, even if it was disappointing. It's like ordering a ribeye steak, and getting nicoise instead. I still enjoyed it, but it is not steak

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1 person found this helpful

Wonderful love story after a great loss

Found this very easy to listen to & enjoyed the balanced sci-fi & romance

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Different but does draw you in.

Not quite what I was expecting but Grovers usual beautiful reading and the authors careful, polished writing is like an old friend.

These books are I think unique. I only hope Lois continues to delight us for many years to come.

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A life of work dwindling down

This is a good good, no doubt of that, but it feels ... sad. To me it really feels like a goodbye to old friends, which you know you may never see again.
The book really feels much better than the last three Vorkosigan, neither Diplomatic Immunity nor Cryoburn had any real oomph in them and Capt. Vorpatril was oddly unfinished. This book feel more cohesive and well written, with more heart in. Actually, that is what is in it ... heart.
The first chapter hit me like a emotional broadside, and the rest of the book my poor soul was shell shocked.
Vox Day would hate this one I guess...

But in the end, it feels like an epiloge ... or an eulogy of some sorts.

The reading was unexceptional but adequate.

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another good yarn from Ms Bujold

Ms Bujold is consistently one of the very best authors in the genre and this book although a little different is excellently crafted.

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Why so many polarised reviews?

Before I listened to this audio book I checked it out and was surprised at the amount of low reviews. Bujolds writing had not disappointed me before, so I went ahead anyway.

All true wealth is biological, and despite lacking in action, battles and mostly Miles, this book addressed, like all the books in this series, the interplay of biology and science. I expect the themes on sexuality and marital relationships are the ones that had resulted in the most bad reviews, as these topics usually do. Unfairly I feel, but you can make your own judgement on that.

It was a pleasant listen (a lot of thanks to the narrator). Much like a book length epilogue to the series. I wish there will be more, but this was a good finale for Cordelias story.

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A tale of two humans

This is a lovely book, as only Bujold can write. There is hardly any action or intrigue -so I can understand why some hate it- but there is a whole planet of subtleties and interpersonal prospecting to discover in its pages.

It's not a book for everyone, and you should start it with proper expectations: it two older people rediscovering life, after they lost what (he who) used to be their rock and foundation. It's a book where Miles is mostly silent, listening... There no one saving the universe, or Barayar as a proxy. It's probably my favourite in the series, for pure personal reasons: it felt like I was reading my own life in Jole's and Cordelia's contemplations.

And as always, Grover Gardner is sublime.

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surprised to have liked this

No fighting, no huge wars, no Miles (well nearly not). I avoided listening to this for ages because of the above, but the themes are all there and it's a heartwarming story. Sincerely hope it's not the last in this universe. Bujold, are you listening?

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Lovely story

I liked this so much - like a comfy blanket! All the characters were there plus new ones and interesting history

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No scifi here

Story was nice, and would have needed very little editing in order to fit in Victorian England.

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