(no subject)

[swatkat]

I cannot, cannot bring myself to read the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty, even though I have it lying in front of me. The first one disappointed me, and I don't know, I just.don't.want.to. My sister thinks I'm being stupid.

Meanwhile, I heart Miles Vorkosigan (and his parents too, particularly his mother). Is there fanfiction out there? And why do I always have to fall for books that have an endless number of sequels?

Comments

[plazmah.livejournal.com]

I cannot, cannot bring myself to read the sequel to A Great and Terrible Beauty

I loved the first book and promised to read the second one... but I find my interest waning these days. Maybe it's some sort of common phenomenon? ;P

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Heh. I don't know. I didn't *dislike* the first book, but I *was* disappointed it - it began well, but couldn't sustain it somehow. (But Gemma/Felicity is canon)

[lyras.livejournal.com]

You need lmbujold and [Bad username or site: bujold fic @ livejournal.com]. I'm not so up on recent Vorkosiverse fic, but I did read some excellent crossover fic by hedda62 (I think E.H. (or possibly J.) Smith on fiction alley) and AJ Hall (search for Shoes for Industry or the LOPiverse) a few years back.

Make sure you read the rest of the actual books before you touch those, though - and let me know if you need help with the reading order and titles, because they've all been reissued recently in compendiums, and it can get confusing, or maybe that's just me *g*.

Never read A Great and Terrible Beauty; so you wouldn't recommend it, then?

[lyras.livejournal.com]

Bleh, sorry. bujold_fic!

[evilstorm.livejournal.com]

...This is blatant thread-hijacking, but aaahhhhh thank you for those links.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks! I do intend to read the books first (and god, there are so many!), because they're pretty fascinating by themselves. *g* Reading order will be good, although amazon did help me out a bit...

I'm not sure if I *wouldn't* recommend it. The book begins well, and while *I* felt let down by the way it ended, I know other people who're fond of it. I wouldn't recommend buying a copy - borrow it from a friend, or the library, and give it a try some day. Who knows, you might like it more than I did?

[lyras.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome!

[lyras.livejournal.com]

Chronologically the books are as follows:

Falling Free (but this is a standalone novella set two hundred years before the rest, so can be read independently and is not necessary in order to understand the rest of the books).
Shards of Honor
Barrayar
(These were recently reissued in one volume as Cordelia's Honor. Not sure if you've read them yet, but I recommend at least skimming Shards of Honor in order for Barrayar to make sense, because IMO Barrayar is Bujold at her best.)
The Warrior's Apprentice
The Mountains of Mourning (short story)
The Vor Game
Cataganda
Ethan of Athos
Labyrinth (short story)
The Borders of Infinity (short story)
Brothers in Arms
Mirror Dance
Memory (my favourite)
Komarr
A Civil Campaign
Winterfair Gifts (short story)
Diplomatic Immunity

I took this from www.dendarii.com, but their list contains spoilers.

All the shorts except Winterfair Gifts were published in Borders of Infinity, loosely linked by an overarching story. In addition Baen has published several compendiums: Young Miles (Mountains of Mourning, the Warrior's Apprentice and the Vor Game), Miles, Mystery and Mayhem (Cetaganda, Ethan of Athos, Labyrinth) and Miles Errant (Borders of Infinity, Brothers in Arms and Mirror Dance).

Hope this helps!

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thank you! I have in fact read Shards of Honour and Barrayar, and am quite in love with Cordelia. I agree that her writing picks up at Barrayar, which really is an awesome book (and how much do you love the glimpses of baby!Emperor Gregor? *hearts*). I think one *should* read Barrayar at least before reading the Miles books.

[nell65.livejournal.com]

Hey you!

I've become quite the Bujold fan - and have read most of the Vorksogian books, and she also has some fantasy works I've really enjoyed.

I don't know a great and terrible beauty, though...

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Hey! I've enjoyed what I read so far (which isn't much) - I'm definitely going to read more. Great and Terrible Beauty is an odd book - you might borrow it, if you're curious, but I wouldn't recommend buying.