ISBN: 0-671-57827-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
A humorous Regency Romance set on the planet Barrayar, this novel features politics, romance, and Bujold-trademark sympathetic characters and excellent dialogue, amid somewhat artificial plot developments and not much action.
Reviewed by David on August 29, 1999
Genre: Science Fiction (Romance, Intrigue)
Synopsis: As Miles Vorkosigan continues his anxious pursuit of Ekaterin, a number of obstacles, some self-inflicted, arise to complicate the road to happiness for him and his relatives. Meanwhile, the social and political maneuverings surround the wedding of Emperor Gregor.
Full Review: Bujold had burst onto the American Science Fiction scene with her superb Shards of Honor in 1986, about a fascinating future, with wars and commerce, cruelty and and compassion, and anachronistic, personal honor. What made the book so fascinating were the main characters, the admiral and aristocrat Aral Vorkosigan, and explorer Cordelia Naismith.
She continued her success with the equally excellent Warrior's Apprentice, about their son Miles.
A number of subsequent novels detailing the life and adventures of Miles Vorkosigan make for one the most enjoyable series in the modern Science Fiction.
A Civil Campaign follows closely on the events in Komarr. Miles is desperately afraid of driving away his beloved Ekaterin, who, after her painful marriage, is loath to contemplate a commitment to another man. In his fear, Miles nearly pushes her away, as his relatives and friends watch, with occasional glee, Miles' suddenly bumbling moves.
His cousin Ivan is beginning to regret his pleasant but short-lived romances, as more and more of his former girlfriends reject dalliance for commitments to other men. Two Countships are contested, and Miles, as the appointed voice of his father, Count Vorkosigan, as well as an Imperial Auditor, is involved in what is becoming a bitter and dirty political battle. To add to this, Miles' brother Mark, whose romance with the pretty Kareen Koudelka is in trouble, is knee-deep in a risky investment scheme that may drag the House Vorkosigan into an ecological or economic disaster.
The earlier Vorkosigan books have always had humor, but in this case some of the plot developments seem to be shoehorned for the sake of the comedy. The novel is full of complications and misunderstanding, much like a Heyer romance (one of the book's dedications is to Georgette). While not as frustratingly obtuse as heroes of a typical Regency Romance, the main characters commit several annoyingly out-of-character blunders.
Ivan Vorpatril (a.k.a. That Idiot Ivan) proves more capable than he traditionally lets on, although his past and continuing childishness causes both him and his friends some annoyance. As in many Bujold books, there is some smoothly handled view-hopping. As one expects in a Bujold novel, there is excellent monologue and dialogue, and lines one longs to reread as soon as the book is finished. The warmth, wit and sympathy sparkle between several of the main characters, and Aral and Cordelia make brief but effective appearance. Cordelia in particular is still frighteningly efficient when she sets her mind on something.
While different in style from many of the more military Vorkosigan Adventures, this novel adds enough development to some of the most enjoyable characters in modern science fiction, that it is guaranteed to be a hit with Bujold's fans. Despite some strained plot devices, this book is a pleasure to read, and can stand on its own, although I would recommend starting with Shards of Honor, or at least Warrior's Apprentice for those new to the Vorkosigan Saga.
Universe: Vorkosiverse
Overall: 7; Plot: 5.5; Characters: 8; Style: 7; World-building: 7.5; Originality: 5.5;
Baen, September 1999, Cloth, 405 pages
ISBN: 0-671-57827-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com