A Civil Campaign

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel

By: Lois McMaster Bujold

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Lord Miles Vorkosigan has a problem that all his new power can't solve: unrequited love for the beautiful Vor widow Ekaterin Vorsoisson. Ekaterin is violently allergic to marriage as a result of her first exposure. But, as Miles learned from his late career in galactic covert ops, if a frontal assault won't do, go to subterfuge.

Miles has a cunning plan, which, of course, has to be worked out in between District succession scandals and plans for the emperor's wedding. And if no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, just imagine what all Miles' friends and relatives can do to his romantic strategy.

Hi-fi sci-fi: listen to more in the Vorkosigan saga.©1999 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"The latest Miles Vorkosigan adventure has him campaigning in four plots....Bujold weaves all four actions into a seamless whole that her faithful readers may rank among the best books in an outstanding series." (Booklist)

"Bujold successfully mixes quirky humor with just enough action, a dab of feminist social commentary, and her usual superb character development in a sprightly SF romance that her many fans will find enormously satisfying." (Publishers Weekly)

Miles at his most beautiful

This book feels like the culmination of all previous and precious books before it in the Vorkosigan saga. It is as if they all lead to this epic tale of love both manic and majestic. It is more comedy and less action than before but with an adult beauty that feeds the soul. Cordelia and Aral though minor characters are like a warm knife cutting through butter in their conversations with the entire cast. So, I love this book and all the tension and emotions that come with it. And I recommend it with all my heart to anyone who liked the series so far.

A clash of politics, intrigue, and romance...

So, finally a Miles adventure that is not all about mercenaries, shooting, kidnapping, and so forth, but more about Barrayaran history and politics, hereditary wheeling and dealing, the council of counts, medical ethics, and romance.

Of course, the emperor's impending wedding is central, as expected. So, almost all the action takes place in the capital of Barrayar, Vorbar Sultana.

Yes, indeed, this is a bit different from the usual, but still very Miles... and Mark... and Vorkosigan. But with a bit more romance and comedy mixed in with the usual intrigue. Parts of it are hilarious!

I listened to this book via the Audible app and the narrator, Grover Gardner, is awesome.

Thoroughly entertaining listen

I've enjoyed all of the books by Ms Bujold. The Vorkosigan saga is particularly enjoyable.

Loved this book. Wish I'd listened in order...

This was a very satisfying book. I love Miles. Lord Mark got on my nerves in this one, though.

I've read/listened to nearly all of the series, just not in order, because Audible didn't start tracking the series order until long after I discovered the Vorkosigans. Now, I feel I need to start from the beginning in order to truly appreciate the whole saga.

Lois McMaster Bujold's characters are a wonder.

Favorite Book Ever

Grover Gardner does a fantastic job of bringing the world of Miles Vorkosigan to life. This book services all the characters you've known and lived throughout the series. If you haven't read Komar, go back and read that first. This book is a modern love story and a future love story set in the future. the science fiction is well thought out and seamlessly blends into the world so that the ethical and socio-political questions it presents are all the more poignant. The characters are so much fun to spend time with that I've listened to this book a literal hundred times. I often listen to it as I'm going to bed, kept company by my favorite characters written by my favorite author.

Another fun and thrilling romp

I've been binge listening to the whole saga and thus is a deliciously convoluted, funny, and satisfying installment. The narrator does a great service to the story as usual. The most fun I had since the Mobius Missions.

Still going strong!

I loved this book, the party scene was the funnies thing I have read in ages! The narration is impecable too :) Quick! We need more of Miles Vorkosigan books!

Another great listen

This story is another great listen. After Memory it really felt like and end to the series Komar was a decent follow up, but this here is a peice of art.

I give few five star reviews. This is a truly 5 star book.

The Best Declaration of Love Since Browning

I won't repeat the many praises of the other reviewers, except to say they are all true. Bujold has a way of phrasing essential truths, often via Cordelia's wisdom, in a way you want to keep, quote, and pass on to your kids.
In this book, she has outdone herself in the arena of saying perfectly what MUST be said right. Miles' letter to Ekaterin is a template for the true declaration of love that rivals anything Shakespeare offers. Oh, that I could have said it so well when the time came to declare my love to my own heart's Countess...

Lovely tale for vor fans

Another great story for the loyal vor fans.
Satisfying stand-alone plot, but I'd still recommend readers to start with earlier stories.