Cetaganda

Book excerpt: Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan are sent on a diplomatic mission to the court of the Cetagandan Empire, Barrayar's former enemy. This sophisticated, genetically advanced but in many ways alien society both fascinates and repels, and when the Cetagandan Empress and her attendant die suddenly, Miles and Ivan find themselves embroiled in intrigues that are hard to fathom. Ivan's romances and Miles' infatuation with a nobel Cetagandan lady further complicate matters in this novel by four-time Hugo Award winner Lois McMaster Bujold. Publishers Weekly wrote of CETAGANDA: "Set in a vividly realized world where Machiavellian intrigues are played out behind a facade of aristocratic discretion, this novel … blends high adventure with wry commentary on the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between human ideals and political realities." "Swashbuckling adventure laced with wry humor acts as a camouflage for the author's incisive and gentle irony in the latest addition to the popular "Vorkosigan" series." - Library Journal "Set in a vividly realized world where Machiavellian intrigues are played out behind a facade of aristocratic discretion, this novel … blends high adventure with wry commentary on the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between human ideals and political realities." - Publishers Weekly "It's obvious by now that the wit, charm and headlong, impetuous genius of Miles Naismith Vorkosigan ... have transformed the stuff of standard military space opera into something far more delicious -- and addictive." - Locus Magazine “Bujold continues to prove what marvels genius can create out of basic space operatics.” - Library Journal “Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.” - SF Site “Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.” - Locus Magazine “A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.” - Rave Reviews “Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.” - Chicago Sun Times “Superb far-future saga.” - Publishers Weekly on the 'Vorkosigan' series Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF." - Publishers Weekly "Bujold is also head and shoulders above the ruck of current fantasists and well as science-fictionists." - Booklist about the author: Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction. She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children. She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982. She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold to Baen Books, launching her career. Bujold went on to write many other books for Baen, mostly featuring her popular character Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, his family, friends, and enemies. Her books have been translated into twenty-one languages. Her fantasy from Eos includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series.