LMB is my all time favorite author, and I am a huge fan of the Vorkosigan’s. Needless to say, I was beyond thrilled when I heard that she had a new book on its way, and it was about IVAN of all people. I love Miles** (the main character of most of the other books in the series) beyond reason, but I’ve also always had a very soft spot for Ivan. None of his family has been able to figure out that just because he’s-not-like-Miles doesn’t mean he is less-than-Miles, and I was glad to see him get a story of his own.I managed to avoid all spoilers about this book, and refused to be tempted by the e-ARCs that was available from Baen Books months ago, all because I wanted to be able to read this for the first time in hardcover. I was not disappointed. This was a very satisfying visit to the world of the Vorkosigan’s and it had plenty of good cameos from nearly all of my favorite characters.Having said that: I’m not sure I would recommend this is as a point of entry in to the series. I think a new reader would enjoy it, but there are so many references that were made more meaningful to me because I knew the rest of the story. I’m die-hard enough about this series that I really think you should start all the way back at the beginning with Cordelia’s Honor and then work your way forward.And know that I am jealous of you, starting these books fresh, because as much as I love re-reading them, I would dearly love to go back and read them all again “for the first time” — they are that good.Yes, I know they are space opera, but that doesn’t really matter. They are good stories with amazing characters. **As proof of my adoration: I named my cat Miles….
