I delayed buying and reading this book for years, because it sounded rather long and unpleasant, from the little I knew about it; and also because I’m not very keen on Miles’s military career, nor am I very keen on his clone Mark, and the story is big on both.

However, in the end I decided to put myself through it, and it wasn’t so bad after all; although there are some unpleasant patches in it. After just one reading, I can’t give it a proper review or rating, so this is just a placeholder.

The story is certainly gripping, and I didn’t want to put it down, but real life intervened; I rarely read a whole novel at one sitting these days.

It remains a book that I’m glad to have read not so much for itself, as for the background it provides for the later books: Miles’s civilian career, in fact, most of which I’ve already read, and which I enjoy more.

It strikes me as odd how many diverse women are attracted to Miles, and in fact seem to fall in love with him. It happens again in this book. I can understand that his personality may be fascinating, but from the descriptions we get I’d have thought him physically quite unattractive to women; and the text never gives much explanation of what the attraction is.

Mark looks similar to Miles but fatter, and seems to have a less fascinating personality. He doesn’t attract the same number of women, but Kareen seems to fall in love with him almost at first sight, and again there’s no attempt to explain this phenomenon. I suppose you could say that love is inexplicable; but as a reader I prefer the plot of a story to seem plausible. ( )

Yet another excellent Bujold book... shocking and disturbing, but it kept the pages turning. ( )

I finished [b:Mirror Dance|61909|Mirror Dance (Vorkosigan Saga, #9)|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170597878s/61909.jpg|287351] by [a:Lois McMaster Bujold|16094|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1199059582p2/16094.jpg] last night--well, early this morning. :-)

I didn't like the whole first part of the book, but it was necessary to the remainder of the story. I didn't like Mark and I'm still not sure I do, but I have more respect for him now.

Mark's time on Barrayar and his conversations with Cordelia, Aral, and Gregor are highlights in this book. (Side comment--when did Gregor become so insightful???)

MIles with cryo-amnesia was very interesting, trying to choose whether he was Naismith or the clone (Mark), not knowing that Miles Vorkosigan was an option until his memory cascade.

I also thought it was interesting that Bujold continues the idea that Miles Vorkosigan needs Admiral Naismith as an "outlet" to keep from going crazy--sort of a therapeutic alter-ego--and then expands the idea in Mark with his multiple egos (Gorge, Grunt, Howl and Killer). Will "Betan therapy" integrate these in the future? Will that be a good thing or a bad thing for Mark?

And will Aral and Cordelia go full circle and move to Sergyar?

Can't wait to read more! ( )

Miles is not the main character here. Instead, most of the novel is told from his clone's point of view. This makes for a less entertaining read, although one darker and heavier with pathos. We finally get to know Mark, a confused and traumatized young man, who nevertheless is not a bad person. The breathtaking pace we are used to in this series slows downs somewhat, but although I'm looking forward to more Miles this change of pace was not unwelcome. ( )

Really, really great. The books few problematic beats were overshadowed by immaculate character work and a perfectly paced narrative. Just gorgeously written. Now, on to Memory! ( )