Miles, Mystery & Mayhem

Here's the third compilation in the Vorkosigan saga. That's right folks, it's a compilation. NOT a new book. Love it anyway! It's two novels (_Cetaganda_ and _Ethan of Athos_) and one novella (_Labyrinth_) for the price of one hardback book! For those who are just discovering the greatness of Bujold, this is the perfect addition._Cetaganda_ is the story of Miles and his cousin Ivan (who is the opposite of Miles - tall, yet dull-minded and despises adventures) on their trip to Cetaganda for a funeral. Of course, Miles being Miles finds himself in the center of a huge plot, which he feels he must unravel (alone, of course). _Ethan of Athos_ is the story of Ethan of the planet Athos, an all-male planet that is akin to a monastery. Reproduction is through uterine replicators. When ovarian cultures run out, Ethan, a doctor, is sent into the wide sinful galaxy to find more. Although all he wants to do is avoid women (who spew sin), get the cultures, and get home, he winds up in espionage with a woman (what else?) as his partner. "Labyrinth" is the tale of Miles', as Admiral Naismith, trip to Jackson's Whole to help give refuge to a dr. In the meantime, he gets mixed up in a plot of battling Houses, must save a tissue sample for the refugee, and finds himself trapped with a lascivious werewolf girl! Overall, it's Bujold at her best, yet again! The centering theme of the three tales is the different consequences of one technology and how humanity can define itself as a result. Bujold adds humor, philosophy, and theology to make the book full of adventure and introspection. The characters are all believable, even when they get in over their heads. The writing is enjoyable, although some of the scenes required me to re-read them to fully follow what was going on. The perfect read for those who love sci-fi, adventure, or something just plain kick arse. Even if you haven't read the other two compilations of Bujold in the Vorkosigan saga (_Cordelia's Honor_ and _Young Miles_) this book will stand alone. Bujold does a fantastic job at making the books independent on their own but also part of a larger fabric.

Yet another of Baen's reprint editions, this one including Cetaganda, Ethan of Athos, and the story "Labyrinth" from Borders of Infinity. These stories are less thematically connected than is usually the case with these omnibus volumes. For one thing, Ethan of Athos is one of Bujold's earliest works (and certainly the most controversial), while Cetaganda, which is earlier in terms of internal chronology, and in fact contains the event which leads directly to the action in Ethan of Athos, is a much later and more mature work. "Labyrinth" is not directly connected to either of the other works, and in fact would make more sense being bound together with Mirror Dance, but these reprint volumes stick to internal chronology, rather than following themes. (For that reason, they make an excellent way to collect Bujold's complete works, if some time behind the dates of initial publication. I keep hoping that Baen will eventually offer a complete set in a slip case.)Cetaganda occurs not long after the events in Young Miles. Miles is sent, somewhat to his discomfort, to a state funeral on Cetaganda, a rival empire against which he had waged war in his alter ego role of Admiral Naismith. He has no orders beyond a general instruction to "stay out of trouble!" But, of course, being Miles, he can't. Part of the trouble he gets into leads directly to the trouble in Ethan of Athos, in which Miles' protegé Elli Quinn tracks down a biological puzzle Miles comes across in Cetaganda. What makes it controversial is that the title character comes from a planet inhabited only by men. (One of the technologies in Bujold's universe, the uterine replicator, allows the in vitro gestation of fetuses, which, among other things, allows the development of the quaddies in Falling Free and the continued existence of a world without women.) Many people have called Ethan of Athos "gay" fiction, because many of the men on Athos still act out their sexual desires, only with one another. However, my reading of the work is as an examination (in so far as the homosexuality is discussed at all) of homosexuality as a form of misogyny. In any case, misogyny, rather than homosexuality, is clearly the driving force in Athosian culture. (Along similar lines, some have asked if there is a women-only planet, as the opposite of Athos. But to me, the opposite of Athos has already been described. People tend to find diversity threatening, and two of the dysfunctional strategies for trying to avoid diversity are either to drive out those who are different, which is the case on Athos, or to remove the distinction itself, which is the case with Beta Colony's hermaphrodites.) "Labyrinth" shows Miles doing what he loves best: rescuing captives.

Yes, it's a reprint. With all due respect, "duh." Ms. Bujold's works, *especially* the new ones, don't just "appear."So, if you're a longtime Bujold fan, you are indeed out of luck.Unless, of course, you're--oh, I don't know--*holiday shopping.*This is a great gift for that person you keep meaning to hook on Bujold, but who can never seem to find the time to sit down with _Shards of Honor_. It's also great for that person you *tried* to turn on to Bujold but was left relatively cold by _Shards_. Many people who read Bujold and can't really get into _Shards_, _Barrayar_, or their compilation, _Cordelia's Honor_, wind up as great fans of *Miles* and his associates and exploits.Cetaganda and "Labyrinth" recount two of Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's early galactic adventures. Go ahead. Don't smile when you read about Miles, a dwarfish "four-foot-mumble" being trapped with a horny teenaged werewolf. I dare you. And his inappropriate if not off color limericks at a high Cetagandan funeral are not to be missed. And this is *besides* being great mystery/adventures.Ethan of Athos the story of an obstetrician on an all-male planet. No, that's not a typo. The gender and culture clash that ensues when he's "rescued" by Dendarii Mercenary Elli Quinn provide action, entertainment, and detailed, intricate characterization. Any more and that would be telling.So, pick it up for that tough to shop for SF fan. When they come for air in a couple of days, they'll thank you.

This is the 3rd installment of reprints that combine Vorkosigan stories: this one containing -Cetaganda-, -Ethan of Athos- & the novella "Labyrinth". In these stories, Miles has fun taking several people down ... including scotching several nasty people when he isn't actually there!Although -Cetaganda- is a 'Miles and Ivan fall into a cesspool and come up with diamonds' adventure [ & really, what more need i say?] that features Miles as Lt. Miles Vorkosigan, -Ethan- and "Labyrinth" involved Miles' *other* persona: Admiral Miles Vorkosigan of the Dendarii Mercenaries.-Ethan- is the story of Dr. Ethan Urquhart who comes from Ethos, a "Men Only!" planet, in his quest for viable eggs [the Uterine Replicator makes things *so* tidy!]. Finding himself in a frightening world where *shudder* WOMEN are not only present but exuberantly so, Ethan inadventantly teams up with Elli Quinn, Adm. Vorkosigan's second-in-command. With the cry of "Thank you, magnificent sneaky dwarf!" Elli foils several plots, dragging the bemused Ethan along to a marvelously pleasing conclusion."Labyrinth", another Adm. Vorkosigan adventurer, finds Miles and the Dendarii Mercenaries camped in orbit of Jackson's Whole, a sleazy place where the Dendarii are reluctant mercenaries indeed. When Miles finds himself in a jam, he ends up rescuing a fairy-tale Beauty disguised as a very definite Beast ... and helps several others, including Dendarii, in the mix.Taken together, -Miles, Mystery, & Mayhem- ties together three early tales of the oddest Vorkosigan [and no, i'm *not* forgetting Mark; he's not *there*, yet!].

Do not buy this if you already have copies Cetaganda and Ethan of Athos as this is a reprint of those two. That said if you don't already have you very own copies (and why NOT?) go ahead and buy this two-in-one hardcover. If you want something new you will have to wait impatiently until May 2002. The only nit I have to ever pick with Lois McMaster Bujold is that she can't write faster!