Review of Cryoburn, Lois McMaster Bujold

Bujold, Lois McMaster, 2010, Cryoburn, Baen, 345 p + CD. HB, ISBN 978-1-4391-3394-1, $25 US, $28.99 Can.

The Vorkosigan Saga is all about Miles Vorkosigan. Crippled from birth and cursed with brittle bones, Miles was never expected to accomplish anything, despite his noble birth. His quick wit and determination have confounded friends and enemies time after time. Miles has not only survived, but risen to the position of Imperial Auditor. The combination of spy and imperial representative goes where he is needed most.

Cryoburn, the 15th Vorkosigan novel delivers fast-paced excitement and plot twists of a kind with which Miles fans are familiar. Miles starts off in trouble, drugged, kidnapped, and underestimated by everyone who doesn't know him well. The Emperor had sent him to investigate Kibou-daini, a planet where tending wealthy corpsicles is a way of life. The merchants of somnolence are seeking to move into the Empire, and the whole situation seems a little bit off. Unsurprisingly, the Emperor's top troubleshooter has not wasted his trip, and is soon neck deep or deeper in conspiracy, the plight of the downtrodden, and danger.

The story begins after Miles escapes from a botched kidnapping attempt. One of his hallucinations turns out to be a young man who takes him to a safe hiding place where he can rest up. A hiding place full of chickens. Miles has stumbled into a community of outcasts living as best they can on the leavings of the dominant planetary society. Which is obsessed with cheating death by preserving citizens as corpsicles, millions of them. And managing their money. And someone in the business is willing to go to great lengths to protect a secret. Once Miles gets back on his feet, he and his erstwhile companions at the Embassy are looking for the secret and each other. Eventually, Miles has enough of a handle on the problem to start making plans and kicking butt. At this point, you won't want to put the book down until you get to the last page.

Bujold is known for fast-paced action in fascinating settings, and this book delivers. Miles is getting older, but he hasn't slowed down much. If you are already a fan, you will be more than satisfied. If Cryoburn is your introduction to the Vorkosigan Saga, you will find it a very good read, but I have to recommend you start somewhere near the beginning of the series for maximum enjoyment. All of the books should be easy enough to find new or used.

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