The Vor Game Audiobook By Lois McMaster Bujold cover art

The Vor Game

A Miles Vorkosigan Novel

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The Vor Game

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Miles Vorkosigan graduates from the Barrayaran Military Academy with high expectations of ship command, but is disappointed with an assignment as meteorologist to Lazkowski Base, an arctic training camp. His tenure in the windy, snow-covered north is cut short when Miles narrowly averts a massacre between the trigger-happy base commander and mutinous recruits. After a brief stay under 'house arrest', Miles is re-assigned to investigate a suspicious military build-up near a wormhole nexus. Reviving his undercover persona as mercenary Admiral Miles Naismith, his routine information-gathering duty expands to a rescue mission when the Emperor of Barrayar disappears during a political conference on a nearby space station. Miles must use his considerable negotiating skills to avoid a showdown between competing powers for control of the wormhole, find the Emperor, and watch his back for the arctic base commander seeking bloody vengeance.©1990 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks Adventure Science Fiction Fiction Funny Space Military

Critic reviews

  • 2005 Audie Award Nominee, Science-Fiction
  • Hugo Award Winner, Best Novel, 1991

Featured Article: 12 of the Best Sci-Fi Series in Audio


From the furthest reaches of space to the microbiology of pandemics and gene manipulation, to the future implications of technology for societies similar to our own, science fiction is a fascinating genre that offers listeners a wide variety of ways to access its themes. In looking for the best sci-fi audiobook series, it can be difficult to know where to start due to the genre's sheer number of iterations and variations. But what these series have in common is an acute devotion to telling a good story, as well as fully building out the worlds therein. The writing is enhanced by the creative and impassioned narration.

Featured Article 12 of the Best Sci Fi Series in Audio
Complex Characters • Witty Dialogue • Engaging Plot • Clever Humor • Rich Worldbuilding • Consistent Performance
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This is a light read, nothing too complicated but it's a lot of fun. The character is interesting but rather generic, except for a physical deformity which doesn't affect the story much, though it did shape his character. The buildup to the ending was well done. The conclusion was grand.

Two things that bothered me... first, it was a sequel and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the previous book. The events in this book didn't require the sequel but there were characters and relationships already established. Unfortunately I couldn't get the prequel on audio. Second, apparently our hero was a grand savior in the prequel, but he doesn't get much respect for it in this book. Either I'm missing something explained in that book, or the author broke logic a little to make this book work.

Anyhow, I enjoyed the story and there were several scenes that had me chuckling out loud. I'll be looking for other books in this series to make it to Audible.

Simple and light, but fun

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McMaster Bujold has such a talent for escalation. You think you're at the climax of the story, then realize you're only in Chapter 8. Miles continues to fail upwards, apologetically dodging his superiors who don't see the whole picture like he does. He's the best flawed genius in sci fi and is so fascinating to read.
I took a star off Performance only because the pronunciatuon of a few words from earlier in the series changed, which was a bit confusing. otherwise I'm really into the narrator, whose diction is excellent.

LMB is a genius

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Another enjoyable Vorkosigan novel. I really hope this series gets to film at some point.

Another enjoyable read

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loved this. it was sweet, witty, smart, funny. I'm so glad to finally read a story about a man who doesn't measure up physically who has a father who loves him openly and honestly despite his deformity. I'm so glad to read a story about a suicidal depressed person who is able to talk to their friend about their problems without being ashamed. I'm so glad to read a story like this one. I'm hooked!

politics! lost love! a refreshingly loving father!

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Fast paced and wonderful to revisit these characters as they grow.
Always love the narrator, as he's consistently through all of the books and does it so very well!

Great plot twists

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I'm positive where GRRM got the idea for Tyrion from for his song of ice and fire. Tyrion is a beat for beat facsimile of Miles, our dwarfish-like MC. I am truly astonished. Bujold has many nebula and Hugo awards, but her work never really got popular out this way. Not sure if she ever sued for copyright infringement, but Tyrion's arc in the first and second book are remarkably similar to Miles journey in the vor game and the warriors apprentice. However, don't let that rant deter you from this audiobook. This is a fascinating spy thriller with an interesting and deep character. He's a bit too clever and oft gets himself in worse situations due to his station (son of a count and prime minister with royal ties), and his moral high ground. Give this a chance, and see where GRRM got his best character's personality and story from.

George RR Martin should be sued for plagiarism

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This isn't the first Vorkosigan audiobook I've purchased, nor the longest, nor even the best. But this was still an entirely enjoyable experience with plenty to recommend it, even though I was approaching the Vorkosigan saga outside the conventional chronology.

Lois Mcmaster Bujold has created a cast of characters who both antagonise and compliment each other, and the story is rich and at times unpredictable. To me at least. But I don't pretend to have any great insight to the structure of military or even fictional intrigue.

I just enjoyed the way it unfolded and the complex but clear path the story took me on.

The narration was great and I can recommend this to anyone, whether they are a science fiction fan or not.

Engaging entertainment

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such a fun adventure!... great character s ...hard to believe no big movies have come from this series

excellent

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This audiobook is my first exposure to this author and this narrator. I though it was a good pairing between the two. The storyline was very entertaining while the narrator's voice was a perfect fit for the characters at play. Well done!

Well done

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Great novel. For those that enjoyed Enders game, they should definitely read this. dk

amazing novel

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