Shards of Honor

This first (chronologically) book in what has become known as the Vorkosigan saga, is brilliant. It was my first Bujold ever and she has lived up to her reputation quite completely. I can now understand that she has won more awards than most other science fiction authors ever.

Cordelia's Honor is a thoroughly engaging read, weaving the elements of adventure, romance, war and politicking, into a seamless blend of science fiction drama. The psychology of the characters is dense and the plot extremely clever. The political strategies and twists are intelligent and believable.

As a male reader I did not find the undercurrent romance cloying or intrusive. No part of this book was over or underdone, and some of the violence and psychological aspects of the story were satisfyingly brutal and real. There are some lovely technologies in the Vorkosigan universe, too, so this book really does have everything required of good science fiction. Bujold also has a wonderfully easy and flowing style, a great sense of story, and wickedly intelligent plot lines. I suppose it's official: I am a Bujold fan now.