As a widow also familiar with other aspects of the story, I feel the characters journey and development is fantastic and real. We also learn a lot about how more recently seen characters are developing from an outside perspective, as well as life on Sergyar. Fantastic short story. The folks who are upset at the turns in the story might feel barrayaran at heart. If you might find komar or Beta Colony comfortable I think the plot will be enjoyable to you.

This book completely strips beloved characters of their integrity and honesty, and turns them into unrecognizable people that you can no longer respect and love. I truly wish that I had never read it.

For those who enjoyed this series, stay away from this. To ensure PCness, I will say no more.

Standard Bujold, but with a lot less action than the rest of the Vorkosigan Saga. It's a relatively calm walk through of a post bereavement Cordelia establishing another relationship. Quite an enjoyable read if you liked the rest of the series, but does look like all of the main characters are winding down.

A peaceful story. Don't expect action & adventure. Ms. Bujold has a gift for expressing what humanity can and should be through her characters and their lives.

Along with the creativity and intelligence of her writing, LMB has a very fine understanding of the complexities of people and life. She does an amazing job of creating characters that feel real, not over-dramatized. This is a very fine ending of the Vorkosigan storyline with one of the main characters who started it all.