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4.5 stars � it's even better on the second go-round. Chronologically, book two in this nicely-paced, militaristic space opera / romance, set centuries in the future on planets peopled by various descendants of Earth (two planets are Barrayar and Beta). I liked this book more than Shards of Honour. In sum, Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan take no prisoners, protecting their marriage, their unborn son, and the empire.

Plot, major spoilers hidden: At the end of book one, Cordelia and Aral married. Now, as this book begins, the newlyweds are living on Barrayar, where the emperor and his counts must be Vor descendants, a military caste. Cordelia misses her progressive home planet, Beta.

Cordelia quickly conceives. Her pregnancy is stressful. Unknown enemies make several attempts on their lives, because her husband, a Vor lord and war hero, has been named Regent of Barrayar, running the empire till little Gregor, turning five years old, grows up.

The love between Cordelia and Aral is tested several times and trust deepens. Tragedy occurs, causing (view spoiler)[their growing fetus to develop brittle bones, easily broken (hide spoiler)].

Cordelia kicks asparagus in this story. While Aral is busy overthrowing a political coup, she takes on all comers to protect her fetus, Miles, growing in a replicator, vulnerable to kidnapping and murder. Her mama-bear instincts might potentially result in a killing spree. She could do it, too, with lethal and loyal Bothari at her side.

SPOILER:
Key dialogue, at the resolution (major spoiler!!) (view spoiler)[
“Count Piotr’s hand slapped down hard upon the table. “Good God, woman, where have you been?� he cried furiously.

A morbid lunacy overtook her. She smiled fiercely at him, and held up the bag. “Shopping.�

For a second, the old man nearly believed her; conflicting expressions whiplashed over his face, astonishment, disbelief, then anger as it penetrated he was being mocked.

“Want to see what I bought?� Cordelia continued, still floating. She yanked the bag’s top open, and rolled Vordarian’s head out across the table. Fortunately, it had ceased leaking some hours back. It stopped faceup before him, lips grinning, drying eyes staring.

Piotr’s mouth fell open. Kanzian jumped, the staffers swore, and one of Vordarian’s traitors actually fell out of his chair, recoiling. Vortala pursed his lips and raised his brows. Koudelka, grimly proud of his key role in stage-managing this historic moment in one-upsmanship, laid the swordstick on the table as further evidence. Illyan puffed, and grinned triumphantly through his shock.

Aral was perfect. His eyes widened only briefly, then he rested his chin on his hands and gazed over his father’s shoulder with an expression of cool interest. “But of course,� he breathed. “Every Vor lady goes to the capital to shop.�

(Refers to when Cordelia, aided by Drou and Bothari, beheads and bags "the pretender" (ersatz emperor Vordarian ) while rescuing her baby, Miles, growing in the replicator. Meanwhile, Kou is sneaking Lady Alys and baby Ivan to safety.) (hide spoiler)].

Some dialogue feels canned, as in this eye-rolling moment: Here is Vorkosigan, utterly grief stricken and enraged at an act that nearly cost him his entire family, and did cause irreparable damage. Just minutes later, he addresses the attacker in over-the-top language, smacking of a prepared speech:

"Did you dream of sweet revenge? You have it. So eat vengeance. Drink it. Fondle it. Wrap it round you in the night watch. It's all yours. I will it all to you. For myself, I've gorged it to the gagging point, and have lost my stomach for it." (He is shellshocked? No way.)

Secondary characters: It was good to see so much of Lieutenant Koudelko (aka Kou, injured so badly in Shards) and Sargeant Bothari, the much-abused "monster" who has formed such an attachment to kindly Cordelia. These two men add so much to the story! I sympathize with and admire them. Plus, I never know quite what to expect. They are wildcards, to some extent.

Sequels: The stage is now set for about a dozen sequels about their incredible son Miles and his fabulous friends. At the end of this book, Cordelia charges Aral (the acting Regent) to "Remake this world into one Miles can survive in. And Elena. And Ivan. And Gregor." In the epilogue, we see Miles at about age five. Little rascal.

I listened to the Blackstone Audio app. The narration is decent, but not outstanding. A male voice, deep and gravely. Given the 3rd-person POV was mainly the heroine's, a female voice would have served better, IMO.
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About the series: The Vorkosigan Saga is space opera with some romantic bits here and there. As science fiction it's not outstanding, but just fine. The sci-fi elements involve advanced biomedical technology, including cloning and other types of genetic engineering (no longer fiction).

The series contrasts the militaristic, intolerant, feudal planet of Barrayar against the enlightened and generally progressive planet of Beta Colony. This cultural dichotomy is fairly suspect, but interesting. It serves a purpose.

Bujold does a nice job with characterization and plot development. Her pacing is good, too. I enjoy the series.

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My reviews of this series (*favorites):

Shards of Honor review
*Barrayar review
*The Warrior's Apprentice review
The Vor Game review
Cetaganda review
The Mountains of Mourning review
Labyrinth review
*Borders of Infinity review
Brothers in Arms review
Mirror Dance review
*Memory review
*Miles in Love: Komarr, A Civil Campaign, Winterfair Gifts review
*Komarr review
Diplomatic Immunity review
Captain Vorpatril's Alliance review
Cryoburn review