Cscott
6/1/2014
This was a fun, light read. It was nice to see Ivan, Miles' at times 'idiot cousin Ivan', come into his own. Ivan is now 35 and still only a Captain in ImpSec (as everyone keeps pointing out) and his care-free bachelor days soon may be numbered if his friends and family have their way. He has just been posted to Komarr where he happily fills his undemanding job as personal assistant to Admiral Desplains, that is until Byerly Vorrrutyer shows up. Although Byerly, or By to his friends, appears to be a dissolute, party-loving man about town he is actually an informer for ImpSec, relaying back information gleaned from his less savory contacts.
By has a favour to ask of Ivan. He wants him to look out for and protect a vulnerable young woman from a bunch of thugs who are planning to kidnap her. The young woman, Tej Arqua, has been on the run for a while since her family were overthrown in a hostile takeover back on Jackson's Whole and turns out to be quite able to look after herself. Thus starts a whole new adventure for Ivan as he tries to rescue Tej and becomes embroiled in her family's problems.
Although not as action packed as previous books in this series, the story is nevertheless humorous and fun. Miles has a cameo appearance in the the guise of harassed married man with over-active toddlers and Ivan's mother Lady Alys and partner ex-ImpSec head Simon Illyan feature and it was good to be re-acquainted with them. Highly recommended, particularly for fans of the Vorkosigan series!