The Flowers of Vashnoi (Vorkosigan Saga)

By Lois McMaster Bujold

The Flowers of Vashnoi (Vorkosigan Saga) - Lois McMaster Bujold
  • Release Date: 2018-05-16
  • Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 131 Ratings

Description

Still new to her duties as Lady Vorkosigan, Ekaterin is working together with expatriate scientist Enrique Borgos on a radical scheme to recover the lands of the Vashnoi exclusion zone, lingering radioactive legacy of the Cetagandan invasion of the planet Barrayar.  When Enrique’s experimental bioengineered creatures go missing, the pair discover that the zone still conceals deadly old secrets.

This novella falls after Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance in the Vorkosigan series timeline, but may be read entirely independently.  The Vorkosigan saga was the recipient of the first Hugo Award for best science fiction series in 2017.

“Bujold couldn't characterize badly if threatened with a firing squad.”
- Booklist

“Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.” 
- SF Site 

“Bujold continues to prove what marvels genius can create out of basic space operatics.” 
- Library Journal

“Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.” 
- Locus Magazine

“A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.”  
- Rave Reviews

“Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.”  
- Chicago Sun Times

Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF." 
- Publishers Weekly

“Superb far-future saga.” 
- Publishers Weekly, on the 'Vorkosigan' series

Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction.  She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children.  She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982.  She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold to Baen Books, launching her career. Bujold went on to write many other books for Baen, mostly featuring her popular character Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, his family, friends, and enemies.  Her books have been translated into over twenty languages.  Her fantasy from Eos includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series.

Reviews

  • Good to see Ekaterin come into her own

    5
    By Marina Ariadne
    That is, we see her from her internal viewpoint, and not just as an adjunct to Miles. It’s lovely to get to know her better. It reminds me of how we get to see Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, from Jim’s wife and fellow Navajo Police Officer Bernadette Manuelito now that Anne Hillerman is telling the stories, after her father’s death. We get to see Bernie from the inside now, much as we are inside Ekaterin’s head here. We see Ekaterin very much out of her element, but coping with it and taking charge, as she has since resettling on Barrayar. Well, she did marry Miles, and has herded him rather well. Managing her Countess-ly responsibilities is almost signal lost in the noise compared to handling Miles. At the end, I had a satisfied smile. I’m ready for another installment of The Life of Lady Ekaterin Vorkosigan.
  • Two Eventful Vorkisigan Days

    5
    By Archangel Beth
    Married only 4 years to the fast-talking trouble-magnet Lord Vorkosigan, and Ekaterin has twins to feed -- and fortunately lots of help, because going on a wild fairy hunt will take a *tad* longer than a few hours. Very fun 22,000 word novella!