Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Baen (1995), Edition: Reissue, Mass Market Paperback
Description
The dwarfish, fetally-damaged yet brilliant Miles Vorkosigan has more than his share of troubles. Having recently escaped an assassination plot whose tool was a brainwashed clone of himself, Miles has set the clone, Mark, free for a new chance at life. But when he decides to let his clone brother assume his secret identity and lead the Dendarii Free Mercenary on an unauthorized mission to liberate other clones from the outlaw planet of Jackson's Whole, things start to get really messy. The mission goes awry, Miles's rescue attempt goes even more wrong, and Miles ends up killed and placed in cryogenic suspension for future resuscitation. Then, as if that weren't bad enough, the cryo-container is lost! Now it is up to the confused, disturbed Mark to either take Miles's place as heir of the Vorkosigan line or redeem himself by finding and saving Miles.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: To the Jackson's Whole geneticists who created him, he's a perfect clone, a work of art. To the Komarran terrorists who raised him, tortured him, and trained him, he's the ideal assassin. To Barrayaran Imperial Security, he's a dangerously unknown quantity and potential threat. And to
As Mirror Dance opens, Mark has been laying low since the events of Brothers in Arms left him free to pursue his own desires. At the top of that list of desires is freeing his fellow clones from Jackson's Whole, saving them from their terrible fate as brain-transplant recipients, and proving himself as much of a hero as his own clone progenitor/older brother Miles. In order to stage this kind of operation, however, Mark has to pose as Miles, and briefly "borrow" some of the Dendarii Mercenary Fleet. This part of the plan goes off without a hitch, and soon Mark, Bel Thorne, and a squad of Dendarii commandos are on their way to Jackson's Whole.
Once the raid actually starts, however, things rapidly start going downhill. Security forces are alerted, the clones don't want to be rescued, and Mark's team is pinned down without means of escape. To make things worse, older brother Miles comes swooping in to save the day -- only to get shot through the heart by a stray bullet. In the aftermath of the raid, Miles realizes that while he, the clones, and most of the Dendarii have gotten safely off the planet, the cryochamber that contained Miles's corpse somehow got lost in the chaos. Now Mark must not only find Miles's body -- and hope against hope that it can still be repaired and resuscitated -- but he must also learn to find his own place in the universe: no small task for a clone whose entire life has been built around someone else.
Review: Is it wrong that what is now my favorite Vorkosigan Saga book is one in which Miles himself is mostly absent? Because Mirror Dance is told primarily from Mark's point of view, and it was truly, truly, excellent from beginning to end.
Actually, I suspect that the fact that Mirror Dance focuses so heavily on Mark is a large part of what makes it so good. At this point in the series, readers have had five books to get familiar with Miles: how he thinks, how he speaks, how he acts. So by giving us a new lead character who is so like Miles, and yet so different, Lois McMaster Bujold really gets the chance to showcase her talent for character development. Mark is fascinating in the ways that he resembles Miles, and in the ways in which they differ radically, despite their identical genes. Bujold sells it well, giving them each a distinct personality, so that there's never any question about who's who. Even in the opening pages, where the character's identity is purposefully left vague, there's a clear sense of something being not quite right with Miles -- because of course, it's not Miles, it's Mark.
Grover Gardner's narration of the audiobook should also be given due credit here. I've said in the past that he has become the voice of Miles in my head, but I'm going to have to amend that: he's now officially the voice of Miles and of Mark. He manages to create a voice for Mark that is so similar to that of Miles, yet at the same time, completely distinct and recognizable. It adds a fantastic layer on top of Bujold's already masterful character development.
As interesting as I found the Miles/Mark dichotomy, there were a number of other things about Mirror Dance that were equally memorable. I particularly loved the parts of the book that featured Mark on Barrayar, trying to navigate his way through his newfound family and the responsibilities that come with it. It was wonderful to see Aral and Cordelia having major roles in the plot again, and heartwarming to watch their distinct ways of interacting with Mark. I also liked the chance to see Barrayaran society -- so familiar after all of the previous books -- through the eyes of a relative outsider.
Mirror Dance is without question the darkest of the Vorkosigan Saga books so far. It's got a heavy psychological aspect to it, and there are some nasty remnants of past horrors in Mark's psyche that get brought to the surface, not to mention parts of the plot that are not exactly light fare. Still, it's not unrelentingly dark; one thing Miles and Mark share is a dry wit, so there are a fair few funny spots scattered throughout, and a sense of family, and of duty, and of hopeful possibility that runs underneath it all. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Mirror Dance is not a stand-alone novel by any means; at the very least, it needs to be read after Brothers in Arms. But it's so good that it would be worth reading the rest of the Vorkosigan Saga just to get there.
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Miles Vorkosigan, he's a wayward younger brother. But who is Mark Vorkosigan, really?As Mirror Dance opens, Mark has been laying low since the events of Brothers in Arms left him free to pursue his own desires. At the top of that list of desires is freeing his fellow clones from Jackson's Whole, saving them from their terrible fate as brain-transplant recipients, and proving himself as much of a hero as his own clone progenitor/older brother Miles. In order to stage this kind of operation, however, Mark has to pose as Miles, and briefly "borrow" some of the Dendarii Mercenary Fleet. This part of the plan goes off without a hitch, and soon Mark, Bel Thorne, and a squad of Dendarii commandos are on their way to Jackson's Whole.
Once the raid actually starts, however, things rapidly start going downhill. Security forces are alerted, the clones don't want to be rescued, and Mark's team is pinned down without means of escape. To make things worse, older brother Miles comes swooping in to save the day -- only to get shot through the heart by a stray bullet. In the aftermath of the raid, Miles realizes that while he, the clones, and most of the Dendarii have gotten safely off the planet, the cryochamber that contained Miles's corpse somehow got lost in the chaos. Now Mark must not only find Miles's body -- and hope against hope that it can still be repaired and resuscitated -- but he must also learn to find his own place in the universe: no small task for a clone whose entire life has been built around someone else.
Review: Is it wrong that what is now my favorite Vorkosigan Saga book is one in which Miles himself is mostly absent? Because Mirror Dance is told primarily from Mark's point of view, and it was truly, truly, excellent from beginning to end.
Actually, I suspect that the fact that Mirror Dance focuses so heavily on Mark is a large part of what makes it so good. At this point in the series, readers have had five books to get familiar with Miles: how he thinks, how he speaks, how he acts. So by giving us a new lead character who is so like Miles, and yet so different, Lois McMaster Bujold really gets the chance to showcase her talent for character development. Mark is fascinating in the ways that he resembles Miles, and in the ways in which they differ radically, despite their identical genes. Bujold sells it well, giving them each a distinct personality, so that there's never any question about who's who. Even in the opening pages, where the character's identity is purposefully left vague, there's a clear sense of something being not quite right with Miles -- because of course, it's not Miles, it's Mark.
Grover Gardner's narration of the audiobook should also be given due credit here. I've said in the past that he has become the voice of Miles in my head, but I'm going to have to amend that: he's now officially the voice of Miles and of Mark. He manages to create a voice for Mark that is so similar to that of Miles, yet at the same time, completely distinct and recognizable. It adds a fantastic layer on top of Bujold's already masterful character development.
As interesting as I found the Miles/Mark dichotomy, there were a number of other things about Mirror Dance that were equally memorable. I particularly loved the parts of the book that featured Mark on Barrayar, trying to navigate his way through his newfound family and the responsibilities that come with it. It was wonderful to see Aral and Cordelia having major roles in the plot again, and heartwarming to watch their distinct ways of interacting with Mark. I also liked the chance to see Barrayaran society -- so familiar after all of the previous books -- through the eyes of a relative outsider.
Mirror Dance is without question the darkest of the Vorkosigan Saga books so far. It's got a heavy psychological aspect to it, and there are some nasty remnants of past horrors in Mark's psyche that get brought to the surface, not to mention parts of the plot that are not exactly light fare. Still, it's not unrelentingly dark; one thing Miles and Mark share is a dry wit, so there are a fair few funny spots scattered throughout, and a sense of family, and of duty, and of hopeful possibility that runs underneath it all. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: Mirror Dance is not a stand-alone novel by any means; at the very least, it needs to be read after Brothers in Arms. But it's so good that it would be worth reading the rest of the Vorkosigan Saga just to get there.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
Two things. First, the rating. I acknowledge this isn't an undying classic. If you're looking for science fiction with literary prose, go read Ursula Le Guin or Ray Bradbury or William Gibson. Or for the "Big Ideas" go to Robert Heinlein or Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke. What Bujold offers is
Second, even if this is one of the strongest stories in this space opera series, this is not the place to start. In some series, such as Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover, order does matter--the books, though sharing a universe, are designed to be read independently. Except in a few instances, that's not the case with the Vorkosigan saga. You'll be confused, you'll encounter spoilers for earlier books, and the book's impact will be blunted. So I'd start with the omnibus Cordelia's Honor or Young Miles.
I probably should add one other caveat for those following the series--this is definitely the darkest work in the series thus far. Content includes sexual abuse and torture. Yet ultimately this is a great ride. In the last book Brothers in Arms we encounter Miles clone brother Mark. Not quite his evil twin, but as Miles puts it, at times his idiot twin. The very presence of Mark seemed almost farcial in the last book, and at first in this novel I didn't like him very much. But over the course of the book I did gain quite a bit of sympathy and fondness for Mark and for the ways he provided a great foil to Miles. And their mother Cordelia shines here as a kickass heroine every bit as formidable as her talented sons. (Her take on Miles at one point was hilarious and insightful both.) I'd say actually this is the one Vorkosigan adventure thus far where other character rival Miles in interest. A great read.
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different--characters you care about and want to spend time with, and in that regard, I'd say Mirror Dance is the strongest story in the series I've read yet--and given its Miles Vorkosigan is one of my favorite literary characters, I'd say it merits the five stars. Second, even if this is one of the strongest stories in this space opera series, this is not the place to start. In some series, such as Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover, order does matter--the books, though sharing a universe, are designed to be read independently. Except in a few instances, that's not the case with the Vorkosigan saga. You'll be confused, you'll encounter spoilers for earlier books, and the book's impact will be blunted. So I'd start with the omnibus Cordelia's Honor or Young Miles.
I probably should add one other caveat for those following the series--this is definitely the darkest work in the series thus far. Content includes sexual abuse and torture. Yet ultimately this is a great ride. In the last book Brothers in Arms we encounter Miles clone brother Mark. Not quite his evil twin, but as Miles puts it, at times his idiot twin. The very presence of Mark seemed almost farcial in the last book, and at first in this novel I didn't like him very much. But over the course of the book I did gain quite a bit of sympathy and fondness for Mark and for the ways he provided a great foil to Miles. And their mother Cordelia shines here as a kickass heroine every bit as formidable as her talented sons. (Her take on Miles at one point was hilarious and insightful both.) I'd say actually this is the one Vorkosigan adventure thus far where other character rival Miles in interest. A great read.
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LibraryThing member melannen
The Barrayar world is all about Miles Vorkosigan - he's the frenetically bright star around which all the other characters orbit. So what happens when Miles is gone?
He spends most of this book dead. Well, mostly dead. He's killed, and then put in a box frozen, and then the box gets lost. And the
I'll be honest - this is one of the two books in the Vorkosigan series (along with the next book, Memory) that I find it impossible to be objective about, because for the first half of the book, I sit there watching the characters making mistakes that will lead them inevitably into disaster - and they're the exact same mistakes that I would have made - that I *have* made - and Bujold portrays it so realistically that it's painful to read.
Also, talk about your ugly covers!
He spends most of this book dead. Well, mostly dead. He's killed, and then put in a box frozen, and then the box gets lost. And the
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most fascinating part of this book is the story of all of Miles' supporting cast trying to find out who they are - without Miles. Especially his clone-brother Mark, who has spent his whole life with Miles looming over him.I'll be honest - this is one of the two books in the Vorkosigan series (along with the next book, Memory) that I find it impossible to be objective about, because for the first half of the book, I sit there watching the characters making mistakes that will lead them inevitably into disaster - and they're the exact same mistakes that I would have made - that I *have* made - and Bujold portrays it so realistically that it's painful to read.
Also, talk about your ugly covers!
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LibraryThing member thesmellofbooks
Not my favourite of the series though not bad. Too much torture and agony for me. I think she handles the subject well enough, I just don't like being there.
LibraryThing member ShiraC
Another excellent book in this series. Miles meets his clone-brother Mark again, and they almost ruin each other. As is often the case in Bujold's universe of separate cultural petri dishes, this book explores new ground -- the metastatic capitalist culture of Jackson's Whole. This is probably the
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darkest book in the series, mostly because Jackson's Whole is a pretty horrific place. Ultimately, the brothers rescue each other and both get the chance to go home. Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
This is the best of the Vorkosigan series so far. Bujold has taken the evil twin sci-fi concept and given it a twist. Miles' "evil" clone Mark causes havoc for Miles with serious consequences for all.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Miles is in fact absent for much of it and Mark takes centre stage.
A good book is one you don't want to end and I didn't want this one to end.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Miles is in fact absent for much of it and Mark takes centre stage.
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And I ended up liking Mark a lot, so much so that my heart was in my mouth at the end.A good book is one you don't want to end and I didn't want this one to end.
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LibraryThing member iayork
Probably the Best of the Vorkosigan Series: This is probably the best book in the whole Miles Vorkosigan series. Interestingly, most of the book is written not from Miles' perspective, but from Mark's. Whereas Bujold merely introduced Mark in the previous book, "Brothers in Arms," in this book she
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fleshes him out (both literally and figuratively). This book also sets the stage for what's coming up in the next book, "Memory." So, whatever you do, don't miss this book. Not only is it essential, but it's also great. Show Less
LibraryThing member ktappe
Intriguing but gorier than Bujold's other books. Was not thrilled with the torture, hence a star removed. Miles' new clone brother is intriguing, though - wish he would show up more in subsequent books in the series. (I haven't read all of them yet, maybe he will.)
LibraryThing member Rubygarnet
I love Bujold's take on mentally damaged characters. It gives me hope.
LibraryThing member santhony
Much of my early adolescent reading years were taken up with science fiction and fantasy, from Tolkien to Asimov. I pretty much abandoned fantasy soon thereafter, but have returned time and again to the science fiction genre, sometimes with good result and sometimes not.
Several years ago, after a
I’m certainly no elitist and am far from an intellectual, however after reading many of the newer works listed above, and thinking back on some of the work of Philip Dick, Frank Herbert and Jack Vance, a book such as Mirror Dance almost comes across as a Young Adult offering, very simple in comparison. Many of the characters and technological advances are stereotypical and hackneyed. There is just nothing new here and no reason to recommend it.
As it relates to many stories in its genre, it was perfectly readable, but when compared to others (even from the same time period) it was mediocre at best. When compared to some of the more recent, highly original work, it suffered greatly by comparison. If this were the first science fiction book you read, you might be satisfied, but after reading dozens of others previously, you’ll find little to differentiate or recommend it.
Several years ago, after a
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long hiatus, I sampled several of the new generation of science fiction writers who crafted highly original, new science fiction (such works as The Windup Girl, Anathem, River of Gods and The Reality Dysfunction). At the same time, I made it a point to go back and read some of the prior winners of the Hugo Award. I must say, that while I found some good reads in the older work (The Left Hand of Darkness, The Gods Themselves), by and large I was disappointed with many of the winners (Ringworld, Gateway, Startide Rising, Paladin of Souls, A Fire Upon the Deep). In many ways, this Lois McMaster Bujold work fell into this latter category.I’m certainly no elitist and am far from an intellectual, however after reading many of the newer works listed above, and thinking back on some of the work of Philip Dick, Frank Herbert and Jack Vance, a book such as Mirror Dance almost comes across as a Young Adult offering, very simple in comparison. Many of the characters and technological advances are stereotypical and hackneyed. There is just nothing new here and no reason to recommend it.
As it relates to many stories in its genre, it was perfectly readable, but when compared to others (even from the same time period) it was mediocre at best. When compared to some of the more recent, highly original work, it suffered greatly by comparison. If this were the first science fiction book you read, you might be satisfied, but after reading dozens of others previously, you’ll find little to differentiate or recommend it.
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LibraryThing member satyridae
I thought this was a splendid book. Rich with detail in the best possible way. And there is a lot of Cordelia in this one! I love Cordelia. I love the way Bujold gets inside her characters' heads. I did not love some of the violence but it was quite necessary to the plot.
LibraryThing member JenneB
I liked learning more about how the Barrayaran society works, but the torture parts seemed a bit extreme.
LibraryThing member StigE
This continues the story between Miles and his clone and is one of the more powerful books by Bujold since the two featuringing Miles' mother. Enjoyed this a lot. Perhaps my favourite of the series so far.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
A story of two brothers, a morally corrupt system which farms clones for their parts, and their fight against it. This is also a story of a young man trying to find his identity and place in the world, when most people around him think of him as a disposable clone, or not quite as good as the
One reason I love Bujold is for her fierce commitment to love of the unwanted/different/difficult people in our lives. She always stretches my mind and my heart a bit with each story. I subtracted half a star from this only because of the extreme situations and descriptions of torture in the story. It reduced my desire to read the story a second time, although, I probably will.
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original. I love the character growth which takes place in this story. Both Miles and especially his brother.One reason I love Bujold is for her fierce commitment to love of the unwanted/different/difficult people in our lives. She always stretches my mind and my heart a bit with each story. I subtracted half a star from this only because of the extreme situations and descriptions of torture in the story. It reduced my desire to read the story a second time, although, I probably will.
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LibraryThing member sageness
3.5 stars. Relatively happy with the book's structure and many(!) interlaced plots. Less pleased with the way the effects of immense and debilitating traumas are blithely minimized and waved off. Interesting how after Mark becomes awesome, Miles seems strange and OOC. Fascinating if kind of really
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disturbing. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold was a wonderful read. A sci-fi adventure with heart, emotion, drama and action. Bujold breaths such life into her characters, and in this story she brings Mile’s twin-clone to life by giving him such an in-depth story. When all the pieces fall into place, by
One of my other favorite characters, Miles and Mark’s mother, Cordelia plays a major role in this book and I loved getting reacquainted with her. Bujold cleverly has Miles set aside for a good deal of the story, making Mark the main character and allowing the reader insight into his thought processes. Of course, eventually Miles comes back into the story in a forceful way as both he and Mark battle the forces of evil.
This is my favorite book of the series so far, I loved the story, the characters, and the writing. This was a great adventure told with passion, flare, and humor. I know that I am on the verge of gushing but really, this was another great instalment in a great series.
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the end of the book, Mark has won his place in the family and become another of this reader’s favorite characters. One of my other favorite characters, Miles and Mark’s mother, Cordelia plays a major role in this book and I loved getting reacquainted with her. Bujold cleverly has Miles set aside for a good deal of the story, making Mark the main character and allowing the reader insight into his thought processes. Of course, eventually Miles comes back into the story in a forceful way as both he and Mark battle the forces of evil.
This is my favorite book of the series so far, I loved the story, the characters, and the writing. This was a great adventure told with passion, flare, and humor. I know that I am on the verge of gushing but really, this was another great instalment in a great series.
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LibraryThing member rretzler
Mirror Dance is the 10th book in the internal chronological order of the Vorkosigan Saga. It was the well-deserved winner of the Hugo in 1995.
Mark, Miles' clone brother, who we met in Brothers in Arms has decided to disguise himself as Miles so that he can rescue House Bharaputra's clone creche on
The story alternates between Mark's viewpoint and Miles' viewpoint. Of course, Miles isn't dead but is out of commission for much of the book, so it is up to Mark to clean up his mess. This book is probably darker than most of the books in the series, but there are some light parts as well. Miles is brilliant as always, and we learn a lot about Mark and his motivations. By the end of the book, I found myself liking Mark more than I had at the beginning and hoping that he would find a way to redeem himself.
Bujold is an amazing author. The Vorkosigan Saga is action-packed, but also full of good characterization. She puts you inside the mind of the main character/characters and you can follow their motivation. Terrible things happen to the protagonists, but they always manage to think their way through to salvage the situation. I hadn't read any of these books until last year - I don't know why I waited, and I'm very sorry I did. I'm also sorry that I can see the end coming all too soon, as I am now over half-way through.
Bujold says that she writes each novel as a standalone, but frankly, one would miss so much of the story by not reading these books in the internal chronological order.
Mark, Miles' clone brother, who we met in Brothers in Arms has decided to disguise himself as Miles so that he can rescue House Bharaputra's clone creche on
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Jackson's Whole. He clumsily commandeers Bel Thorne's ship for the raid, gives her a little info on Jackson's Hole geography and leaves the rest to her, hiding away in his room on the ship until they arrive. Of course, the mission is not a success as Mark has neither the knowledge or the experience to deal with Jackson's Whole, and Miles, three days behind, attempts to salvage his crew, his brother, and the clones. Things seem to be going well until Miles is killed. Fortunately, there is already a cryo chamber near, and Quinn takes out the body being rescued so that she can save Miles. In the frenzy to get off planet, the cryo chamber is left behind, and the Dendarii with Quinn commanding must do everything in their power to get Miles back.The story alternates between Mark's viewpoint and Miles' viewpoint. Of course, Miles isn't dead but is out of commission for much of the book, so it is up to Mark to clean up his mess. This book is probably darker than most of the books in the series, but there are some light parts as well. Miles is brilliant as always, and we learn a lot about Mark and his motivations. By the end of the book, I found myself liking Mark more than I had at the beginning and hoping that he would find a way to redeem himself.
Bujold is an amazing author. The Vorkosigan Saga is action-packed, but also full of good characterization. She puts you inside the mind of the main character/characters and you can follow their motivation. Terrible things happen to the protagonists, but they always manage to think their way through to salvage the situation. I hadn't read any of these books until last year - I don't know why I waited, and I'm very sorry I did. I'm also sorry that I can see the end coming all too soon, as I am now over half-way through.
Bujold says that she writes each novel as a standalone, but frankly, one would miss so much of the story by not reading these books in the internal chronological order.
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LibraryThing member macha
best of the series.
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
A good episode that features Mark, Miles' clone. Striving to outdo Miles, Mark gets into deep kimchi attempting to rescue clones that being aged until they are old enough to receive a brain transplant from an aging purchaser. In the brouhaha that ensues, Miles is captured killed and his body
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disappears along with his cryogenic resuscitation chamber. Mark leads a rescue and becomes a captive. Lots of action and discussion about the ethos of clones, their purpose as well as in-vitro birthing. Imaginative insights into one potential future Show Less
LibraryThing member elenaj
I'm pretty sure I originally read this book in high school, when I first read most of the Vorkosigan books, but I remember disliking it at the time, and so didn't re-read it until now. But on re-read, it's one of my favorites, and I've come to really love Mark as a character.
LibraryThing member Karlstar
Great military scifi, though this one is a little light on the military and more of a adventure thriller. As is obvious from the title, Miles Vorkosigan and his brother/clone, Mark Vorkosigan spend this books swapping roles, though at one point it is hinted that there may actually be another clone!
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Bad things happen when Mark tries to imitate Miles to take the mercenaries off on a secret mission that is important to him, with consequences for both he and Miles that he did not anticipate. Good characters and good action, a worthy addition to this classic series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Tip44
reread. I liked it better this time around.
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
It's a tough call on this book. It started out slow, got kind of crappy, then finished fantastically. Excellently read again.
The first third had a lot of back story in it. If a person hadn't read any of the series, they would appreciate it. BUT, it's a series. Skip books at your own risk & let
The middle got into Mark's head until it was just boring. He had a horrible life & a lot to figure out.
Got it.
Got it.
Got it.
Got it.
(Bored yet? I was.)
Saying anything about the end would spoil it, so I'll just say that once the action picked back up, the story flew along & dragged me along. Totally worth putting up with the rest.
The first third had a lot of back story in it. If a person hadn't read any of the series, they would appreciate it. BUT, it's a series. Skip books at your own risk & let
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those of us who have read it read the new story.The middle got into Mark's head until it was just boring. He had a horrible life & a lot to figure out.
Got it.
Got it.
Got it.
Got it.
(Bored yet? I was.)
Saying anything about the end would spoil it, so I'll just say that once the action picked back up, the story flew along & dragged me along. Totally worth putting up with the rest.
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LibraryThing member SKR
A brilliantly crafted book. Probably my favorite of the Vorkosigan novels (which is kind of like saying the best chocolate at a high-end Belgian chocolatier's), this, combined with "Memory," form the apex of the series. We feel Bujold's power and mastery as a writer and Miles's growth as a
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character over the series. Rated a good heavy R, but unhesitatingly recommended for anyone willing to deal with unpleasantness. Show Less
LibraryThing member Phrim
In Mirror Dance, we really get to know Miles' clone-brother Mark, who was introduced briefly as an antagonist in Brothers in Arms. Here, though, much of the book is told from Mark's perspective, and we really get to know his motivations and struggles. Mark impersonates Miles to gain access to his
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military resources for his own causes, and when his plans inevitably go awry, Miles has to sweep in to fix everything. Unfortunately, Miles gets "killed" in the process, but the technology of the day would allow him to be revived if anyone could find the body. What follows is a political game of hide-and-seek where Mark and a revived Miles bounce around the various powers of the Jacksonian system trying to navigate a way to stay alive. Despite my reservations about Mark at first, he grew on me as a character and I really liked how he dealt with the situation in the end. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1995)
Locus Award (Finalist — Science Fiction Novel — 1995)
Language
Original publication date
1994-03
Physical description
592 p.; 6.75 inches
ISBN
0671876465 / 9780671876463