As Barrayar begins, Aral and Cordelia Vorkosigan are expecting their first child. When the crafty old emperor dies, Aral takes over as regent. A plot to assassinate Aral and Cordelia with poison gas fails, but the antidote, while effective, is also a powerful teratogen that poses a grave threat to the bone development of his unborn son. In a desperate attempt to save the fetus, Cordelia has it transferred to a uterine replicator to undergo an experimental recalcification treatment that may partially combat the otherwise-fatal bone damage.
When Count Vidal Vordarian attempts a coup, five-year-old Emperor Gregor is rescued by his loyal security chief, Captain Negri, and reunited with the Vorkosigans. Cordelia, Gregor, and various retainers escape into the hills and hide amongst the rural population while Aral and his father organize the resistance.
After Cordelia rejoins Aral, they learn that the replicator containing Miles has been captured. Without proper maintenance, the fetus will succumb within six days, but Aral refuses to attempt a rescue when there are far greater concerns. However, Cordelia convinces her personal bodyguard, Ludmilla Droushnakovi, and one of Aral's officers, Clement Koudelka, to help her rescue Gregor's mother, Princess Kareen, and the replicator containing Miles. Once in the palace, Cordelia and her party are caught. They overpower their captors, but Princess Kareen is killed by Vordarian's bodyguards. They execute Vordarian and escape with the replicator, and the coup falls apart without its leader. Cordelia is put in charge of Prince Gregor's early education, with far-reaching consequences for Barrayar. This novel won both the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1992.
**
Amazon.com Review
Cordelia Naismith was resourceful and courageous, but what is Lady Vorkosigan like? When her life is shattered by a soltoxin grenade, the unfortunate Barrayarans who target her husband and hit her child find out.
Review
I am anxiously awaiting the release of Lois McMaster Bujold's "The Vor Game". I have listened to "Barrayar" and "Warriors Apprentice" -- loved them both; and have just ordered "Falling Free" and "Shards of Honor". Thank you for supplying such a superior product! -- glaboy, 03/05/98
I am holding my breath waiting for the Warrior Apprentice, The teaser at the end makes it sound so exiting. Thanks for the tremendous work you do I have listened to everything listed on your website! Carol Cowan and Michael Hanson are the greatest. The really compliment each other and produce OUTSTANDING Audio Books. -- llainna, 9/19/97
I am planning to put on my Xmas list some of the Bujold titles. The awards your company has are truly well earned. -- DjacksonT, 7/10/98
I have all the Bujold audio books to date have to tell you to order the tapes! The main thing about these productions is that they are unabridged and very like listening to a radio play. Both the readers change their voices in really remarkable way so that you know whether the character is young or old, good or evil. So my recommendation is "two thumbs up" for Shards and Barrayar (and no, I don't have shares in the company... ) -- north, 3 Dec 1997
I look forward to getting Warrior's Apprentice and the rest of the series. I applaud the effort and success you have done with the previous tapes. -- dancer, 12/13/97
I've now listened to Falling Free, Shards, and Barrayar on tape. I have to say I think Barrayar is the best yet. -- gryphon, 10 Jan 1998
It is action that never stops. The characters are so well-defined that you can't help but care what happens to them. And since the author doesn't telegraph her punches, you never know who is going to be left standing when the fighting is over. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 2, 1997
Looking forward to enjoying [The Warrior's Apprentice] as I have both 'Shards' and 'Barrayar.' The books were great. Listening to the tapes while commuting only furthers my enjoyment of LMB's fine series. I grew up enjoying radio drama and love the 'theater of the mind' concept. -- acksmith, 11/17/97
Description:
As Barrayar begins, Aral and Cordelia Vorkosigan are expecting their first child. When the crafty old emperor dies, Aral takes over as regent. A plot to assassinate Aral and Cordelia with poison gas fails, but the antidote, while effective, is also a powerful teratogen that poses a grave threat to the bone development of his unborn son. In a desperate attempt to save the fetus, Cordelia has it transferred to a uterine replicator to undergo an experimental recalcification treatment that may partially combat the otherwise-fatal bone damage.
When Count Vidal Vordarian attempts a coup, five-year-old Emperor Gregor is rescued by his loyal security chief, Captain Negri, and reunited with the Vorkosigans. Cordelia, Gregor, and various retainers escape into the hills and hide amongst the rural population while Aral and his father organize the resistance.
After Cordelia rejoins Aral, they learn that the replicator containing Miles has been captured. Without proper maintenance, the fetus will succumb within six days, but Aral refuses to attempt a rescue when there are far greater concerns. However, Cordelia convinces her personal bodyguard, Ludmilla Droushnakovi, and one of Aral's officers, Clement Koudelka, to help her rescue Gregor's mother, Princess Kareen, and the replicator containing Miles. Once in the palace, Cordelia and her party are caught. They overpower their captors, but Princess Kareen is killed by Vordarian's bodyguards. They execute Vordarian and escape with the replicator, and the coup falls apart without its leader. Cordelia is put in charge of Prince Gregor's early education, with far-reaching consequences for Barrayar. This novel won both the Hugo Award for Best Novel and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1992.
**
Amazon.com Review
Cordelia Naismith was resourceful and courageous, but what is Lady Vorkosigan like? When her life is shattered by a soltoxin grenade, the unfortunate Barrayarans who target her husband and hit her child find out.
Review
I am anxiously awaiting the release of Lois McMaster Bujold's "The Vor Game". I have listened to "Barrayar" and "Warriors Apprentice" -- loved them both; and have just ordered "Falling Free" and "Shards of Honor". Thank you for supplying such a superior product! -- glaboy, 03/05/98
I am holding my breath waiting for the Warrior Apprentice, The teaser at the end makes it sound so exiting. Thanks for the tremendous work you do I have listened to everything listed on your website! Carol Cowan and Michael Hanson are the greatest. The really compliment each other and produce OUTSTANDING Audio Books. -- llainna, 9/19/97
I am planning to put on my Xmas list some of the Bujold titles. The awards your company has are truly well earned. -- DjacksonT, 7/10/98
I have all the Bujold audio books to date have to tell you to order the tapes! The main thing about these productions is that they are unabridged and very like listening to a radio play. Both the readers change their voices in really remarkable way so that you know whether the character is young or old, good or evil. So my recommendation is "two thumbs up" for Shards and Barrayar (and no, I don't have shares in the company... ) -- north, 3 Dec 1997
I look forward to getting Warrior's Apprentice and the rest of the series. I applaud the effort and success you have done with the previous tapes. -- dancer, 12/13/97
I've now listened to Falling Free, Shards, and Barrayar on tape. I have to say I think Barrayar is the best yet. -- gryphon, 10 Jan 1998
It is action that never stops. The characters are so well-defined that you can't help but care what happens to them. And since the author doesn't telegraph her punches, you never know who is going to be left standing when the fighting is over. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch, November 2, 1997
Looking forward to enjoying [The Warrior's Apprentice] as I have both 'Shards' and 'Barrayar.' The books were great. Listening to the tapes while commuting only furthers my enjoyment of LMB's fine series. I grew up enjoying radio drama and love the 'theater of the mind' concept. -- acksmith, 11/17/97