Lois McMaster Bujold is a gift to science fiction and fantasy, accessible but intelligent, equally talented at writing characters, imagining alternate worlds, and crafting exciting plots. She’s been rewarded for this skill many times, winning more total Nebula and Hugo Awards for Best Novel than any other writer. We’ve waxed rhapsodic about books like Cordelia’s Honor, The Curse of Chalion, and Paladin of Souls before.
For sheer fun, a cheeky romp with a character who is a manic, upbeat, creative joy in action, however, you can’t beat her Miles Vorkosigan adventures, and The Warrior’s Apprentice may be the best of all those outings.
As the book opens, Miles, despite his superior intelligence, diligent preparation, and upbeat spirit bombs out of his attempt to qualify for Barrayar’s military academy when his brittle bones break yet again as he tries to complete an obstacle course. Most would crumble in shame at the loss of such a lifelong dream, and Miles is packed off by his mother to visit his grandmother on her home planet of Beta, where he’s expected to lick his wounds, find distractions, and begin to rebuild his young life.
Instead, he’s soon romping through a delightful Rube Goldberg machine of a plot, where one over-the-top decision after another leads him into the heart of a dilemma, juggling a hundred lies, promises, and most crucially, lives, as he rockets from merchantman to mercenary captain to wanted man on his home planet.
As with most Bujold, there’s some romance, some tragedy, and plenty of attention to issues of social justice along the way. One can’t help but admire Miles, whose wild combination of underdog, confidence man, cocky teenager, and humanitarian behaviors make him truly endearing.
This is a great choice for either young readers or older readers looking to recapture the potential that the universe holds when one is young. It will help some to read the story of Miles parents in Cordelia’s Honor, but it isn’t necessary. I think you’ll also like this whether or not you normally indulge in science fiction. If you like it, there are plenty of other Vorkosigan adventures to follow.
Check the WRL catalog for The Warrior’s Apprentice
Or read it as part of the omnibus Young Miles
Or try The Warrior’s Apprentice on audiobook
Thanks for the post. Lois McMaster Bujold is one of my very favorite artists. In fact, I hated Sci Fi until I read her Vorkosigan series. Now I’ve read everything she’s written. I agree with you about how fun her ‘Miles’ books are.
It must be her day in the universe today because besides finding your post, I also just got a notice from my library saying that “Cryoburn” has come in and it’s my turn to check it out. Lucky me!
I’ve never read any Lois McMaster Bujold — a gigantic WHOLE in my sci-fi knowledge…. I should. Is this a good place to start? Or, should I pick one of her Hugo winning works…
Yes, this is a good starting point, but you might want to go back one step further, to Cordelia’s Honor, the omnibus that contains the stories of Miles’ parents. While not absolutely necessary to understanding the books about Miles that begin with The Warrior’s Apprentice, it will give you some background on at least one of the subplots that is pretty crucial. Besides, the books in Cordelia’s Honor are fantastic too.
Thanks!
[...] for a Good Bookalso suggests The Warrior’s Apprentice, the first novel in the Miles Vorkosigan series. I have to admit [...]