Book description
In Captain Vorpatril's Alliance, Lois McMaster Bujold delivers a meticulously crafted installment in the lauded Vorkosigan Saga, shifting narrative focus to the long-standing yet underexplored character of Ivan Vorpatril. Known more for his charm and aversion to complication than for heroism, Ivan is here thrust into a convoluted web of interstellar politics, familial machinations, and romantic entanglement. Tasked with overseeing the safety of a beleaguered young woman on Komarr, he inadvertently becomes ensnared in schemes involving warrants, criminal networks, and the volatile aristocratic houses of Jackson's Whole. What begins as an innocuous assignment rapidly evolves into a scenario requiring both improvisation and unlikely alliances.
Bujold's command of character-driven narrative is on full display as Ivan transitions from passive observer to reluctant protagonist. His evolution, rendered with wit and psychological nuance, offers returning readers a fresh perspective on a familiar figure while providing newcomers with an accessible entry point. The audiobook format enhances the experience through vocal performance that underscores the text's tonal shifts-ranging from comedic banter to moments of genuine tension and introspection.
Critical reception has emphasized the novel's dual success in satisfying longstanding fan expectations and expanding the saga's thematic scope. As noted in Booklist, the work is "essential for all SF collections," reflecting Bujold's continued mastery over the conventions of space opera, enriched by her distinctive attention to emotional authenticity and social dynamics. The narrative's pacing, bolstered by intricate plotting and sharp dialogue, exemplifies the author's ability to elevate genre tropes through literary sophistication.
This audiobook stands as both a significant contribution to the series and a testament to Bujold's enduring influence within speculative fiction. It reinforces her reputation not merely as a storyteller of interstellar intrigue, but as a chronicler of human complexity across futures both distant and deeply relatable.
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Foot-long Fry
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience