Title: Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen
Author: Lois McMaster Bujold
First published February 1, 2016
352 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781625794802
Rating: 3.82
Overview
After the passing of her husband, Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan returns to the planet that altered her destiny. In Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen, Cordelia, the Vicereine of Sergyar, is ready to embark on a new chapter in her life.
When Admiral Oliver Jole becomes entangled in her plans, he finds himself at a crossroads. Meanwhile, Miles Vorkosigan, Emperor Gregor’s trusted investigator, embarks on a mission to uncover a mystery he never expected – his own mother.
In this intriguing science-fiction comedy, plans, expectations, and wills clash as the impact of galactic technology alters the range of what is possible. Miles discovers that not only is the future not what he had anticipated, but the past is equally as unpredictable.
About the Author
Meet Lois McMaster Bujold, an acclaimed author born in 1949 to an engineering professor at Ohio State University, who sparked her love for science fiction. Bujold now resides in Minneapolis and is a proud parent of two.
Her captivating works of fantasy, published by HarperCollins, include the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife tetralogy. Her science fiction, published by Baen Books, features the popular and bestselling Vorkosigan Saga.
Bujold’s literary accomplishments have been translated into over twenty languages. Check out her numerous awards and nominations on this page, and read her interviews on this page.
You can also visit The Bujold Nexus, an older fan-created website solely dedicated to Bujold’s work.
Editoral Review
Lois McMaster Bujold brings readers back to her acclaimed Vorkosigan Saga with her 2016 novel “Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen.” As a science-fiction author, Bujold has developed an enormous following for her ability to create fully-realized worlds with intricate plotlines and engaging characters. “Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen” is the latest installment in the Vorkosigan Saga, and it follows the aftermath of the deaths of two beloved characters from the series.
The novel explores the inner lives of Admiral Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan and her longtime companion Oliver Jole, as they navigate their newfound freedom and rediscover each other in unexpected ways. Bujold’s writing style is masterful, and she does an incredible job of drawing readers into the world of the Vorkosigan Saga.
The characters are well developed, and readers who are familiar with the series will appreciate the opportunity to spend more time with Cordelia and Oliver. The novel draws on themes of love, loss, and personal growth, and it does so with a grace that is impressive.
One of the strengths of the novel is Bujold’s ability to create complex and interesting characters. In this particular installment, she delves into the lives of Cordelia and Oliver, and she does so in a way that feels natural and authentic.
The characters are multi-dimensional, and Bujold does an excellent job of exploring their hopes, fears and desires. Another strength of the novel is the pacing.
The plot moves along at a steady pace, and there are enough twists and turns to keep readers engaged. However, it is worth noting that the novel is character-driven, and readers who are looking for lots of action and adventure may be disappointed.
Bujold also does an excellent job of weaving the theme of personal growth throughout the story. The characters are forced to confront their past mistakes and move forward in new ways.
This theme is particularly impressive in the way that it is integrated into the larger context of the Vorkosigan Saga. Readers who are familiar with the series will appreciate the nuances of the theme and how it fits into the larger narrative.
There are a couple of weaknesses to the novel. For one, there is a lot of exposition.
Bujold spends a lot of time recapping events that have happened in previous novels, which can be tedious for readers who are already familiar with the series. Additionally, the novel is light on action, and readers who are looking for a lot of suspense and excitement may be disappointed.
Overall, “Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen” is a well-written, character-driven novel with a lot of heart. It is an excellent addition to the Vorkosigan Saga, and readers who are familiar with the series will appreciate the opportunity to spend more time with Cordelia and Oliver.
The novel is not without its flaws, but it is an excellent read for fans of Bujold’s writing and for those who enjoy character-driven science fiction. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars