Books like Borders of Infinity

A buddy read with Choko and Maria.One of the biggest problem with modern series is to figure out the reading order. It is actually very easy for the authors to confuse their readers. Imagine somebody wrote an excellent trilogy with a perfect ending. Now the author realized (s)he has not done with the trilogy universe, but nobody in their right mind would write a sequel to spoil that perfection I mentioned. The easy way out is to write a prequel. Now the inevitable confusion about the reading order comes: chronological, or publication? As you see it is easy to confuse people without even trying. This is all fine, but some authors really go out of their way to complicate the matters even more. Meet Lois McMaster Bujold. I read enough book of the series to state it is excellent. However I am sure some of the potential readers avoid it out of the pure confusion with the reading order. I know at least 3(!): publication, chronological, and author recommended. This is a collection of three novellas of the series and it clearly demonstrated what I just said. Chronologically the first novel goes between books 4 and 5 and the second and third between 7 and 8. But wait, this is not all! There is also a framing story connecting the three novellas. And now for a $1000 question: when is the best time to read this one? Decisions, decisions. Now without further ado the short plot discussions. The framing story deals with accusation of Miles' misappropriation of funds given to him for some very much undercover missions. The 3 novellas are his flashbacks explaining the expenses.The Mountains of Mourning.I reviewed this one earlier as a standalone. As his first independent assignment Miles investigated an infanticide. If you think it is depressing you are right. It also happened to be quite good.Labyrinth.Miles had to smuggle a scientist with dangerous knowledge from a place called Jackson's Hole. This place is basically run by criminal clans, so for Miles the price of a failure is very painful death. To make a long story short nothing ever goes smooth for poor guy.The Borders of Infinity.Miles infiltrated a high security Cetagandian prison to help one very important for Barrayar Empire guy escape. Have I mentioned nothing ever goes smooth for Miles? I was impressed by Cetagandians' ability to reduce their prisoners to practically floral state while completely upholding that universe's Geneva Convention for POWs. The book makes you answer a very difficult question: which place is worse: Jackson's Hole, or Ceta? I would be inclined to take hardened criminals over generically-bred superhumans, but this is just me. Let me say that all stories are very good.So if they are so good why only 4 stars? Because of that confusion factor I mentioned. Seriously there was no need for this mix of chronologically different tales - and this is the only reason for 1 star less from otherwise practically perfect read.