Books like Miles Errant

Two things. First, the rating. I acknowledge this isn't an undying classic. If you're looking for science fiction with literary prose, go read Ursula Le Guin or Ray Bradbury or William Gibson. Or for the "Big Ideas" go to Robert Heinlein or Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clarke. What Bujold offers is different--characters you care about and want to spend time with, and in that regard, I'd say this installment offers some of the strongest stories in the series I've read yet--and given its Miles Vorkosigan is one of my favorite literary characters, I'd say that merits the five stars.Second, even if this is one of the strongest volumes in this space opera series, this is not the place to start. In some series, such as Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover, order does not matter--the books, though sharing a universe, are designed to be read independently. Except in a few instances, that's not the case with the Vorkosigan saga. You'll be confused, you'll encounter spoilers for earlier books, and the book's impact will be blunted. So, if you haven't already, go look up the omnibus editions of Cordelia's Honor or Young Miles.This volume offers up three tightly related stories. First, "Borders of Infinity" is a short story that demonstrates why Miles is one of my favorite fictional characters, as he's stripped of everything but his most lethal weapon--his wits. The second novel, Brother in Arms, Miles discovers he has a clone, Mark--one meant to replace him by his enemies--and that he has to try to make a brother. The next novel, Mirror Dance heavily features Mark, sharing the point of view with him. It's the darkest work in the series yet, but also one of the strongest. One where not only Miles, but Mark and their indomitable mother Cordelia gets to shine.