Three years after her famous husband's death, Cordelia Vorkosigan, widowed Vicereine of Sergyar, spins her life in a new direction. Caught up in her plans in ways they'd never imagined, Oliver Jole, Admiral, Sergyar Fleet, is confronted with an unexpected career crossroads, and Miles Vorkosigan, one of Emperor Gregor's key investigators, dispatches himself on an inquiry he never anticipated -- into the mystery of his own mother.

Plans, wills, and expectations collide in this thoughtful science fiction social comedy, as the impact of galactic technology changes all the old rules, and Oliver and Cordelia must work together to reconcile the past, the present, and the future.

“Bujold continues to prove what marvels genius can create out of basic space operatics.” 
- Library Journal

“Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.” 
- SF Site 

“Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.” 
- Locus Magazine

“A superb craftsman and stylist … one of the great voices of speculative fiction.”  
- Rave Reviews

“Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.”  
- Chicago Sun Times

“Superb far-future saga.” 
- Publishers Weekly on the 'Vorkosigan' series

Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF." 
- Publishers Weekly

Lois McMaster Bujold was born in 1949, the daughter of an engineering professor at Ohio State University, from whom she picked up her early interest in science fiction.  She now lives in Minneapolis, and has two grown children.  She began writing with the aim of professional publication in 1982.  She wrote three novels in three years; in October of 1985, all three sold to Baen Books, launching her career. Bujold went on to write many other books for Baen, mostly featuring her popular character Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, his family, friends, and enemies.  Her books have been translated into over twenty languages.  Her fantasy from Eos includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series. www.dendarii.com