"Captain Vorpatril's Alliance" ~ Lois McMasters Bujold

For those of you familiar with Lois McMasters Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga, get ready to jump up and down.  This is the Ivan book we've been begging for and  IT IS AWESOME!!!  For those of you who haven't read any Bujold yet, stop, go get some, and start.  This is science fiction space opera at it's best.  Bujold has always said she tries to write a book that can be read from any point in the series without the reader being lost.  That is true here, you can start with this one and read a smart, funny, enjoyable book. The rest of us get all that and the hysterically funny in jokes.  

As I said this is Ivan's book.  Lord Captain Ivan Xav Vorpatril.  Ivan's been a favorite character of mine through all the books.  Cousin to Miles Vorkosigan, nephew to Aral & Cordelia, son to Alys, and "um" something to Simon.  Easy going Ivan, who wants nothing so much as to have a good time, enjoy life, and not have to work too hard at it.  The book opens with Ivan on Komarr for military inspections.  He's approached by an undercover government agent Byerly Vorrutyer to help out a lady in distress. Never one to leave a lovely lady in distress, Ivan sets out to render assistance whether Tej wants it or not.  And she does not want it. I love this scene where Ivan first tries to pick up Tej after work.

"Say, can I buy you a drink?
"No, thank you."
"Dinner?"
"No."
He waggled his eyebrows cheerfully. "Ice cream? All women like ice cream in my experience."
"No!"
"Walk you home?"
"Certainly not!" She linked arms with Dotte and started off. Vorpatril followed not giving up. He slipped around in front, grinned some more, and tried, "What about a puppy?"
Dotte snorted a laugh which didn't help.
"A kitten?"
Tej snarled at him, "Go away. Or I'll find a street Patroller."  

He opened his hands in apparent surrender, watching with a doleful expression as they marched past. "A pony...?" he called after them, as if in one last spasm of hope.
 

 Before you know it Ivan, Byerly, Tej, and Rish, Tej's blue skinned companion, are in it up to their eyebrows.  That's when Ivan gets creative.  Then the book gets really fun as they end up back on Barrayar.  This book is just great.  It's got the feel of a 1930's screwball comedy.  I loved seeing life from Ivan's point of view.  Tej is just adorable.  The other piece that I enjoyed was getting a glimpse at Alys Vorpatril and Simon Illyan's relationship.  There is so much I want to comment on but I don't want to give anything away.  Just read it, laugh out loud, and enjoy!

Side not this book won't be released until November 6th.  I bought an adanvanced e-reader copy from Bujold's website.  That is how much I wanted to read this book.

 

"Off The Grid" ~ PJ Tracy

PJ Tracy is a mother daughter mystery writing team.  Their books are mainly set in Minnesota.  The first book "Monkeewrench"  is fantastic.  I loved it and have continued to to read the series as it comes out.  "Off The Grid"  is the latest, but not the best in the series.  I was excited to catch up with the characters after the ending twist in the last book. 

I liked the book but it does have two major issues.  First it presupposes that you've read the other books.  If you haven't you will not understand the Grace character at all.  Having read the other books, Grace's changes are central to the emotional tone of the book.  Second the mystery is not great.  It had potential but I just didn't get it.  It seemed very two dimensional and there needed to be more explanation. 

I loved catching up with all the regulars again and I will keep reading the series.  There is a short conversation between Roadrunner, yes that is his name, and a native police chief that was both sweet and scary at the same time.  When Tracy gets it right she can pull contradictory emotions out of you that make perfect sense.  Plus I always enjoy a good book set in my home state.  I would recommend starting at the beginning and waiting for this one in paperback.