When Cordelia Naismith and her survey crew are attacked by a renegade group from Barrayar, she is taken prisoner by Aral Vorkosigan, commander of the Barrayan ship that has been taken over by an ambitious and ruthless crew member. Aral and Cordelia survive countless mishaps while their mutual admiration and even stronger feelings emerge. A science fiction romance by a Hugo and Nebula Award … winning master. Bujold’s SHARDS OF HONOR is the first book in her SF universe to feature the Vorkosigan clan, followed by the Hugo award-winning BARRAYAR. The Nebula award-winning FALLING FREE precedes it by internal chronology in the same future history.
“This superb first novel integrates a believable romance into a science fiction tale of adventure and war.”
– Booklist
“Possibly the best first novel of the year”
– The Chicago Sun Times
“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, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming 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
“Bujold is also head and shoulders above the ruck of current fantasists and well as science-fictionists.”
– Booklist
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 twenty-one languages. Her fantasy from Eos includes the award-winning Chalion series and the Sharing Knife series.
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This is the first novel in one of my favorite series. I re-read the Vorkosigan books every couple of years.
Shards of Honor is the first of two novels with the characters Cordelia and Aral, heroes from warring nations who get thrown together on an unexplored planet for an adventure. Shards was Bujold’s first book and isn’t as compelling as some of the following novels, but I still give it 5 stars for the characters. They’re determined, believable, and occasionally funny. I always chuckle a little when I listen to the audiobooks.
Check out Shards, and if you enjoy it, read the sequel, Barrayar. Then if you want more, the third book in the series, The Warrior’s Apprentice, starts us on the adventures of their son, Miles.
Action, romance, realistic characters in a “realistic” sci-fi world. I’ve read just about every book in this series.
This is the book I wish I had written. I have read it over and over again.
great beginning to a wonderful series!
Cordelia is one of my fave heroines. I love the Miles books too but Cordelia is awesome 😀
This is my favorite book. Because it is.
A keeper—I’ve read it over many times
God do I love this book. An examination of moral compromise and its cost, and the struggle to find an honorable way forward through the mire–definitely still resonating in today’s current climate.
Frankly, Coredlia is one of my most favorite sci fi characters of all time, and this book ranks up there with one of my absolute most favorite sci fi/space opera reads of all time. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up!
Shards of Honor is the true first in the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. It’s a great book that I’ve re-read countless times.
HIGHLY recommended for science fiction fans!
I love, love, love all of the Vorkosigan books.
While on a surveying mission the team is attacked by a renegade ship. Captain Naismith is capture by the hostile ships Captain who has been left behind to die by his ship’s political officer. The two Captains journey to a supply cache, on the alien planet surviving together thru many adventures. The story follows there adventures together and apart. It;s an interesting story.
It’s been a while since I read the books in the Vorkosigan series, but I loved all of them. The characters were beyond rich… they were smart, funny and genius. I don’t think there has ever been a more brilliant/witty character crafted than Miles. I wished we could have seen more of his rogue cousin Ivan as well. Loved ALL of the main characters. This is space opera at its finest.
To me, this is where the Vorkosigan Saga starts. The novel has all the classic space opera qualities but also addresses the reality of war and its effect on both those involved in the fighting and the public. It’s a grand adventure with heartbreak and tragedy on the way to triumph. The rest of the series stays that way, although Miles is a more comedic character. I also like the realistic military and political details.
I love this and ALL the book in this series. Each one is different, mystery, adventure, romance, political intrigue. I love the wit and intelligence of the characters both the men and women. This is a series I will visit again and again.
Holy smokes! Just finished BOOK 17!!!!! of the Vorkosigan saga! I’m pretty much amazed by the scope and execution. Bujold has created one of the most complete universes I’m aware of. She tells the Vorkosigan story and the story of Barrayar and ties it into a multi planetary universe in such a comprehensive way that it is like reading a history. Complete suspension of disbelief achieved! I will say I enjoy the earlier books more than the later ones. Much more fun and action in the stories of young Miles Vorkosigan. The later books could more be classified as a political romance, but still very good.
Wonderful characters times 10! I read the whole series. Fabulous. Start with the 3rd or 4th book in the series. Then go back to the first two
If you enjoy space opera, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, or the Honor Harrington series, by David Weber, you will enjoy Shards of Honor.
If you like character-based, regency-era, historical fiction, such as the Poldark series, by Winston Graham, you will like Shards of Honor.
But if, like me, you are one of those extremely odd individuals who like them both?
You will absolutely delight in both this book and its sequel, Barrayar!
This is one of my top four favorite Science Fiction novels of all time. I have re-read it multiple times for the amazing character development, world-building and humor that Bujold puts into the entire Vorkosigan series. But this is arguably one of her best. In it, Betan space explorer Commander Cordelia Naismith finds herself stranded on an unknown world, her crew massacred or permanently incapacitated and facing a harsh alien wilderness. Her only ally? Captain Lord Aral Vorkosigan of the Barrayarran Imperium, the backward, aloof, and yet, somehow charming enemy combatant who ordered the massacre in the first place!
Forced to depend on each other for survival, both Aral and Cordelia will find their endurance tested, their assumptions challenged, and their lives changed forever. Divided by culture and by war, they must choose between loyalty to their worlds, and loyalty to their hearts.
Before any romancophobes go running for the hills…understand that this is still space-opera. There are plenty of battles and intrigues to go around. But this, along with its companion volume, Barrayar, is space-opera with a twist of romance and class conflict woven in–perhaps Bujold’s finest work.