From Star Trek to Star Wars , from Dune to Foundation , science fiction has a rich history of exploring the idea of vast intergalactic societies, and the challenges facing those living in or trying to manage such societies. This work features stories that intend to continue that tradition.

Lois McMaster Bujold has won the Hugo award four times, and the Nebula award twice. In this, her first epic fantasy, we join Cazaril -- a former soldier, and courtier who is about to embark on a perilous journey, rife with lethal treacheries, demonic magic, and scheming characters.

IN

Following her marriage to the notorious Butcher of Komarr - Lord Aral Vorkosigan - Captain Cordelia Naismith has become an outcast in her own world. Sick of combat and betrayal, she prepares to settle down to a quiet life on Barrayar. At least, that was the plan...

Komarr-Miles Vorkosigan is sent to Komarr, a planet that could be a garden with a thousand more years of terraforming; or an uninhabitable wasteland, if the terraforming project fails. The solar mirror vital to the project has been shattered by a ship hurt.

A Komarran merchant fleet is impounded at Graf Station following an incident. Waiting there are diplomatic snarls, tangled loyalties, old friends, new enemies, racial tension, lies and disappearances - and a lethal secret with wider consequences than even Miles Vorkosigan anticipates.

Cordelia Naismith is enjoying a baptism of fire. Her first mission is to captain a throwaway warship of the Betan Expeditionary Force on a mission to destroy an entire enemy armada. Discovering deception within deception, she is forced into an uneasy peace with her nemesis: Lord Aral Vorkosigan.

Komarr-Miles Vorkosigan is sent to Komarr, a planet that could be a garden with a thousand more years of terraforming; or an uninhabitable wasteland, if the terraforming project fails. The solar mirror vital to the project has been shattered by a ship hurt.

Lois McMaster Bujold has won the Hugo award four times, and the Nebula award twice. This is her second epic fantasy and the sequel to Curse of Chalion.

IN

Sent to play a diplomatic role on the capital world of Barrayar's old enemy, Miles finds murder, deceit, and Cetagandan internal politics at its deadliest, and also finds Cetagandan biological secrets to be very complicated indeed.

IN

Dismissed from the Barrayaran Military Academy for his fragile bones, Miles Vorkosigan's natural leadership qualities quickly led to his off-handedly acquiring a fleet of 19 ships and 3000 troops, all loyal to him - or at least to his alter ego, Admiral Naismith. Then things got really interesting.

In this two-part story, Cordelia Naismith, made an outcast after being forced into marriage with her arch enemy, finds further trouble when her husband is made the guardian of the infant heir to the imperial throne.

Washed out of the Barrayaran Military Academy for health reasons, Miles Vorkosigan uses his unorthodox leadership talents to acquire a fleet of ships and take command of a force of spaceborne mercenaries with the help of his secret alter ego, Admiral Naismith.