Since I'd read all of the Vorkosigan books (twice, even) and LOVED them, I figured I should try Bujold's other stuff. This book was ok. I think Bujold's an amazing writer. But I didn't love the story anywhere near as much as I'd hoped to - it was pretty much a straight-up romance, which just isn't my usual thing. Neither is fantasy, for that matter. But I'll still read the next book in the series, which means I liked it well enough.