Barrayar
Score Modern
What it's about
Cordelia Naismith, a scientist and ship captain from a peaceful, progressive world, has married Aral Vorkosigan, a warrior from the militaristic planet Barrayar, and moved there. When the dying emperor names Aral regent for a five-year-old heir, Cordelia, pregnant with their first child, is plunged into court intrigue, assassination attempts and civil war, in a society with very different ideas about women and power.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and was a Nebula Award finalist. It's one of the most beloved books in Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga, combining political thriller, adventure and a fierce story about motherhood.
You'll love it if you liked
A Memory Called Empire, Paladin of Souls or Dune
Good to know
It follows Shards of Honor, which tells how Cordelia and Aral met; many editions combine the two. It's a natural starting point for the series.
Quick answers
Is Barrayar worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award for Best Novel and was a Nebula Award finalist. It ranks #233 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 82.8 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Barrayar about?
Cordelia Naismith, a scientist and ship captain from a peaceful, progressive world, has married Aral Vorkosigan, a warrior from the militaristic planet Barrayar, and moved there. When the dying emperor names Aral regent for a five-year-old heir, Cordelia, pregnant with their first child, is plunged into court intrigue, assassination attempts and civil war, in a society with very different ideas about women and power.
How long does it take to read Barrayar?
About 10 hours (402 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has Barrayar won?
Hugo Award winner (1992).
What should I read after Barrayar?
If you liked it, try A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold or Dune by Frank Herbert.
By the numbers
- Readers90 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics67 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller21 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Hugo Award winner (1992).
Where it ranks
- #21 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #117 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #233 of the 2,819 books we rank
Won
- Hugo Award winner (1992)
Shortlisted
- Nebula Award finalist (1991)
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic, Dark
