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Mirror Dance
Modern · Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Mirror Dance

by Lois McMaster Bujold
1994 · 613 pages · Fiction
Critics' pick
≈ 15 hours to read · about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

Miles Vorkosigan, born with brittle bones and a body that never grew to full height, leads a double life as a mercenary admiral. Mark, his clone, was created by enemies to murder and replace him, and has escaped them. Mark now sets out to prove himself with a rescue mission of his own, impersonating Miles, and the result changes both brothers forever.

Why it's worth reading

It won the Hugo Award, and many readers consider it the best book of Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga. It's a thrilling adventure and a profound story about identity and family.

You'll love it if you liked

Barrayar, The Vor Game or Ender's Game

Good to know

It's best read after the earlier Miles books, especially Brothers in Arms, which introduces Mark. It's dark in places.

Quick answers

Is Mirror Dance worth reading?

Yes. It won the Hugo Award, and many readers consider it the best book of Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga. It ranks #345 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.8 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is Mirror Dance about?

Miles Vorkosigan, born with brittle bones and a body that never grew to full height, leads a double life as a mercenary admiral. Mark, his clone, was created by enemies to murder and replace him, and has escaped them. Mark now sets out to prove himself with a rescue mission of his own, impersonating Miles, and the result changes both brothers forever.

How long does it take to read Mirror Dance?

About 15 hours (613 pages), or about 4 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What awards has Mirror Dance won?

Hugo Award winner (1995).

What should I read after Mirror Dance?

If you liked it, try Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold, The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold or Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

By the numbers

80.8Must-Read Score
  • Readers91 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Bestseller16 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 (1995).

Where it ranks

Won

Reads as

Adventurous

How we rank

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More by Lois McMaster Bujold

Barrayar
BarrayarLois McMaster Bujold
Paladin of Souls
Paladin of SoulsLois McMaster Bujold
The Vor Game
The Vor GameLois McMaster Bujold
Memory
MemoryLois McMaster Bujold

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