Cetaganda (Vorkosigan Saga, #9)
by Lois McMaster Bujold
Probably my least favorite of the Vorkosigan books. The intrigue bored me, for once, and I still can't remember what happened. Something about genetics.
Reread 2025: I found the plot cracking this time but it still doesn't 100% gel, only 90% - which is still good. Miles is on a really intense ego-trip in this one and it's not quite proven that he's justified in wanting to handle everything himself. Of course it worked out (always does, which is where these books are weirdly comforting like murder mysteries), but he had so many points where he could have made other choices, and he never gets called on the carpet as he does in... I think most of the other books. Having to reckon with where he's at, even when he pulls it off, is one of the things that gives these books more emotional stakes I think? Unlike Poirot or Holmes who are super mean to other characters all the time but no one can call them on it because they are never ever wrong about anything.