50 Book Challenge #13: Cetaganda

Yes, it's another random SF paperback. (My next book is serious literature, I swear.) This one was a lot better than the last, but I still couldn't get that enthusiastic. Part of my discontent was at having to pick up the story line in the middle. Bujold's characterization is strong, but when I don't know the background relationships it's tough to really appreciate what's going on. Is Ivan brain damaged or just not as brilliant as Miles? Who are all those Barrayarans again? The plot was decent, but it felt more like a mystery novel than a novel of ideas, and I prefer the latter.