When a mysterious genetic crisis threatens the existence of Athos, a planet forbidden to women, obstetrician Ethan Urquhart is forced into an alliance with Elli Quinn, a gorgeous female secret agent, to save his world.

Our hero is a quiet, upstanding citizen of Athos, an obstetrician in a world in which reproduction is carried out entirely via uterine replicator, without the aid of living women. He faces a problem: the 200-year-old cultures are not providing eggs the way they used to, and attempts to order replacements by mail have failed catastrophically.

MILES VORKOSIGAN TIMES THREE EQUALS ENTERTAINMENT,EXCITEMENT & EXCELLENCE Diplomat, soldier,spy-Lieutenant Lord Miles Naismith Vorkosigan of the Barrayaran Empire, a.k.a.Admiral Naismith of the D

While Miles is recuperating from injuries, Imperial Security Chief Illyan arrives to question him about wild cost overruns in his covert ops missions for Barrayar. This forms the framework for the 3 novellas "The Mountains of Mourning", "Labyrinth", and "The Borders of Infinity". - NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR - “Bujold continues to prove what marvels genius can create out of basic space operatics.” - Library Journal “Bujold is not just a master of plot, she is a master of emotion.” - SF Site “Bujold is one of the best writers of SF adventure to come along in years.” - Locus Magazine “A superb craftsman and stylist, Ms. Bujold is well on her way to becoming one of the great voices of speculative fiction.” - Rave Reviews “Bujold has a gift, nearly unique in science fiction, for the comedy of manners.” - Chicago Sun Times “Superb far-future saga.” - Publishers Weekly on the 'Vorkosigan' series Bujold's "work remains among the most enjoyable and rewarding in contemporary SF." - Publishers Weekly

The exciting follow-up to Brothers in Arms. Miles Vorkosigan is in trouble. His brother, a cloned stranger formed from tissue stolen from Miles when he was a child, wants to murder and replace him. Unfortunately, Mark has learned that without Miles, he is . . . nothing.

Master the Vorkosiverse! "I've always tried to write the kind of book I most loved to reacharacter-centered adventure. Readers return to such books because those characters have become their friends, and there is no limit to the number of times you want to be with your friends again." ¾Lois McMaster Bujold, from The Vorkosigan Companion. It's the companion for everything Miles and Vorkosigan: Insightful essays, encyclopedic entries on the characters, the plots and¾most of all¾the fantastic world-building! Plus, an extensive story-behind-the-story essay on the creation of the books, and a Bujold mini-biography! At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). "Bujold mixes quirky humor with action [and] superb character development. [E]normously satisfying." ¾Publishers Weekly