This book is such a ridiculous improvement over previous books in the series. I don't know if I just find Miles' characterization more palateable when he's an adult, or if Bujold's writing has improved, but I found most of this genuinely enjoyable, even if the twist at the end was a little obvious (which is fine, not everything has to be a total shock, but it felt a bit unearned, whatever). It was an excellent character study of Miles, in a similar vein to how Wrath of Kahn looked into what happens when Kirk is grounded. I just wish, since the point Miles choosing not to get his heart's desire, he didn't ultimately get his heart's desire in the end anyway, but that's a problem with Bujold's writing in general. Her favorites may suffer, but they always get the respect (and domestic paradise) they crave in the end.