Rating: 
Summary: She's the Master
Review: No one writing today surpasses LMB, as far as I'm concerned. Some of her books rise to the level of literature. Take it as a given that this book is better than 99% of the other books that will come out this year. My comments are purely to compare this book with others in this wonderful series.As a Vorkosigan book, I'd give this one 4 stars. I can't express how happy I am that we're back in a space adventure. Seeing some familiar, non-Barrayaran faces was a true pleasure. And as much as I love that LMB has her characters both grow and grow up, it's nice to see that under the slightly conservative *coughstuffycough* Imperial Auditor we've been treated to in the last few outings, there still lingers some Crazy Young Miles/Admiral Naismith. Although the stakes involved in the main plot seem rather unimportant at first, the story does take a dramatic turn. It's very well put together and well paced. Even though this is more of a classic Miles space adventure, it's not tired. I never felt like we've "been there, done that." The format here was slightly different than in previous books, particularly in the second half, which is reminiscent in tone of a horror movie. LMB should be commended for keeping this series fresh after 10+ outings. As for why this only gets 5 stars . . . well, as I said, it's really an adventure story. As such, it's less ambitious than some of the later books in the series, particularly the standouts Mirror Dance, Memory, and A Civil Affair. It's not as deep or as rich as those books. This is more of a "Miles races around to solve a problem" book, so there is less in the way of character exploration or growth. For example, given that this book is on the short side compared to some other Miles stories, I think there was room to delve more deeply into the Ekaterin/Miles dynamic. When you compare this to Cordelia and Aral's "honeymoon" adventure, Barrayar, there is definitely something lacking. Although that book had action aplenty, it also showed the difficulties that two very strong, very different people had in forming their marriage. Perhaps it would have interfered with the pacing, but I think we could have seen a more complicated Miles and Ekaterin relationship without a sacrifice in the story. Another problem -- the ending is wrapped up way too quickly and neatly. One minute, we're in the middle of the adventure. The next, boom, done -- the resolution almost happens "off screen." I think that was a bit of a cheat. As I said above, fantastic book. These are just quibbles. Of course, it will always be hard to top books such as Memory or Mirror Dance -- but how great is it that LMB keeps trying!
Rating:
Summary: Fasten Your Seatbelts
Review: Miles is back and, if not as bubbly as before, he still has what it takes. I received Diplomatic Immunity yesterday afternoon and finished it this morning. As usual the story rushes you through to the finish and leaves you wanting the next book. The only problem I had was that I guessed the why before Miles did! That isn't usual and I have to wonder if Ms. Bujold started to have Miles realize earlier and then put off sharing it with the readers. He seemed to know what had happened. (Miles says I've got to contact Gregor about this, I can't handle this one on my own.) Miles then drops the whole line until the later part of the book when it comes out like I thought he thought earlier. Overall it was very enjoyable and leave several options for future books -- His children ought to be extraordinary, both the ones just decanted and the Cetagandan... I can't wait.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but not great.
Review: I have the impression this is another 'set the stage' book, similar to "Komarr" in advancing the series and Miles' life. While a tad disappointed, I DO realize not every single book can be as outstanding as Memory, Mirror Dance, and Barrayar, etc. etc. Unfortunately, I read it in one evening and now must restrain myself for the next year or so. Thank you so much Lois, but please hurry!!
Rating:
Summary: Yearly pleasure
Review: Unlike so many series, this one isn't repetitive. The characters grow and change -- Miles is no longer quite the hyperkinetic little mutant we first came to know and love... An exciting mystery and characters you want to spend time with. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Not the best in the series, but still worth reading
Review: As I've grown older, I've grown more selective of the science fiction that I've read. But I still rush to the web whenever a new Lois McMaster Bujold novel comes out. I'm still amazed that Bujold doesn't have a wider following among science-fiction fans. Given her four Hugo awards, Bujold should roll off the tip of the tongue as quickly as Henlein, Asimov, or Bradbury. DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY is another book in the Miles Vorkosigan series. Like other Bujold heroes, Miles does not conform to the standard space opera hero sterotype. Debilitated by a terrorist attack while in vitro, Miles is a brilliant, devious, hyper-energetic mind trapped in an abnormally short, hunch-backed, fragile body. In this addition to the series, the Emperor of Barryar interrupts Miles and his new wife on their honeymoon to embroil him in a convoluted diplomatic struggle involving the 'quaddies' (a race of humans genetically modified for optimal zero-G living who have arms in place of legs), the Cetagandans (the ancient enemies of Barryar), and a mysterious cargo. As Miles pulls the threads to this knot all hell breaks loose, and Miles must use his lightning wit and endless energy to somehow prevent a new war between his planet and the Cetagandans and a bio-terrorist threat on the entire quaddie race. Bujold has chalked another of my sleepless night up to her exciting and fast-paced novels. Even though I was vastly entertained, I found this book a little disappointing. While other Miles books often had a more serious undercurrent of the difficulties of Miles living in the militaristic Barraryaran society and his unquenchable desire to succeed despite his handicaps, this book is more of a straight adventure story with little character growth. While one of the weaker books in the entire series, fans of Miles should still find this book very entertaining and a worthwhile read. As a note for those new to the Vorkosigan books, don't start here. Instead, check out the collection of the first Miles books in YOUNG MILES or start off even earlier and learn about Miles's parents and the Barraryaran society in the collection CORDELIA'S HONOR. Dav's Rating System:
5 stars - Loved it, and kept it on my bookshelf.
4 stars - Liked it, and gave it to a friend.
3 stars - OK, finished it and gave it to the library.
2 stars - Not good, finished it, but felt guilty and/or cheated by it.
1 star - I want my hour back! Didn't finish the book.
Rating: 
Summary: a fun, fast read
Review: Lois McMaster Bujold's latest novel in the Vorkosigan Series takes place about a year ana half after her previous work "A Civil Campaign". I would not recommend this book to first-time readers of the series, as it heavily references her earlier works, namely Falling Free and A Civil Campaign. As a book within the series, "Diplomatic Immunity" does a lot to advance the plot. The novel itself is funny at times, and a fast read. A must-read for Bujold fans everywhere.
Rating:
Summary: Love Diplomatic Immunity
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this new book by Lois Bujold. The suspense went right to the end, you never knew what was going to happen and we saw lots of Miles and Ekaterin. We met up with an old character and found out what was happening to it, we saw Roic again and Ekaterin definately has come out of her shell. Buy this book, you will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing murder mystery
Review: As always, it's wonderful to rejoin Miles and his various companions. Bel Thorne's reappearance is particularly welcome, and it's heartening to see that yes, there is life after 30. ;) The mystery is fascinating, as a plot that seems obvious quickly becomes downright tangled. So this novel is well worth reading.
And as always, I'm impressed that Bujold's novels can range from military adventure, to romance, to politics, to mystery while still making each novel interesting to a sci-fi reader. But...the book is somewhat disappointing in that it is short on the usual humor that usually makes Bujold's work so delightful, and rather short in length as well. I'd have to say that the last third of the book is up to her usual quality (Miles starts joking again!) while the beginning of the book is a bit slow. I'm giving this book four stars compared to the average novel, because even Bujold's lesser works are better than a great many other books. Compared to Bujold's other works, however, I'd give it two stars. And as others have stated, this is not the best starting point for new readers.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Addition to An Outstanding Series
Review: Lois McMaster Bujold's new "Miles Vorkosigan" novel DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY leads newlywed Imperial Auditor Miles Vorkosigan and his wife Ekaterin into deep space investigating a mysterious disappearance/murder of a Barrayaran soldier at a space station of the genetically engineered Quaddies(remember them from FALLING FREE ?). But things are not quite as easy as that. Bujold offers another fast-paced, character-driven novel full of twists and turns. Miles is as clever as ever, but this time he has his lady at his side to help him. Don't miss this exciting addition to the adventures of Miles Vorkosigan...
Rating:
Summary: Forward momentum!
Review: Having met, wooed, and won a Barrayaran wife (finally, whew!) in the story arc comprised in three previous Miles Vorkosigan novels (Memory, Komarr, and A Civil Campaign) Miles of course cannot possibly enjoy his honeymoon without landing splat in the middle of another fine mess. This time, the Barrayaran military has been acting like a cross between the Keystone Kops and the Three Stooges at Graff Station (which readers will recognise as the home of the Quaddies from Bujold's award winning novel, "Falling Free"). Faced with Bel Thorne, the hermaphrodite unfinished business from his days as the mercenary leader, Admiral Naismith, Miles must explain to his wife, stay friendly with Thorne, and keep the Barrayarans from killing the Quaddies, and vice-versa. Nice pickle? Not nice enough for Miles. Just as we see all that, somebody tries to kill Miles and Thorne disappears. Once again, Bujold somehow manages to turn a very straightforward space opera into a serious discussion of the differences between people and cultures, the moral issues behind cloning and genetic research, and what wise leadership really is. Bujold's novels have so many layers of meaning that it is absurd to call them space opera, yet there is plenty of action, and adventure. You won't easily stop halfway through this book. The Bananaslug at Baen's Bar
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