This is one of the books about the commander Miles Vorkosigan and is considered one of the writer’s most brilliant works. The book is recommended as an initial read within the “Barrayar” series. Miles tries to enter the Imperial Academy, but fails the physical fitness exam due to the consequences of poisoning. In despair, he leaves for his mother’s home planet, Beta. There, getting involved in the arms trade, he finds himself in the thick of a local war—but he takes control of the situation and leads a fleet of mercenaries, which becomes an instrument of the empire’s security service.