We follow the very-unlikely hero Miles Vorkosigan travel to Cetaganda, landing in the middle of a conspiracy to use Barrayar as distraction amidst a coup. As ever he does the unthinkable, while falling for a haut-dame(sounds like a pun).
Why 4 stars ? Ivan's role shrunk to 'he was also present' status. Miles became very very chatty near the end.