I still can't get over the "book-discs", especially as I read this as an ebook! Bujold predicted the rise of ebooks, but she couldn't have known in that era the incredible evolution technology is to take. +1 for the incredibly near-guess done before I was even born. 
 Miles is a little more mature here, but still a child in some ways. He's so desperate to belong in Barrayar, that he would give up greater personal fame and glory off his home-world. However, part of his need to belong is also because he's desperate to do all honors to his family name and especially his father. He feels guilty for being born the way he is, and there is some bitterness too, which he hides away. 
 Cavilo is a little bit of a cardboard cut-out, but I think she must have a revolutionary character type in that era. Now it seems dated of course, due to the many permutations of the type. She still remains memorable and frightening, and raises questions as to what kind of past would have created her. 
 The adventure is, as usual, suspenseful and exciting. I find the way Miles maneuvers people very interesting, and quite dangerous. He escapes from danger the way most pulp heroes do, but he lives to entertain us another day. Hope to see more of Gregor, he is intriguing if not quite fleshed out yet.