Definitely Fiction

Kirk Hamilton, Sam Parrish
  • 5.0 (21)
  • Books
  • Monthly

A podcast about books, hosted by Sam Parrish and Kirk Hamilton. Currently reading The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Watch video versions free on YouTube at youtube.com/@DefinitelyFictionPod, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon at DefinitelyFiction.com.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    Cetaganda [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 5]

    Miles takes a detour from his Dendarii adventures as he and cousin Ivan are dispatched to the dangerous planet of Cetaganda for a diplomatic mission that soon becomes anything but. Published in 1995, CETAGANDA connects THE VOR GAME nicely to BROTHERS IN ARMS, giving us a serving of quality Ivan content in the process. Watch video versions free on YouTube, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon. -------------------------------------------------- 0:00:00 Intro0:01:00 Check-in and thank-yous0:03:17 Pronunciation updates0:07:55 The back-of-the-jacket summary0:11:11 Publication context and cover art0:17:30 Big-picture thoughts: Ivan, the haut and the mystery0:29:21 Miles and Ivan's mission to the funeral0:41:25 The Marilacan embassy party and Mia Maz0:46:15 Haut, ghem and ba: Cetagandan society0:53:54 Yenaro1:03:20 The ceremony, the dead ba and Rian's first approach1:17:30 Miles sees Rian1:23:15 Lisbet Degtiar's plan1:37:00 Investigating the satrap governors1:56:20 Poetry, parties and float bubbles2:10:30 Yenaro's trap and Vorreedi2:22:00 Vio, the Star Crèche and the solution2:32:00 Vio kidnaps Ivan and the race for the key2:49:00 Kety exposed and the epilogue3:02:00 Miles's motivations3:07:05 Final thoughts3:12:26 Outro -------------------------------------------------- OCTOBER 2026 PATRONS Hand of GregorJoshua Ram, Mike Krieger Eyes of IllyanQuotidiaphile, Jordan Stafford, Travis Lee, Paul Wayper, Louise M, Josh Scheidler, lostinthemath, 0nlygh0sts -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

    Cetaganda [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 5]

  2. Oct 6

    The Vor Game [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 4]

    Miles's journey continues in 1991's The Vor Game, a Hugo-award winner that combines Bujold's 1990 novella Weatherman, in which Miles braves rough winds and rougher command at the remote Camp Permafrost, with a broader tale of intrigue at the Hegen Hub. Not all paths... one path. Watch video versions free on YouTube, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon. -------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 2026 PATRONS Hand of GregorJoshua Ram, Mike Krieger Eyes of IllyanQuotidiaphile, Jordan Stafford, Travis Lee, Paul Wayper, Louise M, Josh S, lostinthemath -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

    The Vor Game [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 4]

  3. Sep 15

    The Warrior's Apprentice [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 3]

    Series protagonist Miles Vorkosigan takes the reins in 1986's The Warrior's Apprentice, his first main-stage appearance in both internal and publication chronologies. Forward momentum! Watch a video version of this episode on YouTube or on Patreon. Sign up for the Definitely Fiction Patreon to support the show and get longer episodes with Patreon-exclusive bonus segments. -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

    The Warrior's Apprentice [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 3]

  4. Aug 28

    Barrayar [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 2]

    Cordelia's adventures continue with Lois McMaster Bujold's 1992 political thriller Barrayar. Kirk and Sam had a great time discussing this tremendous book. Watch a video version free on YouTube, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon. VOR-CABULARY: Katas - a set combination of positions and movements performed as an exerciseBolero - a loose waist-length jacket open at the front (comes up multiple times as something Drou is wearing)Vassal Secundus - Aral uses it to refer to his position as someone who is sworn directly to the EmperorVassal - a person under the protection of a feudal lord to whom they have vowed homageSecundus - Latin term meaning second or followingPunctilio - a minute detail of conduct in a ceremony or in observance of a codeCosset - to pamper or treat as a petRiverine - relating to, formed by, or resembling a riverSobriquet - nickname, referring to Aral’s title “the Butcher of Komarr”Inveigled - to win over by wilesParoxysm - a sudden outburst, fit, or attack (as of emotion)Caravanserai - an inn surrounding a court in eastern countries where caravans rest at nightTeratogenic - Harming embryonic/fetal development. Used in contrast to mutagenic, which means altering DNA.Iatrogenic - a condition induced unintentionally by medical treatment or diagnostic proceduresProle - proletarian, the laboring classSibilant - a sound resembling that of the s or the sh in sashCommensal - A relationship between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it. Used by Cordelia when she is thinking about horses.Flinders - Splinters, fragments. Describes Cordelia’s slippers after escaping into the mountains.Suasion - the act of influencing or persuadingGrubstake - material assistance (such as a loan) provided for launching an enterprise or for a person in difficult circumstancesDuenna - an elderly woman serving as governess and companion to the younger ladies in a Spanish or Portuguese familyRaff - as in riffraff, disreputable personsVilli - small finger-like projections, such as those in the small intestine that absorb nutrients from foodBelike - casual, noncommittal expression in the Dendarii hills, meaning “maybe” or “perhaps”Marquetry - Inlay or veneer forming decorative patternsSere - drySitzkrieg - Referring to a period of inaction after Germany invaded Poland and the UK and France declared war to start WWII, but before any Allied operations in Europe. Also known as the Phoney War. A play on blitzkrieg. -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

    Barrayar [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 2]

  5. Aug 28

    Shards of Honor [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 1]

    Kirk and Sam kick off their full series read-through of Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga with her 1986 novel Shards of Honor. Watch a video version free on YouTube, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon. VOR-CABULARY Casuistry - specious or deceptive reasoning (the meaning as used in this book)Saturnine - sullen, gloomy, or sour, also a word LMB loves and is honestly pretty greatPith - to kill an animal by piercing or severing the spinal cordGavotte - a danceHagridden - to be harassed or tormentedStygian - Of the river Styx. Very dark, gloomy, or forbidding.Batman - someone assigned as personal servant to a (most often British) military officer -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

    Shards of Honor [Vorkosigan Saga, Book 1]

  6. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing Definitely Fiction!

    Welcome to Definitely Fiction! Hosts Sam Parrish and Kirk Hamilton introduce the first book series they'll be covering: The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold. Watch a video version free on YouTube, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon. -------------------------------------------------- 💰 SUPPORT DEFINITELY FICTION! Patreon Membership | One-Time Donation 🎨 SHOW ART by Tom Deja, Bossman Graphics 🎸 THEME MUSIC by Kirk Hamilton 📚 VORKOSIGAN SAGA READING ORDER 1. Shards of Honor 2. Barrayar 3. The Warrior's Apprentice 4. The Vor Game 5. Cetaganda 6. Ethan of Athos 7. Brothers in Arms 8. Borders of Infinity 9. Mirror Dance 10. Memory 11. Komarr 12. A Civil Campaign + Winterfair Gifts 13. Dreamweaver's Dilemma + Falling Free 14. Diplomatic Immunity 15. Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance 16. The Flowers of Vashnoi + Cryoburn 17. Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen

  • 1 Trailer
    5 Episodes

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

A podcast about books, hosted by Sam Parrish and Kirk Hamilton. Currently reading The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold. Watch video versions free on YouTube at youtube.com/@DefinitelyFictionPod, listen free on your favorite podcast player, or go ad-free, get bonus segments, and support the show by joining the Patreon at DefinitelyFiction.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Kirk Hamilton, Sam Parrish
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Definitely Fiction
  • Show Website
    Definitely Fiction

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