Instruct: Classify a review into positive or negative sentiment.
Query: Where is the Sci Fi?

Bujold has a strong following among sci fi readers for good writing and Cordelia's Honor demonstrates why. The writing is strong, the characters, if sometimes more carictures than characters are distinctive.Unfortunately, the sci fi is missing. Yes, there is a gloss of other worlds, disruptor rays and stunners and faster-than-light travel, but these elements are incidental to both books. Take them away, put Barrayar and Beta on two continents on opposite sides of the world (or, rename them Sparta and Athens) and you can write the same book.Classify this work as a political thriller with a sci fi gloss. Worth a solid 3 stars for the writing, but only 1-2 stars as a work of sci fi.