The Warrior's Apprentice

This is my first Bujold and my first in the series of the saga of Miles Vorkosigan. One of my initial thoughts was 'Why are so many space operas based on imperial aristocracies?' After some mild character confusion in the early chapters, most likely because I was unfamiliar with the back-story, it settles into something of a military space opera adventure. Miles has something of the audacious character of Hans Solo, with a dose of Bret Maverick. Wise beyond his 17 years, he inadvertently accumulates a mercenary army and space fleet. The book is an easy enjoyable read, but instead of culminating in an exciting climax of Miles' adventures, it dissolves into arcane aristocratic etiquette and political posturing. I expect that I may read some more Bujold - I have her Barrayar on my reading list - but I'm really not a reader of series and The Warrior's Apprentice didn't persuade me to pursue this one.