I quite enjoyed it, although as usual I was unable to resist the what happens next BOOKSNARF impulse, and will need to reread it for details.
Although Diplomatic Immunity, the book before this one, seemed a bit insubstantial to me, this one is up there with Barrayar, Memory, and A Civil Campaign in emotional impact. Having just finished reading it less than five minutes ago... I feel like I've been punched in the chest. Crying over people who don't even exist, never have, never will... Gah.