Sharon Lee (1) (1952–)

Having been introduced to the Liaden Universe by a fellow LTer, I knew that I would enjoy Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and, of course, I did. This author has a deft touch with both her storylines and her characters that make these science fiction stories totally immersive. In Carpe Diem, we are treated to two of my favorite couples that are connected to Klan Korval.

Val Con and Miri are stranded on a distant planet that is a number of generations away from developing advanced technology while show more Shan and Priscilla are involved in the hunt for them. The story is a wonderful adventure and we are given more information about the Klan and the political situation in Liaden. As an added bonus both Edger and Sheather come to the aid of Val Con and Miri, and one learns that crossing a member of the Clutch can have devastating results.

Originally published in 1989, one has to make a few allowances for the slightly dated devices that are still in use in the Liaden Universe, such items were cutting edge or futuristic in the 1980’s but seem more like historical artifacts today. I admit to noticing these mis-steps but I am so caught up in the adventure and romance of the story that they are easily ignored. I am looking forward to continuing to travel through the Liaden Universe in future books. show less

This is the third book starring Jethri Gobelyn ven'Deelin who has come far from being an unwanted extra on his birth ship to becoming a fully trained and competent trader. This story sees Jethri gaining his own ship through the offices of his mother foster Master Trader Norn ven'Deelin Clan Ixin and Master Trader pin'Aker Clan Midys who both expect great things of him.

They send him to the South Axis Trade Fair which is a gathering of Terran traders. This is an ideal location for him to talk show more about the Envidaria - a document talking about the future of trade which was first written by Jethri's father Arin who died when Jethri was a child.

But the Envidaria is not a universally popular document. Members of the Combine and TerraTrade don't want anything to upset their very comfortable current situation. And, after all, the coming of Rostov's Dust won't affect very many worlds. Jethri disagrees and needs to get very political if he is going to be able to save the Loopers, and family ships, and the planets who will be disrupted by the coming Dust.

Jethri has allies. Freza and Brabham from the Balrog have been working on Arin's plan since long before Jethri even knew about it. And other Loopers are also signing on to make the changes needed to survive the coming of Rostov's Dust. He also has enemies at the Trade Fair including Senior Technical Administrator Bory Borygard of TerraTrade who knew Jethri's father and disliked the Envidaria because it would disrupt his comfortable life.

Jethri has obstacles outside the congress too. While his master and mentor want him to be raised to the rank of Master Trader, the Liaden Trade Guild has enough members who don't want a Terran to be admitted to their ranks to throw a number of obstacles in Jethri's way.

Outside this main story of Jethri at the Trade Fair, we have the story of Dulcimer and her crew. They used to trade on the dark side with contacts who look like earlier versions of the Juntavas. But with the death of their parents, the new captain wants to shift their focus to the clean, legal side of trade. They also have a pod of norbears onboard which is causing conflict between those who want to keep them there and those who want to space the animals. Squithen Patel is the one who communicates best with the norbears but is otherwise a very low-ranked member of the crew. She was a very interesting character. The hints at the story of how the norbears came to be on Dulcimer is a story I want to know.

There is also another plot line concerning the Elsavair and her crew who seem to be earlier versions of the Bedel. They trade in Old Tech and have deals with the Uncle who happens to be Jethri's actual uncle being the brother of his father Arin. Jethri is particularly sensitive to Old Tech, a tweak his uncle and father built into his genetics, and ends up buying some disturbing devices from the Elsavair including a device worn like a hood which is a teaching tool that almost overwhelms him.

My only complaint about this story was that, while progress was made on a number of fronts, nothing was finished. It does make me eager for the fourth book in Jethri's story which is still mainly residing in the authors' brains as I finish this book. show less

I only recently became aware of this Science Fiction series, which is odd given how much Science Fiction I read in the 1980s and 1990s. It is just possible that I was put off by the covers. I'm still put off by the covers - except now I'm supposed to think they're charmingly retro.

I picked 'Agent Of Change' because it was the first 'Liaden Universe' novel published. Plus, BAEN books are giving it away free HERE.

I had my doubts. I mean there's the cover and it's written by two people and it show more was published in the 80s. There are all kinds of things that could go wrong with that combination - but none of them did. This was fun from the first page.

I'd forgotten how much fun rollicking adventures like this can be. Lots of action, mixed with a little wit and a little world-building. This was a fast-moving feel-good-but-not-cosy romp through space. It's the kind of Science Fiction that's there to entertain, not lecture or philosophise.

The plot is relatively simple and linear: an alien assassin intervenes to save the life of a mercenary who, although she'sgiving a good account of herself, is outnumbered by her attackers. The end result: lots of dead attackers and a new and uncertain relationship between the two trained killers, forged by chaos, violence, latent compatibility and milde sexual attraction. Both of them are then on the run. The result is a series of confrontations, a strengthening but far from conflict-free relationship and lots more dead bodies.

Except, that synopsis misses out most of the things that make this novel fun.

Firstly, this isn't really a book of good guys and bad guys - well maybe the Yxtrang, who hunt spaceships and eat their occupants, qualify as bad guys although it's not a label that the Yxtrang would accept. This is a book about people doing what they must to get by and trying to behave with as much honour as circumstances allow.

Secondly, this isn't a human-centric book. There are lots of humans in it but they're not the dominant race and they reallyare human with all the aptitude for violence, deceit and criminality that that implies. At first, I thought The Clutch, a very long-lived turtle-like race were going to be the good guys. They were certainly nice guys: loyal, honest, cultured and slow to anger. Then I realised that the reason they have no enemies is that enemies of The Clutch get exterminated.

Thirdly, the storytelling is a skilful mix of action and contemplation, tension and humour. The pacing is pretty much perfect and there's just enough character development to keep things interesting.

If Space Opera makes you smile then this book, and I suspect this series, is for you.

I already have 'Conflct Of Honours' (1988) - which has an even worse cover - on my shelves for when I next want to lose myself in a good space romp. show less

Local Custom by Sharon Lee is part of the Liaden universe series. I think that every time I read one of these books I declare this one is my favourite, so I won’t do that again, but this was very satisfactory read. This author knows how to deliver romance and science fiction stories that are realistic and rewarding. In Local Custom the romance is between two intelligent adults who had a past connection, a connection that lead to their having a son. Relationships between two alien cultures, show more in this case a Terran and a Liaden is usually frowned upon. The cultural differences between these people are huge, with the Liadens living in a complex organized world of clans, honour and duty.

The story grows from the cultural differences that these characters have. It’s not that they don’t communicate, it’s more that each one doesn’t really understand what the other is saying. This isn’t a story of action, instead the reader is constantly rooting on Anne and Er Thom in the hopes that their emotional connection will flower into a lasting relationship. As I have read some Liaden books that was further along in time, I knew the outcome of this romance, but this in no way took away from my enjoyment of the book.

Local Custom was a totally entertaining read filled with well rounded characters and emotional conflicts that rang true. I am loving how I am learning a little bit more about the Lianden universe with every book that I read as the author pretty much always concentrates on relationships and culture. One of my favourite characters in this book was Daav, who it appears, is the main character in the next book as he in turn finds romance. I am looking forward to reading it. show less