Agent of Change

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 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 show more 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

Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is the first Liaden Universe book that I have read. I can assure you now that it won’t be the last. This is a science fiction story that is very easy to comprehend and enjoy. I immediately felt a connection with the two main characters, Val Con and Miri, and enjoyed the time spent in each of their heads. This is a very fast moving, action adventure story, and as we get to know these characters, they are getting to know each other so it comes as no surprise to any of us that while fighting off Juntavas mobsters, Yxtrang pirates and other general forces, that they fall in love.

As well as delivering some excellent characters to root for, the authors also supplied a tightly woven plot that show more managed to offer tantalizing glimpses of this universe and the many varied settings that may be used in the future. There are a few observations of the complicated social system that Liandens adhere to that I hope is further developed in future books. Of course, no review would be complete without a nod of delight in the direction of the benevolent turtles whose very presence escalated this book a notch.

As these books were written back in the 1980’s, one of the fun things is how the technology of the future was envisioned and the result was at times almost humorous, an example of this is the fact that characters were still wearing framed eyeglasses and reading still entailed opening an actual book. I found Agent of Change highly readable, almost addictive and I look forward to my next venture into the Liaden Universe. show less

Absolutely wonderful story. Complex weaving of characters and situations, a wide and rapidly changing set of attitudes from and between the characters - just great. This was the first Liaden book I read, back when it was first issued ('88 - 20 years ago!), and I've reread it countless times since then. But I can still find new things, new richnesses to enjoy on every reread. Val Con and Miri meet up and end up sticking with each other - through many and varied adventures. Two enemies aren't all that much worse than one...

(Alistair) So, I begin my adventures in reading the Liaden universe books here, which I seem to recall being mentioned as an advised starting point.

The worldbuilding, to pick something right off, is excellent. Absolutely excellent. Some might be a little surprised to hear me say that, given that I'm generally more of a harder-SF reader, but I can appreciate high-quality social and cultural worldbuilding, too, and this would appear to have that. And in plentiful quantities.

(It certainly does not hurt either, I suppose, that my personal philosophical predilections are such that I am predisposed to appreciate the Liaden culture.)

It also has, I will go on to add, deep and delightfully drawn characters and a thundering good plot that weaves show more together espionage, romance, and good old-fashioned spopera in such a way as to keep 'em all flowing and working well together.

And then there's the turtles...

A pleasure to read, and I look forward very much to the pleasure of reading more. Fortunately, Partners in Necessity is not very far at all down my reading list. Enthusiastically recommended!

( http://weblog.siliconcerebrate.com/cerebrate/2009/03/agent_of_change_sharon_lee_... ) show less

Val Con yos’Phelium has just completed his latest covert mission when he runs into a young woman being attacked by five or six mercenaries. Against his better judgment, he enters the fray and helps her to fend off her attackers. As a result, he learns that Miri Robertson is a mercenary and ex-bodyguard who has run afoul of the Juntavas, a kind of interplanetary mafia. Both on the run, Val Con and Miri decide to team up: together they will acquire adequate money and transportation to make good their escape. Of course, their plan is complicated by several more attacks from both the Juntavas and the local police. As they fight their way to freedom and encounter various friends and foes, Val Con and Miri also begin to develop feelings for show more each other beyond simple partnership.

You know that saying about judging a book by its cover? Well, this is one situation where you can absolutely do it. This book is a fairly conventional (to the best of my knowledge — I haven’t read that much sci fi) space opera with a hint of romance. And yes, there are giant turtles! I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but afterward I started noticing a lot of unanswered questions. For example, we know that Val Con is a spy and that his handlers have somehow rewired his brain; he’s able to make precise calculations about his chances of survival over a given period of time. But we don’t really know anything about his employers or the nature of his work as a spy. There are several other novels in this series, and I’m guessing this is not the first one, although it’s proven hard for me to verify the order of the books. So maybe that’s why I found the story a bit confusing. I’m not curious enough to track down the rest of the books, so I suppose I’ll just have to live with those loose ends. Still, this novel is a fun read for what it is. show less

(e-book, Baen free library)

Having successfully completed a spy mission for his Liaden bosses, Val Con is about to make his escape off-planet when he runs across a lady in need of help. Not a damsel in distress, and actually, she ain't no lady; Miri Robertson is a retired merc who worked as a bodyguard for an ex-Juntavas man. Unfortunately, his retirement hadn't been ... sanctioned by the Juntavas, who decided to collect, and Miri was caught in the cross-fire, outnumbered five to one.

So now, both of them need to get off-planet, he with the police after him, and she with the Juntavas (a galaxies-wide mob operation) after her. Fortunately, they run into the 'turtles' - a race of centuries-long lived aliens. This particular clan had adopted show more Val Con as their brother, and they are more than happy to embrace Miri, as his friend, and help their brethren in any way they can. However hasty they feel that humans and Liaden are.

I enjoyed this first Liaden book, with Val Con and Miri leading their pursuers a merry dance over the planet of Lufkit and across space as we meet the various races in this universe - including Yxtrang space pirates.

Three and a half stars show less

As a work of romance, this is superior--as a work of science fiction, mediocre. Which I guess says something about my taste in genres. I do love romance, but not the romance genre. I love *stories* with an element of romance--I do--it's my literary comfort food. But I love great science fiction even more--ones with great world building or ideas or characters--think Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein, Herbert, Card. The "turtle clutch" are interesting aliens and the Liaden an interesting culture. Or at least entertaining, but not thought-provoking. Nor is the style great--and there's lots of mind-hopping, a habit I find annoying. Nothing here is going to spark your imagination or lifts this above say Star Trek. But you know, I like Star Trek. I show more got this book and Fledgling, another in the series as a free download from Tor. I liked this enough I'm starting Fledgling. I don't like it enough I can see buying more in the series--despite this ending something of a cliffhanger. show less