Scout's Progress
by Sharon Lee 
, Steve Miller
Liaden Universe Novels {Lee & Miller} (7), Liaden Universe Publication Order {Lee & Miller} (15), Liaden Universe Chronological Order {Lee & Miller} (1361)
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Description
All of her life, Aelliana Caylon has lived by the rules of her overbearing brother, the head of the Caylon family. Though she is a brilliant mathematician, he has convinced her that she has no worth beyond what value she might have in an arranged marriage. Then, on a dare, she plays a game of chance--and wins a starship. It is her way to escape her home, her planet, her drab life--if she can qualify as a pilot. Enter the accomplished Scout and Master Pilot known only as Daav. Aelliana hires show more him as her instructor. She finds him gifted teacher. He finds her a quick study. And they also find an unexpected attraction, one that could have dangerous repercussions for them both show lessTags
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sandstone78 Mouse and Dragon is the direct sequel to Scout's Progress.
Member Reviews
Scout’s Progress is a science fiction romance, part of the Liaden Universe series by Sharon Lee. In this volume we meet Aelliana who is desperate to escape from her abusive brother. When she wins a ship in a card game, she feels that she is on her way to becoming free, but she doesn’t have her pilot’s licence. In an effort to obtain her license she meets and becomes involved with the pilots and scouts that work at the shipyard where her new ship is stored. This brings her into contact with Daav, leader of Clan Korval whom we met before in a previous book.
Society here is a mass of rules and dictated behavior and the story becomes quite Austen like as rules are followed, and rules are broken, as Aelliana and Daav meet, become show more friends, then comrades who fall in love. There are obstacles to overcome, Aelliana’s brother is one, but Daav is also involved in settling a contract, a marriage of convenience and even though it is obvious to everyone that Daav and Samiv are not very compatible, if broken could bring shame and disgrace to not only Clan Korval but the clan of his betrothed as well.
I loved this story! Daav was already a favorite character from the previous book, and Aelliana quickly became someone I rooted for and wanted to see succeed. The group that works together at the spaceport are supportive and give Aelliana the opportunity to learn the skills that she needs, and provide her with much needed friendship. Daav and Aelliana have become a couple that I am eager to read more about so I am already looking forward to the next book, Mouse and Dragon. Once again this author has delivered a wonderful blend of science fiction and romance that is rich in detail and peopled with fully-realized characters. show less
Society here is a mass of rules and dictated behavior and the story becomes quite Austen like as rules are followed, and rules are broken, as Aelliana and Daav meet, become show more friends, then comrades who fall in love. There are obstacles to overcome, Aelliana’s brother is one, but Daav is also involved in settling a contract, a marriage of convenience and even though it is obvious to everyone that Daav and Samiv are not very compatible, if broken could bring shame and disgrace to not only Clan Korval but the clan of his betrothed as well.
I loved this story! Daav was already a favorite character from the previous book, and Aelliana quickly became someone I rooted for and wanted to see succeed. The group that works together at the spaceport are supportive and give Aelliana the opportunity to learn the skills that she needs, and provide her with much needed friendship. Daav and Aelliana have become a couple that I am eager to read more about so I am already looking forward to the next book, Mouse and Dragon. Once again this author has delivered a wonderful blend of science fiction and romance that is rich in detail and peopled with fully-realized characters. show less
This is one of my favorite sf romances of all time. If the word romance is putting you off - don't let it: the romance is a very minor part of the plot.
The real point of the book is the assertion of independence by a woman who has been kept thoroughly cowed by a dominating mother and a downright abusive older brother. It's not as simple as leaving, as it would be in our society; Liad is a clan-based society, where being clanless is akin to being dead. Striking out on one's own is virtually impossible. So watching a quiet "mouse" resolve to do so, and her rebellions against her family and society, are wonderful. Not to mention her exposure to other parts of her society, where the rules are not so rigidly adhered to. The growth of her show more character, and the gradual strength that she develops is fantastic to witness, and wonderfully written besides. show less
The real point of the book is the assertion of independence by a woman who has been kept thoroughly cowed by a dominating mother and a downright abusive older brother. It's not as simple as leaving, as it would be in our society; Liad is a clan-based society, where being clanless is akin to being dead. Striking out on one's own is virtually impossible. So watching a quiet "mouse" resolve to do so, and her rebellions against her family and society, are wonderful. Not to mention her exposure to other parts of her society, where the rules are not so rigidly adhered to. The growth of her show more character, and the gradual strength that she develops is fantastic to witness, and wonderfully written besides. show less
Aelliana Caylon has a problem, and it's her brother. He's abusive, contemptuous, and heir to the Delm of Clan Meisel. He cares nothing for the fact that she's a brilliant mathematician and revisor of the Ventura tables on which all pilots depend. He feels she's worth nothing except what she'd bring in a contract marriage--and the Delm, their mother, has granted Aelliana's plea that she be allowed to make no more contract marriages.
So brother Ran Eld is looking for other ways to humiliate her. He's also in serious need of funds, as a creditor with no sense of humor is demanding immediate repayment.
Meanwhile, Daav yos'Phelium is having his own problems. He's been negotiating a contract marriage of his own; as Delm Korval, he doesn't even show more have the option of letting it be someone else's decision. The bride he's found is utterly suitable in every way, except that they have no particular attraction to each other, and Korval's Tree has taken her in serious dislike.
Then Aelliana throws a monkey wrench in everyone's plans, when she accompanies two of her students to a gaming house and wins ownership of a jump ship, Ride the Luck, from the spoiled heir of another house. She starts sneaking off to the port to oversee the refitting of her ship, and to get the training she needs to become a licensed jump pilot. And while spending all that time there, she meets a casual employee of the shipyard where her ship is docked, who goes by the name of Daav. He, like the others at this yard, is an ex-Scout pilot. He's good company, a good teacher, and if he's a little vague about what his House is and other details, it doesn't seem important--right?
This story is a lot of fun, and while it's part of a larger series, it stands on its own well enough to enjoy even if this is your first encounter with the series. The Liaden universe and characters have a fairly rich, textured background, the good guys have solid values, and the bad guys are at least understandable. And did I mention it's a lot of fun?
Recommended.
I bought this book. show less
So brother Ran Eld is looking for other ways to humiliate her. He's also in serious need of funds, as a creditor with no sense of humor is demanding immediate repayment.
Meanwhile, Daav yos'Phelium is having his own problems. He's been negotiating a contract marriage of his own; as Delm Korval, he doesn't even show more have the option of letting it be someone else's decision. The bride he's found is utterly suitable in every way, except that they have no particular attraction to each other, and Korval's Tree has taken her in serious dislike.
Then Aelliana throws a monkey wrench in everyone's plans, when she accompanies two of her students to a gaming house and wins ownership of a jump ship, Ride the Luck, from the spoiled heir of another house. She starts sneaking off to the port to oversee the refitting of her ship, and to get the training she needs to become a licensed jump pilot. And while spending all that time there, she meets a casual employee of the shipyard where her ship is docked, who goes by the name of Daav. He, like the others at this yard, is an ex-Scout pilot. He's good company, a good teacher, and if he's a little vague about what his House is and other details, it doesn't seem important--right?
This story is a lot of fun, and while it's part of a larger series, it stands on its own well enough to enjoy even if this is your first encounter with the series. The Liaden universe and characters have a fairly rich, textured background, the good guys have solid values, and the bad guys are at least understandable. And did I mention it's a lot of fun?
Recommended.
I bought this book. show less
More romping around in the Liaden Uni. We learn how Ailleana and Daav discover one another and more about the origins of the catastrophic split among Liadens about their heritage and connections to the other humans, Terrans (that would be us) and the Yx-Trang. This story, more than any other, conveys the potential for brutality and abuse in the Liaden social system. It was a real page-turner from start to finish. **** 1/2
Fun. More prequel backstory on Clan Korval and how ValCon's parents meet. Val Con and Mira don't of course feature at all, but the continued explanation of how Clan Korval functions remains of interest.
Delm (ie leader) Daav meets a local maths teacher who happen to be a wizard pilot capable of solving equations on the fly with a speed and imagination that leaves those reliant on computers far behind. Daav as it happens isn't that impressed with being Delm and remains in his Scout's clothing at their first encounter. She is shy and retiring - with good reason -, and only the careful attention of the Scouts manages to draw her characters out into some form of confidence.
A fun exploration of some of the porblems that the strong clan ethos show more on Liad can cause. Balancing the rights of individuals for the greater good, very much depedns on who is defining the greater good.
Interesting continuation of the series. show less
Delm (ie leader) Daav meets a local maths teacher who happen to be a wizard pilot capable of solving equations on the fly with a speed and imagination that leaves those reliant on computers far behind. Daav as it happens isn't that impressed with being Delm and remains in his Scout's clothing at their first encounter. She is shy and retiring - with good reason -, and only the careful attention of the Scouts manages to draw her characters out into some form of confidence.
A fun exploration of some of the porblems that the strong clan ethos show more on Liad can cause. Balancing the rights of individuals for the greater good, very much depedns on who is defining the greater good.
Interesting continuation of the series. show less
Aelliana has been treated very poorly by her Clan, particularly by her older brother. A mathematician to wonder at, she has much to be proud of, if only she could get the tatters of her confidence together. Set in front of a table at a casino one night, Aelliana wins a starship in a game of cards (which she won by analyzing the statical chances of winning the game in her head, on the fly - did I mention she's a mathematician?). In possession of the keys to a starship, she now has an avenue to freedom, if only she can develop the courage to reach for it.
Daav is the head of Clan Korval, recently affianced for an arranged marriage. Unhappy, he heads to a ship port run by his friends to take a break from the heavy responsibilities of the show more Clan. He meets Aellianna, timid and obviously abused, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and he begins to teach her what it means to trust. Slowly they develop more than trust between them.
I love this book, though I admit that it's a little sappy. But Aellianna's plight is handled much better in this book than in any conventional romance book I've ever read. And of course Daav is fabulous, but with more depth than a typical romantic hero. Basically, even if romance is not your thing, if you liked the other Liaden books, you'll be able to get through this one.
This book is a prequel - it was written after the Agent of Change series to explain how Daav and Aelliana met and started their delightful lifemating that plays such an important role in I Dare. It can be read before the Agent of Change Sequence, but I know a few people who did and they wished they hadn't - it was very disappointing to them that most of the characters they'd invested their interest in were dead before the start of the Agent of Change books. I suggest "Conflict of Honors" as the best starting point because of that.
Favorite details: Don't bet against a statistician. Really, don't. And Daav teaching Aelliana how to sit on someone's lap - awesome scene.
Ace canceled the reprint of this bad boy, so if you're looking to buy, be prepared to shell out at least $20 to get a crappy reading copy of a mass-market paperback. I don't think unread copies of this book exist. Mine looks like it will lose pages before the cover, but I could be wrong. show less
Daav is the head of Clan Korval, recently affianced for an arranged marriage. Unhappy, he heads to a ship port run by his friends to take a break from the heavy responsibilities of the show more Clan. He meets Aellianna, timid and obviously abused, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and he begins to teach her what it means to trust. Slowly they develop more than trust between them.
I love this book, though I admit that it's a little sappy. But Aellianna's plight is handled much better in this book than in any conventional romance book I've ever read. And of course Daav is fabulous, but with more depth than a typical romantic hero. Basically, even if romance is not your thing, if you liked the other Liaden books, you'll be able to get through this one.
This book is a prequel - it was written after the Agent of Change series to explain how Daav and Aelliana met and started their delightful lifemating that plays such an important role in I Dare. It can be read before the Agent of Change Sequence, but I know a few people who did and they wished they hadn't - it was very disappointing to them that most of the characters they'd invested their interest in were dead before the start of the Agent of Change books. I suggest "Conflict of Honors" as the best starting point because of that.
Favorite details: Don't bet against a statistician. Really, don't. And Daav teaching Aelliana how to sit on someone's lap - awesome scene.
Ace canceled the reprint of this bad boy, so if you're looking to buy, be prepared to shell out at least $20 to get a crappy reading copy of a mass-market paperback. I don't think unread copies of this book exist. Mine looks like it will lose pages before the cover, but I could be wrong. show less
God! It turns out I'm a girlie-man. I really liked Local Custom. When I read this one I finally realized that what I like is the space romance these books are. I was under the impression that they were all space opera. This is even better than the first.
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Author Information
168+ Works 16,462 Members
Sharon Lee is an author 'Writing from Maine'. She has written fiction in three genres -- fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Sharon is the only person to have served as executive director, vice president, and president of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. (SFWA). Lee's books are award winners. Scout's Progress was the first show more place winner of the Prism Award for Best Futuristic Romance of 2002 and was chosen by the Romantic Times book reviewers as Best Science Fiction novel of 2002; Local Custom placed second for the Prism Award for Best Futuristic Romance of 2002; Balance of Trade received the Hal Clement Award for Best Young Adult Science Fiction novel of 2004. Sharon writes extensively in the Liaden Universe. Sharon Lee lives in Maine with her husband and co-author Steve Miller. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Sharon Lee is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
144+ Works 15,864 Members
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2001-02
- People/Characters
- San bel'Fasin; Aelliana Caylon; Birin Caylon (Delm Mizel); Ran Eld Caylon (nadelm Mizel); Sinit Caylon (Aelliana's youngest sister); Voni Caylon (show all 21); Vin Sin chel'Mara (owner of Ride the Luck); Anne Davis; Jon dea'Cort; Lys Fidin (Scout Lieutenant); Jelaza Kazone (the Tree); Lyn Den Kochi; Var Mon pin'Aker (Scout); Trilla sen'Elba; Samiv tel'Izak; Qiarta tel'Ozan (Field Technician); Clonak ter'Meulen; Rema ven'Deelin (Scout Corporal); Baan yo'Nelon (Scout Pilot); Er Thom yos'Galan; Daav yos'Phelium
- Important places
- Liad
- Dedication
- For the binjali crew:
past, present, and future - First words
- Typically, the clan which gains the child of a contract-marriage pays a marriage fee to the mating clan, as well as other material considerations.
- Quotations
- "Paragraph eight makes you the king of the world."
Your ship is your life. Stake your air before you stake your ship - and your soul before you stake either. - excerpted from Cantra yos'Phelium's Log Book
I wasn't looking for a co-pilot the night I found Jela, though I was old enough by then to know I could die. What I wanted was a glass and a roll in the blankets - one glass, one roll and an early lift out, headed for the ... (show all)Rim with a load of don't-you-care.
Funny, how even simple plans so often fail to work. - excerpted from Cantra yos'Phelium's Log Book - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Daav," she said, and walked into his arms.
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