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scribal's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite Space Opera series!
I find this volume and the next in the sequence, Plan B, only satisfying in the context of the rest of the entire series. I like Miri as a character but I find most of the sections about her trite and obvious. There's more than a little bit of farce about the plot in these books, but using the Clutch Turtles' perspective on it helps a lot.
The sections about what's going on in Val Con's head make a lot more sense on a reread.
I find this volume and the next in the sequence, Plan B, only satisfying in the context of the rest of the entire series. I like Miri as a character but I find most of the sections about her trite and obvious. There's more than a little bit of farce about the plot in these books, but using the Clutch Turtles' perspective on it helps a lot.
The sections about what's going on in Val Con's head make a lot more sense on a reread.
anatl's review against another edition
4.0
An old school science fiction space opera combining larger than life characters, a super-spy and a mercenary who team up unexpectedly against their respective foes. It starts right of the bat with a very dramatic action scene when Val Con after a successful mission stumbles upon a standoff with Miri Robertson is facing an organized crime gang called Juntavas. The action is combined with romance when slowly but surely Val Con and Miri are brought together by circumstances. All in all a fun entry point to the Liaden Universe.
paladinboy's review against another edition
4.0
Great space-faring novel of action, aliens and lurve! The Clutch are awesome!
thesummer's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read! The first fifty pages or so were a bit difficult to get into because sci-fi exposition is always like that I guess, but once I did, it was a compelling read. Romance aspect and character arcs were pretty average, nothing special there. Good world-building and culture-designing; I liked the turtles. Generally a tad self-indulgent and nothing too realistic, but all in good fun. Who doesn't enjoy a former mercenary and former spy on the run from their enemies?
violet_catte's review against another edition
5.0
*4.5. I liked this a lot more the second time around, mostly because I found Val Con a lot more sympathetic than he was the first time I read this. Much like last time, the Clutch Turtles are far and away the best thing about this book. Edger is my book best friend.
CW: violence throughout, nonconsensual kiss in chapter 14 (not of the two love interests), threatened rape in chapter 25 (not of the two love interests)
CW: violence throughout, nonconsensual kiss in chapter 14 (not of the two love interests), threatened rape in chapter 25 (not of the two love interests)
not_irish_patrick's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy a good space opera, and I think this counts as a space opera. It had action scenes, close calls, and different races and cultures. The space turtles were the best part.
This book just wasn't for me. The whole thing felt like a campy 80s sci-fi TV show. I couldn't really get myself to actually care about any of the characters, except the space turtles. Lastly, there were certain parts, that went against my personal morals.
This book just wasn't for me. The whole thing felt like a campy 80s sci-fi TV show. I couldn't really get myself to actually care about any of the characters, except the space turtles. Lastly, there were certain parts, that went against my personal morals.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Lee, Sharon, and Steve Miller. Agent of Change. 1988. Liaden Universe No. 9. Baen, 2007.
Agent of Change is the first book set in Lee and Miller’s Liaden universe in which humanity has evolved into three distinct species. Espionage and organized crime are common. Even in this early book, Lee and Miller have found the formula that will power the series with its many sequels, prequels, and spinoffs for decades. Take two mismatched but competent and mutually attracted characters, put them in a dangerous situation, and let adventure and romance ensue. It is adventure scifi tried and true. Remember Han Solo and Princess Leia? In this case, the couple are Miri, a retired mercenary, now unemployed bodyguard, and Val Con, a smooth-talking, identity-swapping spy (a.k.a., agent of change). Together, they must deal with thugs of many stripes. Think James Bond and the Bond girl of your choice. Is it still readable? Sure. But don’t think too much about it. Three and a half stars for nostalgia’s sake.
Agent of Change is the first book set in Lee and Miller’s Liaden universe in which humanity has evolved into three distinct species. Espionage and organized crime are common. Even in this early book, Lee and Miller have found the formula that will power the series with its many sequels, prequels, and spinoffs for decades. Take two mismatched but competent and mutually attracted characters, put them in a dangerous situation, and let adventure and romance ensue. It is adventure scifi tried and true. Remember Han Solo and Princess Leia? In this case, the couple are Miri, a retired mercenary, now unemployed bodyguard, and Val Con, a smooth-talking, identity-swapping spy (a.k.a., agent of change). Together, they must deal with thugs of many stripes. Think James Bond and the Bond girl of your choice. Is it still readable? Sure. But don’t think too much about it. Three and a half stars for nostalgia’s sake.
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
3.0
Nice enough read, but I find it just a bit too much Boys Own Adventure with a romance plot line thrown in. Some space opera, some of this, some of that, some interesting ideas about the differences between aliens, cliffhangers at the end of every second chapter, that kind of thing. I liked the referencing of characters that I remember from previous stories, the way that it ties in so neatly with so many other bits of the universe, but I'm not sure that I'm likely to read this one again (although there are others in the Liaden series that I probably will)
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
Interstellar SF with romantic elements and giant sentient turtles. I'll definitely read more of these.
violet_catte's review
5.0
*4.5. I liked this a lot more the second time around, mostly because I found Val Con a lot more sympathetic than he was the first time I read this. Much like last time, the Clutch Turtles are far and away the best thing about this book. Edger is my book best friend.
CW: violence throughout, nonconsensual kiss in chapter 14 (not of the two love interests), threatened rape in chapter 25 (not of the two love interests)
CW: violence throughout, nonconsensual kiss in chapter 14 (not of the two love interests), threatened rape in chapter 25 (not of the two love interests)