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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
5.0
This is the twenty-second novel set in the authors' wonderful Liaden universe, which also encompasses a passel of shorter stories. The books are often described as space opera, which is fine as far as it goes. I would call them character-focused science fiction adventures set against a galactic backdrop. I highly recommend these books collectively and this one in particular. The characters have come to feel like my friends. I love reading and many books give me great pleasure. But the Liaden books are among the relatively few that make me feel better about the universe. (Another notable example being Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series -- but that series doesn't have the added bonus of alien turtles.) I don't wish to give spoilers about this particular book beyond saying that I found it very pleasing, and often a delight. Very few books delight me. All that said, I don't think it is a good place to begin reading the Liaden works. It picks up the story from where the previous book, "Neogenesis," left off, and features many characters introduced in earlier volumes. If, then, you are wondering where best to begin reading, one of the authors, Sharon Lee, has a helpful webpage about this. For myself, I think "Conflict of Honors" and "Necessity's Child" are among the best starting points. But do begin somewhere. Spending time with these characters is both a joy and a comfort.
3/20/2023 update: re-read this. Still a great pleasure :-)
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
3/20/2023 update: re-read this. Still a great pleasure :-)
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
bunrab's review against another edition
5.0
If you are new to this seriez, this is not the volume to start with. If you are a devoted follower of the series, it's the best one yet!
claygirley's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 on the eARC. Review to follow...
This installment in the Liaden universe picks up some of the loose threads from the previous book, Neogenesis, while still advancing the adventures of Theo, Daav, Pat Rin, and Miri/Val Con. I've been reading this series for over twenty years and although this book doesn't have the joy of the reunions of the previous book, it offers plenty of nefarious plots, political maneuvering, and internal battles. The philosophical issue of artificial intelligence is one of the most compelling elements of this universe and I'm intrigued to see where the authors take it. A system of their own for Free Intelligences? Maybe so!
I purchased the eARC from Baen and the hardcover from Amazon.
This installment in the Liaden universe picks up some of the loose threads from the previous book, Neogenesis, while still advancing the adventures of Theo, Daav, Pat Rin, and Miri/Val Con. I've been reading this series for over twenty years and although this book doesn't have the joy of the reunions of the previous book, it offers plenty of nefarious plots, political maneuvering, and internal battles. The philosophical issue of artificial intelligence is one of the most compelling elements of this universe and I'm intrigued to see where the authors take it. A system of their own for Free Intelligences? Maybe so!
I purchased the eARC from Baen and the hardcover from Amazon.
la5's review
4.0
Cliff Notes Conclusion.
There were so many storylines packed into this book! If you've already gotten to Book 22, you're too invested to stop now. But don't be surprised if this is more of a meh chapter in the overall wonderful Liaden Universe saga. A lot gets wrapped up -- the Surebleak rehabilitation, the Dep't of Interior, the Bedals, etc. At the same time, a lot of the other storylines are advanced -- Theo & AI, etc. It's a little too much to tackle in any depth, so the book feels a bit cramped. I get the sense that the authors are itching to move onto other story-lines, so wanted to be done with some of the themes they'd been developing. I don't want to spoil anything, but despite the hints in previous books regarding the department of the interior, the culmination of that storyline felt a bit anti-climactic to me. The Bedals & Yulie were perhaps the most interesting part, but overall, the book had a kind of whirlwind feel & the way the storylines tied together relied a little bit too much on the concept of Korval's luck. That said, I'm glad the stage is cleared for the next chapter & I hope the authors focus on fewer MCs so they can be developed more deeply. I was disappointed in the treatment of Miri -- and am not sure whether turning her into a reluctant / battle-weary leader is really the best choice unless now Miri and Val Con are being retired into the position of elder statesmen. Though that is kind of an interesting flip now that Val Con's parents are out and about, so maybe that's what the authors are going for. In any event, read the book because you'll want to know what happens, but let's hope for great new beginnings in the next installment.
There were so many storylines packed into this book! If you've already gotten to Book 22, you're too invested to stop now. But don't be surprised if this is more of a meh chapter in the overall wonderful Liaden Universe saga. A lot gets wrapped up -- the Surebleak rehabilitation, the Dep't of Interior, the Bedals, etc. At the same time, a lot of the other storylines are advanced -- Theo & AI, etc. It's a little too much to tackle in any depth, so the book feels a bit cramped. I get the sense that the authors are itching to move onto other story-lines, so wanted to be done with some of the themes they'd been developing. I don't want to spoil anything, but despite the hints in previous books regarding the department of the interior, the culmination of that storyline felt a bit anti-climactic to me. The Bedals & Yulie were perhaps the most interesting part, but overall, the book had a kind of whirlwind feel & the way the storylines tied together relied a little bit too much on the concept of Korval's luck. That said, I'm glad the stage is cleared for the next chapter & I hope the authors focus on fewer MCs so they can be developed more deeply. I was disappointed in the treatment of Miri -- and am not sure whether turning her into a reluctant / battle-weary leader is really the best choice unless now Miri and Val Con are being retired into the position of elder statesmen. Though that is kind of an interesting flip now that Val Con's parents are out and about, so maybe that's what the authors are going for. In any event, read the book because you'll want to know what happens, but let's hope for great new beginnings in the next installment.
gabyk_lib's review against another edition
5.0
Theres so much going on it's a lot to take in and because this is part of a series of novels forming a 360 view of events I don't think I will entirely follow everything till its done. However its still an excellent novel with fab characters and interesting ideas. Love it! Roll on December
potsy's review against another edition
5.0
This was a fun read by some of my favorite authors. I always look forward to reading new entries into the Liaden Universe. This one tied up many loose ends from previous stories and left some to be covered in future books. It also created some new problems that got resolved or set aside for future stories. This was one of my favorite quotes - "The process of change is rarely easy, though it can be exhilarating, even we of the clans of men can be - and often are - troubled by the process. We manage the anxiety that inevitably attends any change by reminding ourselves often of the benefits that change will bring."
bookarian's review against another edition
4.0
Don't start with this book, to understand who and what is in this volume you'll need to start several books back in the Liaden Universe series, but this was a great volume.
Several congruent plot lines made significant progress. I would even say it's a book of resolution, except that the groups involved each started a new goal in the midst of wrapping up their current challenges. The frequent POV shifts which have become a staple in the later books of this series are ever present here, but they didn't annoy me this time. The various plot lines were more interconnected in this volume, and there was so much character development/relationship building that I was able to stay engrossed in the story even through the shifting.
Just remember when you're reading this series to give yourself a lot of reading time, because the break between books have become just brief pauses in one huge story that is still on-going. As a fan, I can only celebrate that there is more to come.
Several congruent plot lines made significant progress. I would even say it's a book of resolution, except that the groups involved each started a new goal in the midst of wrapping up their current challenges. The frequent POV shifts which have become a staple in the later books of this series are ever present here, but they didn't annoy me this time. The various plot lines were more interconnected in this volume, and there was so much character development/relationship building that I was able to stay engrossed in the story even through the shifting.
Just remember when you're reading this series to give yourself a lot of reading time, because the break between books have become just brief pauses in one huge story that is still on-going. As a fan, I can only celebrate that there is more to come.
elisenic's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0