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I DARE The dynamic conclusion to the Agent of Change series in Lee and Miller's Liaden Universe®! Val Con yos'Phelium-a Scout, former Agent of Change, husband, brother to Turtles, and designated heir to Clan Korval's fortune and mission... whether you considered him respectable or not, no one would call him a gambling man. When he reappears demanding Balance and retribution, he looks exactly like the kind of leader his clan has been producing for generations. On his capable shoulders the fate of his Clan, his world, and his civilization... Pat Rin yos'Phelium-fond father, bon vivant, ne'er-do-well... and a professional gambler. The enemies of Korval have offered Pat Rin the Ring that would make all of Korval's holdings his own and a Juntavas Judge has offered Pat Rin a world... When he appears with hired guns in tow no one is expecting him and no one knows what he'll do. Pat Rin is a gambling man, and on his wild-card shoulders the fate of his Clan, his world, his civilization... This long-awaited culmination of the Agent of Change sequence of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's internationally acclaimed Liaden Universe® novels pits unexpected friends and unexpected enemies against each other in a war that spans planets and races and threatens to bring interstellar violence to the very surface of fabled Liad.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
40 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
172 books791 followersSharon Lee has been married to her first husband for more than half her lifetime; she is a friend to cats, a member of the National Carousel Association, and oversees the dubious investment schemes of an improbable number of stuffed animals.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
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May 2, 2025
2023 Re-read
”Korval has always been--Korval. Wild cards, pirates, and random elements. The luck moves roughly about us."
What fun to revisit the adventures of Clan Korval. These books follow so many characters, each with their own talents and quirks, it makes for an intriguing reading experience. I noticed different details this time through, being informed by the later novels as to which points are most important.
Plan B is in full swing, Pat Rin has effectively taken over Surebleak, and the Clan is briefly reunited on Liad once the major crisis is dealt with, complete with retainers, Jeeves, cats, and the fabled Tree. The adventure continues…
Original Review
I had meant to read this book later in the year, but I held it in my hands and couldn't resist the temptation to see what happened next. I'm so glad that I was able to indulge the desire.
This novel reads like a thriller, with the Clan Korval separated in space and time, with Plan B in effect, and many family members out of touch. We are quickly introduced to Val Con's cousin, Pat Rin, who never passed his pilot's exam, but is an excellent shot and a gambler of some note. We also meet Anthora, the family dramaliza or wizard, with freaky powers, living in the family house complete with magical Tree and some seriously spooky cats.
Pat Rin unexpectedly shows his genetic heritage in his response to the Department of the Interior. They manage to convince him that he may be the only living member of Clan Korval, leading him to retreat to a backwater planet and take it over. Surebleak is run by various gangs, some better than others but all brutal. Pat Rin moves in and uses his natural leadership skills to improve life on Surebleak for all its citizens.
Lee & Miller take all of the various plot lines that they have running and spin a coherent and gripping thriller out of them. I am always delighted when the Clutch, giant sentient turtles, feature in these novels, so having Edger and Sheather show up with a groovy spaceship carved out of an asteroid was a treat.
Now I truly must move on to other titles and series, but I have enjoyed this visit to Liad.
Book number 392 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
”Korval has always been--Korval. Wild cards, pirates, and random elements. The luck moves roughly about us."
What fun to revisit the adventures of Clan Korval. These books follow so many characters, each with their own talents and quirks, it makes for an intriguing reading experience. I noticed different details this time through, being informed by the later novels as to which points are most important.
Plan B is in full swing, Pat Rin has effectively taken over Surebleak, and the Clan is briefly reunited on Liad once the major crisis is dealt with, complete with retainers, Jeeves, cats, and the fabled Tree. The adventure continues…
Original Review
I had meant to read this book later in the year, but I held it in my hands and couldn't resist the temptation to see what happened next. I'm so glad that I was able to indulge the desire.
This novel reads like a thriller, with the Clan Korval separated in space and time, with Plan B in effect, and many family members out of touch. We are quickly introduced to Val Con's cousin, Pat Rin, who never passed his pilot's exam, but is an excellent shot and a gambler of some note. We also meet Anthora, the family dramaliza or wizard, with freaky powers, living in the family house complete with magical Tree and some seriously spooky cats.
Pat Rin unexpectedly shows his genetic heritage in his response to the Department of the Interior. They manage to convince him that he may be the only living member of Clan Korval, leading him to retreat to a backwater planet and take it over. Surebleak is run by various gangs, some better than others but all brutal. Pat Rin moves in and uses his natural leadership skills to improve life on Surebleak for all its citizens.
Lee & Miller take all of the various plot lines that they have running and spin a coherent and gripping thriller out of them. I am always delighted when the Clutch, giant sentient turtles, feature in these novels, so having Edger and Sheather show up with a groovy spaceship carved out of an asteroid was a treat.
Now I truly must move on to other titles and series, but I have enjoyed this visit to Liad.
Book number 392 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
May 2, 2016
Here is a
BOOK QUIZ.
After reading the e-book, I listened to Caploe's excellent narration.
FREE: The first book in this particular sequence, Agent of Change (FREE on Amazon, and at Baen).
Anyhoo...Pat Rin yos'Phelium takes center stage in I Dare. He is a gambler of extraordinary luck and a champion sharpshooter, but alas, he's also a frippery, an elegant lordling with no dramliz gifts and no affinity for piloting. An outsider on the inside. Sad. No wonder he seems so aloof, even cold. I didn't much like him, at first.
But many things change in I Dare...I guess this book might explain why Delm Chi yos'Phelium, farsighted, gave her son Daav "a mandate to preserve Kareen's life" despite her continual obstructive negativity (Local Custom, chapter 7). She had to live, and bear a son, and he needed to turn out as he did, partly due to her influence, and also due to his foster father, Luken bel'Tarda.
I was happy to see Pat Rin come into his own. Finally, somewhere in his mid-or-late thirties, circumstances push this debonair lordling to reach his full potential. Also, I like Pat Rin's new lifemate. Fairly poignant scene between Pat Rin and Val Con. Touching, but also a little shocking. Satisfying bonding between Pat Rin and several other kinsmen. I liked seeing Pat Rin transform a lawless planet but didn't really buy the rapid transition, nor the ease by which he accomplished his goals. Still, I enjoyed it.
Sexy and sweet scenes with pilot Ren Zel dea'Judan and
Enjoyed the battle scenes towards the end, with the whole gang almost, including
Quibbles: At first read, I gave the book 3 stars, for varied reasons. To my mind, the biggest flaws with this series are 1) constant head-hopping / scene-shifting; and 2) too many problems are solved magically, by Tree, goddess, and wizards. The various wizardly powers displayed are not consistent.
More specific, spoilery quibbles:
Cross-Series Discrepancy:: The given dates are wrong. I Dare must be dated after (not before) the prequel, Plan B.
Another discrepancy: The villain in the prequel short story, Daughter of Dragons (see chapbook Dragon Tide) is the (big spoilers!)
Despite these quibbles, I quite enjoyed I Dare -- especially after reading the short stories (see below).
Audible Narration of I Dare: Andy Caploe's portrayal of Pat Rin did not fit perfectly for me, but he does very well with most of the other characters, including Val Con, Miri, Edger, Natessa, Anthora, Shan, etc. However, I didn't like his squeaky, querrulous voice for old lady Delm Erob. I liked Caploe's narration of the three prequels Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, and Plan B.
Related short stories enrich I Dare, as listed below:
In the short story Persistence, Pat Rin, Cheever, and Natesa go to Bazaar to buy rugs. We see a different perspective of the trio. It fits directly into the plot of I Dare after they leave Trieste, before arriving on Surebleak. Persistence is located in the chapbook Eidolon.
Also, I liked seeing how Pat Rin handled himself in the days and months after I Dare, in Halfling Moon).
Another favorite short sequel is Skyblaze, where a gutsy taxi driver meets Cheever McFarland and "The Colonel" Andy Mack.
See what happens to Pat Rin's mother, Kareen yos'Phelium, back on Liad, just as Plan B is in motion. Her story is called "Daughter of Dragons" (see Dragon Tide). It's also located in one of the Constellation collections, as are most of these short stories.
Also, see the prequel Shadows and Shades, featuring 23-year old Pat Rin, setting up his gambling establishment, entering marksmanship tournaments, failing his piloting test for the nth time, and helping his young cousin Nova with a problem.
For author-written fanfic (e.g., not "true" and not part of the official Liaden lists) see With Stars Underfoot, featuring Pat Rin at a dance, after settling on Surebleak with the entire Korval Clan. He learns something important about his past. Sad, but joyous. Originally written to be true, but struck from the lists because it clashed with a key event in Dragon Ship.
Also, to learn the origins of Jeeves, the robotic butler of artificial intelligence who played a solid role in several books, particularly this one, read the FREE story posted online at Baen Books. See Intelligent Design here: http://www.baen.com/IntelligentDesign....
Most of the short stories mentioned in this review have been re-published in one of the three Liaden Constellation collections: A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I and A Liaden Universe® Constellation: Volume Two and Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume III.
After reading the e-book, I listened to Caploe's excellent narration.
FREE: The first book in this particular sequence, Agent of Change (FREE on Amazon, and at Baen).
Anyhoo...Pat Rin yos'Phelium takes center stage in I Dare. He is a gambler of extraordinary luck and a champion sharpshooter, but alas, he's also a frippery, an elegant lordling with no dramliz gifts and no affinity for piloting. An outsider on the inside. Sad. No wonder he seems so aloof, even cold. I didn't much like him, at first.
But many things change in I Dare...I guess this book might explain why Delm Chi yos'Phelium, farsighted, gave her son Daav "a mandate to preserve Kareen's life" despite her continual obstructive negativity (Local Custom, chapter 7). She had to live, and bear a son, and he needed to turn out as he did, partly due to her influence, and also due to his foster father, Luken bel'Tarda.
I was happy to see Pat Rin come into his own. Finally, somewhere in his mid-or-late thirties, circumstances push this debonair lordling to reach his full potential. Also, I like Pat Rin's new lifemate. Fairly poignant scene between Pat Rin and Val Con. Touching, but also a little shocking. Satisfying bonding between Pat Rin and several other kinsmen. I liked seeing Pat Rin transform a lawless planet but didn't really buy the rapid transition, nor the ease by which he accomplished his goals. Still, I enjoyed it.
Sexy and sweet scenes with pilot Ren Zel dea'Judan and
Enjoyed the battle scenes towards the end, with the whole gang almost, including
Quibbles: At first read, I gave the book 3 stars, for varied reasons. To my mind, the biggest flaws with this series are 1) constant head-hopping / scene-shifting; and 2) too many problems are solved magically, by Tree, goddess, and wizards. The various wizardly powers displayed are not consistent.
More specific, spoilery quibbles:
Cross-Series Discrepancy:: The given dates are wrong. I Dare must be dated after (not before) the prequel, Plan B.
Another discrepancy: The villain in the prequel short story, Daughter of Dragons (see chapbook Dragon Tide) is the (big spoilers!)
Despite these quibbles, I quite enjoyed I Dare -- especially after reading the short stories (see below).
Audible Narration of I Dare: Andy Caploe's portrayal of Pat Rin did not fit perfectly for me, but he does very well with most of the other characters, including Val Con, Miri, Edger, Natessa, Anthora, Shan, etc. However, I didn't like his squeaky, querrulous voice for old lady Delm Erob. I liked Caploe's narration of the three prequels Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, and Plan B.
Related short stories enrich I Dare, as listed below:
In the short story Persistence, Pat Rin, Cheever, and Natesa go to Bazaar to buy rugs. We see a different perspective of the trio. It fits directly into the plot of I Dare after they leave Trieste, before arriving on Surebleak. Persistence is located in the chapbook Eidolon.
Also, I liked seeing how Pat Rin handled himself in the days and months after I Dare, in Halfling Moon).
Another favorite short sequel is Skyblaze, where a gutsy taxi driver meets Cheever McFarland and "The Colonel" Andy Mack.
See what happens to Pat Rin's mother, Kareen yos'Phelium, back on Liad, just as Plan B is in motion. Her story is called "Daughter of Dragons" (see Dragon Tide). It's also located in one of the Constellation collections, as are most of these short stories.
Also, see the prequel Shadows and Shades, featuring 23-year old Pat Rin, setting up his gambling establishment, entering marksmanship tournaments, failing his piloting test for the nth time, and helping his young cousin Nova with a problem.
For author-written fanfic (e.g., not "true" and not part of the official Liaden lists) see With Stars Underfoot, featuring Pat Rin at a dance, after settling on Surebleak with the entire Korval Clan. He learns something important about his past. Sad, but joyous. Originally written to be true, but struck from the lists because it clashed with a key event in Dragon Ship.
Also, to learn the origins of Jeeves, the robotic butler of artificial intelligence who played a solid role in several books, particularly this one, read the FREE story posted online at Baen Books. See Intelligent Design here: http://www.baen.com/IntelligentDesign....
Most of the short stories mentioned in this review have been re-published in one of the three Liaden Constellation collections: A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I and A Liaden Universe® Constellation: Volume Two and Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume III.
March 5, 2015
5/5; 5 stars;A+
In the review I wrote for the paperback I said I couldn't decide if this was my favorite of the series or if Local Custom was. Well, I recently listened to Local Custom and I Dare came out way ahead. It had a fantastic mix of underhanded machinations, exploration, character development, magic, and moxy. This book is the culmination of a fairly significant story arc and it is very satisfying.
In the review I wrote for the paperback I said I couldn't decide if this was my favorite of the series or if Local Custom was. Well, I recently listened to Local Custom and I Dare came out way ahead. It had a fantastic mix of underhanded machinations, exploration, character development, magic, and moxy. This book is the culmination of a fairly significant story arc and it is very satisfying.
July 29, 2011
I really thought I had read this one - along with Local Custom and Scout's Progress. Once I started, it has become rather evident that I had not. This is the conclusion to the Agent of Change sequence - the plot-line with the Department of the Interior.
I've been fascinated with Pat Rin ever since his character was referred to in Conflict of Honors. While the first bit of Pat Rin we see is rather drab (no jewels or fancy parties to be seen), once he truly becomes involved in the action, his transformation from a ne'er-do-well to a formidable opponent and business man is fascinating (and sad due to the circumstances) to watch.
In fact, there's a lot of fascinating transformations here. You have traders, business men, pilots, and other clan members of all sorts becoming warriors, people in charge of everything suddenly become in charge of nothing, the clan-less acquiring clans and vice versa. It's good to see people dealing with situations far beyond their comfort zone.
Yet, at the same time, many people were TOO good at dealing with the situations. If you have people acting outside their accustomed roles, they're going to make mistakes and probably quite a few of them. But for the most part, everything goes abnormally smoothly. For instance, Miri had never had a clan or associated with Liadens before she married Val Con but due to telepathically sharing memories, she knows exactly how to bow, how to talk, all the different modes and inflections of speech, all the clan history and laws, etc. Even though this is newly acquired memories, I'd think she'd make some missteps before knowledge becomes habit but she never does. Mistakes are often more interesting than perfection.
Another issue I had was that some characters aren't fully introduced. Part of this is my fault - I started with the original book, Conflict of Honors and re-read in chronological order from there forward. Unfortunately, this led to me skipping the prequel duology that was published just before I Dare. So when characters (Daav, et al) show up suddenly from those books, I have no clue who they are, and their history may not be explained for another hundred or more pages. This also happens with the first mate - he's introduced as a first mate but not much more than that in the previous book and with this book is suddenly capable of things that make you scratch your head and say "Huh? How did he do that?" Only his back story isn't in any book, it's a short story. While maybe I should have followed the publication order, I really think you should be able to read a series in chronological order - one sequence of events from start to finish - without missing the major chunks of the story that you'll miss here. And also, I don't think short stories should be essential to the understanding of any series! I really think I'll have to revisit this book once I've read the prequel duology and the two short story collections to fully appreciate some of these events. Maybe when I do, I'll adjust my rating up a bit.
Lastly, I would either like another book covering the events just after I Dare, or some sort of epilogue wrapping things up a bit more. It's such an intriguing ending and one that I didn't see coming, that I'd love to see more of that portion of the storyline. Also, I don't see that full Balance was achieved, and I can't see clan Korval leaving the situation as it is. There's apparently a trilogy encompasing Theo's story but from the synopsis, it doesn't sound like it has much to do with clan Korval's story.
I've been fascinated with Pat Rin ever since his character was referred to in Conflict of Honors. While the first bit of Pat Rin we see is rather drab (no jewels or fancy parties to be seen), once he truly becomes involved in the action, his transformation from a ne'er-do-well to a formidable opponent and business man is fascinating (and sad due to the circumstances) to watch.
In fact, there's a lot of fascinating transformations here. You have traders, business men, pilots, and other clan members of all sorts becoming warriors, people in charge of everything suddenly become in charge of nothing, the clan-less acquiring clans and vice versa. It's good to see people dealing with situations far beyond their comfort zone.
Yet, at the same time, many people were TOO good at dealing with the situations. If you have people acting outside their accustomed roles, they're going to make mistakes and probably quite a few of them. But for the most part, everything goes abnormally smoothly. For instance, Miri had never had a clan or associated with Liadens before she married Val Con but due to telepathically sharing memories, she knows exactly how to bow, how to talk, all the different modes and inflections of speech, all the clan history and laws, etc. Even though this is newly acquired memories, I'd think she'd make some missteps before knowledge becomes habit but she never does. Mistakes are often more interesting than perfection.
Another issue I had was that some characters aren't fully introduced. Part of this is my fault - I started with the original book, Conflict of Honors and re-read in chronological order from there forward. Unfortunately, this led to me skipping the prequel duology that was published just before I Dare. So when characters (Daav, et al) show up suddenly from those books, I have no clue who they are, and their history may not be explained for another hundred or more pages. This also happens with the first mate - he's introduced as a first mate but not much more than that in the previous book and with this book is suddenly capable of things that make you scratch your head and say "Huh? How did he do that?" Only his back story isn't in any book, it's a short story. While maybe I should have followed the publication order, I really think you should be able to read a series in chronological order - one sequence of events from start to finish - without missing the major chunks of the story that you'll miss here. And also, I don't think short stories should be essential to the understanding of any series! I really think I'll have to revisit this book once I've read the prequel duology and the two short story collections to fully appreciate some of these events. Maybe when I do, I'll adjust my rating up a bit.
Lastly, I would either like another book covering the events just after I Dare, or some sort of epilogue wrapping things up a bit more. It's such an intriguing ending and one that I didn't see coming, that I'd love to see more of that portion of the storyline. Also, I don't see that full Balance was achieved, and I can't see clan Korval leaving the situation as it is. There's apparently a trilogy encompasing Theo's story but from the synopsis, it doesn't sound like it has much to do with clan Korval's story.
May 23, 2024
Another excellent addition to the Liaden Universe!
05/10/2018: Enjoyed this again. On to Saltation.
03/11/2020: I am reading this series for the third time. I am sort of reading the series in order, but not quite. I loved this book because it seemed to have the entire cast of characters in it. As long as the Tree, the Clutch and cats I am happy.
05/17/2023: I have found myself reading this series again, for the 4th time. For a comfort read, there is nothing better.
05/22/24: Just like Plan B, this had the entire cast of character. I thoroughly enjoy the relationship between Anthora and Ren Zel.
05/10/2018: Enjoyed this again. On to Saltation.
03/11/2020: I am reading this series for the third time. I am sort of reading the series in order, but not quite. I loved this book because it seemed to have the entire cast of characters in it. As long as the Tree, the Clutch and cats I am happy.
05/17/2023: I have found myself reading this series again, for the 4th time. For a comfort read, there is nothing better.
05/22/24: Just like Plan B, this had the entire cast of character. I thoroughly enjoy the relationship between Anthora and Ren Zel.
May 5, 2020
One of the best books in the series. No matter how often I reread it, I laugh, cry, and shout with glee. 4/24/16 re-read: again, just as enjoyable the ?4th?5th? time around!
March 6, 2012
5/5; 5 stars; A+
I can't decide if this is my favorite of the series or if Local Custom is. Never mind, it doesn't matter; I loved this book. I am so happy to have re-read it because there is an amazing amount of complexity that I missed the first time.
The story is like a complex weaving. The reader is kept abreast of several story lines on multiple planets and as the book comes to its conclusion the lines weave more tightly and faster and the next thing you know there is a fabulous cohesive series of events that tie everything together. A LOT happens in the last 50 pages of this book and it is exhilarating.
On to the Theo Waitley series!
I can't decide if this is my favorite of the series or if Local Custom is. Never mind, it doesn't matter; I loved this book. I am so happy to have re-read it because there is an amazing amount of complexity that I missed the first time.
The story is like a complex weaving. The reader is kept abreast of several story lines on multiple planets and as the book comes to its conclusion the lines weave more tightly and faster and the next thing you know there is a fabulous cohesive series of events that tie everything together. A LOT happens in the last 50 pages of this book and it is exhilarating.
On to the Theo Waitley series!
December 15, 2025
Brilliant and exciting end to the Department's attempt to control Clan Corval. We get to see Pat Rin, the least known but not the least by any means, member of the Clan as he executes his plan for Balance on Surebleak. Fascinating look at how to reform a Wild West style planet that is out of control into a working society. As well as a dang good story.
Really amazing every time I read it.
Really amazing every time I read it.
March 18, 2012
While I enjoyed this book a lot, as a conclusion, I felt it didn't feel very concluded. There was a alot that felt unexplained and left up to the reader to somehow infer? So I enjoyed it but ultimately it wasn't as satisfying as I might have hoped for!
December 6, 2023
I haven't read all the books in this series, but of the ones I have read, this was one of the best. Here is what I liked about it:
* The ratio between quiet scenes and violent scenes was just right. I dislike it when a book sports too much bloodshed and grit.
* Pat Rin was amazing. I enjoyed reading about his venture to establish peace and order on a planet steeped in brutality. His line was definitely my favorite in this whole novel.
* The ending to the struggle is finally in sight. Our heroes have vanquished their foes. There is no cliffhanger, although there is still a long and hard road in front of Clan Korval.
Overall - not bad for a sci-fi opera. I might read more books in this series but not yet. Maybe later.
* The ratio between quiet scenes and violent scenes was just right. I dislike it when a book sports too much bloodshed and grit.
* Pat Rin was amazing. I enjoyed reading about his venture to establish peace and order on a planet steeped in brutality. His line was definitely my favorite in this whole novel.
* The ending to the struggle is finally in sight. Our heroes have vanquished their foes. There is no cliffhanger, although there is still a long and hard road in front of Clan Korval.
Overall - not bad for a sci-fi opera. I might read more books in this series but not yet. Maybe later.
July 13, 2023
Very exciting but must be read after the other 'Agents of Change' books.
March 28, 2025
This series is giving me side quest fatigue.
I laughed at the novel-length diversion of the last novel. Though Sharon Lee and Co. ostensibly have been telling us for four novels that a grand conspiracy against Clan Korval and the planet of Liaden is imminent, and that the sinister Department of the Interior will take a concerted effort to take down, they seem reluctant to actually write about it.
Though the back-of-book blurb (in the midst of general incoherence) tells us that this is it, the final moment in which our heroes take on the Department of the Interior face-to-face, we still have time to follow one more random side quest. Yet another member of Clan Korval is the focus, this time a disgraced layabout. He is targeted to be the puppet leader of Clan Korval after the Department takes out all of its existing leaders, but he declines his promotion with violence when they try to blackmail him into compliance and he flees to an obscure backwater planet to hide. While there, he decides to dismantle the gang turf war that’s overwhelming the planet and actually set up a government and some infrastructure. You know, in his free time.
Despite the randomness of this divagation, I was totally invested as usual in Pat Rin’s struggle and his reform efforts. I liked the world, the mob/heist plotlines, and all the new characters introduced on the planet. It was fascinating. Of course, like all of his peers in this universe, Pat Rin discovers new hitherto unexpected magical powers in himself and has his own whirlwind romance. Sharon Lee will not be content until every named member of Clan Korval has their own adventure romance and is happily married off.
This was all great fun, but I couldn’t help but feel that Sharon Lee was reluctant to start the actual war that she had spent four books setting up. Could it be that she doesn’t have any good ideas for how the war should go? Perhaps the Department of the Interior isn’t actually as powerful as she has been hinting, and that the war won’t actually take up a novel’s worth of pages? Uh-oh.
As could perhaps have been predicted based on the pace of the previous novels, the “war” was dramatic, silly, and short. Though the evil Commander of Agents displayed unwarranted confidence throughout and kept hinting that he had even more surprises in store for Clan Korval, our heroes almost effortlessly countered every move and were never surprised. They converged on the planet with a ludicrous number of troops and allies, and it was only the enemy who were forced to pivot and scramble for options. Our heroes were rarely in any kind of danger and no one of importance died. It was incredibly anticlimactic.
I think I am done with the Liaden universe for now, but I might pick it up again sometime in the future even though I finally finished the main arc that started off the series. I realized, and perhaps Sharon Lee and Co. did too, that they are better at writing one-off adventure stories than grand multi-novel arcs. Each of the last three novels were separate adventures ostensibly building to a grand confrontation, but the adventures ended up being a lot more fun than the confrontation itself. I still recommend these books as exciting, tropey good fun, but there are some things you should not expect from the Liaden universe, and epic conclusions is one of them.
I laughed at the novel-length diversion of the last novel. Though Sharon Lee and Co. ostensibly have been telling us for four novels that a grand conspiracy against Clan Korval and the planet of Liaden is imminent, and that the sinister Department of the Interior will take a concerted effort to take down, they seem reluctant to actually write about it.
Though the back-of-book blurb (in the midst of general incoherence) tells us that this is it, the final moment in which our heroes take on the Department of the Interior face-to-face, we still have time to follow one more random side quest. Yet another member of Clan Korval is the focus, this time a disgraced layabout. He is targeted to be the puppet leader of Clan Korval after the Department takes out all of its existing leaders, but he declines his promotion with violence when they try to blackmail him into compliance and he flees to an obscure backwater planet to hide. While there, he decides to dismantle the gang turf war that’s overwhelming the planet and actually set up a government and some infrastructure. You know, in his free time.
Despite the randomness of this divagation, I was totally invested as usual in Pat Rin’s struggle and his reform efforts. I liked the world, the mob/heist plotlines, and all the new characters introduced on the planet. It was fascinating. Of course, like all of his peers in this universe, Pat Rin discovers new hitherto unexpected magical powers in himself and has his own whirlwind romance. Sharon Lee will not be content until every named member of Clan Korval has their own adventure romance and is happily married off.
This was all great fun, but I couldn’t help but feel that Sharon Lee was reluctant to start the actual war that she had spent four books setting up. Could it be that she doesn’t have any good ideas for how the war should go? Perhaps the Department of the Interior isn’t actually as powerful as she has been hinting, and that the war won’t actually take up a novel’s worth of pages? Uh-oh.
As could perhaps have been predicted based on the pace of the previous novels, the “war” was dramatic, silly, and short. Though the evil Commander of Agents displayed unwarranted confidence throughout and kept hinting that he had even more surprises in store for Clan Korval, our heroes almost effortlessly countered every move and were never surprised. They converged on the planet with a ludicrous number of troops and allies, and it was only the enemy who were forced to pivot and scramble for options. Our heroes were rarely in any kind of danger and no one of importance died. It was incredibly anticlimactic.
I think I am done with the Liaden universe for now, but I might pick it up again sometime in the future even though I finally finished the main arc that started off the series. I realized, and perhaps Sharon Lee and Co. did too, that they are better at writing one-off adventure stories than grand multi-novel arcs. Each of the last three novels were separate adventures ostensibly building to a grand confrontation, but the adventures ended up being a lot more fun than the confrontation itself. I still recommend these books as exciting, tropey good fun, but there are some things you should not expect from the Liaden universe, and epic conclusions is one of them.
January 31, 2026
The conclusion to the Agent of Change series sees Clan Korval and its allies bringing the war home to Liad to directly confront the Department of the Interior and to protect Liad. After the clan scattered in Plan B, Pat Rin, thinking he was the only one of Korval alive, plots his balance. He forges an alliance with the Juntavas and finds a lifemate in Inas Bhar, Sector Judge. Then he goes to Surebleak to make it the new base of operations for Clan Korval. Meanwhile the rest of the clan is making plans too. Excellent space opera!
July 17, 2016
Argghh! Andy Caploe ruined this for me. I didn't get very far into the story via the audiobook version (read the ebook not too long ago), but I couldn't STAND the voices he was using for Sheather and Edger (really doofus-brained voices), or for any of the female characters (e.g., Miri is seriously a kick-ass woman), etc. The one voice that's OK is the 'background' voice, the one he uses for the basic background story.
I don't know if I got a credit or a few dollars back on this. And I'm really sad that there isn't a competently-done audiobook of this outstanding story.
I don't know if I got a credit or a few dollars back on this. And I'm really sad that there isn't a competently-done audiobook of this outstanding story.
June 8, 2008
This is great SF adventure with characters you will care about and fascinating new cultures where everything is not as it appears. Start with AGENT OF CHANGE and CARPE DIEM and watch the worlds, the characters, the strength of storytelling grow and grow!
The "Agent of Change" Miller&Lee books are among my favorite re-read books. Adult and YA-able -- mature concepts/relationships, no current vulgarities, graphic sex or senseless violence.
The "Agent of Change" Miller&Lee books are among my favorite re-read books. Adult and YA-able -- mature concepts/relationships, no current vulgarities, graphic sex or senseless violence.
May 12, 2011
Genre: Space Opera
This book concludes the story arc started in _Agent of Change_. For all that I'm very fond of Miri and Val Con, the real "meat" of this book (imo) is the story of Pat Rin and Natasa reviving Surebleak. But then I have a great fondness for stories about rebuilding stuff. More so then any of the other books in the series, the POV jumps around _a lot_; between Val Con, Miri, Shan, Pricilla, Anthora, and Pat Rin. Alot of different stories/relationships are being followed.
This book concludes the story arc started in _Agent of Change_. For all that I'm very fond of Miri and Val Con, the real "meat" of this book (imo) is the story of Pat Rin and Natasa reviving Surebleak. But then I have a great fondness for stories about rebuilding stuff. More so then any of the other books in the series, the POV jumps around _a lot_; between Val Con, Miri, Shan, Pricilla, Anthora, and Pat Rin. Alot of different stories/relationships are being followed.
December 5, 2022
5 stars.
Dec 2022 - re-listened. It's still one of my most favourite books of the series. So satisfying.
_______________
July 2015
Great battle finale to this particular Agent of Change sequence of the saga.....but I now understand there will be more about the Korval gang in Dragon in Exile.
Dec 2022 - re-listened. It's still one of my most favourite books of the series. So satisfying.
_______________
July 2015
Great battle finale to this particular Agent of Change sequence of the saga.....but I now understand there will be more about the Korval gang in Dragon in Exile.
July 21, 2014
I Dare was awesome! I had put off reading Pat Rin's part of the story because I really had no interest in his character but he won me over! I do wonder why Koval thought the contract was still in force and why Val Con was so happy that the contract was terminated and Koval exiled!
October 22, 2014
I loved this all over again. Awesome book in an awesome series.
February 9, 2022
Action packed! Terrifying captures! Daring rescues! Spaceships and robots! A cat wizard! This Liaden Universe science fiction novel has it all!
October 23, 2018
https://delivreenlivres.blogspot.com/...
Ce tome termine la séquence commencée avec le tout premier livre publié dans la série, Agent of change. Une fin tout à fait dans le ton de la série et une cumulation d'intrigues qui finissent en beauté.
La guerre du Clan Korval contre le département de l’intérieur bat son plein ici. Nous suivons tous ses membres dont Pat Rin le cousin de Val con et Shan que nous ne connaissions que de loin jusqu'ici.
Celui ci est le joueur de la famille. Aristocrate, un peu précieux, habitué aux bals et aux tables de jeux les plus fournies de Liad, c'est aussi le seul membre qui n'a jamais pu avoir sa certification de pilote ce qui en fait un raté pour Korval.
Mais placé en situation de danger et de stress et aidé par un membre de la Juventas, la mafia la plus influente de cette partie du monde, il va prendre ses marques et prouver qu'il a lui aussi du répondant en se posant sur une planète plus ou moins abandonnée à elle même. Il entame une ascension fulgurante et remet de l'ordre sur place pour tenter de faire de l'endroit une nouvelle base pour Korval maintenant qu'ils se sont enfuit de Liad.
C'est sans doute de toute la série le personnage qui évolue le plus. De cousin médiocre limite désavoué par sa famille (car il ne fait rien de sa vie) il va devenir le pilier central qui les rassemble tous. Et j'ai vraiment bien apprécié cette évolution, parce qu'au début, enfin depuis le tout début de la série, c'est vraiment le mouton noir de la famille, celui dont personne n'attendait rien. En fait toute cette histoire nous fait comprendre certains points qui étaient un peu restés obscurs dans les tomes ou on suivait la génération de ses parents.
En parallèle de cette évolution nous continuons aussi à suivre tous les personnages précédents Val Con et Miri, Shan, Edger, Daav ... C'était vraiment un plaisir de tous les retrouver, on ne peux pas dire que ce tome manque d'action. C'est vrai que, à tête reposée, je constate qu'en fait ce tome est très chargé. Il est aussi bien plus long que les précédents.
Et c'est le principal reproche que je pourrais faire ici, même si ça ne m'a pas empêché d'apprécier l'ensemble. On a vraiment une accumulation d'intrigues qui avancent en parallèle ce qui donne vraiment une impression que le tome est très dense. J'aurais peut être plus vu tout ça divisé en deux parties différentes, une sur Pat Rin et l'autre sur la fin de la guerre ce qui aurait fait que le rythme aurait pu être similaire aux tomes précédents.
Après certes on pourrait se dire que les différents personnages principaux sont un peu trop bien complémentaires ce qui donne un peu une impression de facilité sur la fin. Mais il n’empêche que sans Pat Rin qui a vraiment bien changé, rien de tout cela n'aurait pu évoluer de la sorte du coup on évite le syndrome des héros trop parfaits.
Ce tome ci a des accents vraiment marqués "fantasy". Plus que les précédents, même si on avait déjà un coté surnaturel ou du moins pouvoirs spéciaux depuis le début. Mais ici j'avoue qu'on est vraiment dans un cran au dessus. Entre le fantôme de la femme morte qui habite le corps de son mari, le chat qui sauve tout le monde et les deux personnes qui se rencontrent dans leurs rêves alors qu'aucun des deux n'avait connaissance de l'autre avant ... Le cumul de tout fait qu'on est vraiment passé dans de la science-fantasy à mon avis alors que je n'avais aucun souci à classer les précédents en science-fiction pure.
On arrive à la fin dont je ne vais pas dévoiler grand chose en dehors qu'elle est vraiment explosive dans tout les sens du terme. La conclusion m'a vraiment surprise aussi, je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce qu'on en arrive la.
Et même si cette fin est très satisfaisante pour cet séquence de l'histoire, j'ai vraiment hâte de voir ce que cela va impliquer dans la suite de l'histoire du Clan Korval (même si il va falloir m'armer de patience vu que les 5 tomes suivants dans l'ordre de publication sont des préquels).
16/20
Ce tome termine la séquence commencée avec le tout premier livre publié dans la série, Agent of change. Une fin tout à fait dans le ton de la série et une cumulation d'intrigues qui finissent en beauté.
La guerre du Clan Korval contre le département de l’intérieur bat son plein ici. Nous suivons tous ses membres dont Pat Rin le cousin de Val con et Shan que nous ne connaissions que de loin jusqu'ici.
Celui ci est le joueur de la famille. Aristocrate, un peu précieux, habitué aux bals et aux tables de jeux les plus fournies de Liad, c'est aussi le seul membre qui n'a jamais pu avoir sa certification de pilote ce qui en fait un raté pour Korval.
Mais placé en situation de danger et de stress et aidé par un membre de la Juventas, la mafia la plus influente de cette partie du monde, il va prendre ses marques et prouver qu'il a lui aussi du répondant en se posant sur une planète plus ou moins abandonnée à elle même. Il entame une ascension fulgurante et remet de l'ordre sur place pour tenter de faire de l'endroit une nouvelle base pour Korval maintenant qu'ils se sont enfuit de Liad.
C'est sans doute de toute la série le personnage qui évolue le plus. De cousin médiocre limite désavoué par sa famille (car il ne fait rien de sa vie) il va devenir le pilier central qui les rassemble tous. Et j'ai vraiment bien apprécié cette évolution, parce qu'au début, enfin depuis le tout début de la série, c'est vraiment le mouton noir de la famille, celui dont personne n'attendait rien. En fait toute cette histoire nous fait comprendre certains points qui étaient un peu restés obscurs dans les tomes ou on suivait la génération de ses parents.
En parallèle de cette évolution nous continuons aussi à suivre tous les personnages précédents Val Con et Miri, Shan, Edger, Daav ... C'était vraiment un plaisir de tous les retrouver, on ne peux pas dire que ce tome manque d'action. C'est vrai que, à tête reposée, je constate qu'en fait ce tome est très chargé. Il est aussi bien plus long que les précédents.
Et c'est le principal reproche que je pourrais faire ici, même si ça ne m'a pas empêché d'apprécier l'ensemble. On a vraiment une accumulation d'intrigues qui avancent en parallèle ce qui donne vraiment une impression que le tome est très dense. J'aurais peut être plus vu tout ça divisé en deux parties différentes, une sur Pat Rin et l'autre sur la fin de la guerre ce qui aurait fait que le rythme aurait pu être similaire aux tomes précédents.
Après certes on pourrait se dire que les différents personnages principaux sont un peu trop bien complémentaires ce qui donne un peu une impression de facilité sur la fin. Mais il n’empêche que sans Pat Rin qui a vraiment bien changé, rien de tout cela n'aurait pu évoluer de la sorte du coup on évite le syndrome des héros trop parfaits.
Ce tome ci a des accents vraiment marqués "fantasy". Plus que les précédents, même si on avait déjà un coté surnaturel ou du moins pouvoirs spéciaux depuis le début. Mais ici j'avoue qu'on est vraiment dans un cran au dessus. Entre le fantôme de la femme morte qui habite le corps de son mari, le chat qui sauve tout le monde et les deux personnes qui se rencontrent dans leurs rêves alors qu'aucun des deux n'avait connaissance de l'autre avant ... Le cumul de tout fait qu'on est vraiment passé dans de la science-fantasy à mon avis alors que je n'avais aucun souci à classer les précédents en science-fiction pure.
On arrive à la fin dont je ne vais pas dévoiler grand chose en dehors qu'elle est vraiment explosive dans tout les sens du terme. La conclusion m'a vraiment surprise aussi, je ne m'attendais pas du tout à ce qu'on en arrive la.
Et même si cette fin est très satisfaisante pour cet séquence de l'histoire, j'ai vraiment hâte de voir ce que cela va impliquer dans la suite de l'histoire du Clan Korval (même si il va falloir m'armer de patience vu que les 5 tomes suivants dans l'ordre de publication sont des préquels).
16/20
December 15, 2025
Good rollicking fun, and a reasonably satisfying ending (apparently finishing the Val Con + Miri sequence of the Liad books?).
These books are definitely over-the-top space opera, requiring suspension of disbelief and acceptance of deuses ex machina all over the place.
[Someone's almost dead? No worries, advanced medical tech will rebuild their body, and if it doesn't then magical songs will. Someone's cornered by enemies, all alone on a distant planet with no allies nearby? No worries, one of their friends half-way across the galaxy suddenly realized they have wizard powers and rescues them. Someone's a super-spy, talented marksman, respected commander, and speaks a dozen languages, but doesn't know how to pilot an alien spacecraft? No worries, their lover and soulmate realized they can mind-meld with them to fly it. Someone's just a bit lonely and sad? No worries, a cat will manifest out of the woodwork so they can pet it...]
It might sound kinda ridiculous -- but it's ridiculously good fun. Sometimes the real world is dark, and the news is full of bad guys consolidating far more power than they deserve. Sometimes we just need to kick back with a story where the bad guys get their comeuppance and the good guys find a happy ending.
PS -- I was struck by the name of the river that runs past Liad's chief city of Solcintra: the River Kainbek. Sharon Lee (and until recently Steve Miller, RIP) lives right here in Waterville, Maine, as I do. Perhaps the Kainbek is a nod to our own Kennebec River.
These books are definitely over-the-top space opera, requiring suspension of disbelief and acceptance of deuses ex machina all over the place.
[Someone's almost dead? No worries, advanced medical tech will rebuild their body, and if it doesn't then magical songs will. Someone's cornered by enemies, all alone on a distant planet with no allies nearby? No worries, one of their friends half-way across the galaxy suddenly realized they have wizard powers and rescues them. Someone's a super-spy, talented marksman, respected commander, and speaks a dozen languages, but doesn't know how to pilot an alien spacecraft? No worries, their lover and soulmate realized they can mind-meld with them to fly it. Someone's just a bit lonely and sad? No worries, a cat will manifest out of the woodwork so they can pet it...]
It might sound kinda ridiculous -- but it's ridiculously good fun. Sometimes the real world is dark, and the news is full of bad guys consolidating far more power than they deserve. Sometimes we just need to kick back with a story where the bad guys get their comeuppance and the good guys find a happy ending.
PS -- I was struck by the name of the river that runs past Liad's chief city of Solcintra: the River Kainbek. Sharon Lee (and until recently Steve Miller, RIP) lives right here in Waterville, Maine, as I do. Perhaps the Kainbek is a nod to our own Kennebec River.
September 10, 2025
So I read four of the Liaden universe books (Agent of Change, Plan B, Carpe Diem and I Dare) and I just don't get the hype about them. They are OK, but didn't really grab me. There are elements of MZB Darkover in the books and possibly Elizabeth Moon's Vatta series, but I really didn't feel that the universe hung together anywhere near as well as that in the series referenced above. There have also been reviews comparing the Liaden series to LMBujold's writing, but there is just no comparison, LMB's writing is clear, exciting and sparky, compared to the Liaden books where the writing and characterisation feels muddy and clunky.
The characters don't feel very well fleshed out and I just wasn't gripped by the events in the books enough to keep on reading. I'm actually really disappointed as I'm looking for a series I've not read where there are loads of books to keep me entertained for a couple of months. Onwards on the book quest....
The characters don't feel very well fleshed out and I just wasn't gripped by the events in the books enough to keep on reading. I'm actually really disappointed as I'm looking for a series I've not read where there are loads of books to keep me entertained for a couple of months. Onwards on the book quest....
November 14, 2022
Superlative. So so satisfying. Such a big cast of characters all coming together for a tightly-plotted righteous denouement. I especially enjoyed Pat Rin's adventures after his feeling so cast aside, and ... actually wanted a bit more of that. Similarly wanted more of Anthora and Ken Rik. And Merlin.
I still wonder a bit about the Department and the leader of agents. Was it that he was supposed to be so logic-driven that it blinded him? So emotionless? We saw him about the amount we needed to for the plot to progress, though, and no more - so I didn't get too tired of him.
I enjoyed this SO MUCH that I think I will make myself either go back and read the trader books, which I remember being a big meh on, and/ or maybe some of the stories. And I think from now on I'll go in publication order, though I have enjoyed my discoveries as I come upon them.
I still wonder a bit about the Department and the leader of agents. Was it that he was supposed to be so logic-driven that it blinded him? So emotionless? We saw him about the amount we needed to for the plot to progress, though, and no more - so I didn't get too tired of him.
I enjoyed this SO MUCH that I think I will make myself either go back and read the trader books, which I remember being a big meh on, and/ or maybe some of the stories. And I think from now on I'll go in publication order, though I have enjoyed my discoveries as I come upon them.
August 16, 2017
This is the fourth book in a plot arc set in the authors' Liaden universe. As such, I do not recommend it as an entry point into the Liaden stories, even though I recommend those stories very highly. The books have a lovely warmth, which is anchored in characters who are very easy to like, characters who care about each other, characters who risk themselves for each other. This particular book draws together many strands, and I liked each strand and each main character (other than the villainous Commander of Agents), cats and alien turtles included. I can offer quibbles. Perhaps there were a couple too many strands, or perhaps the book might have been longer, with more space given to some of the strands, but they are only quibbles. I liked this very much.
February 20, 2020
I continue in my reread of the universe. I enjoyed seeing Pat Rin finally come into his own, and Natesa is a kick-ass addition to the crew. Two things spoil my enjoyment. I really find Surebleak tiresome - it's just not much fun and it should be. The other thing that is disturbing is the way sometimes you can do a lot with magic and sometimes not much at all. I know that Korval has basically been breeding for dramliza and pilots, and of course they have a tree helping behind the scenes as well.
Anyway, lots of action, some new romances, what's not to enjoy?
Anyway, lots of action, some new romances, what's not to enjoy?
May 6, 2021
2021 bk 80 This is about my umpteenth time to read I Dare. It remains one of my favorites of the Liaden Universe novels because its central theme is individuals being able to rise above expectations of self. In this story Pat Rin is on the run, with the rest of his family, going into hiding and then extracting balance for the rest of his kin is his goal. Taking a backwards planet and shaping the governmental forces to an extant that it becomes a weapon and then home were not things he thought he could do, but rather what he must do. How he does it - that is the story.
August 23, 2022
4 Stars
Really solid end to the first arc of the Liaden books. I really enjoyed the focus on Ren Zel, Anthora, Pat Rin, and Natesa (super wish we got some of Natessa's POV, though.)
There is SO MUCH happening in this book. You NEED to have read Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem, and I Dare to really have any footing in what is going on. There are at least 20 characters you need to keep track of. This book is enormous (460 pages in an oversized paperback). It is, truly, an epic.
God I love this series.
Really solid end to the first arc of the Liaden books. I really enjoyed the focus on Ren Zel, Anthora, Pat Rin, and Natesa (super wish we got some of Natessa's POV, though.)
There is SO MUCH happening in this book. You NEED to have read Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem, and I Dare to really have any footing in what is going on. There are at least 20 characters you need to keep track of. This book is enormous (460 pages in an oversized paperback). It is, truly, an epic.
God I love this series.
Read
November 7, 2022Feeling a lot better about the upcoming Theo Waitley books now that I know she's and this probably isn't the last we'll see of Clan Korval. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed, but if there's more to come, I'm fine with it. These are pleasure reads, pure and simple. I'm a bit sad that this particular storyline is at an end, at least for now, but it seems like it does pick up again, eventually. The nice thing about coming to a series late is you don't have to wait.
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