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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #13
Dragon Tide
Adventures in the Liaden Universe(R) Number 13
Kareen yos'Phelium Clan Korval has always done everything that was proper, rising by study and by example to become the foremost scholar of the Liaden Code of Proper Conduct on Liad -- and perhaps in the galaxy.
Indeed, it seems that the only people she cannot influence to seemly action are the members of her own Clan.
Now, with Plan B in effect Kareen must act. Is she merely an expert of the Code, or is she a DAUGHTER OF DRAGONS?
*
Trees, propose, dragons dispose.
So it has been for many cycles of growing, many lives of dragons. Trees and dragons alike prosper in cooperation, and when the trees do well, the world does well.
One day, though, the world is turned upside A tree is uprooted; a young dragon is cast into action -- and neither one knows what other menace may be born on this DRAGON TIDE.
Kareen yos'Phelium Clan Korval has always done everything that was proper, rising by study and by example to become the foremost scholar of the Liaden Code of Proper Conduct on Liad -- and perhaps in the galaxy.
Indeed, it seems that the only people she cannot influence to seemly action are the members of her own Clan.
Now, with Plan B in effect Kareen must act. Is she merely an expert of the Code, or is she a DAUGHTER OF DRAGONS?
*
Trees, propose, dragons dispose.
So it has been for many cycles of growing, many lives of dragons. Trees and dragons alike prosper in cooperation, and when the trees do well, the world does well.
One day, though, the world is turned upside A tree is uprooted; a young dragon is cast into action -- and neither one knows what other menace may be born on this DRAGON TIDE.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
25 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
172 books793 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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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 13, 2018
Two short stories in the Liaden Universe, light science fiction/ space opera. The first story is great. I have never liked Kareen yos'Phelium until now, so late in the series, with this story,
Daughter of Dragons (5-stars).
First off, it's very well written. Coherent plot, solid character development, and suspenseful. It is also straightforward, without the nonstop head-hopping these authors embrace. There is some scene shifting, but not too much.
Plot: Set during the novel Plan B, Kareen must catch her flight to Runig's Rock, to guard the children while Plan B is in operation. However, someone she trusted -- even loved, perhaps -- wants to subvert her to the Department's will. Or kill her. She is humbled, shocked, even panicked, yet shows herself to be a Daughter of Dragons.
I now understand Kareen and empathize with her, even though her spite and malice towards her clan members was intense.
Characters in Daughter of Dragons: Kareen, cousin Anthora, Jeeves, Merlin the cat, and the Protocol Officer for the Council of Clans. I liked the interactions between Jeeves and Kareen, including her thoughts about his intelligence. Chi (her mom) is also a character, but in Kareen's memory only. Poignant. I enjoyed Kareen's memories of babysitting little Daav and Er Thom. (Local Custom indicates that Kareen is 10 years older than Daav.)
Cross series discrepancy: The villain in Daughter of Dragons is the The villain died, in Daughter of Dragons, and so cannot still be alive in the sequel, I Dare. Unless I’m all wet.
The second story is Dragon Tide (3-stars). It is set before Crystal Soldier (The Great Migration Duology, #1), on the planet of the huge sentient trees, the Ssussdriads. The main characters are an outcast but valiant dragon, Stregalaar, and his gracious, redoubtable tree, Laar. Laar speaks in dream images and in rustling murmurs (e.g., susurrating) to Stregalaar, feeding him specially-tailored seed pods (true to form). When a cataclysmic force wreaks havoc on the grove, Laar and Stregalaar care for one another (true to Tree and Dragon form). This cataclysmic, never-before-seen "wave" might depict the first early wave of attacking Shereikas... or it might not. Truthfully, I couldn't tell.
This story is mildly interesting, but a bit boring.
First off, it's very well written. Coherent plot, solid character development, and suspenseful. It is also straightforward, without the nonstop head-hopping these authors embrace. There is some scene shifting, but not too much.
Plot: Set during the novel Plan B, Kareen must catch her flight to Runig's Rock, to guard the children while Plan B is in operation. However, someone she trusted -- even loved, perhaps -- wants to subvert her to the Department's will. Or kill her. She is humbled, shocked, even panicked, yet shows herself to be a Daughter of Dragons.
I now understand Kareen and empathize with her, even though her spite and malice towards her clan members was intense.
Characters in Daughter of Dragons: Kareen, cousin Anthora, Jeeves, Merlin the cat, and the Protocol Officer for the Council of Clans. I liked the interactions between Jeeves and Kareen, including her thoughts about his intelligence. Chi (her mom) is also a character, but in Kareen's memory only. Poignant. I enjoyed Kareen's memories of babysitting little Daav and Er Thom. (Local Custom indicates that Kareen is 10 years older than Daav.)
Cross series discrepancy: The villain in Daughter of Dragons is the The villain died, in Daughter of Dragons, and so cannot still be alive in the sequel, I Dare. Unless I’m all wet.
The second story is Dragon Tide (3-stars). It is set before Crystal Soldier (The Great Migration Duology, #1), on the planet of the huge sentient trees, the Ssussdriads. The main characters are an outcast but valiant dragon, Stregalaar, and his gracious, redoubtable tree, Laar. Laar speaks in dream images and in rustling murmurs (e.g., susurrating) to Stregalaar, feeding him specially-tailored seed pods (true to form). When a cataclysmic force wreaks havoc on the grove, Laar and Stregalaar care for one another (true to Tree and Dragon form). This cataclysmic, never-before-seen "wave" might depict the first early wave of attacking Shereikas... or it might not. Truthfully, I couldn't tell.
This story is mildly interesting, but a bit boring.
March 13, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A-
The first story, Daughter of Dragons, was kind of a surprise to me. It shows Kareen yos'Phelium, during the implementation of Plan b, finally exhibiting some 'Clan Korval-ish' behavior. She is almost caught in the net of the Department of the Interior but manages to extricate herself with the help of Anthora and Jeeves. I still don't like her character much but it was interesting to see her in a better light.
The second story, Dragon Tide, is a snippet of ancient history when the dragons and the Sussdriads, the sentient trees from which Jelaza Kazone is descended, were still alive on their planet. The reader is told the story of a natural disaster from a dragon's perspective.
The first story, Daughter of Dragons, was kind of a surprise to me. It shows Kareen yos'Phelium, during the implementation of Plan b, finally exhibiting some 'Clan Korval-ish' behavior. She is almost caught in the net of the Department of the Interior but manages to extricate herself with the help of Anthora and Jeeves. I still don't like her character much but it was interesting to see her in a better light.
The second story, Dragon Tide, is a snippet of ancient history when the dragons and the Sussdriads, the sentient trees from which Jelaza Kazone is descended, were still alive on their planet. The reader is told the story of a natural disaster from a dragon's perspective.
December 3, 2017
3.5 stars.
The first story is about Kareen, that arbiter of proper Liaden conduct, who stayed on Liad to preside over the annual meeting of the League for the Purity of the Language, even though Plan B has been enacted.... can't say too much without giving away the story, but it does show how strong Clan loyalty lies within the members of Clan Korval.
The second story is about Tree and Dragon, told from a real dragon's point of view... I guess it could be called an "Origins" sort of story on the Tree and Dragon designation mark for the Korval Clan. Quite strange but interesting...
The first story is about Kareen, that arbiter of proper Liaden conduct, who stayed on Liad to preside over the annual meeting of the League for the Purity of the Language, even though Plan B has been enacted.... can't say too much without giving away the story, but it does show how strong Clan loyalty lies within the members of Clan Korval.
The second story is about Tree and Dragon, told from a real dragon's point of view... I guess it could be called an "Origins" sort of story on the Tree and Dragon designation mark for the Korval Clan. Quite strange but interesting...
June 5, 2018
I really like this short stories set in the Liaden Universe.
September 27, 2020
It was good to see from a dragon's eyes but so sad as only the Tree survived 😢.
July 4, 2017
I really liked the Kareen yos'Phelium story, and getting to see more of that side of things and what went on, on planet, in the call for Plan B.
And "branches with wings", awww.
And "branches with wings", awww.
May 11, 2018
Liked it! Story focuses on Lady Kareen where she shows her true membership in the Tree and Dragon Clan. It is unusual to have an older woman, a senior citizen, as the main character. It works here. I hope that other authors begin using a wider spectrum of characters.
January 20, 2024
Things teleport and then it rains. Sigh.
April 12, 2024
In the universe collection #2.
December 21, 2017
Two in one chapbook with the stories of: "Daughter of Dragons" and "Dragon Tide". These two stories and 13 others appear in the Baen (Lee & Miller's new publisher) "A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume II" published 2014. The purchase of the collection is cheaper than buying the individual chapbooks.
"Daughter of Dragons" - I love the opening teaser "All of these dragons have fangs, pretty words and comely bodies notwithstanding" - From the melant'i play by Norista ven'Deelin. The story centers around Lady Kareen yos'Phelium, one of the few non-pilots of the Korval line, but Jeeves and Anthora both have parts to play as well. Lady Kareen is the premier expert in etiquette on Liad and flies the path of melant'i like the rest of her family flies space. She is a stickler, and while not well-loved by the family, is well-respected.
But underneath this hostess, tea drinker, and code of conduct expert lurks a dragon. When a close friend offers to bribe her with her son's future goodstanding, the dragon roars and Lady Kareen proves to have every bit of the cunning and ingenuity of her family. What fangs and claws lurk within.
The story stuck with me from the first time I read it because how Anthora removes the library the hands of the Department. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon and Lady Kareen gathered a library's worth. Overall the story does not add much to the novel storyline, but it is an excellent character study of Lady Kareen and gives one insight on how this Liaden etiquette expert will survive, and indeed thrive, on Surebleak. The story works fine as a standalone.
The second story "Dragon Tide" has no impact on the Liaden Universe storyline and is a true standalone. It does expand on the worldbuilding, providing a glimpse of the Ssussdruid and the dragon symbiotic relationship (set before "Crystal Solider") ... and maybe lets one know just how Jelaza Kazone may view its caretakers/wards. The story is told from the point of a dragon and reads more like a writer's exercise than a story simply because the main character is not human. In fact, none of the characters are human. The story does have the typical thriller (major disaster), love story, and cultural conflict found in Lee & Miller - and as someone who is studying how different voices work, this particular short story is awesome because it captures their voice perfectly in a very different setup. If someone is studying writer's voice, I would recommend Lee & Miller because their voice is so strong - and using this as an example. But outside of that, I think this is one of the more boring stories written by Lee & Miller simply because the characters are truly alien and hard to identify with.
Overall, this chapbook may be skipped as two standalone stories not affecting the main series. But if you buy them, I recommend getting them as the fifteen short story collection published by Baen mentioned in the opening paragraph instead of this two-in-one chapbook.
"Daughter of Dragons" - I love the opening teaser "All of these dragons have fangs, pretty words and comely bodies notwithstanding" - From the melant'i play by Norista ven'Deelin. The story centers around Lady Kareen yos'Phelium, one of the few non-pilots of the Korval line, but Jeeves and Anthora both have parts to play as well. Lady Kareen is the premier expert in etiquette on Liad and flies the path of melant'i like the rest of her family flies space. She is a stickler, and while not well-loved by the family, is well-respected.
But underneath this hostess, tea drinker, and code of conduct expert lurks a dragon. When a close friend offers to bribe her with her son's future goodstanding, the dragon roars and Lady Kareen proves to have every bit of the cunning and ingenuity of her family. What fangs and claws lurk within.
The story stuck with me from the first time I read it because how Anthora removes the library the hands of the Department. Knowledge is the most powerful weapon and Lady Kareen gathered a library's worth. Overall the story does not add much to the novel storyline, but it is an excellent character study of Lady Kareen and gives one insight on how this Liaden etiquette expert will survive, and indeed thrive, on Surebleak. The story works fine as a standalone.
The second story "Dragon Tide" has no impact on the Liaden Universe storyline and is a true standalone. It does expand on the worldbuilding, providing a glimpse of the Ssussdruid and the dragon symbiotic relationship (set before "Crystal Solider") ... and maybe lets one know just how Jelaza Kazone may view its caretakers/wards. The story is told from the point of a dragon and reads more like a writer's exercise than a story simply because the main character is not human. In fact, none of the characters are human. The story does have the typical thriller (major disaster), love story, and cultural conflict found in Lee & Miller - and as someone who is studying how different voices work, this particular short story is awesome because it captures their voice perfectly in a very different setup. If someone is studying writer's voice, I would recommend Lee & Miller because their voice is so strong - and using this as an example. But outside of that, I think this is one of the more boring stories written by Lee & Miller simply because the characters are truly alien and hard to identify with.
Overall, this chapbook may be skipped as two standalone stories not affecting the main series. But if you buy them, I recommend getting them as the fifteen short story collection published by Baen mentioned in the opening paragraph instead of this two-in-one chapbook.
July 15, 2012
I enjoyed both stories in this chapbook, though the first more than the second.
Daughter of Dragons - We get a little more background on Kareen yos'Phelium, including remembering the conversation with her mother here she was told she was not Delm material for Korval. During Plan B she's approached by an old friend, who turns out to be part of the group that's now an enemy of Korval. She has to figure out how to get herself out.
Dragon Tide - The name of this second story as well as the Chapbook. This is a series of events told from the viewpoint of a dragon who nests in a sentient tree and communicates with it. So while an interesting piece of ancient universe history, it took a little while to get into the dragon's POV.
Daughter of Dragons - We get a little more background on Kareen yos'Phelium, including remembering the conversation with her mother here she was told she was not Delm material for Korval. During Plan B she's approached by an old friend, who turns out to be part of the group that's now an enemy of Korval. She has to figure out how to get herself out.
Dragon Tide - The name of this second story as well as the Chapbook. This is a series of events told from the viewpoint of a dragon who nests in a sentient tree and communicates with it. So while an interesting piece of ancient universe history, it took a little while to get into the dragon's POV.
October 23, 2014
It was lovely to have a story about Kareen. Having always seen her through the eyes of others before, I hadn't properly considered how much of a misfit she is in her own Clan. We're used to seeing Korval as misfits, so to see that she was an outsider among the outsiders was kind of odd and eye-opening. I have a lot more sympathy for her than I ever did before and I'm very glad to have read her story.
I skimmed the dragon story as I'd read it before and it is couched in a lovely, off kilter way, but my brain is a bit tired to deal with it right now.
I skimmed the dragon story as I'd read it before and it is couched in a lovely, off kilter way, but my brain is a bit tired to deal with it right now.
December 14, 2020
I liked the first take of Kareen when Plan B took effect. She’s a character that’s hard to like in the earlier stories. From this point on in the time line she grows and becomes more enjoyable.
The second story is from so far back in the timeline that the trees and dragons are still alive on that planet where Jela eventually found the last surviving tree. Interesting, but I couldn’t really get into it.
The second story is from so far back in the timeline that the trees and dragons are still alive on that planet where Jela eventually found the last surviving tree. Interesting, but I couldn’t really get into it.
October 7, 2013
I gotta admit... I only read Daughter of Dragons... XD
May 11, 2021
Daughter of Dragons ***
Dragon Tide ***
Dragon Tide ***
March 28, 2017
ebook
A-
My thoughts on 2 Liaden shorts
Daughter of Dragons: At the end of the annual meeting of the League for the Purity of the Language hosted by Kareen yos'Phelium at her townhouse, her old friend Scholar Her Nin yo'Vestra stays behind to put before her a question of what is proper in a tricky situation. In short, Her Nin says that a number of his acquaintances feel that the yos'Galan line has, by their actions, weakened Clan Korval. Given that, would it not be the proper thing for Kareen's son and heir to take control of the Clan for it's own good? Kareen tells herself that she has always wanted Pat Rin to be properly acknowledged. What will she do.
In the next chapter, Jeeves receives a call from Kareen* at Jalaza Kazone informing him that she has killed Her Nin and needs help in covering up the crime by destroying her house. Anthora informs Kareen that she must leave the house and Anthora will use her dramliz powers to destroy it. Unfortunately, the house is surrounded and Kareen is unable to leave. Anthora is able to "clean" the house from long distance by removing all the items, including the body, from the library. But the watchers seek entry to the house, so Kareen remembers an old dumbwaiter that goes to the lower level of the house and uses that to make her escape.
*I was amused that Daav had set up a Kareen warning light on the "phone" at Jalaza Kazone.
Various thoughts:
Please that Kareen could not be "bribed" by the Department.
Dismayed that Kareen would come out of hiding during Plan B to attend the meeting, putting herself and the children at risk.
Interested that she held Luken in such dislike.
Interested by Kareen's musings on her mother and being set aside as her heir. Despite Kareen's good point, she lacked what was essential to be delm and Chi set her aside without a qualm.
Interesting perspective on Kareen's feelings about her supplanter, Daav. Mixed feelings with those memories, but it was her memory of Daav's highjinks with the dumbwaiter that saved her life.
Kareen is almost a caricature in her pedantry and fussiness. Very heavy-handed. But this story did flesh her out more.
Dragon Tide: Set on the home planet of Korval's tree when the dragons still tended them. This story was set during a period when the dragons's time was already beginning to wane. Laar, an exceptional tree even among the others, is tended by a lone dragon Stregalaar near the coastline. A massive earthquake sets off a catastrophic tsunami. Many trees and dragons are killed. Laar is uprooted and cast adrift, with Stregalaar staying with the tree despite dangerous conditions. A much worse for the wear Laar is finally cast upon a faraway shore and awakens to take root there. Other lifeless trees still attended by some of their dragons are washed ashore, but the dragons return to their original home to try to start over. One female returns to become Stregalaar's mate.
Thought: Is this a random tree, or is it a descendant of Korval's tree?
Sad story knowing what ultimately becomes of the planet and its dragons and trees. Interesting backstory all the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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