What do you think?
Rate this book
Liaden Universe, Chronological #9-11
Partners In Necessity
Here they are again, the three novels that introduced us all to the Liaden Universe over a decade ago. It is time to get reacquainted with our old Edger & Sheather, Liz, Susiki, Jason & Anthora, Val Con & Miri and Priscilla & Shan. Remember how Miri and Val Con first met? How about the trouble Priscilla was in before she met Shan? Who can forget the way that Edger and Sheather have of coming to a friend's rescue or contemplating the weave of a carpet? Partners in Necessity also contains a new introduction by Anne McCaffery and a new afterword by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. The exceptional cover art is by Michael Herring.
856 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2000
1 person is currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
168 books789 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 23, 2008
3.5 stars. I loved, loved, loved the first novel of this omnibus, Conflicts of Honor, and I thought it was great. Anne McCaffrey described these books best when she referred to them in the introduction as here favorite "comfort" books. On the first book, I completely agree. Highly Recommended!!!
2nd and 3rd books were okay, but I did not gel with them the way I did the first one.
2nd and 3rd books were okay, but I did not gel with them the way I did the first one.
April 25, 2015
I essentially inhaled the entire Liaden Universe series in something like 2 months, but I kept putting off entering them into Goodreads for some reason.
Obviously, I enjoyed the series - given the rate I tore through it! Strongly character driven, well written, reasonably clean, and with enough plot to keep me interested, they're pretty much everything I look for in a space opera. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a series as a whole quite so much since the Vorkosigan Saga (best starting place: The Warrior's Apprentice).
Now, Liad isn't going displace Barrayar in my ranking of favorite imaginary planets, but it is happily joining it.
The friend who got my hooked and then kept me supplied was pretty keen on reading the Liaden books in something close to publishing order, which meant that this omnibus came first. He is probably right if for no better reason than that the authors did improve their craft as they went along. The writing in "Partners" is a little uneven at times, although nothing so bad as I've put up with in numerous other series.
Plot-wise, "Conflict of Honors" is perhaps the least complicated and interesting: it's a fairly basic "lonely misfit finds a home and friends (and romance!)" story. Of course, such stories are popular for a reason: they are deeply satisfying when told well.
"Agent of Change" and "Carpe Diem" have quite a bit more plot excitement, and they introduce my favorite character of the series, Val Con, not to mention the lovely Miri. We also meet the unpredictable, loyal, surprisingly powerful, and (frequently "Deus Ex Machina"-acting) Clutch Turtles, a surprisingly unusual alien species that was quite fun to read.
A couple of quibbles and complaints: none of the books is packed with sexual encounters, casual or otherwise. Nevertheless, the language - especially in "Conflict" - is very sensual. There is one homoerotic scene which I absolutely could have done without, and the tension between Patricia and Shan is - well, let's just say that it is not my favorite of the three. The language remains fairly sensual through the first several volumes of the series, but tones down consierably in the less romance-focused titles immediately following this one (Plan B and I Dare.) If this sort of thing bothers you, you may need to look elsewhere.
Also, many authors have a word or phrase - usually a synonym for "said" - that they tend to overuse. For Lee and Miller, that word is "murmurred." Everyone murmurrs constantly, to the point you're surprised that anyone ever hears what anyone else is saying. Of course, I've more frequently seen the word "muttered" overused (and often when it doesn't even make sense!), and I frankly find that one considerably more irritating. I just ended up rolling my eyes at the murmurring and moved on.
All in all, a highly satisfying series which I definitely recommend.
Obviously, I enjoyed the series - given the rate I tore through it! Strongly character driven, well written, reasonably clean, and with enough plot to keep me interested, they're pretty much everything I look for in a space opera. I can't remember when I've enjoyed a series as a whole quite so much since the Vorkosigan Saga (best starting place: The Warrior's Apprentice).
Now, Liad isn't going displace Barrayar in my ranking of favorite imaginary planets, but it is happily joining it.
The friend who got my hooked and then kept me supplied was pretty keen on reading the Liaden books in something close to publishing order, which meant that this omnibus came first. He is probably right if for no better reason than that the authors did improve their craft as they went along. The writing in "Partners" is a little uneven at times, although nothing so bad as I've put up with in numerous other series.
Plot-wise, "Conflict of Honors" is perhaps the least complicated and interesting: it's a fairly basic "lonely misfit finds a home and friends (and romance!)" story. Of course, such stories are popular for a reason: they are deeply satisfying when told well.
"Agent of Change" and "Carpe Diem" have quite a bit more plot excitement, and they introduce my favorite character of the series, Val Con, not to mention the lovely Miri. We also meet the unpredictable, loyal, surprisingly powerful, and (frequently "Deus Ex Machina"-acting) Clutch Turtles, a surprisingly unusual alien species that was quite fun to read.
A couple of quibbles and complaints: none of the books is packed with sexual encounters, casual or otherwise. Nevertheless, the language - especially in "Conflict" - is very sensual. There is one homoerotic scene which I absolutely could have done without, and the tension between Patricia and Shan is - well, let's just say that it is not my favorite of the three. The language remains fairly sensual through the first several volumes of the series, but tones down consierably in the less romance-focused titles immediately following this one (Plan B and I Dare.) If this sort of thing bothers you, you may need to look elsewhere.
Also, many authors have a word or phrase - usually a synonym for "said" - that they tend to overuse. For Lee and Miller, that word is "murmurred." Everyone murmurrs constantly, to the point you're surprised that anyone ever hears what anyone else is saying. Of course, I've more frequently seen the word "muttered" overused (and often when it doesn't even make sense!), and I frankly find that one considerably more irritating. I just ended up rolling my eyes at the murmurring and moved on.
All in all, a highly satisfying series which I definitely recommend.
September 14, 2007
This is a collected edition of the first three Liaden novels (there are several more, as well as some short stories; they can be read out of order). My friend Maggie's mom accosted me one day and said I needed to read them, and she was quite right as I enjoyed them quite a lot. The series is a giant space opera, with tons of main characters and lots of different alien cultures, written in two great genres that taste great together--scifi and romance. I'm not saying they're great art or anything, but if you enjoy some pulp sci-fi, try these.
August 10, 2010
The first two books were sort of bland romance novels: {rich space merchant | deadly assassin} saves a woman's life, falls madly in love, they spend some time trying not to get killed by bad-guys, book ends. In both cases the woman had a maddening inferiority complex and needed constant reassurance that she was awesome and wonderful.
The series had been highly recommended, and some online reviews suggested the third book was better. The third book was, in fact, better: it took the characters from the first two and had an actual plot with them.
I recommend skipping the first two.
The series had been highly recommended, and some online reviews suggested the third book was better. The third book was, in fact, better: it took the characters from the first two and had an actual plot with them.
I recommend skipping the first two.
July 8, 2011
I liked this book so well I gave remainder copies to people who came in my shop while saying, "If you like it, pay me 1/2 of the cover price, if you don't like it, bring it back." More often than not, I got paid for the book.
April 30, 2014
This is a terrific book, a fast ride and emotionally satisfying. If you like good space opera, engaging characters and a fun culture to explore, you'll love the Liaden series. Get any and all of them.
May 6, 2014
Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, and Carpe Diem, three Liaden Universe books in one cover. Great action, wonderful characters, romance, travel, its all here!
December 1, 2021
THIS is how I fell into the Liaden Universe. A great big, heavy, trade paper omnibus. THANK you, ghods.
December 26, 2009
Brain candy and comfort reading for me--and so convenient, to have these three Liaden Universe novels in one omnibus. Frankly, the fun of the stories aside, what startled me was the quality of the production on this book. It's massive at nearly a thousand pages and trade PB size, but I read the whole thing without so much as creasing the spine. I mean, I'm very, very careful with my books--it's rare you can tell I've been through one--but that's pretty amazing.
May 29, 2010
Not only is this edition publishing the three novels in the right order, but there's a scene included that wasn't there in the previous editions. This is so strong a start even though I can see some aspects of the Liadenverse have changed over the years when I read the current books. The strength of the characters and the plot remain the same and yay for the strong women and the men who don't feel weak when they find them.
January 22, 2014
Reading this on Jeannine's recommendation.
The first book in this collection, Conflict of Honors, felt very much like Firefly. Despite all the descriptions of the captain's dark skin and light hair, he mostly looked like Nathan Fillion when I pictured him.
I saved the third book to read over a long holiday weekend, and I'm glad I did. All three together make a very nice set.
The first book in this collection, Conflict of Honors, felt very much like Firefly. Despite all the descriptions of the captain's dark skin and light hair, he mostly looked like Nathan Fillion when I pictured him.
I saved the third book to read over a long holiday weekend, and I'm glad I did. All three together make a very nice set.
January 30, 2009
The Liaden universe is one I return to as often as possible. Not since the Anne McCaffery Dragon series have I been so captivated.
November 9, 2021
Partners in Necessity is _the_ compilation I put to anyone's heart who wishes to start the adventure that is known as the Liaden Universe. It contains the first three books in the series, in the order you should read them, starting with Conflicts of Honor (written as #2), and followed by Agent of Change (written as #1) and Carpe Diem (written as #3)
Meet Shan and Priscilla, Val Con and Miri and all their friends and foes and dive into a story as colourful and captivating as nothing else I'm are aware of.
I envy everyone who read these stories for the first time, because in my humbly opinion there are maybe one or two handful of authors who are as able in worldbuilding, character building and character development as Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - but there's definitely noone who excels them.
Absolute recommendation!
Meet Shan and Priscilla, Val Con and Miri and all their friends and foes and dive into a story as colourful and captivating as nothing else I'm are aware of.
I envy everyone who read these stories for the first time, because in my humbly opinion there are maybe one or two handful of authors who are as able in worldbuilding, character building and character development as Sharon Lee and Steve Miller - but there's definitely noone who excels them.
Absolute recommendation!
April 3, 2024
In honor of Steve Miller, who recently passed away, I'm rereading the series, more or less in the order I first encountered them. These three novels, about Shan and Priscilla, Val Con and Miri, are everything I love about science fiction. Great world-building, character-driven action, romance, suspense, telekinetic turtles - what more could you ask for? Well, cats, but there are cats aplenty. I have no idea how many times I've read these first three stories of Liad, but I doubt this will be the last time.
March 2, 2023
Loved these 3 stories in one book, & the Anne MaCaffrey forward is a great touch. I do note Korval tends to finding life mates. contract weddings, not so much. Well balanced I introduced me to the Turtles, who seem to have a great attitude
Read
May 14, 2019Includes:
8) Conflict of Honors
9) Agent of Change
10) Carpe Diem
8) Conflict of Honors
9) Agent of Change
10) Carpe Diem
February 9, 2018
I don't have much to add that others haven't said about this series. It's good, old-fashioned space opera, but it also has strong characterization and lots of interesting twists and turns. Very progressive and interesting.
Well worth reading for fans of Andre Norton, Heinlein, etc.
Well worth reading for fans of Andre Norton, Heinlein, etc.
February 23, 2013
An omnibus of three pulp swords & sorcery novels (in space) with a dose of bodice-ripping romance. The first two books in this volume are totally unencumbered by any kind of plot, and after you invest time reading hundreds of these discursive pages the main four characters still feel two dimensional. The third part finally develops a plot, around 650-700 pages into this omnibus, which only seems comparatively engaging because if you can make it that far you'll be starved for something, anything, meaningful to happen. If this was adapted to film, it's the kind of thing that'd get picked up by the Lifetime Network and slotted for 4 pm on a Sunday afternoon. It's hard to recommend this book to anyone much less explain the small but seemingly devoted following these books have. Ridiculous cover art almost goes without saying.
January 26, 2021
This was the three book set that introduced me to the Liaden Universe, and I haven't stopped reading them since. In fact, this book has been so well read it fell apart and I had to buy another copy!
We are introduced to Clan Korval and complex world of Liadens and Terrans. Each of which have their own social codes and behaviour. As always misunderstanding a person's culture is a good way to get into trouble. An excellent introduction to some strong male and female characters, who make amazing partnerships and the world of Melanti, traders, agents and dramliza (wizards).
An action packed adventure, three times over, what more could you ask for?
We are introduced to Clan Korval and complex world of Liadens and Terrans. Each of which have their own social codes and behaviour. As always misunderstanding a person's culture is a good way to get into trouble. An excellent introduction to some strong male and female characters, who make amazing partnerships and the world of Melanti, traders, agents and dramliza (wizards).
An action packed adventure, three times over, what more could you ask for?
June 3, 2016
The first three novels in the Liaden universe and an introduction to the characters. The first is a prequel of sorts, providing backgound to the following. The first two of these noels are fast paced; however the third seems to a lose a lot of momentum that had built up. Don't let that stop you from reading them though.
April 9, 2018
This book contains 3 books in one. These are fun space adventure stories with some romance mixed in. We see alien worlds and dive into new cultures. We get introductions to all the characters in the main Liaden universe story line.
November 25, 2009
Great series
June 25, 2010
Ugh. Morgan already knows my rant about this book. Now it is over and I never have to read their writing again. Give me Bujold any day.
April 16, 2016
Highly recommend this!
March 26, 2020
Re-read for the 4th or 5th time...
December 5, 2013
Contains Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change and the third book is blanking on me. Excellent set of books in the Liaden Universe.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews