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Liaden Universe, Chronological #stories
A Liaden Universe Constellation, Volume One
Thirty‑three shorter tales of the Liaden Universe® brought together for the first time in two mega‑volumes. Seventeen tales to start with in Volume One!
The nationally best‑selling Liaden Universe® novels are treasured by space opera aficionados for their wit, world‑building, strong characterizations, tender romance, and edge‑of‑the‑chair action.
Since 1995, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller also created shorter tales, illuminating additional facets of the Liaden experience. Here is a vast tapestry of tales of the scouts, artists, traders, priestesses, sleight of hand magicians, and pilots who fill the Liaden Universe® with the excitement, action, and romance that readers of the hit series have come to adore.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
The nationally best‑selling Liaden Universe® novels are treasured by space opera aficionados for their wit, world‑building, strong characterizations, tender romance, and edge‑of‑the‑chair action.
Since 1995, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller also created shorter tales, illuminating additional facets of the Liaden experience. Here is a vast tapestry of tales of the scouts, artists, traders, priestesses, sleight of hand magicians, and pilots who fill the Liaden Universe® with the excitement, action, and romance that readers of the hit series have come to adore.
At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).
522 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2013
48 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
166 books788 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 - 30 of 64 reviews
June 16, 2017
Adding a star 🌟🌟🌟🌟 cuz I got more out of these short stories on the second go round, after reading all the novels published to date. Some connections that I missed the first time through were more obvious. Happy finds!
There are many repeat publications in this collection of 17 short stories. The 17 titles are described below. I got the prior publication info from the Baen.com website.
“To Cut an Edge” originally appeared in Two Tales of Korval, November 1995. 4 solid stars for To Cut an Edge, involving Clutch turtles and a younger Val Con, exploring a planet as part of his Scouting test. Loved seeing how Val Con met Edger. We get a view of Edger's world, which wasn't quite as expected. Here be dragons.
“A Day at the Races” originally appeared in Two Tales of Korval, November 1995. Good story, featuring a youthful Val Con, Shan, Pat Rin, etc.
•note: "Shadow Partner" overlaps in time, setting, and characters with A Day at the Races. It's published in chapbook "Eidolon" and in Constellation Volume 2. Also see "A Certain Symmetry" below)
"Certain Symmetry” originally appeared in Certain Symmetry, December 2000. A Certain Symmetry was quite good — 4 stars, maybe even 4.5. Pat Rin is at his best, here, reminiscent of his reaction to the murder of the young deaf / mute boy, Jonni. This story follows hard on the heels of A Day at the Races and refers to the skimmer races several times — but one need not read that story to understand this one.
“Pilot of Korval” originally appeared in Duty Bound, November 1999. Er Thom and Daav, both age 14, are second class pilots striving for first class. Daav is a scout candidate and Er Thom a cabin boy. The "brothers" are separated for the first time, and missing each other. Petrella is captain of Dutiful Passage, and we see her interact with the boys. A nice character study for all three. Nice reminder of the mobster Juntavas.
“Breath's Duty” originally appeared in Duty Bound, November 1999. It embellishes upon Plan B and I Dare, and features Daav-Aellie, Clonack, and Shadia. Here, an old professor (68, by dates and timeline) sets aside his fishing pole and goes fishing for news and information. This piece allows readers a nice view of how Jen Sar Kiladi responded to the Juntavas galactic shout for "aide and service" to Val Con yos'Phelium. IMO, the Nev'Lorn action is under-weighted, and the ship repair scenes overlong. But I liked it!
“Balance of Trade” involves Jethri Gobelyn, kin to Uncle and Arin. It originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #11, Summer 1999. This short story became an excellent full-length novel.
“A Choice of Weapons” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #12, Winter 1999, and in the chapbook Trading in Futures. It involves Daav as a young man (not yet 30) and a rare sketch of his mother, Delm Chi. Daav struggles with his bad-tempered attitide towards Liaden customs, but a dragon is a dragon. We also see yo'Lanna, Chi's friend.
"Changeling” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #14, Summer 2000. Engrossing story, if sad, where a younger Ren Zel meets Shan. I highly recommend this one. Yet somehow, the dates don't add up to likely ages.
“Heirloom” originally appeared in Shadows and Shades, November 2002. It features a younger Pat Rin, Luken, Nova, and Er Thom. Sweet bond between Nova and Pat Rin. We see Nova's special "memory" gift in action.
"Sweet Waters" was previously published in Calamity's Child. It features young Daav yos'Phelium as a Liaden Scout stranded on an interdicted world. Like Val Con in Carpe Diem, Daav makes friends with locals, a tribe of villagers. He meets the Grandmother he speaks of, and we learn the reason for his long hair and his earring. Sad, but good.
Phoenix” originally appeared in Loose Cannon, November 2001. Set in modern Liad, this romance features Cyra, a jeweler by heart, dead to her clan and trying to make a living in Low Port, Liad. Her face is badly scarred, but Bell sees her as beautiful. The Liaden Scouts play a role. We get a welcome view of Jon dea'Cort. Color me happy, with a fairy tale ending.
Here are the rest of the 17 titles. I skip stories about Lute and Moonhawk.
“A Matter of Dreams” originally appeared in A Distant Soil #27, April 1999.
“Naratha's Shadow” originally appeared in Such a Pretty Face, 2000.
"The Wine of Memory” originally appeared in Certain Symmetry, December 2000. A story of magician god Lute (Shan) and goddess Moonhawk (Priscilla)). Not interested.
“Where the Goddess Sends” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Another story of Lute and Moonhawk.
“A Spell for the Lost” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Another story of Lute and Moonhawk.
“Moonphase” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Still another tale of Lute and Moonhawk. Still not interested.
There are many repeat publications in this collection of 17 short stories. The 17 titles are described below. I got the prior publication info from the Baen.com website.
“To Cut an Edge” originally appeared in Two Tales of Korval, November 1995. 4 solid stars for To Cut an Edge, involving Clutch turtles and a younger Val Con, exploring a planet as part of his Scouting test. Loved seeing how Val Con met Edger. We get a view of Edger's world, which wasn't quite as expected. Here be dragons.
“A Day at the Races” originally appeared in Two Tales of Korval, November 1995. Good story, featuring a youthful Val Con, Shan, Pat Rin, etc.
•note: "Shadow Partner" overlaps in time, setting, and characters with A Day at the Races. It's published in chapbook "Eidolon" and in Constellation Volume 2. Also see "A Certain Symmetry" below)
"Certain Symmetry” originally appeared in Certain Symmetry, December 2000. A Certain Symmetry was quite good — 4 stars, maybe even 4.5. Pat Rin is at his best, here, reminiscent of his reaction to the murder of the young deaf / mute boy, Jonni. This story follows hard on the heels of A Day at the Races and refers to the skimmer races several times — but one need not read that story to understand this one.
“Pilot of Korval” originally appeared in Duty Bound, November 1999. Er Thom and Daav, both age 14, are second class pilots striving for first class. Daav is a scout candidate and Er Thom a cabin boy. The "brothers" are separated for the first time, and missing each other. Petrella is captain of Dutiful Passage, and we see her interact with the boys. A nice character study for all three. Nice reminder of the mobster Juntavas.
“Breath's Duty” originally appeared in Duty Bound, November 1999. It embellishes upon Plan B and I Dare, and features Daav-Aellie, Clonack, and Shadia. Here, an old professor (68, by dates and timeline) sets aside his fishing pole and goes fishing for news and information. This piece allows readers a nice view of how Jen Sar Kiladi responded to the Juntavas galactic shout for "aide and service" to Val Con yos'Phelium. IMO, the Nev'Lorn action is under-weighted, and the ship repair scenes overlong. But I liked it!
“Balance of Trade” involves Jethri Gobelyn, kin to Uncle and Arin. It originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #11, Summer 1999. This short story became an excellent full-length novel.
“A Choice of Weapons” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #12, Winter 1999, and in the chapbook Trading in Futures. It involves Daav as a young man (not yet 30) and a rare sketch of his mother, Delm Chi. Daav struggles with his bad-tempered attitide towards Liaden customs, but a dragon is a dragon. We also see yo'Lanna, Chi's friend.
"Changeling” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #14, Summer 2000. Engrossing story, if sad, where a younger Ren Zel meets Shan. I highly recommend this one. Yet somehow, the dates don't add up to likely ages.
“Heirloom” originally appeared in Shadows and Shades, November 2002. It features a younger Pat Rin, Luken, Nova, and Er Thom. Sweet bond between Nova and Pat Rin. We see Nova's special "memory" gift in action.
"Sweet Waters" was previously published in Calamity's Child. It features young Daav yos'Phelium as a Liaden Scout stranded on an interdicted world. Like Val Con in Carpe Diem, Daav makes friends with locals, a tribe of villagers. He meets the Grandmother he speaks of, and we learn the reason for his long hair and his earring. Sad, but good.
Phoenix” originally appeared in Loose Cannon, November 2001. Set in modern Liad, this romance features Cyra, a jeweler by heart, dead to her clan and trying to make a living in Low Port, Liad. Her face is badly scarred, but Bell sees her as beautiful. The Liaden Scouts play a role. We get a welcome view of Jon dea'Cort. Color me happy, with a fairy tale ending.
Here are the rest of the 17 titles. I skip stories about Lute and Moonhawk.
“A Matter of Dreams” originally appeared in A Distant Soil #27, April 1999.
“Naratha's Shadow” originally appeared in Such a Pretty Face, 2000.
"The Wine of Memory” originally appeared in Certain Symmetry, December 2000. A story of magician god Lute (Shan) and goddess Moonhawk (Priscilla)). Not interested.
“Where the Goddess Sends” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Another story of Lute and Moonhawk.
“A Spell for the Lost” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Another story of Lute and Moonhawk.
“Moonphase” originally appeared in Fellow Travelers, November 1998. Still another tale of Lute and Moonhawk. Still not interested.
Read
February 1, 2018Despite being a collection of short stories from "around the edges" of the main events of the novel series, I find that this still gives me what I find most appealing about Liad: the texture; the bustling universe of lavish etiquette, technology-as-artform, and planetary exploration all at once; and a compelling moral vision of impeccable honor used for mercy. In fact, I find that the absence of a main plot makes it feel more like a real world made of myriad independent concerns.
May 5, 2016
An enjoyable read, though many of the stories it would seem were in the Liaden Unibus.. Still enjoyable though.
September 7, 2015
Now I know how Val Con became Edger's brother and how Ren Zel got on board Dutiful Passage. It's good to get more background stories on the characters that aren't in the main books.
September 3, 2019
I reread A Day at the Races and To Cut an Edge! Both are good Liaden stories!
April 8, 2024
An anthology of stories from the universe of most of Lee & Miller's books. They are:
To Cut an Edge: Val Con meets Edger.
A Day at the Races: Shan & Val Con race a skimmer.
Where the Goddess Sends: Moonhawk and Lute are taken captive in a primitive village. An alternate "first meeting" story.
A Spell for the Lost: Lute and Moonhawk are asked to find a lost daughter. Moonhawk is acting as Lute's apprentice, trying to learn sleight of hand.
Moonphase: Priscilla Mendoza is cast out of her family and Temple.
Pilot of Korval: Er Thom and Daav at 14.
Breath's Duty: Jen Sar Kiladi goes to visit his space ship, and Daav gets a message that Plan B is in effect. Meanwhile, his Scout friends are in a damaged ship trying to keep it together long enough to get rescued.
The Wine of Memory: Lute & Moonhawk visit an old friend of his, and Moonhawk watches him help the grieving friend construct some real magic.
A Certain Symmetry: Pat Rin handles the debt book of a friend.
Balance of Trade: How Jethri meets Liaden Trader ven'Deelin.
Choice of Weapons: Daav deals with an unwanted challenge to a duel by choosing unusual weapons.
Changeling: How Ren Zel came to be on the ship Dutiful Passage.
A Matter of Dreams: How Priscilla came to be cast out, from the POV of the others involved.
Phoenix: The story of an artist and the person who comes to look after him.
Naratha's Shadow: A strange, nasty object is found, and the Scout who found it must figure out what it is, and what to do with it.
Heirloom: Pat Rin and Nova learn how the bel'Tarda line became part of Clan Korval.
Sweet Waters: A Scout is shipwrecked on a primitive planet.
They are all good.
To Cut an Edge: Val Con meets Edger.
A Day at the Races: Shan & Val Con race a skimmer.
Where the Goddess Sends: Moonhawk and Lute are taken captive in a primitive village. An alternate "first meeting" story.
A Spell for the Lost: Lute and Moonhawk are asked to find a lost daughter. Moonhawk is acting as Lute's apprentice, trying to learn sleight of hand.
Moonphase: Priscilla Mendoza is cast out of her family and Temple.
Pilot of Korval: Er Thom and Daav at 14.
Breath's Duty: Jen Sar Kiladi goes to visit his space ship, and Daav gets a message that Plan B is in effect. Meanwhile, his Scout friends are in a damaged ship trying to keep it together long enough to get rescued.
The Wine of Memory: Lute & Moonhawk visit an old friend of his, and Moonhawk watches him help the grieving friend construct some real magic.
A Certain Symmetry: Pat Rin handles the debt book of a friend.
Balance of Trade: How Jethri meets Liaden Trader ven'Deelin.
Choice of Weapons: Daav deals with an unwanted challenge to a duel by choosing unusual weapons.
Changeling: How Ren Zel came to be on the ship Dutiful Passage.
A Matter of Dreams: How Priscilla came to be cast out, from the POV of the others involved.
Phoenix: The story of an artist and the person who comes to look after him.
Naratha's Shadow: A strange, nasty object is found, and the Scout who found it must figure out what it is, and what to do with it.
Heirloom: Pat Rin and Nova learn how the bel'Tarda line became part of Clan Korval.
Sweet Waters: A Scout is shipwrecked on a primitive planet.
They are all good.
August 26, 2018
This is a larger collection of Liaden Universe shorter fiction. Some of the stories here I've read and reviewed in the earlier chapbooks, but some were new to me. Daav is, as a result of his very courtesy to the young daughter of a clan allied with Korval, is backed into a corner where he can't avoid a duel with that clan's heir. He can't avoid it; he can't kill the other clan's heir. He finds his solution in a very clever choice of weapons.
We also get the story, which I've wondered about, of how Ren Zel came to be expelled from his clan.
Pat Rin has a really unsettling encounter with a rug when he's helping out Luken by cataloging rugs from a house the clan is closing, one scout finds a doomsday weapon, and another is stranded on a world that ought to be interdicted because of its low technology--but he crashed due to a storm in space, and he has to survive. That means going native--and that means forming ties that will be hard to break if rescue ever arrives.
There's more, and it's all good, and interesting, and illuminates more of the Liaden Universe.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
We also get the story, which I've wondered about, of how Ren Zel came to be expelled from his clan.
Pat Rin has a really unsettling encounter with a rug when he's helping out Luken by cataloging rugs from a house the clan is closing, one scout finds a doomsday weapon, and another is stranded on a world that ought to be interdicted because of its low technology--but he crashed due to a storm in space, and he has to survive. That means going native--and that means forming ties that will be hard to break if rescue ever arrives.
There's more, and it's all good, and interesting, and illuminates more of the Liaden Universe.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
February 21, 2022
2022 bk 42.Perhaps if I had started reading the short story collections with this one... but alas, I didn't. A little over half the stories had appeared in the Companion to the Liaden Universe Vol. 1 or I had read as stand alone in the chapbook collections. I did find a few morsels of stories I had not read before in the Liaden Universe. There were also some Moonhawk stories (not my favorite) and stories of characters I think were just nagging at them. I will revisit this at some future time.
October 19, 2014
I'm disappointed with this collection of Liaden stories. I had hoped for more stories involving my favorite characters but there were too many about Moonhawk and Lute. I did enjoy Val Con's meeting of Edger and Daav's rescue of Clonak! The back story to Ren Zel's being clanless was interesting. As was Nova and Pat Rin's about Nova's gift!
December 18, 2017
Interesting collection of stories, overall I liked them all. Even the one's on Moonhawk and Lute other reviewers seem to not like :-).
- To cut an edge: Nice story on how Val Con met the Clutches and became Edge's brother.
- A day at the races: A story of young Shan and Val Con, racing in a primitive artifact despite their aunt's Kareen disapproval, oh the scandal!
- Where the Goddess sends: The story of how Lute and Moonhawk met.
- A Spell for the Lost: A story of Lute and Moonhawk, solving a little mistery in a village they spend the night while traveling together.
- Moonphase: This is the story of how Priscilla became banished and flew away from her people to scape her dead sentence. Quite dark and violent.
- Pilot of Korval: Er Thom is apprenticing in Dutiful Passage, for the first time separated from his dear cousin/brother Daav, and he's having a hard time both learning and missing Daav.
- Breath's Duty: The story of how Daav left Delgado and reappeared in the middle of the Scout's war with the Department of Interior.
- The Wine of Memory: Another Lute and Moonhawk story. They help a recent widow to overcome her self-destructive sadness and cope with her loss.
- Certain Symmetry: Pat Rin is assigned to pay and collect Balance on all accounts of an acquaintance recently dead.
- Balance of Trade: An extract of the novel of the same title, relating how Jethri Gobelyn took to apprentice with a Liaden trader.
- A Choice of Weapons: Daav feels unworthy to assume the position of future Delm of Korval, and while his mother the Delm reconsiders her decision at his request, both attend a social gather where Liaden politics are involved.
- Changeling: The story of how Ren Zel became banned from his clan. This one is one my favourites in this anthology.
- A Matter of Dreams: A story in Sintia, with a young Priscilla before her banishment.
- Phoenix: A story in Solcintra's Low Port, of a fallen Liad woman and a terran.
- Naratha's Shadow: A Scout guards a box with a dangerous artifact and is looking for someone able to take it.
- Heirloom: Pat Rin is deciding what to do with himself, given that he is not a Pilot neither a Healer. Another of my favourites in the anthology.
- Sweet Waters: A story in the interdict world later visited by Val Con, in this story is an unknown (in the Liaden universe) scout who has lost contact with Liad due to an accident and has to survive in this world.
- To cut an edge: Nice story on how Val Con met the Clutches and became Edge's brother.
- A day at the races: A story of young Shan and Val Con, racing in a primitive artifact despite their aunt's Kareen disapproval, oh the scandal!
- Where the Goddess sends: The story of how Lute and Moonhawk met.
- A Spell for the Lost: A story of Lute and Moonhawk, solving a little mistery in a village they spend the night while traveling together.
- Moonphase: This is the story of how Priscilla became banished and flew away from her people to scape her dead sentence. Quite dark and violent.
- Pilot of Korval: Er Thom is apprenticing in Dutiful Passage, for the first time separated from his dear cousin/brother Daav, and he's having a hard time both learning and missing Daav.
- Breath's Duty: The story of how Daav left Delgado and reappeared in the middle of the Scout's war with the Department of Interior.
- The Wine of Memory: Another Lute and Moonhawk story. They help a recent widow to overcome her self-destructive sadness and cope with her loss.
- Certain Symmetry: Pat Rin is assigned to pay and collect Balance on all accounts of an acquaintance recently dead.
- Balance of Trade: An extract of the novel of the same title, relating how Jethri Gobelyn took to apprentice with a Liaden trader.
- A Choice of Weapons: Daav feels unworthy to assume the position of future Delm of Korval, and while his mother the Delm reconsiders her decision at his request, both attend a social gather where Liaden politics are involved.
- Changeling: The story of how Ren Zel became banned from his clan. This one is one my favourites in this anthology.
- A Matter of Dreams: A story in Sintia, with a young Priscilla before her banishment.
- Phoenix: A story in Solcintra's Low Port, of a fallen Liad woman and a terran.
- Naratha's Shadow: A Scout guards a box with a dangerous artifact and is looking for someone able to take it.
- Heirloom: Pat Rin is deciding what to do with himself, given that he is not a Pilot neither a Healer. Another of my favourites in the anthology.
- Sweet Waters: A story in the interdict world later visited by Val Con, in this story is an unknown (in the Liaden universe) scout who has lost contact with Liad due to an accident and has to survive in this world.
December 1, 2022
Really enjoyable collection of stories. The story of how Val Con met Edger and Ren Zel's backstory were especially interesting after my recent binge of novel-reading. Even the Moonhawk stories, which I was not initially excited about, were crafted with enough skill that I was into them. I really enjoyed the last story, Sweetwater, and want to know more about what happened to Tol Ven yo'Endoth Clan Aziel and his daughter.
The story about the artist Jon DeaCort was the only one that gave me pause. It showed him as what we would call someone with bipolar disorder. Either he was in a phase where he could paint and create beautiful art, or he had crashed and was in a different state of mind until he started to need to paint again. All well and good. But I am a little unsure about the message the story gave about not wanting to be Healed or medicated, because it took away all his creativity. As a story about a specific person, fine. As a general statement about mental illness... I'm not so sure.
All in all it was a bit of a grab-bag, and I don't tend to enjoy short stories or novellas as much, but it is a good collection and helped to illuminate a fair amount of what happens in the books. I will keep reading the stories as I go through the books, but pay attention to the publication dates!
The story about the artist Jon DeaCort was the only one that gave me pause. It showed him as what we would call someone with bipolar disorder. Either he was in a phase where he could paint and create beautiful art, or he had crashed and was in a different state of mind until he started to need to paint again. All well and good. But I am a little unsure about the message the story gave about not wanting to be Healed or medicated, because it took away all his creativity. As a story about a specific person, fine. As a general statement about mental illness... I'm not so sure.
All in all it was a bit of a grab-bag, and I don't tend to enjoy short stories or novellas as much, but it is a good collection and helped to illuminate a fair amount of what happens in the books. I will keep reading the stories as I go through the books, but pay attention to the publication dates!
July 3, 2022
This is a collection of seventeen stories set in the Liaden Universe. This is the first time that I have listened to the stories. They aren't new to me. I read them first in chapbooks published by the authors and again when they were collected and published by Baen.
There are a wide variety of stories. Quite a few of them are origin stories that provide more depth on the characters who are stars in the main series. We learn how Val Con meets Edger and becomes his brother. We learn how Ren Zel came to be clanless and a pilot on the Dutiful Passage. There are a couple of stories that star Pat Rin and a couple more that tell the backstory of Priscilla Mendoza and how she came to leave Sintia.
There are a few stories that star Moonhawk and Lute and give more of their history. There is a story about Er Thom and Daav when they are first separated sending Daav to the Scouts and Er Thom to his mother to learn to be a trader. Still another story tells what happens when Daav saves the day when Nev'Lorn is attacked by the Department of the Interior.
The stories were all wonderful as stories, but for fans, filling in some of what happened outside of the main stories adds a whole bunch of depth and richness to an already complex and intriguing Liaden Universe.
There are a wide variety of stories. Quite a few of them are origin stories that provide more depth on the characters who are stars in the main series. We learn how Val Con meets Edger and becomes his brother. We learn how Ren Zel came to be clanless and a pilot on the Dutiful Passage. There are a couple of stories that star Pat Rin and a couple more that tell the backstory of Priscilla Mendoza and how she came to leave Sintia.
There are a few stories that star Moonhawk and Lute and give more of their history. There is a story about Er Thom and Daav when they are first separated sending Daav to the Scouts and Er Thom to his mother to learn to be a trader. Still another story tells what happens when Daav saves the day when Nev'Lorn is attacked by the Department of the Interior.
The stories were all wonderful as stories, but for fans, filling in some of what happened outside of the main stories adds a whole bunch of depth and richness to an already complex and intriguing Liaden Universe.
August 15, 2019
This is a collection of 17 short stories set in the wonderful Liaden Universe. At their best, which is very good indeed, the authors have the happy trick of making me care more about their characters in a couple of pages than other authors achieve in a whole novel. While I didn't like every story equally, there were -- scientific estimate here -- a whole bunch of stories that I liked very much, and two that I loved. The two that I loved were the opening story, "To Cut an Edge," which describes the first meeting between two important characters in the Liaden stories, and "Changeling," which opens in grief, and moves both backward and forward from there, back to how the loss happened, forward to what follows after. I think a reader new to the Liaden Universe would do better to begin with one of the novels, but to those who are already fans or who prefer shorter fiction, this collection contains treasure.
About my book reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much.
About my book reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much.
June 28, 2022
This is a collection of seventeen shorter Liaden Universe stories, and it reflects all the different aspects of that universe. We have several Moonhawk and Lute stories. These feel very much like fantasy, but this is the world Priscilla, future lifemate of Shan yos'Galan. Val Con yos'Phelium, as a young Scout, meets his first Clutch Turtle. Pat Rin yos'Galan makes his first real steps toward discovering his own strengths and character, while taking on the unpleasant responsibility of settling the debt book of a friend who has unexpectedly committed suicide. And there is more.
This isn't a new collection; it was first published in 2013, and the stories were all previously published. I think I read the print edition previously. So this was essentially a reread, and I found it fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Kevin Collins does a good job with the narration.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
This isn't a new collection; it was first published in 2013, and the stories were all previously published. I think I read the print edition previously. So this was essentially a reread, and I found it fun and thoroughly enjoyable. Kevin Collins does a good job with the narration.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
January 4, 2024
Love the Liaden universe books. As the authors' foreword explains, these short stories show events outside the main books (lots of back stories about the major characters) and also sometimes feature a character that is minor or even invisible in the main novels.
I don't know why this collection isn't already on my shelf since I have owned the Kindle edition for several years! However I picked up this audiobook edition as my 'free' book in Audible's recent 2-for-1 sale so it was a good time for rereading it.
I don't know why this collection isn't already on my shelf since I have owned the Kindle edition for several years! However I picked up this audiobook edition as my 'free' book in Audible's recent 2-for-1 sale so it was a good time for rereading it.
May 6, 2020
15 Liaden Universe Stories Vol. 1
Excellent short stories filling in the gaps from the series. They are pretty intense and come to a conclusion, but it’s somewhat painful not to be able to continue them further. Definitely the Constellation Books should be read after the actual Series is finished. It does satisfy the need to keep track of the characters that have become beloved friends.
Excellent short stories filling in the gaps from the series. They are pretty intense and come to a conclusion, but it’s somewhat painful not to be able to continue them further. Definitely the Constellation Books should be read after the actual Series is finished. It does satisfy the need to keep track of the characters that have become beloved friends.
August 5, 2024
Probably not a great way to first jump into the Liaden universe (speaking from experience here), but still an interesting collection of stories. Each novella had a way of piquing the interest, and drawing you in. Yet, none really stood on their own without a desire to know of a world already familiar; I had a sense it was written for people already immersed, and thus felt like an outsider as I read it.
July 5, 2025
If you enjoy the Liaden series at all, these are some great stories about well-known, and also brand-new, characters from that universe. In fact, I wish some were longer, as it felt like they ended just as they were getting going. I could do without the forays into Moonhawk and Lute's backstories, but thankfully, those are in the minority of the stories presented. Definitely recommended for fans of Liad.
February 26, 2020
Best world anthology I have read to date. I think the majority of these short stories are better than the Universe's main novels (which I love too). There are several back/life event and Liaden culture stories of main and minor characters that pack real emotional whammies. None of the stories are fluff or filler. Any fan of the Liaden Universe will love these too.
August 21, 2017
Another Excellent Addition to the Load Saga
If you are a fan of Liad, then this is an excellent addition. It explains how Clonak came to be with Daav on Lytaxin. It provides background on Pat Rin--how and why did he become a gambler.
If you are a fan of Liad, then this is an excellent addition. It explains how Clonak came to be with Daav on Lytaxin. It provides background on Pat Rin--how and why did he become a gambler.
June 13, 2019
New to me
28 books in the Liaden Universe. How did I miss all those stories. This is a very fun, not funny, read. The characters are wonderfully developed as are the civilizations. Magic and Science. A welcome change to military space operas.
28 books in the Liaden Universe. How did I miss all those stories. This is a very fun, not funny, read. The characters are wonderfully developed as are the civilizations. Magic and Science. A welcome change to military space operas.
July 8, 2019
Wonderful contexting for the Liadan Universe
A delight of a book. Even the stories I had read before have been reworked, expanded, and improved. And many gaps in the universe filed in, quite joyously.
A delight of a book. Even the stories I had read before have been reworked, expanded, and improved. And many gaps in the universe filed in, quite joyously.
February 20, 2021
Brilliant science fiction
The entire Liaden series is phenomenal. I love the Constellations because of the stories of the ancillary characters to whom I have become attached, whether it is back story or further adventures "off screen."
The entire Liaden series is phenomenal. I love the Constellations because of the stories of the ancillary characters to whom I have become attached, whether it is back story or further adventures "off screen."
March 9, 2025
Nice addition to the Liaden universe
Some of the stories flesh out the books in the series, some give background on the characters, some are completely unrelated - but I found myself enjoying the glimpses they provided into the Liaden universe.
Some of the stories flesh out the books in the series, some give background on the characters, some are completely unrelated - but I found myself enjoying the glimpses they provided into the Liaden universe.
February 18, 2017
I'm still not sure why, but I really like these authors' books.
August 10, 2017
Good find
W very good collection of short stories. Well written and very encouraging to follow in and read more from sharon lee
W very good collection of short stories. Well written and very encouraging to follow in and read more from sharon lee
September 11, 2017
Really enjoyed catching up with characters from the main novels.
December 11, 2019
What a delight to revisit some old friends from this series, and get really pumped for the new book just out, Accepting the Lance! I fell in love all over again.
August 6, 2021
I enjoyed these stories a great deal. I loved all the ones featuring Korval. I wish the Moonhawk ones had all been in order. They were still fun to read but there was a lot of jumping around.
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