Ribbon Dance

Liaden Universe Publication Order #26

by Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

NEW ENTRY IN THE BEST-SELLING LIADEN UNIVERSE® SERIES

On a world where cake is a necessity it takes the Grid to protect the civilized and the deaf from the dire influences of the ambient and to keep the chaotic Haosa at bay.

Having arrived at recently Dust-bound Colemeno, Trader Padi yos’Galan is essential to Master Trader Shan yos’Galan’s plan to recoup Korval’s clan fortunes by establishing new routes for the clan’s tradeship. Shan’s inner Healer insists Padi come to terms with her as-yet unplumbed psychic abilities, which might place her in the top tier of dramliz, if she can learn control.

Padi yearns to concentrate on trade, but Colemeno’s fey ambient and deadly long-term politics combine to bring her face-to-face with the Haosa, and in particular with the mysterious and untouchable Tekelia, as Korval’s trade mission’s necessity of a port audit collide with a cruel history of murder, deception, and brutality. Amid the dangers Padi unexpectedly finds herself eagerly exploring her dramliz side when faced with the unspoken powers of the ambient, the sky-filling energy of the ribbon dance, and Tekelia’s mutable eyes.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic, Fiction, Adventure

608 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 4, 2024

About the author

Sharon 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.

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 23 of the 2025 Read Your Hoard Challenge and Book number 539 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project

I adore the Liaden Universe. The characters are tough, smart, optimistic, and oh so polite! Master Trader Shan yos'Galen and his daughter, Trader Padi, have been sent by their Delm to establish new, profitable trade routes to replenish the family coffers. They have set up offices on the planet of Colemeno, one of the places which has recently re-emerged from the Dust. They suspect that permanence and profit are possible, but there will be a lot of work to be done to determine that.

On planet, they are faced with the Ambient, a condition on Colemeno which wears on those with Gifts. Gradually, they learn to eat frequently to replenish their energy. The ubiquity of cake moves from being a joke of the trade team to being a necessity. This is not their only obstacle—Colemeno has a segregated society, consisting of the Civilized (those with controlled psychic talent), the Haosa (wild talents), and those known as Deaf, who are vanilla humans with no psychic talent. Needless to say, wherever there are three chimpanzees or three humans, there are politics. Both the Civilized and the Deaf live in the city, under the Grid, protecting them from the full power of the Ambient.

Young Padi's Gifts shine too brightly to be clearly viewed and quantified. She has at least learned not to bottle them up, but she would much rather concentrate on trade. Colemeno may not allow her a choice, but has given her the comfort of a member of the Haosa as a possible life companion. Padi is part of the third generation of Clan Korval that these novels have encompassed and I find myself just as entranced as I was with their elders.

In her Afterword, Sharon Lee states her intention to continue to write, working with ideas that she and her partner Steve Miller had planned out before his death. His name will continue to grace the covers, as his contributions are part of the basis of the Universe. I follow Ms. Lee on social media and must confess that I look forward to future volumes with great pleasure.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a direct sequel to Trader's Leap but fear not if your memory of that book is vague. The authors do a great job of supplying the necessary background while moving this story forward.
On the surface, this seems like a simple story. Clan Korval's Master Trader, Shan yos Galen, and his daughter (and junior trader) Padi, along with several crew members are working to establish a trading post on Colemeno. Well, nothing is ever simple and easy when Korval is involved. The trade mission's need to conduct a port audit lands it smack dab in the middle of local politics, and rouses the interest of an business concern with rapacious business practices.
Colemeno is a fascinating world where the very atmosphere amplifies the psychic abilities of those who possess such traits. And that makes a piece of cake a dietary necessity.

I really enjoyed reading this. There is humor to balance the drama, there's romance, and cake. As a long-time fan it was delightful to catch up with this set of characters The authors leave us with a hint of more to come. I am already anticipating the next in the series, Diviner's Bow, due in 2025.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ribbon Dance is a fine addition to the Liaden Universe. In previous books, we had heard about the Dust in space that made certain portions of space impassable.

This book takes place on a planet newly emerged from the Dust.

This is a Dutiful Passage book (meaning Shan yosGalan's ship & crew). In particular, this is Padi yosGalan's story (Shan's daughter). Padi has newly earned her garnet, the ring that signifies that she now can trade in her own right. She is here on this planet in support of her father Shan, the master trader for the mission.

It is like a coming-of-age book (except that Padi is already an adult, if young).

I was sad when Steve Miller (half of the Liaden Universe series writing team) passed away suddenly in February 2024. Fortunately, his widow (and co-writer) Sharon Lee and Steve had already started taking notes regarding future books. So, for some time in the future, we will still get Liaden books with significant input from both writers.

And I'm happy to say that the next book Diviner's Bow is the direct sequel to Ribbon Dance and deals with a number of issues left hanging fire at the end of Ribbon Dance.

The pattern had always been a book containing one set of characters and the next book would contain another set. (That is why it is called the Liaden UNIVERSE.) But at this point I am grateful for a next book of any kind re this series.

Ribbon Dance is highly recommended for longtime Sharon Lee-Steve Miller fans, space opera fans (especially involving trading / merchant ships), and fans of well-plotted books with a LOT of character-driven action! And, as always, I was glad to see the norbears again!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-woven story. I loved it. There is intrigue and mystery. Multiple story lines are spun out to create a tapestry to enjoy. Characters are introduced and fully developed. It is the intersections of these characters as they meet and separate that makes the book so enjoyable. I reread this book immediately which I often do with Lee and Miller’s book, partly because I don’t want to let them go and partly so I can find all the “Easter eggs” they drop along the way.
For those who are fans of the Liaden Universe, the book is a delightful continuation of Padi yos’Galen’s story. But it is not necessary to have read the previous books in Padi’s story arc to enjoy this one. Be warned: a newcomer may find themselves wishing to go back and read those books or even the entire series.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as always - develops the ambient influence remarkably - I enjoyed it immensely until the acknowledgments on the last page where I read the awful sentence “Steve has died “😔.

[Georgann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get going on this one. There was a lot to learn, from a new planet and new culture, to a ton of new characters. But it was so so worth it! It is no wonder this is one of my very favorite series!!

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This twenty-seventh book in the Liaden universe is the direct sequel to TRADER'S LEAP. It takes place on Colemeno and is about the Dutiful Passage and its traders looking to find new profitable trade opportunities for Clan Korval.

Colemeno was settled long ago by exiled Small Talents from Liad. Their escape was aided by Clan Korval and Clan Ixin. The planet is in the Ambient which has a powerful magnifying effect on those with talents. The Ambient almost caused the settlement to fail since many of the talents couldn't survive in the face of that much power. It led to the development of a grid which buffered the Ambient. Those who live under the grid are determined to be Civilized. Those who can survive without the grid and have wild talents are the Haosa. And those without talents are called the Deaf and are only recently allowed an equal place in society.

This story is told in part by the Councilor for the Deaf Majel ziaGorn who is determined to better the lot of his people even while some other council members really want to revert to the old times when the Deaf were under the control of the talents. Currently, Deaf businesses are seeing a rash of attacks that were under the legal limit but considered mischief which is building a potential revolution among the Deaf.

Majel volunteers to be the liaison for the trade mission to help them with their work and to let them know about local custom. Meanwhile, the trade mission is facing some obstacles too. Pressure from the kezlBlythes to send business their way is an obstacle to be overcomes. Especially since the kezlBlythes aren't shy about using their talents to pressure and intimidate and even murder.

And Padi, besides her work as a trader opening up a new port, is dealing with her own talents and a new relationship with Tekelia who is the Speaker for the Haosa.

This was another excellent entry into the long-running Liaden Universe series. It is filled with great worldbuilding and wonderful characters.

[Helen Garraway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee and Miller's Liaden Universe now spans twenty-nine books, and each book expands the universe and the characters we meet. I would highly recommend you read the previous books first. The universe is complex, the Korval clan unique and with a long history you would do well to understand to appreciate this latest installement.

Shan yos'Galan and Priscilla were the first characters I ever met when I read Partners in Necessity, which was my first introduction to this amazing world, so they have always been my favourite couple. So you can imagine my joy when we finally revisted the Master Trader and his daughter Padi in Trader's Leap and continued their tale, and the development of Padi's emerging talent here in Ribbon Dance.

Clan Korval, having been banished from their homeland, is now regrouping. It is down to Shan to redeem their fortunes by building out a profitable trade route. But being banished means they have to visit far flung places where civilization differs and local customs prevail.

Lee and Miller write such complex stories, with so many nuances and inflexion points, that keeping track of all the characters and their individual melanti, their sense sense of honour and duty, can be quite challenging. Each turn of phrase has to be inspected for underlying meanings as you will get as much enjoyment from what isn't said, as from what is.

Nevertheless, once you get the hang of it, it is a wondrous universe full of engaging characters and an ongoing persecution against one clan who are being punished for saving their home world.

This is, in essence, Padi's story as she embraces her gift and the ambience that surrounds her. We learn more about Tekelia and the ribbon dancers, and although there is time for gentle reflection and joy, there is also plenty of conflict to overcome. I am pleased to see there is much more story to tell and there will be more to come!

[yekcal2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very excellent. I started the hardcover in the early evening of Jun 29th and read straight through until 4am of Jun 30th!

I adored this new story of Master Trader Shan, his lifemate Captain Priscilla Mendoza, his daughter Padi yos’Galan. We had several friends from before along for company, Trader Dyoli ven’Deelin, her partner Mar Tyn pai’Fortuna, Security Grad, Karna, and Tima, Speaker for the Haosa Tekelia, Warden Bentamin, Oracle Aunt Astra, and norbear Lady Selph. And we meet for the first time, Councilor Majel ziaGorn, Selyn, and Bell erVinton amongst others.

As always, a new Liaden book is a delight to have in hand. The extra fun for me is that this is the first hardcover book I’ve read in probably 3 or 4 years 🎉 After I got used to not seeing the time 😉 and remembering that I have to actually turn the page instead of tapping the edge 😂, I fell easily into this wonderful Trader story.

I won’t give any spoilers because Liaden stories should be enjoyed fresh and let to unfold and enfold the reader. And this one succeeds at all things ❤️

The enduring sadness of knowing that Steve Miller’s genius no longer lives among us is lightened by knowing that his lifemate, Sharon Lee, has pledged to continue writing Liaden stories for as long as she is able. Ribbon Dance, the 26th Liaden story, is a delight and I eagerly await Book 27.

[Teresa Carrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It helped that I recently reread Alliance of Equals and Trader's Leap. The ending was satisfying while leaving some threads still hanging to be dealt with in a future book I’m sure.

Very little of the story takes place on a ship, so if you really need spaceships that are going somewhere you probably want to skip this book. There is action, there is magic, a bit of romance, bad guys working nefariously, and an extremely unusual planet that has resulted in a strange set of cultures. I gave it 4 stars because I’ll need to wait a couple of years before rereading it, but do plan to reread it.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic sci fi adventure

The worldbuilding continues to be brilliant, the story is thrilling and heartwarming, and the relationships are fascinating. The authors have a singular talent for creating supporting characters that become as important to a reader as the primary characters. Dance has romance, joy, danger, discrimination, norbears, humor (Shan is hopeless), and a lot of cake. The Liaden books are brilliant science fiction and are best enjoyed when the reader understands the relationships and circumstances of the characters; thus, I recommend starting at the series beginning. I read a library book but will add Ribbon Dance to my ebooks as soon as possible.

[Dlora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traders Shan and Padi yos’Galan are on the planet Colemeno, now emerging from the interstellar dust that kept it isolated, to see if the planet would make a good trading port. But it has an interesting ambient, a kind of fey power that increases Talents and drains energy—and so everyone is always eating cake as a restorative. The politics of the planet divides people into three groups—it values the Civilized with talents, sees the Deaf (or talentless) as a segment of society to be protected, and fears the Haosa as the Wild and out-of-control users of the ambient who live off-Grid. Interesting that the Colemeno society is based on the use of talents compared with many other planetary systems that find such psychic powers suspicious and even dangerous. I enjoyed the growing ability of Padi to understand and train her dramliz abilities and her budding relationship with Tekelia, an untouchable person of chaos. The book seemed to end quite abruptly, and definitely left me wanting more. It seems there are several threads still to be teased out in a sequel. Will Captain Priscilla’s soon-to-be born child have unusual dramliz powers given the parentage and the exposure to the ambient? What will develop between Padi and Tekelia? Will the intertwined psychic patterns of Vaiza and Torin, the two orphaned children living off-Grid, be successfully separated before that entanglement harms them? Will Deaf Majel ziaGorn who runs a casino and Bell erVinton who runs a restaurant be able to advance their emerging feelings of attraction? I’m rooting for another book soon!

[Mary Soon Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ribbon Dance" is, I think, the twenty-sixth novel set in the Liaden Universe, a set of books that have given me great joy over many years. It continues the adventures of Shan, Padi, Priscilla, Tekelia, and a number of other characters from earlier books, introducing new characters along the way. There are dangers and villains, but mostly the book -- as is the way with the Liaden Universe stories -- made me feel better about the world. Characters help one another. Norbears delight. [This reader is very partial to norbears.] The authors have the happy trick of making me care about their characters, needing only a few sentences to achieve an attachment others never reach.

I note that the story felt a little incomplete, but this just lets me look forward to further adventures.

Four and a half out of five beribboned stars.

About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable. I was hooked. It’s set in the Redlands, a system emerging from Rostov’s Dust, on planet Colemeno, particularly Colemenoport and the Haosa’s Ribbon Dance Village. Padi yos'Galan plays the primary character here, along with Tekelia, but we also get to watch MarTyn pai’Fortuna and Dyoli in action, and get plenty of good scenes with Shan and Priscilla. There’s also several norbears, some scared but valiant children, wicked witches, and an admirable councilor, magically Deaf. Plus we meet the estimable Jes dea'Tolin, a qe’andra in the style of dea’Gauss.

The ugly topic of Reavers rears up again, and we meet the calculating kezlBlythe Syndicate.

Lots of vivid political maneuvering among the so-called “Council of the Civilized” 😜

I read the eARC, now available from Baen books at https://www.baen.com/ribbon-dance.html. Numerous chapters are available online now, free, to whet one’s appetite. But the entire book will cost you, and they’ll even throw in the formatting glitches grata. (confusing — dialogue breaks are missing, interchanges are often mashed into one paragraph)

[Tea73 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Liaden books have always tread fine line between sci-fi and fantasy and this one definitely leans into fantasy. My biggest quibble is not really having a clear sense of what "The Ambient" is supposed to be and as in many of the recent books there's a little bit more about trade than I really care for. That said Miller and Lee have presented us with a great new world in Rostov, the relationship between those who can use toned down versions of the Ambient, vs the wilder ones, vs the ones who are deaf to magic altogether allows all sorts of power plays. Korval's presence and "luck" is clearly going to throw a monkey wrench into the works, and high time too! My biggest quibble is that we seem to see Padi at a slight distance, she sometimes seems a little muted. Earlier books were more character driven.

I recommend rereading Trader's Leap if it's been a while.

[Henry Lazarus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sharon Lee and the late Steve Miller latest Liaden Universe tale sends a master trader and his trader daughter to Colemeno where the dust that had blocked the system access has dissipated.Colemeno is unusual with a Ribbon Dance (hard from Baen) of lights in the night sky because of the increased magical ambience. This results in a society split between those deaf to the ambience, those that need a grid to weaken the effect, and those that can live with full access to their abilities. Trader Padi yos’Galan who has been holding her abilities back, is most affected and finds help on the planet. There’s a nasty family that has to be found and stopped. There are orphan twins in need of help. Everyone is very polite as befits Liaden space, and, because using the ambient requires lots of energy, there is lots of cake. This tale may be the 26th in the series, but it is relatively independent and can be used as an introduction to this excellent 40-year-old series.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Read in 2 sessions, well into the night. It was good.

This is a direct sequel to Trader's Leap . Dutiful Passage has arrived in Colemeno as the Dust dissipated and Shan is trying to assess the possibility of making Colemenoport a trading hub for his new trade loops. We get an in depth look at the cultures of Colemeno and what it means to be Civilized, Haosa and Deaf and how their lives are impacted by the Ambient surrounding the planet.

We see Padi's continuing growth into a young adult and her development as a full trader. Some correspondence from Surebleak but other than that, it's all about Shan working at strengthening Clan Korval's new future. We also get to know a new long-lost Korval "cousin" who popped in and out a few times.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong chapter in the Liaden series, focusing on the continued work of Shan, Padi, & co. assessing Colemeno for a trade port. This book is far more centered on Padi, her relationship with Tekelia, and her role as a new trader. I like Padi as a character, and the new characters are likable enough. While I enjoyed this outing, it is mostly about the culture of the planet and contains very little action. It felt a little purposeless at times, as I wondered why time was being spent on certain things, but it did coalesce by the end. That said, I did like exploring the process of port evaluation, and the fact that did meandered a bit didn't really bother me. However, if you like the more action-packed books, this one may not be your favorite. The end felt a little abrupt, so I'm glad I know that the next book continues this storyline.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the eARC. There are a lot of formatting issues or idiosyncrasies (lines breaking in the middle, dialog where the second person's comment is not set as a separate paragraph) which I hope will be resolved in the final version.

This is a direct sequel of Trader's Leap but I enjoyed it more. Although there is still a lot of non-Korval characters I found it easier to keep track and follow the plot as it addressed issues of who has Talents and how that fit in the society on Colomeno, a planet emerging from the Dust, where Shan and Padi as Traders are trying to develop contacts for Korval.

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent follow up to Trader's Leap. As Korval evaluates Colemenco as the hub of a new trading loop, the various factions on the planet make themselves known. I liked that this book was focused mainly on one planet and with the same main group of characters. It was easier to follow. Padi’s growth into her gift and her role as a trader and leader was satisfying. I always like it when Shan and Pricilla are in a story, as well as Norbears. I am looking forward to more stories in this part of the universe!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 bk 70. Everything and I mean everything about this book was Sharon Lee and Steve Miller writing to perfection. The title my interest immediately and being able to follow Padi's story even more so. Now a master trader, Padi is learning to step into her role, learning that it is okay to make decisions and moves without her father leaning over her and critiquing each move she makes. More importantly she has found a soul sister on this new planet. The Tree-and-Dragon has hopes of a new trade route to improve their fortunes and learning how to deal with a new culture is even more important to the family. Wonderful entry into the Liaden Universe.

[Maurynne Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never disappointed by a Liaden book. I've been reading since the 1980s when the books first came out and the series has never paled.
How amazing when each book reminds one anew of why they fell in love with the series in the first place.
True to form, there's adventure, danger, love, manners—and in this instance, lots of cake. Norbears play a big part, too.
One of the overarching themes of the series is the interplay between privilege, patronage, prejudice, and power and that may be why it's so fascinating.
Characters come alive, deeds dashing and dastardly ensue; a true pleasure.
Thank you Sharon and Steve.

[Kaymarion Raymond · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a LOT of cake and pink frosted cookies, and wine. But that's my only criticism of this latest re-readable Liaden comfort from the Lee-Miller team. A hard-to-put-down new weaving added to the space-going Tree and Dragon clan saga, that has had them migrating to two planets and a space station. Each new environment has deepened old characters and added new opportunities for the younger generations to explore their talents and respond to unique situations. Nice folks. Interesting. Entertainment all around, love norbears, younguns, new romance, dancing, and defeat to villains. And a dragon is born, sure to create many stories of her own.

[KDinSC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book!

I truly love this series, and its creators, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I'm grateful for their years of collaboration, and saddened that Steve passed on prior to this book dropping. The Liaden Universe Is so complex and layered and wonderful to dive in and lose yourself within the stories and characters. Every time I read one of the books or stories, or re-read, I learn something new. Space Opera, and top notch world building and storytelling. Thank you for all that you do!

[Mimi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of ‘Trader’s Leap’.

Korval is one of my favorite families in fiction, and I really enjoyed a glimpse the trading branch of it, with Shan and Padi leading the way into new ventures following all the DoI turmoil! Lots of fun considerations with opening a new port, Local Custom (and trouble), the odd ambient energy, etc.

I fin Haosa/Civilized culture to be quite interesting, with many great characters. But in this book, I felt there were just a few too many new characters to engage with.

A minor point, this series is one of my favorites, but sometimes the covers really puzzle me.

[Dawn Siemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goes before 27

If I was confused, it's my own fault for falling behind, and not bothering to refresh my memory. I read the next book before this one, and I do not recommend it.

I love Colemeno. The history. The sociology. The magical atmosphere, even the politics are fun.

The characters are sympathetic, but there are so many point of view characters that simply wanting to know what happens to, for instance, Padi, cannot hold the book together. While there is conflict, I didn't feel like was really enough to justify all the meetings.

[Professor Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

after 27 books remarkably this series remains fresh and wonderful as when I read the first three episodes

For me this is comfort food—a mix of fantasy adventure and paranormal romance that they pioneered and at which that they are still the best. One coauthor is dead and I am sad but the series will continue based on written plot outlines and that is something very much to celebrate!

[Cindy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good!

I have had the pleasure of reading all the books of this series. They have been a great joy for me. This book is one of the best. I enjoy seeing the characters evolve and to catch up with the others. And Pady is one of my favorites. I regret hearing that Steve has passed, but I look forward to reading the books he and Sharon have collaborated on. I have no doubt they will be as great as the others are.

[Carol Landry · Rating 5 out of 5]

RELATIONSHIPS IN THE AMBIENT

First, this book is a definite sequel to Trader’s Leap. That said, among many other twists and turns, this is a tale of relationships, family, lovers, friends, professional, political and more. Norbears are part of the more. Sometimes it takes a Tree and Dragon to shake up and wake local custom. I read this book as slowly as possible and now I have to wait, wait, wait to follow these relationships.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is such a good thing that this series is set in space, because that means that there are golden opportunities to look at many ways in which two cultures can run into each other and work out how to deal with each other. In this delightful story, Padi from Clan Korval meets and falls for a woman from the Hoasa clan on a far off planet. their connection being different from any that Korval has experienced. The plot as always is meticulously developed and deeply related to other Liaden books.