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Even Clan Korval needs friends, and the kinds of friends they often need aren't simply buddies and pals, but allies. As Cantra so succinctly put "In the matter of allies only two things are important. First, can he shoot? Second, will he aim at your enemy?" Allies features several stories dealing with members of Clan Korval, including the Miri Robertson story, "Fighting Chance," which led off Tanya Huff and Alexander Potter's Women of War anthology in 2005 and features a young Miri on Surebleak. The other story, "Prodigal Son", which is original to this chapbook, shows Val Con returning to Vandar, the scene of much action early in the Agent of Change sequence, where things set in motion during his first visit are coming to a very dangerous conclusion.
61 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
33 people are currently reading
129 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.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 26, 2013
Two short stories, both relating to the Liaden Universe series.
3.5 stars for Prodigal Son While Miri plays Delmae and grows large with child on planet Surebleak, Val Con and Nelirikk rush to planet Vandar, the primitive world where Miri and Val Con lived in Carpe Diem. Val Con must confront the intruding, pernicious Department of the Interior, protecting all of Vandar and especially his friends.
This one was okay, but not worth the $$, for it didn't add all that much to what I had already read, incorporated into the full-length novel, Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3). It was good to see Nelirikk in action again!
***************
4 stars for Fighting Chance The authors describe young Miri Robertson's last days on Surebleak. I think she is about 14-16 years old, and already fiercely devoted to those she loves. And just plain...fierce. We get a taste of the ugly nature of Surebleak, providing some perspective on I Dare. We meet the vile Mr. Robertson and Miri's loving, heroically enduring mother. We also meet Liz Lizardi, and a young Penn Calhoun.
3.5 stars for Prodigal Son While Miri plays Delmae and grows large with child on planet Surebleak, Val Con and Nelirikk rush to planet Vandar, the primitive world where Miri and Val Con lived in Carpe Diem. Val Con must confront the intruding, pernicious Department of the Interior, protecting all of Vandar and especially his friends.
This one was okay, but not worth the $$, for it didn't add all that much to what I had already read, incorporated into the full-length novel, Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3). It was good to see Nelirikk in action again!
***************
4 stars for Fighting Chance The authors describe young Miri Robertson's last days on Surebleak. I think she is about 14-16 years old, and already fiercely devoted to those she loves. And just plain...fierce. We get a taste of the ugly nature of Surebleak, providing some perspective on I Dare. We meet the vile Mr. Robertson and Miri's loving, heroically enduring mother. We also meet Liz Lizardi, and a young Penn Calhoun.
December 3, 2017
4 stars.
In the first story, we read about the circumstances that made Miri leave Surebleak and joined the mercenaries. It's another important bit of background story we get to have about Miri.
In the second story, The Department of the Interior has sent an Agent of Change to Vandar to speed up the planet's technological progress in order to establish a Base there. Therefore, Val Con had to go back there to stop it from happening and save the lives of the friends they made there. I wonder if Vandar will get to play an important role in the future books?
In the first story, we read about the circumstances that made Miri leave Surebleak and joined the mercenaries. It's another important bit of background story we get to have about Miri.
In the second story, The Department of the Interior has sent an Agent of Change to Vandar to speed up the planet's technological progress in order to establish a Base there. Therefore, Val Con had to go back there to stop it from happening and save the lives of the friends they made there. I wonder if Vandar will get to play an important role in the future books?
June 2, 2018
I really like how Lee and Miller give us some back story with these short stories
April 29, 2011
Fighting Chance shows how Miri met Liz Lizardi and left Surebleak to become a mercenary and Prodigal Son is the story whose other point-of-view is picked up again in Ghost Ship, Val Con having to leave a pregnant Miri on Surebleak to take care of the friends the two made on the planet Vandar - Zhena Trelu and Hakan.
March 13, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A-
Story number 1, Fighting Chance, gives a look into a young Miri's life on Surebleak and the circumstances that led to her joining the mercenary forces.
Story number 2, Prodigal Son, slots in quite nicely during the ending Ghost Ship. At some point in that story, Val Con goes back to Vandar to clean up the incursion of the Department of the Interior.
Story number 1, Fighting Chance, gives a look into a young Miri's life on Surebleak and the circumstances that led to her joining the mercenary forces.
Story number 2, Prodigal Son, slots in quite nicely during the ending Ghost Ship. At some point in that story, Val Con goes back to Vandar to clean up the incursion of the Department of the Interior.
March 15, 2020
More depth than an outline, but ...
...this story feels hasty, like it needed to be churned out to get it out of the way. Using a handful of already well defined (and well-loved) characters, the authors speed through a very simple plot to a straightforward confrontation and resolution.
...this story feels hasty, like it needed to be churned out to get it out of the way. Using a handful of already well defined (and well-loved) characters, the authors speed through a very simple plot to a straightforward confrontation and resolution.
December 20, 2017
Two stories in one: "Fighting Chance" (a back story) and "Prodigal Son" (a side story).
Like most of the Liaden Universe short stories, both stories can be enjoyed on their own but knowing the context from the universe novels really helps.
I love Fighting Chance glimpse into Miri, what shaped and formed her on Surebleak. And Prodigal Son returns us to Vandar, where the bad Agents of Change need be brought to heel. Kem and Hakan are being targeted, and it is nice to see how this couple's life continues to develop on this isolated planet.
Overall good, solid stories made better in the universe they are part of.
Like most of the Liaden Universe short stories, both stories can be enjoyed on their own but knowing the context from the universe novels really helps.
I love Fighting Chance glimpse into Miri, what shaped and formed her on Surebleak. And Prodigal Son returns us to Vandar, where the bad Agents of Change need be brought to heel. Kem and Hakan are being targeted, and it is nice to see how this couple's life continues to develop on this isolated planet.
Overall good, solid stories made better in the universe they are part of.
October 10, 2011
I really enjoy these short stories in the Liadan world. Skyblaze is still my favorite, but these two short stories were good to. It's al;ways nice to revisit old characters like Kem and Hakon, and I really like the short story with Miri as a youngster.
October 21, 2008
Two shorts starring Miri and Val Con; the first previously published in the excellent anthology 'Women of War'.
December 13, 2020
A backstory for Miri and more of what happened off-screen on Vandar when Val Con and Nelirikk went back to remove the DOI. Excellent!
September 19, 2014
Short stories but enjoyable!
October 8, 2014
Both stories are satisfying. Each fills in a gap in the chronology of the novels. Interesting, but not essential.
March 31, 2014
I really wish these novellas were longer.
March 28, 2017
Personal thoughts:
ebook
B+
Two Liaden shorts
Fighting Chance: Young Miri on Surebleak, showing how rough it was with her sick mother and deadbeat, despicable father who beats her mother and wants to sell Miri to a whorehouse. Luckily, Liz Lizardi shows up with a better offer. Appearance by a young Penn Kalhoon.
Prodigal Son: I can't remember the book off-hand, but there's a mention of Val Con taking a trip back to Vandar after he learns that the Department has become interested and established agents there. Not much detail was given, but this short expands the story.
With Miri near her due date, she insists Val Con take Nelirikk as backup. (Any story with Nelirikk is a bonus!) They first meet up with Zhena Trelu and Borrill, who tells them that there have indeed been inquisitive strangers in the area who were particularly interested in Hakan and Kem. This was a touching scene between Val Con (Cory) and Zhena Trelu, who are genuinely fond of one another.
Val Con next heads to Laxaco, where Hakan and Kem are at the university. Hakan is studying music, but has become more obsessed with the Explorers Club. He has shared his stories about Cory's ship with Kem, who is skeptical. She is also put out by his time-consuming interest in the club, putting further stain on their relationship, but agrees to accompany Hakan to a meeting. When Hakan and Kem privately approach a new member who reminds them of Cory, he indiscreetly mentions that she reminds him of someone from far away, then goes on to give his name and describe his aircraft. The Department's agent attacks them, but the day is saved by Val Con and Nelirikk, along with Clonak and newly arrived Scout reinforcements. Val Con fills Hakan and Kem in on some details and offers for Hakan the opportunity to be the go-between between Vandar and the outside.
This episode was glossed over in the book and I found myself wanting more details, so this story was very welcome. It was nice to have Val Con reunited with his Vandar friends. I also always like appearances by Clonak and, as noted, Nelirikk is icing the cake.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"How hard," Val Con asked Nelirikk, thumbing the dim off and slipping it away, "did you hit him?"
"Scout, I only spoke to him."
"Oh?" he sent a glance in Nelirikk's direction, but the big man's face was shadowed. "What did you say to him, I wonder?"
"Dog of a Liaden, prepare to die," Nelirikk said calmly.
Val Con bit his lip.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews