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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #11
Necessary Evils
Two short stories set in the Liaden Universe. The first story is The Beggar King, set on Liad and about the young Daav yos' Phelium's early training to be Delm. The second is Necessary Evils, explore the time and space before Clan Korval, when the universe was degenerating into chaos, and individuals faced evil in many guises, including bioenginnered human-plant hybrids, slavery and of course greed.
62 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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109 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
166 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 13, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A
The first story is important because it tells the reader how Daav met Clarence O'Bertin, years ago on Liad. Daav is sent on a fact finding mission by his mother, the Delm and teams up with the new mob boss in order to solve the mystery.
The second story is kind of interesting because it ties loosely to the Great Migration duology. It takes place in the time when active engineering of people was going on and 'kobolds' were created as sentient slaves. Very distantly ties to the winemaking trade introduced in Balance of Trade too.
The first story is important because it tells the reader how Daav met Clarence O'Bertin, years ago on Liad. Daav is sent on a fact finding mission by his mother, the Delm and teams up with the new mob boss in order to solve the mystery.
The second story is kind of interesting because it ties loosely to the Great Migration duology. It takes place in the time when active engineering of people was going on and 'kobolds' were created as sentient slaves. Very distantly ties to the winemaking trade introduced in Balance of Trade too.
May 31, 2015
Two short stories. Four stars for The Beggar King, set on Liad. This book coincides with the events in Mouse and Dragon. Chi yos'Phelium is Korval's Delm. Her son Daav is visiting home, on leave from the Scouts. Chi asks him to find out what is happening to the pilots, diappearing after they leave the Low Port casinos. (I expect they are being drugged and programmed to work for the Dept of the Interior as Agents of Change, but this is never stated.)
Daav meets the new Juntavas Boss while sleuthing around the Low Port. I liked the dialogue when they first met. Hah! This is a young Clarence O'Berin, red hair, blue eyes, and tough. Together, Daav and Clarence try to catch a pilot-napper....
I liked seeing a first-hand glimpse of Chi in this story, since she is only a passing reference in other books. Lively, warm-hearted, and mischievous, she appears to be the opposite of Petrella, her twin, who forbade Er Thom from marrying Anne Davis, in Local Custom. But Petrella was dying, in such pain...
This story plays up Daav's serious dislike of Liad, perhaps foreshadowing...
Ps. This "missing pilots" plot thread continues with Daav and his life mate, Alleanne, in Mouse and Dragon. And continues for Val Con in Agent of Change...and continues. Three decades later, it still continues, even as Clarence becomes copilot to Theo, Daav's daughter, in Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3).
Barely 3 stars for Necessary Evils, which wasn't my cup of tea, not being a fan of horror, titilating sex, and torture. It takes place at a vineyard.
The synopsis says it takes place before Korval piloted humanity to Liad (see Crystal Dragon (The Great Migration Duology, #2)), "in the time and space before Clan Korval, when the universe was degenerating into chaos" . Note, there is no hint of world-ending chaos in this story. Given the setting, I had hoped it would reveal something about Uncle, who is, after all, a "scientist" -- but no. Definitely not. And the "slave" is not a cloned batcher.
A human chemist is falsely accused. In punishment, ceramic beads are sewn under her skin, like a necklace. The beads control her, and can be used to torture. Her master is the Marquis de'Sade. Three magical, monstrous, and sexy human-plant hybrids play a major role. Kind of gruesome, but funny, like a B movie or a Greek myth.
It does, perhaps, shed some light on the unique abilities and the passionate vine-love manifested by the master vintner at Irikwae, in Balance of Trade? I think his name was Ren Lar Merrileux, or something like that.
Daav meets the new Juntavas Boss while sleuthing around the Low Port. I liked the dialogue when they first met. Hah! This is a young Clarence O'Berin, red hair, blue eyes, and tough. Together, Daav and Clarence try to catch a pilot-napper....
I liked seeing a first-hand glimpse of Chi in this story, since she is only a passing reference in other books. Lively, warm-hearted, and mischievous, she appears to be the opposite of Petrella, her twin, who forbade Er Thom from marrying Anne Davis, in Local Custom. But Petrella was dying, in such pain...
This story plays up Daav's serious dislike of Liad, perhaps foreshadowing...
Ps. This "missing pilots" plot thread continues with Daav and his life mate, Alleanne, in Mouse and Dragon. And continues for Val Con in Agent of Change...and continues. Three decades later, it still continues, even as Clarence becomes copilot to Theo, Daav's daughter, in Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3).
Barely 3 stars for Necessary Evils, which wasn't my cup of tea, not being a fan of horror, titilating sex, and torture. It takes place at a vineyard.
The synopsis says it takes place before Korval piloted humanity to Liad (see Crystal Dragon (The Great Migration Duology, #2)), "in the time and space before Clan Korval, when the universe was degenerating into chaos" . Note, there is no hint of world-ending chaos in this story. Given the setting, I had hoped it would reveal something about Uncle, who is, after all, a "scientist" -- but no. Definitely not. And the "slave" is not a cloned batcher.
A human chemist is falsely accused. In punishment, ceramic beads are sewn under her skin, like a necklace. The beads control her, and can be used to torture. Her master is the Marquis de'Sade. Three magical, monstrous, and sexy human-plant hybrids play a major role. Kind of gruesome, but funny, like a B movie or a Greek myth.
It does, perhaps, shed some light on the unique abilities and the passionate vine-love manifested by the master vintner at Irikwae, in Balance of Trade? I think his name was Ren Lar Merrileux, or something like that.
December 3, 2017
3.5 stars.
The first story is about Daav's first encounter with Juntavas boss Clarence, when they were still young. It's good to get some further background on the "understanding" between Korval and the Juntavas.
The second story is about the "Kapoori", sentient beings created decades ago specifically to tend to the vines by the House of vel'Albren. An agreement was then made between the House and these beings to co-exist in the vineyards. However, the current Head of the House wanted to get rid of them and take over and we see how the Kapoori retaliate against this threat. I don't remember if the Kapoori featured in any of the main books but they are an interesting race and I wouldn't mind reading more about them.
The first story is about Daav's first encounter with Juntavas boss Clarence, when they were still young. It's good to get some further background on the "understanding" between Korval and the Juntavas.
The second story is about the "Kapoori", sentient beings created decades ago specifically to tend to the vines by the House of vel'Albren. An agreement was then made between the House and these beings to co-exist in the vineyards. However, the current Head of the House wanted to get rid of them and take over and we see how the Kapoori retaliate against this threat. I don't remember if the Kapoori featured in any of the main books but they are an interesting race and I wouldn't mind reading more about them.
June 2, 2018
Story of how Daav and Clarence meet.
March 24, 2017
Personal memory jog
2 Liaden shorts
The Beggar King: Daav's first meeting with the new Juntavas boss on Liad, Clarence O'Berin. After the retirement of Lela Toonapple, a series of interim bosses quickly met untimely ends due to the paranoia of their superior, so the newest replacement, Clarence, is treading on thin ice on his first case. Daav, at the request of his mother, also starts looking into the matter of disappearing pilots. The search leads both of them to a low port gambling house where they work together resolve the case. Although they both like and respect each other to a degree, they know they need to keep to the non-interference agreement between Juntavas and Korval. Interesting glimpse at young (relatively) Daav and Clarence.
B
Necessary Evils: I don't even know where to start with this one. Weird, bioengineered grape vine people who tend vineyards for evil Liaden clan work together to free themselves and go on to produce terrific wine and other stuff.
C/C-
Combined grade: B/B-
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2020
I don't love short stories as a medium...
But I've been powering through the Lee and Miller backlist of Liaden short stories during the 'rona shelter in place and they've been a great relief. Everything sci-fi can and should be: hopeful, clever, positivist, multicultural, aware if the depth of time. Also, not juvenile, rooted in a sense of community and obligation. And in this compilation one of the best, cleverest single clauses I've read in an age and a Mother/Maiden/Crone story both science fiction and clever mysticism. Buy the set y'all.
But I've been powering through the Lee and Miller backlist of Liaden short stories during the 'rona shelter in place and they've been a great relief. Everything sci-fi can and should be: hopeful, clever, positivist, multicultural, aware if the depth of time. Also, not juvenile, rooted in a sense of community and obligation. And in this compilation one of the best, cleverest single clauses I've read in an age and a Mother/Maiden/Crone story both science fiction and clever mysticism. Buy the set y'all.
January 14, 2018
Excellent two stories.
The tales of the Kapori are always to be shared. I love the stories about the vines and those who watch over them.
The tales of the Kapori are always to be shared. I love the stories about the vines and those who watch over them.
December 21, 2017
Two-in-one chapbook with : "The Beggar King" and "Necessary Evils".
Lee & Miller's new publisher Baen has released short story collections gathering all the chapbooks under three collections - these two shorts appear in "A Laiden Universe Constellation 2". I would recommend buying the large collection; I bought the chapbooks before the Constellations were available. Save money and buy the lot.
The Beggar King - When Daav yos' Phelium, delm to be, meets Clarence, new Juntavas boss for Liad, and establishes the relationship that becomes important in the 2010-2015 novels - for example "Ghost Ship". Also explains how Clarence knows the house key. Starts the missing pilot storyline that continues through "Agent of Change". A very helpful read to the overall Liaden Universe. I liked the reread since remeeting Clarence in the recent books.
Necessary Evils - Weird story. Pre-Liad where the galaxy was still crazy with genetic experiments and slavery. Uncomfortable read and doesn't match much else in the Universe. More along the lines of the short story "Dragon Tide" than anything else of the Liad universe. Can easily be skipped. Although does explain some of the obsession about wine in this galaxy. Didn't like it any better the second time I read it than the first time.
Lee & Miller's new publisher Baen has released short story collections gathering all the chapbooks under three collections - these two shorts appear in "A Laiden Universe Constellation 2". I would recommend buying the large collection; I bought the chapbooks before the Constellations were available. Save money and buy the lot.
The Beggar King - When Daav yos' Phelium, delm to be, meets Clarence, new Juntavas boss for Liad, and establishes the relationship that becomes important in the 2010-2015 novels - for example "Ghost Ship". Also explains how Clarence knows the house key. Starts the missing pilot storyline that continues through "Agent of Change". A very helpful read to the overall Liaden Universe. I liked the reread since remeeting Clarence in the recent books.
Necessary Evils - Weird story. Pre-Liad where the galaxy was still crazy with genetic experiments and slavery. Uncomfortable read and doesn't match much else in the Universe. More along the lines of the short story "Dragon Tide" than anything else of the Liad universe. Can easily be skipped. Although does explain some of the obsession about wine in this galaxy. Didn't like it any better the second time I read it than the first time.
December 13, 2020
I liked the Daav and Clarence story. Really didn’t care for the second tale. It’s about characters we’ll never see again and it’s really dark.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews