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Liaden Universe Publication Order #20
The Gathering Edge
A series milestone as we welcome the twentieth amazing entry in the nationally best-selling Liaden Universe® series.
The luck runs rough around Theo Waitley. Not only are people trying to kill her and capture the self-aware intelligent ship Bechimo to whom Theo is bonded, they’re also trying to arrest her crew members, and throw the dignity of an important passenger, the duly-constituted norbear ambassador Hevelin, into question.
No wonder Theo and her crew felt the need of a break, and retired to what Bechimo refers to as "safe space." Unfortunately, safe space may not be so safe, anymore. It seems that things are leaking through from another universe, and another time. In fact, whole spaceships are coming through. One of those ships is a blasted battleship seemingly fleeing a long-lost war. What’s more, its crew may be members of Theo’s ancient ancestral line—her relatives. It’s certain that they are in dire need of help. Theo has a choice to make. It seems that Bechimo’s “safe space” is about to become deadly perilous.
The luck runs rough around Theo Waitley. Not only are people trying to kill her and capture the self-aware intelligent ship Bechimo to whom Theo is bonded, they’re also trying to arrest her crew members, and throw the dignity of an important passenger, the duly-constituted norbear ambassador Hevelin, into question.
No wonder Theo and her crew felt the need of a break, and retired to what Bechimo refers to as "safe space." Unfortunately, safe space may not be so safe, anymore. It seems that things are leaking through from another universe, and another time. In fact, whole spaceships are coming through. One of those ships is a blasted battleship seemingly fleeing a long-lost war. What’s more, its crew may be members of Theo’s ancient ancestral line—her relatives. It’s certain that they are in dire need of help. Theo has a choice to make. It seems that Bechimo’s “safe space” is about to become deadly perilous.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
79 people are currently reading
376 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 154 reviews
September 21, 2020
Very nice! Some separate story points at different angles but primarily Theo's story. I do love the new additions to Val Con's collection and while not a cliffhanger - I do wish the final chapter involved a Surebleak debriefing or at least the content of the emails!
But it will be interesting if both Ambassador parties descend on Korval together! Poor Miri her reaction will be priceless.
But it will be interesting if both Ambassador parties descend on Korval together! Poor Miri her reaction will be priceless.
March 4, 2018
I read and listened, alternating. Good narration! Clear and easy to follow. And happily enough the plot didn't leapfrog constantly from one setting to another. Mainly, the story stayed on board the sentient ship Bechimo, with Theo, Clarence, Kara, Win Ton, Havelen the norbear, Joyita, and some guests, rescued from space. Some scenes did switch over to a distant star, to Troop ambassador Vepal and his intriguing mission. I think I can guess where all this Troop stuff is going. I anticipate its telling.
The story arc is oddly shaped, with a big event at the beginning, played out in slow tedious detail (rescue the cartwheeling jitney) followed by a midway event that should have been big but sort of collapsed into nothing (Stost in hydroponics). Suddenly the final act begins, with insufficient resolution or follow up to the 2nd event.
Arc shape: -^-----^---^
The big question left hanging: "What's in the cases?" Did it come from the vast archives of 7,000 worlds, on Loadtz? No answers provided on this ticket.
And I wonder if we might see the rear guard for Quick Passage (Jela's own troops) come through the bubble. If so, Captain Wellik won't like what he finds.
Anything could come through, though. Shereikas.
This story is a mix of mind-numbing boring, slightly heartwarming, and very innocuous (no sex scenes, no swearing, no grisly hatchet scenes). It is mildly engrossing, but (sorry) sometimes I felt bored. Too much filler. Not enough real content. It got pedantic. It's got some great moments, but it's only somewhat eventful. I expect things will accelerate in the sequel, but here, events take a long time to culminate. Definitely the various new Troop characters piqued my interest. They should add much to the sequels. Only wish Wee Tree had more to say (love the trees). Too much time on the cat, not enough time with the sentient sapling. (These authors love cats.)
Character development is coming along nicely, especially within the AI characters. Joyita is becoming more "real" and Bechimo is growing a pair, very gradually losing the fear fostered from centuries of running and hiding. If the authors aren't careful, they will make Theo into a thorough Mary-Sue. Her hair fluffing. Grr. Her relationship with Bechimo. Her careless ignorance of her brother Val Con, who has been good to her. I was amused to see Kara with her star hammer. The norbear showed his protective colors more than once (cool trick) but he's too small to hold a gun (Mouse and Dragon give norbear standard size in centimeters = 6-8 inches).
Clarence is still a favorite, and Win Ton is coming along nicely. Stost and Chernak are new, but they felt credible, as did Ambassador Vepal.
No scenes with Daav and Alliana (irritatingly long delay since they "died" about 4 books ago. It feels like the authors use them for bait but it backfired cuz I'm losing interest. Momentum has died.) I predict they will pilot Spiral Dancer, since DoI destroyed Ride the Luck (see Ghost Ship).
No scenes on Surebleak, but prolly we will all meet at Jelaza Kazone, soonest. Sequel or bust. A reunion for Troop Faithful. I hope Beautiful finally is granted a seed pod and the old journals, as promised.
Also, I hope to see a big reunion / battle conference on Surebleak, with the whole gang: Clan Korval. The growing Troop. Jeeves, his "daughter" Tocohl, Tolly Jones and Admiral Bunter (their story is still left hanging, from Alliance). Shan and Priscilla and newly-aware Padi, along with that dramliza they freed in the previous book, Alliance. And the freed DOI agents, led by Rhys (Dragon in Exile). I also expect good things from Yulie Shaper and other local heroes, including the Bedel, and taxi drivers, and kids (Syl Vor). And of course, savvy cats and sentient trees.
If it's possibilities we're talking, let's not forget the offspring of the mighty Rool Tiazan, at Erob's Clanhouse on the distant planet Lytaxin. Especially the young girl.
I don't truly think the authors will be able to pull it off in the next two books. The final two books in this sequence.
Ps. A question for the dictionary keeper: Over-Commander Jevto's facial scar is referred to as “vingtai” in this book, but in I DARE that’s the term for an Yxtrang’s facial tattoos, while the term for the scar is “nchaka” (Nelirikk had his vingtai removed in the autodoc, but kept his nchaka).
**********
Publication schedule, leading up to 😜 Neogenesis, from Lee's website:
The publication schedule (aka, when you can expect to find the following titles in stores, or on the web) for the next while looks like this:
April, 2017: “Cutting Corners,” Baen.com short story
May 2: The Gathering Edge, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, Baen & Audible
June 6: “Wise Child,” in Year’s Best Military and Adventure SF, Volume 3, Baen. Previously published in spring 2017, in "Change Management" (a short story two-fer chapbook). Features self-aware ship Disian and Tolly Jones, at Lyre Institute.
August: “Dawn’s Early Light,” in All Hail Our Robot Conquerors, Zombies Need Brains
December 15 +/-: Short Story, Baen.com
January 2, 2018: Neogenesis
TBA: “Excerpts from Two Lives,” in Ships of the Line, Baen
The story arc is oddly shaped, with a big event at the beginning, played out in slow tedious detail (rescue the cartwheeling jitney) followed by a midway event that should have been big but sort of collapsed into nothing (Stost in hydroponics). Suddenly the final act begins, with insufficient resolution or follow up to the 2nd event.
Arc shape: -^-----^---^
The big question left hanging: "What's in the cases?" Did it come from the vast archives of 7,000 worlds, on Loadtz? No answers provided on this ticket.
And I wonder if we might see the rear guard for Quick Passage (Jela's own troops) come through the bubble. If so, Captain Wellik won't like what he finds.
Anything could come through, though. Shereikas.
This story is a mix of mind-numbing boring, slightly heartwarming, and very innocuous (no sex scenes, no swearing, no grisly hatchet scenes). It is mildly engrossing, but (sorry) sometimes I felt bored. Too much filler. Not enough real content. It got pedantic. It's got some great moments, but it's only somewhat eventful. I expect things will accelerate in the sequel, but here, events take a long time to culminate. Definitely the various new Troop characters piqued my interest. They should add much to the sequels. Only wish Wee Tree had more to say (love the trees). Too much time on the cat, not enough time with the sentient sapling. (These authors love cats.)
Character development is coming along nicely, especially within the AI characters. Joyita is becoming more "real" and Bechimo is growing a pair, very gradually losing the fear fostered from centuries of running and hiding. If the authors aren't careful, they will make Theo into a thorough Mary-Sue. Her hair fluffing. Grr. Her relationship with Bechimo. Her careless ignorance of her brother Val Con, who has been good to her. I was amused to see Kara with her star hammer. The norbear showed his protective colors more than once (cool trick) but he's too small to hold a gun (Mouse and Dragon give norbear standard size in centimeters = 6-8 inches).
Clarence is still a favorite, and Win Ton is coming along nicely. Stost and Chernak are new, but they felt credible, as did Ambassador Vepal.
No scenes with Daav and Alliana (irritatingly long delay since they "died" about 4 books ago. It feels like the authors use them for bait but it backfired cuz I'm losing interest. Momentum has died.) I predict they will pilot Spiral Dancer, since DoI destroyed Ride the Luck (see Ghost Ship).
No scenes on Surebleak, but prolly we will all meet at Jelaza Kazone, soonest. Sequel or bust. A reunion for Troop Faithful. I hope Beautiful finally is granted a seed pod and the old journals, as promised.
Also, I hope to see a big reunion / battle conference on Surebleak, with the whole gang: Clan Korval. The growing Troop. Jeeves, his "daughter" Tocohl, Tolly Jones and Admiral Bunter (their story is still left hanging, from Alliance). Shan and Priscilla and newly-aware Padi, along with that dramliza they freed in the previous book, Alliance. And the freed DOI agents, led by Rhys (Dragon in Exile). I also expect good things from Yulie Shaper and other local heroes, including the Bedel, and taxi drivers, and kids (Syl Vor). And of course, savvy cats and sentient trees.
If it's possibilities we're talking, let's not forget the offspring of the mighty Rool Tiazan, at Erob's Clanhouse on the distant planet Lytaxin. Especially the young girl.
I don't truly think the authors will be able to pull it off in the next two books. The final two books in this sequence.
Ps. A question for the dictionary keeper: Over-Commander Jevto's facial scar is referred to as “vingtai” in this book, but in I DARE that’s the term for an Yxtrang’s facial tattoos, while the term for the scar is “nchaka” (Nelirikk had his vingtai removed in the autodoc, but kept his nchaka).
**********
Publication schedule, leading up to 😜 Neogenesis, from Lee's website:
The publication schedule (aka, when you can expect to find the following titles in stores, or on the web) for the next while looks like this:
April, 2017: “Cutting Corners,” Baen.com short story
May 2: The Gathering Edge, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, Baen & Audible
June 6: “Wise Child,” in Year’s Best Military and Adventure SF, Volume 3, Baen. Previously published in spring 2017, in "Change Management" (a short story two-fer chapbook). Features self-aware ship Disian and Tolly Jones, at Lyre Institute.
August: “Dawn’s Early Light,” in All Hail Our Robot Conquerors, Zombies Need Brains
December 15 +/-: Short Story, Baen.com
January 2, 2018: Neogenesis
TBA: “Excerpts from Two Lives,” in Ships of the Line, Baen
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2024
I was fussing around, trying to find something I was excited to read. Of course the books coming due at the library or my book club selection had little to no appeal. I grabbed the next Liaden book from my book cart and it was just the thing.
It is always a pleasure to spend time with Theo Waitley and her ship Bechimo. Bechimo is a sophisticated AI and thus a character in its own right. But this universe is hostile to artificial intelligence and the luck runs roughly around this pair. Theo has an excellent crew, tough, smart, and loyal. Bechimo has returned them to one of its favourite quiet places to regroup. Earlier, a ship registered to one of Theo's ancestors appeared in this location. It appears that this spot is the gathering edge of the universe, gathering items from elsewhere. They have secured the empty ship for transport, as it was devoid of crew, unless you count a tree very like the one which has grown to be a symbol of Clan Korval. Thus they acquire a giddy tree in their hydroponic bay.
Suddenly, another ancient ship in distress arrives from the old universe. The only survivors on board are two proto-Yxtrang and one ship's cat. Shortly, Theo has an extremely varied selection of beings under her care and command. The two refugee Yxtrang must learn to communicate in modern languages and make decisions about their future. They are understandably worried and uncertain of Theo's plans for them. She, however, is determined to treat them as guests, not prisoners, to their amazement.
Since the Department of the Interior seems to still be in pursuit of any member of Korval, Theo must plan next moves carefully. Theo, being the honourable person that she is, is unwilling to leave a friend in a bad place and must teach Bechimo to properly evaluate risk, something the ship is strongly averse to. But Theo is Korval—she is a talented pilot and not going to back down from challenges. Similar to good urban fantasy, Theo is assembling her crew, chosen family. Whether she realizes it or not, this is typical Korval behaviour.
These plot lines are much too numerous and complicated to be resolved in one book. I can hardly wait to read the next one!
Book number 515 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
It is always a pleasure to spend time with Theo Waitley and her ship Bechimo. Bechimo is a sophisticated AI and thus a character in its own right. But this universe is hostile to artificial intelligence and the luck runs roughly around this pair. Theo has an excellent crew, tough, smart, and loyal. Bechimo has returned them to one of its favourite quiet places to regroup. Earlier, a ship registered to one of Theo's ancestors appeared in this location. It appears that this spot is the gathering edge of the universe, gathering items from elsewhere. They have secured the empty ship for transport, as it was devoid of crew, unless you count a tree very like the one which has grown to be a symbol of Clan Korval. Thus they acquire a giddy tree in their hydroponic bay.
Suddenly, another ancient ship in distress arrives from the old universe. The only survivors on board are two proto-Yxtrang and one ship's cat. Shortly, Theo has an extremely varied selection of beings under her care and command. The two refugee Yxtrang must learn to communicate in modern languages and make decisions about their future. They are understandably worried and uncertain of Theo's plans for them. She, however, is determined to treat them as guests, not prisoners, to their amazement.
Since the Department of the Interior seems to still be in pursuit of any member of Korval, Theo must plan next moves carefully. Theo, being the honourable person that she is, is unwilling to leave a friend in a bad place and must teach Bechimo to properly evaluate risk, something the ship is strongly averse to. But Theo is Korval—she is a talented pilot and not going to back down from challenges. Similar to good urban fantasy, Theo is assembling her crew, chosen family. Whether she realizes it or not, this is typical Korval behaviour.
These plot lines are much too numerous and complicated to be resolved in one book. I can hardly wait to read the next one!
Book number 515 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
March 7, 2024
At this rate, I'll be long-gone before we get to any resolution in this series. I feel like each installment just adds more questions to the mix and answers non.
There's a reference to the YXstrang ambassador, from "Agent of Change" which was kind of neat.
It seems apparent than more than meets the eye is going on in Eylot, from Theo's earlier days.
A character who was just an ass in a previous book may be more of a villain than I thought.
That's pretty much it. Yes, there seems to be some "news from the past" making itself known, which may play into something in the future, but at the rate we're going, we may get there in 10 or 15 more books.
There's a reference to the YXstrang ambassador, from "Agent of Change" which was kind of neat.
It seems apparent than more than meets the eye is going on in Eylot, from Theo's earlier days.
A character who was just an ass in a previous book may be more of a villain than I thought.
That's pretty much it. Yes, there seems to be some "news from the past" making itself known, which may play into something in the future, but at the rate we're going, we may get there in 10 or 15 more books.
May 16, 2020
So awesome, totally enjoyable!
April 9, 2018
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
This book is definitely a meat and potatoes, middle of a longer story arc kind of book. There are so many story arcs in play in the wide Liaden universe that involve members of Korval that it takes some focus to keep track of them. I really enjoyed reading all the threads but would never recommend jumping into the series here. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are Ambitious! Their Liaden Universe is complex and holds a big story. I really admire their skill and am glad I’ve been collecting all the books and short stories as they come out because it’s pure pleasure to go back and re-read parts of the tale.
I read this last year and again today as part of an Alliance of Equals, The Gathering Edge, Neogenesis arc. That was satisfying.
This book is definitely a meat and potatoes, middle of a longer story arc kind of book. There are so many story arcs in play in the wide Liaden universe that involve members of Korval that it takes some focus to keep track of them. I really enjoyed reading all the threads but would never recommend jumping into the series here. Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are Ambitious! Their Liaden Universe is complex and holds a big story. I really admire their skill and am glad I’ve been collecting all the books and short stories as they come out because it’s pure pleasure to go back and re-read parts of the tale.
I read this last year and again today as part of an Alliance of Equals, The Gathering Edge, Neogenesis arc. That was satisfying.
November 23, 2018
This is a relatively recent installment in the wonderful Liaden Universe books. Though not quite my favorite volume in the saga, "The Gathering Edge" comes close to that high mark. It is a joy, nothing less, to spend time with these characters. This book is comparatively light on action scenes, but rich in character moments. Characters both new and familiar are revealed with grace, heart, and skill. The worth of the main characters, and their care for one another is very nicely shown. I especially liked the treatment of Hevelin, the sentient but non-talking norbear, and of Grakow the cat, and of how the other characters react to Hevelin and Grakow.
I highly recommended these books, but would not particularly recommend this a starting point. It's a workable starting point, but I think readers would do better to start either at "Necessity's Child" (if seeking a relatively recent entry point to the books), or all the way back at "Conflict of Honors" (if seeking a relatively old entry point).
I highly recommended these books, but would not particularly recommend this a starting point. It's a workable starting point, but I think readers would do better to start either at "Necessity's Child" (if seeking a relatively recent entry point to the books), or all the way back at "Conflict of Honors" (if seeking a relatively old entry point).
April 21, 2017
I stayed up way too late reading the e-arc. Was pleasantly surprised that it was a Theo story!!! I thought we had another year to wait~ I can't think of anything about this book that was bad, everything was awesome, at times, epic, and always entertaining.
May 12, 2024
Want to know what's in those mysterious boxes the Xtrang refugees haul on board Bechimo? Want to know anything about how and why the Primadonna came to be seized by Minot Station? Want to know what's in the mysterious cargo pod from Primadonna that the Bechimo takes on? Seeing as he toddles offstage as soon as Bechimo makes it's next port, are you wondering why the rescue of the Primadonna's detained pilot is even in this story, except to add at least A LITTLE suspense to the episode? Sing for it...the authors aren't going to tell you here. Having spent the best part of three reading days on another exercise in stringing readers along through hundreds of pages of nonessential details and overly prolonged conversations, I'm about done with skimming thousands of wasted words in search of a story that could have been told in maybe a hundred pages at most. Life is just too short.
February 7, 2017
Excellent space opera! The story line stays close to Theo most of the time, which makes it easier to follow than some of the other Liaden Universe books. There is NO need to have read the previous Theo books, and I like the way that just enough background was woven into the story right where it was needed so that those new to the series or those with poor memories won't be lost.
This was the eARC. I suspect very few changes between this and the official first edition. Spelling and grammar are strong, although sometimes characters speak in dialects and there are words and phrases from other languages.
I'll be rereading this one in a few months, and eagerly await the next volume, due out in about a year.
This was the eARC. I suspect very few changes between this and the official first edition. Spelling and grammar are strong, although sometimes characters speak in dialects and there are words and phrases from other languages.
I'll be rereading this one in a few months, and eagerly await the next volume, due out in about a year.
February 8, 2017
Finally, finally, finally we're back with Theo and the mysterious arrival of Cantra's Spiral Dance and the tiny Tree! Also more Yxtrang, more history, more glimpses of the wider political goings-on, more about norbears... :)
I really, really enjoyed this -- am in mid-re-read now. I admit, I look forward with a great deal of anticipation to what I expect to be the
I really, really enjoyed this -- am in mid-re-read now. I admit, I look forward with a great deal of anticipation to what I expect to be the
August 21, 2021
The plotting in this one is dynamite. Important developments take place in this novel concerning the Yxstrang people and the personhood of AI beings -- here, in the character of Joylita, Bechimo's communications officer. Ambassador Hevelin lets us learn more about norbears, and we see the excitable sapling from Spiral Dance once again.
So, yes, it's a Theo book! Yet amazingly, for book #20 in the series, the novel is as the title suggests a precursor for conflicts to come as readers prepare for a new phase in Clan Korval's history.
So, yes, it's a Theo book! Yet amazingly, for book #20 in the series, the novel is as the title suggests a precursor for conflicts to come as readers prepare for a new phase in Clan Korval's history.
May 30, 2017
This one didn’t really work for me. What I wanted was some sort of resolution (or at least progression) on the plot threads left dangling from previous books. What I got was Theo and crew hanging around on their ship in space. For a whole book. YMMV, but I wish I’d waited for the next book and then read both THE GATHERING EDGE and the sequel in one go (because things have to happen in the next book, surely?).
June 9, 2017
Joy and Bliss ... A further Lee and Miller addition to the Liaden Universe series.
Love Theo Waitley and her A1 ship Bechimo! The endeavours of A1 Joyita to become more human like are interesting. And then there's the baby tree!
The entry of two Pathfinders adds spice.
This series is so-o-o addictive!
Now I have to wait for the next one. Sigh!
Love Theo Waitley and her A1 ship Bechimo! The endeavours of A1 Joyita to become more human like are interesting. And then there's the baby tree!
The entry of two Pathfinders adds spice.
This series is so-o-o addictive!
Now I have to wait for the next one. Sigh!
August 6, 2025
[2025] enjoyable
October 8, 2017
As always, I finish the book too fast. I never want them to end. But, it's only a few months until the next one's out. Whew! I love this series!
December 31, 2024
The 20th Liaden Universe book focuses on Theo Waitley and her sentient ship Bechimo. They are in a far distant part of the galaxy in what Bechimo says is a safe place. However, they are in a location where flotsam from the destruction of the Old World keeps appearing. It isn't so bad when it is a teacup, but when Cantra yos'Phelium's empty ship appears that is something else. Especially when the only living thing on the ship is a tree much like Korval's tree strapped into the pilot's sear. Theo is determined to bring it to the Delm of Korval who is also her brother and his lifemate.
They are just making plans to safely attach the ship when another large mass of wreckage appears. This one holds survivors including two Yxtrang on a secret mission and a ship's cat. Stost and Chernak are both surprised and dismayed to find that they have appeared in the new world hundreds of years after their expected arrival. Theo and her crew are also in a bit of a dilemma about what they should do with these two. Win Ton is all in favor of dumping them on the nearest Scout base for the Scouts to deal with. Theo wants the give them better options. It was interesting to learn what the Yxtrang were like in the old world which is very different than what the scattered remnants that came to the new world became.
This is a quieter story than many in this series. It deals more with Theo and Bechimo coming to terms with their bonding which has changed each of them greatly than it does epic battles. The closest thing to an epic battle is an incipient riot on a space station when Theo and crew try to get her old mentor out of a jam. Their encounter with Scouts who want to confiscate Bechimo for being an artifact of Old Tech could have developed more but quick thinking threw the problem onto Val Con yos'Phelium's shoulders and will probably be resolved in the next book.
It was nice catching up with Theo who we first met in Fledgling (2009), but I'll admit I miss knowing what is happening on Surebleak with those nearer to Korval. Theo thinks of herself as a Terran and a child of Delgado. In fact, I found it amusing that she thought that she might have to take care of her brother Val Con, a very competent person, but is content to leave him in the hands of his very competent mate Miri. She is having some trouble finding her place in regards to Korval. Korval has claimed her but she is finding the fit a little tight.
I enjoyed this story. It makes me want to go back and read all of Theo's story again.
They are just making plans to safely attach the ship when another large mass of wreckage appears. This one holds survivors including two Yxtrang on a secret mission and a ship's cat. Stost and Chernak are both surprised and dismayed to find that they have appeared in the new world hundreds of years after their expected arrival. Theo and her crew are also in a bit of a dilemma about what they should do with these two. Win Ton is all in favor of dumping them on the nearest Scout base for the Scouts to deal with. Theo wants the give them better options. It was interesting to learn what the Yxtrang were like in the old world which is very different than what the scattered remnants that came to the new world became.
This is a quieter story than many in this series. It deals more with Theo and Bechimo coming to terms with their bonding which has changed each of them greatly than it does epic battles. The closest thing to an epic battle is an incipient riot on a space station when Theo and crew try to get her old mentor out of a jam. Their encounter with Scouts who want to confiscate Bechimo for being an artifact of Old Tech could have developed more but quick thinking threw the problem onto Val Con yos'Phelium's shoulders and will probably be resolved in the next book.
It was nice catching up with Theo who we first met in Fledgling (2009), but I'll admit I miss knowing what is happening on Surebleak with those nearer to Korval. Theo thinks of herself as a Terran and a child of Delgado. In fact, I found it amusing that she thought that she might have to take care of her brother Val Con, a very competent person, but is content to leave him in the hands of his very competent mate Miri. She is having some trouble finding her place in regards to Korval. Korval has claimed her but she is finding the fit a little tight.
I enjoyed this story. It makes me want to go back and read all of Theo's story again.
May 11, 2017
If I had not personally met the authors I would swear the books in this series are written by a group of different people. There is such a dichotomy in writing styles between the books. I love the world created and some of the writing. You have the books written with great understanding, feeling and humor Local Custom, Fledgling and Saltation come to mind. You have the war books like Crystal Dragon where you get to the pinnacle of the book and a main character is nobling sacrificing himself and you yawn as you turn the page because you have no emotional investment in the character. You have Plan B where you are totally committed to the action and the characters. You have really fast paced battle sequences Plan B and Dragon Ship where you are almost dizzy with all the action and techno speak. Finally there are books like Trade Secret where you are put to sleep by minutia.
The Gathering Edge had some moments from several of these styles. It was a very intimate look at life on board ship, Bechimo and the interactions of the crew and some new passengers. In bringing on board the new passengers you had a new language introduced and the authors spent a lot of time with the concept of communication difficulties and learning abilities of the participants. For me the best parts of the book revolved around the 2 ambassadors and the possible story line convergence, alas to be in a future book, hopefully. Finally you see Theo in the role of rescuer again, putting ship, crew and their future in danger to rescue a former mentor.
As normal with these authors in their later books, there is no closure or resolution of any of the threads left to dangle…But the possibilities, oh the possibilities.
The Gathering Edge had some moments from several of these styles. It was a very intimate look at life on board ship, Bechimo and the interactions of the crew and some new passengers. In bringing on board the new passengers you had a new language introduced and the authors spent a lot of time with the concept of communication difficulties and learning abilities of the participants. For me the best parts of the book revolved around the 2 ambassadors and the possible story line convergence, alas to be in a future book, hopefully. Finally you see Theo in the role of rescuer again, putting ship, crew and their future in danger to rescue a former mentor.
As normal with these authors in their later books, there is no closure or resolution of any of the threads left to dangle…But the possibilities, oh the possibilities.
March 6, 2025
3.5 stars.
March 2025 - re-listened. I do find myself liking the adult Theo much better than the younger version.
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July 2023 - re-listened.
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Dec 2022 - re-listened.
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Re-listened in Sep 2021. I have never really enjoyed the Theo Waitley storyline as you can see from my review back in 2017 below. And I deliberately avoided her books with this revisit. However, this book does provide a bit of a lynchpin in the ongoing saga playing out in the other spaces.
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Not as good as the previous book,
I did find some parts a bit draggy but overall still quite riveting. I'm really looking forward to seeing what's going to happen back on Surebleak.
March 2025 - re-listened. I do find myself liking the adult Theo much better than the younger version.
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July 2023 - re-listened.
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Dec 2022 - re-listened.
_______________
Re-listened in Sep 2021. I have never really enjoyed the Theo Waitley storyline as you can see from my review back in 2017 below. And I deliberately avoided her books with this revisit. However, this book does provide a bit of a lynchpin in the ongoing saga playing out in the other spaces.
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Not as good as the previous book,
I did find some parts a bit draggy but overall still quite riveting. I'm really looking forward to seeing what's going to happen back on Surebleak.
February 13, 2017
My weariness with the franchise continues.
However, I bit and bought the e-arc. I'm on chapter 27 of 39 and although a LOT COULD be said to be happening, the kinds of issues addressed by the text continues to be at this level of relentless detail:
"He turned as if to sit down, paused—and flung himself into his chair in full emergency haste. Win Ton came half out of his seat in response, then sank back as Joyita spun and smiled gently upon the bridge."
at least I won't have to keep waiting for it to come out...if I get through it
However, I bit and bought the e-arc. I'm on chapter 27 of 39 and although a LOT COULD be said to be happening, the kinds of issues addressed by the text continues to be at this level of relentless detail:
"He turned as if to sit down, paused—and flung himself into his chair in full emergency haste. Win Ton came half out of his seat in response, then sank back as Joyita spun and smiled gently upon the bridge."
at least I won't have to keep waiting for it to come out...if I get through it
May 4, 2020
Sigh, I finished the book and the next one won't be out for a while. Another wonderful book in the Liaden Universe.
05/24/2018: Starting this book again. So good. It amazes me that a series can be this consistently good.
05/04/2020: I finished this again. I am re-reading this series in anticipation of Trader's Leap coming out later in the year.
05/24/2018: Starting this book again. So good. It amazes me that a series can be this consistently good.
05/04/2020: I finished this again. I am re-reading this series in anticipation of Trader's Leap coming out later in the year.
February 24, 2017
It was good to see Theo again! I still wish she hadn't bonded with Bechimo.
May 12, 2017
Theo Waitley and her intelligent, self-aware ship, Bechimo, are still looking for the proper balance between them, even as they try to make the best choices in a galaxy where it seems everyone is out to get them. Both the Scouts and rather darker forces want to seize Bechimo; various powers want to arrest various members of her crew, and of course Theo has learned she has an unlooked-for connection to Clan Korval, a connection which possibly brings her allies, but certainly makes her a target.
So she and Bechimo have temporarily retreated to his "safe space," which has been essentially a dead zone. Now, though, things are leaking through there, from another galaxy, or another universe.
The latest thing to "leak through" is a badly damage, large spaceship. The ship is seemingly a derelict, and there are only three survivors on board.
And two of those survivors may be members of Theo's ancestral line, her own family.
With assorted people after Theo, Bechimo, some of their crew members, and even Hevelin, the duly constituted norbear Ambassador, even Bechimo's "safe space" isn't, very. When the pilot who guided Theo through earning her First Pilot rating gets caught in a trap intended to relieve him of his ship and reputation, Theo has to act.
It's compelling watching Theo and Bechimo work out their relationship, even while those around them, or rather on Bechimo, also work out whether Theo needs support or rescuing. The character development is artfully and effectively done, the world-building is very good, and the plot moves along very effectively.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
So she and Bechimo have temporarily retreated to his "safe space," which has been essentially a dead zone. Now, though, things are leaking through there, from another galaxy, or another universe.
The latest thing to "leak through" is a badly damage, large spaceship. The ship is seemingly a derelict, and there are only three survivors on board.
And two of those survivors may be members of Theo's ancestral line, her own family.
With assorted people after Theo, Bechimo, some of their crew members, and even Hevelin, the duly constituted norbear Ambassador, even Bechimo's "safe space" isn't, very. When the pilot who guided Theo through earning her First Pilot rating gets caught in a trap intended to relieve him of his ship and reputation, Theo has to act.
It's compelling watching Theo and Bechimo work out their relationship, even while those around them, or rather on Bechimo, also work out whether Theo needs support or rescuing. The character development is artfully and effectively done, the world-building is very good, and the plot moves along very effectively.
Recommended.
I bought this audiobook.
October 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this installment. Lee and Miller manage to combine a space adventure with the feel of slice-of-life, like we're all just experiencing what it would be like to live in this way. The Gathering Edge really flows, mainly because we're almost always sticking with Theo and her crew. The story starts in that hidden part of space where items occasionally drift in from other universes, and rather than a teapot, we get a starship. If you're looking for a Liaden Universe entry point, it would make more sense to back up to the beginning of the Theo arc.
May 29, 2018
Pretty satisfying addition to the series. Not as good as the main books in the series (Agent of Change through I Dare) but I felt like we got a fairly good handle on Theo , Win Ton and Bechimo. This was mostly a things are moving along book.
September 16, 2017
ebook
A-
Not a review--my personal memory jogs:
There are a lot of open Liaden storylines at this point, but this book is pretty much entirely focused on Theo Waitley/Bechimo.
When we last saw Theo & Co., they were essentially hiding out in one of Bechimo's safe spots. Fortunately/unfortunately this was the spot where a lot of old universe items would slip thru. While there, Cantra's old ship (Spiral Dance) came thru (complete with a small offspring of Jela's tree) and Theo decided to attach it as a pod to Bechimo. Right after, a shattered ship came thru, the remains of a transport whose only remaining live passengers were two "ancient" Yxtrang on a mission and the ship's cat. After a difficult rescue, all three boarded Bechimo and Theo decided it was time to make tracks.
Although Theo had been requested (repeatedly) to return to Surebleak, they detoured, ostensibly so Theo could find a relatively safe place to leave the Yxtrang. This put them in a position to save Theo's old boss, Rig Tranza, who apparently had been doublecrossed by his Hugglelans employers.
A lot of stuff happened in this book and, yet, not a lot happened. We see a lot of how the Bechimo crew is settling in to their roles, including Theo and her bonding with Bechimo--which, interestingly, does not include Joyita, who is becoming his own person. Chernak and Stost are brought up to speed on the new universe and start to settle in with the crew--once they are more reassured about the nature of Bechimo. Seriously, it's a joy to watch their interactions, especially their deference to Grakow the cat. And Hevelin--what a hoot. He's intrigued by the new passengers--Yxtrang, cat, and tree. But we also see more depth to the old norbear, and he demonstrates several times that's he's more than capable of defending himself and the crew. (An armed Hevelin on the Minot dock is a scene I won't forget.)
At the end of the book, the Liaden Scouts who are seeking old tech and want to take possession of/destroy Bechimo make an appearance and try to force Win Ton to honor his sick/dying promise to assist them. Theo is able to temporarily thwart them when they agree to defer judgement to a higher authority within the Scouts. Theo chooses Val Con as that authority and they agree to meet at Surebleak.
The only other POV in the book are brief scenes with an Yxtrang ambassador. We find out that this ambassador is a former explorer and hero who has made discoveries that lead him to believe the Yxtrang of today have lost their way and deviated from the purpose originally set to them. He was given funds and the task to find someone/a group of someones the Yxtrang could ally themselves with in order to fulfill this ancient purpose. In reality, the ambassador realizes that he was simply fobbed off and sent on a wild goose chase of sorts to get him out of the way. He was too renowned to simply bump off, so he was sent away, hopefully to die somewhere remote. When bombs are found on his ship, he realizes his detractors are willing to actively take steps to achieve this. After further research, he learns of former Yxtrang in the service of Korval on Surebleak so he decides to head there to investigate, thus setting up one of a series of interesting meetings for Val Con in a future book.
As noted previously, not a lot really happens with this book. It mostly sets the stage for some future developments. We don't see anything of Daav and Aeliana, the Uncle, Haz & Admiral Bunter, any of the Korval/Surebleak characters, etc. There are a lot of loose threads that need to come together at some point. Despite this, I enjoyed this book and wouldn't classify it as filler. That said, how will I be able to wait 'til next January for Neogenesis? For starters, I'll listen to the TGE audiobook when it comes out and maybe re-read some of the other books as a refresher.
Audiobook
I'm glad I read the ebook first because I didn't enjoy the audio nearly as much--on its own, I'd probably have given it a B-/C+. One of the biggest problems was the narrator, Eileen Stevens. She's not one of my favorite narrators to start with, but she was mostly OK with the earlier Theo Waitley books. Or maybe I just got used to her since I listened to them relatively close together. But I thought the performance here was weak and lifeless. I had a problem staying alert listening to her. She doesn't have a wide range of voices, either male or female. Most of the time, it was difficult to differentiate between Kara and Theo, two young women, unless told. And she doesn't do a particularly good job with male voices, either. And the Yxtrang--all of them, men and women, are big, tough warriors but they had such wimpy voices. It was so disconcerting--sorta like when you heard Tom Selleck as Magnum, PI, when you expected one thing based on his macho appearance and then got something else entirely when he opened his mouth. Maybe I love this series too much, and that's why I'm so hard to please with the narrators (I'm not very keen on the whiny-voiced Kevin T. Close, either). Oh, on top of everything else, she mispronounced a lot of words. :-(
A-
Not a review--my personal memory jogs:
There are a lot of open Liaden storylines at this point, but this book is pretty much entirely focused on Theo Waitley/Bechimo.
When we last saw Theo & Co., they were essentially hiding out in one of Bechimo's safe spots. Fortunately/unfortunately this was the spot where a lot of old universe items would slip thru. While there, Cantra's old ship (Spiral Dance) came thru (complete with a small offspring of Jela's tree) and Theo decided to attach it as a pod to Bechimo. Right after, a shattered ship came thru, the remains of a transport whose only remaining live passengers were two "ancient" Yxtrang on a mission and the ship's cat. After a difficult rescue, all three boarded Bechimo and Theo decided it was time to make tracks.
Although Theo had been requested (repeatedly) to return to Surebleak, they detoured, ostensibly so Theo could find a relatively safe place to leave the Yxtrang. This put them in a position to save Theo's old boss, Rig Tranza, who apparently had been doublecrossed by his Hugglelans employers.
A lot of stuff happened in this book and, yet, not a lot happened. We see a lot of how the Bechimo crew is settling in to their roles, including Theo and her bonding with Bechimo--which, interestingly, does not include Joyita, who is becoming his own person. Chernak and Stost are brought up to speed on the new universe and start to settle in with the crew--once they are more reassured about the nature of Bechimo. Seriously, it's a joy to watch their interactions, especially their deference to Grakow the cat. And Hevelin--what a hoot. He's intrigued by the new passengers--Yxtrang, cat, and tree. But we also see more depth to the old norbear, and he demonstrates several times that's he's more than capable of defending himself and the crew. (An armed Hevelin on the Minot dock is a scene I won't forget.)
At the end of the book, the Liaden Scouts who are seeking old tech and want to take possession of/destroy Bechimo make an appearance and try to force Win Ton to honor his sick/dying promise to assist them. Theo is able to temporarily thwart them when they agree to defer judgement to a higher authority within the Scouts. Theo chooses Val Con as that authority and they agree to meet at Surebleak.
The only other POV in the book are brief scenes with an Yxtrang ambassador. We find out that this ambassador is a former explorer and hero who has made discoveries that lead him to believe the Yxtrang of today have lost their way and deviated from the purpose originally set to them. He was given funds and the task to find someone/a group of someones the Yxtrang could ally themselves with in order to fulfill this ancient purpose. In reality, the ambassador realizes that he was simply fobbed off and sent on a wild goose chase of sorts to get him out of the way. He was too renowned to simply bump off, so he was sent away, hopefully to die somewhere remote. When bombs are found on his ship, he realizes his detractors are willing to actively take steps to achieve this. After further research, he learns of former Yxtrang in the service of Korval on Surebleak so he decides to head there to investigate, thus setting up one of a series of interesting meetings for Val Con in a future book.
As noted previously, not a lot really happens with this book. It mostly sets the stage for some future developments. We don't see anything of Daav and Aeliana, the Uncle, Haz & Admiral Bunter, any of the Korval/Surebleak characters, etc. There are a lot of loose threads that need to come together at some point. Despite this, I enjoyed this book and wouldn't classify it as filler. That said, how will I be able to wait 'til next January for Neogenesis? For starters, I'll listen to the TGE audiobook when it comes out and maybe re-read some of the other books as a refresher.
Audiobook
I'm glad I read the ebook first because I didn't enjoy the audio nearly as much--on its own, I'd probably have given it a B-/C+. One of the biggest problems was the narrator, Eileen Stevens. She's not one of my favorite narrators to start with, but she was mostly OK with the earlier Theo Waitley books. Or maybe I just got used to her since I listened to them relatively close together. But I thought the performance here was weak and lifeless. I had a problem staying alert listening to her. She doesn't have a wide range of voices, either male or female. Most of the time, it was difficult to differentiate between Kara and Theo, two young women, unless told. And she doesn't do a particularly good job with male voices, either. And the Yxtrang--all of them, men and women, are big, tough warriors but they had such wimpy voices. It was so disconcerting--sorta like when you heard Tom Selleck as Magnum, PI, when you expected one thing based on his macho appearance and then got something else entirely when he opened his mouth. Maybe I love this series too much, and that's why I'm so hard to please with the narrators (I'm not very keen on the whiny-voiced Kevin T. Close, either). Oh, on top of everything else, she mispronounced a lot of words. :-(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2017
Another chapter in the Saga of Theo!
Very, very satisfying to get more about my favorite character, Theo. Now waiting with bated breath for the next installment.
Very, very satisfying to get more about my favorite character, Theo. Now waiting with bated breath for the next installment.
May 20, 2017
This is part of a very long series from the Liaden Universe. The early novels in this series tended to be fairly self-contained, with a plot consisting of a central problem or problems that were largely resolved by end of story. In the process, a number of likable characters were introduced and developed and the details of this complex fantasy universe were revealed.
Over time, the novels began to stretch out the plots, moving to developing more complicated scenarios that did not resolve in the space of a single book. A story arc would take two, three, or more books to finish. New characters would be introduced as minor characters in one book and then emerge as important to the plot a couple books down the line. And now, with this one, it seems there was no internal plot at all. The central characters go about their lives, a few new characters appear but some of those never actually intersect with the main action. It was like watching an episode of a soap opera, in which it is assumed that in fact nothing ever will be resolved and you are just along for the ride.
For me, fully familiar with the universe and characters, the soap opera is fine. I enjoyed spending a little time in a universe I like. That is why I gave this a reasonable number of stars. For those unfamiliar with the universe - I recommend going back and reading the early novels first. Otherwise this one will make no sense to you at all.
Over time, the novels began to stretch out the plots, moving to developing more complicated scenarios that did not resolve in the space of a single book. A story arc would take two, three, or more books to finish. New characters would be introduced as minor characters in one book and then emerge as important to the plot a couple books down the line. And now, with this one, it seems there was no internal plot at all. The central characters go about their lives, a few new characters appear but some of those never actually intersect with the main action. It was like watching an episode of a soap opera, in which it is assumed that in fact nothing ever will be resolved and you are just along for the ride.
For me, fully familiar with the universe and characters, the soap opera is fine. I enjoyed spending a little time in a universe I like. That is why I gave this a reasonable number of stars. For those unfamiliar with the universe - I recommend going back and reading the early novels first. Otherwise this one will make no sense to you at all.
June 19, 2017
I enjoyed the earlier books in the Liaden Universe, Agent of Change through Plan B or I Dare. The Theo Waitley books plotlines bore me. I just don't care about artificial intelligences and all of the random people Theo manages to find to live on her ship.
Frankly, Gathering Edge bored me and felt like filler. NOTHING HAPPENED. We get 2 X Strain from hundreds/thousands of years ago coming through to a new universe. They have to learn a new language and get up to date on the history they missed. Oh, and here's another of Korval's Trees! It gives Theo a seed pod. Yawn.
They basically hide around a planet, then decide to go to a port to get news. Then they decide to rescue a pilot Theo used to know, who was abandoned by his company and robbed by his co-pilot.
The only interesting part of the book was when Theo tells the Scouts to meet her on Surebleak in 12 days to put the question of whether Bechimo should be destroyed as an artificial intelligence before Val Con, Delm of Clan Korval, and Scout Commander.
The Scouts don't like this since of course, Clan Korval was thrown off of Liad but Val Con's rank was never taken from him.
So maybe in the next book we'll finally get back to the main branch of Clan Korval on Surebleak. I just don't find Theo's plotline interesting. This is not a re-read for me, ever.
Frankly, Gathering Edge bored me and felt like filler. NOTHING HAPPENED. We get 2 X Strain from hundreds/thousands of years ago coming through to a new universe. They have to learn a new language and get up to date on the history they missed. Oh, and here's another of Korval's Trees! It gives Theo a seed pod. Yawn.
They basically hide around a planet, then decide to go to a port to get news. Then they decide to rescue a pilot Theo used to know, who was abandoned by his company and robbed by his co-pilot.
The only interesting part of the book was when Theo tells the Scouts to meet her on Surebleak in 12 days to put the question of whether Bechimo should be destroyed as an artificial intelligence before Val Con, Delm of Clan Korval, and Scout Commander.
The Scouts don't like this since of course, Clan Korval was thrown off of Liad but Val Con's rank was never taken from him.
So maybe in the next book we'll finally get back to the main branch of Clan Korval on Surebleak. I just don't find Theo's plotline interesting. This is not a re-read for me, ever.
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