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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #22
Sleeping with the Enemy
Two novelettes set on Surebleak after it has been invaded and conquered by Pat Rin yos'Phelium Clan Korval.
Each story features a young person coming to terms with the new conditions, and navigating treacherous cultural waters.
"Chimera" was first published on Baen.com in May 2015.
"Friend of a Friend" is original to this chapbook.
Each story features a young person coming to terms with the new conditions, and navigating treacherous cultural waters.
"Chimera" was first published on Baen.com in May 2015.
"Friend of a Friend" is original to this chapbook.
75 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2016
55 people are currently reading
68 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 18, 2016
Two very short stories, but very good ones. I love the "character", and honor, of Lee and Miller's characters.
August 5, 2016
This chapbook contains two novellas, "Chimera," and "Friend of a Friend." They're both set on Surebleak, and involve none of the Liaden series' major characters.
"Chimera" involves some of the smaller, more intimate aspects of Surebleak and Liadens adapting to each other. Darby's family, especially his brother Farnch, hate the Liadens and the changes they've brought. Darby isn't so sure--and even their sister Jewl wants to take advantage of their school for her twin sons. One night, Darby rescues Kez Rel ter'Ista from a street thug, and brings him home to arrange safe transportation for him. But Jewl is very ill, and Farnch is on his way home.
"Friend of a Friend" tells the story of Villy, Sticks dealer at the Emerald, and haetara at Miss Audrey's pleasure house. He has a mildly disturbing encounter at the casino, that turns alarming when the same off-world Liaden turns up as customer at Miss Audrey's--asking specifically for Villy.
These are both character-driven stories, and one of the characters is Surebleak itself. The world they live in and the clash of cultures that constitutes everyday life for both Liadens and Surebleakers affects how everyone thinks, feels, and reacts.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
"Chimera" involves some of the smaller, more intimate aspects of Surebleak and Liadens adapting to each other. Darby's family, especially his brother Farnch, hate the Liadens and the changes they've brought. Darby isn't so sure--and even their sister Jewl wants to take advantage of their school for her twin sons. One night, Darby rescues Kez Rel ter'Ista from a street thug, and brings him home to arrange safe transportation for him. But Jewl is very ill, and Farnch is on his way home.
"Friend of a Friend" tells the story of Villy, Sticks dealer at the Emerald, and haetara at Miss Audrey's pleasure house. He has a mildly disturbing encounter at the casino, that turns alarming when the same off-world Liaden turns up as customer at Miss Audrey's--asking specifically for Villy.
These are both character-driven stories, and one of the characters is Surebleak itself. The world they live in and the clash of cultures that constitutes everyday life for both Liadens and Surebleakers affects how everyone thinks, feels, and reacts.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
September 22, 2020
Both stories are set on planet Surebleak
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for CHIMERA: Darby is a native Bleaker who tries to avoid the anti-Liaden roughnecks — the ones who attacked at Sherman’s Shoot-Out in Dragon in Exile. He tries to keep the peace at home, despite a violent uncle. When his mother grows deathly ill and all seems lost, Darby meets a few kind folk from Surebleak’s new Healer Hall. This short story adds some texture to the characterization of Surebleak as the city adapts, adopts, gives and takes vis-a-vis Liadens, Scouts, etc etc.
⭐️⭐️for FRIEND OF A FRIEND: Villy works at the casino and the whorehouse. Trouble arrives — an agent of the Department, I suspect. (Adds some texture to Surebleak’s metamorphosis, but not much of a story here.)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ for CHIMERA: Darby is a native Bleaker who tries to avoid the anti-Liaden roughnecks — the ones who attacked at Sherman’s Shoot-Out in Dragon in Exile. He tries to keep the peace at home, despite a violent uncle. When his mother grows deathly ill and all seems lost, Darby meets a few kind folk from Surebleak’s new Healer Hall. This short story adds some texture to the characterization of Surebleak as the city adapts, adopts, gives and takes vis-a-vis Liadens, Scouts, etc etc.
⭐️⭐️for FRIEND OF A FRIEND: Villy works at the casino and the whorehouse. Trouble arrives — an agent of the Department, I suspect. (Adds some texture to Surebleak’s metamorphosis, but not much of a story here.)
December 17, 2017
3.5 stars.
Both of these stories occurred on Surebleak after Korval's arrival.
Chimera has been previously published and is about the displacement to Surebleak's more violent citizens and the discovery of Healing abilities of a Terran Surebleaker.
Friend of a friend is a new short story to this chapbook. It's about Villy, Quin's friend who works as the Sticks dealer at the Emerald Casino and also at Audrey's whorehouse. After Quin left for a delivery run, a strange Liaden woman first turned up at the Casino asking for Quin and then later at Audrey's wanting Villy's company....
Both of these stories occurred on Surebleak after Korval's arrival.
Chimera has been previously published and is about the displacement to Surebleak's more violent citizens and the discovery of Healing abilities of a Terran Surebleaker.
Friend of a friend is a new short story to this chapbook. It's about Villy, Quin's friend who works as the Sticks dealer at the Emerald Casino and also at Audrey's whorehouse. After Quin left for a delivery run, a strange Liaden woman first turned up at the Casino asking for Quin and then later at Audrey's wanting Villy's company....
July 23, 2016
This is the twenty second in the series of chapbooks by Lee and Miller, called Adventures in the Liaden Universe. It contains two stories. One was originally published on Baen.com (Chimera) and the other is new (Friend of a Friend).
This book shows what Lee and Miller do so well. They create characters that are so real that even a couple of short works about them and the small, but personally important events in their lives, are interesting. Yes, even though neither of these stories are about any of the major characters from the novels.
This book shows what Lee and Miller do so well. They create characters that are so real that even a couple of short works about them and the small, but personally important events in their lives, are interesting. Yes, even though neither of these stories are about any of the major characters from the novels.
July 22, 2016
More vignettes that don't quite fit in the novels:
"Chimera" introduces a new character, Darby, whose family is opposed to the Liadens moving to Surebleak and making changes. He's not so sure...
"Friend of a Friend" focusses on Villy who oversees the Sticks game in the casino and also works in Miss Audrey's house.
The Liaden books (including the short stories) have many layers, so I look forward to re-reading and seeing things that I missed the first time around.
"Chimera" introduces a new character, Darby, whose family is opposed to the Liadens moving to Surebleak and making changes. He's not so sure...
"Friend of a Friend" focusses on Villy who oversees the Sticks game in the casino and also works in Miss Audrey's house.
The Liaden books (including the short stories) have many layers, so I look forward to re-reading and seeing things that I missed the first time around.
January 22, 2018
This may be in one of the recent anthologies, but I had the chapbook edition. Good stories about Liadens on Surebleak, after Korval's move to the planet.
2018 - The stories set on Surebleak are becoming real favorites.
2018 - The stories set on Surebleak are becoming real favorites.
June 24, 2018
I think I have run out of superlatives for this series. Love them all.
September 18, 2016
Pleasingly told. . .
I've been a fan of Steve and Sharon's work since I picked up a copy of C8nflict of Honors at my local bookstore . I fell in love with Pricilla , Shan and their Tradeship Dutiful Passage . I was intrigued by their adventures , so Steve and Sharon sucked me willingly into this Liaden Universe of theirs. I have found it a rare treat when I find wordsmiths whose creations become friends whom I care about and want to KNOW what happens to them. Even better, I discovered Agent of Change, and met Val Con, Meri, Edger and his brothers . . . I was hooked and have followed the stories throughout the years since, even through the Great Drought...
I have recommended these wonderful story tellers to both my freinds and complete strangers on the aisles of bookstores . Totally worth your money !
I've been a fan of Steve and Sharon's work since I picked up a copy of C8nflict of Honors at my local bookstore . I fell in love with Pricilla , Shan and their Tradeship Dutiful Passage . I was intrigued by their adventures , so Steve and Sharon sucked me willingly into this Liaden Universe of theirs. I have found it a rare treat when I find wordsmiths whose creations become friends whom I care about and want to KNOW what happens to them. Even better, I discovered Agent of Change, and met Val Con, Meri, Edger and his brothers . . . I was hooked and have followed the stories throughout the years since, even through the Great Drought...
I have recommended these wonderful story tellers to both my freinds and complete strangers on the aisles of bookstores . Totally worth your money !
July 21, 2017
Another great read in the Liaden Universe
Great short stories, consistent and entertaining. Loved the stories, well written and intriguing. I hope that there are more about all of these characters.
Great short stories, consistent and entertaining. Loved the stories, well written and intriguing. I hope that there are more about all of these characters.
May 8, 2017
Intrique
Two Surebleak stories provide an entertaining glimpse beyond the principal characters into some of the back streets. Good quick read.
Two Surebleak stories provide an entertaining glimpse beyond the principal characters into some of the back streets. Good quick read.
July 4, 2017
I so enjoy getting more details and glimpses of life beyond just the main plot thread. And I enjoy the stories with Villy.
August 12, 2018
Great stories
Love these stories! Wish each one could be in their own full length book. They are great and only leave me wanting more!
Love these stories! Wish each one could be in their own full length book. They are great and only leave me wanting more!
September 14, 2019
Too short for the price
Good bits but for the price way overpriced. Should have been part of the original story. Feels like I just got taken, won't happen twice.
Good bits but for the price way overpriced. Should have been part of the original story. Feels like I just got taken, won't happen twice.
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August 16, 2024dnf
July 17, 2016
Worth a Read
This chapbook contains two short stories about Surebleak. Cholera has been available for a while but it is very good and deals with clashes between the old and new populations. Friend of a Friend is new story of The Department of the Interior and it's really nasty agents. Both are really good.
This chapbook contains two short stories about Surebleak. Cholera has been available for a while but it is very good and deals with clashes between the old and new populations. Friend of a Friend is new story of The Department of the Interior and it's really nasty agents. Both are really good.
July 29, 2016
I love them every one
Yes, another chapbook read, and I not-so-patiently await the arrival of number 23, which I guarantee I will purchase as well! I love every word that proceeds from the Lee-Miller collaboration, and I sincerely hope they continue to produce them in good health for many years to come.
Yes, another chapbook read, and I not-so-patiently await the arrival of number 23, which I guarantee I will purchase as well! I love every word that proceeds from the Lee-Miller collaboration, and I sincerely hope they continue to produce them in good health for many years to come.
July 29, 2016
Two short stories really, a chapbook. It is nice to see acceptance of sexual variation a normal part of this universe. I love things Liaden, but wish these had been longer. Loved the new book Alliance of Equals, even if the choice of title was a bit confusing.
August 7, 2016
Very good
Left me with more questions than answers. I very much enjoy Liaden universe in all but I can miss some of the more subtle things in the stories.
Left me with more questions than answers. I very much enjoy Liaden universe in all but I can miss some of the more subtle things in the stories.
September 18, 2016
Nice stories. Awfully short for the price
October 18, 2016
Too short but so good!
December 17, 2020
I liked the first story better than the second, mostly because it seemed to end on a more upbeat note. I enjoyed the characters and the settings for both stories, which are set on Surebleak.
April 30, 2017
Love their short cut-outs.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews