Cultivar

Adventures in the Liaden Universe #25

by Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

This chapbook contains two tales from the Liaden Universe®: short story "Out of True," and novelette "The Rifle's First Wife." "Out of True" is a first contact story that takes place around the time of Balance of Trade and Trade Secrets. "The Rifle's First Wife" takes place soon after Korval's relocation to Surebleak, and explores the necessity for society to adjust to new realities, and a new culture. Both stories were previously published in A Liaden Universe® Constellation, Volume 3, from Baen Books, August 2015.

Genres: Science Fiction

81 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 28, 2017

About the author

Sharon Lee has been married to her first husband for more than half her lifetime; she is a friend to cats, a member of the National Carousel Association, and oversees the dubious investment schemes of an improbable number of stuffed animals.

Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.

With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.

Reviews

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The first story "Out of True" is about the Norbears and how they become Interstellar Travelers. Cute.

The second story "The Rifle's First Wife" is about Diglon Rifle, one of the Yxtrang who became part of Miri's "troops". This story takes place on Surebleak after he won a card-playing competition and needed help dressing for a night of celebration at Audrey's whorehouse. Alara, ex-Scout and current biologist for Korval, was roped in to help him dress. She's also under order from her own Delm to produce a child and so is looking at prospects on Surebleak.... The story ended a bit abruptly at this point and I can't remember if Diglon and Alara are shown as a couple in the main books but it would have been interesting to see their relationship develop a bit further here.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first story was good, but was missing something when formatted into an ebook - breaks between scenes would have been good. It was confusing the way it jumped around seemingly in mid-paragraph at times.

I liked the second story a lot more, but again it ended too abruptly. It seems obvious at the end of the story that Diglon is being considered as the father of a future child and possibly more. I would totally be on board with that, as he is a delightful character. I just want to know how they will get past the obstacle that he is not of Liaden blood, even though he is of clan Korval. Alara's father, the delm, seemed to indicate that good lines were required for the future heir.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[Thannasset · Rating 4 out of 5]

More fun, as usual.

I enjoy the Liaden Universe stories, and these little shorts giving background to the main novels are fun. Hope you read and agree.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two wonderful stories from the Liaden Universe. Both have appeared elsewhere, previously, but are here together in their own chapbook, finally. "The Rifle's First Wife" tells the story of how Diglon Rifle is adjusting to a life with choices that don't always include guns and Troop, while Korval and its household are also having to learn to adjust to the very different requirements of Surebleak. An excellent story that helps flesh out a character that really needed more than a casual mention.

"Out of True" is set earlier in the Liaden timeline, around the time of the Trade duo. It tells the story of the first contact between Liadens and a smaller and furrier species of empaths. Excellent back story.

[Sctechsorceress · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neither of these stories was new to me, but that didn't matter. Among the reasons I love Lee & Miller's work so much is that it can be read several times. Each time, I see something new. The characters are complex people that you learn more about each time you meet them.

[Tigger · Rating 4 out of 5]

So beautifully put together

Delightful short story - actually brought a tear to my eye in the end. Have loved the tales of the X-strang.