To Trade The Stars

Trade Pact Universe #3

by Julie E. Czerneda

Jason and Sira--he a human telepath and independent trader, she now Speaker for the Clan Council, as well as Jason's life partner--are trying to forge a life for themselves free of the demands of both Clan and the Drapsk, a race determined to claim Sira as the long-awaited Mystic One. And as if these conflicting demands aren't making life complicated enough, there are at least two other factions with far more dangerous intentions seeking them out. Any hope Sira and Jason have of charting their own course seems likely to vanish forever when they are unexpectedly caught in a conflict between the Drapsk and a mysterious race that dwells in the M'hir. With all of their energies directed toward this crisis, will they become easy prey for those among the Clan and the Humans who are already mobilizing to take advantage of the coming conflict?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Space Opera, Science Fiction Fantasy, Romance, Aliens

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Having written 25 novels (and counting) published by DAW Books, as well as numerous short stories, and editing several anthologies, in 2022, Julie E. Czerneda was inducted in the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. Her science fiction and fantasy combines her training and love of biology with a boundless curiosity and optimism, winning multiple awards. Julie's recent releases include the standalone novel To Each This World, her first collection Imaginings, and A Shift of Time, part of her Night's Edge fantasy series. For more visit czerneda.com Julie is represented by Sara Megibow of Megibow Literary Agency LLC.

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie Czerneda is one of the very best world-builders writing today and her aliens are written with the same incredible attention to detail. I confess she did suck me in - I really did think the Drapski were sickly-sweet, almost Disneyesque characters, but...well, I won't spoil it for you. On the other hand, some of the major characters switch sides so quickly and so thoroughly that I found it hard to believe and kept waiting for them to revert and show their true colours. Perhaps I should make a deduction for that and and only award the trilogy four and a half stars, but I found the over-all experience so enjoyable, I'll stick with five.

I can't wait to read my next Czerneda book.

[Jennifer Custer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading from the first book of the Stratification series to the last book of the Trade Pact series shows big differences in the Om'ray and the M'hiray. For one the average year to become a cooser or unchosen was 16 for the Om'ray. If a cooser didn't find a chosen there was hinted a disasterous result, like possibly unable to mate after a span of time passed. For the M'hiray time seemed to stand still for the choosers' body up to hundreds of years. Bogles the mind. Om'ray as a rule didn't foster children. Of course the bond between mother and child seemed to thin as the child grew older. Not so for the M'hiray. Seems they were teenagera or so when fostered. When the bond was gone then they became choosers or unchosen. Om'ray lived together as a family and chosen picked, mostly, for affection were under the same roof. Not so for the M'hiray. Om'ray were reliant upon the power of the mind, where as the M'hiray for the M'hir. Rereading these 2 series, in chronological order this time, made it much easier for me to grasp the concepts of the stories. Can't wait to start the final series. Czerneda did a wonderful job writing the last book of the Trade Pact series.

[Tom Britz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot recommend this series of three novels highly enough. There is enough action and intrigue to satisfy the action oriented reader, and yet the characters are drawn so well that you actually do care about them and some scenes are laugh out loud funny. The writing reminds me of Lois McMaster Bujold the way the author's characters grow on you so much that you care what happens to them. I actually read all three novels back to back to back, something I rarely do. That's how effecting this series is.

[Josh · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is about as boring as listening to someone read the phone book, and the narrator makes it feel like she's doing just that. After listening to Ties of Power, I knew I was in for more of the same, but like a sucker, I had gone ahead and bought this one in advance, so I forced myself through the torture of this listen.
I dislike just about everything about these last couple of books. I don't like Czernida's writing style, her dialogue, the aliens she comes up with, the silly cultural things that are forced into the plot, and I don't even care about the characters, for crying out loud. Sira gets kidnapped again - of course - because she is so completely helpless and clueless about everything, in spite of being something like 70 years old and the leader of her entire race, not to mention the most powerful member in the Clan's entire history! Her husband takes his sweet time getting to her, engaging in pointless side plot stuff that nobody cares about and alien stuff I couldn't even understand.

This is average Star Trek-style 90's-2000's level sci fi. There's no real sense of a living galaxy outside of the main few characters and their concerns. The aliens, as I mentioned before, are so unrealistic as to be laughable compared to today's standards. "Clan" are so obviously human-derivative yet they think themselves far superior and completely foreign, while a crab-type alien thinks to itself expressions such as "on the other claw...". Come on, seriously? Throw me out of the story, why don't you!

If you read the first book in this series and enjoyed it, please, please stop there. It only goes downhill after that.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess I'd give this one 3.5 stars, but the trilogy as a whole 3 stars. I read the prequel trilogy first, and as others have said, it's a bit of a let-down to go from that one to this. Czerneda wrote this trilogy much earlier in her career, and it just isn't as good. It's also not really science fiction, unlike the Stratification trilogy.

But hey, if you like stuff like Star Wars (which I do), you'll be entertained by the Trade Pact books. There's so much Star Wars in these books, in fact, that they border on fan fiction. There are lots of zany aliens getting drunk at space port bars, there is a swashbuckling trader with a fast ship and a large but loyal sidekick, there are even "force blades" which sound pretty much exactly like light sabers. There is also the Clan, shadowy figures spread throughout the galaxy, using their Powers to manipulate events to their benefit. Dark Side Force users, anyone?

But like I said, it's fun! And now (finally!) I get to read the final trilogy, Reunification, which is purported to be "hard sci-fi," and which I have high hopes will finally answer all of my burning questions.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an OK book but I made the mistake of reading the prequel to this series first. I know the prequel should come first but the problem is that it is so much better written than this series and it gave me expectations that the ‘Trade Pact Universe’ just hasn’t lived up to. I suppose this was partly inevitable as the Stratification prequel was written five years after this book and the author had time to refine her writing skills.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good conclusion to the Trade Pact Universe trilogy, with enough threads still hanging that more can be written later. The 3 books in this series were a good intro to Julie Czerneda and I will definitely read more of her books.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a satisfying ending to the trilogy. I enjoyed threads with Barac and Rael and was glad they had just about as much focus as Sira and Morgan in this book. The fact that Sira was kidnapped (yet again *yawn*) was annoying, but there was plenty happening elsewhere that mostly made up for it.

[Wilson E. Stevens Sr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This last book in the series, not as fun or well written as the others. The ending was cut short like she ran out of a word limit and the book was too long, and the publisher made her remove some of the story plots. Not worth a second read.

[Jessica Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The end of a trilogy, the beginning of which I wrote about here. This was a very fun sci-fi romp, and if you’re a fan of space opera at all, I recommend it.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a great read. I was a little disappointed with the end. It felt rushed, especially as this is the last book in the series. It still is an excellent scifi series that I highly recommend.

[Ink Drinker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't recommend this series oddly enough. The prequel is far more integrated, developed and compelling.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the most lighthearted and easiest to read of the trilogy, with well established characters and some interesting additions. Brought the saga to a very satisfying conclusion. Feels like the author has matured in writing style and I look forward to reading more of her work.

[J.A. Mortimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion of the trilogy (not all of which seem to be on Goodreads) - separated by the need to investigate separate issues, Sira and Jason must face their worst enemies before any chance of a happy ending.

[Guido]

Why you might like it: Biology-led contact with rigorous cultural logic. Rubric match: not yet scored. Uses your engineering/rigor/first-contact/world-building rubric. Tags: biology, first-contact, culture

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good. Nice wrap up of the trilogy. Just one more trilogy to go.

[Warren Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t fully engrossed in the story until more than halfway through, but then it got exciting, before losing me for a bit near the end. It had a lot of shifts in tone, and a lot of Clan politics that I had trouble grasping at times, so I just went with it. I think this trilogy would be best read back-to-back, and a second time, as I think I now understand what’s going on from the start. I’m sure there are many details hidden that only a second read would reveal. As usual, I was very impressed with the alien-ness of the aliens in this series, especially the Drapsk, who were both hilarious and frustrating at the same time. I was frustrated, though, that Sira is captured yet again, for the third time in three books, and her great power was hampered throughout –I love when she was at full strength at the end of the last book, and would have liked to see her like that again. Morgan’s point of view was more practical, though self-indulgent, while Huido, Barac and Rael had a lot of fun moments with the Drapsk and others. Strange that I look forward to the sequel trilogy, hoping to return to the old world with very cool aliens.

[Metaphorosis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews

Summary
Sira Morgan has finally settled down a bit, leading the Clan Council and handing off the appealing Drapsk aliens to other Clan members. But the Drapsk have plans of their own, and the reappearance of a dark figure from Jason Morgan's past throws everything into confusion.

Review
For all that it was my welcome introduction to Julie Czerneda’s writing, this reread of the Trade Pact* trilogy has been a bumpier ride than I recalled, and this last book proves no exception.

As with the other books in this trilogy (and unlike those in the prequel trilogy), To Trade the Stars suffers from poor balance. There’s less (and more interesting) political chicanery and the endearing Drapsk continue to feature. But many of the most intriguing mysteries – about the M’hir, the Drapsk, and other M’hir-sensitive species – are crammed into the final pages and resolved quickly. It’s unsatisfying, with plot threads hanging loose all over the place, despite what seems Czerneda’s attempt to tie them all off. To my mind, it’s a book that fails to recognize what it (and the trilogy) has really been all about.

I liked this better than the previous book, Ties of Power, overall, but for different reasons. Both are fairly muddled. Ties introduced the Drapsk, whom I like. This book muddles the Drapsk picture a bit, but relies less on tedious political machinations. Both provide some interesting tidbits about the M’hir – though it looks quite different, seen through the eyes of the prequel Stratification trilogy. Overall, a decent book, but Czerneda’s later work is much more balanced and self-assured.

* Technically, this is listed as the Trade Pact Universe trilogy, but since Czerneda has many other books set in the same universe, I’m using a shorter version.

[JoyfulK · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Trade the Stars is a satisfying close to the Trade Pact trilogy. Sira's arc of character, from naive, highly educated iconoclast to loving partner and successful intergalactic Trader--and more that I won't tell you because it would spoil the plot---is one of the strands that holds the whole trilogy together. The Clan's need as a culture to learn to interact with other species is the other. These two threads, and others involving minor characters, are resolved nicely in the context of the overall development of the plot. A good read. Start at the beginning with A Thousand Words for Stranger.

[Simeonberesford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 3 of the Trade pact Trilogy. And Huido is in trouble for serving sentient beings to his patrons again. Morgan is being lured into danger by a figure from his youth. Sara and the Clan are being manipulated by various aliens who need their ability to manipulate the Myrrh. Can the threads be drawn together yes generally this series has been weakend by Czerneda's inability to give me a good handle on the Myrrh and its relation to Telepathy.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly satisfying end to the Trade Pact Universe series. This was everything I ever wanted from a science fiction story - gender equality, character depth, fiercely upsetting circumstances, redemptive story arcs, adorable and lovable side characters, and one of the most satisfying tying up of loose ends that I've ever read. This is a strong candidate for my favorite series read in 2016! Too many feelings leftover, time to daydream away this book hangover!

[Samuel Lubell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering how powerful the main character is, she should be a lot more effective and not constantly in need of rescue from having her powers bound. As usual the Drapsk steal the show. These are alien aliens that are not well understood, as opposed to the Clan which are basically humans with some powers (and strange mating customs) thrown in.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book of the Trade Pact Universe is about at the same level as the first. I enjoy the first book (A Thousand Words for Stranger) the most, but if you care about the characters, it is worth it to keep reading.

[Marsha Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great ending. How the heck do these authors come up with this stuff?

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwwwww! The last of Sira and Morgan for the next handful of years. So sad. The end of this particular trilogy in the series! Did I mention that I love this series? 'Cause I do!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice ending to the trilogy. I'm not sure if I should call it Fantasy or SciFi. There are space ships AND trees...

[Jakub]

Very good ending to very good series

[C Jon Tice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This final book was better than the second and held my interest by filling in a lot of questions about Sira's past. I enjoyed the series and intend to read more of her stuff.

[Synful · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again Sira was held for well over half the book without any real explanation. Interesting concepts, but most of it was in dire need of pruning and/or elaboration.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

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