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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #16
Halfling Moon
The Yule, 2009 Lee and Miller chapbook is Halfling Moon, and contains two Hidden Resources and Moon on The Hills ... This is Adventures in The Liaden Universe Number 16. These stories are set after the end of Lee & Miller's I Dare, with one taking place largely in space and the other taking place largely on Surebleak.
Pamphlet
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Sharon Lee
172 books793 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 22, 2017
About 70 pages. Two fairly interesting stories, Hidden Resources and Moon on the Hills. They each take place after Plan B and I Dare. These two short stories are also published in anthologies, including A Liaden Universe® Constellation: Volume Two.
In Hidden Resources (3.5 stars),Setting: Runig's Rock and Surebleak. Characters: Juntavas Sector Judge, Natessa "The Assassin" (Pat Rin's life mate) and young Quin, Pat Rin's teenage son, a newly minted pilot trying to be brave and smart. The story also features Quin's grandparents, Luken and Kareen, and his four cousins: Padi (Shan's teenage daughter), Syl Vor (Nova's pre-adolescent son), and Anthora's infant twins.
Danger at the rock! All hands on deck! Good action scenes. As for relationships, I was curious to see how Quin would respond to first meeting his new "stepmom" Natesa, but that piece was too thinly sliced. We briefly see how Kareen greets her brother Daav for the first time since he went to Delgado about 20 years ago. Luken's anger at Kareen is mentioned, but not explained. To find out why Luken cannot and will not forgive or forget what Kareen did, see Lord of the Dance, in With Stars Underfoot: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Cross-series discrepancy: In Hidden Resources, Daav first meets the kids at Surebleak Spaceport, but in Necessity's Child, Syl Vor remembers how they first met Daav at the house: "He had been in house when Syl Vor and Padi and Quinn arrived from The Rock, and had immediately made himself known to them."
In Moon on the Hills (3.5 stars) Edger the Clutch Turtle's huge ship arrives at Surebleak in their huge asteroid-like spaceship (it looks like a small moon, hence the title). It is time to deposit Korval's Tree and house, but first, Pat Rin must convince the edgy neighbor to let Korval lease road access.
The neighbor, Mr. Yulie Shaper, is inconsistently portrayed. Sometimes he seems pathetically frightened and prone to panic attacks. Other times, he is a killer and tough negotiator. Of course he loves cats. Mr. Shaper's POV hopped from past to present. Irritating and confusing, especially since it was mixed in Pat Rin's POV, all in a short story.
It was fun to see Tree settle into the new land. Fun to see the effect on people and animals. However, I wanted much more of this type of thing. I wanted Tree's perspective, and maybe even Jeeves' POV, so I felt disappointed. I like Mr. Shaper, but was bored by his long rambling meditations on the past, involving his dead brother Rollie — a waste of space — and his esteemed grandfather, Gramps. The scene with Pat Rin negotiating with Yulie was mildly interesting.
We get some history of how Surebleak came to be so bleak and lawless, contrasting favorably with the arrival of Boss Conrad's honorable leadership style. We find out about the irresponsible mining and farming corporation that abandoned Surebleak decades ago, breaking its promise to the new investors and landowners (including Gramps) and about Korval's new property, located "at the end of the world" (or "world's end" — some such thing).
Actually, even though it had no bearing on the plot, I liked Pat Rin's reminiscences of Liad, in the days immediately following the "Skyblaze" attack. We learn a bit more about how he was welcomed and esteemed by Val Con and Miri, Anthora (a special hug) and Shan, etc. Even Nelirikk featured in his reminiscences. Loved the remembered scene when his houseman, Vesker pel'Tolian pledged the loyalty of his Naisington Alley establishment.
But I was slightly frustrated because this series is beset with inter-book discrepancies. Moon on the Hills differs from Ghost Ship in terms of the clan members present when the Clutch ship delivered Tree and House.
In Hidden Resources (3.5 stars),Setting: Runig's Rock and Surebleak. Characters: Juntavas Sector Judge, Natessa "The Assassin" (Pat Rin's life mate) and young Quin, Pat Rin's teenage son, a newly minted pilot trying to be brave and smart. The story also features Quin's grandparents, Luken and Kareen, and his four cousins: Padi (Shan's teenage daughter), Syl Vor (Nova's pre-adolescent son), and Anthora's infant twins.
Danger at the rock! All hands on deck! Good action scenes. As for relationships, I was curious to see how Quin would respond to first meeting his new "stepmom" Natesa, but that piece was too thinly sliced. We briefly see how Kareen greets her brother Daav for the first time since he went to Delgado about 20 years ago. Luken's anger at Kareen is mentioned, but not explained. To find out why Luken cannot and will not forgive or forget what Kareen did, see Lord of the Dance, in With Stars Underfoot: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Cross-series discrepancy: In Hidden Resources, Daav first meets the kids at Surebleak Spaceport, but in Necessity's Child, Syl Vor remembers how they first met Daav at the house: "He had been in house when Syl Vor and Padi and Quinn arrived from The Rock, and had immediately made himself known to them."
In Moon on the Hills (3.5 stars) Edger the Clutch Turtle's huge ship arrives at Surebleak in their huge asteroid-like spaceship (it looks like a small moon, hence the title). It is time to deposit Korval's Tree and house, but first, Pat Rin must convince the edgy neighbor to let Korval lease road access.
The neighbor, Mr. Yulie Shaper, is inconsistently portrayed. Sometimes he seems pathetically frightened and prone to panic attacks. Other times, he is a killer and tough negotiator. Of course he loves cats. Mr. Shaper's POV hopped from past to present. Irritating and confusing, especially since it was mixed in Pat Rin's POV, all in a short story.
It was fun to see Tree settle into the new land. Fun to see the effect on people and animals. However, I wanted much more of this type of thing. I wanted Tree's perspective, and maybe even Jeeves' POV, so I felt disappointed. I like Mr. Shaper, but was bored by his long rambling meditations on the past, involving his dead brother Rollie — a waste of space — and his esteemed grandfather, Gramps. The scene with Pat Rin negotiating with Yulie was mildly interesting.
We get some history of how Surebleak came to be so bleak and lawless, contrasting favorably with the arrival of Boss Conrad's honorable leadership style. We find out about the irresponsible mining and farming corporation that abandoned Surebleak decades ago, breaking its promise to the new investors and landowners (including Gramps) and about Korval's new property, located "at the end of the world" (or "world's end" — some such thing).
Actually, even though it had no bearing on the plot, I liked Pat Rin's reminiscences of Liad, in the days immediately following the "Skyblaze" attack. We learn a bit more about how he was welcomed and esteemed by Val Con and Miri, Anthora (a special hug) and Shan, etc. Even Nelirikk featured in his reminiscences. Loved the remembered scene when his houseman, Vesker pel'Tolian pledged the loyalty of his Naisington Alley establishment.
But I was slightly frustrated because this series is beset with inter-book discrepancies. Moon on the Hills differs from Ghost Ship in terms of the clan members present when the Clutch ship delivered Tree and House.
March 13, 2012
4/5; 4 stars; A-
Both of these stories take place after 'I Dare'.
The first story concerns the return of the clan's children from the hiding place they took up when plan b was put into effect. It would have been a much better story IMO if the fight between Natesa, Kareen, and the invaders was told in more detail. Still a good story and we see Kareen re-united with her not so beloved brother at the end of it.
In the other story, Pat Rin has to find a place to put Jelaza Kazone (and integral clan house) which was graciously transported from Liad by the Clutch turtles. Pat Rin's diplomatic abilities are tested once again but at the end, the clans kin, Jela's tree, is safely moved.
Both of these stories take place after 'I Dare'.
The first story concerns the return of the clan's children from the hiding place they took up when plan b was put into effect. It would have been a much better story IMO if the fight between Natesa, Kareen, and the invaders was told in more detail. Still a good story and we see Kareen re-united with her not so beloved brother at the end of it.
In the other story, Pat Rin has to find a place to put Jelaza Kazone (and integral clan house) which was graciously transported from Liad by the Clutch turtles. Pat Rin's diplomatic abilities are tested once again but at the end, the clans kin, Jela's tree, is safely moved.
April 29, 2011
Hidden Resources is another short story set at the same time as Ghost Ship - it shows the coming home of Clan Korval's treasures - the young children who had been spirited away to safety. They are supposed to be taken home by Pat Rin's lifemate Inas, which is a tale in itself.
Moon on the Hills is also set in the timeframe of Ghost Ship - Jelaza Kanzone has to be set down somewhere and it has to be near the rest of the main port of Surebleak, so ideally it should be at the end of the main road, but what happens if you can't find the nearest landowner so easily, because he's incredibly shy? I wouldn't have minded if that story had been novella length, oh well.
Moon on the Hills is also set in the timeframe of Ghost Ship - Jelaza Kanzone has to be set down somewhere and it has to be near the rest of the main port of Surebleak, so ideally it should be at the end of the main road, but what happens if you can't find the nearest landowner so easily, because he's incredibly shy? I wouldn't have minded if that story had been novella length, oh well.
June 15, 2018
I am loving every single one of these short story collection
April 18, 2011
Two short stories that fill in a couple of gaps in the Liaden universe post-I Dare - definitely worth reading for Liaden fans.
I liked the first story especially, as it focused on the characters who have been off-stage in the latter books as well as giving a glimpse of the next generation of the Korval clan.
I liked the first story especially, as it focused on the characters who have been off-stage in the latter books as well as giving a glimpse of the next generation of the Korval clan.
August 14, 2014
I found Hidden Assets to be a bit short. I'd like to know exactly what Natesa and Lady Kareen did to repel the invaders! As to Moon on the Hills, I had wondered how the Tree would settle on Surebleak since it's removal from Liad had created a lake. Overall it was a good read.
February 21, 2010
'TheTree' arrives safely on Surebleak (big sigh of relief!) - Liad-o-phile
January 3, 2022
In the aftermath of Clan Korval's head-on clash with the Department of the Interior, and firing on Solcintra to destroy DoI's death machinery. Korval is removing to the backward world of Surebleak. Pat Rin yos'Phelium has, somewhat by coincidence, created a plausible refuge for them there. They're evacuating in great haste, under the Plan B they have trained diligently on even while hoping not to need it. DoI is chasing them, hoping to do, at the least, irreparable damage to Korval.
In these two stories, we see some of this crisis and chaos from less common viewpoints in the Liaden stories.
In "Hidden Resources," young Quin yos'Phelium is the halfling who is suddenly the senior pilot for the escape ship for the clan's children. In addition to the next-oldest pilot, Padi, he's got his grandmother, Kareen; his grandfather, Luken; and all the children. Not large numbers, but a large responsibility. When the unfamiliar ship that's been nearby for a while vanishes, and another ship arrives, with all the right codes but an unfamiliar pilot--"Inas Bhar, called Natesa," as the pilot, he has to rely on his elders, but can't completely cede responsibility to them.
In "Moon on a Hill," meanwhile, Pat Rin needs to cut a deal for the only practical place to put down the clan house, and the Tree that is in many ways the heart of the clan. That place is land owned by Yulie Shaper, who is a recluse farmer who is hesitant to deal even with people he knows, never mind newcomers from off-world. Yulie also has very well-grounded fear of strangers wanting to shoot his cats; it has happened before
It's not just money that will be needed to persuade Yulie.
In these two stories, we see first a part of the evacuation we only get glimpses of elsewhere, and also get better acquainted with Yulie, his history, and the traumas that helped to make him the cantankerous, recluse farmer that he is. We also see more of the maturing Pat Rin, embracing responsibilities after years of being a cavalier gambler, convinced from his failure to become the pilot he was literally bred to be that he wasn't worth anything more.
As always, the characters are interesting, complex, and hard not to like.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
In these two stories, we see some of this crisis and chaos from less common viewpoints in the Liaden stories.
In "Hidden Resources," young Quin yos'Phelium is the halfling who is suddenly the senior pilot for the escape ship for the clan's children. In addition to the next-oldest pilot, Padi, he's got his grandmother, Kareen; his grandfather, Luken; and all the children. Not large numbers, but a large responsibility. When the unfamiliar ship that's been nearby for a while vanishes, and another ship arrives, with all the right codes but an unfamiliar pilot--"Inas Bhar, called Natesa," as the pilot, he has to rely on his elders, but can't completely cede responsibility to them.
In "Moon on a Hill," meanwhile, Pat Rin needs to cut a deal for the only practical place to put down the clan house, and the Tree that is in many ways the heart of the clan. That place is land owned by Yulie Shaper, who is a recluse farmer who is hesitant to deal even with people he knows, never mind newcomers from off-world. Yulie also has very well-grounded fear of strangers wanting to shoot his cats; it has happened before
It's not just money that will be needed to persuade Yulie.
In these two stories, we see first a part of the evacuation we only get glimpses of elsewhere, and also get better acquainted with Yulie, his history, and the traumas that helped to make him the cantankerous, recluse farmer that he is. We also see more of the maturing Pat Rin, embracing responsibilities after years of being a cavalier gambler, convinced from his failure to become the pilot he was literally bred to be that he wasn't worth anything more.
As always, the characters are interesting, complex, and hard not to like.
Recommended.
I bought this book.
July 15, 2017
One thing I know: a Liaden story from Lee and Miller will always please, and I was not disappointed. Some suspense, a dose of humor, and added background for characters from the main series made this two-story collection a nice addition to my collection.
This one gives us a vignette of two of my favorites, Quin and his father Pat Rin yos'Phelium. The stories are set during the midst of the Plan B/Surebleak story arc, and without having read the main novels of that arc, these two stories probably will not make sense - so read the main novels first!
I enjoyed both the stories in Halfling Moon very much, and I hope Lee and Miller continue to release these 'side jobs' in the Liaden universe.
Thank you.
This one gives us a vignette of two of my favorites, Quin and his father Pat Rin yos'Phelium. The stories are set during the midst of the Plan B/Surebleak story arc, and without having read the main novels of that arc, these two stories probably will not make sense - so read the main novels first!
I enjoyed both the stories in Halfling Moon very much, and I hope Lee and Miller continue to release these 'side jobs' in the Liaden universe.
Thank you.
November 22, 2017
Goid book, but short.
July 4, 2017
Extra details I was really glad to have, and strengthening of characters and relationships.
December 21, 2017
Two short stories from the Laiden Universe - "Hidden Resources" and "Moon on the Hills".
Both stories fit closely into recent happenings in the novel portion of the Laiden Universe. Without knowledge of at least the cultural structure of Laiden and Surebleak, the stories would be hard to understand so these are not stand-alones.
Hidden Resources ending feels too cut and dry. Likely what happens offscreen is in another story of the Laiden Universe, I just haven't read it yet. But that makes this story a poor story after a great buildup. For the build-up 2 stars on the GoodReads scale. The story is about how to get family members transported under Plan B.
Moon on the Hills focuses takes focus off the central family for a moment. Instead we learn about the man who owns a hole on the planet. Not one of the perfect "chosen one" types of Korval, but a man whose worth to others is a hole. Korval needs that hole for the Tree. I love stories about the Tree. I would like to see another story where Yulie meets the Tree . This story is four stars.
Both stories fit closely into recent happenings in the novel portion of the Laiden Universe. Without knowledge of at least the cultural structure of Laiden and Surebleak, the stories would be hard to understand so these are not stand-alones.
Hidden Resources ending feels too cut and dry. Likely what happens offscreen is in another story of the Laiden Universe, I just haven't read it yet. But that makes this story a poor story after a great buildup. For the build-up 2 stars on the GoodReads scale. The story is about how to get family members transported under Plan B.
Moon on the Hills focuses takes focus off the central family for a moment. Instead we learn about the man who owns a hole on the planet. Not one of the perfect "chosen one" types of Korval, but a man whose worth to others is a hole. Korval needs that hole for the Tree. I love stories about the Tree. I would like to see another story where Yulie meets the Tree . This story is four stars.
July 9, 2011
This contains two short stories. First, “Hidden Resources” tells the story of Natessa/Inas Bharr recovering the hidden Korval children during the Clan’s transfer to Surebleak. It gives a bit more insight into Pat Rin’s son Quinn then the books do, but it is not a particularly memorable tale.
“Moon on the Hills” shows Pat Rin trying to negotiate for right-of-passage on the road to the soon-to-be-installed-on-Surebleak Korval clanhouse. While it could’ve painted a more interesting and complex picture of Korval acquiring the right to the land and the hinted at past political situation, instead the story’s only about the road. The stakes are low and nothing much happens. The story seems entirely focused on the punchline which simply shows the author’s characteristic fondness for cats.
“Moon on the Hills” shows Pat Rin trying to negotiate for right-of-passage on the road to the soon-to-be-installed-on-Surebleak Korval clanhouse. While it could’ve painted a more interesting and complex picture of Korval acquiring the right to the land and the hinted at past political situation, instead the story’s only about the road. The stakes are low and nothing much happens. The story seems entirely focused on the punchline which simply shows the author’s characteristic fondness for cats.
December 5, 2017
4 stars.
The first story is about the kids who have been packed off to Runig's Rock with Luken and Kareen. Quin is Pat Rin's son and is aware that his father is the only one who hasn't reported in since Plan B has been enacted. Then Inas arrived on the Rock followed by an enemy ship and Quin had to lift off as Pilot in charge. These Korval kids definitely don't have much of a young and carefree childhood!!
The second story is about Yulie Shaper, who will end up as Korval's neighbor on Surebleak. Pat Rin had to make arrangement with him to obtain land for the Korval House and Tree. I'm still trying to visualize how the Clutch ship managed the whole relocation!
Again, 2 very informative short stories that added to the whole Liaden saga.
The first story is about the kids who have been packed off to Runig's Rock with Luken and Kareen. Quin is Pat Rin's son and is aware that his father is the only one who hasn't reported in since Plan B has been enacted. Then Inas arrived on the Rock followed by an enemy ship and Quin had to lift off as Pilot in charge. These Korval kids definitely don't have much of a young and carefree childhood!!
The second story is about Yulie Shaper, who will end up as Korval's neighbor on Surebleak. Pat Rin had to make arrangement with him to obtain land for the Korval House and Tree. I'm still trying to visualize how the Clutch ship managed the whole relocation!
Again, 2 very informative short stories that added to the whole Liaden saga.
January 8, 2011
This chapbook contains two Liaden series short stories. The first, Hidden Resources describes where Luken & Lady Kareen have been during the course of Plan B. The second, Moon on The Hills describes the arrival of Jelaza Kazone to Surebleak, from an unusual perspective.
Loved it, what a pleasant dabble in the Liaden universe, while I we wait for the next novel.
Loved it, what a pleasant dabble in the Liaden universe, while I we wait for the next novel.
November 29, 2011
Every year I look forward to the vignettes for the Liaden universe. This year was no exception. The two stories this year had little glimpses of life on Surebleak and an interlude right after Plan B. Both were enjoyable but sped by too quickly. Luckily the authors are in the process of publishing more stories in this universe, so there is more to look forward too!
December 15, 2020
Two more good stories about Pat Rin and family. The first is what happened with Luken, Kareen and the children during Plan B, and the second is how Pat Rin got the spot beside Yulie Shaper’s land to put the tree. Very satisfying bits of off screen action added to the canon.
December 17, 2013
A pairing of background stories related to the move of Clan Korval to Shurebleak. Each story is just a little background trifle, with no real substance. They fill gaps that didn't need to be filled.
June 22, 2016
Halfling Moon
Great couple of stories, fills in some of the missing blanks. Worth reading by fans of Liaden universe for sure.
Great couple of stories, fills in some of the missing blanks. Worth reading by fans of Liaden universe for sure.
October 7, 2013
Read at least (5) times
Really love these stories
Really love these stories
Read
December 24, 2017Own. Reread periodically.
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