Theo Waitley has lived all her young life on Delgado, a Safe World that is home to one of the galaxy's premier institutions of higher learning. Both Theo's mother, Kamele, and Kamele's onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi, are professors at the university, and they all live comfortably together, just like they have for all of Theo's life, in Jen Sar's house at the outskirts of town.
Suddenly, though, Theo's life changes. Kamele leaves Jen Sar and moves herself and Theo back into faculty housing, which is not what Theo is used to. Once settled back inside the Wall, Kamele becomes embroiled in faculty politics, and is appointed sub-chair of her department. Meanwhile, Theo, who has a notation in her file indicating that she is "physically challenged" has a series of misadventures, including pulling her best friend down on the belt-ride to class, and hurting a team mate during a scavage game.
With notes piling up in her file, Theo only wants to go "home," to the house in the suburbs, and have everything just like it used to be.
Then, Kamele uncovers evidence of possible dishonest scholarship inside of her department. In order to clear the department, she and a team of senior professors must go off-world to perform a forensic document search. Theo hopes this will mean that she'll be left in the care of the man she calls "Father," Professor Kiladi, and is horrified to learn that Kamele means to bring Theo with her!
About the Authors
Sharon Lee and Steve Miller live in the rolling hills of Central Maine with two insistent muses in the form of cats and a large cast of characters. The husband-and-wife team's collaborative work in science fiction and fantasy include twelve novels and numerous short stories in their award-winning Liaden Universe®. In addition to their collaborative work, Steve has seen short stories, nonfiction, and reviews published under his name, while Sharon has seen published short stories, newspaper pieces, and two mystery novels.
Steve was the founding curator of the University of Maryland's Kuhn Library Science Fiction Research Collection and a former Nebula juror. For five years, Sharon served the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, consecutively as Executive Director, Vice President and President. Sharon's interests include music, seashores and pine cones. Steve also enjoys music, plays tournament chess, and collects cat whiskers.
-
Posted on
-
Be Advertent, TheoTheo Waitley (age 14) and her mother Professor Kamele Waitley are thoroughly introduced in this book (but in publication order, we first meet Theo at the end of I DARE).
Another character within these pages plays a big role in latter sequels: Scout apprentice Win Ton yo'Vala, age 16.
This story describes Theo on Delgado, at Leafydale Place and at the university, with her scholarly parents, Jen Sar and Kamele. The university setting is interesting (Mice, The Wall, Eyes, Serpents, Concierge, etc).
Half-way into the book, the setting moves off world, as Kamele and Theo travel to Melchiza, on university business.
A coming-of-age story. Throughout the book, Theo is maturing, losing her coltish clumsy awkwardness, and becoming wiser, more advertent. (Repeated zillions of times).
Meanwhile, Jen Sar must track down a Serpent.
Kamele must make some choices between her daughter's safety and her scholarly duties. I didn't really sense that Kamele felt a mother's natural need to ensure the well-being of her child on a potentially hostile planet far from home.
Good story, but at times slow.
I wanted more closure at the end, on the conspiracy plot.
Anyway, Binjali! A relaxing pleasant read.
Recommended for Liaden fans.Posted on
-
the kind of world building we used to get from Jack Vance and a set of charactors you have not met in 20 other science fiction books. The beginning of Theo's story hints at the high octane ship capitan she will become.
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewIt's impossible for Lee & Miller to write anything that isn't good. This is the first book in a new character arc that doesn't seem like much at this point, but takes on greater significance in retrospect. Highly recommended to lovers of "coming of age" tales and anyone who enjoys well crafted English, clearly drawn characters, and space opera at its finest.
Posted on
-
Product ReviewInteresting start to a another story arc
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
-
Product ReviewYou can start reading the Liaden series with this book, but it doesn't hurt if you've read "Scout's Progress" and "Mouse and Dragon" first. Those will give you some background on Professor Kiladi.
The so-called "safe world" Delgado turns out to be a chafing environment, ruthlessly sacrificing the well-being of individuals who are outside the norm for the sake of a safe uniformity. It makes you feel with young Theo who is struggling to find her own identity in an environment that is not ready for her.
The second plot is about tampered academic sources which is much more interesting than it sounds, and after a while makes you wonder about all the online encyclopedies we have nowadays. What is truth, after all?
The entire setting seems to be inspired by our everyday life, with gadgets that come in so handy and regulations that seem to make so much sense but which can all be used against you, to control your actions. In this aspect this book is a bit more than just a good sci-fi story. The social criticism is well integrated into the story, however, and is neither distracting nor boring.
The story itself starts at a somewhat sedate pace and then rapidly gains speed. It is a joy to follow Theo as she spreads her wings when she finally meets people who understand her and make her aware of her own abilities.
As with all books of the Liaden series you should start reading only if you have enough time, they are hard to put down once you've started.Posted on
-
Product Review
Posted on
