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.
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Product ReviewA great introduction to the Liaden Universe. Glad I picked up this in the Webscription.
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Product ReviewIf you wanted to jump into the Liaden Universe here you could do that as this is the first book of 'Theo' and her time/family) so if you wanted to jump in here for the first time you could. It is more of a coming of age story (like some of the best of Heinlein's) rather than 'bang' space opera scifi like some of Lee/Miller's other Liaden stuff. Basically the Liaden family/series/ saga's span several generations. This particular book 'almost' has something for everybody. The upcoming 'Saltation' and 'Mouse and Dragon' are touted as the tenth and eleventh in the Liaden series which would make this the ninth one. . . but I don't think that's true. I have Chrystal Soldier, Chrystal Dragon, Local Custom, Balance of Trade, Scout's Progress, Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, Plan B, I Dare, Fledgeling, (Saltation), (Mouse and Dragon). Then there are 1-2 omnibus, Tomorrow Log & Dragon Tide and I'm not sure where they fit in time-wise. However, like I said if you read the 'Theo' books first you wouldn't miss out on anything regarding the story line. In fact, there are overlaps of world events that become more apparent with Saltation. These is a really good series, be sure to read them all.
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Product ReviewI also read the first draft online as it was written. What a privilege. This finished edition is a masterpiece. Keep the Liaden stories coming.
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Product ReviewI am a Baen customer, but bought this book directly from the authors after following it through its serialization phase. Terrific, as usual!
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