Customer Reviews

I Dare (Liaden Universe Novel Series)

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is, depending on how you count, the seventh novel in the Liaden Universe series. However, Meisha Merlin published two novels, _Local Custom_ and _Scout's Progress_, as one volume (entitled _Pilot's Choice_), and another three novels as one volume, so depending on what editions one buys, there are only four volumes so far. The authors predict a total of seven volumes, so we have more to look forward to. And this book certainly leaves one eager to order anything and everything else they care to write in the series!

It's a good idea, if you're not familiar with the series, to read them all; while this is a rousing good space opera in its own right, it is even better if you have followed the series. You could get by without the _Pilot's Choice_ volume, but you really need, at the very least, _Agent of Change_, _Carpe Diem_, and _Plan B_ to get the most out of _I Dare_. Agent and Carpe are two of the three novels in the _Partners in Necessity_ volume, so if you get that, you'll get _Conflict of Honors_ too. That's the first one I ever read of the series, initially published as individual paperbacks.

The series starts with Er Thom yos'Galen and Daav yos'Phelium, in _Local Custom_ and _Scout's Progress_. _Conflict_ takes up with Shan yos'Galen, Er Thom and Anne's son. _Agent_ takes up Val Con yos'Phelium, Daav and Aelliana's son. The rest of the books so far, including _I Dare_, continue to follow Shan and Val Con, and the various employees, friends and lifemates they drag into the ongoing story of Clan Korval. In _I Dare_ many of the separate threads from the previous volumes come together. We have the Juntavas, the interstellar Mob who actively appeared in _Agent_; we have the return of Daav; we have also Shan and Val Con's cousin Pat Rin as a major character. (That's Val Con and Pat Rin on the cover.) Surebleak, the planet Miri Robertson was born on, suddenly shows up again. Korval has already noticed that the Department of the Interior is trying to take over Liad and eliminate their family; in this book, Korval actively confronts the Department.

A large chunk of the book is taken up with battles and battle strategy; however, this didn't turn me off, even though I'm not that gung-ho on war stories. And there's a larger element of fantasy in this book than in the previous ones, in that more and more people turn out to have psychic powers. I'm not that much of a fan of psychic powers, but I didn't mind them here- it's just one element that keeps the story moving right along. The plot is extremely brisk; don't skip a page!

The end of the book does contain what seems to be a clear lead-in to a next book, since a new character shows up... I won't give away the details. One of the nice things about this book, and this whole series, is that there could be short stories written about it for years to come, because there are so many interesting characters. What exactly was Daav doing all those years at a Terran university? Whatever happened to Aelliana Caylon's younger sister? Can we find out more about Richard Davis, Anne's brother and Shan's uncle? Did Vin Sin chel'Mara ever reform after being exiled? More about Clonak ter'Muelen! Oh, and Nova yos'Galen - by the end of this book, all the current generation are lifemated save her; does she ever get true love? There are a few short stories that were only ever published in chapbooks; if Miller and Lee would write a couple more short stories, there'd be enough for an anthology, and I'd be sure to read it.

It's difficult to convey how much I like this series, and I like this book the best so far. If you like humor, romance, and battle in your science fiction - if, say, you already like Miles VorKosigan (Lois Bujold) - then I'm sure you'll like the Liadens!

This fifth book in the main storyline of the Liaden Universe novels (Conflict of Honors, Agent of Change, Carpe Diem, Plan B, I Dare) is a major pleasure. Val Con and Miri together make a most dangerous Delm of Korval. And Pat Rin shows that even a (supposedly) lesser member of Clan Korval cannot be taken for granted. Read these five books and discover one of the most enjoyable and exciting creations in science fiction.
I have a couple of small problems with this series. The travel times between planets seem much too short for a society where the major tradeships spend years on their rounds. Also, coincidence plays a major part in series events, but that could be explained by a most ancient (and huge) ally of the Clan. Another reviewer's comments about a breeding program spring to mind.
In addition to these five novels, the authors have also written several short stories in the Liaden Universe. "To Cut An Edge" describes the first meeting of Val Con and The Edger, "Breath's Duty" illuminates Daav's Balance and the Battle of Nev'Lorn, and "Changeling" tells of Ren Zel's "death" before he signed on Dutiful Passage. Hopefully, these and other short stories will be published as an anthology to join the series. Until then, they are most available directly from the authors.

Lee & Miller have completed the "Agent of Change" Cycle from their Liaden Universe, and I DARE was worth the wait. One caveat--I don't recommend starting the series with this book! I think you'd miss too much nuance--and too much subtle fun. Start with the omnibus PARTNERS IN NECESSITY from Meisha-Merlin, that contains the first three books originally published as separate mass markets. You won't want to wait long in ordering PLAN B. Once you finish PLAN B, the rest of this review will have you ordering I DARE overnight. The biggest problem, here at the end of five books, is-how to entice without giving away?

Want to know if Val Con and Miri survived PLAN B intact? Want more about clutch turtles? Always wondered about Pat Rin? And what about the Yxtrang, or the scouts left in disarray? IS that blasted tree sentient or not? Do cats use hyperspace to walk through walls? Will the Department of Interior have its way with Liad? And what DID happen to Daav yos' Phelium?

You'll see a ghost who has attached to a person, not a place. You'll be awed by the ability of a quiet, unassuming man to shake the foundations of dramliz wizard teaching to its core. You will be convinced that Korval's Tree has been conducting genetic experiments for 1000 years...and that a new level has been reached. You'll be stunned by what the so-called "Least of Korval" is capable of, by the audacity of Anthora, by the simple, Liad-stubborn courage of Nova, by the terrifying mixture of Liad and alien wizardry in Shan and Priscilla, by Miri and Val Con's never-ending devotion to each other and to the safety of clan and people-- In short, you'll be reading until 3 AM.

And not regretting it.

And wondering, as the book ends...what new world will they build? What about the last of this generation, the only one without a lifemate? And who IS Theo? Don't waste any more time! Buy this book!

Ok, I admit it! I *love* the way Steve & Sharon write books. I have every one they've done (that I know of) - and more than one copy of some ....... well, I need to be able to get others addicted to the Liaden Universe (TM)! and *no-one's* getting my autographed copies!!!!! 8-)).

"I Dare" starts where "Plan B" left off - Miri, slowly, recovering from the wounds she suffered through her lifemate link with Val Con - and Val Con in a *much* more serious condition; Daav, Val Con's previously missing father, has arrived on planet - in a ship owned by his dead lifemate - who still talks to him; Edger & Sheather - Clutch Turtles (I hope they don't mind me using the short-form of their names; I would run out of space if I used their full ones ) have arrived on planet, concerned about the way the medics are trying to 'heal' Miri & Val Con, their sister & brother; Pat Rin is heading into *deep* trouble with the Department of the Interior; the Yxtrang are running from Erob....oh - and the Juntaves are about to stick their oar in, too.

So.... we've got the Department of the Interior (*really* nasty people) - against - the Clutch (*BIG* turtles, with *LONG* names), the Juntaves (smugglers, interstellar mafia, etc), lots & lots of Mercenaries, the Scouts, the Accountants Guild, seven members of clan Korval (the most infuential clan on Liad) and a couple of Dramliz (really, *really*, *Really* powerful wizards).

Boy - are the DoI in it up to their necks!?!?!

If you haven't read any of this series - *where* *have* *you* *been*?!? Anne McCaffrey has written some of the forewords for the series (L E Modesitt wrote the foreword for *this* one); do you think she would do that if these were *ordinary* books????? And other authors, who opinions matter to me, have been equally effusive with their praise. The books *are* worth all the praise they have received - Go buy them!!!

Great stuff, Sharon & Steve!!! ...

While not as strong as some of their other work, I Dare provides a satisfying end to the Agent of Change sequence (read Partners In Necessity and Plan B to bring yourself up to speed). Breakneck pacing and multiple plot lines abound which Lee and Miller almost bring off. I Dare felt like it could have easily used 200 more pages to fully flesh out all the details. Perhaps because Pat Rin finally gets his own plot line (and the majority of the pages) other Clan members and assorted allies get somewhat short shrift, but you'll be ok with that because Pat Rin proves to be something other than the "lesser" of Korval. Plus, his story will set up what hopefully, will prove to be the next set of Liaden Universe adventures (hint, hint, Meisha Merlin).

In addition to the reapprearance of all your favorite characters, including the family tree, some black sheep relatives show up to join the non-stop party that is Korval. Some old family retainers will revel suprising resources, Aunt Kareen gets left out in the cold, and a centuries-old burden will finally be lifted. But Will the peril of the Passengers be averted? Will the Department of the Interior's mutiny succeed? You'll have to read I Dare to find out.

If there are a few too many convenient life-matings, and if toward the end as the story is racing to bring everyone (and everything) together the storyline starts to slip a little out of control...well. The series' strong suits more than overshadow a few nit-picking comments. Filled with wonderfully realized characters, witty dialogue, honor, high adventure and constant peril, it'll be the best book you'll read all year. And since the Clan increases, perhaps can even be said to prosper, and since the last page has yet another crisis for Delm Korval to solve... you can rest easy knowing that more madcap adventures can't be far behind. If you haven't read, or more importantly purchased, all of the Liaden books yet I can only ask, "what are you waiting for?!"

Ok, I admit it! I *love* the way Steve & Sharon write books. I have every one they've done (that I know of) - and more than one copy of some ....... well, I need to be able to get others addicted to the Liaden Universe (TM)! and *no-one's* getting my autographed copies!!!!! 8-)).

"I Dare" starts where "Plan B" left off - Miri, slowly, recovering from the wounds she suffered through her lifemate link with Val Con - and Val Con in a *much* more serious condition; Daav, Val Con's previously missing father, has arrived on planet - in a ship owned by his dead lifemate - who still talks to him; Edger & Sheather - Clutch Turtles (I hope they don't mind me using the short-form of their names; I would run out of space if I used their full ones <G>) have arrived on planet, concerned about the way the medics are trying to 'heal' Miri & Val Con, their sister & brother; Pat Rin is heading into *deep* trouble with the Department of the Interior; the Yxtrang are running from Erob....oh - and the Juntaves are about to stick their oar in, too.

So.... we've got the Department of the Interior (*really* nasty people) - against - the Clutch (*BIG* turtles, with *LONG* names), the Juntaves (smugglers, interstellar mafia, etc), lots & lots of Mercenaries, the Scouts, the Accountants Guild, seven members of clan Korval (the most infuential clan on Liad) and a couple of Dramliz (really, *really*, *Really* powerful wizards).

Boy - are the DoI in it up to their necks!?!?!

If you haven't read any of this series - *where* *have* *you* *been*?!? Anne McCaffrey has written some of the forewords for the series; you think she would do that if these were *ordinary* books????? And other authors, who opinions matter to me, have been equally effusive with their praise. The books *are* worth all the praise they have received - Go buy them!!!

Great stuff, Sharon & Steve!!! Now then....when's the *next* one out? Hmmmm????

Quite often, series books start to go downhill after the fifth or sixth book, but Sharon Lee and Steve Miller are still going strong on book seven! Each episode of the Liaden Universe series reads as good as or better than the last and "I Dare" is no exception. The biggest strength for me of the Liaden novels is the well-detailed sympathetic characters and the newly introduced Pat Rin yos'Phelium continues that tradition when he is thrust into a heart-wrenching situation a struggles to deal with it. All the old favorites make an appearance, from Daav to Val Con, with some additional new friends as well.

It is difficult to talk about "I Dare" without also talking about the rest of the Agent of change series. "I Dare is the conclusion(?) of the present serious, when you read the ending you'll know why I said (?). And a wonderful and brilliant conclusion it is. Just about all the loose ends from Agent of Change Carpe Diem and Plan B are wrapped up in this final chapter.

Wonderful story telling, great characters and character development. It's tight, it's right and it definitely hits the home run! The worse thing about this book is that at the end you will be screaming for more and Lee and Miller can only write so fast!

DO NOT read this until you have finished the first three, by the way it doesn't hurt to have read the compendium "Pilots Choice" also. But then by all means DO NOT MISS IT!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Whoah, that was a really good book. I am blown away. I was hooked all through the book, I didn't even stop to eat. I even ignored my homework to read it, and for an over-achiever like myself, that is something. It was really good. I like Pat Rin a lot better now that this book has been written. At the beginning of the book, I wanted Pat Rin to die, because he'd always annoyed me in the other books and I was sure he was going to betray Korval to the Department of the Interior, but once I was about fifty pages in I was cheering him on. Two little issues: Isn't two new life-matings in one book a bit much? And isn't there supposed to be an end to the book? I mean, all this stuff happens in the end, and a new character is even introduced, and then *splat*--you fall flat on your face. I had no sense of closure! I won't give away the ending, but if you've read it you'll know what I mean when I say "can that actually happen?" I mean, that's really drastic. And I know Val Con doesn't really like Liadens, but I didn't think he'd be *that* happy about it. And what was that thing in the Clutch ship with Aelliana and Daav? The ending happened so fast. I loved the book, but the end wasn't an end, it was an overwhelming package of information. Also, in the end, with the thing with Theo, you really had to have read "Breath's Duty". If you don't know what I'm talking about and you'd like to, go to korval.com and check out the SRM Publisher Catalog link. There's loads of Liaden fiction you can buy. I'm looking over this, and it comes to my attention that I have only pointed the things I didn't like about the story. Let me assure you that regardless of the rushed ending, this was a phenomenal book. I was DELIRIOUS with delight when I finished it. There is not a better book in the world, except perhaps Plan B. Shakespeare is as nothing. (And yes, I really have read several of his plays, so I am qualified to give that opinion.) I urge you to buy this book. You will not regret it. Happy reading!

Clan Korval shines and shows once again its ability to make the best out of every situation. Two more members of Korval meet their matches. The aliens are good. The Yxtrang are intriguing. The cat is scary. The villains are properly punished. I cannot wait for more.