Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe Novels) [Hardcover]

Sharon Lee (Author), Steve Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2010 | Series: Liaden Universe Novels (Book 13)

            Aelliana Caylon has endured much, and finally, she appears to have won all: a spaceship, comrades, friends -- and the love of a pilot she adores.

            Even better that her lover—the man who was destined for her, a man as much a loner as she—is also the Delm of Korval, arguably the most powerful person on all of Liad. He has the power to remove her and protect her from the toxic environment of her home Clan. Best of all, he agrees to sit as her co-pilot and her partner in a courier business.

            Even happy endings sometimes show a few flaws. Such as Aelliana's home clan being not as agreeable to letting her go as it had first seemed. And the fact that someone is stealing pilots in the Low Port, which falls within the Delm of Korval's honor. Oh, and the revelation that the man she loves—the man who is destined for her—isn't entirely the man she thought he was. And finally, she discovers that even the lift from Liad she'd so fervently desired, is part of a larger plan, a plan requiring her to be someone she never thought she was, or could be.

 

Praise for the Liaden Universe series:

“Every now and then you come across an author, or in this case, a pair, who write exactly what you want to read, the characters and personalities that make you enjoy meeting them. . . . I rarely rave on and on about stories, but I am devoted to Lee and Miller novels and stories.” —Anne McCaffrey

 

“These authors consistently deliver stories with a rich, textured setting, intricate plotting, and vivid, interesting characters from fully-realized cultures, both human and alien, and each book gets better.” ?Elizabeth Moon

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Baen (June 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439133816
• ISBN-13: 978-1439133811
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,890 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maine-based writers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller teamed up in the late '80s to bring the world the story of Kinzel, a inept wizard with a love of cats, a thirst for justice, and a staff of true power. Since then, the husband-and-wife have written dozens of short stories, and eighteen novels, most set in their star-spanning Liaden Universe®. Their latest novel is Ghost Ship from Baen.

Before settling down to the serene and stable life of a science fiction and fantasy writer, Steve was a traveling poet, a rock-band reviewer, reporter, and editor of a string of community newspapers. Sharon, less adventurous, has been an advertising copywriter, copy editor on night-side news at a small city newspaper, reporter, photographer, and book reviewer. Both credit their newspaper experiences with teaching them the finer points of collaboration.

Sharon and Steve passionately believe that reading fiction ought to be fun, and that stories are entertainment.

Steve and Sharon maintain a website at www.korval.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthy sequel to Scout's Progress, but not much new, May 28, 2010

By 

James McCain (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe Novels) (Hardcover)

I'm a fan of the whole Liaden series, and was pleased at this chance to revisit the older generation of Clan Korval. The book picks up just before the end of Scout's Progress, with Aelliana at Healer's Hall, and the majority of the book takes place in the year immediately following that. The book mostly continues the plots established in Scout's Progress (the aftermath of everything with Aelliana's brother, including new conflict with Aelliana's delm; Daav and Aelliana working her ship; etc.). The one negative thing I have to say about the book is that, in some ways, it feels like the characters have moved backwards from the end of Scout's Progress, as the authors stretch out the "will they/won't they" plot of the original (although to be fair, Mouse and Dragon may be more of a "can they/can't they" plot). Despite those hesitations, Mouse and Dragon is a great addition to the Liaden Universe and anyone who liked Scout's Progress will definitely want to pick up a copy of the follow-on. (For those new to the series, Scout's Progress -- which is currently available in the compilation volume The Dragon Variation (Liaden) -- should definitely be read first).

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars *happy sigh*, June 11, 2010

By 

C. Skaw (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe Novels) (Hardcover)

For a fan and reader of the series, this book is a welcome addition filling a hole in the overall timeline and story that had begged filling. A new reader might be a little confused without any previous introduction to the series as it jumps right into the story where the another book (Scout's Progress) left off. I recommend reading at least Scout's Progress before reading this one. There is less action in this book then in some of the others instead it focuses more on the characters. Still there was never a moment that I felt like setting the book down from anything less then necessity. If you wish more action, I recommend starting with Agent of Change and then moving on to Carpe Diem, Plan B, and I, Dare. These contain the overall plot arc that provides the action to most of the series. Beyond that, I can only say that this is one of my most favorite series and one of the few I read over and over again. If you dive into this world you will not regret it and will soon be like the rest of its fans waiting eagerly for the next installment.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner, July 20, 2010

By 

Patricia Bray (Upstate, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe Novels) (Hardcover)

I've been a fan of Lee and Miller's Liaden novels from the very beginning, and I'm thrilled to report that MOUSE AND DRAGON is a fantastic addition to this universe.

While recovering at homewith a bum ankle, a friend sent me a care package from Amazon.com that included MOUSE AND DRAGON, and I devoured the book in a single evening. Adventure, humor, romance, political scheming, all the hallmarks of a Liaden adventure, with characters that you care passionately about. New fans and old will enjoy this tale.

Go, read, enjoy!