Customer Reviews

Partners in Necessity

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Originally published in 1988 it took twelve more years for a commercial following to gather for the Liaden Universe. The first three books, "Conflict of Honors", "Agent of Change" and "Carpe Diem," were then compiled into a single volume and sold as "Partners in Necessity." During the mild aftermath of their first being published, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller continued to write, but mostly for themselves. If the general public didn't embrace what they wrote, at least they enjoyed writing it.

The strange thing here, is that those three novels were excellent. It's a mystery to me why it took so long for them to succeed, as they should have from the first day. The book market can be an unpredictable battleground. If it weren't for all the positive ratings awarded on Amazon.com, even I would not have read these quality novels.

Written in the vein of space opera, each of the Liaden Universe books, six so far, centre on the Liaden clan Korval. A non terrestrial but human family that ensures its survival in a universe of cut-throat politics with commercial acumen, a fleet of ships and a generations long breeding program aimed at producing pilots, (a rare bread of individual that has the reflexes of a cat and the courage to match). Each book tends to concentrate on one couple, typically as they meet, fall in love and life-bond. All this tends to happen under adverse circumstances; running from secret government agents, duelling with mad ship captains, targeted by a futuristic crime family or just being attacked by a mindless race of aggressive aliens known as the Yxtrang.

The Clan Korval is not always fighting alone however. One of their more fascinating allies is the Clutch Turtles, linked to Korval through an unspecified and mysterious adoption. These aliens are an old race, long lived, slow to act, fascinated by art and possibly the most deadly creatures in known space. There are so many factions, families, races and species involved in the Liaden universe that we need every book these talented authors can produce just to scratch the surface. I just hope their growing popularity gives them enough reasons to continue writing.

Partners In Necessity is one of the greatest gifts my budget has ever seen. You see, I am a huge fan of the three novels that it is a re-print of, but they are long since out of print, and while the original paperbacks can be found, used bookstores charge a fortune for them. This is a heck of a problem when one is trying to find copies so as to use them as bribes to friends to return -my- copies. I'm not kidding, this has been a problem for me, because the books are simply that good. It's a space opera, with characters one can't help but admire, and a style of writing that just grabs you and isn't going to let you go until you've finished. They also have tremendous re-read value, this isn't a book one reads once and sets aside. It begs to be read again and again, and it becomes only more fun each time.

If you pick up this book on a Friday evening, expect not to do anything else until Monday morning...

The Liaden Universe is like James Clavell in space. The plots are not quite so complicated, and the pace is faster, but the focus on interweaving conflicts of duty, profit, and romance remind me a lot of Noble House or Tai-Pan.

In the Liaden Universe, there are two primary rules. Don't start fights. Always finish them.

One thing that might throw some people off is that the authors are very strict about not "explaining" anything. It's up to the reader to puzzle out who the Liadens, Yxtrang, Terrans, Turtles, Clans, witches, healers, etc. are. This isn't as hard as it sounds like, because the authors want you to figure out the puzzle. And it makes the books a great re-read, since you don't have to wade through pages of exposition explaining things you already know -- it's straight into the action right away.

But that doesn't mean the world is constructed shoddily. Everything hangs together fairly consistantly, nothing seems to be added on as an afterthought just to advance the plot.

You will certainly want to read Plan B after this one -- do not read them out of order!

First, let me state up front that I am NOT the Steve Miller who co-wrote these novels, so I'm not singing my own praises here. I AM a Steve Miller who's also a writer (and who may have chosen a different variant on his professional name if he had been aware of the other Steve Miller who also writes sci-fi/fantasy, but for now I guess we have to share... :) ), but we are two different guys.

With that aside, I'll just say that I greatly enjoyed "Partners" and that I hope to start "Plan B" (the follow-up novel) next time I have a trip I have to take. In fact, "Partners" is one of the most enjoyable books I've read so far this year.

Lee & Miller write with the kind of style I wish I could. It seems breezy and effortless. Their tales are populated with likable characters whom the reader almost can't help but care about. The adventures are exciting, the romances touching, and the action fast-paced and exciting.

I highly recommend this omnibus of the first three Laiden Universe novels to anyone who enjoys sci-fi that's focused on characters rather than tech. The section about the 'hows' and 'whys' of this particular volume is also interesting reading.

I am pretty strictly a sci-fi reader, and I am very picky about what I will buy. I "research" reviews of books before I buy them to (hopefully) weed out the crap. I was intrigued by the glowing reviews of this book, so I bought it, never having read these authors or this series before. Let me tell you how glad I was that I did...

I devoured this book and immediately got on-line to order all the other books in the series. While I was waiting for them to arrive, I re-read this book. When the others came, I devoured them, and then re-read the whole series!!! I have only re-read one other series because I couldn't bear to say goodbye to the characters, and I have never read a book three times in a row before. I even went to the author's website and bought all the companion short stories. I might seriously consider reading them again--but I ignored so many responsiblilies while reading it the last times that there are piles and piles of other things I ought to do first). There may not be any "profound" messages here, but the story comes together so beautifully, the characters are so vivid and likeable, and the universe is so consistant and interesting that I just don't want to let it go.

So, buy this book... and go ahead and get the rest of them too. You won't regret it.

I used to check the bookstores every week or so for new volumes in this series. (Trust me, I'm not the kind of fan-fanatic who generally does this for other books.) Then I checked once a month. Then I checked once a quarter or so, and at long last once a year. (Hope dies hard.)

Thanks to Meisha Merlin publishers this series is back in reprint and more novels are scheduled at long last come out. Which means now I can replace my very worn originals with fresh acid-free paper printed versions, plus indulge in reading the rest of the story.

I've already read and reread the first books in the series more than 10 times over the years because they are fun and intelligent and witty. I can say that of practically no other books on this planet.

Buy this. Heck, if you don't like this book (even a little) then email me and I'll reimburse you personally!

There are certain books, as Ms. McCaffery states so eloquently in her forward, that are just comfort reads. Books that are the first unpacked after a move. The first reached for when you are feeling down, or when you just want to go back to that time when you first read the book(s).

These three books are that for me. All three touch different parts of my psyche and life, and each, seperately, is among the best books I have ever read.

I am an old time fan of Miller and Lee. I started when these books were first published, and I languished with so many others when they lost their first publisher. I rejoiced to find their Friends of Liad list, so many years ago. Then rejoiced anew when MM signed up to publish Plan B.

Now, all those friends of mine that I bragged to about these books can finally read them... and get me to shut up.

These three novels (A Conflict of Necesseties, Agent of Change, and Carpe Diem) have been favourites of mine ever since i first encoutnered them.

Long out of print, Meisha Merlin (headquartered here in Atlanta) has done the SF world a real service by bringing them back into print in this omnibus volume (and, as well, publishing the next volume in the series. "Plan B").

My favourite book of the three is "Conflict" -- at least partly because i am a confirmed fan of the Regency romances of Georgette Heyer; anyone familiar with those will find delicious echoes resounding throughout this story.

My favourite character, though, is Edger, the Clutch-Turtle ... a character who is simply indescribable in the space of this short review but wonderful in the extreme to watch in action.

And my favourite image is of an imaginary Galactic Parcel Express package ... with imaginary dust on it.

Worth every penny of the money and every minute of the wait if you order it.

Partners in Necessity is three books in one and what a treat it is. We are introduced first to the traders of Liaden as they move among the stars and then on to the whole fascinating Liaden society, including the infamous Scouts. My personal favorite is the wonderfully titled Conflict of Honors that introduces Shan and Patricia. They have a common enemy and struggle to maintain their honor while dealing with the situation as they trade their way through the stars. Agent of Change and Carpe Diem focus more on the Scouts, a branch of the Liaden government, and the problems within both the Scouts and Liaden society. It is a look at worlds on the edge of civilization by people who are from highly structured societies. The themes are universal as honor is impinged, then restored as good battles evil. A rip roaring trip and a must read for anyone who enjoys stories of the galaxy.

I bought this 3-in-1 (in hardcover), and after reading just one, Lee & Miller immediately moved to the top handful of my favorite authors, and every story I've read since has just seemed to get better than the last! Whether you like "space opera" adventure, contact/conflict-of-cultures plots, emotional (but not graphic) paranormal romance, or just plain excellent writing, the Liaden Universe stories are for you!

Liaden series notes:
This volume contains "Conflict of Honors", "Agent of Change", and "Carpe Diem", the first three tales of the "present" generation of Clan Korval, especially Val Con yos'Phelium and his foster-brother Shan yos'Galan, in plot-chronological order (the 2nd happened to be *published* first).
These are followed by the cliff-hanger "Plan B", and the [conclusion] "I Dare".
The first story ("Conflict of Honors") is all about Shan and his lifemate-to-be, Priscilla Mendoza, but then Val Con and HIS lady, Miri Robertson, take center stage for most of the subsequent volumes - though the rest of the family is far from left out.
"Pilots Choice" is a prequel 2-in-1 ("Local Custom" & "Scout's Progress") featuring Shan & Val Con's *parents* -- and by the way, read these at least before "I Dare"!
The authors' website, Korval.com, includes reference data (FAQs, pronunciation guide, etc.) and a complete bibliography for the series, including many shorter entries NOT available as standard HCs or PBs.

Trust me, if you clicked any link that landed you on this page, you can't help but enjoy these stories!