Customer Reviews

The Tomorrow Log

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, let's say up front that this is space opera. There are grand themes of good vs. evil, spaceship battles, etc. If you are looking for the latest in cyberpunk, you are in the wrong department. Second, let's say that although this is a new series by Lee & Miller, it doesn't have any amazing new themes- no startling insights into the nature of the universe, none of the newest discoveries in physics; just their usual themes of the problems with insular cultures, how human(ish) hybrids tend to be more vigorous and smarter than those who are inbred, how people change if they are accidentally placed outside the culture they are grown up in, and of course, romance based on the admiration of the significant other's intelligence and battle skills (regardless of gender). Mind you, I am emphatically NOT belittling those themes- I like them, and I think this pair of authors handles those themes well. I just don't want to say merely "great new science fiction!" and then have disappointed fans of dark and bitter techno-futures email me, saying "Thou hast deceived me!" Come to think of it, if you're the sort of person who ever likes to throw "Thou hast" into conversation, you won't be emailing me, 'cause I'm preaching to the choir- you'll like this book. Unlike the Liaden Universe (r) series, the language in this book does not actually get that formal, but you can tell that it could. (Yes, yes, I know that "thou" is actually the familiar form, not the formal, but that's not how most people today know of it.)

What we have is well-written, fast-paced adventure with wonderfully drawn characters. Gem is not a Val Con clone, despite the fact that a casual reading of the short blurbs might make him sound that way. The plot includes, let's see, "haunted" objects to be stolen, an interplanetary Mob (not that dissimilar to the one in the Liaden books), a generation ship that's falling apart, recycled bodies and parts a la Harry Harrison, martial arts, mystical objects that turn out to be alien technology, the Witness (who certainly reminded me somehow of Nelirikk Explorer, I can't figure out why) who follows the object around, interlocking mysterious "prophecies" from several cultures... and lots of hints of the future of the series, as well, since the planet where the object is returned, turns out to have mysterious hints that a Gen ship may have landed there aeons ago.

There is one somewhat intriguing idea- not brand new, but I like the way they do it, and that's "spiders" - small electronic spy devices. More or less. What makes these interesting, besides their powers, is the number of associations they will call up for the fan with varied tastes: since Gem controls them from a wrist computer, sending spiders out from his cuffs, it somehow is reminiscent of Peter Parker shooting webs from his cuffs; the spiders write messages to help save a girl imprisoned, harking back to, of all things, _Charlotte's Web_; the wrist cuff reminded me of the one Dylan Hunt used in the Andromeda episode "Una Salus Victus" to trigger the explosions... I enjoy looking for connections between things like this, and if you do too, I'm sure you'll find even more than I did.

In short- if you're already a fan, you definitely want this; if you like space opera/culture conflict SF and haven't run across these authors before, you'll probably enjoy this; if all you are interested in is techno-war and angst, you might have to settle for the spiders to get your kicks.

It's impossible to write about a Lee and Miller space opera without comparing it to the Liaden series. But this book is not part of that series, and stands on its own (so far).

[If you haven't read the Liaden books, I recommend starting with the compilation Partners In Necessity.]

What the book is: a space opera -- sort of an Indiana Jones style adventure. By that I mean that we have a male hero (extraordinarily capable but with some flaws), a female sidekick who could easily also be the hero, some evil mobsters, daring breakins, swashbuckling fight scenes, sneaky assasination fight scenes, a romantic relationship based more on battles survived together and mutual respect than instant physical attraction, and some mystical artifacts and prophecies.

What it is not: Liaden. Liaden novels are more like James Clavell merged with Lois Bujold, with cutthroat business and social maneuvering intermixed with military action (and with a healthy dose of telepathic wizardry). Liaden novels are more setup, strategy, and verbal banter. Tomorrow Log is more action, with our heroes bouncing from one scrape to the next and the stakes increasing every time.

In summary, this book has much of the style of the Liaden stories, but with a rather different content. It is not as good as the whole Liaden series (a couple hundred pages versus over a thousand), but it probably is just as good as any of those books considered one-on-one.

As with all of Lee and Miller's work, this is a wonderful, enthralling read, filled with fascinating characters and situations. Deftly written, with rich, lyrical prose, this is a book to savor. It's also a book to read in a great, gallumphing hurry, a book to speed through to find out what happens next! This is how action and adventure should be done! It also has lots of intriguing science-fictional ideas thrown in for good measure -- Gem's spiders, for instance, and the Blue House, where you go to get a new body after your old one dies. What's not to love?

The only sour note -- the plot was left unresolved at the end of the book. This is clearly the set-up to a new series, and it introduces the characters and concepts of this new universe very well. Well enough that I wanted more! "The Tomorrow Log" does resolve all the main plot issues raised at the beginning of the novel, but there are many loose threads that still need to be tied off. This book doesn't end so much as stop. If you're the sort who can't stand an unfinished story, you might want to wait until the sequel comes out to start this book. However, if you don't mind being teased, then buy this book in a hurry! What a fantastic, fun novel!

With "The Tomorrow Log," authors Sharon Lee and Steve Miller introduce new characters, Gem, a thief who was once part of a close-knit community on a ship, and his cousin, Corbinye, who tracks him down to bring him back to his family.

This book was fine - well written, interesting characters, good plots, and all of the hallmarks of a good space opera. The problem is, it just doesn't compare to Lee and Miller's Liaden novels, with their wonderfully intricate plots, terrific characters and intriguing storylines. I would read "Tomorrow Log" again, but it isn't on par with the Liaden stories, for me, at least.

Just pretend that it's not Lee & Miller ... if you can prevent "Liaden Universe Prejudice", you'll likely enjoy this new series very much! And even if your internal blinders aren't that good, you'll probably get over your pining for more of Clan Korval ... at least for the duration of the book.

It didn't occur to me while reading, but later I thought that "Tomorrow Log" had some flavors of "Dune" and "Silent Running." -- Probably not even conscious influences for the authors, but there might be some SciFi legacy.

The main thing that I noticed, though, was that this book seemed to have a different developmental pattern than the Liaden books. With those, you have many strands of characters/cultures/histories which are nicely established in their milieus, and then are skillfully woven together to form a "standalone" fabric/sculpture within each book ... which is then embellished/incorporated/developed more completely over the series. Each book was ... satisfying ... in itself, and nicely closed off (with the added thrill of knowing even more was to be done with this already lovely "ephemeral art.")

In the "Tomorrow Log", you also have many established and interesting characters/histories, but I came away with the feeling that this was almost a prequel ... at the end I had a handful of very interesting strands which were finally prepared enough to weave together. Sort of like having had to wash/card/comb/spin the wool, and now at the end of the book, I held five or six fascinating strands between the fingers of my hands, with the braiding NOW ready to begin. A very enjoyable process, but without the nice feeling of (intermediate) completion for me as with each of the Liaden books. Nonetheless, I still felt the thrill of knowing (make that hoping, hoping, hoping) that there's more to come.

Edger and Sheather would definitely read this (and want more!)

I'm always a bit wary when authors of a known series branch out into a new universe, but The Tomorrow Log did not disappoint. It's creatively and wonderfully written, with fully fleshed characters, fascinating personal relationships, and action-packed adventure to boot. The only disappointment is that it's only one book and we'll have to wait for the further adventures of Gem and Corbinye. If you love the Liaden series, you'll love The Tomorrow Log. And if you've never read any of the Liaden series .... what are you waiting for?!

I have read and own all of the Liaden books by Lee and Miller. I consider myself to be of average intelligence. THE TOMORROW LOG is good; I don't think Lee and Miller could write anything but. However, there were certain aspects of this book that had me confused. I had trouble with the imagery of the Trident, Witness for the Telios, the Telios and their planet, and the garden on the spaceship. Also, the characters didn't quite come to life for me. If this is the beginning of a series, I will stay with it, though, and hope for the best.

A sci-fi twist on the 'Thief with a heart of gold' story. Gem ser Edreth views himself more as an artist than an outlaw, and tries to conduct himself as if he has no heart at all. He chooses his targets as much for the challenge they present as for their monetary value, working only with a small army of mechanical spiders and holding himself aloof from all emotional entanglements.

This attitude crumbles when his cousin shows up out of the blue, quoting prophesy and trying to recruit him back into the family that sold him into slavery as a child.

As always, Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's characters are the best part of the story. Every character, no matter how brief their appearance, is immediately *real* and you want to know more about them. Even the cyberspiders, who have numbers rather than names, seem to take on distinct personalities.

The novel is complete unto itself, no major cliffhangers at the end, but can obviously continue on as a series.

After torturing myself with the excerpt on www.meishamerlin.com for what seemed like an eternity, I finally got to read the entire book! (and in one night!) This is a wonderful book about acceptance of life and destiny (and a thief and the Crew and many other different types of barbarians...). I just hope there is more to come!!! (Though I see shades of waiting for more of Gem and more of Liad and am not sure how I feel about it!!!)

But really--just get the book. It's good. You'll like it.

Tired of the Liaden universe? Ready for something a little different? If you are then TOMORROW LOG may be just the thing for you. Not that I need a break from Liaden myself, I am an unrepentant fan, but TL was a wonderful departure from their blockbuster series.

As with everything else Lee and Miller have produced TL is a well written, tightly formulated story with rich well-developed characters and an interesting plot. While I admit Gem and Corbinye, the two main characters, didn't grab me with the same intensity or fascination that their Liaden characters did they certainly held my attention.

TL is a fun read! A mixture of high technology, alien mysticism with just a bit of romance thrown in. It is a quick read, a problem I have found with most of their single novels, and while it ends appropriately it certainly leaves you looking for more.

This is a good book even as a stand alone story and a fine beginning for a series if that is in fact what they intend. I certainly RECOMMEND this work to all those who enjoy the lighthearted type of space opera that Lee and Miller have become justly famous for.