Ghost Ship (Liaden Universe®)

This is one of the books that features 'Theo Waitley', set in the 'Liaden Universe', which are in order: 'Fledgling', 'Saltation', 'Ghost Ship' and 'Dragon Ship'. I have loved most every book I've read in the Liaden world, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, but the ones that feature Theo Waitley are my favorites. Apparently, Theo Waitley was originally featured in an online live journal and her development encouraged by avid fans. Perhaps this is why she seems such a very real character to me? Whatever, I sure hope they write more books with her in it! I've read a Lot of Science Fiction and Fantasy and rate this writing duo at the top of my list of writers. I believe these books are best described as 'Space Operas', combining a mix of drama, action, mystery and romance in futuristic fantasy worlds, including people from our 'Terran' world. Lee and Miller's writing is dynamic and emotive, with incredibly well designed societies and characters. An added benefit of reading Lee & Miller's writing is you can join their 'Korval' clan (a clan featured in the books) for real in Facebook, and actually speak to the writers. Lee & Miller have been cultivating close association with their readers since the 80's, which I find very special though I came late to knowing their writing and their books. They of-course also have a web-site, and you can look the Liaden Universe up on Wikipedia to decide which order is best for you to read their books. I personally started with Fledgling, and went back to read other books and fill in gaps, and didn't feel like I was completely lost. I love their Liaden Universe series, and highly recommend these books!

This book includes -- among a LOT of other really cool stuff -- both the excitement of the universe the authors have created and perpetuated, and also an understanding of what it takes to get through the problems which the characters confront. Those problems, under the intriguing skin of the exotic context, explore ways to deal with issues most of us confront, and ways to deal with them pretty successfully, at that.

The long-awaited book-length continuation to the original Liaden stories has finally arrived. And it's a good one. At this point I have to caution new readers -- you will be hopelessly lost. What you need to do is go back and start with Agent Of Change, then read all the dozen or so other books in this series, because this book builds upon all of them. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that we once again see Korval from the point of view of those outside the clan (especially Theo), and this allows us new insights. We're so used to thinking of Korval as the good guys that it is a bit jarring to see sympathetic characters treating Korval with cautious concern. The truth is that Korval is quite a powerful ally, but certainly not a safe one! In fact, that's a running theme in the book (and all the Theo-centric books). Safety is one thing to value, but it comes at a cost. Repeatedly, characters are forced to choose between safety and the opportunity for growth. The book clearly sides with growth. Characters are also forced to choose between passive defensive and active offense against their enemies, and again the book sides with the active. "Take a risk and maybe gain the reward or maybe lose quickly, but fail to take a risk and surely lose slowly" is what it seems to be saying. It's readable and exciting, a fun book. My biggest quibble is that I had hoped for a new opponent. Instead, we mainly get the Department Of Interior yet again. This part of it starts to feel like a rehash. And I'm tired of the Uncle and Dulsey. After a while the continued lack of explanation for them stops seeming mysterious and exotic and starts seeming annoying. The same is true of the Old Tech, although the authors are finally starting to reveal a few things about the Old Tech which allows it to remain more on the interesting side of the ledger. It was refreshing not to have any magical cats. All-in-all, a fine book but maybe not quite as good as the previous best examples in the series. There is a little too much forced rebalancing needed to bring the previous "Agent Of Change saga" stories into harmony with the new "Old Tech" storyline.

This story is a continuation of Salutation and I Dare. So it is about Theo and her newly found clan, Korval. If you are new to the Laiden universe, you are in for a real treat - I would recommend starting closer to the beginning with Local Custom or at the very beginning with Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon. In this Laiden universe novel, Theo expands into her chosen field of being a very interesting pilot then meets a long lost friend, a thinking ship and then stuff happens. As usual these Authors create interesting character driven stories with great dialogue - enjoy. Please note there is an episode concerning the planet, Valder that is covered in more detail in the short story of "Prodigal Son" in Constellation vol 2.

this is a superb book I could not put it down. I have read it about 30 times now and shall continue to read it. all Liaden stories are superb I have not read a bad one yet. cannot wait fo the next one after Dragon ship. I would recomend thisw and all Liaden books to any and every one.

Nous vivons ici la suite des aventures de Théo. C'est vrai mais en même temps aucun livre ne ressemble à un autre, chacun apportant quelque chose de nouveau, de différent tant dans l'histoire que dans la forme. Rien à voir avec les séries où chaque épisode est construit sur le même schéma que dans les autres livres, toujours suivant le même plan. Et c'est vraiment un bonheur de découverte à chaque fois. Sans être du Space Opera, s'en est quand même. Sans les armées de vaisseaux ni la montée en grade d'un aspirant au destin exceptionnel (Harrington, Longknife, etc.). Quand j'y pense, ce qui se rapproche le plus de cette série, dans la forme, pas dans le fond, c'est la saga Vorkosigan. Bonne lecture !

dies sollte nicht das erste Buch über das Liaden Universum sein, das man liest. Besser man liest zuerst Dragon Variation. Kurz der Inhalt: Korval findet einen neuen Planeten und Theo wird von ihrem Schiff gefunden. Man muss diese Bücher mindestens 2-3 mal lesen, immer entdeckt man Neues oder ein andererTatsache wird plötzlich klar. Lee und Miller haben ein fabelhaftes Talent eine Geschichte zu entwickeln und Spannung zu erzeugen. Es ist wie ein Rosenstrauch im Frühjahr mit nur Knospen und im Lauf des Sommers erblüht Rose auf Rose und da ist noch kein Ende. Das Weblink [...] ist auch hilfreich

Not as interesting as it's predecessors....more about setting up business...

C'est toujours un plaisir de découvrir un nouveau volume dans la série des Liaden. Dommage que les précédents volumes / short stories de la série ne soient pas disponibles.