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Liaden Universe, Chronological #11
Carpe Diem
On the run from assassins, Val Con yos'Phelium and Miri Robertson are stranded on a distant planet and must learn to trust each other if they're going to survive - and learn to love each other if they're going to heal the dark wounds of their past.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
83 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
165 books788 followersSharon Lee has been married to her first husband for more than half her lifetime; she is a friend to cats, a member of the National Carousel Association, and oversees the dubious investment schemes of an improbable number of stuffed animals.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
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May 2, 2025
2025 Re-Read
Well, I am a dummy! The pace of this novel is so frantic, that I failed to pick up on the important section concerning the Department of the Interior in my first reading. I finally am clued in to their reasons for pursuing Clan Korval so persistently! Val Con was a top agent and they will see him dead before they let him free.
So much detail and I am remarkable easily distracted. What a joy, to see clearly!
Original Review
Carpe Diem picks up where Agent of Change left off, continuing the story of Miri Robertson and Val Con yos’Phelium. There’s good action, interspersed with more character development, both of which entertained me.
Lee & Miller have created some memorable aliens—I hope at some point to get more info about the Yxtrang, the race that everyone seems to fear & dread. I love The Clutch, the giant sapient turtles who view humanity rather like Tolkien’s Ents—we are hasty, but interesting. Of them, Edger, Val Con’s friend & adopted brother, steals every scene in which he appears!
And of course, we get more insight into Liad itself and Val Can’s family, who form the nucleus of this series. I find myself intrigued by the way that family works on Liad—and how this family is definitely different. Not only have they accepted Terrans into the fold, but they seem to be more genuinely fond of one another that other Liadan families. They also seem to have a predilection for life-mating, making the whole system of contract marriage that prevails on Liad a bit difficult for them.
Actually, I can see this series as an ancestor to the urban fantasy genre that I so enjoy today—it introduces the idea that fantasy and science fiction can contain a romantic story. Plus, the whole life-mate idea seems to be a predecessor of the mate-bond found in works like Mercy Thompson or Sarah J. Maas’s Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Book 256 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy reading project. Looking forward to Plan B to get the next installment of the tale.
Well, I am a dummy! The pace of this novel is so frantic, that I failed to pick up on the important section concerning the Department of the Interior in my first reading. I finally am clued in to their reasons for pursuing Clan Korval so persistently! Val Con was a top agent and they will see him dead before they let him free.
So much detail and I am remarkable easily distracted. What a joy, to see clearly!
Original Review
Carpe Diem picks up where Agent of Change left off, continuing the story of Miri Robertson and Val Con yos’Phelium. There’s good action, interspersed with more character development, both of which entertained me.
Lee & Miller have created some memorable aliens—I hope at some point to get more info about the Yxtrang, the race that everyone seems to fear & dread. I love The Clutch, the giant sapient turtles who view humanity rather like Tolkien’s Ents—we are hasty, but interesting. Of them, Edger, Val Con’s friend & adopted brother, steals every scene in which he appears!
And of course, we get more insight into Liad itself and Val Can’s family, who form the nucleus of this series. I find myself intrigued by the way that family works on Liad—and how this family is definitely different. Not only have they accepted Terrans into the fold, but they seem to be more genuinely fond of one another that other Liadan families. They also seem to have a predilection for life-mating, making the whole system of contract marriage that prevails on Liad a bit difficult for them.
Actually, I can see this series as an ancestor to the urban fantasy genre that I so enjoy today—it introduces the idea that fantasy and science fiction can contain a romantic story. Plus, the whole life-mate idea seems to be a predecessor of the mate-bond found in works like Mercy Thompson or Sarah J. Maas’s Court of Thorns and Roses series.
Book 256 in my Science Fiction and Fantasy reading project. Looking forward to Plan B to get the next installment of the tale.
June 25, 2010
3.5 stars. Another good installment of a great space opera series. The Liaden world and its people continue to be fleshed out and are very interesting though, in my opinion, the Clutch steal the show.
February 29, 2012
4.5/5; 5 stars; A
Carpe Diem takes up right after Agent of Change ends. Val Con and Miri are in a bit of a fix and have to find refuge on a planet at the end of nowhere.
Against the background of this backwards, low tech world, we see how badly damaged Val Con was/is by his stint with the Department of the Interior, we see how tough it is to be a foreigner in every sense of the word, and we see the birth hope and healing. In some ways, the book is a time out, that focuses on Val Con and Miri learning to be a couple and learning to fit in with this strange new world. But at the same time, we see that events are moving forward on Liad and with the evil plot that is the main driver for this book, the previous book and the coming books. Another well done, entertaining entry in the series.
Carpe Diem takes up right after Agent of Change ends. Val Con and Miri are in a bit of a fix and have to find refuge on a planet at the end of nowhere.
Against the background of this backwards, low tech world, we see how badly damaged Val Con was/is by his stint with the Department of the Interior, we see how tough it is to be a foreigner in every sense of the word, and we see the birth hope and healing. In some ways, the book is a time out, that focuses on Val Con and Miri learning to be a couple and learning to fit in with this strange new world. But at the same time, we see that events are moving forward on Liad and with the evil plot that is the main driver for this book, the previous book and the coming books. Another well done, entertaining entry in the series.
May 5, 2018
I love this series ;)
When you re-read the earlier books it just reinforces your understanding of the Universe that was built.
On a first read this could come across as slow. Three separate groups all learning the situation and moving into position for the inevitable conflict.
But the world is so varied, the cultures & viewpoints complex. Yet there is still room for action, humor and actual character development!
When you re-read the earlier books it just reinforces your understanding of the Universe that was built.
On a first read this could come across as slow. Three separate groups all learning the situation and moving into position for the inevitable conflict.
But the world is so varied, the cultures & viewpoints complex. Yet there is still room for action, humor and actual character development!
January 20, 2018
http://delivreenlivres.blogspot.fr/20...
Après un début difficile qui m'a rappelé mon avis sur le premier tome, j'ai finalement réussi à rentrer dans l'histoire lors de la seconde partie et à apprécier ce tome.
Ce tome se passe directement après le premier. En fait chronologiquement parlant c'est le second tome qui se passe en premier. ce tome ci réuni les 5 personnages principaux des deux tomes en une intrigue et il est aussi véritablement le commencement de l'histoire principale.
Nous suivons Val Con et Miri, qui après avoir échappé à leurs poursuivants s'échouent sur une planète interdite. Les planètes interdites sont des planètes qui n'ont pas voulu faire parti du monde galactique et qui laissent leurs habitants sans aucune idée de ce qu'il se passe en dehors de leur terre ferme. Pendant ce temps Edger, leur frère adoptif et ami, Shan, le cousin de Val Con et Priscilla sa compagne ainsi que les autres membres de leur famille partent à leur recherche.
Mais le département de l'intérieur donc Val Con était un agent est bien décidé de les retrouver en premier, car un agent ne quitte jamais le service, ou alors les pieds en avant ...
En fait le monde dans lequel Miri et Val Con atterrissent est un monde bloqué dans une technologie qui rappelle le début du 20ième siècle. Il y a déjà le téléphone, la radio et quelques rares voitures mais guère plus.
Les deux se retrouve hébergés par une veuve qui les loge et les nourri en échange du travail dans sa ferme. Au début ils n'ont pas vraiment de plan, ils savent qu'ils ne peuvent pas repartir pour l'instant avec leurs moyens et pensent même un instant rester sur place pour le reste de leurs jours. Mais évidemment avec toutes les personnes sur leurs traces, les opportunités vont bien finir par frapper à leur porte.
C'était un espèce d'interlude campagnard pour les deux en quelque sorte, une façon aussi de se poser un peu pour analyser ce qu'est leur vie et ce qu'ils peuvent devenir.
C'est les passages avec lesquels j'ai eu le plus de mal. Mais bizarrement je n'ai pas particulièrement trouvé ça long comme on pourrait peut être l'imaginer. En fait j'ai plus été embêté une nouvelle fois avec le langage des personnages et leurs façons de parler bien spécifique. Entre Val Con et les Liaden qui ont un phrasé ampoulé, les Clutch (dont Edger fait parti) avec leurs phrases à rallonge et Miri avec ses apostrophes de partout car elle mange ses mots, ce n'était vraiment pas évident à nouveau.
Non pas que j'ai particulièrement de grosses difficultés en général mais ça demandait quand même une concentration particulière et des fois des relectures de passages pour bien les assimiler qui me faisaient sortir du récit.
De leur coté Shan et Priscilla ont aussi leurs soucis. De peur de la réaction de leur chef de famille Shan n'a jamais vraiment officialisé sa relation avec la jeune femme, et du coup il est bien embêté parce qu'on lui demande de rentrer dans un mariage temporaire politique avec une autre famille. Le but est de faire une association entre deux personnes pour "produire" un enfant qui sera des deux sangs et qui rapprochera les familles. Mais le mariage en question n'est pas fait pour durer il est dissout dés que l'enfant nait ou au bout d'une période donnée si il est stérile.
Les Liaden sont un peuple très ordonné et formel et leur vie est rythmée par toute une série d'obligations qui sont censées permettre de pérenniser leur famille sur le long terme. En fait ils ont une hiérarchie très précise et un respect des personnes plus hautes qu'eux, qui rappelle un peu les japonnais. Même leur façon de parler change en fonction de leur interlocuteur et de la hiérarchie en question.
D'ailleurs on passe pas mal de temps dans la famille Liaden de Val Con de Shan dans ce tome, justement pour nous permettre de mieux connaitre ses autres membres et notamment la chef de famille.
Heureusement pour moi dans la seconde partie du récit les choses s’accélèrent un peu, autant la vie de Val Con et Miri qui change un peu que celles des autres protagonistes. On a plus d'action, les choses bougent et surtout le département de l'intérieur va faire le premier pas d'une série qui va permettre de véritablement lancer l'intrigue principale.
Un autre point que je trouve finalement charmant même si on ne peux pas s’empêcher de le remarquer est le coté anachronique des certaines technologies. Un peu comme dans Star Wars on est sur un univers qui fait très années 70-80 malgré le fait qu'on soit très loin dans le futur.
En fait je pense qu'il y a un autre facteur qui a fait que j'ai moins aimé le début du livre et c'est justement le changement de temporalité globale. Ayant lu les deux tomes précédents qui avaient leur intrigue qui se terminait à la fin du tome, celle ci était rapide au niveau rythme et se suffisait à elle même.
Alors qu'en fait sur ce tome ce n'est plus le cas car on est sur le tout début d'une grosse intrigue qui va continuer sur les tomes suivants. Du coup oui on a un peu l'impression à certains moments que les choses n'avancent pas en comparaison. On est passé vraiment sur une intrigue plus globale qui lance l'univers et qui nous donne une petite idée de ce que pourra être la suite.
Au final je dirais que la fin à bien rattrapé le début. Et pourtant j'avoue qu'il y a des passages ou j'étais assez pessimiste et ou j'avais peur de ne pas l'aimer comme le premier tome.
Je suis bien contente de ce changement et du coup la fin m'a bien relancé dans mon envie d'en savoir plus sur cet univers, malgré les petits problèmes de langue que j'ai eu sur la première partie.
16/20
Après un début difficile qui m'a rappelé mon avis sur le premier tome, j'ai finalement réussi à rentrer dans l'histoire lors de la seconde partie et à apprécier ce tome.
Ce tome se passe directement après le premier. En fait chronologiquement parlant c'est le second tome qui se passe en premier. ce tome ci réuni les 5 personnages principaux des deux tomes en une intrigue et il est aussi véritablement le commencement de l'histoire principale.
Nous suivons Val Con et Miri, qui après avoir échappé à leurs poursuivants s'échouent sur une planète interdite. Les planètes interdites sont des planètes qui n'ont pas voulu faire parti du monde galactique et qui laissent leurs habitants sans aucune idée de ce qu'il se passe en dehors de leur terre ferme. Pendant ce temps Edger, leur frère adoptif et ami, Shan, le cousin de Val Con et Priscilla sa compagne ainsi que les autres membres de leur famille partent à leur recherche.
Mais le département de l'intérieur donc Val Con était un agent est bien décidé de les retrouver en premier, car un agent ne quitte jamais le service, ou alors les pieds en avant ...
En fait le monde dans lequel Miri et Val Con atterrissent est un monde bloqué dans une technologie qui rappelle le début du 20ième siècle. Il y a déjà le téléphone, la radio et quelques rares voitures mais guère plus.
Les deux se retrouve hébergés par une veuve qui les loge et les nourri en échange du travail dans sa ferme. Au début ils n'ont pas vraiment de plan, ils savent qu'ils ne peuvent pas repartir pour l'instant avec leurs moyens et pensent même un instant rester sur place pour le reste de leurs jours. Mais évidemment avec toutes les personnes sur leurs traces, les opportunités vont bien finir par frapper à leur porte.
C'était un espèce d'interlude campagnard pour les deux en quelque sorte, une façon aussi de se poser un peu pour analyser ce qu'est leur vie et ce qu'ils peuvent devenir.
C'est les passages avec lesquels j'ai eu le plus de mal. Mais bizarrement je n'ai pas particulièrement trouvé ça long comme on pourrait peut être l'imaginer. En fait j'ai plus été embêté une nouvelle fois avec le langage des personnages et leurs façons de parler bien spécifique. Entre Val Con et les Liaden qui ont un phrasé ampoulé, les Clutch (dont Edger fait parti) avec leurs phrases à rallonge et Miri avec ses apostrophes de partout car elle mange ses mots, ce n'était vraiment pas évident à nouveau.
Non pas que j'ai particulièrement de grosses difficultés en général mais ça demandait quand même une concentration particulière et des fois des relectures de passages pour bien les assimiler qui me faisaient sortir du récit.
De leur coté Shan et Priscilla ont aussi leurs soucis. De peur de la réaction de leur chef de famille Shan n'a jamais vraiment officialisé sa relation avec la jeune femme, et du coup il est bien embêté parce qu'on lui demande de rentrer dans un mariage temporaire politique avec une autre famille. Le but est de faire une association entre deux personnes pour "produire" un enfant qui sera des deux sangs et qui rapprochera les familles. Mais le mariage en question n'est pas fait pour durer il est dissout dés que l'enfant nait ou au bout d'une période donnée si il est stérile.
Les Liaden sont un peuple très ordonné et formel et leur vie est rythmée par toute une série d'obligations qui sont censées permettre de pérenniser leur famille sur le long terme. En fait ils ont une hiérarchie très précise et un respect des personnes plus hautes qu'eux, qui rappelle un peu les japonnais. Même leur façon de parler change en fonction de leur interlocuteur et de la hiérarchie en question.
D'ailleurs on passe pas mal de temps dans la famille Liaden de Val Con de Shan dans ce tome, justement pour nous permettre de mieux connaitre ses autres membres et notamment la chef de famille.
Heureusement pour moi dans la seconde partie du récit les choses s’accélèrent un peu, autant la vie de Val Con et Miri qui change un peu que celles des autres protagonistes. On a plus d'action, les choses bougent et surtout le département de l'intérieur va faire le premier pas d'une série qui va permettre de véritablement lancer l'intrigue principale.
Un autre point que je trouve finalement charmant même si on ne peux pas s’empêcher de le remarquer est le coté anachronique des certaines technologies. Un peu comme dans Star Wars on est sur un univers qui fait très années 70-80 malgré le fait qu'on soit très loin dans le futur.
En fait je pense qu'il y a un autre facteur qui a fait que j'ai moins aimé le début du livre et c'est justement le changement de temporalité globale. Ayant lu les deux tomes précédents qui avaient leur intrigue qui se terminait à la fin du tome, celle ci était rapide au niveau rythme et se suffisait à elle même.
Alors qu'en fait sur ce tome ce n'est plus le cas car on est sur le tout début d'une grosse intrigue qui va continuer sur les tomes suivants. Du coup oui on a un peu l'impression à certains moments que les choses n'avancent pas en comparaison. On est passé vraiment sur une intrigue plus globale qui lance l'univers et qui nous donne une petite idée de ce que pourra être la suite.
Au final je dirais que la fin à bien rattrapé le début. Et pourtant j'avoue qu'il y a des passages ou j'étais assez pessimiste et ou j'avais peur de ne pas l'aimer comme le premier tome.
Je suis bien contente de ce changement et du coup la fin m'a bien relancé dans mon envie d'en savoir plus sur cet univers, malgré les petits problèmes de langue que j'ai eu sur la première partie.
16/20
March 5, 2015
4/5; 4 stars; A-
This is a review of the audiobook.
I am so glad I listened to this book. Carpe Diem is almost like an 'interlude' from the overall story arc. In listening to this story I got a much better feel for the development of the relationship between Val Con and Miri. Their struggles to settle into life on an interdicted world, learning a new language and understanding the rules of society, was a good backdrop for learning more about their characters.
Somehow I missed it when I read the book a few years ago, but 'Carpe Diem' ended up being a key concept and phrase for Val Con's mastery over the DoI brainwashing.
I really enjoy Andy Caploe as a narrator. He stays true to the characters and handles male, female, Terran, Liaden, and even Bennish people with style.
This is a review of the audiobook.
I am so glad I listened to this book. Carpe Diem is almost like an 'interlude' from the overall story arc. In listening to this story I got a much better feel for the development of the relationship between Val Con and Miri. Their struggles to settle into life on an interdicted world, learning a new language and understanding the rules of society, was a good backdrop for learning more about their characters.
Somehow I missed it when I read the book a few years ago, but 'Carpe Diem' ended up being a key concept and phrase for Val Con's mastery over the DoI brainwashing.
I really enjoy Andy Caploe as a narrator. He stays true to the characters and handles male, female, Terran, Liaden, and even Bennish people with style.
November 14, 2023
2.5 stars
I have a complicated reaction to this series. Some novels, I can't even finish. Others seem OK. Still others I read to the end, but it is a struggle. This novel belongs to the latter category. I didn't like the writing (I usually don't enjoy these authors' voice), but the story kept me reading. And I want to know what happens next, so I already ordered the next couple books of this sub-series about Val Con and Miri from my library. It is like a game I play with myself. I'll see if the next books work for me. Or would they be just a couple more DNFs? That would be a pity. I really want to know what happens next.
I have a complicated reaction to this series. Some novels, I can't even finish. Others seem OK. Still others I read to the end, but it is a struggle. This novel belongs to the latter category. I didn't like the writing (I usually don't enjoy these authors' voice), but the story kept me reading. And I want to know what happens next, so I already ordered the next couple books of this sub-series about Val Con and Miri from my library. It is like a game I play with myself. I'll see if the next books work for me. Or would they be just a couple more DNFs? That would be a pity. I really want to know what happens next.
January 25, 2021
The classic space opera begun in Agent of Change continues with Miri and Val Con stranded on a planet without space travel, but with an unknown enemy that is closing in on them.
July 14, 2024
Events moved along at quite a clip in this book. One star less because, again, a cliff-hanger ending.
August 13, 2011
This review was written for, and originally posted on www.thegeekgirlproject.com
As some of you may know, I have taken on the task of reviewing all of the novels in the Liaden Universe, since I believe that each book provides an example of excellence in at least one element of craft (but usually more).
Without further adieu, I would like to present this week’s review of… Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem opens right where Agent of Change left off. The main character duo, Val Con yos’Phelium and Miri Robertson are in something of a pickle. They are stranded on a dead ship, and a Ystrang hunting party seems determined to end them. Val Con manages to fiddle with the ship enough to get one short Jump out it. Unfortunately, the locations they will be able to reach are less than ideal. After some debate, they decide on a destination, and successfully land on a world with limited technology. A world that has not yet discovered space travel. The book takes place almost entirely on this world, called Zandar, and illustrates the struggles and adventures of Val Con and Miri while thrust into the local culture.
The development of the relationship between the main characters is strong. The development moves forward at a consistent pace, and is believable. They have some issues, but overall, the experience of being stranded in unusual circumstances strengthens their bond. Miri and Val Con lean on each other, learn to open themselves to each other and to trust. Each also experiences unique internal conflict. Val Con is shown to be damaged in some fundamental ways… ways that would likely have destroyed the relationship if either partner were less determined, less strong, or less committed. Some of the Department’s work on Val Con (and their other agents) comes to light—they literally remake people to suit their ends, destroying or damaging significant parts of the individual’s personality and memory in the process—scary even before you get to their political goals, which involve overthrowing a planetary government, and establishing one people as a superior race, among other things.
Carpe Diem really gives the reader a chance to see how Val Con and Miri learn to work together as a team. They are solidly forged into one unit in this novel. The authors have managed to develop this merge without sacrificing either character, or making one dominant over the other. They remain true equal partners; each appreciates and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the other, and they support each other. This was a fine bit writing, as this type of balanced partnership is hard to construct in fiction, and the authors have a done a beautiful job of illustrating how the bond is forged, and making it seem like a believable, natural progression for these particular characters. Agent of Change strongly developed each character as an individual, and Carpe Diem develops the characters as they merge into a unit, each retaining their own personality, but becoming stronger as they merge. By the end of the book, the reader knows, without question, that Val Con and Miri are solidly, and irrevocably bound. This development and refinement of their relationship is essential for the story line in the next two books in the sequence (Plan B and I Dare).
The main characters are stranded, and have no way of knowing what is going on in the overarching plotline of the multi book sequence, which is taking place primarily on Liad, or in space. This could have easily stalled the overarching plotline, but the authors have managed to avoid it… not by coincidence, but by a finely-tuned bit of writing excellence. That plotline is moved forward through the point of view of Val Con and Miri’s families and close friends. Val Con’s clan is just beginning to realize that Val Con is truly missing, and that the previously unknown, dangerous organization calling itself the Department of the Interior may be responsible. The reader discovers more about the Department of the Interior, and how deep its tendrils run, as Val Con’s family does. This device would not have succeeded if the authors weren’t so skilled at characterization, because it requires the creation or introduction of the point of view of a number of characters that the reader needs to be intrigued by in a very short period of time, and from only brief snippets of prose.
In addition to various friends and family of the main characters, an interesting antagonist is introduced: another Agent of Change, who is tracking Val Con under orders to ‘recover’ him for the Department. Although the Agent doesn’t play a huge role in Carpe Diem, he is significant to the development of the story. He is an unsettling antagonist because the reader comes to understand that he is what the Department meant Val Con to be. You are left wondering what would have happened if Val Con had never met Miri, if he would have realized that he should break free of the Department’s influence without the events of Agent of Change (the previous book). The existence, behavior, and thought processes of this Agent of Change enhance the establishment of the Department of the Interior as something sinister that can’t be allowed to continue with its plans.
As a bit of a side note, I’d like to mention that Scouts are present in some way, shape or form in nearly every book in the Liaden Universe, and each book contributes a bit more to the understanding of what exactly a Scout is. In later books, the authors need only mention that a character is a Scout, and a reader of the series automatically knows several significant things about that character. “Scout” will become a Power word in the series, a word that, when invoked, often makes a character instantly more interesting, more likable, more powerful, and more exciting. That the authors have pulled a word out of the void and shaped it into so much is sheer world building magic… Now that I have that out of my system, I can go on to note how Carpe Diem contributes to the development of the Scouts. Before this book, we knew that Val Con was a Scout before he was impressed into the Department of the Interior, that Scouts often traveled to various worlds, immersing themselves in the local culture, and that non-Scouts tended to view them with respect, awe, wariness, fear, or some combination of both. In Carpe Diem, we get to see a hint of the skill set and thought processes that Scouts have, by looking at how Val Con behaves while on Zandar.
Overall, Carpe Diem was an excellent book, and a valuable contribution to the sequence. It strongly establishes the developing relationship dynamic of Val Con and Miri, and contributes to the enrichment of the constructed world: additional points of cultural nuance are added, and on Liaden customs and social structure as well. It’s not as action-packed as Agent of Change, but it’s just as captivating due to the internal conflict of the characters, the deepening character and relationship development of the main characters, and the subtle enhancement of the world building accomplished in the previous book. I recommend reading this one!
As some of you may know, I have taken on the task of reviewing all of the novels in the Liaden Universe, since I believe that each book provides an example of excellence in at least one element of craft (but usually more).
Without further adieu, I would like to present this week’s review of… Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem opens right where Agent of Change left off. The main character duo, Val Con yos’Phelium and Miri Robertson are in something of a pickle. They are stranded on a dead ship, and a Ystrang hunting party seems determined to end them. Val Con manages to fiddle with the ship enough to get one short Jump out it. Unfortunately, the locations they will be able to reach are less than ideal. After some debate, they decide on a destination, and successfully land on a world with limited technology. A world that has not yet discovered space travel. The book takes place almost entirely on this world, called Zandar, and illustrates the struggles and adventures of Val Con and Miri while thrust into the local culture.
The development of the relationship between the main characters is strong. The development moves forward at a consistent pace, and is believable. They have some issues, but overall, the experience of being stranded in unusual circumstances strengthens their bond. Miri and Val Con lean on each other, learn to open themselves to each other and to trust. Each also experiences unique internal conflict. Val Con is shown to be damaged in some fundamental ways… ways that would likely have destroyed the relationship if either partner were less determined, less strong, or less committed. Some of the Department’s work on Val Con (and their other agents) comes to light—they literally remake people to suit their ends, destroying or damaging significant parts of the individual’s personality and memory in the process—scary even before you get to their political goals, which involve overthrowing a planetary government, and establishing one people as a superior race, among other things.
Carpe Diem really gives the reader a chance to see how Val Con and Miri learn to work together as a team. They are solidly forged into one unit in this novel. The authors have managed to develop this merge without sacrificing either character, or making one dominant over the other. They remain true equal partners; each appreciates and understands the strengths and weaknesses of the other, and they support each other. This was a fine bit writing, as this type of balanced partnership is hard to construct in fiction, and the authors have a done a beautiful job of illustrating how the bond is forged, and making it seem like a believable, natural progression for these particular characters. Agent of Change strongly developed each character as an individual, and Carpe Diem develops the characters as they merge into a unit, each retaining their own personality, but becoming stronger as they merge. By the end of the book, the reader knows, without question, that Val Con and Miri are solidly, and irrevocably bound. This development and refinement of their relationship is essential for the story line in the next two books in the sequence (Plan B and I Dare).
The main characters are stranded, and have no way of knowing what is going on in the overarching plotline of the multi book sequence, which is taking place primarily on Liad, or in space. This could have easily stalled the overarching plotline, but the authors have managed to avoid it… not by coincidence, but by a finely-tuned bit of writing excellence. That plotline is moved forward through the point of view of Val Con and Miri’s families and close friends. Val Con’s clan is just beginning to realize that Val Con is truly missing, and that the previously unknown, dangerous organization calling itself the Department of the Interior may be responsible. The reader discovers more about the Department of the Interior, and how deep its tendrils run, as Val Con’s family does. This device would not have succeeded if the authors weren’t so skilled at characterization, because it requires the creation or introduction of the point of view of a number of characters that the reader needs to be intrigued by in a very short period of time, and from only brief snippets of prose.
In addition to various friends and family of the main characters, an interesting antagonist is introduced: another Agent of Change, who is tracking Val Con under orders to ‘recover’ him for the Department. Although the Agent doesn’t play a huge role in Carpe Diem, he is significant to the development of the story. He is an unsettling antagonist because the reader comes to understand that he is what the Department meant Val Con to be. You are left wondering what would have happened if Val Con had never met Miri, if he would have realized that he should break free of the Department’s influence without the events of Agent of Change (the previous book). The existence, behavior, and thought processes of this Agent of Change enhance the establishment of the Department of the Interior as something sinister that can’t be allowed to continue with its plans.
As a bit of a side note, I’d like to mention that Scouts are present in some way, shape or form in nearly every book in the Liaden Universe, and each book contributes a bit more to the understanding of what exactly a Scout is. In later books, the authors need only mention that a character is a Scout, and a reader of the series automatically knows several significant things about that character. “Scout” will become a Power word in the series, a word that, when invoked, often makes a character instantly more interesting, more likable, more powerful, and more exciting. That the authors have pulled a word out of the void and shaped it into so much is sheer world building magic… Now that I have that out of my system, I can go on to note how Carpe Diem contributes to the development of the Scouts. Before this book, we knew that Val Con was a Scout before he was impressed into the Department of the Interior, that Scouts often traveled to various worlds, immersing themselves in the local culture, and that non-Scouts tended to view them with respect, awe, wariness, fear, or some combination of both. In Carpe Diem, we get to see a hint of the skill set and thought processes that Scouts have, by looking at how Val Con behaves while on Zandar.
Overall, Carpe Diem was an excellent book, and a valuable contribution to the sequence. It strongly establishes the developing relationship dynamic of Val Con and Miri, and contributes to the enrichment of the constructed world: additional points of cultural nuance are added, and on Liaden customs and social structure as well. It’s not as action-packed as Agent of Change, but it’s just as captivating due to the internal conflict of the characters, the deepening character and relationship development of the main characters, and the subtle enhancement of the world building accomplished in the previous book. I recommend reading this one!
July 30, 2025
Still fun, but it felt like this had many more sorta-similar names and subtly-related plotlines to keep track of, compared to Agent of Change. The Liaden names all run together for me and sound like Yol Hol fol'Derol, and I cannot remember whether the Scouts work for the Dept of Interior, or vice versa, or are competing with each other, or what. But the bucolic scenes were great. Forget space travel! Now I, too, want to be a farmer who plays music in his free time.
I also love that Miri references the Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, which is a real book, and was one of Terry Pratchett's own favorite sources of inspiration.
(Also the end of book glossary has a term whose definition is "yo'Lanna's house." I was delighted that this must be an easter egg joke about yo momma's house -- but then turned out there really is a yo'Lanna family.)
Finally, a charming tongue-in-cheek interaction, from p.80:
I also love that Miri references the Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, which is a real book, and was one of Terry Pratchett's own favorite sources of inspiration.
(Also the end of book glossary has a term whose definition is "yo'Lanna's house." I was delighted that this must be an easter egg joke about yo momma's house -- but then turned out there really is a yo'Lanna family.)
Finally, a charming tongue-in-cheek interaction, from p.80:
She moved, meaning to give him a kiss---and stopped.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
She shrugged, glancing away from the brightness of his gaze. "I'm never sure whether you want me to kiss you or not."
"Ah, now that is very bad," he said. "A problem in communication. I suggest that the best course is for you to kiss me whenever you wish to do so. In this way you will eventually be able to ascertain when it is I most wish to be kissed."
January 11, 2015
I ended up reading this despite myself because I just wanted to know what happened to Miri and Val Con. Turns out I enjoyed this one more than Agent of Change, probably because it wasn't so utterly focused on Miri and Val Con fighting or trying to outrun fights and instead had them doing normalish things and showing the actions of various other characters around the galaxy to break up the "sameness" of it all.
It did still have a couple of issues where things broke out in to almost nonsensical prose though. Several times I was left to intuit what the characters meant when they went on about Fourth Level Patterns overlaying physical shells or Doors [of Understanding] realigning Proper Consciousness without actually explaining what those terms meant. Perhaps they were mentioned in earlier books I haven't read, but since this series seems to be made up of a lot of effectively stand alone duology/trilogies focused on specific characters it would have made sense to have added at least some sort of brief one liner such as "when I was trained as [X] they taught me of [Y] to aid in [z]" to clue the reader in, especially because Miri didn't know anything about it and would have been the perfect tool for that.
I also had a hard time with the anachronisms in the story. This is set certainly hundreds, probably thousands, of years in the future where humanity has splintered in to sub-species and spaceships routinely make faster than light jumps to alien worlds, yet characters were shown driving cars (when robotic cabs had already been featured), faxing, printing off hardcopy, and listening to "tapebooks" that needed to be rewound like casettes. I know this was first published in 1989 but if you're writing sci-fi you may as well go the whole hog and use future-magic-tech for all those boring yet necessary every day things just because you can. It's not like the author(s) weren't including psychic space "elves" already.
Anyway, not bad but not great either. It was an improvement and read less like Harlequin Intrigue in Space this time and more like an actual sci-fi book, but I still don't think this is really the series for me. I may end up reading Plan B and I Dare just because I like the characters of Miri and Val Con so much, but then again I may not because I hate the random moments of "I have no idea what is going on and what the hell is an 8th darik malbit anyway?" I run in to (there's no such thing as an 8th darik malbit in these books, but that's the sort of reaction I keep getting). I guess we'll see in a few hours which way I turn.
It did still have a couple of issues where things broke out in to almost nonsensical prose though. Several times I was left to intuit what the characters meant when they went on about Fourth Level Patterns overlaying physical shells or Doors [of Understanding] realigning Proper Consciousness without actually explaining what those terms meant. Perhaps they were mentioned in earlier books I haven't read, but since this series seems to be made up of a lot of effectively stand alone duology/trilogies focused on specific characters it would have made sense to have added at least some sort of brief one liner such as "when I was trained as [X] they taught me of [Y] to aid in [z]" to clue the reader in, especially because Miri didn't know anything about it and would have been the perfect tool for that.
I also had a hard time with the anachronisms in the story. This is set certainly hundreds, probably thousands, of years in the future where humanity has splintered in to sub-species and spaceships routinely make faster than light jumps to alien worlds, yet characters were shown driving cars (when robotic cabs had already been featured), faxing, printing off hardcopy, and listening to "tapebooks" that needed to be rewound like casettes. I know this was first published in 1989 but if you're writing sci-fi you may as well go the whole hog and use future-magic-tech for all those boring yet necessary every day things just because you can. It's not like the author(s) weren't including psychic space "elves" already.
Anyway, not bad but not great either. It was an improvement and read less like Harlequin Intrigue in Space this time and more like an actual sci-fi book, but I still don't think this is really the series for me. I may end up reading Plan B and I Dare just because I like the characters of Miri and Val Con so much, but then again I may not because I hate the random moments of "I have no idea what is going on and what the hell is an 8th darik malbit anyway?" I run in to (there's no such thing as an 8th darik malbit in these books, but that's the sort of reaction I keep getting). I guess we'll see in a few hours which way I turn.
February 1, 2020
Continuing the reread...
Carpe Diem picks up where Agent of Change left off with Miri and Val Con stranded on an interdicted world. Its pace is not quite so breathless, you get to see their relationship develop and deepen. We also get to see more of the doings off of center stage as Clan Korval opens a can of worms when they start looking for their lost kinsman. Shan and Priscilla, Anthora and Nova, and even Pat Rin and Cheever McFarland all make appearances.
I loved the descriptions of the music Val Con, Miri and his new friends make. This is also the book where you (or at least I) realized this series is at least as much fantasy as science fiction. (And you have to be willing to accept a certain amount of fantasy mumbo-jumbo instead of technobabble.)
I think I have a special fondness for this one, because I spent time when I was younger being immersed in France and Germany having to learn a foreign language and the corresponding culture. Like Miri, I’m a visual person, so it wasn’t always easy.
Carpe Diem picks up where Agent of Change left off with Miri and Val Con stranded on an interdicted world. Its pace is not quite so breathless, you get to see their relationship develop and deepen. We also get to see more of the doings off of center stage as Clan Korval opens a can of worms when they start looking for their lost kinsman. Shan and Priscilla, Anthora and Nova, and even Pat Rin and Cheever McFarland all make appearances.
I loved the descriptions of the music Val Con, Miri and his new friends make. This is also the book where you (or at least I) realized this series is at least as much fantasy as science fiction. (And you have to be willing to accept a certain amount of fantasy mumbo-jumbo instead of technobabble.)
I think I have a special fondness for this one, because I spent time when I was younger being immersed in France and Germany having to learn a foreign language and the corresponding culture. Like Miri, I’m a visual person, so it wasn’t always easy.
February 26, 2024
Re-read on 02/26/24 I enjoyed this book a little more than before and upped the rating to 5 stars. I have found out that there are a bunch of short stories in between the books that talk about how Val Con met the turtles, etc. I had already checked out Plan B so afterwards I plan on going through as many of the short stories as I can. They are not published in story order so there will be a lot of jumping around and maybe jumping into the future. I'm still excited to read them.
Previous review 08/28/13There were a lot of mentions of about how plain and unattractive Miri was in this book that I didn't get from the previous book. I loved how this couple/relationship is developing. Very sweet, romantic moments.
Previous review 08/28/13There were a lot of mentions of about how plain and unattractive Miri was in this book that I didn't get from the previous book. I loved how this couple/relationship is developing. Very sweet, romantic moments.
November 30, 2022
4.5 stars.
Again, I'm upping my ratings with this re-listen, the authors have really hit their stride!
I really enjoyed the scene jumpings between Vandar to Liad and Dutiful Passage and the head hopping through all the main characters. It does give out a very cinematic feel. In the interview at the end of Agent of Change the narrator Andy Caploe asked Sharon Lee why the series hasn't been made into a series and Sharon's response was that the Regency-esque study in manners of the Liadens was one of the barriers. But with the enormous success of the Brigerton series, I think maybe it's now time for it?
______________
4 stars.
July 2015
The saga is getting interesting!
Again, I'm upping my ratings with this re-listen, the authors have really hit their stride!
I really enjoyed the scene jumpings between Vandar to Liad and Dutiful Passage and the head hopping through all the main characters. It does give out a very cinematic feel. In the interview at the end of Agent of Change the narrator Andy Caploe asked Sharon Lee why the series hasn't been made into a series and Sharon's response was that the Regency-esque study in manners of the Liadens was one of the barriers. But with the enormous success of the Brigerton series, I think maybe it's now time for it?
______________
4 stars.
July 2015
The saga is getting interesting!
May 17, 2024
What can I say, this series is like literary crack.
05/05/2018: Starting this again. Second read through is better than the first. Addicting, like cloud.
02/27/2020: Reading again.
03/23/2022: Read again.
05/16/24: I read this again, focusing on what's happening with the whole clan. On to Plan B
05/05/2018: Starting this again. Second read through is better than the first. Addicting, like cloud.
02/27/2020: Reading again.
03/23/2022: Read again.
05/16/24: I read this again, focusing on what's happening with the whole clan. On to Plan B
September 25, 2014
I don't think I've reread this one before, and it is many years since I first read it. While I remembered the basics, there was so much more in here that I had forgotten.
I loved it and I now can't figure why I left my Liaden reread for so long. To make up for it, I've moved right on to the next book.
I loved it and I now can't figure why I left my Liaden reread for so long. To make up for it, I've moved right on to the next book.
September 22, 2025
Excellent sci fi adventure
I'm a purist, so I don't recommend jumping into the Liaden universe with this book, but you could. I have read Carpe Diem more times than I can count, and I still laugh and cry and love these characters. These books are a wondrous thing.
I'm a purist, so I don't recommend jumping into the Liaden universe with this book, but you could. I have read Carpe Diem more times than I can count, and I still laugh and cry and love these characters. These books are a wondrous thing.
January 31, 2008
This book -- the second in the series -- moves a little more slowly than the previous, and is more character-driven than plot-driven. Still, it's a winner.
March 7, 2019
More wonderful adventure in the Liaden universe! 4/23/16 re-read: In which we learn, conclusively, that one does not wish to find one's self owing balance to Clutch Turtles!
July 6, 2014
I loved the story! Honestly, Miri and Val Con aren't my favorite characters but I love Shan and Priscilla's relationship! Go Edger and Sheather!
July 13, 2023
3.5*
A good follow-up to Agent of Change (though I doubt that it would work well as a stand-alone).
A good follow-up to Agent of Change (though I doubt that it would work well as a stand-alone).
February 9, 2025
I did not expect this, but I am actually glad to have read this book.
I was fully checked out of the Liaden universe after Conflict of Honors took out all of the fun elements of the universe and replaced them with “humor” that grated my brain like Parmesan cheese and a moral system so complex that it took pages of exposition to explain whose “honor” was at stake and why. I started this novel with trepidation, but I already had it checked out from the library and I was still tepidly interested in finding out what happened to Miri and Val Con from the first book, so I went ahead.
To my great relief, the primary couple were just as charismatic and entertaining as I remembered from Agent of Change. Miri and Val Con are trapped on a backwards planet with no technological capabilities and no hope of rescue and resignedly adapt themselves to learning the local language by entering singing competitions with new friends while growing in their relationship with each other. Meanwhile, the Liaden family is desperately looking for Val Con while discovering traitors in their government who may topple their entire power structure.
The political squabbles of the Liadens were just as impenetrable as ever, the magic system was barely explained, and Priscilla and I-can’t-even-remember-his-name-and-I’m-not- bothering-to-look-it-up were just as annoying whenever they showed up. However, they were more tolerable as a B-story, and as long as I got the gist of the matter (someone wants to take over the planet and is willing to kill the primary Liaden clan to do it; gotcha) then I could be interested even in those chapters. The lighthearted tone was back, with even the hilarious turtles making a reappearance to show off their indestructibility, and I was able to actually comprehend most characters’ motives. It is still not great literature, but the sine curve of the series has risen back up and is now hovering at just the right level of silly and fun. I may even read the next book in the series which purportedly closes out this little arc. If Priscilla and Mansplainer-9000 make a resurgence to main character status, I may regret my decision, but I am curious enough to see how they will take down the shadowy government organization to venture one more time into the Liaden universe.
I was fully checked out of the Liaden universe after Conflict of Honors took out all of the fun elements of the universe and replaced them with “humor” that grated my brain like Parmesan cheese and a moral system so complex that it took pages of exposition to explain whose “honor” was at stake and why. I started this novel with trepidation, but I already had it checked out from the library and I was still tepidly interested in finding out what happened to Miri and Val Con from the first book, so I went ahead.
To my great relief, the primary couple were just as charismatic and entertaining as I remembered from Agent of Change. Miri and Val Con are trapped on a backwards planet with no technological capabilities and no hope of rescue and resignedly adapt themselves to learning the local language by entering singing competitions with new friends while growing in their relationship with each other. Meanwhile, the Liaden family is desperately looking for Val Con while discovering traitors in their government who may topple their entire power structure.
The political squabbles of the Liadens were just as impenetrable as ever, the magic system was barely explained, and Priscilla and I-can’t-even-remember-his-name-and-I’m-not- bothering-to-look-it-up were just as annoying whenever they showed up. However, they were more tolerable as a B-story, and as long as I got the gist of the matter (someone wants to take over the planet and is willing to kill the primary Liaden clan to do it; gotcha) then I could be interested even in those chapters. The lighthearted tone was back, with even the hilarious turtles making a reappearance to show off their indestructibility, and I was able to actually comprehend most characters’ motives. It is still not great literature, but the sine curve of the series has risen back up and is now hovering at just the right level of silly and fun. I may even read the next book in the series which purportedly closes out this little arc. If Priscilla and Mansplainer-9000 make a resurgence to main character status, I may regret my decision, but I am curious enough to see how they will take down the shadowy government organization to venture one more time into the Liaden universe.
October 22, 2022
Really enjoyable. A deepening of the last book’s theme about the harm of the inhuman calculations of the Loop and indeed the organization behind it. Indeed it seems a bit implausible that Val Con could have been young and naïf to be convinced to join the organization that implanted it, while also being the highly accomplished, first-in Scout that led to his recruitment.
Also, did they really not think through the consequences of recruiting the heir to Korval?!
These quibbles (and the astral projection- reads as very ‘80s to me) aside, I had a great time reading this. I always looked forward to picking it up and seeing what Val Con and Miri were up to. Am eager to continue on.
Another quibble, about the interdicted/ low-tech worlds. How are there so many human places that arose independently? I bet this is addressed somewhere along the way, along with the relationship between Liaden and humans. But I read the prequels (in a different attempt to begin this series) so long ago that I can’t think what the answer was.
I guess all these quibbles, coupled with general enjoyment, means that Lee and Miller have created a multifaceted and complex universe that invited analysis.
One of the best things was reading the library’s first-edition paperback with this amazing art.
Also, did they really not think through the consequences of recruiting the heir to Korval?!
These quibbles (and the astral projection- reads as very ‘80s to me) aside, I had a great time reading this. I always looked forward to picking it up and seeing what Val Con and Miri were up to. Am eager to continue on.
Another quibble, about the interdicted/ low-tech worlds. How are there so many human places that arose independently? I bet this is addressed somewhere along the way, along with the relationship between Liaden and humans. But I read the prequels (in a different attempt to begin this series) so long ago that I can’t think what the answer was.
I guess all these quibbles, coupled with general enjoyment, means that Lee and Miller have created a multifaceted and complex universe that invited analysis.
One of the best things was reading the library’s first-edition paperback with this amazing art.
January 10, 2025
3.5/5 stars. This book was my least favorite out of the three I’ve read by this author team.
It had some very interesting worldbuilding, good characters, and engaging romantic relationships but it was bogged down with too many POVs and the parts on the planet felt very disjointed and slow.
The first book was very action packed, thriller ish and very 80s. The other I read (written 2004), prequel of sorts, was slow and had a deep dive on a small cast of characters with well explained worldbuilding and cultures.
Carpe Diem was a blend of those two styles and it shows the growing pains from that actiony first book from 1988 and seems like a bridge to the slow steady book from 2004.
I won’t give up on the authors and plan to go ahead with the next book!
Edit: apparently there was another novel written/published in between Agent of Change and Carpe Diem detailing the meeting and romance between two major characters (Shan and Pricilla) in this book. That explains A Lot of why I didn’t entirely understand these characters and why they were a large portion of POV.
I’m probably going to go read that one as it they were very interesting Space Witches :)
It had some very interesting worldbuilding, good characters, and engaging romantic relationships but it was bogged down with too many POVs and the parts on the planet felt very disjointed and slow.
The first book was very action packed, thriller ish and very 80s. The other I read (written 2004), prequel of sorts, was slow and had a deep dive on a small cast of characters with well explained worldbuilding and cultures.
Carpe Diem was a blend of those two styles and it shows the growing pains from that actiony first book from 1988 and seems like a bridge to the slow steady book from 2004.
I won’t give up on the authors and plan to go ahead with the next book!
Edit: apparently there was another novel written/published in between Agent of Change and Carpe Diem detailing the meeting and romance between two major characters (Shan and Pricilla) in this book. That explains A Lot of why I didn’t entirely understand these characters and why they were a large portion of POV.
I’m probably going to go read that one as it they were very interesting Space Witches :)
April 14, 2025
My selection for the Reddit Fantasy 2025 'Published in the 80s' Bingo square.
I read the first book in this series for Bingo last year. It was good solid space opera with a dash of romance. It ends in a minor cliff hanger, so I wanted to continue with the next one, and find out what happened to the two main characters. The second book in the series focus of two completely different characters. Luckily I spotted this ahead of time, and went straight to book three instead. It just dives right in where #1 left off. If you hadn't read that, then you are going to be confused in several places. This one is just as good, but again, there is no complete resolution and it's clear that the two authors were in this for the long game. They've still got me hooked though.
(Other 2025 Bingo squares that thing would fit: Stranger in a Strange Land; Recycle a Bingo Square: (Space Opera square from 2024)).
I read the first book in this series for Bingo last year. It was good solid space opera with a dash of romance. It ends in a minor cliff hanger, so I wanted to continue with the next one, and find out what happened to the two main characters. The second book in the series focus of two completely different characters. Luckily I spotted this ahead of time, and went straight to book three instead. It just dives right in where #1 left off. If you hadn't read that, then you are going to be confused in several places. This one is just as good, but again, there is no complete resolution and it's clear that the two authors were in this for the long game. They've still got me hooked though.
(Other 2025 Bingo squares that thing would fit: Stranger in a Strange Land; Recycle a Bingo Square: (Space Opera square from 2024)).
July 10, 2024
One of the advantages of a long series is that the author can explore situations that could easily be passed over -- but sometimes those situations just aren't interesting enough to deserve a whole book. Sadly, "Carpe Diem" is one of those situations.
Val Con yos'Phelium and Miri Robertson find themselves trapped on a primitive planet while various friends and foes search for them. The pair try to adjust to the new culture and language, and are treated with a surprising, if not a little unbelievable, welcome. The narrative moves on as one expects, but "Carpe Diem" lacks the unusual aspects of the Liaden universe that Sharon Lee and Steve Miller use to enliven the story, which puts more weight on their weaknesses as writers than usual.
So "Carpe Diem" is not the best of the series, certainly, but not quite the worst -- at least so far.
Val Con yos'Phelium and Miri Robertson find themselves trapped on a primitive planet while various friends and foes search for them. The pair try to adjust to the new culture and language, and are treated with a surprising, if not a little unbelievable, welcome. The narrative moves on as one expects, but "Carpe Diem" lacks the unusual aspects of the Liaden universe that Sharon Lee and Steve Miller use to enliven the story, which puts more weight on their weaknesses as writers than usual.
So "Carpe Diem" is not the best of the series, certainly, but not quite the worst -- at least so far.
July 5, 2021
This had such a sad ending! Aw!
I did enjoy this book a lot, but I think it suffers from focusing on too many characters. We have Val Con and Miri adjusting to life on a new planet, an agent that's hunting them, Shan and Priscilla, Nova, Anthora, and even a bit of Pat Rin. There's a lot of setup for later installments happening that can be a bit overwhelming.
That being said, I still had a good time. I love the descriptions, the dialogue, and getting to hang out with some of my favorite characters.
I do recommend this one, but honestly do yourself a favor and read Agent of Change and Conflict of Honors first. Otherwise you'll be really lost.
I did enjoy this book a lot, but I think it suffers from focusing on too many characters. We have Val Con and Miri adjusting to life on a new planet, an agent that's hunting them, Shan and Priscilla, Nova, Anthora, and even a bit of Pat Rin. There's a lot of setup for later installments happening that can be a bit overwhelming.
That being said, I still had a good time. I love the descriptions, the dialogue, and getting to hang out with some of my favorite characters.
I do recommend this one, but honestly do yourself a favor and read Agent of Change and Conflict of Honors first. Otherwise you'll be really lost.
February 15, 2022
I don't envy the people back in the 80s who had to wait 10 years for the next book. It's going to be hard enough going back to read Conflict of Honors after skipping it for this one.
I won't say this was a relaxing book, exactly, but I feel refreshed after reading it. Some bad guys, but mostly good people trying to do the best they can, and also the Turtle people putting the fear of terrapins into some space mobsters. What more could I ask for?
I won't say this was a relaxing book, exactly, but I feel refreshed after reading it. Some bad guys, but mostly good people trying to do the best they can, and also the Turtle people putting the fear of terrapins into some space mobsters. What more could I ask for?
August 3, 2017
This novel takes place within the authors' Liaden Universe. It is a direct sequel to "Agent of Change," as well as featuring characters from "Conflict of Honors." The characters and warmth of the story are very appealing to me. The good guys get into difficulty, and then other good people help them out. There are also generous doses of action, romance, and humor. It is not innovative science fiction (though it does have excellent turtle aliens). It is not high literature. Better than either of those, it is a book that made me happy as I read it.
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