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Liaden Universe, Chronological #6-7
Pilot's Choice
Meisha Merlin is pleased to present two never-before published Liaden Universe(TM) novels, Local Custom and Scout's Progress, in one omnibus edition entitled Pilots Choice. Pilots Choice deals with the shifting necessities of honor and morality in the clash of cultures caused by an expanding galactic trade system. In the first novel, Local Custom, we view the difficulties caused by the obvious problems of language and custom as Terrans and Liadens intermingle. In the second, Scout's Progress, we see how the forces of interstellar trade cause conflicts even within the apparently monolithic and superior culture of Liad as a greater culture, galactic in nature, is hinted at by the Scouts, pilots, and traders who inhabit the fringes of Liad's polite society. In both novels it is the importance of individuals and their insistence on behaving with honor, rather than bowing to overwhelming social force, that drives the story. Local Custom Master Trader Er Thom yos'Galan, of Liad's de facto ruling house, Clan Korval, is facing an arranged marriage. The Liaden Code of Proper Conduct requires him—and every Liaden—to provide a ‘child of the body' to the Clan, something the otherwise obedient pilot has been avoiding despite Korval's precariously dwindling population. As his ‘contract marriage' approaches, the serious-minded trader finds himself longing for a lover he hasn't seen (or heard from!) for years. His former lover is no ordinary pleasure She's Terran professor of linguistics Anne Davis, who teaches on the planet University and whose radical theories have brought her to the attention of the Liaden Council of Clans, where Korval's enemies openly plot against her—and against Korval itself. Challenged and supported by his foster brother, Er Thom must not only surmount Liad's rigid social strictures, but overcome the plots of Korval's enemies—and his lover's stubborn heart. Scout's Progress Daav yos'Phelium, Delm Korval, the planet's most powerful individual, must marry to provide his Clan with a child. Although he is arguably the most eligible bachelor in Liaden-speaking space he is hardly the most willing, having long been the target of marriage-minded females as well as their power-seeking mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles. A political and economic power among the High Houses, Daav, a former Scout Captain, is also a force among pilots, and is much more likely to be found in a spaceport piloting ‘dive' than mingling with society at the parties of the rich. One such ‘dive' is Binjali Spaceship Repair Shop in Solcintra Mid-Port; it's a base away from home to a shifting population of Scouts, pilots, and various ‘wounded kittens'. There, Daav is known only by his first name, and relies on his reputation as pilot extraordinaire rather than Korval's power. Retreating to Binjali's to come to terms with his decision to contract-wed, Daav comes face to face with the knottiest problem of his career, and if he doesn't find the correct solution, he may lose his fortune entire, and his future.
605 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
151 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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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 26, 2008
Meet Daav Yos Phelium, pilot and high lord in high society of a high tech, formal world, where manners are everything - yet warm hearts and humour abound in this novel, Scout's Progress, the second of two novels in this book. And the unconventional, space-travelling cadre of pilots form the background of this story in juxtaposition with society's formality. Daav far prefers their company and once was among their number in happier days.
The key points about this book are: Romance. Warmth. Social tensions. Personal journeys and adventures.
I love this book and cannot do it or its characters justice. For those who like science fiction it has a nice background of a world belonging in a galactic set of cultures. And mathematics that cover the navigation. And a few glimpses of the airborne and space-travelling world of the space shuttles and space ships. Do not be put off! The story is far, far more about the people who fly them and who venture much further afield than the planet - but this story is planet bound.
Primarily about pilots, families and social mores this book is high romance, with tension and charm. Daav is accomplished, emotional, a good actor in a society that demands it, warm-hearted toward his kin and his friends, ruthless toward political or social enemies, and not enamoured of his own society. He aches for a child of his own and contracts an appropriate marriage for that purpose.
Aelliana is a navigational mathematician, genius and revered among pilots. Her brother feels threatened by her suitability as next leader of their House, which is the position he himself holds, but against their grandmother's opinion. Her grandmother took up with a pilot, an arranged match, that engendered Aelliana herself, but still society considers House Yos Phelium an oddity to be humoured, feared and respected but not quite respectable being all pilots, and pilots in general as too unconventional.
From the first Aelliana becomes more involved with the piloting world against her brother's will and along the way meets wonderful characters, all of whom I warmed to. She also meets Daav, his marriage already arranged, taking an informal holiday from his political responsibilities by working some hours at a pilot's shipyard.
And so the story goes, with Aelliana dealing with her brother, meeting new people, crossing a social divide, and falling in love with an impoverished pilot - alongside the growing friendship of the two protagonists, unfold a sequence of tense situations and their uncertain resolutions.
I cannot praise this book enough if you like fine turns of phrase and do not dislike romance or science fiction that does not pretend to be literary, but instead achieves lovely writing, great appeal, a well realized world, societies, and universe, good plot construction, excellent tension and plot content, and huge, huge charm.
The quietest gems I ever came across to delight on the romance front, they are far superior as a series to any romances I ever read. Plus which, wonderful adventures. And they can be bought from the publishers direct, a small publisher, as well as from bookstores, but the earlier books are wonderful, the last Crystal Soldier duology would give a wrong impression and put you off.
The key points about this book are: Romance. Warmth. Social tensions. Personal journeys and adventures.
I love this book and cannot do it or its characters justice. For those who like science fiction it has a nice background of a world belonging in a galactic set of cultures. And mathematics that cover the navigation. And a few glimpses of the airborne and space-travelling world of the space shuttles and space ships. Do not be put off! The story is far, far more about the people who fly them and who venture much further afield than the planet - but this story is planet bound.
Primarily about pilots, families and social mores this book is high romance, with tension and charm. Daav is accomplished, emotional, a good actor in a society that demands it, warm-hearted toward his kin and his friends, ruthless toward political or social enemies, and not enamoured of his own society. He aches for a child of his own and contracts an appropriate marriage for that purpose.
Aelliana is a navigational mathematician, genius and revered among pilots. Her brother feels threatened by her suitability as next leader of their House, which is the position he himself holds, but against their grandmother's opinion. Her grandmother took up with a pilot, an arranged match, that engendered Aelliana herself, but still society considers House Yos Phelium an oddity to be humoured, feared and respected but not quite respectable being all pilots, and pilots in general as too unconventional.
From the first Aelliana becomes more involved with the piloting world against her brother's will and along the way meets wonderful characters, all of whom I warmed to. She also meets Daav, his marriage already arranged, taking an informal holiday from his political responsibilities by working some hours at a pilot's shipyard.
And so the story goes, with Aelliana dealing with her brother, meeting new people, crossing a social divide, and falling in love with an impoverished pilot - alongside the growing friendship of the two protagonists, unfold a sequence of tense situations and their uncertain resolutions.
I cannot praise this book enough if you like fine turns of phrase and do not dislike romance or science fiction that does not pretend to be literary, but instead achieves lovely writing, great appeal, a well realized world, societies, and universe, good plot construction, excellent tension and plot content, and huge, huge charm.
The quietest gems I ever came across to delight on the romance front, they are far superior as a series to any romances I ever read. Plus which, wonderful adventures. And they can be bought from the publishers direct, a small publisher, as well as from bookstores, but the earlier books are wonderful, the last Crystal Soldier duology would give a wrong impression and put you off.
May 16, 2008
This one could also go on the comfort shelf. 3 vol omnibus containing Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem. Marvelous SF. Fans of Bujold's Miles book need to read these.
May 12, 2018
This is the compendium of LOCAL CUSTOM and SCOUT'S PROGRESS, two prequel novels that take place in the Liaden universe.
April 5, 2024
These two novels are romances, or maybe paranormal romances, or comedies of manners, or, since there are spaceships involved, science fiction. Whatever. Genre matters not. Will Er Thom and Anne overcome their racial differences and end up together? Will Dave and Aelliana get together before her evil brother manages to murder her? Predictable Hallmark Channel stories they are not.
Read
May 14, 2019Includes:
5) Local Custom
6) Scout's Progress
5) Local Custom
6) Scout's Progress
June 16, 2019
Very good read. Especially liked "Scout's Progress."
November 22, 2023
Such a good book! It was able to lay out the complexities of a Terran/Liaden romance in a clear fashion and with believable character psychology. Introducing a lovely little boy, Shan.
August 13, 2012
This omnibus edition includes two books: Local Custom and Scout’s Progress. Local Custom follows the marriage of Er Thom yos’Galen and linguist Anne Davis. Scout’s Progress introduces Aelliana and Daav yos’Phelium.
Prequels are always fun. In this case, Pilot’s Choice takes a look at the parent’s of the main characters from Agent of Change and Carpe Diem.
Local Custom is a good place to start as Anne Davis acts as our stand in explorer the alien world of the almost human Liad. They may speak a language based on the same root, but the tree has split off in interesting differences.
Scout’s Progress plays with some of the darker aspects of Liaden society. The romanticism of clans aside, a society based on the negation of individual rights has its own issues.
While not quite as gripping as the main series, Pilot’s Choice is a good place to dive deeper into the Liaden universe.
Prequels are always fun. In this case, Pilot’s Choice takes a look at the parent’s of the main characters from Agent of Change and Carpe Diem.
Local Custom is a good place to start as Anne Davis acts as our stand in explorer the alien world of the almost human Liad. They may speak a language based on the same root, but the tree has split off in interesting differences.
Scout’s Progress plays with some of the darker aspects of Liaden society. The romanticism of clans aside, a society based on the negation of individual rights has its own issues.
While not quite as gripping as the main series, Pilot’s Choice is a good place to dive deeper into the Liaden universe.
November 19, 2014
More romance than science fiction and the romance was generic. I have not found the Liaden books worthwhile. Most of the female characters are either weak and in need of rescue or evil leaving the weak female protagonist in need of rescue. After reading 3 books in the series, I'm not spending another moment in this universe. There are too many other good books out there.
September 19, 2007
All the Liaden books are wonderful. They explore the ways differing cultures divide and unite us while gently and thoughtfully (and often humorously) prodding us to consider what it means to be human.
The main characters in this novel serve as minor characters in later novels.
The main characters in this novel serve as minor characters in later novels.
September 28, 2008
Despite the typo in the name, it's one of my favorites by Lee and Miller. I like coming-of-age stories and stories about overcoming one's personal worst-case scenario, and this has both.
July 23, 2011
Love the series
December 14, 2016
Two more entertaining novels in the Liaden Universe.
February 5, 2013
Probably the only Liaden book I didn't like. So much weeping from the man ... I know it is space opera and alien and all that jazz. But too much weeping. Otherwise, it's not a bad story.
February 25, 2016
Fun SF adventure with some romance thrown in. If you like Lois McMaster Bujold you'll like these. I read most of the series in one month.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews