Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
64th out of 208 books
—
829 voters
Crystal Soldier (The Great Migration Duology, #1) (Liaden Universe #1)
by
Sharon Lee (Goodreads Author),
Steve Miller
Centuries in the past, mankind fought a seemingly unbeatable adversary from sector to sector across the Spiral Arm until the war ground to a standstill and the Enemy withdrew. Believing that they had won, the citizens of the galaxy rebuilt. The Inner Worlds, which had escaped the worst of the war's ravages, became even more insular, while the Rim worlds adopted a free and...more
Paperback, 352 pages
Published
February 27th 2007
by Ace
(first published 2005)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,076)
I read the kindle version of the Crystal Variation anthology, which contains 1) Crystal Soldier, 2) Crystal Dragon, 3) Balance of Trade. chronologically, the Liaden series begins here, with Crystal Soldier.
I was looking for something like Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Series, which I came to love. (See Barrayar, for one example.)
The Liaden Universe series fit the bill well enough, even though I prefer Vorkosigan, due to better character development and less reliance on acts of goddesses, w...more
I was looking for something like Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Series, which I came to love. (See Barrayar, for one example.)
The Liaden Universe series fit the bill well enough, even though I prefer Vorkosigan, due to better character development and less reliance on acts of goddesses, w...more
4 likes · like · see review
view all 8 comments
Review updated: Feb. 23/12
4.5/5; 5 stars;
I enjoyed the adventuring and excitement of this tale. Having read Liaden Universe books set in the future, I found it helpful to read this book and learn some of the history of the great wars in the universe, the 'designed' humans, DNA manipulation, psychic powers, military plots, evil megalomaniacs. Great fun.
At the end of this book, M. Jela and Cantra have become firm friends and shipmates. They have rescued the sentient tree from a dead planet and d...more
4.5/5; 5 stars;
I enjoyed the adventuring and excitement of this tale. Having read Liaden Universe books set in the future, I found it helpful to read this book and learn some of the history of the great wars in the universe, the 'designed' humans, DNA manipulation, psychic powers, military plots, evil megalomaniacs. Great fun.
At the end of this book, M. Jela and Cantra have become firm friends and shipmates. They have rescued the sentient tree from a dead planet and d...more
Like learning how to swim, it is somewhat daunting to start on a long-running series, with all its built-in history and side stories, and rabid fans. But after sitting by the planks for a while, there comes a point where the only thing left to do is jump in. So I did. And was pleasantly surprised.
I was looking for space opera, and found it in this book. I was also looking for scientific extrapolation, and there was some of that, though the focus is more on the adventures of the main characters,
...more
Note: This is mainly for me to remember books I have read, not to give really useful reviews to others.
Short summary: In the long past Earth learned how to modify and grow organisms. Some of these modified organisms decided that normal humans are not perfect enough to live and try to kill them off. The humans pushed the bad guys out of the Galaxy. They're back.
The hero (I'm really bad about names) is a person that is a soldier. He is shot down on a plant that has been destroyed by the enemy. Whi...more
Short summary: In the long past Earth learned how to modify and grow organisms. Some of these modified organisms decided that normal humans are not perfect enough to live and try to kill them off. The humans pushed the bad guys out of the Galaxy. They're back.
The hero (I'm really bad about names) is a person that is a soldier. He is shot down on a plant that has been destroyed by the enemy. Whi...more
I am a happy camper. I just picked up all of the books in the Liaden series for my Kindle from Baen Books website. Started reading in chronological order, this being the first in that fashion.
Events are always moving forward, and enough time is spent in space to keep me happy. I love (love!) seeing the origin of the Clan Korval tree. This is a fun, easy to read series.
Events are always moving forward, and enough time is spent in space to keep me happy. I love (love!) seeing the origin of the Clan Korval tree. This is a fun, easy to read series.
2 likes · like · see review
Jan 03, 2012
Carolyn F.
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
sci-fi,
library-book
Super slow start, at least to me, then about a 1/3 of the way in, everything started getting exciting. I'm planning on reading the rest of the series, which appears to be huge.
Jela crash lands on a planet that's been stripped and comes across a tree that's barely alive. He's on his last leg and somehow the tree not only communicates to him with images it helps to save him. Jela promises he'll take the tree with him to help it survive. He's rescued with the tree, given a super secret assignment,...more
Jela crash lands on a planet that's been stripped and comes across a tree that's barely alive. He's on his last leg and somehow the tree not only communicates to him with images it helps to save him. Jela promises he'll take the tree with him to help it survive. He's rescued with the tree, given a super secret assignment,...more
This is the first book in the Great Migration Duology (Crystal Dragon is the second). This review goes for both books.
Although I am decidedly on the internal chronology side of the Reading Order Spectrum, I’d recommend reading these dead last. They deal with Jela, Cantra, and the tree, in the most part, but they also contain a dizzying array of cameos which will only be recogniseable if you’ve read the rest of the Liaden books first (I'd recommend starting with either Local Custom or Conflict of...more
Although I am decidedly on the internal chronology side of the Reading Order Spectrum, I’d recommend reading these dead last. They deal with Jela, Cantra, and the tree, in the most part, but they also contain a dizzying array of cameos which will only be recogniseable if you’ve read the rest of the Liaden books first (I'd recommend starting with either Local Custom or Conflict of...more
Billed as deep background to the other Liaden books, this is full of aha! moments for the Liaden fan. Bioengineered solder M Jela Granthor's Guard crash-lands on an alien planet where the last sentient tree has withstood Enemy attack. When Jela and his Commander realize that the mysterious Enemy is now completely obliterating entire star systems without warning, he is catapulted into a web of intrigue in which his destiny becomes entwined with the tree he rescues, bioengineered slaves and their...more
2 likes · like · see review
As far as the characters and plot go, Crystal Soldier isn't as good as the rest of the series but I'm really liking the Liaden pre-history. The series has entire families known for producing pilots, or producing shopkeepers/tradesmen/merchants, etc. And it's pretty clear that they have more of a genetic specialization than we do - faster reflexes for pilots, etc - and some of that was explainable through selective breeding since generally families of one trade will only have children with other...more
M. Jela Granthor's Guard is a soldier who was born to be a soldier, a soldier whose genes were selected before birth, whose life was chosen for him as one of service and dedication.
Cantra yos'Phelium is an ace pilot and a thoroughgoing rouge. She trades in the dark and the gray markets along the war-torn Rim, running solo, with an eye to her own profit.
When fates casts them together, they form a very unlikely- and uncomfortable -alliance. The soldier intent on his mission, and the pirate intent...more
Cantra yos'Phelium is an ace pilot and a thoroughgoing rouge. She trades in the dark and the gray markets along the war-torn Rim, running solo, with an eye to her own profit.
When fates casts them together, they form a very unlikely- and uncomfortable -alliance. The soldier intent on his mission, and the pirate intent...more
ORIGINAL READ: 9/10 (13 May 2005 - 20 May 2005)
A few hundred years ago humanity fought a great war against an implacable Enemy. That Enemy then withdrew and most believed they were gone. Unfortunately, this is not true; they were only biding their time and building their strength and plans. Now they are returning.
Jela is a soldier, specifically bred and trained to fight the Enemy. As the book begins, he is forced down during a space battle and finds himself stranded on a harsh, desert planet. H...more
A few hundred years ago humanity fought a great war against an implacable Enemy. That Enemy then withdrew and most believed they were gone. Unfortunately, this is not true; they were only biding their time and building their strength and plans. Now they are returning.
Jela is a soldier, specifically bred and trained to fight the Enemy. As the book begins, he is forced down during a space battle and finds himself stranded on a harsh, desert planet. H...more
1 like · like · see review
I was looking for some space opera and someone suggested this. It's an ok book but kind of confused, never seems like it really knows where it is going and I never warmed up to the characters. It's the 9th book in the series but a prequel of a prequel and the first half of a pair (none of which I've read) so there is lots of information entrained that would have enhanced my enjoyment. Still it seemed like there was more atmosphere than plot, or at least the plot seemed to less important.
Excellent read. I love the Liaden Universe books. The Liaden Universe is strongly drawn and the details are consistently well thought-out. The books have action, suspense, romance and characters you really care about. The hero and heroine of Crystal Dragon and Crystal Soldier are Cantra and Jela, both people you would like to know and definitely people you would want on YOUR side in any disagreement. In my opinion, though, neither is really the best place to start the series even though chronolo...more
6 likes · like · see review
Truth be told I only picked up this book because it was recommended here. I was sadly disappointed, however. The main character has no real depth; the concept of a sentient tree that is never explained, except in the barest detail; and the authors' inexplicable love affair with the ellipse. I mean, honestly, two a page is more than enough, don't you think? Once the action started, it was a little readable, but I highly doubt I'm going to pick it up again.
Having previously read all of the other Liaden books, coming back to this felt like reading about people who I knew existed, and who had led exciting lives. Reading this was like reading about ancestors as I've come to know and love the Korval clan in all the other stories. I would have liked more explanation of how the Yxtrang came to be, and I'm still unclear as to what happened when they switched universes... why didn't the Iloheen just follow them?
1 like · like · see review
The Liaden universe is, as always, fascinating. The authors' unfortunate inability to figure out where to end the novel (about 2 chapters before they ended would have been best) was the main trouble. Despite their wide number of publications, they continue to have this difficulty in many of their books, and I continue to read them anyway because everything else about their work is so excellent.
Summary: A cracking book, lots of action, interesting and unsettling universe
Plotline: Unpredictable but well thought out plot that keeps the reader well engaged
Premise: Not a very comfortable universe, but a very interesting one.
Writing: Excellent throughout, simple, highly readable
Ending: More to follow, but yes very good
Pace: Never a dull moment.
Plotline: Unpredictable but well thought out plot that keeps the reader well engaged
Premise: Not a very comfortable universe, but a very interesting one.
Writing: Excellent throughout, simple, highly readable
Ending: More to follow, but yes very good
Pace: Never a dull moment.
New to Lee's books as I am, I'm still sorry to hand this one two stars. The quality of the writing still notched higher than most, and the customs and characters had their moment. I could almost hear the heartbeat of a vast and well constructed universe behind the story, but I feel the plot failed to achieve its potential. Parts were confusing, unexplained and the pacing was uneven.
Final Word: A lesser installment to a wonderful series.
Final Word: A lesser installment to a wonderful series.
I'm enjoying ths Liadren universe even thought I haven't started at the "beginning". There is some jargon and concepts I don't fully grasp in this book, but the storyline doesn't suffer for this. I enjoyed the book and look forwrd to the sequel
This was the first Liaden Universe book I read. I'm glad I stumbled on it first. Some reviewers have said that it starts slow. From my point of view it starts by completely pulling me into a place with all five senses. After I'm there I want to know more about the story that starts there.
I've found this book and it's sequel Crystal Dragon important to getting all the nuances in the rest of the series.
I've found this book and it's sequel Crystal Dragon important to getting all the nuances in the rest of the series.
I like. This was the second Liaden universe book I read. I'm glad I read them out of the order they were written in because if I'd started with the sci-fi / romance ones I never would have read more and found this one.
Crystal Soldier provides some interesting back story to Clan Korval and the entire Liaden multi-verse and is a darned good story to boot :-)
Aug 18, 2011
Mrs Johnnie Tate
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Liaden Universe Fans; SciFi; Adventure
How I enjoyed this story! Anxiously await book 2 in this series! Lee & Miller have to to fail giving me an enjoyable retreat into a book.
Jun 10, 2013
Shawn Conroy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction
A good introduction to Lianden
I've never a Liaden book or a book from the authors. This far future sci-fi tale was interesting, the pace was constant, and the universe interesting. While this novel didn't excite me terribly, but it kept my attention and there are some interesting ideas that are in the background that will clearly be major elements of future books as this book was written after but takes place before the main series of books. I will look forward to reading them.
I've never a Liaden book or a book from the authors. This far future sci-fi tale was interesting, the pace was constant, and the universe interesting. While this novel didn't excite me terribly, but it kept my attention and there are some interesting ideas that are in the background that will clearly be major elements of future books as this book was written after but takes place before the main series of books. I will look forward to reading them.
An imaginative back story to the other books and worth reading again.
While it had its moments, the pacing was uneven, and a lot was left unexplained. The beginning dragged, though the main character is likable. Part two, when his female counterpart is introduced, picks up, especially when things blow up and our characters are running through a firefight carrying a tree. Yep, that's right! Wouldn't want to leave your tree behind when you're running for your life! Basically, that's what kept me reading. You've got to like the tree. Ends inconclusively, priming you...more
Excellent
In the beginning was a little plant that wanted to become a great Tree. So much makes sense now. Sentient Trees.
Mar 11, 2012
Danielle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
scifi-fantasy,
recommend-to-joci
I was extremely impressed with how well this book was written. In fact, jumping straight into another book only highlighted how well crafted it was; I felt like I was in Taco Bell after sample some high class cuisine. Plot, characterization, pacing and simply grasp of the English language were superior to so many books I've read recently. Can't wait to get my hands on the next in the series.
Loved book one in the The Migration Duology. Can't wait to read part two.... Here are my general thoughts of The Liaden Universe on my blog Thank the Maker http://girlsguidetoscifi.blogspot.ca/...
1 like · like · see review
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Sharon 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...more
More about Sharon Lee...
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...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
