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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #8
Shadows and Shades
Two short stories of the Liaden Universe: Naratha's Shadow, originally published in 2000, and Heirloom, originally published in 2002.
ebook
First published November 1, 2002
27 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
166 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 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 18, 2013
Liaden Universe chapter book, with two short stories, followed by a timeline of the entire Liaden Universe, accurate and complete up until the point this book was published, in 2011. The timeline is helpful.
(Many (perhaps all) of these tales will fill one of the "constellation" anthologies ( A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I).
The first story: Naratha's Shadow first appeared in Such a Pretty Face via Meisha Merlin Publishing. It is very short, describing Healers and Scouts confronted by a malign bit of shereika technology. I skimmed it quickly. There are no characters from Clan Korval in it. My rating does not take this story into account. I read somewhere that there is a character like the "song woman" Jela remembered at the beginning of Crystal Soldier, so I will read it someday.
The second story: Heirloom (4.5 stars) is a bit longer, and quite good. Shorts are not easy to write, but the authors pulled this one off beautifully. It felt complete (but keep in mind, I have read most of the series, including all the full-length novels, with only a few shorts left to go).
According to the timeline, Pat Rin yos'Phelium is 23 and his cousin Nova yos'Galan is 12. I felt sorry for Pat Rin, yet respected him. He keeps failing the pilot test, but meanwhile, his beautiful and lightning fast young cousin passes the exam. He tries not to feel bitter, nor to take it out on her, but why is HE the only Korval who cannot pilot? (besides his mother, Kareen)
One day, when the two cousins are alone, a nasty situation develops, potentially dangerous. Pat Rin handles it admirably. Nova discovers something new about herself.
Nicely done. Good tension and pacing. Solid characterization of Pat Rin (not as thorough for Nova). We find out how the bel'Tarda line came to become a lesser branch of Clan Korval. Luken bel'Tarda plays a slight but vital role in the story. Er Thom yos'Galan (Nova's father) plays a small role, as does the unlikeable Lady Kareen, Pat Rin's mother. Oh, yes. A cat. Of course.
Quibble: I expected Er Thom to
Ps. One can also find these two stories at a better buy in Liaden Unibus II. Even a better buy, in July 2013 the publishers will release 17 short stories in Volume One ( A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I).
(Many (perhaps all) of these tales will fill one of the "constellation" anthologies ( A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I).
The first story: Naratha's Shadow first appeared in Such a Pretty Face via Meisha Merlin Publishing. It is very short, describing Healers and Scouts confronted by a malign bit of shereika technology. I skimmed it quickly. There are no characters from Clan Korval in it. My rating does not take this story into account. I read somewhere that there is a character like the "song woman" Jela remembered at the beginning of Crystal Soldier, so I will read it someday.
The second story: Heirloom (4.5 stars) is a bit longer, and quite good. Shorts are not easy to write, but the authors pulled this one off beautifully. It felt complete (but keep in mind, I have read most of the series, including all the full-length novels, with only a few shorts left to go).
According to the timeline, Pat Rin yos'Phelium is 23 and his cousin Nova yos'Galan is 12. I felt sorry for Pat Rin, yet respected him. He keeps failing the pilot test, but meanwhile, his beautiful and lightning fast young cousin passes the exam. He tries not to feel bitter, nor to take it out on her, but why is HE the only Korval who cannot pilot? (besides his mother, Kareen)
One day, when the two cousins are alone, a nasty situation develops, potentially dangerous. Pat Rin handles it admirably. Nova discovers something new about herself.
Nicely done. Good tension and pacing. Solid characterization of Pat Rin (not as thorough for Nova). We find out how the bel'Tarda line came to become a lesser branch of Clan Korval. Luken bel'Tarda plays a slight but vital role in the story. Er Thom yos'Galan (Nova's father) plays a small role, as does the unlikeable Lady Kareen, Pat Rin's mother. Oh, yes. A cat. Of course.
Quibble: I expected Er Thom to
Ps. One can also find these two stories at a better buy in Liaden Unibus II. Even a better buy, in July 2013 the publishers will release 17 short stories in Volume One ( A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume I).
December 1, 2017
3 stars.
I'm not sure I know how the first story "Naratha's Shadow" ties in but I supposed it's to do with the Scout Montet but I don't remember where she's from.
In the second story, we have Pat Rin, still frustrated from his numerous failures to get his pilot licence and the first time we see Nova's dramliza abilities coming forth. This one is more interesting as it gives some more insights into the earlier years of the current Korval generation.
I'm not sure I know how the first story "Naratha's Shadow" ties in but I supposed it's to do with the Scout Montet but I don't remember where she's from.
In the second story, we have Pat Rin, still frustrated from his numerous failures to get his pilot licence and the first time we see Nova's dramliza abilities coming forth. This one is more interesting as it gives some more insights into the earlier years of the current Korval generation.
March 22, 2017
Personal memory jog:
2 Liaden shorts--total grade = B
Naratha's Shadow: Scout Montet sig'Norba has found a piece of ancient tech whose riddle she is trying to unravel. The artifact emits strong negative emanations even through a stasis box--in fact it burns thru stasis boxes and they have to be replaced regularly. Montet takes the artifact to a primitive world where she meets Panopele, Voice of Naratha, and her companions. The Voice sings, and she, her companions, and the artifact all disappear. No cat.
TBH, not sure of the relevance of this story. I didn't recognize any of the characters, and don't think it added anything to the overall arc. Of course, I may be proved wrong. But this story brings the overall grade down.
C
Heirloom: This is mostly some of Pat Rin's backstory, a coming of age of sorts. Pat Rin is a loose ends, pretty much tormented by his lack of demonstrated skills (pilot, dramliz) that would be useful and valued by Korval. Instead, he lives with his mother and is viewed as a kind of pointless dilettante. As a result of a bout of angst, Pat Rin gets drunk, goes to a gambling dive, and loses big at cards--all of which are unusual occurrences for him. He at least had the sense to turn down a shooting match before he blacked out. He comes to at the home of his foster father, Luken bel'Tarda. Over breakfast with the patient, non-judgemental Luken, Luken suggests that Pat Rin move out and set up his own establishment, one where he can entertain and host gambling parties. They agree to meet again over dinner as Luken has other business that day, and Pat Rin volunteers to inventory a load of carpets Er Thom had sent to Luken's shop after a cleanup at one of their properties.
Luken, an upscale rug merchant, had taught Pat Rin all about the business when Pat Rin was fostered with him, so the inventorying was unchallenging and routine until his young cousin Nova showed up. Er Thom has sent Nova to help Luken, not knowing Pat Rin was there. Pat Rin was prickly off the bat because Nova had just become a pilot at a young age, she inadvertently displayed some of her pilot talents, and pulled a rug for inventorying that Pat Rin was saving--all salt in his wounds. But, the rug Nova pulled had a dramatic effect on her, causing her to become violent with Pat Rin and talk about long-ago events and people. The conversation she acts out between Lisha yos'Galan and Del Ben yos'Phelium tells of the dishonorable acts by Del Ben that led to restitution owed to the bel'Tarda line, including taking them into Clan Korval as a junior line. When Nova's fit passed, she was attended by Er Thom and healers, who discovered Nova was a dramliza with the rare talent of remembering. (Interestingly, the old bloodstain on the carpet that was visible to both Nova and Pat Rin during her episode disappeared afterwards, but Pat Rin clearly saw it, too.)
The story concludes with Pat Rin established in his own home after his first successful party. As they relax afterwards, Luken suggests that Pat Rin enter the lists at Tey Dor's, another step in Pat Rin's establishing himself as an incomparable and renowned gambler and marksman.
I really enjoyed this story. Loved seeing Pat Rin break away and becoming more sure of himself, his place within the clan and in the world. Baby steps for later developments. It was also really lovely to see his interactions with Luken, who is one of my favorite characters. I'd always wondered exactly how the bel'Tardas fit into Clan Korval, so liked that insight. Also, this story had the requisite cat.
A
B-total
NOTE: Includes a partial Liaden timeline as of 2002. It's old and doesn't include recent works, but is still very helpful
2 Liaden shorts--total grade = B
Naratha's Shadow: Scout Montet sig'Norba has found a piece of ancient tech whose riddle she is trying to unravel. The artifact emits strong negative emanations even through a stasis box--in fact it burns thru stasis boxes and they have to be replaced regularly. Montet takes the artifact to a primitive world where she meets Panopele, Voice of Naratha, and her companions. The Voice sings, and she, her companions, and the artifact all disappear. No cat.
TBH, not sure of the relevance of this story. I didn't recognize any of the characters, and don't think it added anything to the overall arc. Of course, I may be proved wrong. But this story brings the overall grade down.
C
Heirloom: This is mostly some of Pat Rin's backstory, a coming of age of sorts. Pat Rin is a loose ends, pretty much tormented by his lack of demonstrated skills (pilot, dramliz) that would be useful and valued by Korval. Instead, he lives with his mother and is viewed as a kind of pointless dilettante. As a result of a bout of angst, Pat Rin gets drunk, goes to a gambling dive, and loses big at cards--all of which are unusual occurrences for him. He at least had the sense to turn down a shooting match before he blacked out. He comes to at the home of his foster father, Luken bel'Tarda. Over breakfast with the patient, non-judgemental Luken, Luken suggests that Pat Rin move out and set up his own establishment, one where he can entertain and host gambling parties. They agree to meet again over dinner as Luken has other business that day, and Pat Rin volunteers to inventory a load of carpets Er Thom had sent to Luken's shop after a cleanup at one of their properties.
Luken, an upscale rug merchant, had taught Pat Rin all about the business when Pat Rin was fostered with him, so the inventorying was unchallenging and routine until his young cousin Nova showed up. Er Thom has sent Nova to help Luken, not knowing Pat Rin was there. Pat Rin was prickly off the bat because Nova had just become a pilot at a young age, she inadvertently displayed some of her pilot talents, and pulled a rug for inventorying that Pat Rin was saving--all salt in his wounds. But, the rug Nova pulled had a dramatic effect on her, causing her to become violent with Pat Rin and talk about long-ago events and people. The conversation she acts out between Lisha yos'Galan and Del Ben yos'Phelium tells of the dishonorable acts by Del Ben that led to restitution owed to the bel'Tarda line, including taking them into Clan Korval as a junior line. When Nova's fit passed, she was attended by Er Thom and healers, who discovered Nova was a dramliza with the rare talent of remembering. (Interestingly, the old bloodstain on the carpet that was visible to both Nova and Pat Rin during her episode disappeared afterwards, but Pat Rin clearly saw it, too.)
The story concludes with Pat Rin established in his own home after his first successful party. As they relax afterwards, Luken suggests that Pat Rin enter the lists at Tey Dor's, another step in Pat Rin's establishing himself as an incomparable and renowned gambler and marksman.
I really enjoyed this story. Loved seeing Pat Rin break away and becoming more sure of himself, his place within the clan and in the world. Baby steps for later developments. It was also really lovely to see his interactions with Luken, who is one of my favorite characters. I'd always wondered exactly how the bel'Tardas fit into Clan Korval, so liked that insight. Also, this story had the requisite cat.
A
B-total
NOTE: Includes a partial Liaden timeline as of 2002. It's old and doesn't include recent works, but is still very helpful
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2018
Two great stories
A scout story and a Pat’Rin and Nova story.
Always nice to read background stories with favorite characters.
The end.
A scout story and a Pat’Rin and Nova story.
Always nice to read background stories with favorite characters.
The end.
May 23, 2025
The usual!
Lee and Miller,once again,weave a marvelous story. Every word joining a universe of people from all tracks together to form a wonderful tale.
Lee and Miller,once again,weave a marvelous story. Every word joining a universe of people from all tracks together to form a wonderful tale.
December 22, 2015
Two in one chapbook containing "Naratha's Shadow" and "Heirloom," plus a timeline of stories (both novel and short shorts) published at time of release. These stories are now available in the Baen omnibus (Lee & Miller's new publisher) in the Liaden Universe Omnibus II, which is cheaper than buying the chapbooks piecemeal.
Naratha's Shadow was really short, only about 5,000 words (1/3 of chapbook) and did not include a romantic interest but does introduce us to another new culture, one based on music. And an interesting concept of great good can cast a shadow, leaving behind great evil as a balance. Standalone and at this time does not seem to impact the rest of the Liaden Universe.
Heirloom (great play on words there - since rugs are made on a loom - and the rug in question was about heirs - plus this generation of heirs) is over 10,000 words (2/3 of chapbook). Stars Pat Rin (who is deciding who he want to be and which parent (real and foster) he wants to be like) and Nova. Nice reveal of when Nova is discovered to be a dramliza and how Pat Rin decides on how to approach his adulthood melant'i. Plus how Korval took on their subordinate line bel'Tarda. Standalone story. Not required reading but because the turning points of so many people in this story (Pat Rin, Nova, and bel'Tarda) really, really nice add to the Universe. I would put this on the highly recommended, but not must read list for all things Liaden.
Naratha's Shadow was really short, only about 5,000 words (1/3 of chapbook) and did not include a romantic interest but does introduce us to another new culture, one based on music. And an interesting concept of great good can cast a shadow, leaving behind great evil as a balance. Standalone and at this time does not seem to impact the rest of the Liaden Universe.
Heirloom (great play on words there - since rugs are made on a loom - and the rug in question was about heirs - plus this generation of heirs) is over 10,000 words (2/3 of chapbook). Stars Pat Rin (who is deciding who he want to be and which parent (real and foster) he wants to be like) and Nova. Nice reveal of when Nova is discovered to be a dramliza and how Pat Rin decides on how to approach his adulthood melant'i. Plus how Korval took on their subordinate line bel'Tarda. Standalone story. Not required reading but because the turning points of so many people in this story (Pat Rin, Nova, and bel'Tarda) really, really nice add to the Universe. I would put this on the highly recommended, but not must read list for all things Liaden.
December 13, 2020
I liked the Pat Rin story but not the other. I don’t like the ones that are steeped in religion or mysticism.
September 16, 2015
I read these in the "A Liaden Universe® Constellation vol 1"
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews