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Adventures in the Liaden Universe #6
Changeling
Adventures in the Liaden Universe Number 6
"Changeling" features the collision of two off-world Liaden Clans -- one rich and influential, one borderline respectable -- after the contract marriage between two young and promising pilots results in an unforeseeable disaster for both of them.
Code and honor require both Clans to follow tradition -- but when one Clan follows tradition beyond Balance and into personal vendetta tradition and lives are at stake.
". . .classic space adventure. . .is full of action. . . The world building is outstanding. . ." -- Booklist
". . .the great excellence lies in the characters" -- Analog
"Ambitiously creating a complex emotional environment, they pique our curiosity. First rate science fiction adventure" -- Romantic Times
"Changeling" features the collision of two off-world Liaden Clans -- one rich and influential, one borderline respectable -- after the contract marriage between two young and promising pilots results in an unforeseeable disaster for both of them.
Code and honor require both Clans to follow tradition -- but when one Clan follows tradition beyond Balance and into personal vendetta tradition and lives are at stake.
". . .classic space adventure. . .is full of action. . . The world building is outstanding. . ." -- Booklist
". . .the great excellence lies in the characters" -- Analog
"Ambitiously creating a complex emotional environment, they pique our curiosity. First rate science fiction adventure" -- Romantic Times
Nook
First published January 1, 2001
11 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Sharon Lee
169 books790 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 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 26, 2018
Very good.
June 23, 2013
4.5 stars for Changeling (where Ren Zel meets Shan)
This story takes place on Casiaport, a Liaden-derived planet, some three years before I Dare.
Ren Zel dea'Judan is about 21. We learn how Ren Zel came to become a pilot, when his relatives — Clan Obrelt — have always been shopkeepers (managers). This uncommon ability, along with some slight hint of dramliza talent, makes him a "changeling" in his pedantic nest, but yet he is loved.
His wise Aunt Chane recognizes his potential and arranges pilot lessons. In due time, his benign but gruff Uncle Ard contracts a marriage for him with the illustrious Clan Juban, a piloting family.
All is peachy, until suddenly Ren Zel becomes clanless and dead (ouch).
We learn how he first began working for Shan on his tradeship, Dutiful Passage.
It's a sad story, with two deadly adrenaline-high encounters and several intense scenes of ostracism, aloneness, and heartbreak. Shan plays a key role. The depiction of Ren Zel the Seer is pretty cool. Solid portrayal of Uncle Ard and Aunt Chane, who loved Ren Zel but had to follow the stupid Code, to protect the rest of the clan.
Notes:
Ren Zel is 21 in this story, according to the text. According to the timeline in the chapbook Shadows and Shades, he is 3 years younger than Anthora. She is 9 years younger than Shan, and 4 years younger than both Val Con and Nova, born the same year. So, if Ren Zel is 21 in Changeling, then Shan must be 33. Thus, Shan has been with Priscilla for about 5 years, and I Dare (where Ren Zel meets his lifemate) will occur in about three years.
"Changeling” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #14, Summer 2000.
The sequel to "Changeling" is "Close Kin" (originally published in Courier Run). In Close Kin, Ren Zel goes back to Casiaport, with Anthora. Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This story takes place on Casiaport, a Liaden-derived planet, some three years before I Dare.
Ren Zel dea'Judan is about 21. We learn how Ren Zel came to become a pilot, when his relatives — Clan Obrelt — have always been shopkeepers (managers). This uncommon ability, along with some slight hint of dramliza talent, makes him a "changeling" in his pedantic nest, but yet he is loved.
His wise Aunt Chane recognizes his potential and arranges pilot lessons. In due time, his benign but gruff Uncle Ard contracts a marriage for him with the illustrious Clan Juban, a piloting family.
All is peachy, until suddenly Ren Zel becomes clanless and dead (ouch).
We learn how he first began working for Shan on his tradeship, Dutiful Passage.
It's a sad story, with two deadly adrenaline-high encounters and several intense scenes of ostracism, aloneness, and heartbreak. Shan plays a key role. The depiction of Ren Zel the Seer is pretty cool. Solid portrayal of Uncle Ard and Aunt Chane, who loved Ren Zel but had to follow the stupid Code, to protect the rest of the clan.
Notes:
Ren Zel is 21 in this story, according to the text. According to the timeline in the chapbook Shadows and Shades, he is 3 years younger than Anthora. She is 9 years younger than Shan, and 4 years younger than both Val Con and Nova, born the same year. So, if Ren Zel is 21 in Changeling, then Shan must be 33. Thus, Shan has been with Priscilla for about 5 years, and I Dare (where Ren Zel meets his lifemate) will occur in about three years.
"Changeling” originally appeared in Absolute Magnitude #14, Summer 2000.
The sequel to "Changeling" is "Close Kin" (originally published in Courier Run). In Close Kin, Ren Zel goes back to Casiaport, with Anthora. Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
September 16, 2023
A nice short novelette set in the Liaden universe.
January 16, 2018
This novella of the Liaden Universe tells the back story of Ren Zel dea'Judan, born to a clan of shopkeepers, but destined to be a pilot. He is cast out of his clan when he runs afoul of another piloting clan who blame him for the death of one of theirs.
This was an enjoyable tale, but much too short for my taste.
This was an enjoyable tale, but much too short for my taste.
January 27, 2021
Wonderful backstory
Recently finished all 23 liaden universe books and I was hoping that the authors would have written be the story that would fill in Ren Zel's history. Here it is, and as well done as all the novels.
Recently finished all 23 liaden universe books and I was hoping that the authors would have written be the story that would fill in Ren Zel's history. Here it is, and as well done as all the novels.
June 30, 2017
Back story for an interesting character
Good to get the back story on Ren Zel. Poor guy. And a good look at one clan behaving as best as they can, and another not.
Good to get the back story on Ren Zel. Poor guy. And a good look at one clan behaving as best as they can, and another not.
May 8, 2019
Love the Liaden chap books and this is a very good story
I love the Liaden chap books and loved Rem Zel’s back story, Don’t want to spoil but it was nice to see Korval in action
I love the Liaden chap books and loved Rem Zel’s back story, Don’t want to spoil but it was nice to see Korval in action
August 24, 2023
I love these books! Great characters, world-building, lore, romance! They are all interconnected, and there’s a lot, but that’s all good!
March 22, 2017
This is the story of how Ren Zel dea'Judan became clanless and, later fortuitously met Shan yos'Galan. Although short, it's a wonderful, well-written tale to fill in the gaps in Ren Zel's history. Loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2017
An awesome addition to the Adventures in the Liaden Universe chapbook series, Changeling only has one narrative featuring the backstory of Ren Zel who rides on the Dutiful Passage under Shan. These events happen before "I, Dare".
I find Sharon Lee and Steve Miller work best in the long form. I find the 2 in 1 chapbooks just don't quite capture their voice. They need at least 50 pages on one story to really shine and Changeling surely sings with their voice. Action and love (platonic & romantic), character and duty, family and friends - all the instruments tuned together in harmony within this story.
Ren Zel is an enigma to his family, a changeling pilot born of a clan of shopkeepers. But they love the child of the clan and are willing to risk beggaring the lot in order to properly raise what they do not understand but have been gifted with. And he returns the love to them by taking on the pilot training debt once old enough and focuses on making sure his supportive kin are equally supported when he comes of adult age and melant'i. Then disaster strikes and the small clan finds themselves at odds with the pilot clan of their backwater world and the only choice is to declare Ren Zel dead no matter how much they love their kinsman.
That is the first half of the book. The second half covers the deadman walking in a society that will not recognize him.
My heart burned not only for Ren Zel, but also the Obrelt of Clan Obrelt as his walks the difficult path of melant'i - keeping his clan safe and not falling to dishonor. His defiance of the heartsick, but extremely powerful, Jabun is worthy of remembrance and grief. Ren Zel's clan shields him as long as they could, as well as a group of shopkeepers could from the clan of pilots. All praise to them.
A very good story and a great addition to the Liaden Universe. Works as a stand-alone.
NOTE THAT Kin Ties, one of the narratives in the Courier Run (Adventures in the Liaden Universe 18) chapbook, again returns to the focus to Ren Zel and his homecoming to his birth clan.
I find Sharon Lee and Steve Miller work best in the long form. I find the 2 in 1 chapbooks just don't quite capture their voice. They need at least 50 pages on one story to really shine and Changeling surely sings with their voice. Action and love (platonic & romantic), character and duty, family and friends - all the instruments tuned together in harmony within this story.
Ren Zel is an enigma to his family, a changeling pilot born of a clan of shopkeepers. But they love the child of the clan and are willing to risk beggaring the lot in order to properly raise what they do not understand but have been gifted with. And he returns the love to them by taking on the pilot training debt once old enough and focuses on making sure his supportive kin are equally supported when he comes of adult age and melant'i. Then disaster strikes and the small clan finds themselves at odds with the pilot clan of their backwater world and the only choice is to declare Ren Zel dead no matter how much they love their kinsman.
That is the first half of the book. The second half covers the deadman walking in a society that will not recognize him.
My heart burned not only for Ren Zel, but also the Obrelt of Clan Obrelt as his walks the difficult path of melant'i - keeping his clan safe and not falling to dishonor. His defiance of the heartsick, but extremely powerful, Jabun is worthy of remembrance and grief. Ren Zel's clan shields him as long as they could, as well as a group of shopkeepers could from the clan of pilots. All praise to them.
A very good story and a great addition to the Liaden Universe. Works as a stand-alone.
NOTE THAT Kin Ties, one of the narratives in the Courier Run (Adventures in the Liaden Universe 18) chapbook, again returns to the focus to Ren Zel and his homecoming to his birth clan.
December 1, 2017
4 stars.
I think this was one of those important snippets as it told us what actually happened to Ren Zel to get him being declared dead to his Clan and how he ended up on Dutiful Passage. Moreover, we see the first thing his Dramliza wizardry came into being.
Ren Zel has been having a hard time in the latest books, I really hope we get a favorable outcome for him soon!
I think this was one of those important snippets as it told us what actually happened to Ren Zel to get him being declared dead to his Clan and how he ended up on Dutiful Passage. Moreover, we see the first thing his Dramliza wizardry came into being.
Ren Zel has been having a hard time in the latest books, I really hope we get a favorable outcome for him soon!
September 16, 2015
I read these in the "A Liaden Universe® Constellation vol 1"
December 13, 2020
Ren Zel’s back story is very painful. It ends well but I am so angry on his and his clan’s behalf.
July 14, 2015
A quick, satisfying read.
March 30, 2021
This short story from the Liaden Universe gives us the back story of Rel Zen.
April 17, 2016
Well it appears that Jabun will sink itself. Good.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews