Ghost Ship (Liaden Universe Novels) [Hardcover]

Ghost Ship is two books-in-one. I can make a case for it being two-and-a-half or even three books-in-one, each of them a gem. Let me explain.

This is a stand alone story in the greater world of the Liaden UniverseTM, although those who start their journey here will take some time to figure things out. There are a lot of things packed into this book: star travel, family, adventure, relationships, parties, "Bosses", pilots, juntavas, scouts, 8-foot-tall clutch turtles, scholars, scholarly research, cats, AIs, Department of Interior, strange new ports of call, couriers, traders, trade ships, and The Tree.

First and foremost though, this is the continuation of Theo Waitley's story, begun in the coming of age duology Fledgling/Saltation. But it is also the long-awaited sequel to I Dare, telling the story of Clan Korval's exit from Liad and the start of their resettlement on Surebleak. In addition to packing in all of those elements, Lee & Miller also slip in some tantalizing scenes that belong in the sequel to Mouse and Dragon, a book that takes place chronologically quite a bit earlier, but was only released into the wild last year.

I enjoyed every moment of the book, and devoured it as soon as I could pry it out of my husband's hands. Inside of two days we had both read it. Among my favorite parts were the interactions of Theo with various members and associates of Clan Korval-Theo has been on her own for a while now, and it's interesting to see her discover a whole new family she didn't know she had-consisting mostly of pilots.

It was also nice to visit with so many old friends and catch up with them. And to get some insight into just what Bechimo (the Ghost Ship of the title) was doing. And even where the PODs came from.

Ghost Ship is complex, layered, fast-paced and fun. It's recommended to everyone who likes science fiction, space opera or adventure.

Mike thinks the book wasn't long enough. I think it needed more turtles. We both loved it and we're waiting eagerly for the next one.

This was another great adventure in the Liaden Universe. Theo has come to the Delm of Korval with a couple of problems that are beyond her own solving because that is what she learned from her father Jen Sar Kiladi when she was a child on the safe world of Delgado. Now she needs to try to figure out what to do when a ghost ship containing Old Technology wants her to be its captain and what to do about helping her injured friend Win Ton who may be able to be healed by that same Old Technology and, incidentally, what happened to her father who has disappeared suddenly from Delgado.

Theo is a competent pilot who is just learning to make her way in the broader universe. She has been expelled from piloting school for being a "nexus of violence" and what Liadens call "the luck" does also follow her around. Seeing Korval through her eyes gives us a new viewpoint. She is struggling to understand why and how her father has reappeared as a pilot of Korval and a member of one of the most powerful clans of Liadens in known space.

She comes to Korval as they are being forced to leave Liad and take refuge on the planet Surebleak and while they are still in major danger from the Department of the Interior which is trying to eliminate all of Korval from the universe.

The episode was a nicely braided series of stories that talk about Korval's relocation on Surebleak, Theo's adventures as a pilot, and the doings of the Department of the Interior. We get a chance to reconnect with the old friends we have met in earlier volumes of this series -- among them are Dav and Aelliana, Miri and Val Con, Pat Rin and Natessa -- and learn about some of the children who are growing into more public roles -- Quin and Padi.

While this wouldn't be a good beginning place for readers interested in the Liaden Universe, it is a wonderful story. I am fascinated with the Liaden Universe where manners and face are hugely important, achieving Balance for wrongs is essential, and smart Liadens go armed into the world.

If you do not already read the Liaden Universe stories of space opera, why not? The books are filled with adventure and fascinating characters and worlds. My recommendation is to begin with Agent of Change (now in an omnibus edition with Carpe Diem called The Agent Gambit) and immerse yourself in the Liaden Universe.

Once upon a time Theo's father had told her, half-teasingly, if she were ever in serious trouble, to take that trouble to the Delm of Korval. And as noted in FLEDGLING and SALTATION, young Theo Waitley - officially registered on her peaceful world of Delgado as a "nexus of violence" - had picked up a gaggle of serious troubles. And as we saw in SALTATION she did go to the Delm of Korval on the planet Liad. GHOST SHIP picks up the tale moments after. Except that GHOST SHIP isn't just about Theo Waitley.

When in the mood, no one sprawls a story quite like Sharon Lee & Steve Miller. GHOST SHIP is the direct sequel to I DARE and SALTATION and I'll tell you straight: this novel ain't for newbies unless you're one of them blokes what likes to come in halfway thru the movie and try to figure things out. Even more than PLAN B and I DARE, GHOST SHIP features central characters from past Liaden stories. The authors also sprinkle in a heck of a lot of cameos and references to past events. This helps to anchor the Liaden universe, to establish time and place and continuity. But first time visitors will wish Lee & Miller had accomodated them more. Fair warning.

GHOST STORY tracks the interweaving story arcs of the Korval Clan, namely Theo Waitley, her father Daav yos'Phelium, and Theo's half-brother Val Con and his lifemate Miri. And, to a lesser extent, we also catch up with what Pat Rin's been up to. The big bad of this series continues to be the planet Liad's insidious Department of the Interior which is still and forever bent on exterminating the Korval line. In fact, I urge all new readers to first pick up AGENT OF CHANGE or THE AGENT GAMBIT omnibus (which contains AGENT OF CHANGE and its absolutely addictive sequel CARPE DIEM, the book that made me a diehard fan of all things Liaden). AGENT OF CHANGE and CARPE DIEM introduced Miri and Val Con and chronicled their fight against the interplanetary Juntavas crime syndicate and the increasingly suppresive Department of the Interior.

As a character mentions, "Luck rides roughly around Clan Korval." Pilot First Class Theo Waitley, her pilot's jacket several sizes too big, arrives on Liad just in time to witness the Delm of Korval - the title given to the head(s) of Korval, who currently are Val Con and, by extension, Miri - in the midst of relocating clan and home and tree, Jelaza Kazone. But Theo's got her own plate of headaches. Being a "nexus of violence" means that Theo is constantly getting into scrapes. It's tough being a new and solo pilot, and it's even tougher when an ancient sentient space ship is haunting you. And then, worse news, Theo gets eyeballed by the Department of the Interior, with the Department's vindictive Commander of Agents sitting up straight upon learning of the ghost ship's existence (and all the invaluable Old Tech the ship harbors). And then just wait 'til the revelation drops regarding Theo's being also half-Korval.

Meanwhile, Clan Korval has survived Liad's booting them off the planet. On the backwater world of Surebleak, Jelaza Kazone has happily set roots and Val Con and Miri and kin are settling in fine. Not that it's all gravy. That charming gambler Pat Rin yos'Phelium had made his mark in his guise as "Boss Conrad" (check out I DARE). But Surebleak lives up to its ominous name; it's still very much dangerous and untamed territory ran by ambitious Bosses. Clan Korval has to tread softly.

GHOST SHIP refuses to be a hugger mugger, the authors keeping the plot threads clear and easy to follow, the huge cast of characters distinct from each other (that is, if you've been reading past Liaden novels). I love the space opera elements. But, even more, I love the character interactions. As usual, Lee and Miller give us many glimpses of Liaden custom and behavior, of which complexity and formality rival that found in Cherryh's Foreigner series. There's a huge sense of satisfaction in watching Theo Waitley safely navigate thru Liad's social landmines, and gratification derived from Clan Korval's easy acceptance of her.

Let's face it, there isn't a space opera so glorious as one inhabited by telepaths and self-aware ships and sentient trees and interplanetary hoodlums and a xenophobic secret organization, and it's even got wushu camouflaged as dance. GHOST SHIP is what? It's an absorbing comedy of manners. At times it's an espionage thriller. It's science-fiction with the heart beat of the Wild West. It's a fun dose of mysticism. And romance. And a teapot from an alternate universe. And it's even got a Clutch Turtle. Do you realize how awesome Clutch Turtles are?! Oh, you're gonna lose sleep over this one, friend. And, going by how many issues were still left unresolved by the end of this thing, expect to hear more from the Liaden Universe.