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Liaden Universe, Chronological #18
Dragon Ship
Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here
First Class courier pilot Theo Waitley was already known as a nexus of violence - and then she inherited the precarious captaincy of a mysterious self-aware ship designed to serve a long dead trader. Now she has a trade route to run for Clan Korval while she convinces the near mythic ghost ship Bechimo - and herself - that she wants to commit herself as the human side to their immensely powerful symbiosis. While her former lover battles a nano-virus that's eating him alive, she's challenged to rescue hundreds of stranded pilots and crewmen from an explosive situation in near orbit around a suddenly hostile planet. Lovers, enemies, an ex-roomie, and a jealous spaceship are all in peril as Theo wields power that no one in the universe is sure of, especially her.
First Class courier pilot Theo Waitley was already known as a nexus of violence - and then she inherited the precarious captaincy of a mysterious self-aware ship designed to serve a long dead trader. Now she has a trade route to run for Clan Korval while she convinces the near mythic ghost ship Bechimo - and herself - that she wants to commit herself as the human side to their immensely powerful symbiosis. While her former lover battles a nano-virus that's eating him alive, she's challenged to rescue hundreds of stranded pilots and crewmen from an explosive situation in near orbit around a suddenly hostile planet. Lovers, enemies, an ex-roomie, and a jealous spaceship are all in peril as Theo wields power that no one in the universe is sure of, especially her.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2012
39 people are currently reading
404 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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August 8, 2023
The continuing saga of Pilot Theo Waitley. Theo has taken on a Second and has her former lover, Win Ton ensconced in a medical unit in the bowels of her sentient spaceship, Bechimo. Her relative, Master Trader Shan yos'Galen, has assigned her an exploratory trade route to follow and collect information about economic conditions along it. However, Theo has Korval's luck—conflict seems to dog her heels.
The Department of the Interior seems to have figured out that she is a part of Korval and they pursue her as they do other family members. Meanwhile, Theo must negotiate with Bechimo, which has opinions of its own, and find more crew that she can trust to give them more flexibility.
What Theo does not realize is that her mother, Kamele, is enroute to Surebleak to speak to the delm of Korval about her love, Jen Sar Kiladi, aka Daav yos'Phellium. Meanwhile, Daav has been very nearly killed and is currently in the hands of the shadowy almost-ally known as the Uncle. It is unclear how the Clan will get him back, with the DOI sneaking about. The plot thickens!
This series is addictive! I may find myself looking for more Liaden adventures sooner than expected.
Book number 497 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
The Department of the Interior seems to have figured out that she is a part of Korval and they pursue her as they do other family members. Meanwhile, Theo must negotiate with Bechimo, which has opinions of its own, and find more crew that she can trust to give them more flexibility.
What Theo does not realize is that her mother, Kamele, is enroute to Surebleak to speak to the delm of Korval about her love, Jen Sar Kiladi, aka Daav yos'Phellium. Meanwhile, Daav has been very nearly killed and is currently in the hands of the shadowy almost-ally known as the Uncle. It is unclear how the Clan will get him back, with the DOI sneaking about. The plot thickens!
This series is addictive! I may find myself looking for more Liaden adventures sooner than expected.
Book number 497 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
April 24, 2016
For Liaden fans, Dragon Ship is essential. For newcomers, it will probably be confusing. The last two books fit together (Ghost Ship and Dragon Ship), resulting in transformation: Bechimo the lonely, timid, ancient ship yearning for captain and crew becomes a dragon. Of sorts. Simultaneously, a suppressed young dragon learns to accept her fiercer self. Some unexpected sexual stuff goes on, too (not to my taste, and not a good fit in the plot).
Dragon Ship is a direct sequel to Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3). In my view, Ghost Ship is better, more fleshed out in terms of plot, and contains more Korval scenes, with Val Con, Miri, and Pat Rin, on Surebleak. Another sequel to Ghost Ship is Necessity's Child (quite good, my review). NC takes place nearly concurrent to GS.
Dragon Ship is okay, and sometimes much more than okay, but in general, it felt like a bunch of isolated battle scenes. Most of the battles lacked depth and detail. Rather than one solid storyline, carefully plotted with details, we get multiple forays involving the evil Department of the Interior (which might be the Galactic Trade Commission). One of the battles felt quite tangible: Bechimo's response to a threat from Donihue's Docent was clever, detailed, believable, suspenseful, and absorbing. Well played! However, I didn't worry much about the battle action, for Theo-Sue is "lucky" beyond belief.
The empathic norbears, while cute enough, didn't add anything solid to the plot. I didn't bond with Theo, but Clarence was cool. Sadly, Nelirikk gets no lines. None. Not enough of Tree, either. Only a few brief scenes on Surebleak, with Korval. Uncle finally became more textured in this book. Far too many pages devoted to Kamele, Theo's mother, worrying, thinking, searching for Jen Sar. With the exception of the final scene, all the sections with Kamele were thoroughly boring to me.
Too much head-hopping, with scenes constantly skittering from one place to another. Some scene breaks are only a few paragraphs in length. Grrr.
Daav's plight was interesting to me. However, concerning Daav's fate, once again we are left on a cliff. Given his potential outcome, and given other surprises herein, I'd say the authors are positioning chess pieces for some big battle. It will be a long wait, given the upcoming release is set in the past. Centuries ago. Sigh.
BIG spoilers, plot scenes and comments:
Bottom line, this book was okay, and at times quite gripping. I am eager to read the sequel, some time in 2014, I hope.
Dragon Ship is a direct sequel to Ghost Ship (Theo Waitley, #3). In my view, Ghost Ship is better, more fleshed out in terms of plot, and contains more Korval scenes, with Val Con, Miri, and Pat Rin, on Surebleak. Another sequel to Ghost Ship is Necessity's Child (quite good, my review). NC takes place nearly concurrent to GS.
Dragon Ship is okay, and sometimes much more than okay, but in general, it felt like a bunch of isolated battle scenes. Most of the battles lacked depth and detail. Rather than one solid storyline, carefully plotted with details, we get multiple forays involving the evil Department of the Interior (which might be the Galactic Trade Commission). One of the battles felt quite tangible: Bechimo's response to a threat from Donihue's Docent was clever, detailed, believable, suspenseful, and absorbing. Well played! However, I didn't worry much about the battle action, for Theo-Sue is "lucky" beyond belief.
The empathic norbears, while cute enough, didn't add anything solid to the plot. I didn't bond with Theo, but Clarence was cool. Sadly, Nelirikk gets no lines. None. Not enough of Tree, either. Only a few brief scenes on Surebleak, with Korval. Uncle finally became more textured in this book. Far too many pages devoted to Kamele, Theo's mother, worrying, thinking, searching for Jen Sar. With the exception of the final scene, all the sections with Kamele were thoroughly boring to me.
Too much head-hopping, with scenes constantly skittering from one place to another. Some scene breaks are only a few paragraphs in length. Grrr.
Daav's plight was interesting to me. However, concerning Daav's fate, once again we are left on a cliff. Given his potential outcome, and given other surprises herein, I'd say the authors are positioning chess pieces for some big battle. It will be a long wait, given the upcoming release is set in the past. Centuries ago. Sigh.
BIG spoilers, plot scenes and comments:
Bottom line, this book was okay, and at times quite gripping. I am eager to read the sequel, some time in 2014, I hope.
September 23, 2012
3.5/5; 4 stars; B+
Dragon Ship is clearly part of the Theo Waitley storyline that Lee and Miller have been developing but I think a reader would be hard pressed to enjoy it if they didn't have the context of the whole Liaden Universe series. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, as I do the whole series, with reservations due to the context issue.
It was fun to see Hevelin and the other Norbears again and I enjoyed seeing the characters of Clarence and Theo working together as well a the re-introduction of some characters from Theo's school days. I'm glad the authors included a thread of the story for Kamele and have developed her character. I found it pretty hard to warm up to her in the early Waitley books. One last character who showed his face was Win Ton. Thankfully the DOI didn't manage to kill him.
I particularly enjoyed Bechimo's journey to self-dom and the parts of his ancient history that he was musing upon. However, I found some parts of the book a bit confusing and these musings were part of it. I've read everything in this series except for The Tomorrow Log and Low Port and I still feel a bit baffled by some of the references to the Builders, the old Tech, Uncle, and how they tie into the pre-crystallization universe we encountered in the Crystal Soldier/Crystal Dragon duology. What am I missing?
I have enjoyed each mini story arc that the authors have worked on. I sincerely hope in their new contract (Sharon mentioned last week on the blog) that they will weave the tapestry together a bit more so the connections are more clear.
And, just because I'm in a demanding kind of mood I'll say I want more Edger and I want more of the damned Tree!!
Dragon Ship is clearly part of the Theo Waitley storyline that Lee and Miller have been developing but I think a reader would be hard pressed to enjoy it if they didn't have the context of the whole Liaden Universe series. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, as I do the whole series, with reservations due to the context issue.
It was fun to see Hevelin and the other Norbears again and I enjoyed seeing the characters of Clarence and Theo working together as well a the re-introduction of some characters from Theo's school days. I'm glad the authors included a thread of the story for Kamele and have developed her character. I found it pretty hard to warm up to her in the early Waitley books. One last character who showed his face was Win Ton. Thankfully the DOI didn't manage to kill him.
I particularly enjoyed Bechimo's journey to self-dom and the parts of his ancient history that he was musing upon. However, I found some parts of the book a bit confusing and these musings were part of it. I've read everything in this series except for The Tomorrow Log and Low Port and I still feel a bit baffled by some of the references to the Builders, the old Tech, Uncle, and how they tie into the pre-crystallization universe we encountered in the Crystal Soldier/Crystal Dragon duology. What am I missing?
I have enjoyed each mini story arc that the authors have worked on. I sincerely hope in their new contract (Sharon mentioned last week on the blog) that they will weave the tapestry together a bit more so the connections are more clear.
And, just because I'm in a demanding kind of mood I'll say I want more Edger and I want more of the damned Tree!!
September 4, 2012
I like visiting this universe, but this felt a little...disjointed and unfinished. I'll definitely read the next one, but I hope it's got a little more plot to it, and a little more resolution. I'm getting tired of authors dragging things out for thousands of pages. (And that's not a dig at these authors in particular, they aren't the only ones doing it). Sure, I get it, they think this is what their readers want, to spend as much time as possible visiting old friends, but...not this reader. This reader thinks they need to write the best book possible, even if that means the story is finished when the book ends.
May 10, 2020
I read this awesome book in one continuous session! 4/29/16 re-read: Again, read in one session, it is that good! 2018 re-read, still just as good, and with Norbears!
December 1, 2012
First of all yeah Korval!
This story had some wins and some losses.
There was a fairly big dose here of the Korval is ships, Korval has the luck, Korval breeds for pilots, don't cross Korval mystic so yeah for that. I love to see secondary characters responding to the sight of Tree and Dragon.
There were scenes with Val Con and Miri my favorite couple, The scenes were true to previous tone and character development.
Theo seemed to be finally coming into her own. She was making good solid decisions about her ship and not seeming to be just reacting to what happens to her.
Daav's story seems to be developing well. I don't mind Uncle although he muddies the plot with the DOI.
Thing which were problematic included some scenes that didn't seem to lead anywhere or that could have been shortened. Kamela's scenes for example. I get that we were being led up to the scene where she notices she's being followed but they weren't very interesting in and of themselves. Although I enjoyed Kamela's storyline, I was really only interested in seeing her get to Surebleak and interact with the Delm of Korval. Although I would have been happy to see the actual scenes of her negotiating her way to Surebleak after the incident rather that the slightly drippy before scenes.
There were several scenes where the ship, Bechimo, was thinking and even I, as well versed in the Liaden verse as I am, wondered what the heck was going on and what it had to do with anything? Bechimo was okay and I didn't 100 percent mind that he made up a character to be the comm man but I could have done without his own creation becoming sentient on its own. I'm stretching my willing suspension enough with the ship.
What I miss is the scintillating dialog of the earlier novels in the series, the way that Val Con and Shan can turn a phrase. Also lacking was a sense of things happening at a super speed that drove the series at a frenetic pace from Agent of Change through to I Dare. Here not that much actually happened that was important. Theo went from planet to planet and didn't accomplish much.
I expected Win Ton to play a bigger role. Maybe I'm spoiled from all the lovely romances in the previous books. But I really expected Theo and Win Ton to get together and work as a team as all the other characters have in their books. Here Theo seems to have hooked up with Kara which I'm not at all interested in. Why couldn't they have just been good friends? Sorry, hetero woman who likes to read hetero romance here and I'm not going to apologize for that. And Win Ton lost that cool, sort of brash edge he had in the first two Theo books. Here he just seems like a beta loser.
So all in all I enjoyed it but I probably won't be rereading it every 6 months like I do Agent of Change through I Dare. There seems to be plenty of story left to tell and you can sign me up for every further volume. I can't ever imagine not anxiously awaiting any new Liaden novel even if some of the magic seems to be gone.
This story had some wins and some losses.
There was a fairly big dose here of the Korval is ships, Korval has the luck, Korval breeds for pilots, don't cross Korval mystic so yeah for that. I love to see secondary characters responding to the sight of Tree and Dragon.
There were scenes with Val Con and Miri my favorite couple, The scenes were true to previous tone and character development.
Theo seemed to be finally coming into her own. She was making good solid decisions about her ship and not seeming to be just reacting to what happens to her.
Daav's story seems to be developing well. I don't mind Uncle although he muddies the plot with the DOI.
Thing which were problematic included some scenes that didn't seem to lead anywhere or that could have been shortened. Kamela's scenes for example. I get that we were being led up to the scene where she notices she's being followed but they weren't very interesting in and of themselves. Although I enjoyed Kamela's storyline, I was really only interested in seeing her get to Surebleak and interact with the Delm of Korval. Although I would have been happy to see the actual scenes of her negotiating her way to Surebleak after the incident rather that the slightly drippy before scenes.
There were several scenes where the ship, Bechimo, was thinking and even I, as well versed in the Liaden verse as I am, wondered what the heck was going on and what it had to do with anything? Bechimo was okay and I didn't 100 percent mind that he made up a character to be the comm man but I could have done without his own creation becoming sentient on its own. I'm stretching my willing suspension enough with the ship.
What I miss is the scintillating dialog of the earlier novels in the series, the way that Val Con and Shan can turn a phrase. Also lacking was a sense of things happening at a super speed that drove the series at a frenetic pace from Agent of Change through to I Dare. Here not that much actually happened that was important. Theo went from planet to planet and didn't accomplish much.
I expected Win Ton to play a bigger role. Maybe I'm spoiled from all the lovely romances in the previous books. But I really expected Theo and Win Ton to get together and work as a team as all the other characters have in their books. Here Theo seems to have hooked up with Kara which I'm not at all interested in. Why couldn't they have just been good friends? Sorry, hetero woman who likes to read hetero romance here and I'm not going to apologize for that. And Win Ton lost that cool, sort of brash edge he had in the first two Theo books. Here he just seems like a beta loser.
So all in all I enjoyed it but I probably won't be rereading it every 6 months like I do Agent of Change through I Dare. There seems to be plenty of story left to tell and you can sign me up for every further volume. I can't ever imagine not anxiously awaiting any new Liaden novel even if some of the magic seems to be gone.
May 6, 2012
This is another Theo and Bechimo focused book, if you can't see it from the cover already ^^. We do get a few lovely scenes with Kamele and Miri and Val Con - AND quite a few viewpoint scenes from Uncle's and Bechimo's memory perspective, which is fascinating if you're a longtime reader of the Liaden universe.
As Rolanni said on her LJ - this is a Between book. A lot of things that need to happen to keep Clan Korval in business happen and we get a lot of stuff like shakedown work on Bechimo, new members of the crew, Bechimo (or rather Laughing Cat working for the Tree and Dragon) acquire their own emphatic bear alien ^^.
One of the new crew members is the Theo's old flame who has to deal with the consequences of his own impulsive behaviour after his body is finally viable again. Another is an old friend and lover's of Theo's and it is a bit strange how calmly they accept never meeting the communications officer - until the episode in the safe space I was wondering if they were aware about Bechimo's oddities at all.
The end-twist was no cliffhanger, but a very much wtf-moment for me as the reader of the Crystal Dragon duology, considering who lives on Surebleak now and what was found in that ship supposedly belonging to Cantra.
Let me sum it up: if you enjoyed Theo's previous storyline you will enjoy this book - if you only like Val Con, Shan, Pat Rin and Daav, etc. you will not be very happy with this particular novel.
As Rolanni said on her LJ - this is a Between book. A lot of things that need to happen to keep Clan Korval in business happen and we get a lot of stuff like shakedown work on Bechimo, new members of the crew, Bechimo (or rather Laughing Cat working for the Tree and Dragon) acquire their own emphatic bear alien ^^.
One of the new crew members is the Theo's old flame who has to deal with the consequences of his own impulsive behaviour after his body is finally viable again. Another is an old friend and lover's of Theo's and it is a bit strange how calmly they accept never meeting the communications officer - until the episode in the safe space I was wondering if they were aware about Bechimo's oddities at all.
The end-twist was no cliffhanger, but a very much wtf-moment for me as the reader of the Crystal Dragon duology, considering who lives on Surebleak now and what was found in that ship supposedly belonging to Cantra.
Let me sum it up: if you enjoyed Theo's previous storyline you will enjoy this book - if you only like Val Con, Shan, Pat Rin and Daav, etc. you will not be very happy with this particular novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2012
Warning: this review contains spoilers for Ghost Ship, the previous book in this series.
The main focus of this latest entry in the long-running Liaden Universe series is young Theo Waitley.
As seen in Ghost Ship, Theo is now the Pilot in Charge of the good ship 'Bechimo'. Bechimo is a piece of Old Tech, run by a very powerful and self-aware AI. With Win Ton safely tucked in Bechimo's super-duper healing unit, Theo accepts a contract for exploring a trade route for Korval.
With only one other person (Clarence O'Berin) as crew, the ship sets off to fulfill its contract.
Theo needs all of her diplomacy skills and her forceful personality to manage the ship, as Bechimo certainly has a mind of its own.
The first part of the book is rather leisurely--lots of day to day ship business as Theo and Bechimo develop their relationship. Things start heating up when Theo makes her first stop and by the middle of the book we are in full out fast action mode, leading up to a very dramatic finale.
Running parallel to Theo's story we have Kamele's adventures as she travels from Delgado to Surebleak, with the hope of 'freeing' Jen Sar Kiladi (her long-time lover and Theo's father) from the cruel clutches of Korval. Boy, is she in for a surprise!
Long time readers will note that several threads in the larger story arc are left dangling: Daav and the Uncle, the continuing efforts of the Department of the Interior to destroy Korval, are just two of the stories that, while touched on, are left unfinished at the end of this book.
Also to be noted: the next book, Necessity's Child, is NOT the sequel to Dragon Ship but rather focuses on other characters and actions. So we fans will have to wait to have our questions answered.
Another note--the cover art shows a pivotal scene near the end of the book and gets it right. Hooray for artists who actually read the book!
**For readers new to the Liaden Universe, the authors have several books that they consider "entry points". The first book featuring Theo (Fledgling) is one of these.
Other entry points are Crystal Soldier, Local Custom, Agent of Change. If you want to read the series in publication order, start with Agent of Change.
The main focus of this latest entry in the long-running Liaden Universe series is young Theo Waitley.
As seen in Ghost Ship, Theo is now the Pilot in Charge of the good ship 'Bechimo'. Bechimo is a piece of Old Tech, run by a very powerful and self-aware AI. With Win Ton safely tucked in Bechimo's super-duper healing unit, Theo accepts a contract for exploring a trade route for Korval.
With only one other person (Clarence O'Berin) as crew, the ship sets off to fulfill its contract.
Theo needs all of her diplomacy skills and her forceful personality to manage the ship, as Bechimo certainly has a mind of its own.
The first part of the book is rather leisurely--lots of day to day ship business as Theo and Bechimo develop their relationship. Things start heating up when Theo makes her first stop and by the middle of the book we are in full out fast action mode, leading up to a very dramatic finale.
Running parallel to Theo's story we have Kamele's adventures as she travels from Delgado to Surebleak, with the hope of 'freeing' Jen Sar Kiladi (her long-time lover and Theo's father) from the cruel clutches of Korval. Boy, is she in for a surprise!
Long time readers will note that several threads in the larger story arc are left dangling: Daav and the Uncle, the continuing efforts of the Department of the Interior to destroy Korval, are just two of the stories that, while touched on, are left unfinished at the end of this book.
Also to be noted: the next book, Necessity's Child, is NOT the sequel to Dragon Ship but rather focuses on other characters and actions. So we fans will have to wait to have our questions answered.
Another note--the cover art shows a pivotal scene near the end of the book and gets it right. Hooray for artists who actually read the book!
**For readers new to the Liaden Universe, the authors have several books that they consider "entry points". The first book featuring Theo (Fledgling) is one of these.
Other entry points are Crystal Soldier, Local Custom, Agent of Change. If you want to read the series in publication order, start with Agent of Change.
February 3, 2013
This felt like a bridging book in the Liaden series - the various dangling plot threads left open at the end of the book meant the ending felt vaguely unsatisfying. Also, there was a bit too much politics and backstory for me, and I found the story slightly hard-going at times. Having said that, as a Liaden fan, it's always nice to revisit the universe, and Theo very much comes into her own in this book.
March 23, 2016
More like 2.5 rating.
Very mixed feelings about Dragon Ship. I dare say that I am in the majority of Sharon and Steve’s fans who LOVED Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem, Plan B, and I Dare and because of the compelling primary characters and the unfolding DOI plot in these previous novels continue to wait eagerly some 12 years later for every little tidbit in succeeding novels that moves this original plot along. I like Theo but without these earlier novels I would not have read any of the Theo novels. Theo’s story is a mediocre coming of age story that should have been written in 2 books at most, not 4. Theo’s Mom is the boring product of a “safe” George Orwellian Animal Farm world where she thinks being able to see a sunset and drink a good cup of coffee is the height of pleasure. Theo’s dad, Jen Sar (who turns out was Daav in a former life) is equally boring in this reincarnation and when you figure out that he abandoned his son and Liaden clan for 25 years to live in boring bureaucracy, you are totally underwhelmed and slightly disgusted as this was just a waste of an previously interesting character. Now in Dragon Ship the story becomes very fragmented with the most interesting sub plot the space ship Bechimo coming of age. We do get to see many of the best characters from the earlier books briefly but overall they are described in a boring bland manner doing boring bland things. Even the DOI comes across as boringly predictable. Then there is Kamele slowly traveling her boring way toward clan Korval thinking to find her boring house father, Jen Sar, and take him back to her boring, petty, safe planet. From considering Kamele story filler, I am now beginning to actively dislike her stupidity. Why is she still a part of this story? Will she be used to preach puritanical anti violence, anti social pulp to ValCon and Miri? I am sorry to say this but I think I am finally done with buying any more books in the Liaden Universe. I may look for them at the library or scan them at my local B&N to see if the future books get back to the clan Korval/DOI war in progress or if they continue to waste space for boring characters like Kamele and Kara. I hate to say it but if Daav reappears in the future I hope the authors save the readers irritation and let him take Kamele and go back to their boring small life and out of this story.
Very mixed feelings about Dragon Ship. I dare say that I am in the majority of Sharon and Steve’s fans who LOVED Agent of Change, Conflict of Honors, Carpe Diem, Plan B, and I Dare and because of the compelling primary characters and the unfolding DOI plot in these previous novels continue to wait eagerly some 12 years later for every little tidbit in succeeding novels that moves this original plot along. I like Theo but without these earlier novels I would not have read any of the Theo novels. Theo’s story is a mediocre coming of age story that should have been written in 2 books at most, not 4. Theo’s Mom is the boring product of a “safe” George Orwellian Animal Farm world where she thinks being able to see a sunset and drink a good cup of coffee is the height of pleasure. Theo’s dad, Jen Sar (who turns out was Daav in a former life) is equally boring in this reincarnation and when you figure out that he abandoned his son and Liaden clan for 25 years to live in boring bureaucracy, you are totally underwhelmed and slightly disgusted as this was just a waste of an previously interesting character. Now in Dragon Ship the story becomes very fragmented with the most interesting sub plot the space ship Bechimo coming of age. We do get to see many of the best characters from the earlier books briefly but overall they are described in a boring bland manner doing boring bland things. Even the DOI comes across as boringly predictable. Then there is Kamele slowly traveling her boring way toward clan Korval thinking to find her boring house father, Jen Sar, and take him back to her boring, petty, safe planet. From considering Kamele story filler, I am now beginning to actively dislike her stupidity. Why is she still a part of this story? Will she be used to preach puritanical anti violence, anti social pulp to ValCon and Miri? I am sorry to say this but I think I am finally done with buying any more books in the Liaden Universe. I may look for them at the library or scan them at my local B&N to see if the future books get back to the clan Korval/DOI war in progress or if they continue to waste space for boring characters like Kamele and Kara. I hate to say it but if Daav reappears in the future I hope the authors save the readers irritation and let him take Kamele and go back to their boring small life and out of this story.
March 8, 2016
Theo Waitley and her self-aware ship Bechimo now have a contract with Clan Korval to explore a possible new long-loop trade route, unconnected to previous Korval routes that included Liad. She's got her first crew member, pilot Clarence O'Berin. And she and Bechimo are feeling out the delicate matter of whether he and Theo really want to enter into the symbiosis that would make Theo not acting captain but bonded captain.
So we know things are way too peaceful and some real excitement is going to come along and smack them all.
The world of Eylot, where Theo attended Anlingdon Piloting Academy, has continued to grow more and more insular in the few years since Theo was kickedGui out after being declared a "nexus of violence." Now they're trying to declare all piloting licenses not issued on Eylot invalid, and to seize control of the Guild-run Codrescu Station. Since Eylot authorities have made clear their intention to "make examples" of pilots not trained at Anlingdon and even the Anlingdon-trained who have been too friendly with the offworlders, no one is eager to comply. The Guild declares a "Pilots in Peril" emergency--and Theo and Bechimo are the first to arrive.
Meanwhile, Kamele Waitley is sufficiently alarmed by Jen Sar Kiladi's disappearance and what little information that Theo has sent her about him. He's "safe within the parameters of an active pilot" and "with Korval." Is her onagrata being forced to act as a pilot for Korval? She's taken a sabbatical to "do research" that will take her to Surebleak to demand answers.
Naturally the Department of the Interior is still out to destroy Korval, and has not overlooked Theo--or her mother. There is much intrigue, action, close calls, and general excitement--all the while further developing the characters and the Liaden universe.
Lots of fun Recommended!
So we know things are way too peaceful and some real excitement is going to come along and smack them all.
The world of Eylot, where Theo attended Anlingdon Piloting Academy, has continued to grow more and more insular in the few years since Theo was kickedGui out after being declared a "nexus of violence." Now they're trying to declare all piloting licenses not issued on Eylot invalid, and to seize control of the Guild-run Codrescu Station. Since Eylot authorities have made clear their intention to "make examples" of pilots not trained at Anlingdon and even the Anlingdon-trained who have been too friendly with the offworlders, no one is eager to comply. The Guild declares a "Pilots in Peril" emergency--and Theo and Bechimo are the first to arrive.
Meanwhile, Kamele Waitley is sufficiently alarmed by Jen Sar Kiladi's disappearance and what little information that Theo has sent her about him. He's "safe within the parameters of an active pilot" and "with Korval." Is her onagrata being forced to act as a pilot for Korval? She's taken a sabbatical to "do research" that will take her to Surebleak to demand answers.
Naturally the Department of the Interior is still out to destroy Korval, and has not overlooked Theo--or her mother. There is much intrigue, action, close calls, and general excitement--all the while further developing the characters and the Liaden universe.
Lots of fun Recommended!
June 7, 2013
We pick up not far from where Ghost Ship left off. The main storyline follows Theo as she and the intelligent ship, Bechimo, do a shakedown run to get used to working together and it also explores the possibility of a new trade route for Clan Korval. The information is old so there are many unexpected outcomes as she attempts to follow up with old contacts.
As much as it hurts me to say this, I am just not digging Theo. Her storyline is kind of dragging for me. There does not seem to be a purpose to what is going on and most of the action feels small. I never really felt like the ship was truly in any danger. I am also strongly feeling the lack of Liaden influence. The story just has a different feel and often the cadence and phrasing are different when a Liaden character is speaking. The few moments when Val Con, Miri, or Shan make an appearance were so much more compelling. I will stick with this series because I want to know what happens with the Department of the Interior and with the characters I originally fell in love with, but I will be waiting to get it from the library and not purchasing it. For conservative readers, there is a touch more than an implied homosexual relationship.
As much as it hurts me to say this, I am just not digging Theo. Her storyline is kind of dragging for me. There does not seem to be a purpose to what is going on and most of the action feels small. I never really felt like the ship was truly in any danger. I am also strongly feeling the lack of Liaden influence. The story just has a different feel and often the cadence and phrasing are different when a Liaden character is speaking. The few moments when Val Con, Miri, or Shan make an appearance were so much more compelling. I will stick with this series because I want to know what happens with the Department of the Interior and with the characters I originally fell in love with, but I will be waiting to get it from the library and not purchasing it. For conservative readers, there is a touch more than an implied homosexual relationship.
February 28, 2013
As a long standing Liaden fan I'm always eager to read more of Lee+Miller stories.
However, this was a disappointment. It reads like they have originally written Ghost Ship, Dragon Ship and a future book (?) as one series of short chapters and kind of arbitrarily chunked them as three (?) separate books. This book has no real interesting story arc, it's just a mishmash of random incoherent chapters. I know I'm a bit harsh here, there is the story of Theo and Bechimo, but it is very very weak.
I really wish Lee & Miller would go back to the things they know how to do really really well: cultures and world building. Think of the wonderfully different societies of for example Liaden, Surebleak and Delgado. I want more of that.
However, this was a disappointment. It reads like they have originally written Ghost Ship, Dragon Ship and a future book (?) as one series of short chapters and kind of arbitrarily chunked them as three (?) separate books. This book has no real interesting story arc, it's just a mishmash of random incoherent chapters. I know I'm a bit harsh here, there is the story of Theo and Bechimo, but it is very very weak.
I really wish Lee & Miller would go back to the things they know how to do really really well: cultures and world building. Think of the wonderfully different societies of for example Liaden, Surebleak and Delgado. I want more of that.
October 6, 2012
I enjoyed this one! Feels a bit like a Mike Shepherd or David Weber space adventure book crossed with Liad culture and mores. Looking forward to the next installment in 2013.
November 29, 2014
Not a big Theo fan (go figure). Epilogue saves the book.
January 19, 2025
I enjoyed this! But I think I stretched out the reading of the earlier books a bit too much; I couldn't quite remember all of the context details about Theo's adventures. I thought that the bit where she was the ONLY pilot to respond to the "Pilots in Distress" call was a bit heavy-handed. There were a lot of plot and overarching threads beginning to connect here. For the first time I am considering actually going and reading the prequels that I stalled out on the first time I tried to read this series in interior chronological order, instead of my current attempt at reading them in the order they were written. (I skipped those prequels this time around?)
Anyhow, on finishing this book, I thought that I could be happy re-reading this series for the rest of my life - there is a lot of richness and depth here, it seems like an unprecedented amount to me.
Anyhow, on finishing this book, I thought that I could be happy re-reading this series for the rest of my life - there is a lot of richness and depth here, it seems like an unprecedented amount to me.
May 8, 2021
2021 bk 85. Praised one minute for their actions in saving Pilots in Peril and villified the next by the Department of Interior's attempts to gain control of the Bechimio and Theo, the crew unites to resolve old issues, add new crew, and steer a course with their new duties as an Ambassador ship. Havelin, the elderly Norbear, has joined them as Ambassador, Kara from the Academy is their new head of Tech and 3rd Pilot. The ship and captain finally bond when crew are put in extreme danger. Excellent story that kept me from accomplishing anything else during the hours I read it.
Read
November 9, 2023DNF
Don't feel any sympathy for the protagonist of this sub-series Theo Waitley. Not interested in her story.
Don't feel any sympathy for the protagonist of this sub-series Theo Waitley. Not interested in her story.
August 10, 2023
Another solid addition to the Liaden Universe, though I would have liked to see more of Win Ton and Kamele, and less of Bechimo. Theo, from her surprise entrance at the end of I Dare to her rise to Captaincy of Bechimo has been a fascinating combination of cultural limitations on Delgado and being raised by a Liaden Scout/ Ex-Delm and his lifemate. Not to discount Kamele, a resourceful and highly intelligent woman from a matriarchal planet that considers safety to be a primary concern, and risk taking, or any "out of norm" behavior a psychological crime with the sentence of being drugged to slow the mind and reflexes. Her ability to absorb and act upon what she learned from Theo's father is just the right side of extraordinary. Again, I would have liked to see more of Kamele, she is a very interesting and determined person who rather reminds me of a pre-lifemating Ann Davis. Scholars both.
Theo is exactly what I've come to expect from a Pilot of Korval. A born leader, extremely talented and honorable but humble. Loyal, caring, and Always striving to do the right thing, judging only on character and never outside appearances. Yet also willing to do the necessary thing, even when it's violent, heartbreaking, soul-staining. I knew the moment she declared "Necessity" to Win Ton that her absorption into Korval, as odd as it is, was complete.
Whatever rights issues prevented the author(s) from continuing the plot after I Dare appear to have been resolved with time. Shan, Priscilla, Mir, Val Con, Pat Rin, they are all mentioned in one way or another through the last couple of Theo books, but do not take over the plot. They are side issues, which I appreciate. Authors and fans can get a little too caught up in the characters they create/read and write them past the point of continuing development. I won't mention names, though a few come to mind. Fans especially have a hard time letting go, and the poor author gets "stuck" with a character that has nowhere else to go. I'm happy to say that has not been an issue with this series at all. These books were added to my "fiction therapy" comfort shelves years ago, and I have never regretted it. I recommend this book, and also recommend reading the other books about Theo first. Otherwise you may be a little lost in the complex interweaving of plot, character and place that enrich this series.
(As an aside... Let's see Edger and Sheather, why not? lol)
The tantalizing bits of story concerning Daav/Ailliana, Uncle and Dulsey, and what Bechimo and his crew found in the last pages of the book (which I will NOT spoil) left me thinking "write faster!"
Theo is exactly what I've come to expect from a Pilot of Korval. A born leader, extremely talented and honorable but humble. Loyal, caring, and Always striving to do the right thing, judging only on character and never outside appearances. Yet also willing to do the necessary thing, even when it's violent, heartbreaking, soul-staining. I knew the moment she declared "Necessity" to Win Ton that her absorption into Korval, as odd as it is, was complete.
Whatever rights issues prevented the author(s) from continuing the plot after I Dare appear to have been resolved with time. Shan, Priscilla, Mir, Val Con, Pat Rin, they are all mentioned in one way or another through the last couple of Theo books, but do not take over the plot. They are side issues, which I appreciate. Authors and fans can get a little too caught up in the characters they create/read and write them past the point of continuing development. I won't mention names, though a few come to mind. Fans especially have a hard time letting go, and the poor author gets "stuck" with a character that has nowhere else to go. I'm happy to say that has not been an issue with this series at all. These books were added to my "fiction therapy" comfort shelves years ago, and I have never regretted it. I recommend this book, and also recommend reading the other books about Theo first. Otherwise you may be a little lost in the complex interweaving of plot, character and place that enrich this series.
(As an aside... Let's see Edger and Sheather, why not? lol)
The tantalizing bits of story concerning Daav/Ailliana, Uncle and Dulsey, and what Bechimo and his crew found in the last pages of the book (which I will NOT spoil) left me thinking "write faster!"
December 28, 2024
I just couldn't wait until September to read this story. I bought the eARC from Baen Books as soon as it was available. This was filled with excitement and intrigue but is definitely not a place for a newcomer to jump into the Liaden Universe. This is the fourth book in the Theo Waitley arc of stories and follows immediately after Ghost Ship in time.
Theo is aboard Bechimo with Clarence O'Berin and a contract from Korval to explore a potential new trading route. Shan has given Theo some possible contacts on a variety of worlds but Theo soon learns that Korval is not necessarily welcome on those worlds now. The Department of Interior is not nearly so destroyed or disorganized as Korval hoped and they seem to have a particular interest in Theo and her Old Tech ship Bechimo. This leads to a variety of problems and near escapes. Bechimo is a major character in this story.
Theo even has to go back to Eylot to rescue pilots in peril though she has been marked there as a nexus of violence and more or less run off the planet. This causes a number of problems but does allow her to expand her crew with the addition of her old friend Kara ven'Arith who is a Second Class pilot but has tech skills that make her attractive to Bechimo.
There is also a thread which has Theo's mother Kamele taking a year's sabbatical and determining to visit the Delm of Korval to find out the fate of her onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi who is more widely known to Liadens as Daav yos'Phelium. She proves that scholars from Delgado, especially those who had a close relationship with Jen Sar Kiladi, can be very resourceful and can rise to unexpected challenges.
We also get glimpses of things that are going on with Daav and Uncle and a few glimpses of Val Con and Miri at home on Surebleak. We even get a closer look at the Norbears especially in the person of Hevelin. All in all this was a satisfying episode that leaves one aching for the next book to find out how all these plot threads resolve.
Theo is aboard Bechimo with Clarence O'Berin and a contract from Korval to explore a potential new trading route. Shan has given Theo some possible contacts on a variety of worlds but Theo soon learns that Korval is not necessarily welcome on those worlds now. The Department of Interior is not nearly so destroyed or disorganized as Korval hoped and they seem to have a particular interest in Theo and her Old Tech ship Bechimo. This leads to a variety of problems and near escapes. Bechimo is a major character in this story.
Theo even has to go back to Eylot to rescue pilots in peril though she has been marked there as a nexus of violence and more or less run off the planet. This causes a number of problems but does allow her to expand her crew with the addition of her old friend Kara ven'Arith who is a Second Class pilot but has tech skills that make her attractive to Bechimo.
There is also a thread which has Theo's mother Kamele taking a year's sabbatical and determining to visit the Delm of Korval to find out the fate of her onagrata Jen Sar Kiladi who is more widely known to Liadens as Daav yos'Phelium. She proves that scholars from Delgado, especially those who had a close relationship with Jen Sar Kiladi, can be very resourceful and can rise to unexpected challenges.
We also get glimpses of things that are going on with Daav and Uncle and a few glimpses of Val Con and Miri at home on Surebleak. We even get a closer look at the Norbears especially in the person of Hevelin. All in all this was a satisfying episode that leaves one aching for the next book to find out how all these plot threads resolve.
June 30, 2015
An enjoyable Liaden read but the blurb is a bit misleading with Theo's adventures -- they are there, but they are a bit succinct and don't leave the sort of impact I was expecting. I would like to have seen a few more pages of depth for each. I felt like maybe the adventures were created with the same sort of length thought as their chapbooks and then assembled into the larger novel. My favorite, and unhyped, part is watching Bechimo mature as the AI ship learns to deal with his crew. I am looking forward to his future growth and adventures.
At the end I'm left hanging yet again, which I find frustrating. Especially as some of the plotlines were left hanging at the end of Ghost Ship and according to Sharon Lee's blog the next book hasn't been pitched yet and probably won't be until they have a brain break.
But.... despite my nit-pick critique I found it a more fulfilling read than Ghost Ship. If you enjoyed Ghost Ship then read this one.
At the end I'm left hanging yet again, which I find frustrating. Especially as some of the plotlines were left hanging at the end of Ghost Ship and according to Sharon Lee's blog the next book hasn't been pitched yet and probably won't be until they have a brain break.
But.... despite my nit-pick critique I found it a more fulfilling read than Ghost Ship. If you enjoyed Ghost Ship then read this one.
September 24, 2013
Oh, Lee and Miller. Sigh. Why is it that you can get things so right some of the time, and at others get sucked into your own particular brand of murk? I can only assume that you don't think of it as murk, but at the same time I know I'm not the only person who finds some things unsatisfying in some of this continuing series.
I *like* the way Lee and Miller add a depth of interest in mundane aspects of daily life; this has been present in the Liaden series since the first books; i.e. descriptions of food and cooking. Yet sometimes they seem to get fixated on a thing; for a while it seemed to be carpets, and lately the thing that keeps popping up is cookies.
This book is so profoundly a chapter in a greater story that it leaves SO many things un-wrapped up.
I was deeply disappointed by the Miri/Val Con sections, and how rushed they felt.
I *like* the way Lee and Miller add a depth of interest in mundane aspects of daily life; this has been present in the Liaden series since the first books; i.e. descriptions of food and cooking. Yet sometimes they seem to get fixated on a thing; for a while it seemed to be carpets, and lately the thing that keeps popping up is cookies.
This book is so profoundly a chapter in a greater story that it leaves SO many things un-wrapped up.
I was deeply disappointed by the Miri/Val Con sections, and how rushed they felt.
April 29, 2012
The first part of the book it was easy for me to put down, and I was feeling rather disappointed. Then the action really started, and well.... next thing I knew it was 3 am and I'd finished the book. Excellent space opera. Not the best book to start the Liaden Universe series with but someone new to the series wouldn't be completely lost (probably part of why the start of the book was slower for me).
I can see places where scenes that weren't crucial to the plot were likely cut (or just never written). I'm hoping that those scenes eventually end up on Splinter Universe. I'm trying not to give out spoilers, but I do want to get more of the details of the last stages of Kamele's journey to Surebleak.
I can see places where scenes that weren't crucial to the plot were likely cut (or just never written). I'm hoping that those scenes eventually end up on Splinter Universe. I'm trying not to give out spoilers, but I do want to get more of the details of the last stages of Kamele's journey to Surebleak.
May 19, 2024
Edit: I originally gave this two stars, but I think that's a little harsh. It reminds me a bit of Master and Commander - the captain, the ship, the crew, the route, the pirates, the shake-down voyage, not so much a plot as a journey. And I know now that there's a lot more coming.
Lee and Miller write a book, I buy it. (I would get it from interlibrary loan like I usually do, except that libraries don't seem to know about these books.) That said, this one was disappointing. It feels like a placeholder until they get around to actually telling more of the story. C'mon, Theo gets Win Ton back on board and there's no big romantic moment? Will I buy the next one even though I was disappointed by this one? Do you know nothing about addiction?
Lee and Miller write a book, I buy it. (I would get it from interlibrary loan like I usually do, except that libraries don't seem to know about these books.) That said, this one was disappointing. It feels like a placeholder until they get around to actually telling more of the story. C'mon, Theo gets Win Ton back on board and there's no big romantic moment? Will I buy the next one even though I was disappointed by this one? Do you know nothing about addiction?
November 19, 2012
Infuriating. Takes forever to get going, and then when it finally does, it ends a few pages later. Like watching an exceptionally dull episode of a show you normally adore. You're caught between boredom and forced watchfulness just in case anything actually happens.
I'm a fan of Liad. Been so since the very first book came out 20ish years ago. Looks like the authors just aren't trying anymore.
Fans of the series will all buy this book because we're hooked. There's a pleasure in seeing your favorite characters even in a dull book. However this would be a very bad book to try as your first taste of the series. You won't have any idea what's going on, who's who or what universe you are in. Start with an earlier volume!
I'm a fan of Liad. Been so since the very first book came out 20ish years ago. Looks like the authors just aren't trying anymore.
Fans of the series will all buy this book because we're hooked. There's a pleasure in seeing your favorite characters even in a dull book. However this would be a very bad book to try as your first taste of the series. You won't have any idea what's going on, who's who or what universe you are in. Start with an earlier volume!
June 13, 2020
Original date read June 23, 2012
Re-read ebook March 2-3, 2016. (Putting this because Goodreads doesn't either doesn't save the earlier date or makes the whole review with the original date.
I liked the development of Theo's relationships with her crew and especially how Clarence viewed her. Also found the low-key romance with Kara to be interesting. I don't remember if there are any same-sex couples in other Liaden books. Although the author's didn't really address whether this was a change in Theo's orientation (since she was attracted to Win Ton in the earlier Theo books) or whether they were trying to portray bisexuality.
Re-read ebook March 2-3, 2016. (Putting this because Goodreads doesn't either doesn't save the earlier date or makes the whole review with the original date.
I liked the development of Theo's relationships with her crew and especially how Clarence viewed her. Also found the low-key romance with Kara to be interesting. I don't remember if there are any same-sex couples in other Liaden books. Although the author's didn't really address whether this was a change in Theo's orientation (since she was attracted to Win Ton in the earlier Theo books) or whether they were trying to portray bisexuality.
December 7, 2012
I love, love, love the Liaden Universe books, but I have to say this one wasn't my favorite. It had a very housekeeping-feel to it, a sort of laundry list of things Theo needed to do: fly her ship, gather a crew, face some challenges, bond with the ship, et al and it just...wasn't that exciting to me. I wanted more Uncle and Daav and more Korval in general. But, I have faith in Lee and Miller and I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.
May 19, 2023
I have to say, self-aware spaceships are some of my favorite characters in Science Fiction. This is what made Dragon Ship so special. Loved it. I have to admit, I miss the Clutch.
05/17/2018: I am re-reading this book.
04/25/2020: Starting Dragon Ship again. What an absolute pleasure to be in this world again.
05/19/2023. I really enjoy the Theo Waitley story arc in the Liaden Universe.
05/17/2018: I am re-reading this book.
04/25/2020: Starting Dragon Ship again. What an absolute pleasure to be in this world again.
05/19/2023. I really enjoy the Theo Waitley story arc in the Liaden Universe.
May 10, 2012
Definitely couldn't wait until September for this to come out, so purchased the e-ARC. Plowed right through it (surprise, surprise). It's wonderful to see more of the different storylines starting to get drawn together, with Kamele and Jen Sar/Daav and Theo's storylines all beginning to come back together. Now I can't wait for the next one!
December 6, 2022
3.5 stars.
Dec 2022 - re-listened. I wish there were more of the rest of the clan on page and yes, I still find the whole bonding thing with Bechimo really weird.
____________
Aug 2015
Loved the action in this book but lost half a star with the weird sexual dynamics that were introduced between Theo, Kara, Win Ton and Bechimo.
Dec 2022 - re-listened. I wish there were more of the rest of the clan on page and yes, I still find the whole bonding thing with Bechimo really weird.
____________
Aug 2015
Loved the action in this book but lost half a star with the weird sexual dynamics that were introduced between Theo, Kara, Win Ton and Bechimo.
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