A Liaden Universe® Constellation (Liaden Universe - Collection Book 1)

This is a collection of 17 short stories set in the wonderful Liaden Universe. At their best, which is very good indeed, the authors have the happy trick of making me care more about their characters in a couple of pages than other authors achieve in a whole novel. While I didn't like every story equally, there were -- scientific estimate here -- a whole bunch of stories that I liked very much, and two that I loved. The two that I loved were the opening story, "To Cut an Edge," which describes the first meeting between two important characters in the Liaden stories, and "Changeling," which opens in grief, and moves both backward and forward from there, back to how the loss happened, forward to what follows after. I think a reader new to the Liaden Universe would do better to begin with one of the novels, but to those who are already fans or who prefer shorter fiction, this collection contains treasure.About my book reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much.

This is a larger collection of Liaden Universe shorter fiction. Some of the stories here I've read and reviewed in the earlier chapbooks, but some were new to me. Daav is, as a result of his very courtesy to the young daughter of a clan allied with Korval, is backed into a corner where he can't avoid a duel with that clan's heir. He can't avoid it; he can't kill the other clan's heir. He finds his solution in a very clever choice of weapons.We also get the story, which I've wondered about, of how Ren Zel came to be expelled from his clan.Pat Rin has a really unsettling encounter with a rug when he's helping out Luken by cataloging rugs from a house the clan is closing, one scout finds a doomsday weapon, and another is stranded on a world that ought to be interdicted because of its low technology--but he crashed due to a storm in space, and he has to survive. That means going native--and that means forming ties that will be hard to break if rescue ever arrives.There's more, and it's all good, and interesting, and illuminates more of the Liaden Universe.Recommended.I bought this book.

This is a complete book as to length as are the individual stories. I do not normally care for short short stories, however these are complete 25 to 75 pages that allowed me to laugh, cry, and rejoice in honorable victory of the true to life characters. Some of these stories contain major characters in on going saga of clan Korval, others of before the great escape, and other complete stories of new characters to the Laiden Universe. While all these marvelous stories stand alone some of the characters are from established Laiden Universe characters that give additional background, so I am of two thoughts. These stories make a very good introduction to the Laiden Universe, but at the same time make for grateful background for established characters. I leave the choice to you - start at the beginning with Crystal Dragon or with this book - either way you can not lose. As I have stated previously these Authors are simply beyond my poor ability to describe their art in story telling so I say - enjoy.

This is one of those books (series of books) that made me stay up way too late reading. I didn't want to put it down. I get so caught up in the story that I forget to blink!The characters are deeply engrossing and I feel like I'm right there with them. I'm so caught up in this book that I've picked up the speech patterns and I'm now thinking like a Liaden! I love a book with good characters and a good story. This universe, and the books and stories written by the authors, is huge, detailed, distinctive and populated by not just good characters, but great characters. Characters with hopes and dreams and fears that you share with them.The worlds and people populating this world are very detailed. The authors have plotted out a story line rivaling Asimov's Foundation series.I loved this book and I think you might, too!

The entire Liaden series is phenomenal. I love the Constellations because of the stories of the ancillary characters to whom I have become attached, whether it is back story or further adventures "off screen."

In my hunt for everything Lee and Miller, I pre-ordered this and when I received it I was very disappointed to find I had already read most of them, because, of course, I had found the original chapbooks and devoured those. The stories are studies and situations for some of the characters of the Liaden Universe, and if you haven't read them before, I highly recommend them.That is the reason for four, not five stars. It is not possible to know what stories are in an anthology such as this before it is actually published, and much as I would like to pre-order volume 2, I will hang about until it is available and check the content. In the meantime, I am sure my daughter will like my copy of volume 1.

As always, this team has crafted masterfully written tales, many of which intertwine into other works familiar to those who have read the Liaden series of novels. Indeed, for this reader, this gives impetus to awarding only four stars, rather than the five the writing skill alone would merit. That is, several of the tales felt truncated - felt like they must needs be woven into at least into novellas. I came away from the story hungry, wanting it to continue on into fruition. That said, it is still a terrific anthology of Liaden "kinda-sorta 'shorts'" that will impeller me to acquire Book 2. Master Traders of works of written entertainment are Lee & Miller, indeed!

Some stories better than others, of course, but all give glimpses into liaden, korval, terran, turtle or lute and moonhawk environments, filling in gaps, tying plots together…the universe is well made, the various species are interesting, the characters are attractive…an occasional misprint, and the word ”affect” is used to mean ”effect”…but these are minor quibbles that do not destroy ones reading pleasure…recommended…

some good stories, some not so great...echoes of andre norton, and her series of "the solar queen", and of elizabeth moon and jo clayton as well...nothing wrong with that, all the better for it...(a small quibble: "affect" does not mean "effect")....the best feature of the liad stories is the contrast between terran and liaden mores and behaviour, much like a simplified samurai-code meeting "good old boys"...fun will be had by all...the "turtles" are much like andre norton's hyperintelligent lizards, and the "scouts" much like her "patrol"...if you like the liad universe, i recommend "the last planet" by andre norton...this anthology is rather expensive, and, in my opinion, not worth the outlay...maybe best for complete-ists...

It is actually best to begin with the Dragon Variation, a three book combo, but I might be prejudiced as I began there. The three books set out important characters and then you want to know what happens to them and all the others you meet. Liaden Universe is a book of short stories filling many of the gaps in information. The authors do not make it simple to find out what, who and when but it is worth the effort!

W very good collection of short stories. Well written and very encouraging to follow in and read more from sharon lee

Arrived promptly, illuminating read, fills in many gaps between the novels. Will be ordering more. Thanks.