Mouse and Dragon (Liaden Universe Book 7)

Contrary to what the blurb says, this book is NOT the sequel to Saltation. This is the sequel to Scout's Progress. Scout's Progress and Mouse and Dragon are the 2-book arc that deals with Aelliana Caylon, who she is and how she fits into Clan Korval. Aelliana is the lifemate of Daav yos'Phelium and the mother of Val Con. This book and the book that precedes it (Scout's Progress) are my most favorite books in the saga of Clan Korval. To place it in the time line, the events in this book set up the 4-book Theo Waitley arc, of which Saltation is the second book.While this book is stand-alone, as are all the Liaden books, if you have read Scout's Progress first, it will inform your reading of this book and give the story even greater depth. Both books describe a remarkable woman. Like all Lee and Miller's characters, Aelliana Caylon practically walks off the page. She is a mathematical genius, victim of an abusive brother, who survives and finally wins through to happiness. Her story is told with sensitivity and empathy and you don't get two pages into the book before you are totally invested in the character. This book also features my all time favorite Lee and Miller character, Daav yos'Phelium, and beautifully illustrates all the things I like best about him -- his empathy, compassion, and strength of character. Oh, and there's this tree . . .

This story is a continuation of book 6, Scouts Progress it is both uplifting and sad, while giving more back ground to the story of clan Korval. This story is not included in the three books in one, Bean published Dragon Variation, but actually fills nicely between the 2nd and last story of that book. While Scouts Progress is still available used, it is also available on Kindle (I always have my with me on my phone). For those not introduced to these wonderful scholars Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, you are in for a marvelous treat. There stories are character based as In Robert Heinlein and Elizabeth Moon and their character development is outstanding with interesting and charming dialogue. I can't say enough without over sell - enjoy.

Book number 7 of 17+ books plus a few more short story books.Psionic Elves in Space! Psionic cats! Trees that transend space and time and influence elf genetics! All this and more await you in this awesome series of space opera. Did I mention the Elves in Space?OK, based on my last contentious experience of trying to order the books, here is my reading order by book, not story (I read a book at a time):1, 2, 3: _The Crystal Variation_ omnibus of _The Crytal Soldier_, _The Crystal Dragon_ and _Balance of Trade_4, 5, 6: _The Dragon Variation_ omnibus of _Local Custom_, _Scout's Progress_ and _Conflict of Honors_7: _Mouse and Dragon_8, 9: _The Agent Gambit_ omnibus of _Agent of Change_ and _Carpe Diem_10, 11: _Korval's Game_ omnibus of _Plan B_ and _I Dare_12: _Fledgling_13: _Saltation_14: _Ghost Ship_15: _Dragon Ship_16: _Necessity's Child_17: _Trade Secret_I have read 4-5-6, 7, 8-9, 10-11, 12 and 13 now.Jessica says that book number 17 should be in the reading order at number 4.From Jessica, "for what it's worth, here is the authors' own commentary on reading order" on korval.com.On to _Ghost Ship_ or _THe Crystal Variation_, I am trying to decide.

If you have not already read one of the Liaden® books by this incredible writing team you would be best off stepping back at least one book to pick up this story with Scout's Progress. For those of you who have read Scout's Progress, oh my! You are in for a treat! I rate the books in my library on the "how many times can I read this book and enjoy it?" scale. Every single book and story I've read by Lee & Miller stands firmly in the "unlimited" column and this one is no exception. I no longer loan out books after having lost so many books to those who never return them but I keep a second copy of all of their books so that I may share them with my friends... and enemies! The universe is solid and consistent. The characters are all fully fleshed out. I place this series in my top five of all time Science Fiction favorites and I've been reading SF since 1970 when my mother introduced me to Issac Asimov. These are the books I pull out when I'm out of things to read, when I'm sick or when I just need something to make me feel better. It is rare to find books that can not only make one think but also provide a 'warm fuzzy'. But then, Lee & Miller are one of those rare finds. Excellent writers who write consistently good books in the same universe time after time after time. Long may they type!!

This story picks up right where Pilot's Choice leaves off. Literally the same night.At the end of Pilot's choice it seemed like all of Aelianna Caylon's problems would be solved and she'd live happily ever after. But that would ignore the convoluted nature of the Liaden Code, the social etiquette that governs all Liadens and is more important to their sense of honor than any legal code ever could. A lot needs to happen before Aeliana can leave Clan Mizel and join Clan Korval. This book spends most of its time covering the few months it takes for these social situations to resolve themselves, all time well-spent on the rich characters we've come to love from this generation of Liadens -- from Aelli and Daav to Thom and Anne Yos Galan to the first real conversations with the background character Kareen Yos Phelium we've only had references to in the later books.If you've read the later books, you know how it all comes out, but this "history" is quite a page turner nonetheless.