Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Del Rey (1988), Mass Market Paperback, 247 pages
Description
Fleeing the scene of his latest mission, former First-in-Scout Val Con yoa'Phelium saves the life of Miri Robertson, a tough ex-mercenary on the run from interplanetary assassins. Together, Val Con and Miri struggle to elude their enemies and stay alive without killing each other-or surrendering to the unexpected passion flaring between them.
User reviews
LibraryThing member majkia
A tale of daring-do, or how the world underestimates the determination and pure stubbornness of the small. A bodyguard who unfortunately lets her boss get killed, finds herself without funds, and pretty much without hope. She's in a firefight with little hope of escape. Along comes a trained 'spy'
Well drawn characters in a wild and crazy romp through a future world that includes sentient turtles. What more can you ask for for a light and quick read? I'll definitely be diving further into the Liaden Univerise.
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who is running from his own pursuers. Why not team up for a bit? Well drawn characters in a wild and crazy romp through a future world that includes sentient turtles. What more can you ask for for a light and quick read? I'll definitely be diving further into the Liaden Univerise.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Agent of Change by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller is the first Liaden Universe book that I have read. I can assure you now that it won’t be the last. This is a science fiction story that is very easy to comprehend and enjoy. I immediately felt a connection with the two main characters, Val Con and
As well as delivering some excellent characters to root for, the authors also supplied a tightly woven plot that managed to offer tantalizing glimpses of this universe and the many varied settings that may be used in the future. There are a few observations of the complicated social system that Liandens adhere to that I hope is further developed in future books. Of course, no review would be complete without a nod of delight in the direction of the benevolent turtles whose very presence escalated this book a notch.
As these books were written back in the 1980’s, one of the fun things is how the technology of the future was envisioned and the result was at times almost humorous, an example of this is the fact that characters were still wearing framed eyeglasses and reading still entailed opening an actual book. I found Agent of Change highly readable, almost addictive and I look forward to my next venture into the Liaden Universe.
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Miri, and enjoyed the time spent in each of their heads. This is a very fast moving, action adventure story, and as we get to know these characters, they are getting to know each other so it comes as no surprise to any of us that while fighting off Juntavas mobsters, Yxtrang pirates and other general forces, that they fall in love.As well as delivering some excellent characters to root for, the authors also supplied a tightly woven plot that managed to offer tantalizing glimpses of this universe and the many varied settings that may be used in the future. There are a few observations of the complicated social system that Liandens adhere to that I hope is further developed in future books. Of course, no review would be complete without a nod of delight in the direction of the benevolent turtles whose very presence escalated this book a notch.
As these books were written back in the 1980’s, one of the fun things is how the technology of the future was envisioned and the result was at times almost humorous, an example of this is the fact that characters were still wearing framed eyeglasses and reading still entailed opening an actual book. I found Agent of Change highly readable, almost addictive and I look forward to my next venture into the Liaden Universe.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
One of the more obvious starting places fro the Liaden series of novels, however it doesn't explain very much if anything at all about the backstroy, so you're pretty much jumping straight in at the deep end. Sometime in the future ... humanity has fled the earth and established itself in space,
Van'Con is Liad, and a Scout cum Spy. He complete his latest mission, sucessfully as usual, before entangling himself in a group of gangsters chasing a pretty girl. She's able to handle herself, but he finds that his chances of evading persuit from his own 'crimes' increase if they escape together. And so fate's die is rolled.
Needs a lot more universe background for a beginning. Nothing is explained at all, and even circumstantually it's quite hard to piece togethre under what rules the universe operates. The characters are ok, but the writing isd frequently chopping and chagning between them which is extremely annoying at times Especially when it's just fro a paragragh or two of someone we don't meet again. The somewhat complex family arranements are also unclear, which doesn't aid understanding.
That said it was fast paced and fun. the dialogue just about stands well enough to drive the whole thing through. Probably best read as an omnibus with the next few of the series.
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probably just the local galaxy, through a 'Jump' technology. In the process a degree of genetic alteration has occured leading to an almost seperate race the Liadens, (based on the planet Liad) and more normal Terrans. There are also a scattering of aliens of which only the turtle like Clutch seem to be around. Van'Con is Liad, and a Scout cum Spy. He complete his latest mission, sucessfully as usual, before entangling himself in a group of gangsters chasing a pretty girl. She's able to handle herself, but he finds that his chances of evading persuit from his own 'crimes' increase if they escape together. And so fate's die is rolled.
Needs a lot more universe background for a beginning. Nothing is explained at all, and even circumstantually it's quite hard to piece togethre under what rules the universe operates. The characters are ok, but the writing isd frequently chopping and chagning between them which is extremely annoying at times Especially when it's just fro a paragragh or two of someone we don't meet again. The somewhat complex family arranements are also unclear, which doesn't aid understanding.
That said it was fast paced and fun. the dialogue just about stands well enough to drive the whole thing through. Probably best read as an omnibus with the next few of the series.
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LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
As a work of romance, this is superior--as a work of science fiction, mediocre. Which I guess says something about my taste in genres. I do love romance, but not the romance genre. I love *stories* with an element of romance--I do--it's my literary comfort food. But I love great science fiction
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even more--ones with great world building or ideas or characters--think Asimov, Clarke, Heinlein, Herbert, Card. The "turtle clutch" are interesting aliens and the Liaden an interesting culture. Or at least entertaining, but not thought-provoking. Nor is the style great--and there's lots of mind-hopping, a habit I find annoying. Nothing here is going to spark your imagination or lifts this above say Star Trek. But you know, I like Star Trek. I got this book and Fledgling, another in the series as a free download from Tor. I liked this enough I'm starting Fledgling. I don't like it enough I can see buying more in the series--despite this ending something of a cliffhanger. Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Absolutely wonderful story. Complex weaving of characters and situations, a wide and rapidly changing set of attitudes fro land between the characters - just great. This was the first Liaden book I read, back when it was first issued ('88 - 20 years ago!), and I've reread it countless times since
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then. But I can still find new things, new richnesses to enjoy on every reread. Val Con and Miri meet up and end up sticking with each other - through many and varied adventures. Two enemies aren't all that much worse than one... Show Less
LibraryThing member lalawe
Delightfully fun - I'd be hard pressed to believe any fan of space opera-style science fiction wouldn't enjoy following Miri and Val Con's adventures. Action, intrigue, a dash of romance, and giant turtles! I have no idea how I've managed to miss this series until now.
LibraryThing member TStarnes
Agent of Change, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, initially published in 1988, is the first book featuring the Liaden Universe. There are currently sixteen novels and numerous short stories set in this universe, with several later novels and stories set chronologically before the events in Agent of
Val Con yos’Phelium, future head of Clan Korval, the most powerful of Liaden Clans has been brainwashed by the Department of the Interior, a clandestine organization intent on establishing Liaden supremacy. As the plot unfolds, he saves the life of Miri Robertson. They become involved in each other’s problems and struggle through this book and its sequels to find solutions.
This is a terrific book. It is a very fine space opera; moreover, it is a space romance. The writing is deft, the characters are well defined and complex, and the dialog is clever and witty. The only real issues are that the science part of the science fiction is sketchy and the military action seems amateurish. The writing is done well enough, and the plotting is quick enough, that these are really not noticeable. The key to good sci-fi is to enable the reader to easily suspend disbelief; Lee and Miller do this well.
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Change.Val Con yos’Phelium, future head of Clan Korval, the most powerful of Liaden Clans has been brainwashed by the Department of the Interior, a clandestine organization intent on establishing Liaden supremacy. As the plot unfolds, he saves the life of Miri Robertson. They become involved in each other’s problems and struggle through this book and its sequels to find solutions.
This is a terrific book. It is a very fine space opera; moreover, it is a space romance. The writing is deft, the characters are well defined and complex, and the dialog is clever and witty. The only real issues are that the science part of the science fiction is sketchy and the military action seems amateurish. The writing is done well enough, and the plotting is quick enough, that these are really not noticeable. The key to good sci-fi is to enable the reader to easily suspend disbelief; Lee and Miller do this well.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
Interesting world & great protagonists. I look forward to reading more of this series!
LibraryThing member LisCarey
I'll start by saying that the Liaden Universe is large, with internal subseries, and can be read in several different orders. By internal chronology, Agent of Change is #9, not #1. I'm a believer in publication order, though. Discover the universe in the order the writers invented it. On that
Miri Robertson is an ex-mercenary, ex-private bodyguard, whose last employer set her and the rest of his household up as a bloody sacrifice to cover his escape. His former employers, the Juntavas crime syndicate, are convinced she has information they want, and in any case, having worked for a traitor, she's a traitor, even though she was never herself part of Juntavas.
Val Con yos'Phelium is a Liaden spy, an "agent of change" who is fleeing the successful completion of his latest mission, the assassination of a Terran politician. In the course of his own escape, he stumbles on Miri being ambushed by five Juntavas, and decides to intervene on her side. This, of course, derails his own plan for getting off-planet.
Reluctantly, the two team up to jointly resist and escape from those chasing them. Along the way, they meet up with, and get assistance from, Val Con's adopted brother Edger, the head of a clan of Turtles, nine-foot-tall aliens who live a couple of thousand years and are alternately annoyed and amused by how short-sighted our short lives make us. They value honor, loyalty, honest business practices, and honest craftsmanship.
There's lots of fast-paced action here, along with the gradual development of attraction between Miri and Val Con, and the just as interesting revelation of Turtle culture and of Val Con's background.
This is a good, solid, enjoyable space opera. Recommended.
I bought this book.
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basis, Agent of Change is #1.Miri Robertson is an ex-mercenary, ex-private bodyguard, whose last employer set her and the rest of his household up as a bloody sacrifice to cover his escape. His former employers, the Juntavas crime syndicate, are convinced she has information they want, and in any case, having worked for a traitor, she's a traitor, even though she was never herself part of Juntavas.
Val Con yos'Phelium is a Liaden spy, an "agent of change" who is fleeing the successful completion of his latest mission, the assassination of a Terran politician. In the course of his own escape, he stumbles on Miri being ambushed by five Juntavas, and decides to intervene on her side. This, of course, derails his own plan for getting off-planet.
Reluctantly, the two team up to jointly resist and escape from those chasing them. Along the way, they meet up with, and get assistance from, Val Con's adopted brother Edger, the head of a clan of Turtles, nine-foot-tall aliens who live a couple of thousand years and are alternately annoyed and amused by how short-sighted our short lives make us. They value honor, loyalty, honest business practices, and honest craftsmanship.
There's lots of fast-paced action here, along with the gradual development of attraction between Miri and Val Con, and the just as interesting revelation of Turtle culture and of Val Con's background.
This is a good, solid, enjoyable space opera. Recommended.
I bought this book.
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LibraryThing member humouress
(e-book, Baen free library)
Having successfully completed a spy mission for his Liaden bosses, Val Con is about to make his escape off-planet when he runs across a lady in need of help. Not a damsel in distress, and actually, she ain't no lady; Miri Robertson is a retired merc who worked as a
So now, both of them need to get off-planet, he with the police after him, and she with the Juntavas (a galaxies-wide mob operation) after her. Fortunately, they run into the 'turtles' - a race of centuries-long lived aliens. This particular clan had adopted Val Con as their brother, and they are more than happy to embrace Miri, as his friend, and help their brethren in any way they can. However hasty they feel that humans and Liaden are.
I enjoyed this first Liaden book, with Val Con and Miri leading their pursuers a merry dance over the planet of Lufkit and across space as we meet the various races in this universe - including Yxtrang space pirates.
Three and a half stars
Having successfully completed a spy mission for his Liaden bosses, Val Con is about to make his escape off-planet when he runs across a lady in need of help. Not a damsel in distress, and actually, she ain't no lady; Miri Robertson is a retired merc who worked as a
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bodyguard for an ex-Juntavas man. Unfortunately, his retirement hadn't been ... sanctioned by the Juntavas, who decided to collect, and Miri was caught in the cross-fire, outnumbered five to one.So now, both of them need to get off-planet, he with the police after him, and she with the Juntavas (a galaxies-wide mob operation) after her. Fortunately, they run into the 'turtles' - a race of centuries-long lived aliens. This particular clan had adopted Val Con as their brother, and they are more than happy to embrace Miri, as his friend, and help their brethren in any way they can. However hasty they feel that humans and Liaden are.
I enjoyed this first Liaden book, with Val Con and Miri leading their pursuers a merry dance over the planet of Lufkit and across space as we meet the various races in this universe - including Yxtrang space pirates.
Three and a half stars
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LibraryThing member Tikimoof
It was going okay until they got off-planet. I bounced real hard off the rest - could not buy the relationship.
I also didn't care for side character POVs that weren't Edger.
I also didn't care for side character POVs that weren't Edger.
LibraryThing member leslie.98
2021 reread:
Before starting in on the newest book of this series, I thought that I would go back and refresh my memory. Though not the first in the internal chronology of the Liaden Universe, this book was the first in publication order and a great place to start. Even knowing (as I do now that I
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Interesting world & great protagonists. I look forward to reading more of this series!
Before starting in on the newest book of this series, I thought that I would go back and refresh my memory. Though not the first in the internal chronology of the Liaden Universe, this book was the first in publication order and a great place to start. Even knowing (as I do now that I
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have read 22 of the 23 novels in this series) what was to come, it is an exciting story!----------------
Interesting world & great protagonists. I look forward to reading more of this series!
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Language
Original publication date
1988-02
Physical description
247 p.; 7 inches
ISBN
0345348281 / 9780345348289
Local notes
Liaden: Korval, 2
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Lee & Miller |
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