I love Saltation Liaden Universe ebook
I have been waiting for this sequel to Fledgling (Liaden Universe). In Fledgling, I was introduced to Theo Waitley and her family. I have been anxious to find out what would happen next. When I received the book I knew I needed to set out some time to read it straight through rather than expecting myself to be able to put it down. Oh dear but I know myself too well! There was never a "good" stopping point, so I was glad I planned out my time. Theo is finally in pilot school, but that has not put an end to her struggles. She faces even more hardships, discovers more family secrets, and manages to come out ahead and figure out exactly what she needs to do. Again, the characters are well written and it is not difficult to get emotionally involved in what they are doing. You really must read Fledgling first to be able to follow the story and appreciate what is happened. However, unlike in some other series I have read, you will enjoy the first book because it has a great story and does not just spoon-feed you set up for later stories. It could, in fact, stand on its own. But like me, you will probably end up wanting to follow Theo. The only downside to reading this latest novel is that now I am anxious for the next installment of the Theo Waitley story!
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My introduction to the Liaden Universe was via Fledgling, which I loved. I couldn't wait to read Saltation, its sequel, and now I can't wait to read the next book.
ReplyDeleteI love the character of Theo. I love that she's freakishly good at math even though all her instructors consider math her weakest point. I love that she uses lace-making as a way to make sense of complex spatial mathematics. I love that she's edgy in temperament and has to develop various routines to keep herself calm and socially acceptable. I love that she's incredibly talented but in a way her society doesn't quite expect. I love that she uses dance to control herself, to calm herself, to train in weaponry, and also as a mathematical path. And I enjoy the interesting true friends she collects.
Saltation isn't a place to start. It's full of little threads left by other novels that you'll only find if you've read not only Fledgling, but the main sequence of the Liaden books. Read at least Fledgling first, the beginning of Theo Waitley's coming of age story.
The good news is that the authors don't waste your time reminding you of backstory from the other novels. The bad news is, they don't tell you what happened in the other novels. You'll have to read them yourself and find out. And then you'll go "Ahhh, that's what that meant, now I have to go reread ..." But that's not so bad. I mean, really, the worst thing I can say about this book is that it makes me want to go read the other 10 books that go with it again, and to find the couple I've missed. Honestly, I think that's high praise for a novel and the series it inhabits.
I give it 5 stars because I love the whole series, but truth be told as a standalone book I'd rate it lower. It's a bridge from book 1 to book 3, and tying in many other stories as well. As in, say, "The Empire Strikes Back", it's an essential part of the whole but kind of annoying if that's where you started and ended.
SALTATION tells of young Theo, who excels in pilot school while finding she's behind in social mores of life. After surviving a mid-air emergency in a training plane, she encounters a Scout pilot, develops a romance, and becomes the focal point of violence and controversy in her school. Space action and romance blend in an outstanding survey perfect for any science fiction collection.
ReplyDeleteFledgling was the first Liaden book that I had ever read and I loved it. Then I read a few more Liaden novels and realized that this series has been evolving for a long time and Fledgling was just the latest chapter.
ReplyDeleteSaltation is the continuation of Theo Waitley's story but it is considerably different from Fledgling. Where Fledgling was a relatively straightforward coming-of-age story, Saltation fits Theo into the rest of the Liaden universe and she has to continually deal with events and people that feel threatening but that she doesn't fully understand yet.
This is a very well-told story. The heroine grows up fast but at a believable pace, which is a good thing because the situation around her is deteriorating quickly.
I was continually impressed with how the authors presented so many interesting supporting characters that had multiple aspects to their personalities. From Theo's roommate, Asu to her lover Win Ton (a remarkably talented young man who makes just one little mistake...), these people act like real people and add considerable depth and interest to the story.
Space Opera is a tricky realm to write in. Too much detail and the story slows to a crawl, too little detail and suspension of disbelief falls away. In my opinion, the authors have, in the past, tended a little too heavily towards the action and not enough on building the basis for suspension of disbelief and the supporting characters haven't been as solid as I have seen in Bujold or Cherryh's novels.
This book nicely fills in all previous weaknesses and shows even greater promise for the authors in the future.
This is a well written sci-fi novel for teens (and youthful adults ;)). Written from the viewpoint of a young lady just maturing into womanhood and into her career as a space pilot, it moves along well and is completely entertaining. Although I am far from my teens, I found it a pleasure to read.
ReplyDeleteThe character development seems deeper in this book than the first one, although that may be because I am building on memories from the first book. This book takes our young lady on to her early 20ies and her first job(s) as well as development as a space pilot. Moves along well.
This series reminds me of some of Robert Heinlein's books for young adults and teens, especially "Podkayne of Mars".
This is part of a series and this is the second book in the series, however it stands well on its own.
I plan to buy the 3rd book in the series when it becomes available. Totally enjoyable light read.