Agent of Change: Liaden Universe Agent of Change, Book 1

If you like well-written fast-paced books with likeable characters in a well visualized universe you will love the 'Liaden Universe books. I came to them as the result of Anne McCaffrey's recommendation and if you like her early work, Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar and Jim Butcher you will almost certainly enjoy Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.This is the first book in the Liaden Universe you should read. It can stand alone but you'll want to devour the others as soon as you can. Val Con and Miri are likeable, exciting well imagined characters whose action packed love story satisfies. He is a super-spy and she is a highly trained forer mercenary. They are strangers at the beginning of the story, both in deadly danger, who team up for mutual protection even though each is more used to working alone. By a combination of skill and luck they overcome all odds and find that together they are 'hell on wheels'IThe book introduces the reader to Val Con's Clan 'Korval' and begins to describe the highly structured society of Liad: a society neither Val Con nor Miri embrace and the other We also meet the alien 'Turtles', a highly evolved race who have adopted Val Con, the Juntavas, a criminal organization and the dreaded Xtrang.I have read and reread this and its sequels (and prequels) numerous times enjoying them even more each time. The universe is credible...and the opening sentence is a classic! Strongly recommended!

There's a bunch of back story that I haven't read, since this is book #9, but it was an engrossing read. It does ramble on somewhat slowly, but staying with the pace is amply rewarded. Quite interesting characters, these turtles. And the relationship builds slowly, would have liked there to be a little sex scene. I'm not sure if I can read the rest, may not be able to obtain at the library and I won't pay full price.

This is the most enjoyable, original, intelligent book, of any genre, that I have read in years. There is no invulnerable, huge, buff hero, no gorgeous heroine with heaving bosom, no sparkly vampires, or over-sexed werewolves, no endless, pornagraphic sexual extravaganzas, no sissy elves, wizards or magicians.BUT, there is mystery, emotional and sexual attraction, bravery, friendship, honor, humor, lots of action, hairsbreadth escapes and a flawed hero and heroine. The quality of the writing is exceptional, the characters very appealing and the editing is impeccable. There were no distracting typos, poor grammar, wonky type fonts or other publishing faux pas.The hero, Val Con, is a former scout, re-trained as an assassin. The heroine, Miri, is a former mercenary and unemployed bodyguard, running from the interplanetary mafia. How they meet and end up helping each other, rather than killing each other is touching and entertaining. They become allies, then friends, then lovers. All while fighting for their lives, integrity and (in Val Con's case) sanity.Usually, I am irate if a book is not "stand alone" and even more so if it ends in a cliffhanger. This series is so good, I don't care. I cannot wait until my check comes, so I can buy the rest of this series. It is amazing! What are you waiting for???!!! This story is free right now. GET IT!!!!

Several of my own readers have recommended this series to me over the years, and I finally dove in here. What a fun, enjoyable - if a little campy - read! Enchanting and vivid characters with slow-burn romance and skillful relationship development. And like everyone, I thought the turtles were awesome.One minor quibble: Miri's poor grammar and literally constant use of 'ain't' drove me nuts. I understand that it was part of her character - a tough, no-nonsense mercenary who was not raised in a genteel, upper-class world. Nonetheless, it grated on me and marred what is an otherwise wonderful character. The fact that I'm still giving it 5 stars, despite this, is a testament to the strength of everything else about the book.

It starts out okay and has some action, but then it bogs down into convoluted descriptions of alien races and their odd behaviors (odd by human standards). I was expecting a sci fi spy thriller, but it didn't deliver. Total disclosure, I got bored and quit halfway. So maybe it gets more exciting later. I didn't dislike the book, but I have limited time to read and I want to be entertained. The writing is good, but the story is just to slow paced for me.

This is a must read if Space Opera and the oddities of alien civilizations are your thing. Ranks with cj cherryh's Foreigner in showing the behaviour of people who are like but unlike their 'Terran' neighbours. The first book of the Liaden Universe- why it is described as book 9 I don't know but the publishing history of Liaden novels is fairly chequered and peculiar so it is indeed not the first in the chronological sequence. It does however give a good entry point into a universe in which Liadens live alongside terrans, intermarrying but always governed by their intricate 'Code' of behaviour.

Fantastic story and world building. Sharon Lee & Steve Miller are on my automatic buy list!

Wie aus der Nummerierung erkennbar, gibt es bereits eine Reihe von Bücher, die im Liaden-Universum spielen und zeitlich vor diesem angesiedelt sind. Viele von den vorherigen Bücher sind in sich abgeschlossen und können für sich allein gelesen werden, was ich empfehle. Das vorliegende Buch ist eines der spannensten in der Serie und startet eine Reihe von Bücher, die jeweils aufeinander aufbauen und daher in der richtigen Reihenfolge gelesen werden sollte. Das Ganze hat Suchtpotential. Spannende Geschichte mit viel Action, vielschichtige Hauptfiguren, die sich im Laufe der nächsten Bücher persönlich weiter entwickeln und - nicht zu vergessen - eine sich anbahnende Liebesgeschichte.

The characters and the plot were inteeresting but I didn't lack the way the author choose to resolve the conflicts; for me it was far too predictable and I would have appreciated if she had tried something else. It was the same wit the development of the relationship between the characters.

The book arrived quickly and in good condition. A pleasant read.