⋙ [PDF] Free Saltation The Liaden Universe Sharon Lee Steve Miller 9781439133453 Books

Saltation The Liaden Universe Sharon Lee Steve Miller 9781439133453 Books

Download As PDF : Saltation The Liaden Universe Sharon Lee Steve Miller 9781439133453 Books

Saltation The Liaden Universe Sharon Lee Steve Miller 9781439133453 Books

Pilot-in-training Theo Waitley, whose young adult adventures were chronicled in the novel, Fledgling, continues to learn about her innate abilities and the complexities of being a pilot in this follow-up novel, Saltation.

After breaking free of the rigors of her strict homeworld, Delgado, Theo Waitley is accepted to the prestigious piloting academy, Anlingdin, where she will discover much about herself and the greater universe into which she has been thrust.

The majority of Saltation takes place in an academic setting, so it will not be surprising to readers familiar with that setting to find that, in addition to rigorous lessons, Theo Waitley will discover friends, and enemies, drawn into her orbit.

Fledgling introduced readers to an engaging, likeable character in Theo Waitley, while weaving in elements of the greater Liaden Universe revealed in the many previous novels and short stories written by the married writing team of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Once you meet Theo Waitley, you are going to want to continue to see how her adventures play out, and Saltation gives readers a chance to spend more time with this young lady while also ratcheting up the suspense of the greater universal events into which Theo is being drawn.

I experienced Saltation via unabridged audio, narrated by Eileen Stevens. While I had a few minor issues with the overall story, which I will discuss after the jump, I thoroughly enjoyed Eileen Stevens’ narration and the climactic events of the novel compelled me to immediately purchase and begin listening to the next novel featuring Theo Waitley, Ghost Ship.

You may recall that my first completed read/review of 2014 chronicled my voyage of discovery with my first foray into the vast Liaden Universe with a read of their short story collection, A Liaden Universe Constellation: Volume 1. I was sufficiently awed by the experience that I could not help gushing about the Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s creation, nor could I resist quickly experiencing their work in novel form.

Although the authors provide a list of the internal chronology of this time-spanning series (now up to 17 novels and MANY short stories), they also outline various groups of stories featuring specific characters and/or people groups that should be read in order. I read a little about Theo Waitley, am fond of coming-of-age stories, and decided that I would buck tradition and begin with her adventures. I thus read, and was very impressed with, Fledgling.

Saltation picks up not long after the climactic events in Fledgling. Theo Waitley is now enrolled in a piloting academy and much of the first two-thirds or more of the novel is focused on the big troubles and small triumphs that are to be expected when a genuinely nice, still somewhat naive, wunderkind finds herself in a highly competitive academic setting. And it was with this part of the story that I experienced my minor quibbles. It feels as if this part of the story drags on far too long. During the process of listening to the story I had an online conversation with a Liaden Universe fan in the science fiction book club that I belong to in which we discussed his frustrations with the novel. My response at the time was that, had I not been so dedicated to the main character, it would have been easy to let myself get distracted by other novels clamoring for my reading/listening attention.

That is not to say that there is no worthwhile storytelling going on in the bulk of Saltation, for there is. Not only are the authors seeding in small details that will show up later in this story, and I suspect in subsequent novels, but Theo Waitley experiences some genuinely exciting and emotion-inducing moments. I think the bulk of my issue with the length of this section is that a cursory familiarity with the child-of-destiny storyline present in many science fiction and fantasy stories means that readers know what is coming. With that anticipation comes the feeling at some point in the novel that the story should go ahead and move on past to the next chapter in Theo’s life. Understandably not all readers will have this same complaint, and I will emphasize again that it is a minor one, especially in light of the events that occur in the last third to quarter of Saltation. When the surprises come, they come in guns blazing.

I reached a point around the 75% mark where I found myself wanting to loop around the block rather than park in my driveway because the details were coming fast and furious and the suspense I was feeling as a reader/listener drove me to want to know how events would be resolved. It is here that I will give you some more full disclosure: they are not resolved, or at least not entirely. I can only imagine how those who anxiously awaited and quickly devoured Saltation upon its release felt when the book ended and they experienced equal feelings of exhilaration and frustration, the frustration coming from having to wait until the release of Ghost Ship. I was saved any frustration because, the moment Saltation ended, I pulled over my vehicle, quickly purchased Ghost Ship from audible, and fired up my iPhone (plugged into my vehicle’s stereo speaker system), and have been continuing on with Theo Waitley’s story.

As I wrap up this review, allow me to admit that I have been completely remiss in sharing much of anything related to the other characters in Saltation. While Theo Waitley is the primary focus of this novel, there are other characters whom readers have met in previous stories that have parts large and small to play, important parts, that make these novels exciting. It is that whole “discovery” motif I referenced in my January review of Constellation. There is a greater sense of action happening off camera (or off page) in reading novels that are part of a very large universe that spans an enormous amount of time. While you may not know at the time how these additional elements fit in the overall arch of the series, you take with you the thrill of knowing that there may exist short stories or novels in which you can learn more of these details or, for those caught up with all the current Liaden Universe stories, there is the joy of knowing that Sharon Lee and Steve Miller continue to craft stories in this universe.

With two novels and a collection of short stories behind me, and many more to go, I am happy to admit that I remain enamored with this universe and these characters. While I would give Saltation 3 (Wish I could give it a 3.75) for its slow build up and abrupt ending, I very highly recommend the Theo Waitley novels.


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Saltation The Liaden Universe Sharon Lee Steve Miller 9781439133453 Books Reviews

This book is set in the authors' lovely Liaden Universe, and is the second book in an arc centered on Theo Waitley. I liked it slightly better than the first book about Theo, and I had liked that book very well. There continues to be an underlying sweetness, but Theo is growing up and choosing her path in life. I remain skeptical that in this type of far future pilots would need the technical prowess depicted here, but it didn't stop me enjoying the story. Many of the Liaden Universe books are a joy by themselves, but there is an added joy when characters and elements from other threads appear. The whole becomes more than the sum of its parts.
This is one of the books that features 'Theo Waitley', set in the 'Liaden Universe', which are in order 'Fledgling', 'Saltation', 'Ghost Ship' and 'Dragon Ship'. I have loved most every book I've read in the Liaden world, by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, but the ones that feature Theo Waitley are my favorites. Apparently, Theo Waitley was originally featured in an online live journal and her development encouraged by avid fans. Perhaps this is why she seems such a very real character to me? Whatever, I sure hope they write more books with her in it! I've read a Lot of Science Fiction and Fantasy and rate this writing duo at the top of my list of writers. I believe these books are best described as 'Space Operas', combining a mix of drama, action, mystery and romance in futuristic fantasy worlds, including people from our 'Terran' world. Lee and Miller's writing is dynamic and emotive, with incredibly well designed societies and characters. An added benefit of reading Lee & Miller's writing is you can join their 'Korval' clan (a clan featured in the books) for real in Facebook, and actually speak to the writers. Lee & Miller have been cultivating close association with their readers since the 80's, which I find very special though I came late to knowing their writing and their books. They of-course also have a web-site, and you can look the Liaden Universe up on Wikipedia to decide which order is best for you to read their books. I personally started with Fledgling, and went back to read other books and fill in gaps, and didn't feel like I was completely lost. I love their Liaden Universe series, and highly recommend these books!
Saltation (book 14) is the sequel of The Fledgling (book 12). where Theo begins to find who she and what she is in Fledgling, Theo soars to become something special in Saltation. Oooh nooo, not another coming of age story - not really. Simple is not in these Authors vocabulary, where suspense and intrigue can be submitted. As usual the character development and dialogue kept me amused and turning pages along with Theo's discovery of what happens when you take a problem to the Delm of Korval - enjoy.
PS. While the 3rd book of this trilogy is Ghost Ship you should really jump over to Plan B to pick up what is happening to Korval.
Pilot-in-training Theo Waitley, whose young adult adventures were chronicled in the novel, Fledgling, continues to learn about her innate abilities and the complexities of being a pilot in this follow-up novel, Saltation.

After breaking free of the rigors of her strict homeworld, Delgado, Theo Waitley is accepted to the prestigious piloting academy, Anlingdin, where she will discover much about herself and the greater universe into which she has been thrust.

The majority of Saltation takes place in an academic setting, so it will not be surprising to readers familiar with that setting to find that, in addition to rigorous lessons, Theo Waitley will discover friends, and enemies, drawn into her orbit.

Fledgling introduced readers to an engaging, likeable character in Theo Waitley, while weaving in elements of the greater Liaden Universe revealed in the many previous novels and short stories written by the married writing team of Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. Once you meet Theo Waitley, you are going to want to continue to see how her adventures play out, and Saltation gives readers a chance to spend more time with this young lady while also ratcheting up the suspense of the greater universal events into which Theo is being drawn.

I experienced Saltation via unabridged audio, narrated by Eileen Stevens. While I had a few minor issues with the overall story, which I will discuss after the jump, I thoroughly enjoyed Eileen Stevens’ narration and the climactic events of the novel compelled me to immediately purchase and begin listening to the next novel featuring Theo Waitley, Ghost Ship.

You may recall that my first completed read/review of 2014 chronicled my voyage of discovery with my first foray into the vast Liaden Universe with a read of their short story collection, A Liaden Universe Constellation Volume 1. I was sufficiently awed by the experience that I could not help gushing about the Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s creation, nor could I resist quickly experiencing their work in novel form.

Although the authors provide a list of the internal chronology of this time-spanning series (now up to 17 novels and MANY short stories), they also outline various groups of stories featuring specific characters and/or people groups that should be read in order. I read a little about Theo Waitley, am fond of coming-of-age stories, and decided that I would buck tradition and begin with her adventures. I thus read, and was very impressed with, Fledgling.

Saltation picks up not long after the climactic events in Fledgling. Theo Waitley is now enrolled in a piloting academy and much of the first two-thirds or more of the novel is focused on the big troubles and small triumphs that are to be expected when a genuinely nice, still somewhat naive, wunderkind finds herself in a highly competitive academic setting. And it was with this part of the story that I experienced my minor quibbles. It feels as if this part of the story drags on far too long. During the process of listening to the story I had an online conversation with a Liaden Universe fan in the science fiction book club that I belong to in which we discussed his frustrations with the novel. My response at the time was that, had I not been so dedicated to the main character, it would have been easy to let myself get distracted by other novels clamoring for my reading/listening attention.

That is not to say that there is no worthwhile storytelling going on in the bulk of Saltation, for there is. Not only are the authors seeding in small details that will show up later in this story, and I suspect in subsequent novels, but Theo Waitley experiences some genuinely exciting and emotion-inducing moments. I think the bulk of my issue with the length of this section is that a cursory familiarity with the child-of-destiny storyline present in many science fiction and fantasy stories means that readers know what is coming. With that anticipation comes the feeling at some point in the novel that the story should go ahead and move on past to the next chapter in Theo’s life. Understandably not all readers will have this same complaint, and I will emphasize again that it is a minor one, especially in light of the events that occur in the last third to quarter of Saltation. When the surprises come, they come in guns blazing.

I reached a point around the 75% mark where I found myself wanting to loop around the block rather than park in my driveway because the details were coming fast and furious and the suspense I was feeling as a reader/listener drove me to want to know how events would be resolved. It is here that I will give you some more full disclosure they are not resolved, or at least not entirely. I can only imagine how those who anxiously awaited and quickly devoured Saltation upon its release felt when the book ended and they experienced equal feelings of exhilaration and frustration, the frustration coming from having to wait until the release of Ghost Ship. I was saved any frustration because, the moment Saltation ended, I pulled over my vehicle, quickly purchased Ghost Ship from audible, and fired up my iPhone (plugged into my vehicle’s stereo speaker system), and have been continuing on with Theo Waitley’s story.

As I wrap up this review, allow me to admit that I have been completely remiss in sharing much of anything related to the other characters in Saltation. While Theo Waitley is the primary focus of this novel, there are other characters whom readers have met in previous stories that have parts large and small to play, important parts, that make these novels exciting. It is that whole “discovery” motif I referenced in my January review of Constellation. There is a greater sense of action happening off camera (or off page) in reading novels that are part of a very large universe that spans an enormous amount of time. While you may not know at the time how these additional elements fit in the overall arch of the series, you take with you the thrill of knowing that there may exist short stories or novels in which you can learn more of these details or, for those caught up with all the current Liaden Universe stories, there is the joy of knowing that Sharon Lee and Steve Miller continue to craft stories in this universe.

With two novels and a collection of short stories behind me, and many more to go, I am happy to admit that I remain enamored with this universe and these characters. While I would give Saltation 3 (Wish I could give it a 3.75) for its slow build up and abrupt ending, I very highly recommend the Theo Waitley novels.