jmartindf's review
3.0
(Reviewed together with Crystal Dragon.)
I read these two books back to back and they easily combine to form one large story. I’ll review them together. These books (the “Migration Duology”) form an origin story to the entire Liaden Universe. They literally explain how the universe came into being.
The story starts in the misty depths of history when a group of humans began genetically modifying themselves. They continually modified themselves until they no longer remotely resembled humanity or considered themselves human. These “Sheriekas” then decided to cleanse the universe of every less perfect being, destroying entire star systems as they went.
Humanity fought back, though generally not very successfully. The novels focus on two characters: M Jela Granthor’s Guard and Cantra Yos Phelium. They become reluctant partners and eventual lovers. Together with a sentient, telepathic Tree (possibly the best part of the story) and the dramliza (escaped creations of the Sheriekas), they fight a desperate rear guard action. They eventually succeed in creating an entirely new universe for humanity to escape to, one where the Sheriekas can’t reach them.
These books were okay but I didn’t feel like they really fit in with the rest of the Liaden Universe novels. I had a hard time caring about a war that occurred thousands of years before the rest of the series—and that was fought in a completely separate universe.
I kept thinking “so what?” and wondering what impact all of this really had on the rest of the series. (It seemed like a tale that would be an interesting origin myth for Clan Korval but not something that would affect ongoing events in the new universe.) Additionally, the plot events and relationships reminded me a lot of events and characters in both Conflict of Honors and Agent of Change.
The novels were fun but seemed both somewhat pointless and somewhat of a retread of earlier novels. I think they’re good to read if you’re really interested in the origin of some of the recurring themes of the series. I wouldn’t start reading the series with these novels though.
I read these two books back to back and they easily combine to form one large story. I’ll review them together. These books (the “Migration Duology”) form an origin story to the entire Liaden Universe. They literally explain how the universe came into being.
The story starts in the misty depths of history when a group of humans began genetically modifying themselves. They continually modified themselves until they no longer remotely resembled humanity or considered themselves human. These “Sheriekas” then decided to cleanse the universe of every less perfect being, destroying entire star systems as they went.
Humanity fought back, though generally not very successfully. The novels focus on two characters: M Jela Granthor’s Guard and Cantra Yos Phelium. They become reluctant partners and eventual lovers. Together with a sentient, telepathic Tree (possibly the best part of the story) and the dramliza (escaped creations of the Sheriekas), they fight a desperate rear guard action. They eventually succeed in creating an entirely new universe for humanity to escape to, one where the Sheriekas can’t reach them.
These books were okay but I didn’t feel like they really fit in with the rest of the Liaden Universe novels. I had a hard time caring about a war that occurred thousands of years before the rest of the series—and that was fought in a completely separate universe.
I kept thinking “so what?” and wondering what impact all of this really had on the rest of the series. (It seemed like a tale that would be an interesting origin myth for Clan Korval but not something that would affect ongoing events in the new universe.) Additionally, the plot events and relationships reminded me a lot of events and characters in both Conflict of Honors and Agent of Change.
The novels were fun but seemed both somewhat pointless and somewhat of a retread of earlier novels. I think they’re good to read if you’re really interested in the origin of some of the recurring themes of the series. I wouldn’t start reading the series with these novels though.
mlejoy's review
5.0
This book was much better than the first one. I really liked the characters - I cared about what happened to them. I never thought that I'd love a tree as a character in a book! I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed it. I still think that maybe I should have started reading this series in publication order instead of chronological order. A lot of the comments here are from readers who say how much this back story means to them - but for me it isn't the back story - it's the only story. I guess I'll see how it goes and continue on in publication order. I know the next book is a big time jump and all new characters...
paladinboy's review against another edition
4.0
Second book in the origin story. Wrapped up a little quickly given the pace and drama of the rest of the story.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
Lee, Sharon, and Steve Miller. Crystal Dragon. Liaden Universe No. 2. Baen, 2006.
Crystal Dragon is the second of the Great Migration duology, Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon, that gives the origin story for clan Korval, whose stories comprise much of the Liaden series. Over the years, I have picked up a Liaden book from time to time, paying no particular attention to publication order or narrative chronology. I believe that you need to have read some of the clan Korval stories first to appreciate the tropes that clutter Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon. The story lines of both books are muddled enough, even if you know where some of them are headed. In the end, I think that Balance of Trade, the third book in the chronological order, is a more reasonable place to begin reading this long series. Later books fill in the back story piecemeal, which for me has always been good enough. As for Crystal Dragon itself, it brings together the clan founders, Jela and Cantra, to rescue a mathematician who may have the key to saving the universe from an ancient alien race that is accelerating entropy. Jela still has his telepathic tree that will become the clan totem. It is science fiction that crosses the line into pure fantasy, and it all seems vaguely familiar, echoing such better writers as J. G. Ballard, C. J. Cherryh, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Roger Zelazny. Three and a half stars.
Crystal Dragon is the second of the Great Migration duology, Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon, that gives the origin story for clan Korval, whose stories comprise much of the Liaden series. Over the years, I have picked up a Liaden book from time to time, paying no particular attention to publication order or narrative chronology. I believe that you need to have read some of the clan Korval stories first to appreciate the tropes that clutter Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon. The story lines of both books are muddled enough, even if you know where some of them are headed. In the end, I think that Balance of Trade, the third book in the chronological order, is a more reasonable place to begin reading this long series. Later books fill in the back story piecemeal, which for me has always been good enough. As for Crystal Dragon itself, it brings together the clan founders, Jela and Cantra, to rescue a mathematician who may have the key to saving the universe from an ancient alien race that is accelerating entropy. Jela still has his telepathic tree that will become the clan totem. It is science fiction that crosses the line into pure fantasy, and it all seems vaguely familiar, echoing such better writers as J. G. Ballard, C. J. Cherryh, Lois McMaster Bujold, and Roger Zelazny. Three and a half stars.
edwindownward's review
4.0
This novel wove a new and thought provoking view of physics with real and dynamic characters I enjoyed spending time with.
jkh107's review
4.0
How do you get home when home doesn't exist anymore? The Enemy has harnessed human and alien energy to decrystallize star systems, and human and alien energies are also manipulating luck in order to oppose it. In an attempt to obtain the work of an elderly scholar who may hold the key to humanity's survival, Cantra yos'Phelium and Jela must go undercover in a world where academic politics may be deadly, and where Cantra risks losing her identity entirely. Meanwhile, pilot-trader Tor An yos'Galen's home has disappeared--and he shows up with a vital missing piece of the puzzle. And Jela himself must face his own mortality. Another excellent book.
felinity's review
3.0
Essential reading it you want to understand the dramliz and the Enemy, but it's much more esoteric and very difficult to follow unless you know where it's going. My least favorite book of the whole series... but I still reread it.
betsychadwell's review
3.0
I would have enjoyed this book much more without the woo-woo aspects. I liked the characters and the story kept me interested for the most part, but I had a little trouble with the out-of-body, two people in one body, paranormal bits. And the basic premise gave me a little trouble.
jambery's review
3.0
Having already read the books that take place later in the universe, I knew what was going to happen at the end of this book, but I still liked it a lot. Both Jela and Cantra are likable characters, despite being annoyingly insistent on giving up on love and being martyrs. They get it worked out, in the end.
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