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.
giraffesareweird's review
2.0
I got about 3/5 of the way through this book, and i just noticed i kept getting more and more annoyed at what was going on until i decided i really didn't need to finish. My mind kept screaming 'oh my god, who cares!!'
I really liked the beginning. The idea of these unbeatable enemies killing everything, and destroying this planet of trees because the trees might be important in some unforeseen way. And the main character trying to protect the tree? Loved that.
The parts where the author focused on politeness and how the pilot expected/gave it to others was super interesting as well, at least at first. Until the other pilot came into the story, and she seemed like she was just there to be angry and contrary to the main character. I just wanted them to get on with it.
And from there I was supposed to thrill when they were off trading on other planets. Buying textiles and chicken embryos. Exciting stuff. Picking fights in bars for no reason i could discertain other than 'things are getting slow, we need an action scene'.
Just lost interest in where it was going in the end.
I really liked the beginning. The idea of these unbeatable enemies killing everything, and destroying this planet of trees because the trees might be important in some unforeseen way. And the main character trying to protect the tree? Loved that.
The parts where the author focused on politeness and how the pilot expected/gave it to others was super interesting as well, at least at first. Until the other pilot came into the story, and she seemed like she was just there to be angry and contrary to the main character. I just wanted them to get on with it.
And from there I was supposed to thrill when they were off trading on other planets. Buying textiles and chicken embryos. Exciting stuff. Picking fights in bars for no reason i could discertain other than 'things are getting slow, we need an action scene'.
Just lost interest in where it was going in the end.
mlejoy's review
3.0
This is a 3.5. It took me a while to get into this. There isn't a lot of explanation about the world...I'm not sure if it's just the writer's style or because this book was written well into the series and it's assumed the reader knows the background (it's chronologically first but not in publication,order). Maybe I should have started with first by publication. Anyway, once I got into it, I enjoyed it. Will keep going with the series.
scribal's review
4.0
This was the first Liaden Universe book I read. I'm glad I stumbled on it first. Some reviewers have said that it starts slow. From my point of view it starts by completely pulling me into a place with all five senses. After I'm there I want to know more about the story that starts there.
I've found this book and it's sequel Crystal Dragon important to getting all the nuances in the rest of the series.
I've found this book and it's sequel Crystal Dragon important to getting all the nuances in the rest of the series.
tome15's review
4.0
Lee, Sharon, and Steve Miller. Crystal Soldier. 2005. Liaden Universe No. 1. Baen, 2007.
Crystal Soldier is the origin story for the Korval clan, the central figures of Agent of Change (1988) and its many sequels. It is a book you will want to read if you are a longtime fan of Liaden space operas. Jela, a space-fighter pilot, crashes on a desert planet where he is helped to survive by a telepathic tree that is likewise stranded. Once they are rescued, Jela becomes a covert military agent. Tree still in tow, he signs on as a copilot for Cantra, an interstellar smuggler, and their adventures together become the core of the novel. The Liaden series now extends to twenty-three novels, and counting. It is useful to know how it all started. Three and a half stars rounded up.
Crystal Soldier is the origin story for the Korval clan, the central figures of Agent of Change (1988) and its many sequels. It is a book you will want to read if you are a longtime fan of Liaden space operas. Jela, a space-fighter pilot, crashes on a desert planet where he is helped to survive by a telepathic tree that is likewise stranded. Once they are rescued, Jela becomes a covert military agent. Tree still in tow, he signs on as a copilot for Cantra, an interstellar smuggler, and their adventures together become the core of the novel. The Liaden series now extends to twenty-three novels, and counting. It is useful to know how it all started. Three and a half stars rounded up.
prgchrqltma's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, but I felt like I missed the significance of a lot of things, because it's a prequel to a long standing series. I'm going to start reading in publication order for a better understanding, instead.
shawnpconroy's review
3.0
A good introduction to Lianden
I've never a Liaden book or a book from the authors. This far future sci-fi tale was interesting, the pace was constant, and the universe interesting. While this novel didn't excite me terribly, but it kept my attention and there are some interesting ideas that are in the background that will clearly be major elements of future books as this book was written after but takes place before the main series of books. I will look forward to reading them.
I've never a Liaden book or a book from the authors. This far future sci-fi tale was interesting, the pace was constant, and the universe interesting. While this novel didn't excite me terribly, but it kept my attention and there are some interesting ideas that are in the background that will clearly be major elements of future books as this book was written after but takes place before the main series of books. I will look forward to reading them.
suzjustsuz's review
3.0
It was very difficult to remain engaged with this book. It was excruciatingly slow to develop. I'm not sure if it's because the universe is new to me so I didn't come with any previous attachment to 'verse or characters, but I didn't much care what happened until well past the halfway point and even then only marginally. I am undecided about whether I will continue the series. It's much loved by a lot of people so perhaps I erred in choosing to jump in via internal chronology rather than publication order, AMD further exposure will draw me in.
jkh107's review
4.0
Billed as deep background to the other Liaden books, this is full of aha! moments for the Liaden fan. Bioengineered solder M Jela Granthor's Guard crash-lands on an alien planet where the last sentient tree has withstood Enemy attack. When Jela and his Commander realize that the mysterious Enemy is now completely obliterating entire star systems without warning, he is catapulted into a web of intrigue in which his destiny becomes entwined with the tree he rescues, bioengineered slaves and their mysterious Uncle, soldiers, gamblers, wizards, villains, and rogue Trader and agent-of-sorts Cantra yos'Phelium. This book also reveals the origins of the Yxstrang and dramliz, and, of course, ends on something of a cliffhanger. Awesome.