New entry in the landmark Liaden Universe(R) series
The only bridge between past and future is a leap of faith.
Pursued by enemies, exiled Liaden clan Korval is settling into a new
base on backworld Surebleak. Moving is expensive, as is war, and Korval
is strapped for cash. Delm Korval has therefore instructed Master Trader
Shan yos'Galan to design and implement new trade routes, quickly.
But this is no easy task. Dutiful Passage is targeted by Korval's
enemies, denied docking at respectable ports, and cheated by those less
respectable. Struggling to recuperate from an attack on his life, while
managing daughter Padi's emerging psychic talents, Shan is running out
of options - and time. His quest to establish the all-important trade
route puts him at odds with his lifemate, while doubting crew desert the
ship. Facing the prospect of failure, Shan accepts the assistance of
chancy allies and turns the Passage toward a port only just emerging
from Rostov's Dust and awash with strange energies.
Without trade, Clan Korval will starve. Will a trader's leap of faith
save everything - or doom all?
About the Liaden Universe(R) series:
"I have every Liaden Universe novel ever written on my bookshelf. You
should, too." (David Weber)
"Every now and then you come across an author, or in this case, a pair,
who write exactly what you want to read, the characters and
personalities that make you enjoy meeting them.... I rarely rave on and
on about stories, but I am devoted to Lee and Miller novels and
stories." (Anne McCaffrey)
"These authors consistently deliver stories with a rich, textured
setting, intricate plotting, and vivid, interesting characters from
fully-realized cultures, both human and alien, and each book gets
better." (Elizabeth Moon)
"[D]elightful stories of adventure and romance set in a far
future...space opera milieu. It's all a rather heady mix of Gordon R.
Dickson, the Forsythe Saga, and Victoria Holt, with Lee and Miller's own
unique touches making it all sparkle and sizzle. Anyone whose taste runs
toward SF in the true romantic tradition can't help but like the Liaden
Universe." (Analog)
Maine-based writers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller teamed up in the late
1980s to bring the world the story of Kinzel, an inept wizard with a
love of cats, a thirst for justice, and a staff of true power. Since
then, the husband and wife have written dozens of short stories and
20-plus novels, most set in their star-spanning Liaden Universe(R).
Before settling down to the serene and stable life of a science fiction
and fantasy writer, Steve was a traveling poet, rock-band reviewer,
reporter, and editor of a string of community newspapers. Sharon, less
adventurous, has been an advertising copywriter, copy editor on
night-side news at a small city newspaper, reporter, photographer, and
book reviewer. Both credit their newspaper experiences with teaching
them the finer points of collaboration. Sharon and Steve passionately
believe that reading fiction ought to be fun, and that stories are
entertainment. They maintain a web presence at korval.com.
