Balance of Trade by Sharon Lee: Book Cover

    Balance of Trade by Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

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    (Hardcover)

    • Pub. Date: October 2004
    • 464pp

      Reader Rating: (4 ratings)

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      Product Details

      • Pub. Date: October 2004
      • Publisher: Meisha Merlin Publishing, Inc.
      • Format: Hardcover, 464pp

      Synopsis

      Assistant Trader Jethri Gobelyn was an honest, hardworking young man who knew a lot about living onboard his family's space-going trade ship; something about trade, finance, and risk-taking; and a little bit about Liadens.
      It was, oddly enough, the little bit he knew about Liadens that seemed like it might be enough to make his family's fortune, and his own, too. In short order, however, Jethri Gobelyn was about to find out a lot more about Liadens... like how far they might go to protect their name and reputation. Like the myriad of things one might say-intentionally or not-with a single bow. Like what it would take to make a Liaden trade-ship crew trash a bar. Like how hard it is to say "I'm sorry!" in Liaden.
      Pretty soon it was clear that as little as he knew about Liadens, he knew far less about himself. With his very existence a threat to the balance of trade, Jethri Gobelyn needed to learn fast, or else help destroy all he held dear.

      Publishers Weekly

      A Liaden Universe Novel, Jethri Gobelyn, who's just your average Terran, does his best to survive a galactic culture clash. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

      Customer Reviews

      • Reader Rating:
      • Ratings: 4Reviews: 2

      Balance of Trade: A Liaden Universe Novelby Anonymous

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      November 29, 2004: It all starts with a scary story about humans facing the terrors of Liaden Balance - and soon enough, Jethri Gobelyn, human, faces the real thing and learns to deal with Liadens on their own ground. This coming-of-age story, spiced with clashing cultures, follows Jethri as he leaves the ship where he grew up, learns to deal with life in a different language, leaves the human domain for the Liaden worlds, leaves space to live on a planet for an extended time, and, oh yes, learns to be a trader. Along the way, there are quite a few stories, both small and large, to keep you turning the pages.

      Will you like it? If you're looking for a 'shoot'em-up' in space, this isn't going to suit you very well. If you're looking for a science fiction romance, the style that most of the Lee and Miller novels in the Liaden Universe (tm) have had, this won't quite fit. But if you enjoy SF with well-defined characters tackling problems with honesty and their own abilities, then you will likely enjoy this. It's a great 'first step' into the Liaden Universe (tm) and a good stand-alone book, too.

      While the ending suggests that there may be further adventures ahead for Jethri and Norn ven'Deelin, who have 'much yet to learn,' the authors say they do not yet have a contract for any more Jethri novels. While you're waiting for them to get back to Jethri, you may want to try the other Liaden Universe (tm) novels. Do be aware, though, that one clear difference between this and previous novels by Lee and Miller is that most of the others have a love affair in them. Jethri may have romance in his future, but there's none in this novel.

      What does it mean to be human -- in a Liaden world? Or as the master trader puts it, what does it take to be 'a gentleman of the galaxy, able to treat with Liaden and Terran equally?' That's the question that Jethri answers. If you want to know how, you'll have to read the book. And along the way, 'remember, there are secrets in all families.'

      Balance of Trade: A Liaden Universe Novelby Anonymous

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      August 24, 2004: This is just the latest in a great string of stories in the Liaden Universe. The story really grabbed me and I wasn't able to put it down. It was disappointing to finish because I wanted it to continue. I can't wait for the next book...