In this bi-weekly series reviewing classic science fiction and fantasy books, Alan Brown looks at the front lines and frontiers of the field; books about soldiers and spacers, scientists and engineers, explorers and adventurers. Stories full of what Shakespeare used to refer to as “alarums and excursions”: battles, chases, clashes, and the stuff of excitement.
Today, we’re looking at an entry in one of the longest-running series in science fiction; the Liaden universe created by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. This novel, Fledgling, published in 2009, is a departure from the previous books in the series—it’s a coming-of-age story set on a planet that was new to the series’ readers up to that point, and has a storyline disconnected from previous adventures. That choice proved to be quite effective, as upheavals in the publishing business landed the series with a new publisher, and a book that served as jumping-on point for new readers was a perfect way to begin that partnership. Indeed, the story behind the creation of the book is as interesting as the book itself. For this review, I’m using the Baen second paperback edition from 2010, which was adorned with a striking cover painting by Alan Pollack.
About the Authors
Sharon Lee (born 1952) and Steve Miller (1950-2024), while they have written solo works, are best known as a writing team who created the Liaden universe. They are Maryland natives who married in 1980, and moved to Maine. Both have long been involved with science fiction fandom, and their connection with the fan community, both in person and on the Internet, has helped the Liaden Universe survive and thrive. Steve Miller was a graduate of the Clarion Writers’ Workshop. Sharon Lee has served as Executive Director, Vice President, and then President of the Science Fiction Writers of America.
I previously reviewed the first book in the Liaden series, Agent of Change, here, and that review contains more biographical information, and a description of the Liaden universe in general.
Baen Books has long offered free books to entice readers into sampling their wares, and you can find a free e-book version of Fledgling here.
In Memoriam — Steve Miller
While I was working on this review, Steve Miller passed away suddenly. The website File 770 published an obituary for Steve, and SFWA recently also published a memorial. My own interactions with Steve and Sharon started as a fan, possibly as long ago as a Balticon back in the 1990s, asking them to autograph their books. Steve and Sharon would often host a breakfast or some other gathering for Liaden fans during conventions, were always generous with fans, and often appeared in panel discussions and readings. Steve was always a valuable member of those panels, never the loudest voice at the table, but more often than not the one whose comments were the most noteworthy. Shortly after his death, a picture of a panel we were both on from a Boskone about five years ago appeared in my Facebook feed, bringing back memories of the last time I had seen Steve.
There are two Facebook groups dedicated to the work of Lee and Miller, Clan Korval and Friends of Liad, and those who want to reach out or provide assistance to Sharon can find information on how to do so there. Sharon has stated she will continue the Liaden series herself, at the very least finishing the books she and Steve had been writing under their current contract with Baen.
The Story Behind Fledgling
Agent of Change, the first book in the Liaden universe, was published in 1988, the first of three books published by Del Rey, under a contract that was not renewed. But there was still strong interest in the books, and Lee and Miller started writing and publishing chapbooks set in the universe under their own SRM Publisher, Ltd. They found a new small-press publisher, Meisha Merlin, which republished the first three books in an omnibus, and began to release new novels. Meisha Merlin ran into financial difficulties, however, and the authors again found themselves without a publisher. Lee and Miller had an idea for a new book, Fledgling, set in the Liaden universe, but not connected to the main story line. The book would be a coming-of-age story for a new character, Theo Waitley, from a planet not before visited in the series.
Applying the concept of the chapbook to the internet, the authors distributed the chapters online to subscribers donating to the cause, an endeavor that turned out to be very popular. The authors prepared to self-publish Fledgling under their SRM imprint. But Lee and Miller’s efforts had also attracted the attention of Baen Books, a publisher with some innovative ideas about electronic publishing, and that imprint offered the authors a new home, a partnership that has proved quite durable.
Fledgling was not the first time the authors had introduced new characters who could provide readers a convenient entry point into the Liaden universe (they provided a list of those entry points on their website, here). That practice, and an emphasis on romance, intrigue, and adventure, has produced one of the most prolific and long-lasting series in the science fiction field, which currently weighs in at 26 novels, with a number of related short-story collections also being published. In the meantime, Theo has become a major character in the series, appearing both in books focused on her own adventures and in novels where she interacts with characters from the previous books.
Fledgling
Theo Waitley is a young teen coming of age on the world of Delgado. Delgado is dominated by academics, and its university is the major source of interaction with the worlds around it. This scholarly domination of the planet’s economic and political spheres has created a unique culture. Delgado has declared itself a “Safe World,” and its government is obsessed with providing a safe and nurturing environment for all its citizens, with decisions made in consensus as much as possible. There is a strong element of social satire in the portrayal of Delgado, as this society is far from perfect (absolute scholarship corrupts absolutely, I guess you could say).
Delgado’s social conventions cause problems for Theo, who is headstrong and sometimes reacts inappropriately, to the point where she has been declared “physically challenged,” and the authorities have recommended drugging her to make her more docile, and less of a threat to herself and others (on their world, the safety of society is definitely more important than the rights of the individual). Theo’s home life has been an anchor for her, as her mother, Kamele, has lived off-campus in a cozy house with her partner, or “onagrata,” Jen Sar Kiladi. But now, Kamale has given into peer pressure, and separated from Jen Sar, moving back inside the “Wall” to faculty quarters to focus on her studies. Jen Sar, a Liaden scholar, has always stood aloof from the politics of Delgado, and Theo keenly misses his guidance and presence in her life. Unknown to the other characters, Jen Sar has an odd quirk: He often consults with a presence that is either an alternate personality, or an imaginary friend. Those who have not read Liaden books before will perceive this as a curiosity, while those who have read the other books will realize that Jen Sar is hiding a very interesting past.
We spend a good bit of time with Theo in her new quarters, and at school. She finds that her cat had stowed away in their luggage, and without asking permission from her mother, decides to keep him. She decides her room needs a rug, and heads outside the campus to a second-hand store to buy one, which introduces the reader to the fact that not everyone likes the scholars who dominate the society, and she has a scary encounter with some ruffians on her bus ride home. We meet Theo’s classmates, organized into Teams by the group-oriented school. One of Theo’s friends falls on a moving walkway, and Theo also falls attempting to help her, and takes the blame for the incident. Later, an altercation in a team sport—in which Theo gets blamed for actions instigated by a classmate whose mother is politically connected—underscores the fact that this safety-dominated society is not as fair and impartial as it aspires to be. The authorities continue to push their plan to drug Theo even more forcefully, although ultimately, it is a parental decision.
Buy the Book
Fledgling
Kamele, newly promoted to an assistant chair position, has uncovered evidence of faulty scholarship and forgery by a professor at the university, and the more she digs, the worse the problem gets. The university decides to send a contingent of scholars, including Kamele, to the planet Melchiza to check their documents against the originals, a journey that will take over half a year. Kamele, still on friendly terms with Jen Sar, meets with him, and asks him to look after Theo while she’s traveling. But Jen Sar realizes the trip will get Theo away from the authorities for a time, and could be a good learning experience for her, and Kamele soon agrees. So Theo, much against her will, is thrown yet again into a new and unfamiliar environment.
But the environment of the liner Vashtara proves to be a good one for Theo. She befriends a young Liaden apprentice pilot, Win Ton, who from the start insists on calling her “Sweet Mystery,” although that is as far as he goes in a romantic direction. She and Win Ton defeat a dancing machine in the liner’s arcade, and he introduces her to menfri’at, a dance/exercise routine rooted in the martial arts that pilots use to hone their reflexes (which to me sounds a bit like tai chi). He also introduces her to the vigorous sport of bowli ball, a game of catch played by pilots with a mechanical ball that moves with a mind of its own.
Win Ton’s mentor, Captain Cho sig’Radia, befriends Kamale, and warns her that Melchiza is not a safe destination. The planet’s new government has fascist leanings, and seems to be gearing up for conflict. What seems a simple academic search might be seen as threatening to a government that does not shy away from violence. Captain Cho also teaches Theo the sign language that pilots use as an alternate means of communication.
Meanwhile, back on Delgado, Jen Sar is investigating a mysterious artificial intelligence that Theo and Kamele found wired into their new apartment, which seems to be connected to the academic scandal, and soon leads him to a shadowy religious sect that opposes the presence of the university on Delgado. Upon arrival at Melchiza, Kamele and the scholars find themselves put under virtual house arrest, and discover an enemy in their midst. Theo, who has been sent to a boarding school and barred from contact with her mother, is transferred into pilot training when the authorities discover the skills she has gained during her travel aboard Vashtara. She is pressured to stay and join their space forces once her training is completed.
All these threats and challenges keep the narrative fizzing along, as the plot gallops to a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed this book when I first read it, and enjoyed it even more the second time around. Theo is a very compelling protagonist, demonstrating a good mix of strengths and flaws, and you can see her growing and learning throughout her adventures.
Final Thoughts
Fledgling is an excellent entry in an enjoyable series, and a good starting point for new readers. The worldbuilding is solid, the characters are engaging, and there is a lot of action and intrigue to keep things moving at a brisk pace.
And now, I’d be delighted to hear from you about Fledgling in particular, or the Liaden universe in general. I’ll bet there are a lot of readers out there who enjoy the books as much as I have.
