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Liaden Universe #2
Crystal Dragon
You can't go home again... What do you do when home is a conspiracy that's been discovered and destroyed? When home is a planet in a star system that's gone missing? When home means working for the destroyers of galaxies? When home is a spaceship that's calling out to the enemy? Cantra 'yos Phelium isn't a quitter, but she has more than a little the Enemy has accelerated its attacks and how do you fight an Enemy whose major form of attack is the de-crystallization of everything around itself? A smuggler with a rogue soldier for a co-pilot, and a tree with an attitude for crew, Cantra's the only one who can get close to the man who holds equations that might, that just might - thwart the Enemy. All she has to do is help a young pilot from a missing world, juggle a slippery promise she never quite made to a pair of wizards, and then forget who she is along with everything, and everyone, she's ever known.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2006
About the author
Sharon Lee
197 books777 followersSharon Lee has been married to her first husband for more than half her lifetime; she is a friend to cats, a member of the National Carousel Association, and oversees the dubious investment schemes of an improbable number of stuffed animals.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
Despite having been born in a year of the dragon, Sharon is an introvert. She lives in Maine because she likes it there. In fact, she likes it so much that she has written five novels set in Maine; contemporary fantasy trilogy Carousel Tides, Carousel Sun, Carousel Seas, and mysteries Barnburner and Gunshy.
With the aforementioned first husband, Steve Miller, Sharon has written twenty novels of science fiction and fantasy — many of them set in the Liaden Universe® — and numerous short stories. She has occasionally been an advertising copywriter, a reporter, photographer, book reviewer, and secretary. She was for three years Executive Director of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc., and was subsequently elected vice president and then president of that organization.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
April 15, 2022
Well, I feel like I have just witnessed the creation of Clan Korval. The yos'Phelium and yos'Galen lines have been joined, legally. And dea'Gauss has been hired. The Tree has been successfully stowed on the bridge of the transport ship that Cantra and Tor An currently own and command. The first cat is in residence. History has been explained and the events that I've already enjoyed are ready to unfurl. M. Jela has created a lasting legacy.
There are two intersecting storylines in this novel: one in the material universe and one in the energy universe. Both were necessary for the story to make sense, but as a material being, my attention was mostly for the world where Jela and Cantra struggle against time and the enemy that is decrystalizing that reality. Fortunately they have the assistance of the Dramliza and the elderly scholar, Liad dea'Syl.
I give you three guesses where the name Liaden comes from! The drama was high, the pace was pretty steady, and the company was good. The new clan is assembled over the course of the novel, drawn together by luck, kept together through loyalty and love. There were at least two points where I cried, a good sign, as it shows authors who are willing to sacrifice characters when it is realistic. There are limits to how far one can push luck, after all.
Book Number 452 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
There are two intersecting storylines in this novel: one in the material universe and one in the energy universe. Both were necessary for the story to make sense, but as a material being, my attention was mostly for the world where Jela and Cantra struggle against time and the enemy that is decrystalizing that reality. Fortunately they have the assistance of the Dramliza and the elderly scholar, Liad dea'Syl.
I give you three guesses where the name Liaden comes from! The drama was high, the pace was pretty steady, and the company was good. The new clan is assembled over the course of the novel, drawn together by luck, kept together through loyalty and love. There were at least two points where I cried, a good sign, as it shows authors who are willing to sacrifice characters when it is realistic. There are limits to how far one can push luck, after all.
Book Number 452 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
April 21, 2018
I read this space opera in Kindle format (some typos) in a collection titled The Crystal Variation, containing the first three stories, in chronological order: Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon, Balance of Trade. There is no Table of Contents. No hyperlink to each book. Even worse, no link to the (duh!!) dictionary of invented words at the end.
So! Now we know there is a glossary at the end of the e-book. But I didn't know it when I was reading and — ugh! — unknown terminology set this book off to a horrible start, and went on too long!! For example, this sentence has three unknown words:
So, I'd say 2 stars for the first read and 3 stars for the second read, but only 1 star for that dreadful prologue, showing how Rool Tiazon was created, and how he met his soul mate, the Gray Lady. The prologue goes on FAR too long. It's utterly obscure, quite dark, and strangely kinky. In fact, I have never read a worse beginning to any book (and if I hadn't liked Crystal Soldier, I would have stopped right there).
The second half of this book was GREAT!!!
After reading the entire series, I saw connections (and disconnections) between Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon and latter books, including the origin of "Beautiful's" high regard for the historic M Jela, a legend among the bio-engineered trang Troops (see Plan B). I noted recurring families: the Hedrede Clan appears in Scout's Progress and in I Dare, the Olanak Clan appears in Conflict of Honors, Rool Tiazan's descendants appear in Plan B (but his progeny didn't seem powerful and jazzy enough). Moonhawk and Lute appear in Conflict of Honors, and the shrewd dea'Gauss line provides council to Korval across the series. In most books — but not all — we see Tree, yos'Pheliums, yos'Galans, and a cast of loyal felines.
I found it hard to empathize with poor young Tor An yos'Galan. His loss was far too great to even comprehend. But I liked him, and he grew on me. Good character development.
I liked every scene with Jela, Cantra, and Tree together. They have a mission, outlined to them by Rool Tiazan and his Lady at the end of book one, Crystal Soldier:
It could have been shorter. Cantra — a golden dragon in the Tree's images — spent so much time in the ivory tower of academia. It became slightly boring, but I sensed the authors had fun creating that setting, rife with cut-throat competition, professional jealousies, and neurotic insecurities, taken to the point of violence.
Now the stage is set. The rest of the series reflects events and characters from this book. Here is the scoop, with BIG SPOILERS:
My biggest quibble with this series, besides the head-hopping, scene-jumping POVs, is that, too often, emergency life-death problems are solved by a dramliza (wizard), aka goddess magic, a miraculous autodoc chamber, and/or Tree magic. These easy fixes are primarily why I prefer Bujold's Vorkosigan series, where character — determination, intelligence, guts, faith, and teamwork — wins the day. See The Warrior's Apprentice, for one example.
Also, certain important events were virtually dropped from the rest of the series. Some examples:
Bottom Line: A really fun series, but generally not profound. My favorite books are Plan B, I Dare, and Necessity's Child, but don't start there. My advice is to start at the beginning, with Crystal Soldier (but be prepared for some confusion, and utilize the dictionary at the end of the digital Crystal Variation anthology). Or, for an easier, more enjoyable transition into the series, start with Local Custom. It's a lightweight space opera, with the Korval Clan's master trader falling in love with a scholar.
Ps. Eventually I listened to the Audible version, narrated splendidly by Kevin T. Collins. I could listen to his mellow voice forever. Very clear and easy to follow, even though he doesn't attempt to create a unique sound for each character. (His narration of later books is problematic because he adopts an incongruously pompous manner of speech for Val Con and Pat Rin.)
So! Now we know there is a glossary at the end of the e-book. But I didn't know it when I was reading and — ugh! — unknown terminology set this book off to a horrible start, and went on too long!! For example, this sentence has three unknown words:
"But knowing that each zaliata contained within the aetherium had striven, flame to ice, against one of the Iloheen — that knowledge excited a brilliant emotion in her ..."
(Why did the authors suddenly rename the Sheriekas "the Iloheen" with no word to this poor reader?? Nor did I comprehend "zaliata" or "aetherium" or even who "her" was — there was no referential name given for the pronoun. This is only one of dozens of obscure sentences.)
So, I'd say 2 stars for the first read and 3 stars for the second read, but only 1 star for that dreadful prologue, showing how Rool Tiazon was created, and how he met his soul mate, the Gray Lady. The prologue goes on FAR too long. It's utterly obscure, quite dark, and strangely kinky. In fact, I have never read a worse beginning to any book (and if I hadn't liked Crystal Soldier, I would have stopped right there).
The second half of this book was GREAT!!!
After reading the entire series, I saw connections (and disconnections) between Crystal Soldier, Crystal Dragon and latter books, including the origin of "Beautiful's" high regard for the historic M Jela, a legend among the bio-engineered trang Troops (see Plan B). I noted recurring families: the Hedrede Clan appears in Scout's Progress and in I Dare, the Olanak Clan appears in Conflict of Honors, Rool Tiazan's descendants appear in Plan B (but his progeny didn't seem powerful and jazzy enough). Moonhawk and Lute appear in Conflict of Honors, and the shrewd dea'Gauss line provides council to Korval across the series. In most books — but not all — we see Tree, yos'Pheliums, yos'Galans, and a cast of loyal felines.
I found it hard to empathize with poor young Tor An yos'Galan. His loss was far too great to even comprehend. But I liked him, and he grew on me. Good character development.
I liked every scene with Jela, Cantra, and Tree together. They have a mission, outlined to them by Rool Tiazan and his Lady at the end of book one, Crystal Soldier:
"You, the pilot, and the ssussdriad will proceed to the world Landomist. You will recover Liad dea'Syl's equations which describe the recrystalization exclusion function and use them in the best interests of life."
It could have been shorter. Cantra — a golden dragon in the Tree's images — spent so much time in the ivory tower of academia. It became slightly boring, but I sensed the authors had fun creating that setting, rife with cut-throat competition, professional jealousies, and neurotic insecurities, taken to the point of violence.
Now the stage is set. The rest of the series reflects events and characters from this book. Here is the scoop, with BIG SPOILERS:
My biggest quibble with this series, besides the head-hopping, scene-jumping POVs, is that, too often, emergency life-death problems are solved by a dramliza (wizard), aka goddess magic, a miraculous autodoc chamber, and/or Tree magic. These easy fixes are primarily why I prefer Bujold's Vorkosigan series, where character — determination, intelligence, guts, faith, and teamwork — wins the day. See The Warrior's Apprentice, for one example.
Also, certain important events were virtually dropped from the rest of the series. Some examples:
Bottom Line: A really fun series, but generally not profound. My favorite books are Plan B, I Dare, and Necessity's Child, but don't start there. My advice is to start at the beginning, with Crystal Soldier (but be prepared for some confusion, and utilize the dictionary at the end of the digital Crystal Variation anthology). Or, for an easier, more enjoyable transition into the series, start with Local Custom. It's a lightweight space opera, with the Korval Clan's master trader falling in love with a scholar.
Ps. Eventually I listened to the Audible version, narrated splendidly by Kevin T. Collins. I could listen to his mellow voice forever. Very clear and easy to follow, even though he doesn't attempt to create a unique sound for each character. (His narration of later books is problematic because he adopts an incongruously pompous manner of speech for Val Con and Pat Rin.)
Read
February 5, 2014Crystal Dragon is the second half of the Great Migration Duology. Readers should realize that this is not a sequel so much as the second half of the story began in Crystal Soldier. In that book we met Jela (full name M. Jela Granthor’s Guard), the burned-out soldier who was a genetic experiment, and Cantra yos’Phelium, the burned-out smuggler pilot. Jela, stranded for a time on an empty planet, finds a single living tree, and rescues it.
Those who have never read a Liaden book will shrug at those three essentials, but anyone familiar with the series will resonate immediately. This duology is the prequel to all the Clan Korval tales. As the story spins out, elements behave almost like hypertext: you realize, ah, there’s where that came from! Oh, that’s what’s behind that mystery! What’s particularly cool is, I believe that new readers who might begin the Liaden tales with the duology will experience the same effect, only in reverse--when they read the books farther down the timeline they’ll discover what those same crucial elements eventually become. As soon as I finished reading Crystal Dragon I revisited one of the much-read Liaden novels and discovered that story elements I was used to now revealed new layers of meaning, which subtly altered how I perceived each scene, novel, and the overall arc of Liaden history.
It would be a mistake to go into the plot too much because there are so many surprises. So what I’ll do is confine myself to a bare sketch of the story-line, and comments on the reading experience.
Most important, don’t begin with this book--before the prologue it says Part Three. Even those familiar with the Liaden tales up the time-line really ought to read Crystal Soldier first. Crystal Dragon opens with a vastly strange prologue that makes sense only if you’ve read the first book. Chapter One brings us back to humans, specifically Tor An yos’Galan; and Chapter Two shifts us to Cantra and Jela, launching the second of the three lines that eventually converge at the promised galaxy-destroying disaster. In Part Four we meet some new characters--including a cat, who, like the tree, is more than it seems. These new characters form the third thread, binding the aliens and humans together at the last..
Events, and their own inner drive, force Jela and Cantra to transcend their tired, middle-aged humanness. The aliens become gradually less impenetrable and more interesting as the sides in the universe-scale conflict form up. Along the way many questions are answered about the nature and origin of the tree, the dramliza and sheriekas, the true meaning of Korval, and finally where ‘Liad’ comes from. .
The flow of the story begins with deceptive slowness, but the threads bind together around a single thread of luck with inexorable speed, wracking up the tension line to a taut ending. The impact of the last chapter, only a page, was just breathtaking--especially the last line.
Those who have never read a Liaden book will shrug at those three essentials, but anyone familiar with the series will resonate immediately. This duology is the prequel to all the Clan Korval tales. As the story spins out, elements behave almost like hypertext: you realize, ah, there’s where that came from! Oh, that’s what’s behind that mystery! What’s particularly cool is, I believe that new readers who might begin the Liaden tales with the duology will experience the same effect, only in reverse--when they read the books farther down the timeline they’ll discover what those same crucial elements eventually become. As soon as I finished reading Crystal Dragon I revisited one of the much-read Liaden novels and discovered that story elements I was used to now revealed new layers of meaning, which subtly altered how I perceived each scene, novel, and the overall arc of Liaden history.
It would be a mistake to go into the plot too much because there are so many surprises. So what I’ll do is confine myself to a bare sketch of the story-line, and comments on the reading experience.
Most important, don’t begin with this book--before the prologue it says Part Three. Even those familiar with the Liaden tales up the time-line really ought to read Crystal Soldier first. Crystal Dragon opens with a vastly strange prologue that makes sense only if you’ve read the first book. Chapter One brings us back to humans, specifically Tor An yos’Galan; and Chapter Two shifts us to Cantra and Jela, launching the second of the three lines that eventually converge at the promised galaxy-destroying disaster. In Part Four we meet some new characters--including a cat, who, like the tree, is more than it seems. These new characters form the third thread, binding the aliens and humans together at the last..
Events, and their own inner drive, force Jela and Cantra to transcend their tired, middle-aged humanness. The aliens become gradually less impenetrable and more interesting as the sides in the universe-scale conflict form up. Along the way many questions are answered about the nature and origin of the tree, the dramliza and sheriekas, the true meaning of Korval, and finally where ‘Liad’ comes from. .
The flow of the story begins with deceptive slowness, but the threads bind together around a single thread of luck with inexorable speed, wracking up the tension line to a taut ending. The impact of the last chapter, only a page, was just breathtaking--especially the last line.
June 13, 2015
Re-read, August 2013
This book has so much information about the sheriekas and the founding of the LIaden Universe that a fan of the series really must read it. However, it can confusing and heavy going so I wouldn't recommend it until they've read the Agent of Change series. I got even more out of it this third time through.
February 25, 2012
Can't believe I missed so much the first time.
November 2009
4.5/5; 5 stars; A
I loved this book. I wouldn't recommend reading it without reading Crystal Soldier 1st though because there is alot of info to try and make sense of.
I really enjoyed learning the history of Liad and I think anyone who reads the other parts of the series would get more out of it if they read this duology.
This book has so much information about the sheriekas and the founding of the LIaden Universe that a fan of the series really must read it. However, it can confusing and heavy going so I wouldn't recommend it until they've read the Agent of Change series. I got even more out of it this third time through.
February 25, 2012
Can't believe I missed so much the first time.
November 2009
4.5/5; 5 stars; A
I loved this book. I wouldn't recommend reading it without reading Crystal Soldier 1st though because there is alot of info to try and make sense of.
I really enjoyed learning the history of Liad and I think anyone who reads the other parts of the series would get more out of it if they read this duology.
April 13, 2020
I love the crystallization of the characters and the foundation of clan Korval. Superb! 4/17/16 e-read: Such a joy to relive the founding of clan Korval what a marvelous story! I close my eyes and I see thousands of dragons soaring in the sky! 2019 re-read: This book is so awesome, as is the whole series. 2020 re-read: So satisfying to revisit this universe, to see dragons soar, and taste green goodness.
June 13, 2015
5/5; 5 stars; A+
Kevin T. Collins did a great job narrating this book. I wouldn't have thought I'd get anything more out of it since this is my fourth time through this story but I did, thanks to him.
There is so much complexity, excitement, detail, and human, plant, and feline interest in this story that it just leaves me speechless. The whole concept of what Cantra and Jela pulled off in order to get Liad Dea Syl away from Osabei Tower is fascinating. The Dramliz, the Tree, the great evil, the military, the space ships....its all wound up into a great story. For fans of the Liaden Universe series, the Crystal Soldier/Crystal Dragon Duology is a must have.
Kevin T. Collins did a great job narrating this book. I wouldn't have thought I'd get anything more out of it since this is my fourth time through this story but I did, thanks to him.
There is so much complexity, excitement, detail, and human, plant, and feline interest in this story that it just leaves me speechless. The whole concept of what Cantra and Jela pulled off in order to get Liad Dea Syl away from Osabei Tower is fascinating. The Dramliz, the Tree, the great evil, the military, the space ships....its all wound up into a great story. For fans of the Liaden Universe series, the Crystal Soldier/Crystal Dragon Duology is a must have.
October 23, 2008
Positives: the tree, the final quarter (ish) of the book and especially the conclusion.
Negatives: the massive amount of new (and mostly irrelevant-in-the-end vocabulary), the majority of the first half.
Verdict: Read it, because you know you need to know how they got there, and how Korval came to be. But then you can shelve it and go back to better stories like I Dare and Scout's Progress.
An e-mail I got the day I was reading it said "I picked up and read the first 20 pages of Crystal Dragon. Is it a SF novel or BDSM porn?..."
Sadly, my reply was "Yeah, it reads like the Lackey/Anthony book in some ways - they bother to go all the way to "bonding the submissive (male) through sex" to the female ::sigh:: It really isn't very good. Though the parts with Jela and Cantra aren't a total waste of time.
... I'm going to finish it before I give up and consign it to the shelf behind Tomorrow Log. (I'm on page 250)"
Negatives: the massive amount of new (and mostly irrelevant-in-the-end vocabulary), the majority of the first half.
Verdict: Read it, because you know you need to know how they got there, and how Korval came to be. But then you can shelve it and go back to better stories like I Dare and Scout's Progress.
An e-mail I got the day I was reading it said "I picked up and read the first 20 pages of Crystal Dragon. Is it a SF novel or BDSM porn?..."
Sadly, my reply was "Yeah, it reads like the Lackey/Anthony book in some ways - they bother to go all the way to "bonding the submissive (male) through sex" to the female ::sigh:: It really isn't very good. Though the parts with Jela and Cantra aren't a total waste of time.
... I'm going to finish it before I give up and consign it to the shelf behind Tomorrow Log. (I'm on page 250)"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2013
There are almost two distinct parts to this book - rescuing the mathematician, then everything that follows. The first part, while important to the story and the characterisation was for me far too slow. Probably because the story effectively became about different characters, one of which I really didn't like (I think that's the point, but it still makes the reading a bit of a slog). The second part moves at a much faster pace.
At times, there are characters that kind of make cameos. I'm sure they are important in the future, and maybe because I'm coming into this series at the beginning, they'll make more sense, the more I read. The dialogue at times is confusing, and at time annoying. For me it often jolted me out of the story - yes it showed they were 'alien', but it often detracted from the flow, and was unnecessary.
Overall, not as good as Crystal Soldier, though still an enjoyable space opera.
At times, there are characters that kind of make cameos. I'm sure they are important in the future, and maybe because I'm coming into this series at the beginning, they'll make more sense, the more I read. The dialogue at times is confusing, and at time annoying. For me it often jolted me out of the story - yes it showed they were 'alien', but it often detracted from the flow, and was unnecessary.
Overall, not as good as Crystal Soldier, though still an enjoyable space opera.
January 24, 2011
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.
January 4, 2024
There are few greater literary pleasures than finding a new to you science fiction or fantasy universe with many books written in it ready for you to enjoy. That is the experience I am having with the migration do Ology. And now that all the pieces have come into play, I can't Wait to see what they build. There are lots of engaging characters here, so even if there are times when the reader may be confused about the larger plot, focusing in on the characters and letting the situation unfold turns out to be quite gratifying.
November 6, 2014
Lute, Moonhawk, and Rool Tiazan just aren't that intersting to me. I'm actually not very fond of the dramliza in general, to tell the truth. Maybe it's because I spent so many years thinking that this series was more pure sci fi than it was revealed to be after I read past the original trilogy.
Teleportation definitely tips this into the science-fantasy realm in my mind.
This book for the most part followed the plot I thought it would with no real surprises - that's the danger of prequels, I suppose. I was sad that there wasn't a little more explicitly done with the genetic engineering angle that I liked from the previous book, though there's some further hints here and there.
Teleportation definitely tips this into the science-fantasy realm in my mind.
This book for the most part followed the plot I thought it would with no real surprises - that's the danger of prequels, I suppose. I was sad that there wasn't a little more explicitly done with the genetic engineering angle that I liked from the previous book, though there's some further hints here and there.
Read
September 24, 2008Excellent continuation of the Great Migration story - BUT. You have to accept a lot of story/world/mindset setup before you get to the "good stuff" of the actual story arc. All very necessary information, but the first read-through I had a lot of confusion. Going through this second (third? fourth? I lost track somewhere) time has had a lot of "ah-ha!" moments related to other books in the series, particularly Balance of Trade.
Required reading (and re-reading!) for Liadan Universe fans.
Required reading (and re-reading!) for Liadan Universe fans.
July 1, 2016
ORIGINAL READ: 10/10 (16 May 2006 - 27 May 2006)
[Copied across from Library Thing; 17 October 2012]
REREAD #1: 9/10 (5 August 2011 - 3 October 2011)
I really enjoyed my second read of this one as I got back into the story. I think I understand a lot more of how everything began now, although I still have a number of questions I hope will eventually be answered as well.
[Copied across from Library Thing; 17 October 2012]
REREAD #1: 9/10 (5 August 2011 - 3 October 2011)
I really enjoyed my second read of this one as I got back into the story. I think I understand a lot more of how everything began now, although I still have a number of questions I hope will eventually be answered as well.
February 10, 2010
I love this Liaden series origination/migration duology. What is not to like about a book where one of the main characters is a sentient tree that can use biochemistry on the fruit it produces. Loving this!
The two stories explain a lot about the series,and are just very well written.
The two stories explain a lot about the series,and are just very well written.
December 25, 2021
The second half of the beginnings duology, it was rather more abstract and mystical and thus, to me, confusing. I sort of got it, but I skimmed over some of the more metaphysical portions. Otherwise, it was, again, a great source for all things Liaden Universe!
April 29, 2020
I enjoyed listening to CRYSTAL DRAGON. It is one of the Liaden books that I don't reread very often. I find the sections that have to do with the formation of the dramliz and their conspiracy to defeat the Iloheen hard to understand and hard to connect with. Once the story switches to Cantra and Jela and to Tor An yos'Galan, I enjoy the story much more.
This continues the story begun in CRYSTAL SOLDIER and concerns itself with trying to find the mathematician Liad dea'Syl who might have the math that will let some humans survive the war begun by the Iloheen - called the sheriekas by the humans.
Cantra and Jela have to infiltrate an assemblage of scholars which requires Cantra to forger herself and assume the personality of a traveling math scholar. they find a situation filled with treachery and self-interest. It is also the location where they meet Tor An who has come to report that the Ring Stars have disappeared. Since that is where his whole family lives, Tor An is devastated and wants someone else to also care. He finds the military uninterested in one more loss of planets and concerned with withdrawing into the inner worlds in hopes of surviving.
Jela has long been associated with one part of the military that sees what is happening and is still trying to do something to stop the enemy's invasion.
This is also the story where the planned evacuation of Solcintra occurs and tells about the contract with the houses of Solcintra and the formation of Clan Korval. It introduces some family lines that still continue into the rest of the books including the dea'Gauss.
I liked the action in the story. I liked the characters especially Jela. I liked that he becomes the Founder of the Clan despite falling in rear guard action that lets Cantra, the tree, and his unborn child escape. I really liked Cantra who is both smart and honorable and who keeps her promise to Jela to guard his tree.
The narration was well done and really pulled me in and kept me listening even to the confusing parts.
This continues the story begun in CRYSTAL SOLDIER and concerns itself with trying to find the mathematician Liad dea'Syl who might have the math that will let some humans survive the war begun by the Iloheen - called the sheriekas by the humans.
Cantra and Jela have to infiltrate an assemblage of scholars which requires Cantra to forger herself and assume the personality of a traveling math scholar. they find a situation filled with treachery and self-interest. It is also the location where they meet Tor An who has come to report that the Ring Stars have disappeared. Since that is where his whole family lives, Tor An is devastated and wants someone else to also care. He finds the military uninterested in one more loss of planets and concerned with withdrawing into the inner worlds in hopes of surviving.
Jela has long been associated with one part of the military that sees what is happening and is still trying to do something to stop the enemy's invasion.
This is also the story where the planned evacuation of Solcintra occurs and tells about the contract with the houses of Solcintra and the formation of Clan Korval. It introduces some family lines that still continue into the rest of the books including the dea'Gauss.
I liked the action in the story. I liked the characters especially Jela. I liked that he becomes the Founder of the Clan despite falling in rear guard action that lets Cantra, the tree, and his unborn child escape. I really liked Cantra who is both smart and honorable and who keeps her promise to Jela to guard his tree.
The narration was well done and really pulled me in and kept me listening even to the confusing parts.
May 29, 2008
(Note: this review addresses both Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon, as I read them together)
Lovely as it is to finally meet Jela and Cantra yos’Phelium, the rather unconventional founders of Liad’s most unconventional clan, I was not overly thrilled by these books. The essence of Lee and Miller’s storytelling in their later books is a rather impressionistic skitter of scenes that outline episodes from a life rather than, strictly speaking, “telling a story”. It works reasonably well for the early romances, and manages despite a few bobbles, to work for the Agent of Change sequence as well, carrying through on the basis of splendid characterization what it occasionally lacks in plot. The trouble is, the connections between the rest of the Agent of Change books and the Great Migration duology are simply too complex and tenuous to survive the fragmented storytelling. Taken simply as an independent duology, this works quite well—Cantra and Jela are as entertaining as their later descendants imply, and the Tree takes a more active part than it gets in the later books. Taken as the prequel to on of my most-loved series, it’s a crashing failure, leaving me with an awful lot of name-checks (ahh, Solcintra. Liad. Dea’Guass…Lute and Moonhawk??) and profoundly unsatisfied as to the relationship between the universe of Cantra and the universe of Val Con and his contemporaries. If the authors know the answer, they aren’t telling, but it ends up feeling like two entirely dissimilar series linked by all too many names.
Lovely as it is to finally meet Jela and Cantra yos’Phelium, the rather unconventional founders of Liad’s most unconventional clan, I was not overly thrilled by these books. The essence of Lee and Miller’s storytelling in their later books is a rather impressionistic skitter of scenes that outline episodes from a life rather than, strictly speaking, “telling a story”. It works reasonably well for the early romances, and manages despite a few bobbles, to work for the Agent of Change sequence as well, carrying through on the basis of splendid characterization what it occasionally lacks in plot. The trouble is, the connections between the rest of the Agent of Change books and the Great Migration duology are simply too complex and tenuous to survive the fragmented storytelling. Taken simply as an independent duology, this works quite well—Cantra and Jela are as entertaining as their later descendants imply, and the Tree takes a more active part than it gets in the later books. Taken as the prequel to on of my most-loved series, it’s a crashing failure, leaving me with an awful lot of name-checks (ahh, Solcintra. Liad. Dea’Guass…Lute and Moonhawk??) and profoundly unsatisfied as to the relationship between the universe of Cantra and the universe of Val Con and his contemporaries. If the authors know the answer, they aren’t telling, but it ends up feeling like two entirely dissimilar series linked by all too many names.
March 27, 2016
In Crystal Dragon we continue the story of M Jela & Cantra yos'Phelium, and the tree begun in the Crystal Solder, book 1. We are also introduced to Tor An yos'Galan and Jela’s own troop as well as a few other names recognizable from other Liaden stories.
I love the Liaden Universe books and the Crystal duology; Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon are compelling and highly readable stories. If you are a Liaden Universe fan, you must read these as they give so much fascinating information about the beginning of Clan Korval and its founders, Jela, Cantra, and the sentient tree Jelaza Kazone. Theses stories take you to 1,000 years before the main story line to another galaxy in peril from technology that seeks perfection so this crystallizing entity destroys worlds where life is engaged, any life form is eradicated. It was hard to understand the enemy’s motivations but the actions taken were awe inspiring and tragic beyond belief.
I laughed, I cried several times, and I read Crystal Dragon twice back to back it was that good a read. The books have action, suspense, romance, mystery and characters you really care about. I was glad to learn more of the dramaliz, Lute, Moonhawk, and Rool Tiazan, yet their story is perhaps the densest and strangest to read. I am always surprised when I fall in love with an alien life form like a tree but the “tree” in the Liaden Universe is super special. I highly recommend this duology to not only Liaden Universe fans but even if you have not read any Liaden Universe stories, you will enjoy this duology as a compelling sci-fi read.
I love the Liaden Universe books and the Crystal duology; Crystal Soldier and Crystal Dragon are compelling and highly readable stories. If you are a Liaden Universe fan, you must read these as they give so much fascinating information about the beginning of Clan Korval and its founders, Jela, Cantra, and the sentient tree Jelaza Kazone. Theses stories take you to 1,000 years before the main story line to another galaxy in peril from technology that seeks perfection so this crystallizing entity destroys worlds where life is engaged, any life form is eradicated. It was hard to understand the enemy’s motivations but the actions taken were awe inspiring and tragic beyond belief.
I laughed, I cried several times, and I read Crystal Dragon twice back to back it was that good a read. The books have action, suspense, romance, mystery and characters you really care about. I was glad to learn more of the dramaliz, Lute, Moonhawk, and Rool Tiazan, yet their story is perhaps the densest and strangest to read. I am always surprised when I fall in love with an alien life form like a tree but the “tree” in the Liaden Universe is super special. I highly recommend this duology to not only Liaden Universe fans but even if you have not read any Liaden Universe stories, you will enjoy this duology as a compelling sci-fi read.
June 16, 2009
Excellent read. I love the Liaden Universe books. The Liaden Universe is strongly drawn and the details are consistently well thought-out. The books have action, suspense, romance and characters you really care about. The hero and heroine of Crystal Dragon and the prequel Crystal Soldier are Cantra and Jela, both people you would like to know and definitely people you would want on YOUR side in any disagreement. In my opinion, though, neither is really the best place to start the series even though chronologically they fall before the Conflict of Honors/Agent of Change/etc. books. I would recommend reading them in the following order:
Current generation Korval:
Conflict of Honors
Agent of Change
Carpe Diem
Plan B
I Dare
Fledgling
Saltation
Previous generation Korval:
Local Custom
Scout's Progress
Earlier in Liaden and Terran contact:
Balance of Trade
Founding of Liad and Clan Korval:
Crystal Soldier
Crystal Dragon
Current generation Korval:
Conflict of Honors
Agent of Change
Carpe Diem
Plan B
I Dare
Fledgling
Saltation
Previous generation Korval:
Local Custom
Scout's Progress
Earlier in Liaden and Terran contact:
Balance of Trade
Founding of Liad and Clan Korval:
Crystal Soldier
Crystal Dragon
February 25, 2012
It took me about halfway before the book started getting good, at least for me. I kept putting it down and doing something else.
Cantra and Jela are trying to infiltrate these groups of mathematicians according to what Rool and his lady ask of them. The problem is Cantra has to literally become another person. When they go to the planet with the mathematicians, it's a lot more brutal than you would think. She finally finds the man who made the formula that Rool says should help them, but loses someone and gains a couple of strangers. Good series. I've ordered the Conflict of Honors from the library and am reading them in the order a Goodfriend said would make the most sense (although she did tell me to read these books last I wanted to read them in a little more chronological order - see I don't know what's good for me!)
Cantra and Jela are trying to infiltrate these groups of mathematicians according to what Rool and his lady ask of them. The problem is Cantra has to literally become another person. When they go to the planet with the mathematicians, it's a lot more brutal than you would think. She finally finds the man who made the formula that Rool says should help them, but loses someone and gains a couple of strangers. Good series. I've ordered the Conflict of Honors from the library and am reading them in the order a Goodfriend said would make the most sense (although she did tell me to read these books last I wanted to read them in a little more chronological order - see I don't know what's good for me!)
July 1, 2010
This is my 2nd Read of Crystal Dragon. I'm a big fan of all of the Liaden Universe stories, but I have to judge them differently than I do other books. The Liaden books contain all the best (and worst) that Space Opera has to offer.
In Crystal Dragon we continue the story of M Jela & Cantra yos'Phelium begun in Crystal Solder. We are also introduced to Tor An yos'Gala. Crystal Solder / Dragon is the tale of the founding of Liad and House Korval as such I *highly* recommend them to any fans of the series. If you like going on magical rides with well crafed charters then this is a good read (warning once you pick them up you won't want to put them down and there are a *lot* of Liaden stories out there). If however you like your sci fi of the hard kind, then stay away.
In Crystal Dragon we continue the story of M Jela & Cantra yos'Phelium begun in Crystal Solder. We are also introduced to Tor An yos'Gala. Crystal Solder / Dragon is the tale of the founding of Liad and House Korval as such I *highly* recommend them to any fans of the series. If you like going on magical rides with well crafed charters then this is a good read (warning once you pick them up you won't want to put them down and there are a *lot* of Liaden stories out there). If however you like your sci fi of the hard kind, then stay away.
November 13, 2014
I don't usually have a problem entering a state of suspended disbelief in order to enjoy a science fiction or fantasy book ... but this one broke me a bit.
(minor spoiler)
You are expected to believe the following two things at the same time:
1. The characters are advanced mathematicians attending the Harvard of the Liaden Universe.
2. The validity of their mathematical proofs are determined by knife fight in an arena.
In another universe this might be OK, or even entertaining, but I can't quite deal with it in this one. It is also rather important to the story, making it hard to forget or ignore.
(minor spoiler)
You are expected to believe the following two things at the same time:
1. The characters are advanced mathematicians attending the Harvard of the Liaden Universe.
2. The validity of their mathematical proofs are determined by knife fight in an arena.
In another universe this might be OK, or even entertaining, but I can't quite deal with it in this one. It is also rather important to the story, making it hard to forget or ignore.
September 13, 2019
3.5*
I found it hard to decide how to rate this as parts of it I liked very much and others not much at all. The sections about the Iloheen were hard for me to envision and confusing while the sections about Cantra & Jela were excellent. Perhaps when I have finished the series, those sections I found difficult will make more sense but for now, I comprise with a 3.5 star rating.
I found it hard to decide how to rate this as parts of it I liked very much and others not much at all. The sections about the Iloheen were hard for me to envision and confusing while the sections about Cantra & Jela were excellent. Perhaps when I have finished the series, those sections I found difficult will make more sense but for now, I comprise with a 3.5 star rating.
October 6, 2014
I loved it! So sad that Jela didn't survive.
April 18, 2018
What a wonderful conclusion to the Great Migration Duology!
04/16/2018: Re-reading the series in Chronological order (rather than publication).
04/17/2018: Loved it again.
04/16/2018: Re-reading the series in Chronological order (rather than publication).
04/17/2018: Loved it again.
July 9, 2021
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.
November 3, 2019
Parts of this book were great, but there were parts that just seemed to go on too long especially that icky prologue. I get that we are describing life being manipulated by the bad guys so sado-masochistic sex might be the way to bind two entitities together, but so many pages! Blech.
The Liaden books, much as I like them, have always been a bit problematical too me, because they seemed like pure space opera when I first started the series (with just hints of fantasy - a bit of empath healing.) But the more I read the more it became clear that this is a fantasy universe with space ships not the other way around. That's particularly clear in these two books where there is much talk of ley lines and manipulating the luck. I find it all pretty tiresome.
Other things just don't make much sense,
The Liaden books, much as I like them, have always been a bit problematical too me, because they seemed like pure space opera when I first started the series (with just hints of fantasy - a bit of empath healing.) But the more I read the more it became clear that this is a fantasy universe with space ships not the other way around. That's particularly clear in these two books where there is much talk of ley lines and manipulating the luck. I find it all pretty tiresome.
Other things just don't make much sense,
December 27, 2019
I suggest reading The Crystal Soldier before reading this novel. I have been on a Liaden Universe kick and worry that I am running out of books to read again. Crystal Dragon was harder to read than the other novels because the world of the sheriekas and dramliza and their manipulation of energies and thoughts is so foreign and mindbending. However, those odd expositions are interspersed with the much more practical and engaging stories of Cantra and Jela stealing the information necessary to stop the sheriekas from destroying the universe and then fighting a desperate battle to get it into place before their very world is dissolved around them. This duology is a backstory for most of the Liaden Universe novels. I found that despite having trouble visualizing what was happening, I was surprised by how hard I was struck by the founding of the Liadens and Clan Korval. This story would not have had that emotional impact if I hadn't read all the other books in the series before this prologue.
September 4, 2017
"Crystal Dragon" is a direct sequel to "Crystal Soldier," which is chronologically the first book in the authors' Liaden Universe, although far from the first to be written. I highly recommend seeking out the Liaden Universe books ... but start somewhere *other* than this pair of books, perhaps with the thoroughly delightful "Conflict of Honors."
In the case of "Crystal Dragon," I found the sections about the Iloheen strange rather than intriguing, and the hinted-at mathematical theories unpersuasive. The first half of the book didn't compel me. The second half held me much more firmly. There were moments that made me tearful, and characters I cared about very much: Jela, Tor An, dea'Gauss, the cat, the tree. (Yes, one of the characters is a tree.) I would recommend this book primarily to those already familiar with the Liaden Universe, those for whom the characters and ending will resonate.
In the case of "Crystal Dragon," I found the sections about the Iloheen strange rather than intriguing, and the hinted-at mathematical theories unpersuasive. The first half of the book didn't compel me. The second half held me much more firmly. There were moments that made me tearful, and characters I cared about very much: Jela, Tor An, dea'Gauss, the cat, the tree. (Yes, one of the characters is a tree.) I would recommend this book primarily to those already familiar with the Liaden Universe, those for whom the characters and ending will resonate.
September 5, 2023
It took me about halfway before the book started getting good, at least for me. I kept putting it down and doing something else.
Cantra and Jela are trying to infiltrate these groups of mathematicians according to what Rool and his lady ask of them. The problem is Cantra has to literally become another person. When they go to the planet with the mathematicians, it's a lot more brutal than you would think. She finally finds the man who made the formula that Rool says should help them, but loses someone and gains a couple of strangers. Good series. I've ordered the Conflict of Honors from the library and am reading them in the order a Goodfriend said would make the most sense (although she did tell me to read these books last I wanted to read them in a little more chronological order - see I don't know what's good for me!)
Cantra and Jela are trying to infiltrate these groups of mathematicians according to what Rool and his lady ask of them. The problem is Cantra has to literally become another person. When they go to the planet with the mathematicians, it's a lot more brutal than you would think. She finally finds the man who made the formula that Rool says should help them, but loses someone and gains a couple of strangers. Good series. I've ordered the Conflict of Honors from the library and am reading them in the order a Goodfriend said would make the most sense (although she did tell me to read these books last I wanted to read them in a little more chronological order - see I don't know what's good for me!)
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