The Liaden Universe

I just finished reading Mouse and Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller. I enjoyed the book but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d read it directly between Scout’s Progress and Fledgling.

I was first introduced to the Liaden universe back in 2002. The first book I read was Scout’s Progress which is probably one reason I’m so fond of it. I’ve read a lot of books and many of them blend together. This one stood out to me. The library only owned one book in the series so I went out and bought the set as it existed at that time. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read Scout’s Progress and Conflict of Honor. Both of these books have become comfort reads for me.

Knowing where to start in the Leaden universe can be intimidating. There are so many books published in various decades. However, Sharon Lee provides information on a suggested reading order. I think if I started all over knowing what I know now, I would have tried the following order:

  • Local Custom (I personally like Scout’s Progress better. In addition, this is technically a standalone but you’ll miss a few subtle interactions in Mouse and Dragon if you don’t read it.)

  • Scout’s Progress

  • Mouse and Dragon – This is the one I just finished. Even though it has just been published, I personally think it’s better if you read this one before Agent of Change.

  • Fledgling

  • Saltation

  • Agent of Change – this is actually the original book in the series.

  • Conflict of Honors – not directly a sequel to Agent of Change but the characters from both books start interacting in the later books

  • Carpe Diem

  • Plan B

  • I Dare

  • Crystal Soldier – This is set hundreds (?) of years before the other books in the series. This is the only book Jaeger read and he found it very confusing. However, based on what I’ve told him of the other books, he suggests it might be read as a creation myth of Liad. The book stops in the middle and is continued by Crystal Dragon which is kind of irritating.

  • Crystal Dragon – This really should be consider the same book as above.

As an aside, apparently there is another book in the universe titled Balance of Trade. Somehow I missed it when it first came out so I’m going to have to hunt it down.