Book Review — Ghost Ship

[elektra]

Ghost Ship
by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

published by Baen Books ISBN: 978-1-4391-3455-9 Rating: 5 bookmarks (out of 5)

Ghost Ship is two books-in-one. I can make a case for it being two-and-a-half or even three books-in-one, each of them a gem. Let me explain.

This is a stand alone story in the greater world of the Liaden Universe^TM, although those who start their journey here will take some time to figure things out. There are a lot of things packed into this book: star travel, family, adventure, relationships, parties, “Bosses”, pilots, juntavas, scouts, 8-foot-tall clutch turtles, scholars, scholarly research, cats, AIs, Department of Interior, strange new ports of call, couriers, traders, trade ships, and The Tree.

First and foremost though, this is the continuation of Theo Waitley’s story, begun in the coming of age duology Fledgling/Saltation. But it is also the long-awaited sequel to I Dare, telling the story of Clan Korval’s exit from Liad and the start of their resettlement on Surebleak. In addition to packing in all of those elements, Lee & Miller also slip in some tantalizing scenes that belong in the sequel to Mouse and Dragon, a book that takes place chronologically quite a bit earlier, but was only released into the wild last year.

I enjoyed every moment of the book, and devoured it as soon as I could pry it out of my husband’s hands. Inside of two days we had both read it. Among my favorite parts were the interactions of Theo with various members and associates of Clan Korval–Theo has been on her own for a while now, and it’s interesting to see her discover a whole new family she didn’t know she had–consisting mostly of pilots.

It was also nice to visit with so many old friends and catch up with them. And to get some insight into just what Bechimo (the Ghost Ship of the title) was doing. And even where the PODs came from.

Ghost Ship is complex, layered, fast-paced and fun. It’s recommended to everyone who likes science fiction, space opera or adventure.

Mike thinks the book wasn’t long enough. I think it needed more turtles. We both loved it and we’re waiting eagerly for the next one.

Mirrored from Until Midnight and Occasionally Later.