Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly Enjoyable
Review: I read Local Custom as part of the omnibus "Pilot's Choice". It is my first novel in the Liadan Universe. It is a surprisingly good foray into the Liadan series. I find myself wanting more. For me the book started out very slow and didn't really seize my interest until the protagonists went to Liad. From then on, I was hooked. Indeed by the end of the book, I was completely immersed in the Liadan Universe.As has been stated by other reviews, the SF aspect of this book was mostly in the setting and mood, not really an important part of the plot. For me this was not an issue because I was drawn in by the characters and the environment. I am not a fan of the Romance genre and perhaps that is why I was not impressed in the beginning. A lot of time is spent convincing the reader that Er Thom as the perfect man and that his love for Ann is a perfect love. Capitulations about the love that knows no end, is not for me...I don't love fantasy. Anyway, as soon as they get to Liad, there is more "balance". The characters that I liked the most were not the protagonists but the supporting players of Daav and Shan. I wanted to know what happens to these two. Er Thom and Ann Davis...I wasn't nearly as invested in their lives. I am a little uncomfortable with the impression that with the exception of Ann Davis, most of the women characters were written as petulant, flighty, irrational, mean-spirited and "bad". Though it is obvious in the Liad Universe that both woman and men both occupy positions of power, the execution of the story struck me as having misogynistic undertones (overbearing mother, jealous cousin, duplicitous trader). I am willing to find out if it was simply characteristic of the story or if this is an underlying theme in the Liad Universe. All in all, I would say that I was surprised how invested I had become by the end of the book. That is the sign of a very good read.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating cultural misunderstandings
Review: Local Custom is the fifth Liaden book I've read, and my favorite so far. As a US citizen living abroad for many years, I often run across culturally-based misunderstandings. This is one of the few entertaining novels I've read that actually deals extensively with the topic. I feel like Liaden culture is a mystery I am unravelling a little more with each book - a lot with this one. Original, romantic, funny, and fascinating. I want more!
Rating:
Summary: A Comedy of Manners
Review: Local Custom is the first novel chronologically in the Liaden series, but the fifth novel published. Er Thom yos'Galan is caught in a emotional and moral bind: Liaden law requires him to provide children to the clan, yet he is infatuated with a Terran woman that he had meet several years before on Proziski. After a whirlwind affair, the two had parted, with Er Thom returning to his ship and trade route. Now that his clan has demanded his child, Er Thom finds himself unable to become interested in any other woman. In a spirit of desperation, he borrows a ship from his foster brother and tracks down Anne Davis at her university. Their affair resumes immediately, as if no time has passed, but then Anne introduces Er Thom to their son, Shan yos'Galan. Suddenly their love affair runs afoul of a difference in customs. To Er Thom, the boy is a child of Clan Korval and Line yos'Galen and must be presented to the delm and thodelm to be accepted into the clan and line. Anne doesn't see him quite that way, but rather as her child, with Er Thom only the sperm donor. She refuses his offer of a contract marriage, seeing it as only another temporary fling. This novel has elements of a comedy of manners, with misunderstandings occurring in all parties and with a few bitter feeling stirring the mix. However, such communication failures still occur in daily life even between close associates and still more often between different cultures on this planet. Nevertheless, the lovers struggle so hard against their misconceptions and freely open themselves to embarrassment with a spirit of trust, but are temporarily derailed by the thodelm. This novel is a witty demonstration that etiquette -- i.e., manners -- is not universal. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is an ancient adage that will probably still be true when the Sun dies of old age. Proper behavior is relative to the culture, depending upon customs, mores, folkways and traditions, yet people often assume that their own, local etiquette applies in every situation and place. This novel also points out that etiquette exists only to facilitate interpersonal relationships and that foolish insistence on rigid formalism can destroy rather than nurture such relationships. In many respects, this tale summarizes the theme of the whole series: societies grow only when they continue to diversify and expand their horizons. Er Thom and Anne add a breath of new life to a complacent and ossified Liaden society. Indeed a comedy, but also an epiphany. Recommended for Lee & Miller fans and anyone who enjoys exotic cultures with a touch of mystery, farce and romance in a SF setting.
Rating:
Summary: A Comedy of Manners
Review: Local Custom is the first novel chronologically in the Liaden series, but the fifth novel published. Er Thom yos'Galan is caught in a emotional and moral bind: Liaden law requires him to provide children to the clan, yet he is infatuated with a Terran woman that he had meet several years before on Proziski. After a whirlwind affair, the two had parted, with Er Thom returning to his ship and trade route. Now that his clan has demanded his child, Er Thom finds himself unable to become interested in any other woman. In a spirit of desperation, he borrows a ship from his foster brother and tracks down Anne Davis at her university. Their affair resumes immediately, as if no time has passed, but then Anne introduces Er Thom to their son, Shan yos'Galan. Suddenly their love affair runs afoul of a difference in customs. To Er Thom, the boy is a child of Clan Korval and Line yos'Galen and must be presented to the delm and thodelm to be accepted into the clan and line. Anne doesn't see him quite that way, but rather as her child, with Er Thom only the sperm donor. She refuses his offer of a contract marriage, seeing it as only another temporary fling. This novel has elements of a comedy of manners, with misunderstandings occurring in all parties and with a few bitter feeling stirring the mix. However, such communication failures still occur in daily life even between close associates and still more often between different cultures on this planet. Nevertheless, the lovers struggle so hard against their misconceptions and freely open themselves to embarrassment with a spirit of trust, but are temporarily derailed by the thodelm. This novel is a witty demonstration that etiquette -- i.e., manners -- is not universal. "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is an ancient adage that will probably still be true when the Sun dies of old age. Proper behavior is relative to the culture, depending upon customs, mores, folkways and traditions, yet people often assume that their own, local etiquette applies in every situation and place. This novel also points out that etiquette exists only to facilitate interpersonal relationships and that foolish insistence on rigid formalism can destroy rather than nurture such relationships. In many respects, this tale summarizes the theme of the whole series: societies grow only when they continue to diversify and expand their horizons. Er Thom and Anne add a breath of new life to a complacent and ossified Liaden society. Indeed a comedy, but also an epiphany. Recommended for Lee & Miller fans and anyone who enjoys exotic cultures with a touch of mystery, farce and romance in a SF setting.
Rating:
Summary: Great story about Shan, Nova and Anthora's parents
Review: Loved this book. NOTE: for those who may not have read the whole first review- THIS BOOK IS ONE OF THE TWO NOVELS CONTAINED IN PILOT'S CHOICE. I purchased Local Custom without realizing this fact, but don't really mind because I like to have multiple copies of the Liad novels- since I wear them out with repeated readings and like to lend them to others to enjoy. This book gave me a better understanding of Korval. I read and loved the original Liad books but was always curious about how yos'Galens came to be half terran given the type of Liad society portrayed in earlier books (?can they be called sequels when they were written first?). This book explained a lot of things to do with the dramliza, part of how the clan became so small, Daav and Er'Thom's relationship, etc. But, as with most of these books, it just wets my appetite for further stories Liad and Korval.
Rating:
Summary: An enticing addition to the Liaden Universe
Review: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's _Local Custom_ is an exciting and enticing new addition to the Liaden Universe. The first of two books previously published in _Pilot's Choice_, this stand alone version is perfect for the new reader or veteran alike. _Local Custom_ tells the love story of Anne Davis and Er Thom yos'Galan -- the parents of _Conflict of Honors'_ Shan yos'Galan. This delightful story, chronologically the earliest book, is a perfect entry point for readers new to the Liaden Universe. Written in the same vein as Georgette Heyers, Mary Balogh, or Dorothy Sayers, -- let's call it a drawing room space opera -- I was quickly engaged with the romantic antics of our heroes. And yes, there were moments when I wanted to absolutely throttle one or more of the romantic leads for their selfless martyrdom, but hey, that's half the fun, right? If you've never read anything in the Liaden Universe before, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of _Local Custom_ ( and _Scout's Progress_ while your at it). If you are familiar with the universe, what are you waiting for? Buy this book -- you know you want to.
Rating: 
Summary: "I shall endeavour to talk plainly..."
Review: The title is a paraphrase quote from the book, and sums up its major flaw nicely - talk plainly, dammit! Will someone PLEASE get these authors a really brutal editor? The writing style is just plain dreadful - the sort of high-falutin' pseudo-arty language my daughter uses when dressing teddy bears up for a tea party. Apparently, the authors wore out their thesaurus long ago, so they took to making up words like "overmastered" (a character was "overmastered" by his emotions). Unfortunately, i don't have the book with me right now for some choice quotes, but trust me - this is some of the silliest writing i've encountered, even in pulp SF. On top of this, parts of the plot intended to suggest a modicum of danger, turning the heroine into a damsel in distress, verge on being an afterthought. I was half expecting the villain to tie Anne Davis and Shan to the railroad tracks! Moreover, the science fiction aspect is nearly nonexistent. I don't consider it necessary, but it helps. All this is too bad, because the characters and their personal conflicts are moderately interesting, in a recycled Lois McMaster Bujold sort of way (Er Thom == Aral Vorkosigan, Anne Davis == Cordelia Naismith, Shan == Miles Vorkosigan, Petrella == Pyotr Vorkosigan). With a better plot and a high camp to English translation, it could be a very interesting book. But for now, if you like this kind of stuff, re-read "Cordelia's Honor" by Lois McMaster Bujold, which is everything "Local Custom" should be and isn't - clearly written, exciting, morally challenging, and compelling popular literature. And if you haven't read the saga of Cordelia and Aral yet, why are you bothering with this mediocre dreck when there are GOOD space operas to read?
Rating:
Summary: Great Liaden Adventure!
Review: This a a great book -- another wonderful jaunt in the Liaden Universe. Er Thom yos'Galan, Clan Korval must get an heir, but before he can agree to the traditional contract-marriage, he has to settle some unfinished business with his former lover -- on Earth. It gets more complicated from there, however, as Anne Davis, it turns out, is the mother of his son, Shan! From that beginning we learn that Anne is involved in some earthshaking linguistics research -- research that threatens her life both on Terra and later on Liad. Throw into the mix Er Thom's mother (who doesn't want a Terran as a guest in the Clan house, let alone as the mother of her son's child) and Shan's extraordinary Healing ability and you get a very intriguing story! However, the Liaden Universe cannot be read simply with an eye to the plot -- the customs of the Liadens, the intricacy of the manners and the interaction are amazing! Liad is so REAL one feels you should almost practice your bows if you ever should meet one! It should also be noted that Local Custom can be found in the omnibus Pilot's Choice, along with the novel Scout's Progress.
Rating:
Summary: Romance in a Sci-Fi Setting
Review: This is my first foray into the Linden world. I quite enjoyed it, although it reminded me more of a romance than a science fiction novel. The authors imagined a very interesting culture and portray it (mostly) through the eyes of a Terran linguist. However, the focus of the novel was on the emotional bonds between all the characters. If Mercedes Lackey wrote Sci-Fi, this is what it would look like.
Rating:
Summary: Romance in a Sci-Fi Setting
Review: This is my first foray into the Linden world. I quite enjoyed it, although it reminded me more of a romance than a science fiction novel. The authors imagined a very interesting culture and portray it (mostly) through the eyes of a Terran linguist. However, the focus of the novel was on the emotional bonds between all the characters. If Mercedes Lackey wrote Sci-Fi, this is what it would look like.
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