Rating: 
Summary: Excellent coming of age story
Review: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller's "Balance of Trade" focused on young, human Jethri Gobelyn, a Trader from a family of Traders. Jethri has learned a few words of the Liaden language, and wants to learn more, but is hampered in his attempts by his mother (who wants no part of Jethri _or_ the Liadens). His father is dead, and most of his close kin don't seem to know what to make of him.Be that as it may, after his first solo trade, he "invests" in a scheme that turns out to be shady; as it involves a Liaden Master Trader, he goes to her and asks what's going on. But she knows nothing. However, because Jethri did warn them, and because she knew he was being honorable, she takes an interest in him. Because of this, and because his mother wants no part of him and will be happier once he's gone elsewhere, Jethri goes to the Liadens and becomes first an apprentice Trader under the kindly Liaden woman, then her foster son. Along the way, Jethri learns more about himself, the Liaden people, and what his talents are best suited for than he ever dreamed possible, and the Liadens -- the Traders, at least -- learn they still have something in common with their close cousins, the humans. I don't want to spoil it, so I'll stop there. The only drawbacks to this book -- and they are minor -- are that there are a lot of loose ends left at the end of the book (from the disposition of minor characters to what happens to the Old Tech Jethri and the others found along the way), and that a sequel to this book doesn't seem to be immediately forthcoming. No matter. For characterization, plot, and meaty story like this, I'll wait. Five stars. Highly recommended. Barb Caffrey
Rating: 
Summary: Good expansion of Liaden series
Review: The review I read suggested that the book was mainly of interest to fans of the series, so that I wondered if plot and character development would be at a lower standard. I found the storyline solid as it followed the development of Liaden/Human relations and the characters easy to like. I thought I might miss the familiar characters from the rest of the series; but found myself entirely satisfied and happy with Jethri. I recommend the book to those who enjoy SF regarding contact between different cultures; as well as to those who have read and enjoyed the Liaden series.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging story and great characters!
Review: This is my first Lee & Miller effort. I am impressed and glad to have found another favorite sci-fi writer. Balance of Trade definitely triumphs in its characters and world building. An excellent story about a 17 year old boy coming of age, Balance of Trade is a close second to Cherryh's "Finity's End" and better than "Tripoint", both of similar themes. Jethri is a most appealing character. One wishes only the best for this young man. And of course there is the cat, the twins, Jethri's foster mother and grandmother, the clones.... The only set back are the loose ends which are not justifed if this is suppose to be a stand alone story. I hope not. Jethri and his Liaden friends deserve better.
Rating:
Summary: Coming of Age - with Secrets
Review: Would I recommend Balance of Trade? Yes. It all starts with a scary story about humans facing the terrors of Liaden Balance - and soon enough, Jethri Gobelyn, human, faces the real thing and learns to deal with Liadens on their own ground. This coming-of-age story, spiced with clashing cultures, follows Jethri as he leaves the ship where he grew up, learns to deal with life in a different language, leaves the human domain for the Liaden worlds, leaves space to live on a planet for an extended time, and, oh yes, learns to be a trader. Along the way, there are quite a few stories, both small and large, to keep you turning the pages. Will you like it? If you're looking for a "shoot'em-up" in space, this isn't going to suit you very well. If you're looking for a science fiction romance, the style that most of the Lee and Miller novels in the Liaden Universe ™ have had, this won't quite fit. But if you enjoy SF with well-defined characters tackling problems with honesty and their own abilities, then you will likely enjoy this. It's a great "first step" into the Liaden Universe ™, and a good stand-alone book, too. While the ending suggests that there may be further adventures ahead for Jethri and Norn ven'Deelin, who have "much yet to learn," the authors say they do not yet have a contract for any more Jethri novels. While you're waiting for them to get back to Jethri, you may want to try the other Liaden Universe ™ novels. Do be aware, though, that one clear difference between this and previous novels by Lee and Miller is that most of the others have a love affair in them. Jethri may have romance in his future, but there's none in this novel. What does it mean to be human - in a Liaden world? Or as the master trader puts it, what does it take to be "a gentleman of the galaxy, able to treat with Liaden and Terran equally?" That's the question that Jethri answers. If you want to know how, you'll have to read the book. And along the way, "remember, there are secrets in all families."
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