Agent of Change

Liaden Universe Agent of Change, Book 1

By: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

Narrated by: Andy Caploe

Fleeing the scene of his latest mission, Val Con yos'Phelium finds himself saving the life of ex-mercenary Miri Robertson, a young Tarren on the run from interplanetary assassins. Thrown together by circumstances, Val Con and Miri struggle to elude their enemies and stay alive without slaying each other - or surrendering to the unexpected passion that flares between them.

©1988 Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

A Pretty Average Sci-fi

This story is basically two super agents out in the big wide world of classic sci-fi. They get into trouble and are hunted throughout the book and on into the next. There isn't anything particularly bad about it and there's nothing particularly good either. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be "unremarkable." The characters are pretty flat and cliche. The sci-fi tech is very mundane and uninspired. Most of the time they are getting ambushed and effortlessly defeating mindless flunkies. There's no main villain, just an endless supply of throw-away thugs. There are a few good characters in the turtles but, unfortunately, they are not the protagonists. It's a decent time-passer but I'm probably not interested enough to continue in the series.

fun story

not the best, but certainly worth a listen if you are looking for some lighter listening with interesting characters, dialogue and action. I am interested enough to buy more in the series.

Good audio for a good book

I have been a massive fan of these books for several years, so I was quite happy that Audible had the audiobooks. I have to admit I love the narrator on the Carousel books better then this one, but this narrator I still darned good.

Great Story

I have read this story many times and enjoyed it. Unfortunately I did not like the narrator. His male voices are fine, but the female main character sounds like a whiny housewife from New Jersey. Very annoying. Love the turtles!

narration is the problem here

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The books - yes. Not these audio versions - the narrator pretty much destroyed the charm of the series.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Edger. Powerful and potentially lethal but wise and peaceful.

What didn’t you like about Andy Caploe’s performance?

Same problem as with the 1st book in the series - all "his"women sound either simpering or peevish. He is the worst narrator so far (in my experience) concerning female personages.

Also he obviously does not pay attention to the text itself - so somewhere in the book somebody says something "gently" but the narrator totally disregards such hints and the phrase comes out as rude or forceful.

Did Agent of Change inspire you to do anything?

See if there are more Leaden books narrated by somebody else.

Any additional comments?

Not buying anything else by this narrator.

Loved it

Just turn the playback speed up to 1.2 and the performance will be great!

Good Start to a Series

I love Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan books and was looking for more character-based space opera, and this did the trick. The action was fast, the dialogue fun and snappy, and the characters deep. Val Con's inner struggle was gut-wrenching, and the love story between him and Miri was one of the best I've seen in science fiction. I loved the comedy of manners aspect mixed with a strange world that felt vast and full of history, even though the book wasn't very long.

Narrator Andy Caploe did a good job, though the narration was a bit over-stressed at times. But I liked his Clutch Turtles!

I definitely look forward to reading more Liaden.

Val Con and Miri ROCK!!!

One cannot even express the joy of finally having one's favorite series in audiobook form. I first read this book almost 25 years ago. Seriously - check out the original cover - LOVE the clutch turtle with Miri and Val Con. These books were so ahead of their time, Sci-fi with relationship/romance and adventure. You will not feel this is an older story - it's timeless and current. The authors do word play like no other, they can world build with such depth without overburdening the reader/listener with endless detail. In a few words, a paragraph you are sucked into a different world and you grieve at the end of each book. That is what I felt 25 years ago, waiting and waiting for this series to continue. Val Con and Miri are wonderful in this first story and they stay true to their characters with each book and yet grow and evolve, interweaving with the other stories protagonists. You CARE about them. I did have a little trouble at first with the narrator, he is good, but his voice was not what heard in my head as Val Con's. It's too deep. But he did well with Miri's tone, unlike many male narrators speaking as a women, he didn't try squeaky falsetto. I did resolve the difference, however, and ended up really enjoying the performance. He got Edger spot on. Grab these books and sit back and simply enjoy a wonderful ride like no other. Clutch turtles rule!! Long live Korval.

OK

What did you like best about Agent of Change? What did you like least?

Some of the writing didn't make sense... Val Con sees all these statistics guiding him, and yet it some cases he does some really overly stupid things and draws attention to themselves.

Would you be willing to try another book from Sharon Lee and Steve Miller ? Why or why not?

Perhaps

Which character – as performed by Andy Caploe – was your favorite?

I thought the narrator did a great job with all the voices. I see some pretty harsh critics about his Miri voice. Why? Who can really know what a Taron woman sounds like who's profession is mercenary? I loved the clutch turtles voices too. Actually it was Andy Caploe's voice that drew me to buy this after downloading the first few chapters free. I have never listened to this kind of book before. As usual for me, the narrator drew me to the book/genre.

Do you think Agent of Change needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. Boy, the ending was quick. Could have drawn that out a bit with a few details to tide us over to the next story.

As good now as it was when my paper ack copy finally disintegrated in my hands!

I have this on Audible
I have it in paperback
I have it in kindle
It’s just one of my favorites!