This chapbook contains two novellas, "Chimera," and "Friend of a Friend." They're both set on Surebleak, and involve none of the Liaden series' major characters.

"Chimera" involves some of the smaller, more intimate aspects of Surebleak and Liadens adapting to each other. Darby's family, especially his brother Farnch, hate the Liadens and the changes they've brought. Darby isn't so sure--and even their sister Jewl wants to take advantage of their school for her twin sons. One night, Darby rescues Kez Rel ter'Ista from a street thug, and brings him home to arrange safe transportation for him. But Jewl is very ill, and Farnch is on his way home.

"Friend of a Friend" tells the story of Villy, Sticks dealer at the Emerald, and haetara at Miss Audrey's pleasure house. He has a mildly disturbing encounter at the casino, that turns alarming when the same off-world Liaden turns up as customer at Miss Audrey's--asking specifically for Villy.

These are both character-driven stories, and one of the characters is Surebleak itself. The world they live in and the clash of cultures that constitutes everyday life for both Liadens and Surebleakers affects how everyone thinks, feels, and reacts.

Recommended.

I bought this book. ( )

One story I was already familiar with, one new one. They're both set on Surebleak, and (broadly) about the melding of the cultures there. The familiar one, Chimera, is about a 'Bleaker who turns out to have empath talent - a Healer, in Liaden terms. The only odd thing is that the Liaden Healers comment that there aren't supposed to be Terran Healers - Dutiful Patience's library knew better, back in Conflict of Honors. Different terms, similar talents. The story's pretty good - and advances the arc in the books, with a little more detail about what happened after the shootout; I hope we get to see more of the kid (I expect we will). The second story, Friend of a Friend, is Villy and Quin, mostly Villy. It's a good story, with some interesting angles on the way the 'Bleakers are handling the influx of Liadens and others. And yet another Agent, though it seems to be a dead end. The authors say this is more of a what-if story, but I don't see why it couldn't have happened - the Department trying yet another angle, and hitting a wall again. Nice to see more from Villy's viewpoint - he's got some interesting insights on Liadens and 'Bleakers, on people at the casino and at Miss Audrey's. Glad I read it, looking forward to more new chapbooks. Almost anything by Miller & Lee is worth reading, and rereading. ( )