Mouse and Dragon by Sharon Lee is part of the science fiction series entitled The Liaden Universe but this particular book has more in common with a romance novel than science fiction. Continuing on from the last book I read, Scout’s Progress, we delve deeper into the relationship between Daav yos’Phellium, leader of Clan Korval and Aelliana Caylon.

After the horrific ending of the last book, Aelliana is placed in the hands of the Healers who bring her back to full health and even work on removing some of the past trauma scars. It is discovered that she and Daav are meant to be lifemates, but Aelliana has been so damaged from the abuse that she suffered at the hands of her family that she needs to work on herself first. This book shows how she grows from a timid, fearful girl into a strong, confident woman capable of piloting a space ship. I loved this couple and how they allowed their connection to grow naturally.

This is a difficult review to write without spoilers but overall this was a much slower moving book that others in the series as there wasn’t a lot of action. I did enjoy the setting of this one and learning a lot more about the manners and expected behavior of Liadens. Mouse and Dragon had some very moving scenes, and I look forward to continuing with the intricate plots and colorful characters. ( )

Very exciting continuation of the story of Daav and Aelliana! ( )

Lee, Sharon, and Steve Miller. Mouse and Dragon. Liaden Universe No. 7. Baen, 2010.
Mouse and Dragon, the seventh book in the somewhat hazy Liaden chronology and the 13th to be published, brings back Daav and Aelliana from Scout’s Progress. It is Romantic with a capital R, and it has a very Regency feel to the society. Can Daav defend his love from the predations of her family and the stuffiness of his own clan? It is, for me, one of the better books of the series, though it does not come close to the quality of Louis McMaster Bujold’s more romantic Vorkosigan books or any of the Foreigner series by C. J. Cherryh. 3.5 stars. ( )

Aelliana Caylon has survived her brother's attempt to kill her. Her mother, Delm Mizel, has declared her son and heir dead for his crimes. Daav yos'Phelium, Delm Korval, has taken her under his protection, now that she is able to say she does not feel safe in House Miz, el. And she and Daav are natural lifemates.

But Mizel views her simply as an asset, all the more valuable now that the heir is officially dead, and also resents her for having been the occasion of the events that caused his death. The Delm is determined to get her back and wring every bit of value out of her. Her brother's abuse of her has damaged her natural bond with Daav. And getting Ride the Luck offworld and starting a working, successful courier service is going to be even harder than she anticipated.

Nothing is made better by the fact that Daav's sister Kareen considers Daav's judgment worthless and Aelliana unfit to be associated with Clan Korval in any way. She's determined to make Aelliana publicly and spectacularly embarrass herself and Daav.

As they are both pressured by their clans, Mr. dea'Gauss works hard to negotiate a solution between Korval and Mizel, while Mizel works to achieve only one thing: getting Aelliana back under their thumb. But if that weren't enough, it also becomes clear that someone is stalking the Low Port and taking pilots. As Delm Korval, that's also Daav's problem to solve.

This is another thoroughly enjoyable Liaden adventure, mixing adventure with romance. There's enough background included that I think this can be read before the others, if this is the one you find. If you want more on what preceded the events of this story, you want to find Scout's Progress, where Daav and Aelliana meet.

Recommended.

I bought this book. ( )

Very exciting continuation of the story of Daav and Aelliana! ( )