Audiobook Review: Agent of Change & Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller

Agent of Change
Author: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Narrator: Andy Captoe
Publication: Audible, Sept. 4, 2012
Length: 11 hours and 53 minutes

Description: Fleeing the scene of his latest mission, Val Con yos'Phelium finds himself saving the life of ex-mercenary Miri Robertson, a young Terran 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.

My Thoughts: This is the first Liaden Universe book and was originally published in 1988. It introduces us to Val Con yos'Phelium who is the future delm of clan Korval and who is currently an Agent of Change subverted from the Scouts by the shady Department of the Interior. It also introduces Miri Robertson who is a retired mercenary soldier from the backwater planet of Surebleak who accidentally runs afoul of the Juntava.

They meet when each is trying to escape capture from their own enemies and band together. Val Con fights the conditioning of the Department of the Interior when he decides to keep Miri alive. Fortunately, the have unexpected allies when they encounter a group of clutch turtles which includes Val Con's adopted brother Edger who is a nine hundred year old turtle.

After a series of adventures, they find themselves escaping in the clutch turtles' ship which has a very strange space drive. One effect of the drive is that it allows Val Con to finally defeat the programming imposed on his mind by the Department of the Interior. It also gives Miri and Val Con time to fall in love.

However they are captured by the Juntavas before they can win free. Edger has been working in the background to supply assistance and has convinced the Juntavas boss on the planet they are escaping from to let Miri and Val Con go free. But the Juntavas aren't trustworthy and manage to leave Miri and Val Con in a ship that has been almost destroyed by the Yxtrang. When the Yxtrang reappear, their only hope is to take one jump to an unknown world to escape them...

I liked the narration which had distinct voices for the many different characters. I grinned when I heard the Juntavas sound like East Coast mafiosos.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.

Carpe Diem
Author: Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Narrator: Andy Captoe
Publication: Audible, Sept. 4, 2012
Length: 14 hours and 29 minutes

Description: On the run from interplanetary assassins, covert operative Val Con yos'Phelium and former mercenary sergeant Miri Robertson end up stranded on a distant planet - with no rescue in sight. Until they figure out a way back to Liad, these two lost souls must find a way to trust each other - and let their true love heal the dark wounds of their past.

Back on Liad, Shan yos'Galan, Val Con's cousin and foster brother, and his life-partner, Priscilla Mendoza, have initiated their own search for the missing member of Clan Korval. But what they don't know is that those who seek to destroy Val Con and Miri are just as determined to bring down Clan Korval. All the deadly enemy needs is someone to unwittingly lead them to their target....

My Thoughts: This story, first published in 1989, tells about Miri and Val Con's adventures on the interdicted world of Vandar after their arrival in a ship that is irretrievably broken. Fearing that they will need to spend the rest of their lives on a low-tech and isolated world, Miri and Val Con need to learn the language, find a place to live, and find some work to do. Oh, and stop a hostile invasion...

Meanwhile back on the Dutiful Passage and on Liad, the search has begun for Val Con and the Department of the Interior comes to the attention of Korval. The Department steps up their plans to destroy Korval leading to the First Speaker calling for Plan B.

Miri and Val Con's location comes to the attention of the Department of the Interior which sends an agent who job is to bring Val Con Back dead or alive. They need to defeat this agent in order to commandeer his ship so that they can get to Korval.

The story had lots of action and a lot of romance too as Miri and Val Con learn more about their lifemating and what it will mean for their lives.

The narration was well done with a variety of distinct voices for the many characters.

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.