Review: Best of the short stories
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 23, 2012
Like so many others who have reviewed this book I am a long time reader of the Korval series and am completely adicted.  Having said that, some are better than others.  This is easily the best of the short stories/novellas/chapbooks in the series.  It doesn't so much fill a need as give you a different perspective on what is happening (more or less currently) in the Liaden Universe.  The story stands alone although long time fans will get more out of it as it fits in easily.  The main character is refreshing as she apparently really embraces those concepts that make the culture interesting, melanti, honor, necessity, and which seem to be mostly observed in the breach. She is not a warrior, a Dramliza, a scout, or a terran/liaden mix. For most of the short stories I have come away with a a "oh that explains it" reaction which is OK but a little disappointing.  Skyblaze sucks you in and tells its own story.  You want more and I hope Lee & Miller will bring Vertu back.  She deserves it and it would be very easy to do.