Trade Secret

Liaden Universe Books of Before, Book 4

By: Sharon Lee, Steve Miller

Narrated by: Kevin T. Collins

Star-spanning galactic trader Jethri Gobelyn’s story continues in the seventeenth entry in the Liaden Universe series by master storytellers Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

In a universe full of interstellar intrigue and burgeoning commerce novice Terran trader Jethri Gobelyn, adopted by a Liaden clan after an ill-directed bow of honor insulted the scion of a major Liaden house, is alive and whole to tell the tale. Convinced that the adoption has saved his life and made his future he settles into a comfortable and even elite routine, a Trader's Ring his goal.

Even as Jethri's initiation into the mysteries and joys of Liaden Festival bring him to manhood, he's forced to face Necessity and the facts of life: his adoption has also invigorated a net of unfinished Balance far more complex and potentially deadly than a simple Terran blood feud. He must embrace his Terran birthright as well as his Liaden connections while leaving behind the safety of the great Liaden trade ship Elthoria to defend his honor and that of shipmates past and present.

Forced to sit Second Board as a back-up pilot on a Liaden Scout ship, Jethri's convinced he's already at wit's end - when several familiar faces threaten all that he knows of himself, and all that he wishes to do.

©2013 Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Love this story, sorry I bought the audio version.

I've read the story several times and loved it every time. However the narrator of this book is absolutely horrible. Not only does he not pronounce the words correctly but his voice is just grading and grinding and I find myself turning it off and turning it off and turning it off until I just can't even get past chapter 6.

The Further Adventures of Jethri Gobelyn

Trade Secret is a worthy sequel to Balance of Trade. My only complaint is that it will be a long time until we hear any more from Jethri Gobelyn, since any further adventures for him will need to wait until the authors complete a current round of 5 books already under contract that are timed later in the Liaden Universe.

Trade Secret tells the ongoing story of Jethri Gobelyn, now adopted of Clan Ixen and associate trader on Ixen's trade ship Elthoria. I very much enjoyed the continuing story of Jethri, and wish we could have more. My only real complaint, and it's quite minor, is that I'm finding the reading of Kevin T. Collins less satisfying this time around. The pace feels just a trifle rushed, with the need for a bit more emphasis of the spacing in the story. But still well worth the listen.

Pilot’s choice for reading order!

Trade Secret, a follow up to Balance of Trade, is the continued story of early Liaden/Terran trade competition. It details Jethri’s further experiences learning to trade and pilot and that is absorbing enough that I felt like I was there with him. However, the best part of the story is laying in background ideas that will figure significantly in the later story arc of trade routes after Korval relocates to Surebleak. While I’m currently re-reading the series in chronological order, I had more ah-ha’s listening to Trade Secret this time that I did the first time I read it in print prior to the rest of the series. It’s good either way- Pilot’s Choice!
Kevin Collins reads with clear diction and does a variety of voices, including women’s, well.

More adventure with Jethri Gobelyn van'Deelin

Jethri Gobelyn is now an adopted son of Clan Ixin, and he's back on his new mother's trade ship, Elthoria after his time on Irikwae learning Liaden ways and getting his certification as a junior trader. He still has a lot to learn, though, and when Scout ter'Astin arrives with word that the book and other items Jethri entrusted to the Scouts for study have been stolen by someone inside the Scout, it sets in motion a much riskier "learning experience." He's soon off with ter'Astin, pursuing his stolen property and representing Clan Ixin as a trader without the backup of his new mother and his friend s on Elthoria.

Meanwhile, his old ship, Gobelyn's Market, is going through its own complex challenges, and adjuting to the absence of Jethri, who was the least important crew member as long as he was with them. And their secrets, long-buried secrets involving Jethri's father Arin. Those secrets are going to have repercussions on both sides of the Terran-Liaden divide.

And just to make things a little more complicated, Jethri's accidentally acquired enemy, the heir of Clan Rinortk, is determined to Make Jethri Pay.

Oh, should I mention that Uncle makes another appearance?

There's action, politics, and even, as Jethri starts to move in Liaden society as an adult, romance.

The only real question is whether he can survive his adventures.

This is a lot of fun, a really enjoyable addition to the Liaden universe. Recommended.

I bought this book.

intriquate exploration of honor

Delightful space opera with well convied details. The performer's vocals are engaging with tones & accents emphasizing details.