I couldn't resist dipping my toes back into the Liaden universe and was glad to have this book on hand from the library. It is billed as a standalone, but if you aren't aware of the history of Clan Korval and their persecution by the Department of the Interior, a lot of the details will make little sense. I believe that it is standalone in that the main character, Rys, only occurs in this volume. He is found by a member of the kompani, a population who live in the literal underground and who are written to remind one of the Roma, though their customs hint at interesting origins on Surebleak.
We also get to know Syl Vor, the youngest Korval left on Surebleak (excepting baby Lizzie) as he seeks to find a place for himself. Separated from his cousins, Syl Vor is more than willing to attend school with the other children of Surebleak. Though not without its risks, it is deemed a good idea, and it is here that he comes into contact with Kezzi, a girl from the kompani. She becomes the link between Rys and the Korval.
All the action takes place on planet and it mostly concerns characters outside the usual focus of the series. It is refreshing to see the situation from a different perspective. One must wonder what exactly launched the DOI on this mission to eliminate Clan Korval?
Book number 496 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
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