Not only that!

[rolanni]

Steve reminds me that today! is Book Day for the mass market edition of Necessity's Child!

So, those who've read/listened to previous editions, you want to tell people who may have been hanging back, not sure that they want to read a book that's not in the "main line" why they should give Necessity's Child a chance?  No spoilers, please.

Go!

Comments

Sidelines

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

In books that are not in the mainline you always see some main characters through other peoples PoV. Apart from being a lovely story it helps fill in more of the background in the Universe and connects a few more dots up. Who knows - characters in side-lines have a habit of cropping up again in the main-line later...

[otterb.livejournal.com]

Reasons to read Necessity's Child even though it's not a "main line" book:

1. Syl Vor. I love Syl Vor and his determination to do the right thing.
2. A look at the day-to-day life of Korval on Surebleak
3. As the other commenter said, the chance to see old friends from a new point of view

[threeringedmoon.livejournal.com]

One of my favorite all time scenes is when Sil Vor presents his recommendation to his mother. Think I need to go read it again.

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

Talking about sidelines - by my reckoning there are two days left in Feb after today - does that mean a new sideline in Splinter (pretty please...) Loved the January story.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

My associate, Mr. Miller, is taking lead on the short story front, while the novel has its fun with me. He tells me that today is going to be "a long day." A short month with a con in it -- curse you, February!

[gareth griffiths (from livejournal.com)]

Please thank Steve in advance :)

[deor.livejournal.com]

My major "huh" moment in the book came from Syl Vor's relationship to spoiler. It seemed not only a very fast decision to make, but so extremely one-sided it left me going "but- but- but-". I found it hard to understand as a Liaden custom because there was no consideration of getting permission other person's clan/family/responsible persons. That said, I did like Syl Vor a lot and was hoping to see more of him. As well as the adopted Yxtrang!

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Well...shooting someone is sort of a one-sided decision that's made quickly, and without getting permission, too, isn't it? How about calling the police? Or slapping someone in the face? And if you've rejected those other decisions for (pardon me, but this needs caps) REASONS THAT ARE EXPLAINED (not at the time but afterward), then -- that's your decision.

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And it kinda fell to Nova to negotiate permission and smooth the thing over at an adult level. If the other side hadn't agreed, then she had an Out with Syl Vor (sorry, the Gran wouldn't accept it), and still have shown solidarity with his decision.

[deor.livejournal.com]

Except that from what I could see, she didn't get permission; she just did it. Maybe it wasn't meant to be read that way, but that's how I understood it.

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Let me try an analogy. Suppose you were following a public scandal or perhaps a political campaign or something like that over time, and in the middle of all the news about the adults, one of the reporters took the time to go to school with one of the kids and follow them around, then wrote up that? Now, would you refuse to read it, since it clearly isn't really part of the major news, or would you read it for background, to fill in what the parents and kids are feeling and doing?

I mean, another way to look at it might be the guards or whatever in Shakespeare's plays, who often add their own commentary on the real play. Yes, we could just skip that extra dialogue, but... It makes the main play a little richer to have it there.

So, too, Necessity's Child may not be required reading to follow your favorite part of the ongoing saga of clan Korval, but it is the next generation, with reflections back that are quite interesting. I will even predict that seeds planted here may well blossom unexpectedly around corners in forthcoming books.

So read it. I enjoyed it, and I think you will too. If it helps, think of it as a subplot, playing around the edges of that grand plot, and watch for influences on the main plot!