From Booklist
Liaden universe fans will be happy to see the latest adventure set there, though it occurs more than two centuries before the adventures of Shan yos'Galan and family, who are more regular series protagonists. Young Jethri Gobelyn, from a family of Terran traders, does a service for a Liaden master trader and is taken on as her apprentice. That honor isn't appreciated by all Liadens or all Terrans, including some members of Jethri's family. Far too many Liadens regard Terrans as louts and barbarians, and in Terran lore Liadens can't be trusted--except to play dirty tricks. Lee and Miller's latest is the well-constructed story of a young man coming of age in the midst of a sometimes deadly clash of cultures. Longtime Liaden fans will relish learning some of the history that produced the worlds they already know. Perhaps this book's only fault is that it is primarily those already well acquainted with Liaden who will most enjoy it. In any event, it shows plenty of Lee and Miller's customary intelligent storytelling. Frieda Murray
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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Assistant Trader Jethri Gobelyn was an honest, hardworking young man who knew a lot about living onboard his family's space-going trade ship; something about trade, finance, and risk-taking; and a little bit about Liadens.

It was, oddly enough, the little bit he knew about Liadens that seemed like it might be enough to make his family's fortune, and his own, too. In short order, however, Jethri Gobelyn was about to find out a lot more about Liadens...like how far they might go to protect their name and reputation. Like the myriad of things one might say-intentionally or not-with a single bow. Like what it would take to make a Liaden trade-ship crew trash a bar. Like how hard it is to say "I'm sorry!" in Liaden.

Pretty soon it was clear that as little as he knew about Liadens, he knew far less about himself. With his very existence a threat to the balance of trade, Jethri Gobelyn needed to learn fast, or else help destroy all he held dear.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly