From the
author's web site:
Back in February 1988, Del Rey Books published as a paperback original a space opera that asked the musical question, Can a rich boy with a severe personality disorder, and a brother who is a giant sentient turtle, find true love and lasting happiness with a tough-talking retired mercenary soldier on the run from the Mob? The title of this odd little novel was Agent of Change, from first-time novelists Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
This! is the novel that set up the Liaden UniverseŽ, now sixteen books strong. And now? You can download it for free from these sources, DRM-free:
The
Baen Free Library (in all ebook formats known to man)
Amazon (kindle)
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My opinion:
This is a great SF series, and this is an excellent place to start it!