It’s hands down the most wonderful family in science fiction: Clan Korval from Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden Universe^® series. What a wonderful meal it would be to be surrounded with the people of the Tree, maybe to communicate with this sole survivor of a planet consumed by galaxy killer raiders. Or to find I’m part of a wizard’s match, with a love that reaches across galaxies, or to find I have new talents such as dramliza, some of whom can manipulate the threads of the universe or hold back Wind twists with just the force of our minds. Or maybe to have visions of the past that help to deal with the present or the future, served by faithful, AI ex-warbot butlers. A family that encourages each member to best use their talents to help to preserve the universe, and always have a place for the cats wherever they go.

—Vicky Madaule

***