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heidi_mcj's review against another edition
A decent book. Not my favorite of the series but it is enjoyable.
mary_soon_lee's review
5.0
This is book twelve in a long-running science fiction series that began with Foreigner (1994) and currently numbers twenty-one books. I've hugely, hugely enjoyed the first twelve books.
The series, at least thus far, centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I found fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. I note that some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not. I also note that I found the starts of many of the books their weakest point.
Spoilers ahead.
I'm also very fond of several of the supporting characters, especially the assassins Banichi and Jago, and the elderly grande dame, Ilisidi. The plot builds from book to book, with developments from the small and personal to those of sweeping impact. While there are gripping action scenes, there are also many scenes where the action amounts to conversation and the eating of tea cakes, albeit often high-stakes conversation.
While Bren remains the principal character, books nine through twelve include scenes from the perspective of Cajieri, the eight-year-old heir apparent. I like Cajieri, but I am captivated by Bren (see above). In book twelve, Bren and his closest associates find themselves in particularly difficult circumstances, including a perilous cross-country journey, hampered by the fact that Bren is injured. Yes, I was rivetted. Book twelve is my favorite to date, not so much for the plot (though I like the plot), but because we see Bren, Banichi, Jago, Tano, Algieri in close quarters, and the ties between them.
Five out of five smitten stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
The series, at least thus far, centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I found fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. I note that some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not. I also note that I found the starts of many of the books their weakest point.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
Through Bren, the books conjure an intricate alien civilization, one in which words such as "friend" and "love" have no close equivalent, and in which there is an official, highly-respected Assassins Guild. The depiction of the atevi alien civilization is excellent: a great strength of the series. The conspiracies, secrets, intrigue are compelling: another strength of the series. But the primary reason I love these books is Bren. He's ethical, compassionate, courageous, thoughtful, often worried, often hard on himself. I grew attached to Bren in book one, and am, by now, entirely smitten.I'm also very fond of several of the supporting characters, especially the assassins Banichi and Jago, and the elderly grande dame, Ilisidi. The plot builds from book to book, with developments from the small and personal to those of sweeping impact. While there are gripping action scenes, there are also many scenes where the action amounts to conversation and the eating of tea cakes, albeit often high-stakes conversation.
While Bren remains the principal character, books nine through twelve include scenes from the perspective of Cajieri, the eight-year-old heir apparent. I like Cajieri, but I am captivated by Bren (see above). In book twelve, Bren and his closest associates find themselves in particularly difficult circumstances, including a perilous cross-country journey, hampered by the fact that Bren is injured. Yes, I was rivetted. Book twelve is my favorite to date, not so much for the plot (though I like the plot), but because we see Bren, Banichi, Jago, Tano, Algieri in close quarters, and the ties between them.
Five out of five smitten stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
eleven_hummingbird's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cathepsut's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The third part of this fourth sub-trilogy of the Foreiger series. The beginning was good and then it got exciting and very adventurous for our paidhi.
Bren is still stuck on Najida with Ilisidi. She sends him into dangerous territory to do what he does best with a rebellious lord. Machigi is a great character! Bren find himself in a difficult position, first negotiating for Ilisidi and then finding himself advising Machigi on how to deal with his neighbours and the Western Association. The other rebels don‘t react well to Machigi‘s shifting interests and the situation turns explosive and dangerous for everybody.
As in the previous books we get alternate chapters narrated by Cajeiri, who is definitely starting to grow up. He closely observes his grandmother and gives us insights into what happens at Najida, while Bren is away.
Good one. Cohesive story telling across this trilogy. I liked the plot. Wondering how the next sub-trilogy will look like. I guess it will take more books to sufficiently resolve the conflict with the Marid, but I keep hoping that our other aliens will show up soon.
Bren is still stuck on Najida with Ilisidi. She sends him into dangerous territory to do what he does best with a rebellious lord. Machigi is a great character! Bren find himself in a difficult position, first negotiating for Ilisidi and then finding himself advising Machigi on how to deal with his neighbours and the Western Association. The other rebels don‘t react well to Machigi‘s shifting interests and the situation turns explosive and dangerous for everybody.
As in the previous books we get alternate chapters narrated by Cajeiri, who is definitely starting to grow up. He closely observes his grandmother and gives us insights into what happens at Najida, while Bren is away.
Good one. Cohesive story telling across this trilogy. I liked the plot. Wondering how the next sub-trilogy will look like. I guess it will take more books to sufficiently resolve the conflict with the Marid, but I keep hoping that our other aliens will show up soon.
torquenator's review against another edition
5.0
The latest installment in this awesome series is one of the better ones which is saying a lot
because they are all great. This one made me want to re-read the whole series again.
If you haven't read this series READ it. No one does alien human social interaction like CJ.
Can't wait for the next installment and I hope she never runs out of ideas for this.
because they are all great. This one made me want to re-read the whole series again.
If you haven't read this series READ it. No one does alien human social interaction like CJ.
Can't wait for the next installment and I hope she never runs out of ideas for this.
lissajean7's review against another edition
5.0
Bren has managed to get the agreement of Machigi, and his Aishid has gotten a ton of information on the Shadow Guild operations. And it's now time for Bren to flee for his life...again. This time he must cross the most volatile of the Marid lands and make it back to Kajiminda and Najida--where he thinks there's safety. But they're under concentrated attack as well. Cajeiri and that slingshot, man... What an end to this trilogy!
lordenglishssbm's review against another edition
2.0
I like some of the ideas, and even the writing itself. It's clean, it's controlled, the dialogue is sharp and expressive, and the characters are vividly drawn. The emphasis on politics was probably more appealing to me than it is to most people (I do reporting work), though it leans too heavily into the everyone-knows-everyone-else-knows mindgames that everyone incorrectly assumes is how politics really functions.
The problem is that it's slow. Like, glacially slow. The plot starts after the first two hundred pages, which I'm almost willing to forgive because what happens in those first two hundred pages is more interesting, more tightly-plotted, more affecting, and more tense than what comes after. No, the real problem is that while the way Cherryh writes her conversations is neat, and it is kind of fun watching her characters try to outsmart each other, she keeps writing the same conversations throughout the whole book. It becomes increasingly tiresome as the book goes on, and it doesn't help that the death of a major character and the shift in focus to a new one, done halfway through the book, kills the momentum of her narrative. To be fair to Cherryh, it was not her decision to split a single book into three volumes, but I struggle to see how that would retroactively make this more enjoyable to read. The long walls of exposition don't help, but given that this is a book set in a larger universe alonside other series which chronologically come before this, I can at least respect Cherryh's attempt to get the reader up to speed.
Taken on its own, I think it would have worked much better as a standalone if it had focused on Justin and ended when Justin and Grant's character arcs ended. It was a natural end point for the book, and it would have shaved one hundred and fifty pages off the length. As it is, the story feels disjointed and incoherent, with a very sudden ending. If you are going to read this book, make sure to track down a version that collects all three volumes.
The problem is that it's slow. Like, glacially slow. The plot starts after the first two hundred pages, which I'm almost willing to forgive because what happens in those first two hundred pages is more interesting, more tightly-plotted, more affecting, and more tense than what comes after. No, the real problem is that while the way Cherryh writes her conversations is neat, and it is kind of fun watching her characters try to outsmart each other, she keeps writing the same conversations throughout the whole book. It becomes increasingly tiresome as the book goes on, and it doesn't help that the death of a major character and the shift in focus to a new one, done halfway through the book, kills the momentum of her narrative. To be fair to Cherryh, it was not her decision to split a single book into three volumes, but I struggle to see how that would retroactively make this more enjoyable to read. The long walls of exposition don't help, but given that this is a book set in a larger universe alonside other series which chronologically come before this, I can at least respect Cherryh's attempt to get the reader up to speed.
Taken on its own, I think it would have worked much better as a standalone if it had focused on Justin and ended when Justin and Grant's character arcs ended. It was a natural end point for the book, and it would have shaved one hundred and fifty pages off the length. As it is, the story feels disjointed and incoherent, with a very sudden ending. If you are going to read this book, make sure to track down a version that collects all three volumes.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 of 5. Endeavour Award. Book 12 (also book 3 of series 4) of the Foreigner Series. These books are always exhausting - this one included. Some of the better aliens and alien societies out there. But each of the book is a very abbreviated set of time - a couple of days to a week - centered around Bren the human ambassador to the Atevi - heavy on dialogue, politics and fleeing. I got tired of this series a long time ago and only came back to it for the Endeavour award. And yet I'd bet it'd be an interesting read straight through, three books at a time.
reasie's review against another edition
4.0
GAH!
Least. Satisfying. Ending. Evah.
I have just checked Wikipedia, though, and learned that the three Cyteen books were originally one novel, split into a trilogy perhaps by profit-motivated publishers of the 80s, back when paperbacks were not as thick as cement blocks. In fact, I recall, back in The Golden Age of SF (defined as the speaker's 13th year, in my case 1986) science fiction books nearly always fit in your back jeans pocket.
I digress.
GAH!!!
So, I chose this book because, as a Cherryh fan, I always felt I was missing something by not having read the Union/Alliance universe FROM THE START. I'm very methodical sometimes. The opening nearly put me off. 20 pages - I kid thee not - of a frickin CONGRESSIONAL HEARING?? I didn't care who was trying maneuver whom into what. I didn't know who I was supposedly rooting for. I mean, this guy's a populist, but this gal is supporting space expansion, and we all know in SF that's the Ulitmate Good.
Also: I have decided, from here on out, never to read any segment of a book that claims to be an insert from some fictional publication in the universe. You wanna infodump me, sister, you gotta work for it.
That said... they then, after all that tediousness, got to the real story - which is a twisted, perverse little tale of people in close emotional relationships with abuse and emotional hurt and sacrificing for love! YAY!!! I can't get enough of it. I'm totally hooked. Already reading the next part. Regretting these pesky distractions like sleep and eating.
Spoiler below......
And I'm 100% convinced that Ari Emory faked her own death. OMG. No way was it Jordan. No. Fn. Way. And how was that for a plot twist? I was floored by her death. I, er, didn't read the cover text or anything on the flaps, like the "The death of a leading scientist..."
Least. Satisfying. Ending. Evah.
I have just checked Wikipedia, though, and learned that the three Cyteen books were originally one novel, split into a trilogy perhaps by profit-motivated publishers of the 80s, back when paperbacks were not as thick as cement blocks. In fact, I recall, back in The Golden Age of SF (defined as the speaker's 13th year, in my case 1986) science fiction books nearly always fit in your back jeans pocket.
I digress.
GAH!!!
So, I chose this book because, as a Cherryh fan, I always felt I was missing something by not having read the Union/Alliance universe FROM THE START. I'm very methodical sometimes. The opening nearly put me off. 20 pages - I kid thee not - of a frickin CONGRESSIONAL HEARING?? I didn't care who was trying maneuver whom into what. I didn't know who I was supposedly rooting for. I mean, this guy's a populist, but this gal is supporting space expansion, and we all know in SF that's the Ulitmate Good.
Also: I have decided, from here on out, never to read any segment of a book that claims to be an insert from some fictional publication in the universe. You wanna infodump me, sister, you gotta work for it.
That said... they then, after all that tediousness, got to the real story - which is a twisted, perverse little tale of people in close emotional relationships with abuse and emotional hurt and sacrificing for love! YAY!!! I can't get enough of it. I'm totally hooked. Already reading the next part. Regretting these pesky distractions like sleep and eating.
Spoiler below......
And I'm 100% convinced that Ari Emory faked her own death. OMG. No way was it Jordan. No. Fn. Way. And how was that for a plot twist? I was floored by her death. I, er, didn't read the cover text or anything on the flaps, like the "The death of a leading scientist..."
essinink's review against another edition
5.0
Collective wisdom of the paidhiin before him had said, Don't interfere when it came to atevi dealing with atevi.
What the hell else had he done in his whole career but interfere?
This subtrilogy is so satisfying! I have wanted to see Bren with his back actually to the wall for a while now. He has SO many connections and so much support that--even when the stakes are high--there's a sense that there's an army behind him. Not so much here. Everyone is spread thin, and Bren is basically down to his aishid.
Meanwhile, at Najida, Cajeiri has undergone a great deal of growing-up. And he (and therefore the reader) is finally starting to understand the difference between friendship and man-chi.
Lots of interesting insights here, from atevi regional politics to just how atypical Bren's household is compared to atevi norms (and resulting troubles). And it leaves off on a very tentative note... so on to the next books!