A review by smiorganbaldhead
Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh

5.0

4.5/5. This is a great story and a fascinating universe. I appreciated the focus on the economics of interstellar trade in driving the history and plot. I also found the Union an interesting society that I’m eager to read more about. I suspect they might have been an inspiration of the Azeans in CS Friedman’s In Conquest Born, with their genetic and psychic manipulation of their own people. I liked the Hisa as well: while they’re pretty standard SF aliens in terms of their physical characteristics and biology, I found them very likable and endearing. My only negative is that due to the complexity of the plot and many, many POV characters, it can be a bit difficult to follow everything that’s going on. However, I found it worth the effort, and I look forward to reading more of Cherryh’s books in this universe.