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Foreigner #14
Protector
It's coming up on Cajeiri's birthday. The boy has been promised he can have the young human children he knew from his voyage sent down from the space station for a two week stay.
But there's far a darker business going on in the background--a major split compromising the Assassins' Guild, which furnishes security and law enforcement to the whole continent. Tabini's consort's own father has been barred from court, and may be involved in a new conspiracy against him.
For safety reasons, Tabini wants Bren and Ilisidi to take charge of Cajeiri, and protect him and his young guests. They themselves are very likely targets of whatever's going on, no question of it. So is Cajeiri. But having the targets separated and contained is an advantage.
It's Bren's responsibility to entertain the guests, keep the security problem secret...and let a lonely eight-year-old prince reestablish his controversial relationship with the only other children he's ever met...inside the best security they can manage.
But there's far a darker business going on in the background--a major split compromising the Assassins' Guild, which furnishes security and law enforcement to the whole continent. Tabini's consort's own father has been barred from court, and may be involved in a new conspiracy against him.
For safety reasons, Tabini wants Bren and Ilisidi to take charge of Cajeiri, and protect him and his young guests. They themselves are very likely targets of whatever's going on, no question of it. So is Cajeiri. But having the targets separated and contained is an advantage.
It's Bren's responsibility to entertain the guests, keep the security problem secret...and let a lonely eight-year-old prince reestablish his controversial relationship with the only other children he's ever met...inside the best security they can manage.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2013
57 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Cherryh
292 books3,559 followersCurrently resident in Spokane, Washington, C.J. Cherryh has won four Hugos and is one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed authors in the science fiction and fantasy field. She is the author of more than forty novels. Her hobbies include travel, photography, reef culture, Mariners baseball, and, a late passion, figure skating: she intends to compete in the adult USFSA track. She began with the modest ambition to learn to skate backwards and now is working on jumps. She sketches, occasionally, cooks fairly well, and hates house work; she loves the outdoors, animals wild and tame, is a hobbyist geologist, adores dinosaurs, and has academic specialties in Roman constitutional law and bronze age Greek ethnography. She has written science fiction since she was ten, spent ten years of her life teaching Latin and Ancient History on the high school level, before retiring to full time writing, and now does not have enough hours in the day to pursue all her interests. Her studies include planetary geology, weather systems, and natural and man-made catastrophes, civilizations, and cosmology…in fact, there's very little that doesn't interest her. A loom is gathering dust and needs rethreading, a wooden ship model awaits construction, and the cats demand their own time much more urgently. She works constantly, researches mostly on the internet, and has books stacked up and waiting to be written.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
October 2, 2017
I can still honestly say that this series is consistently excellent, and while I can't say that this novel broke a lot of new ground unlike the previous one, I was quite amused by Cajeiri's ship friends coming down for his birthday. A little romp through the fields couldn't hurt a few human kids, could it?
I was a little annoyed by all this focus on the Shadow Guild within the Assassin's, however, but I'm sure other readers would get more out of it than me. It does feel like it's drawing on a bit too much, a little too much reusable plots... with one exception. I liked seeing past events come to different light. A broader political view is rather interesting. And impressive.
Fortunately, the characters are really something else and I'm never getting tired of them. Bren is great as usual, but it was really a treat to see Jase again. When are we going to get aliens???
I was a little annoyed by all this focus on the Shadow Guild within the Assassin's, however, but I'm sure other readers would get more out of it than me. It does feel like it's drawing on a bit too much, a little too much reusable plots... with one exception. I liked seeing past events come to different light. A broader political view is rather interesting. And impressive.
Fortunately, the characters are really something else and I'm never getting tired of them. Bren is great as usual, but it was really a treat to see Jase again. When are we going to get aliens???
April 7, 2013
One of the best volumes in this long-running series in many years. Long-brewing plots come to a head, mysteries get explained, and new directions are introduced.
I love this series beyond reason, literally. I'd read 350 pages of an ordinary week in Bren Cameron's life - and with some entries in the series, I've come close. I love the world, the characters, the drawing-room intrigue. An anthropologist/diplomat hero? More, please.
That said, the past 8 books or so have gotten as formulaic as an old-style Harlequin romance: building intrigue, an accident by an unruly child or animal triggers unexpected actions by adversaries, there's a set-piece assault on a noble house, and a not-quite-cliffhanger ending. Given those 8 books covered one year of the characters' lives, there were times where the formula strained credibility.
Protector, however, offers actual answers, evolutions in characters' relationships, the return of the ship-humans to the narrative, and hints that the main plotline will return to space, probably not in the next book, but in the subsequent trilogy.
I love this series beyond reason, literally. I'd read 350 pages of an ordinary week in Bren Cameron's life - and with some entries in the series, I've come close. I love the world, the characters, the drawing-room intrigue. An anthropologist/diplomat hero? More, please.
That said, the past 8 books or so have gotten as formulaic as an old-style Harlequin romance: building intrigue, an accident by an unruly child or animal triggers unexpected actions by adversaries, there's a set-piece assault on a noble house, and a not-quite-cliffhanger ending. Given those 8 books covered one year of the characters' lives, there were times where the formula strained credibility.
Protector, however, offers actual answers, evolutions in characters' relationships, the return of the ship-humans to the narrative, and hints that the main plotline will return to space, probably not in the next book, but in the subsequent trilogy.
April 3, 2025
Obviously after reading so many books in this series, Protector is book 14, it is obvious I enjoy this setting. CJ Cherryh's unique sci-fi story has been one I've enjoyed tremendously.
In the wake of the events of the last novel, been is looking forward to some peace and quiet. Cajeiri, Tabini's son, has been promised a birthday party where the human children from the station can attend. This interesting political situation is further tested when remnants of the Assassin's Guild conflict try to make one final move.
This series stands out for world building, character development, and a great look at diplomacy among alien and human. I am not sure how big this series is, but I shall be hunting down the next book in this series.
While book 14 is not the place to start, if you're interested then start this excellent sci-fi series.
In the wake of the events of the last novel, been is looking forward to some peace and quiet. Cajeiri, Tabini's son, has been promised a birthday party where the human children from the station can attend. This interesting political situation is further tested when remnants of the Assassin's Guild conflict try to make one final move.
This series stands out for world building, character development, and a great look at diplomacy among alien and human. I am not sure how big this series is, but I shall be hunting down the next book in this series.
While book 14 is not the place to start, if you're interested then start this excellent sci-fi series.
May 7, 2024
Book 14
The saga continues and thankfully the Humans once more appear on the stage of this political nightmare. I for one was very pleased to find out what had been happening with the Mospheirans and the several factions living on the ship and station. It was just a little glimpse but somehow promised further developments (I hope). Having Jayce back too was a nice touch.
Cajeiri’s birthday is around the corner and his human friends are finally coming to meet him. Of course, things don’t go to plan (when do they ever?) and the Shadow Guild is once more up to no good, with murder attempts, shots being fired, and a pet that seems to always find itself in the worse positions... :O)
The saga continues and thankfully the Humans once more appear on the stage of this political nightmare. I for one was very pleased to find out what had been happening with the Mospheirans and the several factions living on the ship and station. It was just a little glimpse but somehow promised further developments (I hope). Having Jayce back too was a nice touch.
Cajeiri’s birthday is around the corner and his human friends are finally coming to meet him. Of course, things don’t go to plan (when do they ever?) and the Shadow Guild is once more up to no good, with murder attempts, shots being fired, and a pet that seems to always find itself in the worse positions... :O)
May 11, 2024
Lace is back in fashion this season at court! Argh! 😜
Here are my slightly spoilerish comments…
Finally, this is the book where the kids come down from the space station to celebrate Cajeiri‘s ninth birthday with him. You know that this can only result in some extreme chaos, as the Assassin‘s Guild still hasn‘t sorted out their internal power struggle. And then there is the unrest with Cajeiri’s mother Damiri and her father.
Bottomline, Bren and Ilisidi get the job to entertain and protect the kids, away from court, to keep them out of the line of fire. You can imagine how that works out. Things happen that make other things happen. Nice ramp up, gearing up to what promises to be a major conflict in the next book.
Hopefully the ongoing story about the Shadow Guild will come to an exciting and final conclusion in Peacemaker and we will move on to a fresher storyline. It feels as if we have been exploring the whole Shadow Guild situation for the 4th or 5th time now. I am glad to see the climax in the next book and then we are hopefully done with the Shadow Guild and with battles in and around countryside estates.
The power ranger armour was unexpected!
I liked the glimpse into Banichi‘s past
Enjoyable, but I am ready for something else. 🐎🐎🐎¾
I listened to the audio, which is my usual for this series. Audie Award Finalist, Science Fiction, 2014.
Link to the cover art: https://www.toddlockwood.com/book-cov...
Bren is way too tall. That is some extreme foreshortening, considering how close he is to the others. It does serve to show how small the kids are. Especially as Cajeiri is now Bren’s size.
Here are my slightly spoilerish comments…
Finally, this is the book where the kids come down from the space station to celebrate Cajeiri‘s ninth birthday with him. You know that this can only result in some extreme chaos, as the Assassin‘s Guild still hasn‘t sorted out their internal power struggle. And then there is the unrest with Cajeiri’s mother Damiri and her father.
Bottomline, Bren and Ilisidi get the job to entertain and protect the kids, away from court, to keep them out of the line of fire. You can imagine how that works out. Things happen that make other things happen. Nice ramp up, gearing up to what promises to be a major conflict in the next book.
Hopefully the ongoing story about the Shadow Guild will come to an exciting and final conclusion in Peacemaker and we will move on to a fresher storyline. It feels as if we have been exploring the whole Shadow Guild situation for the 4th or 5th time now. I am glad to see the climax in the next book and then we are hopefully done with the Shadow Guild and with battles in and around countryside estates.
The power ranger armour was unexpected!
I liked the glimpse into Banichi‘s past
Enjoyable, but I am ready for something else. 🐎🐎🐎¾
I listened to the audio, which is my usual for this series. Audie Award Finalist, Science Fiction, 2014.
Link to the cover art: https://www.toddlockwood.com/book-cov...
Bren is way too tall. That is some extreme foreshortening, considering how close he is to the others. It does serve to show how small the kids are. Especially as Cajeiri is now Bren’s size.
November 12, 2015
OK, it's silly to read #umpteen of a series when you have previously read none of the others. But maybe this gives me a different perspective.
Good characters, and a good plot if you can find it. Obviously a thoroughly-developed setting.
But for me - and I *have* read quite a few many-volume series by other authors - this one has a feeling of being written for the fans more than because a story just HAD to be told. It reeks of repeating all the things people must have loved in previous volumes. Isn't that right, nand-ji? Ninny-ji? Nanabooboo-ji? My fellow nindi and nando and ninnygoons?
What I take away from this book is that whenever two people enter a room, we are going to spend the next page reading about where A's servants go to stand, and where B's servants go, and where A's bodyguards go, and where B's bodyguards go, except for bodyguard 2, who is downstairs liaising with C's bodyguard in order to pass a message on to C's servant so that C can be told.
Having placed the people in the room, Cherryh will now have them update each other. There's a tension here. Will we read about A telling B what we already learned from D two pages ago? Or will B deliver a long lecture about how the Boogaloogians are split into three factions, whose members will now be explained in excruciating detail, and one of those factions is trying to weasel its way into the Cetagandan hierarchy, obviously unaware that behind the scenes an Albebaranian bureaucrat is manipulating them all?
Also, I'll remember that Bren, the apparent protagonist, seems to be there mostly as the reader's point of view for the time we aren't watching as the eternally-almost-nine boy.
For all those faults, it's still quite good. I suppose I should go back to book 1 and see what it's like from the start.
Good characters, and a good plot if you can find it. Obviously a thoroughly-developed setting.
But for me - and I *have* read quite a few many-volume series by other authors - this one has a feeling of being written for the fans more than because a story just HAD to be told. It reeks of repeating all the things people must have loved in previous volumes. Isn't that right, nand-ji? Ninny-ji? Nanabooboo-ji? My fellow nindi and nando and ninnygoons?
What I take away from this book is that whenever two people enter a room, we are going to spend the next page reading about where A's servants go to stand, and where B's servants go, and where A's bodyguards go, and where B's bodyguards go, except for bodyguard 2, who is downstairs liaising with C's bodyguard in order to pass a message on to C's servant so that C can be told.
Having placed the people in the room, Cherryh will now have them update each other. There's a tension here. Will we read about A telling B what we already learned from D two pages ago? Or will B deliver a long lecture about how the Boogaloogians are split into three factions, whose members will now be explained in excruciating detail, and one of those factions is trying to weasel its way into the Cetagandan hierarchy, obviously unaware that behind the scenes an Albebaranian bureaucrat is manipulating them all?
Also, I'll remember that Bren, the apparent protagonist, seems to be there mostly as the reader's point of view for the time we aren't watching as the eternally-almost-nine boy.
For all those faults, it's still quite good. I suppose I should go back to book 1 and see what it's like from the start.
April 17, 2013
This is a disappointing addition to the Foreigner series. Though it has its moments and a fair amount of suspense (including a nail-biting section that reads like the old movie "When a Stranger Calls"), I found the repetition/recapping of critical events more than a little annoying--even off-putting. Everybody harps on the same people/developments (eg; Haikuti is important, Haikuti is important, Haikuti is important--Oh, by the way, nandi, did I mention that Haikuti is important?) when the plot really would have been better served with more action/forward momentum.
In fact, I'd argue that the plot hasn't truly moved forward since "Betrayer." With the end of that story-arc came a focus on parlor gossip/court intrigue/back-corridor skulking that doesn't serve much apparent purpose this late in the series--when the stakes and the suspense should be increasing rather than fizzling inside placeholder novels. Not that every novel has to involve shoot-outs/chases/space adventures--but the best of the novels (Foreigner, Explorer, Pretender) coupled these with a real unfolding, progression, and development of character and world that just doesn't occur here.
Side Note: I'm still planning to read "Peacemaker." I hope that that book makes up for its two weak forerunners. On a positive note, the previous arc ('Conspirator', 'Deceiver,' 'Betrayer') was quite strong, and at her best, Cherryh is one of the (well, best) of today's SF writers.
In fact, I'd argue that the plot hasn't truly moved forward since "Betrayer." With the end of that story-arc came a focus on parlor gossip/court intrigue/back-corridor skulking that doesn't serve much apparent purpose this late in the series--when the stakes and the suspense should be increasing rather than fizzling inside placeholder novels. Not that every novel has to involve shoot-outs/chases/space adventures--but the best of the novels (Foreigner, Explorer, Pretender) coupled these with a real unfolding, progression, and development of character and world that just doesn't occur here.
Side Note: I'm still planning to read "Peacemaker." I hope that that book makes up for its two weak forerunners. On a positive note, the previous arc ('Conspirator', 'Deceiver,' 'Betrayer') was quite strong, and at her best, Cherryh is one of the (well, best) of today's SF writers.
April 30, 2017
This is the 14th book in the Foreigner series and it was one of the best. Bren Cameron has really grown into his position. He is trusted by Tabini, leader of the Atevi, and Illisidi, Tabini's grandmother and a powerful leader of the Eastern coalition. And Tabini's son and the person who will likely succeed Tabini - Cajeiri - is a big fan of Bren Cameron. This book is full of action and politics. We find out who was really behind the attempt to assassinate Tabini and learn how the split in the Assassin's Guild came about.
Lord Geigi, after having to come down from the space station to put his estate back in order, returns to the space station as the book begins. When he returns, he sends Cajeiri's young friends down for the long-promised 9th birthday party. One of the captains on the space station - Jase - accompanies them, along with 2 bodyguards who are extensively fortified. Illisidi takes the young people to stay at the estate of Cajeiri's great uncle, who has risen in power. As usual, Illisidi is working at resolving a problem and the children provide some cover. Soon everyone is on high alert and bullets are flying.
I really enjoyed this book in the series.
Lord Geigi, after having to come down from the space station to put his estate back in order, returns to the space station as the book begins. When he returns, he sends Cajeiri's young friends down for the long-promised 9th birthday party. One of the captains on the space station - Jase - accompanies them, along with 2 bodyguards who are extensively fortified. Illisidi takes the young people to stay at the estate of Cajeiri's great uncle, who has risen in power. As usual, Illisidi is working at resolving a problem and the children provide some cover. Soon everyone is on high alert and bullets are flying.
I really enjoyed this book in the series.
February 25, 2021
Alien politics, intrigue, action, and a particularly likable young gentleman
January 11, 2020
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Quote:
Review:
Glacial pace.
That is the theme of Protector. I should despise this move in the series. The speed at which events actually happen are so slow. Almost nothing ends up happening in full in this book. It should feel like the author is unnecessarily drawing out the story filling it with sawdust to make it bulkier and justify how long it takes to get anything done. But it doesn't feel that way. Maybe I'm just hopelessly biased because I'm in love.
Protector is the start of the "Cajeiri birthday party celebration." I say start because it isn't over with just this book. It hasn't even been a week and they're supposed to be down for two weeks. Cajeiri's human association is down from the space station visiting as a kind of test case to see how human and atevi can really coexist as not-friends but sort of friends. Plus Cajeiri really wants it and his father promised to make it happen. And it's going to happen no matter how potentially dangerous it may end up being!
This was just so interesting because it was juggling Atevi politics with human children in the mix. The mainland still isn't quite safe after two back-to-back wars that have the occasional flare up. And one of those flare ups just happens to be happening in the middle of a bunch of children visiting the planet. Shocker. So it is a careful balancing act between trying to keep them safe, giving them an actual visit with macheti (horseback) riding and viewing pretty things, and trying to solve whatever is going wrong in the first place.
It is actually as close to a vacation as we have actually had so far. Isn't that sad? Hahaha.
The best part of the entire book is watching Tatiseigi entertaining a bunch of human children. Which is just a mindfuck after everything we have known about him to this point. AND HE VOLUNTEERED FOR IT! Hah! He is supposed to hate humans. He really doesn't seem to know what to do with children in general, being an old man that doesn't really have much of a chance to be around them. Yet he is basically acting like a happy old uncle-type, showing them what being an Atageini Lord is like. It is weeeeird and I love it.
Quote:
“You are not to tell my parents,” he said, with his arm over his eyes, “but I drank a little brandy from a glass someone left and I am not feeling well this morning. One does not think it was poisoned.”
Review:
Glacial pace.
That is the theme of Protector. I should despise this move in the series. The speed at which events actually happen are so slow. Almost nothing ends up happening in full in this book. It should feel like the author is unnecessarily drawing out the story filling it with sawdust to make it bulkier and justify how long it takes to get anything done. But it doesn't feel that way. Maybe I'm just hopelessly biased because I'm in love.
Protector is the start of the "Cajeiri birthday party celebration." I say start because it isn't over with just this book. It hasn't even been a week and they're supposed to be down for two weeks. Cajeiri's human association is down from the space station visiting as a kind of test case to see how human and atevi can really coexist as not-friends but sort of friends. Plus Cajeiri really wants it and his father promised to make it happen. And it's going to happen no matter how potentially dangerous it may end up being!
This was just so interesting because it was juggling Atevi politics with human children in the mix. The mainland still isn't quite safe after two back-to-back wars that have the occasional flare up. And one of those flare ups just happens to be happening in the middle of a bunch of children visiting the planet. Shocker. So it is a careful balancing act between trying to keep them safe, giving them an actual visit with macheti (horseback) riding and viewing pretty things, and trying to solve whatever is going wrong in the first place.
It is actually as close to a vacation as we have actually had so far. Isn't that sad? Hahaha.
The best part of the entire book is watching Tatiseigi entertaining a bunch of human children. Which is just a mindfuck after everything we have known about him to this point. AND HE VOLUNTEERED FOR IT! Hah! He is supposed to hate humans. He really doesn't seem to know what to do with children in general, being an old man that doesn't really have much of a chance to be around them. Yet he is basically acting like a happy old uncle-type, showing them what being an Atageini Lord is like. It is weeeeird and I love it.
April 13, 2013
An excellent entry to the series, but it would never be a book to start with, even though Cherryh does bring us up to date by having Cajeiri reason his way through various hins the grown-ups give him into understanding the situation for his upcoming 9th birthday party a bit better - all to consider his possibilities of influence and appropriate behaviour more carefully and therefore not coming over as infodump.
The focus narrows more to my core interest people of Bren&Co., Ilisidi&Co. and Cajeiri&Co. which was lovely, and Cherryh did the amazing balancing act of having a comparative action and intrigue plot to the book where Bren and everyone touched back down to earth and had one mad run using horses, trains etc. to get back to Shejidan and restore Tabini-aji's rule.
Which basically means this book only covers a week again - we don't even get to Cajeiri's birthday. That's because the plots set in motion by the resolution of the feud with the Marid, of the discovery of the Shadow Guild and the eviction of all Ajuri from Damiri's vicinity seem to be forcing the hand of the opponents. Add to that the Station kids and Jase&Co. (Captain AND ship-paidhi - and what a lovely surprise it was to see him come down) with their technical skills - it was bound to rattle something lose.
And even though the good guys had prepared for it and thought they'd done successful decoying to let Cajeiri have a great birthday at Tatiseigi's place (nice to see that again in a better state), unfortunately that brought them up right next to the influence of one of the Shadow Guild leaders.
So actually, I'd call this book the Shadow Guild book part one, showing what happens when you deal with Ilisidi et al. when they are in a position of strength - which will presumably lead to book Shadow Guild part two: we're not at Cajeiri's birthday yet and the dominoes are falling right and left.
Makes me pant for the next book *sigh*
Also, kudos for having huge amounts of intrigue and plotting being entertaining to read, because the stakes and the personal danger are so high.
The focus narrows more to my core interest people of Bren&Co., Ilisidi&Co. and Cajeiri&Co. which was lovely, and Cherryh did the amazing balancing act of having a comparative action and intrigue plot to the book where Bren and everyone touched back down to earth and had one mad run using horses, trains etc. to get back to Shejidan and restore Tabini-aji's rule.
Which basically means this book only covers a week again - we don't even get to Cajeiri's birthday. That's because the plots set in motion by the resolution of the feud with the Marid, of the discovery of the Shadow Guild and the eviction of all Ajuri from Damiri's vicinity seem to be forcing the hand of the opponents. Add to that the Station kids and Jase&Co. (Captain AND ship-paidhi - and what a lovely surprise it was to see him come down) with their technical skills - it was bound to rattle something lose.
And even though the good guys had prepared for it and thought they'd done successful decoying to let Cajeiri have a great birthday at Tatiseigi's place (nice to see that again in a better state), unfortunately that brought them up right next to the influence of one of the Shadow Guild leaders.
So actually, I'd call this book the Shadow Guild book part one, showing what happens when you deal with Ilisidi et al. when they are in a position of strength - which will presumably lead to book Shadow Guild part two: we're not at Cajeiri's birthday yet and the dominoes are falling right and left.
Makes me pant for the next book *sigh*
Also, kudos for having huge amounts of intrigue and plotting being entertaining to read, because the stakes and the personal danger are so high.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2022
Still a quiet building book, but it's not like I actually read Cherryh for breakneck nonstop action.
Cajeiri's birthday is finally arriving, and with it his friends from the human ship. Cajeiri is trying so hard to have a 'normal', undisturbed celebratory vacation, but being the aiji's son comes with many perils his human friends do not understand. It's a frustrating experience for an almost-nine-year-old.
The kids are, well, kids. Gene, Artur, and Irene are all over-awed by the beauty of the countryside, and hold up admirably well with the foreignness and the language barriers. We only really get to see them through Cajeiri's eyes, though, and his narrative takes second-priority to Bren's.
Meanwhile, Bren, Ilisidi, Tatiseigi, and the rest are all still navigating the fallout from the entry of the Edi, Gan, and Marid into the aishidi'tat (and trying to root out the last of Tabini's enemies). It's an interesting, if somewhat clunky, contrast.
Bren, of course, is somewhat-neurotically trying to keep a grip on literally everything, and breaking earlier promises in the process. The man does not know how to let go. Worse, he's found himself in a position where he's entitled to a great deal more information than most atevi lords would receive from their Guild bodyguards. The temptation to act on that information is terribly strong, and long-time readers know that Bren is more likely to act than sit still.
As an aside, Bren doesn't seem very good with kids. At least not human kids. I could be wrong, but he says (I think) a total of one sentence to them all, and otherwise leaves them to other minders. He's certainly interacted with Cajeiri in past books in a mentor-like manner, but that was (of course) mediated by their relative positions. He does have a lot on his mind, but it all just feels awkward, especially since Lord Tatiseigi is remarkably good with them. Who would have thought?
3* because I liked it, and it is well written, no more than 3 because it still feels like an interlude.
Cajeiri's birthday is finally arriving, and with it his friends from the human ship. Cajeiri is trying so hard to have a 'normal', undisturbed celebratory vacation, but being the aiji's son comes with many perils his human friends do not understand. It's a frustrating experience for an almost-nine-year-old.
The kids are, well, kids. Gene, Artur, and Irene are all over-awed by the beauty of the countryside, and hold up admirably well with the foreignness and the language barriers. We only really get to see them through Cajeiri's eyes, though, and his narrative takes second-priority to Bren's.
Meanwhile, Bren, Ilisidi, Tatiseigi, and the rest are all still navigating the fallout from the entry of the Edi, Gan, and Marid into the aishidi'tat (and trying to root out the last of Tabini's enemies). It's an interesting, if somewhat clunky, contrast.
Bren, of course, is somewhat-neurotically trying to keep a grip on literally everything, and breaking earlier promises in the process. The man does not know how to let go. Worse, he's found himself in a position where he's entitled to a great deal more information than most atevi lords would receive from their Guild bodyguards. The temptation to act on that information is terribly strong, and long-time readers know that Bren is more likely to act than sit still.
As an aside, Bren doesn't seem very good with kids. At least not human kids. I could be wrong, but he says (I think) a total of one sentence to them all, and otherwise leaves them to other minders. He's certainly interacted with Cajeiri in past books in a mentor-like manner, but that was (of course) mediated by their relative positions. He does have a lot on his mind, but it all just feels awkward, especially since Lord Tatiseigi is remarkably good with them. Who would have thought?
3* because I liked it, and it is well written, no more than 3 because it still feels like an interlude.
May 21, 2013
If the last book was a roller-coaster of thrills and adventure, this one was definitely more introspective. Over 2/3 of the book involved reviewing all the changes in the political landscape that had occurred due to the fighting between the northern and southern alliances, and the split factions of the Assassin's Guild. Don't try to read this one as a stand-alone.
That said, no one details political intrigue like CJ. I was held captive as she went through the permutations and machinations, where familiar characters make unlikely arrangements, and a house pet triggers the shootings. This is another dependably excellent episode in the Foreigner saga, and the next one will blow the roof off of everything!
That said, no one details political intrigue like CJ. I was held captive as she went through the permutations and machinations, where familiar characters make unlikely arrangements, and a house pet triggers the shootings. This is another dependably excellent episode in the Foreigner saga, and the next one will blow the roof off of everything!
October 21, 2017
What to say? I love this series, and really enjoyed the reactions of the Reunion kids to during their visit on the planet. Bren continues to worry and analyze and more is revealed of the Shadow Guild, and Banichi's humour is ever so dry and welcome, Cajeiri's views on everything are still funny, and everyone eats loads of sandwiches and tea cakes and drinks ridiculous amounts of tea.
August 22, 2014
The human kids come to Cajeiri's Birthday party and they get roasted and eaten.
Not really. But that would've been cool.
You know what I got for Cajeiri's Birthday? I got freedom from these books. I'll never have to read one again. . . .
Hey, where's my Certificate of Completion?
Not really. But that would've been cool.
You know what I got for Cajeiri's Birthday? I got freedom from these books. I'll never have to read one again. . . .
Hey, where's my Certificate of Completion?
April 5, 2013
I didn't expect the direction this book took the series, very good read.
January 21, 2018
This is the first book of the Foreigner series that I've had a problem with. There were several details that didn't match the previous book and boring on top of the inconsistencies.
February 8, 2025
Four stars, and .5 of one may be fore nostalgia because it has been amazing to get back into this series buddy read with Rachel. This book was also particularly suited as a reentry point, with something like 100 pages of reminders about the political situation and how we got to where we are. If we had just finished the previous book it probably would have been annoying, but after a year plus it was welcome.
So much of what I love about the series is here - Bren being awesome at using his words (he even gets to interpret for half a page, gasp). The relationship with his aishid (bodyguards) having moments to shine, from shared looks with Jago to fascinating situational breakdowns from Algini. There's action, politics, and thankfully a slightly less annoying Cajeiri as he approaches fortunate nine.
It did not end where I was expecting - kind of like a large one volume book being split into two - so I'm thankful the next installment is a mere click away.
So much of what I love about the series is here - Bren being awesome at using his words (he even gets to interpret for half a page, gasp). The relationship with his aishid (bodyguards) having moments to shine, from shared looks with Jago to fascinating situational breakdowns from Algini. There's action, politics, and thankfully a slightly less annoying Cajeiri as he approaches fortunate nine.
It did not end where I was expecting - kind of like a large one volume book being split into two - so I'm thankful the next installment is a mere click away.
January 18, 2019
3.5 stars
This one didn't really get interesting until the last two hours of the audiobook. When it did get interesting it saw the advancement of several things that have been hanging out in the series, but it sure took a long time to get there.
This one didn't really get interesting until the last two hours of the audiobook. When it did get interesting it saw the advancement of several things that have been hanging out in the series, but it sure took a long time to get there.
June 2, 2013
This is one of my all-time favorite series. I love the detail that has gone into this world, and I love the intrigue, the emphasis on language, and the complex politics. I have truly enjoyed watching Bren's evolution from simple translator to high-ranking lord, with all the problems and privileges of his position.
In this latest offering, Bren and his associates are still dealing with the aftermath of the coup, the attack on Najida, the court intrigue of the last novel, and Cajeiri's upcoming birthday.
Although I love the relationships as always, this book felt a little stale to me. This is the third book in which Cajeiri's felicitous ninth birthday is just days away (making it almost three years in book-publishing real time), and the second in a row where the most important events take place somewhere else, leaving the characters (and us) to be briefed later in long expository passages followed by some pearl-clutching by Bren. And then, because the series has shifted its focus to include Cajeiri's POV, which is fine, we get the exposition TWICE so we get his reaction as well. I swear, with all the tea-drinking and coat-changing, there are times I feel like I'm reading "Howard's End."
I will go wherever this series takes me, but there are definitely times that I miss Bren's freshness from the earlier books. That's why I think it's important to have Cajeiri's POV, but can he just turn nine already, please?
In this latest offering, Bren and his associates are still dealing with the aftermath of the coup, the attack on Najida, the court intrigue of the last novel, and Cajeiri's upcoming birthday.
Although I love the relationships as always, this book felt a little stale to me. This is the third book in which Cajeiri's felicitous ninth birthday is just days away (making it almost three years in book-publishing real time), and the second in a row where the most important events take place somewhere else, leaving the characters (and us) to be briefed later in long expository passages followed by some pearl-clutching by Bren. And then, because the series has shifted its focus to include Cajeiri's POV, which is fine, we get the exposition TWICE so we get his reaction as well. I swear, with all the tea-drinking and coat-changing, there are times I feel like I'm reading "Howard's End."
I will go wherever this series takes me, but there are definitely times that I miss Bren's freshness from the earlier books. That's why I think it's important to have Cajeiri's POV, but can he just turn nine already, please?
July 4, 2013
This series is getting a little long-winded, but I can't resist getting back to Bren's adventures. I've been reading this series a long time, and feel like Bren is an old friend.
Story was better than the last couple of entries. As usual with CJ Cherryh, the ending was the book's weak point. There is a crisis, which is resolved, and the rest of the story just kinda trails off...This one leaves a lot of unfinished business as well.
Also noticed a lot more exposition than usual. Not sure if I've just forgotten how much these books usually have, but the long passages of thoughts coming from characters stood out as a bit wearing this time. These passages often remind/explain important history and politics, but there needs to be a better way to relate it to the reader.
Read it if you like this series. If you are new to the series, I would say the first trio of books (Froreigner, Invader, Inheritor) are still the best, and one can happily read just these three and be satisfied.
Story was better than the last couple of entries. As usual with CJ Cherryh, the ending was the book's weak point. There is a crisis, which is resolved, and the rest of the story just kinda trails off...This one leaves a lot of unfinished business as well.
Also noticed a lot more exposition than usual. Not sure if I've just forgotten how much these books usually have, but the long passages of thoughts coming from characters stood out as a bit wearing this time. These passages often remind/explain important history and politics, but there needs to be a better way to relate it to the reader.
Read it if you like this series. If you are new to the series, I would say the first trio of books (Froreigner, Invader, Inheritor) are still the best, and one can happily read just these three and be satisfied.
May 19, 2014
I have to say the Foreigner series is THE best (in my opinion) creation of an alien society with all the language, customs, and social mores rendered in an incredibly believable, detailed, and fascinating way. The characters are wonderful, the stories multi layered and intelligent. That being said, I was very disappointed with this installment. There is always lots of talking and thinking between action in Foreigner, but this volume was all talk... And all talk about the same thing over and over, with almost no action (and that cuts off abruptly as it is apparently continued in the next book.... Which I can't wait to read to see how it all comes out). But as a book alone, this one was not really the fun read that some of them are. (Though again, hats off to CJ Cherryh for the amazingly convoluted politics she artfully weaves together in these books).
As a book, this one was 'meh', as a series it deserves a long and thunderous standing ovation.
As a book, this one was 'meh', as a series it deserves a long and thunderous standing ovation.
September 9, 2022
For the first time ever I've been reading this series in order (except for those installments which the Albuquerque library inexplicably doesn't have anymore), and with every volume I find it harder to write a review. It's not that the writing's bad - on the contrary, it's good. It's not that I don't care about the characters - I do (though long ago I began skipping the sections from Cajeiri's point of view, since they seem to be mostly, if not entirely, just a way to pad the word count). It's not that C.J. Cherryh does a poor job of showings aliens who really are alien - she does it better than just about everyone. It's just that every book has the same formula: Bren Cameron and his aishid are relaxing after a crisis, when another crisis blows up, leading to fatigue and shooting, and then finally a resolution. And even excellent writing can't overcome formula fatigue when you're reading a series not one book a year, but one book every couple of weeks.
February 7, 2017
*weeps* I am out of audio credits and this book ended on a cliffhanger. grrr
Let me recount all of the ways I love this book:
1. I never thought I would be this excited for a 9 year old's birthday party.
2. I'm really enjoying Cajeiri's POV chapters more and more. I still wish there were less of them overall in a book, only because I still prefer Bren. Still, Cajeiri's POV chapters this time were so much fun and his earnestness was infectious.
3. I'm so happy to see Jace and the gang.
4. WTF Tatiseigi! When did he becomes such a rascal! I adored - ADORED - the old grump in this book.
5. Um...I'm pretty sure Ilisidi is sneaking into Tatiseigi's bedchamber...
6. Banichi gun battle!
I thoroughly loved this, and now need to consider which is more important: groceries or more audio credits.
Let me recount all of the ways I love this book:
1. I never thought I would be this excited for a 9 year old's birthday party.
2. I'm really enjoying Cajeiri's POV chapters more and more. I still wish there were less of them overall in a book, only because I still prefer Bren. Still, Cajeiri's POV chapters this time were so much fun and his earnestness was infectious.
3. I'm so happy to see Jace and the gang.
4. WTF Tatiseigi! When did he becomes such a rascal! I adored - ADORED - the old grump in this book.
5. Um...I'm pretty sure Ilisidi is sneaking into Tatiseigi's bedchamber...
6. Banichi gun battle!
I thoroughly loved this, and now need to consider which is more important: groceries or more audio credits.
Want to read
March 4, 2013On one hand, great illustration to get boys/young males to take a look. All, tough, sci-fi action; it really tells a story. But a disappointment for long time female fans who believe that Bren is youthfully handsome with a face full of character, and no receding hairline. We never get to see that illustrated. And why do the kids look like Lego people? The cover is uncomfortably YA. But I suppose this choice is better than the overweight ,sardonic Bren of the last cover,which was admittedly aimed at staunch fans/adults. At least this guy only looks 40.
Cosmetic complaints aside, can't wait to read it!
Cosmetic complaints aside, can't wait to read it!
October 7, 2013
This one was a very frustrating read, mostly because there's a thin line between roman fleuve and soap opera. While the political infighting and Cajeiri's long-for birthday celebration are interesting, the story moves forward at a glacial pace. I think the entire volume covered less than a week. It's reinforcing my concern that the author has lost control of her storyline and is stalling for time while she tries to figure out how to handle the arrival of the kyo, the other alien species who showed up in the second trilogy, and just what enemy they're fighting in the far reaches of their space.
July 15, 2014
As much as I love CJ Cherryh, the Foreigner books dive me a bit nuts. I find them a okay read, although I have no intention of ever rereading any of them. While I understand what Ms. C is doing, and why, there are times where I wish she would go back to some of her old stories.
The reason I only give this 3 stars is that I think, this like the other 4 before really only deserves to be a single book. Cut the 1000ish pages from the 3 books into a tightly written and edited 600-700 page book, and Cherryh could be up for a Hugo or Nebula again.
But that's just me and I am sure many disagree.
The reason I only give this 3 stars is that I think, this like the other 4 before really only deserves to be a single book. Cut the 1000ish pages from the 3 books into a tightly written and edited 600-700 page book, and Cherryh could be up for a Hugo or Nebula again.
But that's just me and I am sure many disagree.
October 11, 2014
Even though I love C.J.Cherry, the only way I got through these last 2 in the series was because I had already learned to love the characters. Too much background at the start -- yes, these maybe need to stand on their own, and the plot's complicated, but the review is tedious. Then there is so much political intrigue and it is explicated mostly with internal dialog and not action. And it is repetitive. It is obvious that Ms. Cherryh is cranking these out and not employing an editor. As a long-time fan, I feel a deserve better.
May 22, 2021
Would you believe that by the end of this novel, we STILL haven't arrived at the birthday party? I would not have believed it, either. Still, I'm entertained even though the main plot crrrrrrawls, but we do see Tatiseigi interact with humans.
Their tour of the basement rooms are one of my favourite scenes in the series, though I feel the 180° turnaround of opinion is a little hard to swallow at times.
Their tour of the basement rooms are one of my favourite scenes in the series, though I feel the 180° turnaround of opinion is a little hard to swallow at times.
February 5, 2022
Writing to say that all of Cajieri's memories of Grandfather at the door and threatening never happened in the previous novel which annoyed the heck out of me.
It's one thing for an author to revise a small thing but to literally change the ending and then try and base the whole next book on it?!?
Also just a heads up that as you may have guessed this book ends in a "cliff hanger" so you'll want the follow up book ready right as you finish.
It's one thing for an author to revise a small thing but to literally change the ending and then try and base the whole next book on it?!?
Also just a heads up that as you may have guessed this book ends in a "cliff hanger" so you'll want the follow up book ready right as you finish.
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