What do you think?
Ambassador #4
Coming Home
The world as we know it is on a certain path to war...
Delegate Cory Wilson has returned to gamra headquarters from deep space with a rather unwelcome guest: Captain Kando Luczon of the mammoth Aghyrian ship that has returned after mysteriously vanishing 50,000 years ago. On board the ship only 400 years have passed, in which they have visited another galaxy. But the captain isn't willing to share what they found there or why they decided to come back. In fact, the captain does his utmost best to live up to his infamous historical reputation as an utter jerk, having lived through four hundred years to cultivate his jerkery.
Cory had hoped that by isolating the captain from his ship, mostly still in stasis mode, he could start a conversation, but Kando Luczon isn't interested in a conversation. He views the modern version of his home world Asto as inferior, its inhabitants the Coldi as nothing but a placeholder race and all other races as savages.
Meanwhile the ship is showing signs of waking up, ancient satellites in orbit in the space junk clouds around Asto and Ceren sputter into life, and Asto's Chief Coordinator and Cory's friend Ezhya Palayi makes it clear that if pushed, Asto's formidable military fleet will take defensive action.
Delegate Cory Wilson has returned to gamra headquarters from deep space with a rather unwelcome guest: Captain Kando Luczon of the mammoth Aghyrian ship that has returned after mysteriously vanishing 50,000 years ago. On board the ship only 400 years have passed, in which they have visited another galaxy. But the captain isn't willing to share what they found there or why they decided to come back. In fact, the captain does his utmost best to live up to his infamous historical reputation as an utter jerk, having lived through four hundred years to cultivate his jerkery.
Cory had hoped that by isolating the captain from his ship, mostly still in stasis mode, he could start a conversation, but Kando Luczon isn't interested in a conversation. He views the modern version of his home world Asto as inferior, its inhabitants the Coldi as nothing but a placeholder race and all other races as savages.
Meanwhile the ship is showing signs of waking up, ancient satellites in orbit in the space junk clouds around Asto and Ceren sputter into life, and Asto's Chief Coordinator and Cory's friend Ezhya Palayi makes it clear that if pushed, Asto's formidable military fleet will take defensive action.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 30, 2015
About the author
Patty Jansen
360 books295 followersAuthor of Science Fiction and fantasy and non-fiction.
Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
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Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 8, 2018
Deus ex machina, with some space opera action before.
August 3, 2020
Note: this is about the first four novels of the series I've read, not this singular copy nor the whole series.
The Ambassador Series by Patty Jansen
I truly have no idea how I got hooked on it. First, it has a striking resemblance to C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner series. Which, all things considered, isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Ambassador series is a lot easier to digest, a less monumental series but a good and fun read.
Also, I have no clue as to why I keep reading it since I really don't like the protagonist. I think he is a moron. Almost as clueless as I am for why I'm wolfing down each volume. Admittedly, that sounds bad because it somehow implies that the story isn't very good. That's not the case at all, the stories are captivating, set in a wonderfully crafted world. So, yes, you can enjoy reading a couple of novels while detesting the protagonist.
Having said all that, the story is about Cory Wilson, ambassador of Earth to the gamra, the administration of the Exchange, which is the network connecting the inhabited star systems. Humans of Earth are, as every other known species, descendants of the Aghyrans, who colonised many planets in the galaxy. Until a meteorite struck their home world of Asto, 50,000 years ago, stopping any expansion and rendering the Aghyrans almost extinct. Today, the Aghyrans are reduced to being a minority power. The Coldi, once created by the Aghyrans, are not only capable of living on the hot and toxic Asto, but are by far the largest power in gamra.
Over time the inhabitants of the former Aghyran colonies developed into different humanoid species with vastly different cultures. Gamra is the organisation, remotely like the United Nations, which is supposed to minimise friction between these societies. It itself is more like a massive bureaucracy than a government but its members, delegates, pretend it is working, and so does everybody else, mostly.
Following the mostly clueless protagonist through the labyrinthine interactions between species would be hard if it weren't for the other characters around him, and the wonderful description of those interactions. Cory at one time even admits that he is keen on feeling like being in control and doesn't bother to check if he really is. And thus, while he is content with the illusion of control, he stumbles from one conspiracy into the next. Ignorant, hapless and rarely able to switch perspectives Cory, thanks to literally everybody else, somehow manages to avert disaster. In its own and very bizarre way that's more fun to read as it would be if he would be the classical hero, or even knew what he was doing. He is like the ball in a pinball machine, and those around him seem to be able to aim him to wherever he can achieve the best results.
Having written all that, I'm really looking forward to the next book. Regardless of Cory Wilson.
Bottom line — a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thank you, Patty.
The Ambassador Series by Patty Jansen
I truly have no idea how I got hooked on it. First, it has a striking resemblance to C.J. Cherryh's Foreigner series. Which, all things considered, isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Ambassador series is a lot easier to digest, a less monumental series but a good and fun read.
Also, I have no clue as to why I keep reading it since I really don't like the protagonist. I think he is a moron. Almost as clueless as I am for why I'm wolfing down each volume. Admittedly, that sounds bad because it somehow implies that the story isn't very good. That's not the case at all, the stories are captivating, set in a wonderfully crafted world. So, yes, you can enjoy reading a couple of novels while detesting the protagonist.
Having said all that, the story is about Cory Wilson, ambassador of Earth to the gamra, the administration of the Exchange, which is the network connecting the inhabited star systems. Humans of Earth are, as every other known species, descendants of the Aghyrans, who colonised many planets in the galaxy. Until a meteorite struck their home world of Asto, 50,000 years ago, stopping any expansion and rendering the Aghyrans almost extinct. Today, the Aghyrans are reduced to being a minority power. The Coldi, once created by the Aghyrans, are not only capable of living on the hot and toxic Asto, but are by far the largest power in gamra.
Over time the inhabitants of the former Aghyran colonies developed into different humanoid species with vastly different cultures. Gamra is the organisation, remotely like the United Nations, which is supposed to minimise friction between these societies. It itself is more like a massive bureaucracy than a government but its members, delegates, pretend it is working, and so does everybody else, mostly.
Following the mostly clueless protagonist through the labyrinthine interactions between species would be hard if it weren't for the other characters around him, and the wonderful description of those interactions. Cory at one time even admits that he is keen on feeling like being in control and doesn't bother to check if he really is. And thus, while he is content with the illusion of control, he stumbles from one conspiracy into the next. Ignorant, hapless and rarely able to switch perspectives Cory, thanks to literally everybody else, somehow manages to avert disaster. In its own and very bizarre way that's more fun to read as it would be if he would be the classical hero, or even knew what he was doing. He is like the ball in a pinball machine, and those around him seem to be able to aim him to wherever he can achieve the best results.
Having written all that, I'm really looking forward to the next book. Regardless of Cory Wilson.
Bottom line — a thoroughly enjoyable read. Thank you, Patty.
December 20, 2018
Another excellent story of action and intrigue
This book, like all the others, has such an interesting story that pretty much wrapped up in one book. Yet, it is part of an over arching story, which makes it really satisfying to finish one book and know there are more books to read which expand on the characters’ lives.
I really like the main character, including how he interacts with so many different people and works so hard to not have a violent solution.
Now, on to the next book. :)
This book, like all the others, has such an interesting story that pretty much wrapped up in one book. Yet, it is part of an over arching story, which makes it really satisfying to finish one book and know there are more books to read which expand on the characters’ lives.
I really like the main character, including how he interacts with so many different people and works so hard to not have a violent solution.
Now, on to the next book. :)
February 14, 2017
Another great book in the series
One again Cory Wilson crosses verbal swords with a frightening stranger. The man is 400 years old and had visited several galaxies and learned how to manipulate gnomes. Can Cory save an entire species? Unfortunately, the small words are missing and some sentences are awkward.
One again Cory Wilson crosses verbal swords with a frightening stranger. The man is 400 years old and had visited several galaxies and learned how to manipulate gnomes. Can Cory save an entire species? Unfortunately, the small words are missing and some sentences are awkward.
September 4, 2018
The AGHYRIANS ship is threatening!
The old Capitan thinks everyone should now down and give him what he wants. As far as he is concerned only the pure Aghyrians are worthy. Cory finds out that the old Capitan has been manipulating the world's for almost 30 years. It almost comes to war.
Read and enjoy!
The old Capitan thinks everyone should now down and give him what he wants. As far as he is concerned only the pure Aghyrians are worthy. Cory finds out that the old Capitan has been manipulating the world's for almost 30 years. It almost comes to war.
Read and enjoy!
February 10, 2019
Editing
As in her previous books in this series it needs to be re-edited. Example- they are in the space shuttle and Corey wakes up and feels guilty that he slept when Thayu wasn't able to. In that sentence it was worded as seen rather than been. I enjoy the story line but there is a lot of foul language and some sex scenes so be aware of that.
As in her previous books in this series it needs to be re-edited. Example- they are in the space shuttle and Corey wakes up and feels guilty that he slept when Thayu wasn't able to. In that sentence it was worded as seen rather than been. I enjoy the story line but there is a lot of foul language and some sex scenes so be aware of that.
April 28, 2024
Great storytelling
Another winner of a book! Great story with lots of twists. A storyline running through multiple books kept me engaged as well. Again, though, snobby editing with too many errors.
Another winner of a book! Great story with lots of twists. A storyline running through multiple books kept me engaged as well. Again, though, snobby editing with too many errors.
May 31, 2026
The main character, Cory begins to understand his place in society, but it doesn't make what he has to do any easier.
Another spellbinding book that blends the personal lives of the characters with the larger action that affects thousands of lives.
Another spellbinding book that blends the personal lives of the characters with the larger action that affects thousands of lives.
September 16, 2026
Politics, diplomacy, several flavors of genetically altered humans, hierarchical social groups, hierarchical governing, unusual artifacts, all surrounding the ambassador while he attempts to avoid kinetic interactions.
December 6, 2017
Amazing ....
March 29, 2024
Excellent as always. One of the best series I've read in a while.
March 14, 2017
I don't know how Patty Jansen does it. Each Ambassador book is the same basic formula - Ambassador gets into an impossible situation & his Association helps him get out of it AND he manages to solve the problem. Yet each book is fresh, new & exciting. Awesome! I already bought the next in series.
December 5, 2015
This book is the finale of this arc of the Ambassador series, starting with Cory Wilson of Earth being in the room when the President of Earth was assassinated and culminating with the return of an Aghyrian ship that has been in deep space for 5,000 years. Cory has assimilated himself into the culture that arose after the Aghyrians were, mostly, killed off by an meteor striking their home planet of Asto, the Coldi. The Coldi are now one of the dominant species in the galaxy, and Cory represents their leader in the UN-like council of species.
This series is named "Ambassador" and so while there is usually a bit of military action, the main focus is on the politics and diplomacy that Cory has to navigate while trying to avert war and protect Coldi interests. This particular book has the most fighting, both hand to hand and space, of any of the books I think, but the main thrust of diplomacy still takes front and center. Fittingly, I have found the characters to be the strong suit of these books as I've come to know Cory and his ever-increasing household.
If you like your sci-fi focused on interplanetary politics and world-building, then you may enjoy this book as I did.
This series is named "Ambassador" and so while there is usually a bit of military action, the main focus is on the politics and diplomacy that Cory has to navigate while trying to avert war and protect Coldi interests. This particular book has the most fighting, both hand to hand and space, of any of the books I think, but the main thrust of diplomacy still takes front and center. Fittingly, I have found the characters to be the strong suit of these books as I've come to know Cory and his ever-increasing household.
If you like your sci-fi focused on interplanetary politics and world-building, then you may enjoy this book as I did.
February 9, 2017
Good book, will keep reading the series. Well the po'd aliens in the big ship have a few surprises for everyone.
March 4, 2016
If you read my review of the previous book in this series, you will see that this book follows straight on from that. It was to the same standard too: detailed descriptions, making you feel as if you're there on an alien world with alien people and cultures, breathtaking action, complex plotting. This book had the resolution that was missing in the previous book. There are still issues to be resolved and enough of a cliff-hanger that I immediately pre-ordered the next book in the series, but enough was resolved that I reached the end with a sense of satisfaction. Highly recommended.
June 14, 2016
*4/5/17 - Have to say that I totally agree with my earlier review - they seriously should have offed the Captain! It just means there's going to be who knows what problems that should not have happened. But it doesn't really matter because these are such good books! Just love this series, so well written and I care about the characters so much!
*6/14/16 - This is a solid installment in the Ambassador series. It furthers and develops the story line nicely. It bothers me though that they didn't just kill the captain once he finally realized they were serious about blowing up his ship and moved his ship away. Then they could try deprograming the crew he'd basically brainwashed...and that would be one less problem
*6/14/16 - This is a solid installment in the Ambassador series. It furthers and develops the story line nicely. It bothers me though that they didn't just kill the captain once he finally realized they were serious about blowing up his ship and moved his ship away. Then they could try deprograming the crew he'd basically brainwashed...and that would be one less problem
December 3, 2015
Now we know what happens with that big Aghyrian ship… and we keep deepen our knowledge about the Coldi society through Cory's dealings with it (and his personal issues). Space Opera at its best. I love the whole series.
December 18, 2015
Loved it again!
I absolutely can't wait until the next book comes out. I can see myself following these books forever lol. !!!
I absolutely can't wait until the next book comes out. I can see myself following these books forever lol. !!!
May 29, 2016
Another action packed adventure of the series that continues to hold its readers in its grasp.
A must read ! WOW !!!
A must read ! WOW !!!
December 5, 2018
Whew! That was intense...
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews