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Foreigner #13
Intruder
In the wake of civil war, Bren Cameron, the brilliant human diplomat of the alien atevi civilization, has left the capital and sought refuge at his country estate, Najida. But now he is trapped inside Najida - which has been surrounded by enemies - with the powerful grandmother of his ally, Tabiniaiji, atevi leader of the Western Association. Ilisidi, the aiji-dowager, is not inclined to be passive and sends Bren into enemy territory, to the palace of the leader of the rebels.
Bren's mission is to negotiate with Machigi - a young atevi lord who has never actually seen a human - and somehow persuade him to cease his hostile actions against the west. Is Bren a shrewd enough negotiator to stay alive, and not alienate Ilisidi or Tabini, while also representing the interests of their enemy?
Bren's mission is to negotiate with Machigi - a young atevi lord who has never actually seen a human - and somehow persuade him to cease his hostile actions against the west. Is Bren a shrewd enough negotiator to stay alive, and not alienate Ilisidi or Tabini, while also representing the interests of their enemy?
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 6, 2012
46 people are currently reading
928 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 145 reviews
September 11, 2017
Hooked from start to finish. This series is consistently awesome and even more so when guns aren't blazing.
What do I mean?
It's all about the politics.
One of my simmering complaints of the first 12 books in the series, with perhaps an exception of the first, was that Tabini, the leader of the Association and Bren's supposedly staunchest ally and supporter, is generally off the stage. We get plenty of all of the other factions and relatives, not to mention his fantastic grandmother or his own son who gets a PoV in the last trilogy, but very little is ever truly revealed about Tabini himself. He always shows up late in the story or near the opening and then things go to hell and he's off doing leader stuff.
That didn't really bother me all that much until now, just when his reveals and his unburdening to Bren and his family's woes took the forefront and I was left breathless for more.
Nope. Not a gunshot fired. Maybe some ruined curtains and stains on the floor, but no guns fired.
And yet this was one one of my favorites in the series. The politics is rife and ripe throughout, always simmering hotly below the surface. So many situations and histories are meant to be questioned and the whole shadow war and the civil war is cast into a new light. I was thrilled!
Of course, a certain infelicitous eight is getting better, on the whole, but as anyone knows, if you give that kid an inch, he'll use it to tie a knot around his neck. Very amusing. What a monkey. :)
All the other reveals make this book fantastic and now we see the heart of all the conflicts. Pretty amazing. :)
What do I mean?
It's all about the politics.
One of my simmering complaints of the first 12 books in the series, with perhaps an exception of the first, was that Tabini, the leader of the Association and Bren's supposedly staunchest ally and supporter, is generally off the stage. We get plenty of all of the other factions and relatives, not to mention his fantastic grandmother or his own son who gets a PoV in the last trilogy, but very little is ever truly revealed about Tabini himself. He always shows up late in the story or near the opening and then things go to hell and he's off doing leader stuff.
That didn't really bother me all that much until now, just when his reveals and his unburdening to Bren and his family's woes took the forefront and I was left breathless for more.
Nope. Not a gunshot fired. Maybe some ruined curtains and stains on the floor, but no guns fired.
And yet this was one one of my favorites in the series. The politics is rife and ripe throughout, always simmering hotly below the surface. So many situations and histories are meant to be questioned and the whole shadow war and the civil war is cast into a new light. I was thrilled!
Of course, a certain infelicitous eight is getting better, on the whole, but as anyone knows, if you give that kid an inch, he'll use it to tie a knot around his neck. Very amusing. What a monkey. :)
All the other reveals make this book fantastic and now we see the heart of all the conflicts. Pretty amazing. :)
March 10, 2024
4.5* re-read
Enjoying my re-read. Cherryh and Hobb do have quite a bit in common, both taking their time with their characters, resulting in protagonists you know inside out and a civilisation not just divided between the atevi and humans, but featuring a plethora of factions, as in real life. The series focuses on how these interact, and yes, resulting in political machinations, with Bren Cameron as the person often right in the middle. His super powers? Diplomacy and intelligence. And let’s not forget Ilisidi! If you like Avasarala in The Expanse, you’ll like her too.
Really need to widen my reading experience of this amazing author.
---
Monthly rendezvous with Cherryh's epic saga. This title 'started' a new trilogy, but as previously stated, it is ultimately one story told over many instalments. Naturally, this also means that you really need to start from book 1 or it won't make any sense! Actually, read the first three books and then decide.
Intruder throws us once more in the atevi world through the eyes of Bren, human diplomat/interpreter, and Cajeiri, young ateva of 8, Tabini's heir. Although there is less pure action as such (there isn't really that much anyway), the amount of 'discoveries' felt very 'active' and unsettling. Many plot threads, some started from the beginning of the series, came to an explosive point. And would you believe all this is conveyed through discussions?! Indeed! I'm in awe at Cherryh's ingenuity and skill at penning such narratives where you could say nothing happens on the surface, but a plethora of currents are raging war underneath! Yes this is set on another planet with aliens but ultimately it feels very relevant since it deals with psychology and politics (linguistics too but more so in the first 6 volumes) with a heavy dose of social and commercial aspects. Imagine - the cessation of war, or its threat, through commercial agreements/contracts. What a concept! ;O) I'm making this sound boring again... I guess I need some lessons with Ilisidi.
Enjoying my re-read. Cherryh and Hobb do have quite a bit in common, both taking their time with their characters, resulting in protagonists you know inside out and a civilisation not just divided between the atevi and humans, but featuring a plethora of factions, as in real life. The series focuses on how these interact, and yes, resulting in political machinations, with Bren Cameron as the person often right in the middle. His super powers? Diplomacy and intelligence. And let’s not forget Ilisidi! If you like Avasarala in The Expanse, you’ll like her too.
Really need to widen my reading experience of this amazing author.
---
Monthly rendezvous with Cherryh's epic saga. This title 'started' a new trilogy, but as previously stated, it is ultimately one story told over many instalments. Naturally, this also means that you really need to start from book 1 or it won't make any sense! Actually, read the first three books and then decide.
Intruder throws us once more in the atevi world through the eyes of Bren, human diplomat/interpreter, and Cajeiri, young ateva of 8, Tabini's heir. Although there is less pure action as such (there isn't really that much anyway), the amount of 'discoveries' felt very 'active' and unsettling. Many plot threads, some started from the beginning of the series, came to an explosive point. And would you believe all this is conveyed through discussions?! Indeed! I'm in awe at Cherryh's ingenuity and skill at penning such narratives where you could say nothing happens on the surface, but a plethora of currents are raging war underneath! Yes this is set on another planet with aliens but ultimately it feels very relevant since it deals with psychology and politics (linguistics too but more so in the first 6 volumes) with a heavy dose of social and commercial aspects. Imagine - the cessation of war, or its threat, through commercial agreements/contracts. What a concept! ;O) I'm making this sound boring again... I guess I need some lessons with Ilisidi.
October 3, 2017
The politics in this instalment has its roots back in book 2 or so. The Marid has been a thorn in the aishididat's side for a long time, and elements within the Padi Valley and the West have been at loggerheads too, through this series. Though this instalment has no gunfire, the tension was high, as 200+ years of political infighting and assassinations are coming under some measure of control. But there are serious questions raised in this instalment about the integrity of one group....sheesh! I love this series. All the politicking, and the diplomatic dance Bren goes through mollifying, cajoling, flattering... And that's just for great uncle Tatiseigi. Ilsidi makes a smaller appearance here, but she's scary and smart as always. And how interesting it is to see how lordly parents and children behave together.
June 23, 2016
Shorter than the rest, but still quite enjoyable. The series is definitely becoming more politics and diplomacy orientated - not a bad thing, but it can put off readers who were expecting more space exploration. (Yet, I don't know how the story will progress in the future, so there's still hope).
Overall, LOVE THE COVER, enjoyed being back in the Atevi world and following Bren's and Cajeiri's adventures, but I still have yet to experience the same level of excitement as the one I had with the 6th book.
Nevertheless, there was plenty for me to enjoy and there's something happening in the next book that I'm super excited about!
Overall, LOVE THE COVER, enjoyed being back in the Atevi world and following Bren's and Cajeiri's adventures, but I still have yet to experience the same level of excitement as the one I had with the 6th book.
Nevertheless, there was plenty for me to enjoy and there's something happening in the next book that I'm super excited about!
June 10, 2024
4.5 stars
These are always so good; between each book it’s just gradations of goodness.
The messy action part of the war is over, but of course that just means there is more time for complicated political schemes to unfold. Family dynamics are coming to a head, and as an aside, what could go possibly go wrong if you keep a smart little creature penned up? One is in an ornate cage and the other in a suite of rooms, but boredom leads inevitably to problems for both, which means trouble all around.
These are always so good; between each book it’s just gradations of goodness.
The messy action part of the war is over, but of course that just means there is more time for complicated political schemes to unfold. Family dynamics are coming to a head, and as an aside, what could go possibly go wrong if you keep a smart little creature penned up? One is in an ornate cage and the other in a suite of rooms, but boredom leads inevitably to problems for both, which means trouble all around.
February 18, 2017
4.5 I suppose-as the beginning was heavy of new political areas that ran together in my head. But a wonderful second half and ending.
March 14, 2025
"Intruder" is the 13th novel in the "Foreigner" series. Obviously, after 12 novels, I like this series. It is completely different than anything I've ever read. I also give kudos to C.J. Cherryh for being able to write such a long series without the quality of the stories declining.
This series focuses less on action, especially in this particular novel, and far more on culture, politics, and diplomacy. In Intruder, following the events of the last two books, the pace slows down as we see the political movements after the Assassin's Guild war. To be fair, even the eponymous "Intruder" is merely a monkey-like creature that Cajeiri, Tabani's son, acquires unbeknown to his parents.
Thus the story revolves around Cajeiri and his, after his adventures, living under his parent's roof again. But there are also political machinations going on behind the scenes as the Guild problems are resolved, the family politics undergoes a shift (as Tabani's wife will be forced to choose between her Husband or her clan), and Bren Cameroon must attempt to develop a working relationship with Lord Tatiseigi.
While this may seem like a boring novel, it is anything but. Obviously if you are foolish or mad enough to start a long series like this at book 13, then I would concur. It WOULD be boring and confusing. Yet with the background of the novels, and witnessing the development paths of different characters throughout the novels, this one was a very good addition.
Many political connections are explained, and a few cultural habits are also explained. What makes such seemingly yawn inducing topics fun, is that this is top notch and deep world-building. Layers upon layers and only if you've been through all of the previous novels will you come to appreciate all that really happens to Bren, Tabini, Ildisi, and Cajeiri. I am enjoying this amazing series. On to the next one.
This series focuses less on action, especially in this particular novel, and far more on culture, politics, and diplomacy. In Intruder, following the events of the last two books, the pace slows down as we see the political movements after the Assassin's Guild war. To be fair, even the eponymous "Intruder" is merely a monkey-like creature that Cajeiri, Tabani's son, acquires unbeknown to his parents.
Thus the story revolves around Cajeiri and his, after his adventures, living under his parent's roof again. But there are also political machinations going on behind the scenes as the Guild problems are resolved, the family politics undergoes a shift (as Tabani's wife will be forced to choose between her Husband or her clan), and Bren Cameroon must attempt to develop a working relationship with Lord Tatiseigi.
While this may seem like a boring novel, it is anything but. Obviously if you are foolish or mad enough to start a long series like this at book 13, then I would concur. It WOULD be boring and confusing. Yet with the background of the novels, and witnessing the development paths of different characters throughout the novels, this one was a very good addition.
Many political connections are explained, and a few cultural habits are also explained. What makes such seemingly yawn inducing topics fun, is that this is top notch and deep world-building. Layers upon layers and only if you've been through all of the previous novels will you come to appreciate all that really happens to Bren, Tabini, Ildisi, and Cajeiri. I am enjoying this amazing series. On to the next one.
November 16, 2024
Book number 531 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
What a change of pace in this volume of the Foreigner series! Was Bren shot at even once? Despite heading into a potentially volatile negotiation in pursuit of a peaceful solution, there seems to be a meeting of minds regarding politics and economics. It's not over until everyone signs on the dotted line, but the dowager trusts Bren to get everyone to the table.
Meanwhile, young Cajeiri must parse his man'chi and figure out just where his loyalties lie. He is going to have a sibling and is feeling threatened. Having grown a lot while in space with his great-grandmother, he feels somewhat detached from his parents, especially his mother. For an eight year old (almost nine, as he reminds everyone frequently) he is a very political animal, calculating what ties he has to whom.
Tabini speaks far more frankly than ever before to Bren regarding the boy and the state of the leader's household. It is rather terrifying to be so trusted, especially when Bren's body guards, members of the Assassin's Guild, also reveal startling secrets.
So, no shooting, no cross country chases, but plenty of political intrigue and complicated relationships.
What a change of pace in this volume of the Foreigner series! Was Bren shot at even once? Despite heading into a potentially volatile negotiation in pursuit of a peaceful solution, there seems to be a meeting of minds regarding politics and economics. It's not over until everyone signs on the dotted line, but the dowager trusts Bren to get everyone to the table.
Meanwhile, young Cajeiri must parse his man'chi and figure out just where his loyalties lie. He is going to have a sibling and is feeling threatened. Having grown a lot while in space with his great-grandmother, he feels somewhat detached from his parents, especially his mother. For an eight year old (almost nine, as he reminds everyone frequently) he is a very political animal, calculating what ties he has to whom.
Tabini speaks far more frankly than ever before to Bren regarding the boy and the state of the leader's household. It is rather terrifying to be so trusted, especially when Bren's body guards, members of the Assassin's Guild, also reveal startling secrets.
So, no shooting, no cross country chases, but plenty of political intrigue and complicated relationships.
April 6, 2013
Oh, I really loved this! Even though Cherryh takes the time in the first few pages to have Bren ruminate about the previous developments in the last trilogy (which after all took time over a couple of weeks at the most) so that people who haven't reread the books can remember where they are coming in, it works without coming across all info-dumpy.
The fact that Cajeiri shares point-of-view character duties with Bren these days (only in instances where it is useful or interesting) really worked incredibly well in this book - the sort of book I know I could read all the time, but which would not be as satisfying if we also didn't have overt action again and again.
This is an intrigue and family book, and I would even call it THE intrigue and family book, more so than the first one, when we got introduced to Ilisidi and Bren really was dipped totally into conservative Atevi life.
Because he has now reached and deserved the good opinion and trust of the highest echelons of Atevi society and rulership, they really include him into confidences about so much of the background of what has gone before - to the extent that Bren sometimes worries that it would better NOT to know something so he could do his job without straining to maybe give certain things away.
We get a look behind the scenes (in some sense) of the Assassin's guild!! Wohoo! And the closest look into Tabini-ajii's family life that we have ever had.
Regarding physical threats, this is a very quiet book. All the hard work and the danger in the previous trilogy are paying off with new connections being made, new promises being made and a hopeful outlook for the Aishiditat overall.
Of course, now that there is room for breathing, all the things that were swept aside because of topical emergencies have to finally be addressed and dealt with and that's when the chickens come home to roost.
Regarding Caijeiri I totally enjoyed the matured almost-nine-year-old behaviour he shows now that he is out of direct danger of dying and into his family household again. How he learns to accept certain restraints he hasn't had for a long time, and still makes his rooms and his associations his own - it is fascinating - because we have never had someone of his age to watch - to see how atevi personality and man'chi associations develop in him. How he starts to strategize to consider whom he can count on and whom he can't. The interludes with Broji were especially cute and serve to show that he is not just a gifted, brilliant future leader who will accrue man'chi - but also almost 9 years old.
I really would not mind if the current trilogy were a science fiction planetary opera of manners and intrigue - we have had a lot of overt action and danger in the last two trilogies. I want to know even more about the background of things and I want the problems in the Assassin's guild addressed.
As always, I would have been perfectly happy if Cherryh had added another hundred pages - maybe talking about porcelains or showing us how Najida gets restored or the first visit of Bren to Caijeiri's new rooms or more personal meetings of his with Ilisidi and Cenedi. I would like to hear more of Jago's pithy comments. I'm very happy she and Bren had a bit of time for each other back in the Bujavid.
The hardcover has only a few problems with consistent naming of the Atevi names and an occasional missing link word, but that really doesn't impinge on the overall enjoyment.
___________________________
1st read:Read from March 08 to 10, 2012
2nd read: in preparation for the arrival of Protector this month, which I've preordered. For once I have nothing to add, just that I enjoyed the reread just as much.
The fact that Cajeiri shares point-of-view character duties with Bren these days (only in instances where it is useful or interesting) really worked incredibly well in this book - the sort of book I know I could read all the time, but which would not be as satisfying if we also didn't have overt action again and again.
This is an intrigue and family book, and I would even call it THE intrigue and family book, more so than the first one, when we got introduced to Ilisidi and Bren really was dipped totally into conservative Atevi life.
Because he has now reached and deserved the good opinion and trust of the highest echelons of Atevi society and rulership, they really include him into confidences about so much of the background of what has gone before - to the extent that Bren sometimes worries that it would better NOT to know something so he could do his job without straining to maybe give certain things away.
We get a look behind the scenes (in some sense) of the Assassin's guild!! Wohoo! And the closest look into Tabini-ajii's family life that we have ever had.
Regarding physical threats, this is a very quiet book. All the hard work and the danger in the previous trilogy are paying off with new connections being made, new promises being made and a hopeful outlook for the Aishiditat overall.
Of course, now that there is room for breathing, all the things that were swept aside because of topical emergencies have to finally be addressed and dealt with and that's when the chickens come home to roost.
Regarding Caijeiri I totally enjoyed the matured almost-nine-year-old behaviour he shows now that he is out of direct danger of dying and into his family household again. How he learns to accept certain restraints he hasn't had for a long time, and still makes his rooms and his associations his own - it is fascinating - because we have never had someone of his age to watch - to see how atevi personality and man'chi associations develop in him. How he starts to strategize to consider whom he can count on and whom he can't. The interludes with Broji were especially cute and serve to show that he is not just a gifted, brilliant future leader who will accrue man'chi - but also almost 9 years old.
I really would not mind if the current trilogy were a science fiction planetary opera of manners and intrigue - we have had a lot of overt action and danger in the last two trilogies. I want to know even more about the background of things and I want the problems in the Assassin's guild addressed.
As always, I would have been perfectly happy if Cherryh had added another hundred pages - maybe talking about porcelains or showing us how Najida gets restored or the first visit of Bren to Caijeiri's new rooms or more personal meetings of his with Ilisidi and Cenedi. I would like to hear more of Jago's pithy comments. I'm very happy she and Bren had a bit of time for each other back in the Bujavid.
The hardcover has only a few problems with consistent naming of the Atevi names and an occasional missing link word, but that really doesn't impinge on the overall enjoyment.
___________________________
1st read:Read from March 08 to 10, 2012
2nd read: in preparation for the arrival of Protector this month, which I've preordered. For once I have nothing to add, just that I enjoyed the reread just as much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2012
The worst part about finishing a FOREIGNER novel is the time you have to wait until the next installation. I am awed by how well CJ Cherryh writes from a nonhuman point of view and how easily she weaves a child's viewpoint and beliefs/misunderstandings into a plot line fraught with political (and potentially physical) landmines.
February 16, 2024
The civil war among the atevi has ended. Tabini-aiji, powerful ruler of the Western Association, along with his wife, his son and heir Cajeiri, his human paidhi Bren Cameron, and his grandmother Ilisidi, have all returned to the Bujavid, their seat of power.
Bren and his associates have had a small war of their own, ending with rebel leader Machigi joining the atevi congress, representing the rebels as a member state. Factions that remain loyal to the opposition are still present, and the danger these rebels pose is far from over.
The crisis inside the immensely dangerous Assassins’ Guild is still brewing as well.
(Summary cobbled together from various book descriptions)
Intruder is the 13th Foreigner novel, and the 1st book in the fifth subtrilogy. Do yourself a favour and start at the beginning, with book 1.
There is no fighting in this one and no shots are fired. Politics and trade negotiations are the drivers in this novel. Conflicts and situations that came to a head in the last trilogy are brought to a conclusion here or picked up and brought center stage.
We get to see more of Tabini, which was a nice change. Cajeiri gets alternating chapters again with Bren. He is not thrilled about being back in the Bujavid and being stuck in an apartment, unable to venture and explore outside. Bren has to acertain where his loyalties lie after the upheaval with Machigi.
Good start to the next subtrilogy. Looking forward to fresh developments within Tabini‘s family, politics surrounding Machigi and the crisis in the Assassins guild.
4/5 🐒🐒🐒🐒
Bren and his associates have had a small war of their own, ending with rebel leader Machigi joining the atevi congress, representing the rebels as a member state. Factions that remain loyal to the opposition are still present, and the danger these rebels pose is far from over.
The crisis inside the immensely dangerous Assassins’ Guild is still brewing as well.
(Summary cobbled together from various book descriptions)
Intruder is the 13th Foreigner novel, and the 1st book in the fifth subtrilogy. Do yourself a favour and start at the beginning, with book 1.
There is no fighting in this one and no shots are fired. Politics and trade negotiations are the drivers in this novel. Conflicts and situations that came to a head in the last trilogy are brought to a conclusion here or picked up and brought center stage.
We get to see more of Tabini, which was a nice change. Cajeiri gets alternating chapters again with Bren. He is not thrilled about being back in the Bujavid and being stuck in an apartment, unable to venture and explore outside. Bren has to acertain where his loyalties lie after the upheaval with Machigi.
Good start to the next subtrilogy. Looking forward to fresh developments within Tabini‘s family, politics surrounding Machigi and the crisis in the Assassins guild.
4/5 🐒🐒🐒🐒
March 21, 2023
3.5 stars
January 15, 2019
3.5 stars
It was nice to get to see a bit more of Tabini and get to know him a little better.
It was nice to get to see a bit more of Tabini and get to know him a little better.
January 11, 2020
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Quote:
Review:
After the highs of the last couple of books, which have all been war-based, Intruder should have been an entire let down. It wasn't. It was great. I didn't want it to end. Everything was all about cleaning up from the previous few books. Bren actually had a decently easy book this time around, which is good for him because he really needed it. I mean he is still an anxiety-ridden mess but that's his normal self.
All the problems were actually mostly wrapped up in Cajeiri, who has become even more of a great character than he was before. He has some actual character agency for once, and doesn't just act like a child and get into trouble for others to get him out of. Cajeiri is back home, in his father's household. And he hates it, because he is a child there when he has been treated older for almost a year now by others caring for him.
There is a lot going on for Cajeiri this book. His new sibling is close to coming, and his mother is going a bit haywire at this particular time. His parents are fighting, in part because his mother doesn't feel like she is Cajeiri's mother anymore. His human friends from the spaceship are close to coming down to spending his birthday with him. All Cajeiri is supposed to do is stay on his best behaviour and do what he is supposed to.
So he gets a monkey-like creature.
Seriously.
A loud, screeching monkey. Who is smart. Like a monkey. Who can get into trouble. Like a monkey.
He really isn't the best at staying out of trouble, poor dear.
In contrast, all Bren really has going on is finalizing the agreement he has spent the last two books setting up. This is great, and constitutes the bulk of what I love about both the series and the book in particular. But ultimately not a lot happens with it. I wasn't ever bored, but it should have been boring. Yet it is still a lot of the same things that have happened for awhile now.
Good thing I love this series.
..
....
......
Seriously, dude? You thought you could keep a monkey and stay out of trouble?
Quote:
Banichi and Jago and Algini had lasting scars— from keeping the paidhi-aiji in one piece despite his very best efforts to get himself killed.
Review:
After the highs of the last couple of books, which have all been war-based, Intruder should have been an entire let down. It wasn't. It was great. I didn't want it to end. Everything was all about cleaning up from the previous few books. Bren actually had a decently easy book this time around, which is good for him because he really needed it. I mean he is still an anxiety-ridden mess but that's his normal self.
All the problems were actually mostly wrapped up in Cajeiri, who has become even more of a great character than he was before. He has some actual character agency for once, and doesn't just act like a child and get into trouble for others to get him out of. Cajeiri is back home, in his father's household. And he hates it, because he is a child there when he has been treated older for almost a year now by others caring for him.
There is a lot going on for Cajeiri this book. His new sibling is close to coming, and his mother is going a bit haywire at this particular time. His parents are fighting, in part because his mother doesn't feel like she is Cajeiri's mother anymore. His human friends from the spaceship are close to coming down to spending his birthday with him. All Cajeiri is supposed to do is stay on his best behaviour and do what he is supposed to.
So he gets a monkey-like creature.
Seriously.
A loud, screeching monkey. Who is smart. Like a monkey. Who can get into trouble. Like a monkey.
He really isn't the best at staying out of trouble, poor dear.
In contrast, all Bren really has going on is finalizing the agreement he has spent the last two books setting up. This is great, and constitutes the bulk of what I love about both the series and the book in particular. But ultimately not a lot happens with it. I wasn't ever bored, but it should have been boring. Yet it is still a lot of the same things that have happened for awhile now.
Good thing I love this series.
..
....
......
Seriously, dude? You thought you could keep a monkey and stay out of trouble?
January 10, 2017
I admit it. I'm hooked on the Foreigner series. It has grown on me since I started it about 5 years ago. I now turn to it when I need a pick me up, something I know I'm going to like. I found this one quite satisfying. It did not have physical action, which was quite nice after the last sequence (##s 10, 11, 12). This one was basic politics and negotiation. It was Bren dealing with Machigi and Cajeri learning to control his temper and maturing. Illisidi was a minor figure here. Tabini tells Bren about his marital problem that are tied to the ongoing issues of leadership within the Assassins' Guild. Bren gets told more and more stuff he shouldn't know about the Guild. But no one is killed, even though security is at the maximum. I look forward to the next installment.
July 8, 2012
I still own and adore my tattered paperback copies of the first trilogy that started this series. I cannot count the number of times I've read the beginning stories of Bren and the atevi. Reading those first books sent me off on an adventure to read everything CJ Cherryh had ever written. Now, some of her older books rank among my favorites as well. I don't believe I've read anyone who was able to so completely create a truly unique world and do it so well. Her ability and training in anthropology and art in world building are second to none.
I note all of that because it pains me to admit that I truly dislike this series now. I had actually stopped reading the series during the space station escapades because I was so tired of feeling like I was trapped in a pedantic lesson in atevi history. Bren's inner monologues last for pages sometimes and are so completely boring. I applaud Ms. Cherryh for being able to create a Tolkien type generations long history for this culture. But she's simply reciting history so convoluted and complex that it is actually distracting from the story and characters, there's no story to it.
When I saw this book, I debated reading it. I always found Cajeiri interesting and hoped his introduction as a main point of view might return the story back to the interesting intersections of politics and aliens. There are some nice parallels between Bren and Cajeiri I thought might be explored: learning about atevi society through completely innocent eyes, dealing with the human technology, and the struggle to maintain a stable atevi society. Cajeiri also has the interesting dichotomy of being an atevi child that has lived with humans; I thought there might be an interesting exploration of the atevi/human interface from a character other than Bren. Basically, I was hoping for a return to the excitement and newness of the first trilogy through the use of Cajeiri's voice. I decided to give a favorite author yet another shot.
This book is the absolute example of the things that make me so unhappy about the series. Nothing happens in this book. Nothing. It could be Bren and Cajeiri's diary of inner thoughts about their daily lives. The basic plotline is getting a treaty signed. Only there aren't falling bombs from they sky, no forced marches or mecheiti rides, no questions of where manchi lies, basically no conflict except what Ms. Cherryh decides to give you in a history lesson. I don't need Bren in fear of his life, a common enough occurrence in most of these novels; I certainly need more 100 pages about a meeting regarding a peace treaty, 200 pages ushering the peace treaty through the atevi political process and 30 pages about the signing of the treaty.
The remaining pages are filled with Cajeiri's childish thoughts and pranks. While that part is at least an enjoyable and entertaining read, again there is no story. There are hints that one is finally about to get started, but it never comes to fruition.
One slightly bizarre aside is the sudden insight into Tabini and Damiri's marriage. I didn't particularly like it. What I enjoyed about the atevi culture was it's alien and strange feel, the different ways they treated and handled emotions if they even had them. This marriage insight seemed like any other human relationship, albeit a high maintenance and slightly crazy one.
The few things I thought would develop into an interesting arc for a story: how many ways can a peace treaty go wrong? Is Damiri going to try to have Tabini assassinated? What is her family doing? What is grandmother doing? Maybe someone will kidnap the space children? They simply never materialized. Eventually, I just wanted to get through the book and started speed reading.
Sometimes when an author has been writing a series for so long and there's so much history connected to it, you'll find a book that has a lot of exposition to clean up loose ends and tie down certain facts and characters. I'd be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Ms. Cherryh intentions, but my complaints about the books I did read after the first three match my complaints about this book. I truly don't think I'll be picking up any other atevi tales, which makes me sad. It was a truly interesting world.
I note all of that because it pains me to admit that I truly dislike this series now. I had actually stopped reading the series during the space station escapades because I was so tired of feeling like I was trapped in a pedantic lesson in atevi history. Bren's inner monologues last for pages sometimes and are so completely boring. I applaud Ms. Cherryh for being able to create a Tolkien type generations long history for this culture. But she's simply reciting history so convoluted and complex that it is actually distracting from the story and characters, there's no story to it.
When I saw this book, I debated reading it. I always found Cajeiri interesting and hoped his introduction as a main point of view might return the story back to the interesting intersections of politics and aliens. There are some nice parallels between Bren and Cajeiri I thought might be explored: learning about atevi society through completely innocent eyes, dealing with the human technology, and the struggle to maintain a stable atevi society. Cajeiri also has the interesting dichotomy of being an atevi child that has lived with humans; I thought there might be an interesting exploration of the atevi/human interface from a character other than Bren. Basically, I was hoping for a return to the excitement and newness of the first trilogy through the use of Cajeiri's voice. I decided to give a favorite author yet another shot.
This book is the absolute example of the things that make me so unhappy about the series. Nothing happens in this book. Nothing. It could be Bren and Cajeiri's diary of inner thoughts about their daily lives. The basic plotline is getting a treaty signed. Only there aren't falling bombs from they sky, no forced marches or mecheiti rides, no questions of where manchi lies, basically no conflict except what Ms. Cherryh decides to give you in a history lesson. I don't need Bren in fear of his life, a common enough occurrence in most of these novels; I certainly need more 100 pages about a meeting regarding a peace treaty, 200 pages ushering the peace treaty through the atevi political process and 30 pages about the signing of the treaty.
The remaining pages are filled with Cajeiri's childish thoughts and pranks. While that part is at least an enjoyable and entertaining read, again there is no story. There are hints that one is finally about to get started, but it never comes to fruition.
One slightly bizarre aside is the sudden insight into Tabini and Damiri's marriage. I didn't particularly like it. What I enjoyed about the atevi culture was it's alien and strange feel, the different ways they treated and handled emotions if they even had them. This marriage insight seemed like any other human relationship, albeit a high maintenance and slightly crazy one.
The few things I thought would develop into an interesting arc for a story: how many ways can a peace treaty go wrong? Is Damiri going to try to have Tabini assassinated? What is her family doing? What is grandmother doing? Maybe someone will kidnap the space children? They simply never materialized. Eventually, I just wanted to get through the book and started speed reading.
Sometimes when an author has been writing a series for so long and there's so much history connected to it, you'll find a book that has a lot of exposition to clean up loose ends and tie down certain facts and characters. I'd be willing to give the benefit of the doubt to Ms. Cherryh intentions, but my complaints about the books I did read after the first three match my complaints about this book. I truly don't think I'll be picking up any other atevi tales, which makes me sad. It was a truly interesting world.
March 14, 2012
It was an especial pleasure to finally have answered some of the questions based on the past few books, such as why Tabini wanted his then sole heir to go on the space mission with Bren, among so many humans as well as allowing him to stay in danger at Najida. Also we are finally revealed some secret alliances and who really set spies in place, such as the mystery of Bindanda. I particularly enjoyed the rounding out of some characters personalities, showing a different side as opinion shifted, Lord Tatiseigi was a prime example of this. And for the first time in years, we were able to “spend more time” with Tabini-aiji, who has always been a favorite of mine.
The strategic offensive and defensive actions within the last few books had agreeably relaxed back to earlier descriptions of daily high-ranking atevi life and living, occasionally punctuated with dangerous, tense action sure, but again we are reintroduced into the goings-on in the Bujavid and more to Shejidan. Using Cajeri’s youthful perspectives also is a continued novelty in this book, and one sees subtle touches of possible future complications that will occur. As Intruder neared its climax, one could clearly ascertain what event would likely take place to twist the plot, yet I thought it brilliant, that though I’d guessed what would be the trigger to thrilling events, I had no idea how it might turn out. Would the meeting between Ilisidi and Machigi be able to take place? And although not directly connected to the event, how might one boy close to his felicitous ninth birthday possibly influence its course?
I thought it was a little repetitious at times, such as restating on multiple occasions what the second pair of bodyguards were doing if Bren was in an important meeting, and how messages were passed back and forth between them, or that private discussions are going through Guild channels. It's book number thirteen; all readers should have gotten that at least by the fifth or sixth book. Reminding us at the beginning sure, but spending paragraphs on it later? But a certain strategic, definitive restating is part of Cherryh’s. And as usual, which I can’t help but remark in almost an amused way, there were a few quite outstanding errors the editors missed.
Intruder ties up a lot of loose ends, and sets the stage for greater and deeper intrigue within the political structures of the aishidi’tat that continues to struggle with factions within the secretive Assassins Guild and Tabini-aiji’s household. Intruder was a very welcome addition to this decades running excellent series exploring a “humans among aliens” theme.
Originally posted on my review/interview site http://flyingwithredhaircrow.wordpres...
The strategic offensive and defensive actions within the last few books had agreeably relaxed back to earlier descriptions of daily high-ranking atevi life and living, occasionally punctuated with dangerous, tense action sure, but again we are reintroduced into the goings-on in the Bujavid and more to Shejidan. Using Cajeri’s youthful perspectives also is a continued novelty in this book, and one sees subtle touches of possible future complications that will occur. As Intruder neared its climax, one could clearly ascertain what event would likely take place to twist the plot, yet I thought it brilliant, that though I’d guessed what would be the trigger to thrilling events, I had no idea how it might turn out. Would the meeting between Ilisidi and Machigi be able to take place? And although not directly connected to the event, how might one boy close to his felicitous ninth birthday possibly influence its course?
I thought it was a little repetitious at times, such as restating on multiple occasions what the second pair of bodyguards were doing if Bren was in an important meeting, and how messages were passed back and forth between them, or that private discussions are going through Guild channels. It's book number thirteen; all readers should have gotten that at least by the fifth or sixth book. Reminding us at the beginning sure, but spending paragraphs on it later? But a certain strategic, definitive restating is part of Cherryh’s. And as usual, which I can’t help but remark in almost an amused way, there were a few quite outstanding errors the editors missed.
Intruder ties up a lot of loose ends, and sets the stage for greater and deeper intrigue within the political structures of the aishidi’tat that continues to struggle with factions within the secretive Assassins Guild and Tabini-aiji’s household. Intruder was a very welcome addition to this decades running excellent series exploring a “humans among aliens” theme.
Originally posted on my review/interview site http://flyingwithredhaircrow.wordpres...
March 16, 2012
I really looked forward to this book, after the most recent entries in the Foreigner series revived it from its mushiness. It picks up a couple of weeks after the slam-bang finish in Betrayer, but unfortunately, retains none of the driving tension. This is an interlude, an entire novel's worth, in which nothing happens but plenty of foundations are laid. Everything Bren, the hero, touches in this novel just goes swimmingly. Even young Cajeiri, the other viewpoint character, manages to iron out all his problems in fine style. His sections provide the only suspense and actual plot action in the entire book. The rest is Bren skipping from supposedly tense meeting to meeting and not having to exert himself at all to tame even the bigoted Tataseigi. Ho hum.
There is little here of the intricate worldbuilding and alien/human interaction that makes this series so grand. Bren appears to have tamed all his immediate enemies, to the point that Cherryh is now introducing new ones in the form of Tabini's in-laws. It begins to read like a visit to the court of Edward IV, also the inspiration for that other Byzantine series by George R. R. Martin. Granted that every entry in this series cannot involve shoot-em-up action, a little excitement would have been nice!
Three stars is actually a bit high praise for this book, but it doesn't deserve two. Suffice it to say I am disappointed in it, and I was not thrilled with the number of typos in the Kindle version. If they're going to charge me over paperback price, then deliver a polished product, please.
There is little here of the intricate worldbuilding and alien/human interaction that makes this series so grand. Bren appears to have tamed all his immediate enemies, to the point that Cherryh is now introducing new ones in the form of Tabini's in-laws. It begins to read like a visit to the court of Edward IV, also the inspiration for that other Byzantine series by George R. R. Martin. Granted that every entry in this series cannot involve shoot-em-up action, a little excitement would have been nice!
Three stars is actually a bit high praise for this book, but it doesn't deserve two. Suffice it to say I am disappointed in it, and I was not thrilled with the number of typos in the Kindle version. If they're going to charge me over paperback price, then deliver a polished product, please.
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed this; a good continuation of the series, concentrating on political goings-on among the aetevi. A fair bit of the story is told from Cajeiri's perspective, which gives a nice contrast to Bren's deeper and adult, but human, analysis of the shifts of power. Cajeiri and his troublesome new pet bring some humour to the story as well. I do hope the larger story, the situation with the kyo out in space and their unknown enemies, will come back into the series soon. Bren's been working on a stable and united planet with increased urgency because of that threat; I'm eager to see what comes of it. As always, Cherryh's narrative style pulls me deep into her world from the start. It hardly needs saying, though, that since this is book thirteen, it's not the place to begin if you haven't read the earlier books; some series you can jump into at any point because each story is a free-standing episode, but this isn't one of them. I think this has to be her most intricately developed universe and alien culture; knowing the history of what has gone before is essential to follow the action here.
August 11, 2022
Well, it had to happen eventually. There's been so very much going on in the plot that a "settling" novel was due. The first half of this installment is fallout/resolution of the previous subtrilogy, and the second half is setup for the next major arc.
It's good, don't get me wrong. And very, very necessary. But it is, as a result, much drier than the three preceding books. On Bren's side, this is politics and domestic problems and settling back into "normal" paidhi-responsibilities. On Cajeiri's side, this is a child testing the limits of his newest environment.
It's all relaxation and then tension-building, with a solid minor payoff, but not a final payoff in plot. I really do enjoy this, but--alas--not as much as I like. Despite how much I love these books, this one feels like what it is--an interlude on the way to better things.
Almost, but note quite 4 stars on its own merits.
It's good, don't get me wrong. And very, very necessary. But it is, as a result, much drier than the three preceding books. On Bren's side, this is politics and domestic problems and settling back into "normal" paidhi-responsibilities. On Cajeiri's side, this is a child testing the limits of his newest environment.
It's all relaxation and then tension-building, with a solid minor payoff, but not a final payoff in plot. I really do enjoy this, but--alas--not as much as I like. Despite how much I love these books, this one feels like what it is--an interlude on the way to better things.
Almost, but note quite 4 stars on its own merits.
March 25, 2012
I love the Foreigner series, and this book has all of the intrigue and misdirection of its predecessors, but almost none of the action and drama. Too many different stories are tracked, between Bren, Ilsidi, and Cajeiri. In the previous books, they were more closely interwoven, whereas here they are more independent threads - good for the characters, but I felt it weakened the core of the story. It's really more of a transition book (at 100K words!) to set up the next two in this triplet. Still CJ's descriptions are excellent, and she sneaks in some delightful humor - I'm sure I missed some of it.
Don't misunderstand, this is still a great read, just not the best in this series.
Don't misunderstand, this is still a great read, just not the best in this series.
March 19, 2014
This book will appeal to readers familiar with the universe but not to others as this is an interlude book where very little action takes place but foundation are laid for the next two books.
I enjoyed it but I am a long time fan of the Foreigner universe.
I enjoyed it but I am a long time fan of the Foreigner universe.
October 10, 2025
Rereading my favorite series.
April 23, 2022
Not as dramatic or action-packed as others in the series which is a nice change.
October 10, 2022
4 stars
Still love this series, 13 books in
Still love this series, 13 books in
September 9, 2013
4 tending strongly to 4 and a half stars. #13 in the Foreigner series. this would so not be the place to start with this series, which is very chronological. but it's a wonderful gift for those who have followed the series faithfully. it's less about unrelenting action this time than about consequences and possibilities, full of interiority and streaming consciousness, and for that reason is more intimate and revealing about motivations, strategies, and the thought processes of many of the principal characters, as civil war ends on this world and the much more difficult process of peace begins. there's Bren negotiating at the center, the dowager Ilisidi revealing her long game, the rebel leader Machigi making what we might call a subtle, ambiguous, and dangerous leap of faith, the ultraconservative Tatiseigi and the ultraliberal moving towards an unprecedented understanding, and the royal household dealing with treachery and huge problems of divided loyalty within. but for the first time the royal family has become a family unit again, after the long years of upheaval and estrangement, and we get a look at how much that family needs to find a way to heal from within. and there's an in-depth look at the thinking of the young atevi heir Cajeiri, just short of felicitous nine and learning on his own how to order his household, identify treachery, mediate his relationship to his parents, incorporate both human loyalty and atevi man'chi into his calculations and use them both to map his astonishingly broad set of personal and geographical associations. and between them, with Bren at the center, some concepts as human as friendship and even love, built off something like intuition, gain purchase among them all. an almost-emotional level of trust results. a common desire to make the world better, and strong, results. and this is the crucible, in which now all of them change, because they must; and the most resistant to change, change most; and the world shifts, the board shifts, so that the heavens may shift someday as well.
April 10, 2013
I've been a C.J. Cherryh fan for about 25 years now, but I still found Intruder somewhat lacking. There's not much action or real drama going on, and not just because this is the first Foreigner book where Bren isn't in much danger of being shot or blown up. While there are some tense moments, even in the political wars of words nothing goes seriously wrong; it's smooth sailing, especially by Foreigner standards. Given the usual stakes in this series, when a book's most exciting and dramatic sequence involves a child's missing pet and the parental hysteria surrounding it, something is wrong. Intruder is obviously setting up the next arc, but that's no excuse.
Also, that was very uncool to dangle the plot thread of some of the space station kids coming down and then not have it in this book.
There are a lot of typos. I've heard there were mishaps with the manuscript that resulted in a copy getting to the editor late and thus not getting much examination before going to press. It makes me wonder if the book's plot might have changed at all for the better if it had received more editing.
Intruder is only for people who are already fans of the series and enjoy catching up with the characters they've followed over 12 previous books. I'll be picking up the next one because I'm invested in the series, not off the strength of Intruder.
Also, that was very uncool to dangle the plot thread of some of the space station kids coming down and then not have it in this book.
There are a lot of typos. I've heard there were mishaps with the manuscript that resulted in a copy getting to the editor late and thus not getting much examination before going to press. It makes me wonder if the book's plot might have changed at all for the better if it had received more editing.
Intruder is only for people who are already fans of the series and enjoy catching up with the characters they've followed over 12 previous books. I'll be picking up the next one because I'm invested in the series, not off the strength of Intruder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2012
I hated this illustration at first, but upon seeing it in person,I quite like it, excepting the depiction of Bren as a self-satisfied, cynical bureaucrat. This is the first cover that features the social situations Bren so often navigates, rather than the action/adventure/danger aspect. It's really quite apt in that these parlor dramas are where he wields his artistry as the paidhi-ajii most ferociously. So, good cover. There is also the intimation that these supposedly civilized environs are just as fraught with danger and intrigue as the more overt guns-a-blazing covers.
Anyway...good start and interesting plot. If you hate Cajeiri, may as well give up, cause the kid is here to stay. For the last trilogy, I waited til all the books were written before I bought the books and started reading. But i can't wait 3 more whole years to find out about Bren! so I have succumbed to this first book at least.
The ending, like most of the 1st in the trilogy books, seems lacking. This next trilogy is going to be remarkably narrow ending, likely with the birth of the second child of Tabini, and the bday party. After that she can only go to the Ko arriving. She has gotten way too domestic, and not science-fiction-y enough!
Anyway...good start and interesting plot. If you hate Cajeiri, may as well give up, cause the kid is here to stay. For the last trilogy, I waited til all the books were written before I bought the books and started reading. But i can't wait 3 more whole years to find out about Bren! so I have succumbed to this first book at least.
The ending, like most of the 1st in the trilogy books, seems lacking. This next trilogy is going to be remarkably narrow ending, likely with the birth of the second child of Tabini, and the bday party. After that she can only go to the Ko arriving. She has gotten way too domestic, and not science-fiction-y enough!
Read
May 16, 2017C.J. Cherryh is one of the few authors I keep in both digital and book copy, which is a strange sign-of-the-times compliment. Her Foreigner series revolves around the human translator Bren navigating between the alien atevi and the humans space-shipwrecked on their planet centuries ago. The 13th title is ‘Intruder’ and provides a much needed refresher on the wide cast of characters and delves more into the history of the feudal Japanese-like atevi culture. While not the strongest storyline for the young prince Cajieri and too little of the inimitable Dowager Ilisidi, I am intrigued by the new character of one-time (or is he still?) enemy Machigi. And, as it has from the first book, the relationships between his longtime bodyguards and Bren form the backbone of the story. Within that close-knit group, Cherryh uses language to explore concepts like love, violence, attraction, duty and what is good (and not so good) about being human. For newcomers it might not be the best book to start with, but if you are looking for an excellent sci-fi series this has been a favorite of mine for years.
-- Bethany R. --
-- Bethany R. --
July 27, 2012
One wonders whether things proceeded a trifle too well for Bren-ji and Jeri-ji throughout the book. Certainly, the lack of conflict seems a bit out of place, considering how often our paidhi must duck out of a gunfight. Or wander across Najida nursing an injury (etc. etc). The lack of conflict, real conflict, seems like a misstep.
However, one must take into account this is but the first book in a new Foreigner arc and therefore, trouble is probably forthcoming. With that in mind, it was pleasant to see our characters not being battered, shot at, and otherwise in trouble. It was a nice change of pace and the writing flowed very nicely, as though Ms. Cherryh enjoyed writing it.
My one quibble, aside from lack of real conflict, are the typos and occasional wording problems. One understands this book was rushed to the publisher, after a first copy was lost, and therefore, the time spent proofreading before was not utilized. It was rushed through editing, hence the errors. One doubts the same errors will transpire a second time.
I greatly look forward to the next book in the series. Reading the Foreigner series, after 13 books, is very much like coming home.
However, one must take into account this is but the first book in a new Foreigner arc and therefore, trouble is probably forthcoming. With that in mind, it was pleasant to see our characters not being battered, shot at, and otherwise in trouble. It was a nice change of pace and the writing flowed very nicely, as though Ms. Cherryh enjoyed writing it.
My one quibble, aside from lack of real conflict, are the typos and occasional wording problems. One understands this book was rushed to the publisher, after a first copy was lost, and therefore, the time spent proofreading before was not utilized. It was rushed through editing, hence the errors. One doubts the same errors will transpire a second time.
I greatly look forward to the next book in the series. Reading the Foreigner series, after 13 books, is very much like coming home.
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