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Cyteen #3
The Vindication
Concludes the story of Ariane Emory, the brilliant scientist murdered and subsequently cloned, who is the only one able to save humanity
308 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
4 people are currently reading
443 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 5, 2009
5.0 stars (going on 5.5 to 6.0 stars). This is one of the most brilliantly written books I have ever read and I believe is a work of special genius (no pun intended based on the subject matter of the book). This is not an EASY book to read and is not what I would describe as TONS of FUN. It is a complex, richly detailed, psychological science fiction mystery peopled by characters of vast intellect and extreme cunning. This makes the story one in whiuch the reader must pay close attention. However, the pay off for such attention is well worth it. This is a very important book. In sum this book is BRILLIANT, VERY ORIGINAL AND A SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION.
Winner: Hugo Award for Best Novel
Winner: Locus Award Best Novel
Nominee: British Science Ficion Award
Number 30 on Locus list of All Time Best SF Novels.
Winner: Hugo Award for Best Novel
Winner: Locus Award Best Novel
Nominee: British Science Ficion Award
Number 30 on Locus list of All Time Best SF Novels.
June 5, 2025
Tercera parte de la novela donde podemos ver ya el desenlace de la historia. En esta parte se centra ya en la entrada a la edad adulta de Ari, la protagonita clon, y su acceso a todos los archivos de su yo original a los que todavía no tenía acceso para saber la verdad.
Mismo estilo que los otros dos y al final he terminado leyendo en diagonal porque se hacen bastante largas todas las subtramas con los personajes secundarios.
Como reseña general, es una historia en principio interesante, que toca un tema bastante atractivo en este subgénero de los clones, pero que se pierde en los personajes secundarios que ni son atractivos ni tienen una evolución en toda la novela. Creo que más de 1000 páginas contando las tres partes es demasiado y se hubiera podido contar en muchas menos. Una pena.
Mismo estilo que los otros dos y al final he terminado leyendo en diagonal porque se hacen bastante largas todas las subtramas con los personajes secundarios.
Como reseña general, es una historia en principio interesante, que toca un tema bastante atractivo en este subgénero de los clones, pero que se pierde en los personajes secundarios que ni son atractivos ni tienen una evolución en toda la novela. Creo que más de 1000 páginas contando las tres partes es demasiado y se hubiera podido contar en muchas menos. Una pena.
May 26, 2020
The first paperback printing of C. J. Cherryh's large Hugo-winning novel Cyteen was in three parts, each one a separate book, and described as a trilogy.
Part 1: The Betrayal
Part 2: The Rebirth
Part 3: The Vindication
Since then, Cherryh has repudiated that format, and will no longer allow it to be published other than in a single volume. I couldn't find anywhere what the reason for that might have been. But after reading the entire novel, I feel that it could be because part 1 was so incredibly slow that no one would buy parts 2 and 3. While parts 2 and 3 do pick up a little, the writing is generally high on intrigue and low on action. It could be just me, as a non-student of 1970s jargon, but I had trouble understanding the innuendo and perceived threats that were motivating the characters in their decision making throughout the novel.
Fortunately, almost by random chance, I had recently read the precursor books in the correct order before this one. Downbelow Station and Forty Thousand in Gehenna provide important context for the setting of this book. It is set entirely on the Union homeworld of Cyteen, about which much is implied in those earlier books but never directly told. The plot begins (after 200 pages) with the assassination of the rich, powerful, sex-abusing scientist/politician Ariane Emory, of a founding family of Cyteen. A clone of her is grown, and as the girl grows she gradually learns to assume her destiny as a replacement for her predecessor. A somewhat more sympathetic character exists in Justin Warrick and his Azi (bio-engineered servant) partner Grant. Justin himself is a clone of another famous scientist now living in exile. While cloning and psychological programming are givens in this setting, the real science of the novel is political science, which unfortunately is not so interesting to me.
Part 1: The Betrayal
Part 2: The Rebirth
Part 3: The Vindication
Since then, Cherryh has repudiated that format, and will no longer allow it to be published other than in a single volume. I couldn't find anywhere what the reason for that might have been. But after reading the entire novel, I feel that it could be because part 1 was so incredibly slow that no one would buy parts 2 and 3. While parts 2 and 3 do pick up a little, the writing is generally high on intrigue and low on action. It could be just me, as a non-student of 1970s jargon, but I had trouble understanding the innuendo and perceived threats that were motivating the characters in their decision making throughout the novel.
Fortunately, almost by random chance, I had recently read the precursor books in the correct order before this one. Downbelow Station and Forty Thousand in Gehenna provide important context for the setting of this book. It is set entirely on the Union homeworld of Cyteen, about which much is implied in those earlier books but never directly told. The plot begins (after 200 pages) with the assassination of the rich, powerful, sex-abusing scientist/politician Ariane Emory, of a founding family of Cyteen. A clone of her is grown, and as the girl grows she gradually learns to assume her destiny as a replacement for her predecessor. A somewhat more sympathetic character exists in Justin Warrick and his Azi (bio-engineered servant) partner Grant. Justin himself is a clone of another famous scientist now living in exile. While cloning and psychological programming are givens in this setting, the real science of the novel is political science, which unfortunately is not so interesting to me.
October 20, 2023
In my time reviewing books, what I've come to realise is that what frustrates me the most is not when a book is outright bad as such (those can be entertaining in their own way), but more when a book promises brilliance and wastes this potential. Cyteen is a prime example of such a book.
There is no doubt that C.J. Cherryh is an author of magnificent ideas. The premise, of a young clone having to take the mantle of her tyrant predecessor's legacy, was fascinating and it explored this theme early on in a deeply satisfying way. It explored her relationships with the people around her with a surprisingly human touch that I wasn't expecting for such a dense sci-fi.
The world of Cyteen is complex and the politics of it take up much of the story. This is also to its detriment as the book eventually gets so bogged down in the political that it no longer knows where to manoeuvre. There hit a point, maybe just after half way through, that I realised the plot threads it set up early on would never get resolved or properly explored. And they don't. Ariane even gets relegated to a side character later on in favour of Justin, her friend in the centre of the book's political storm. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
It didn't help too that the writing style felt tossed-off, with dense, confusing passages that begged for editing. For all its excellent ideas, it's as if Cherryh was so eager to move onto her next project that she couldn't be bothered to develop the story properly.
So overall, I found this a frustrating experience. Would I read more of this author's work? Yes, for her ideas, but that's a cautious recommendation. A scout around at other reviews of the author's books shows that my experience is a common theme. But I can also see why people rate her highly. Given more time and love, Cyteen could have been an outright sci-fi classic, and I find it a shame that it isn't.
There is no doubt that C.J. Cherryh is an author of magnificent ideas. The premise, of a young clone having to take the mantle of her tyrant predecessor's legacy, was fascinating and it explored this theme early on in a deeply satisfying way. It explored her relationships with the people around her with a surprisingly human touch that I wasn't expecting for such a dense sci-fi.
The world of Cyteen is complex and the politics of it take up much of the story. This is also to its detriment as the book eventually gets so bogged down in the political that it no longer knows where to manoeuvre. There hit a point, maybe just after half way through, that I realised the plot threads it set up early on would never get resolved or properly explored. And they don't. Ariane even gets relegated to a side character later on in favour of Justin, her friend in the centre of the book's political storm. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
It didn't help too that the writing style felt tossed-off, with dense, confusing passages that begged for editing. For all its excellent ideas, it's as if Cherryh was so eager to move onto her next project that she couldn't be bothered to develop the story properly.
So overall, I found this a frustrating experience. Would I read more of this author's work? Yes, for her ideas, but that's a cautious recommendation. A scout around at other reviews of the author's books shows that my experience is a common theme. But I can also see why people rate her highly. Given more time and love, Cyteen could have been an outright sci-fi classic, and I find it a shame that it isn't.
August 9, 2013
How did this book win the Hugo with such a horrible ending? In fact, the whole book doesn't make sense at all. Nothing is really explained to what is happening, who did anything, or any motivation of why. In the end, I'm not convinced that Ari is as smart as we are told or capable of running these huge complicated organizations. It has too many confusing characters to follow effectively.
May 24, 2020
8/10
I can’t believe I am writing this, but I thought this was a bit anti-climatic as an ending to the Cyteen trilogy. I know that’s an odd thing to say because the story does build to a big climax, but so many questions are either left unanswered or I am unable to ferret out the answers.
I understand that the author added a fourth book, Regenesis some years later, so maybe that will bring more resolution to the lingering issues.
I can’t believe I am writing this, but I thought this was a bit anti-climatic as an ending to the Cyteen trilogy. I know that’s an odd thing to say because the story does build to a big climax, but so many questions are either left unanswered or I am unable to ferret out the answers.
I understand that the author added a fourth book, Regenesis some years later, so maybe that will bring more resolution to the lingering issues.
November 1, 2018
If you slogged this far through Cyteen and were hoping for a payoff, man will you be disappointed. The fact that this book won the Hugo has me seriously evaluating whether I should use that as a parameter upon which to read sci-fi books. I am so disappointed in this huge tome that I may never read another Cherryh book. I have never read a book so devoid of action, payoff or even likeable characters. Sorry for the rant.
May 25, 2018
This is the third in a series, and requires the prior two to make sense. The story is set well enough in the first book, but this book doesn't really feel like it vindicates anything. Anticlimactic.
Also, this series makes most sense if you have read at least Downbelow Station, as a backdrop to the series.
Also, this series makes most sense if you have read at least Downbelow Station, as a backdrop to the series.
April 19, 2024
I have read both Downbelow Station and Forty Thousand in Gehenna by Cherryh. Those two books precede this book and for me are far superior. Political intrigues might be fun reading for some people, but the bulk of this book plodded along for me.
July 12, 2024
Me parece una buena culminación de toda la trama, enrevesada, llena de politiqueo y conspiraciones. Como los otros libros, inteligente, complicado, detallado y lento a veces. Buen final, aunque hecho en falta alguna explicación más.
August 3, 2017
The story starts good but then turns into a mess with a bunch unexplained things and supposedly smart characters doing dumb stuff. Just mediocre.
January 7, 2018
Very enjoyable series.
August 28, 2025
This was a very hard slog....but worth it in the end.
Read
October 23, 2025A compelling heroine...a future as detailed as that of Herbert's Dune...and finely orchestrated suspense right up to the end.Strongly recommended.
December 27, 2009
WELL!
It's got lots of high concept, the strength of the story is in the detailed cases of nature-vs-nurture, which provides us with a lot of well-realized portraits. There are a lot of actions and plot-asides that feel... extraneous. I do wonder why they are in there. But when it comes to the central plot, the plot-movements are nice and neat. I mean, like how we are presented with the final evidence as to whether Jordon killed Ari Emory. You just get the info, cold and complete. I like that a lot.
I don't like anything with Mikhail Corain. After getting all the way through Cyteen, I find I could have skipped all scenes with him and missed nothing at all. He's... not really in the story.
The book gripped me and I devoured it. I couldn't put it down. I dreamed about it at night. But I also felt immensely frustrated with it, like I was being forced to read because the plot points I cared about were promised, and held off.
And it's one of those endings where from this point you can tell it will be resolved at some point in the near future, but you don't get the payoff of actual resolution. There were so many questions unanswered.
And no sex on-screen. PITY!
It's got lots of high concept, the strength of the story is in the detailed cases of nature-vs-nurture, which provides us with a lot of well-realized portraits. There are a lot of actions and plot-asides that feel... extraneous. I do wonder why they are in there. But when it comes to the central plot, the plot-movements are nice and neat. I mean, like how we are presented with the final evidence as to whether Jordon killed Ari Emory. You just get the info, cold and complete. I like that a lot.
I don't like anything with Mikhail Corain. After getting all the way through Cyteen, I find I could have skipped all scenes with him and missed nothing at all. He's... not really in the story.
The book gripped me and I devoured it. I couldn't put it down. I dreamed about it at night. But I also felt immensely frustrated with it, like I was being forced to read because the plot points I cared about were promised, and held off.
And it's one of those endings where from this point you can tell it will be resolved at some point in the near future, but you don't get the payoff of actual resolution. There were so many questions unanswered.
And no sex on-screen. PITY!
June 8, 2016
Bien. Por momentos la trama se reitera para hacernos comprender ciertas cosas, incluso por la fuerza de ser necesario. Y sobre el final estamos constantemente pensando ¿pero quién? ¿Quién es el culpable? ¿Dónde esta la trampa?
Por la enorme cantidad de porqués que me dejó este libro y sobre todo por su final, le doy menos estrellas que a todos sus predecesores (y sólo por eso), el libro es bueno salvo por esa excepción.
Por la enorme cantidad de porqués que me dejó este libro y sobre todo por su final, le doy menos estrellas que a todos sus predecesores (y sólo por eso), el libro es bueno salvo por esa excepción.
January 27, 2022
Cyteen, as a whole, is supposed to be a classic. I'm not sure I buy it. It isn't bad, in the way of slightly dated SF, but it just isn't all that exciting. Maybe it's good if you're looking for context around C. J. Cherryh's world, but, honestly, I find this vastly overrated.
February 7, 2019
7/10. Media de los 13 libros leídos de la autora : 8/10
Me llevo yo bien con la Cherry. Casi siempre entretenida de leer, me quedo con “Hermanos de tierra” o “Paladín”. Y de series la de Cyteen (la de Chanur tb está bien). La chica ha ganado creo que 4 Hugos, que no es poco.
Solo me ha defraudado suyo “La puerta de Ivrel”
Me llevo yo bien con la Cherry. Casi siempre entretenida de leer, me quedo con “Hermanos de tierra” o “Paladín”. Y de series la de Cyteen (la de Chanur tb está bien). La chica ha ganado creo que 4 Hugos, que no es poco.
Solo me ha defraudado suyo “La puerta de Ivrel”
April 19, 2007
These books should really be listed as one novel, they were never intended to be broken into a trilogy. A must read for any one interested in how gen-engineering could play out in society.
November 30, 2007
Genre: Science Fiction
OMG, how did I miss these?! Absolutely brilliant!
OMG, how did I miss these?! Absolutely brilliant!
February 14, 2009
A fine grained tale of intergalactic political machinations and planned genetic manipulation.
Read
April 12, 2009Among my favorites. Ever.
May 22, 2015
Cyteen is the only novel (that I remember) from the OTHER side of the war introduced in "Downbelow Station".
December 31, 2010
Wow. Change of power, but the story has some serious loose ends. I hope those are dealt with in the sequel.
August 8, 2021
The final in the trilogy is excellent! I couldn't put it down. I also found there is a fourth book and started to scream, then had my hubby order it. Much more action in this book.
October 1, 2018
End of Cyteen stories.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews