Synopses & Reviews
Civil war on the world of the
atevi seems to be over, but diplomatic disputes and political infighting continue unabated. Bren Cameron, brilliant human diplomat allied with the dominant Western Association, has just returned to the capital from his country home on the coast. But his sojourn was anything but restful. Attacked by rebel forces hoping to kill not only him, but also Ilisidi, the grandmother, and Cajieri, the young son, of Tabini-aiji, the powerful head of the Western Association, Bren and his resourceful associates have had a small war of their own to contend with. And this small war has ended with a daring proposition: that their longtime enemy Machigi, having been double-crossed by his allies and approached by Ilisidi with an offer of alliance, will sign a trade agreement with her Eastern district-a situation which has upset both the rebels and the loyal north.
But Brens accustomed role as negotiator for Tabini, Ilisidi, and their associates has suddenly changed radicallyfor Machigi, to Brens utter shock, has evoked an ancient law. Bren wears the white ribbon that for the last few centuries has identified the single official human-atevi negotiator. But before humans landed, this white ribbon represented a specialized negotiator between atevi adversariesa mediator who agreed to represent both sides with equal loyalty. These ancient mediators frequently ended up dead.
Now back in the capital, Bren finds that things are even more complicated than they previously were. He has now been put in the precaroius position of representing both Ilisidi and Machigi to the congress, and is becoming embroiled with both conservative and liberal factions. Meanwhile, Tabini-aiji is enraged to have lost the personal negotiator who has been his associate for decades, and is also jealous of any other party who stands to influence his young son. But there are even more dangerous things afoot, for Brens bodyguard has warned him there is a crisis inside the immensely dangerous Assassins Guild, and that the recent dustup with the Shadow Guild, a rebellious faction within the Assassins, may be only the beginning.
The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Intruder is the 13th Foreigner novel. It is also the 1st book in the fifth subtrilogy.
Review
"One of the best long-running SF series in existence.... Cherryh remains one of the most talented writers in the field." —
Publishers Weekly
"Some of the finest work of Cherryh's long and distinguished career."—Locus
"My favorite science fiction series is C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner universe. Cherryh deftly balances alien psychology and human vanities in a character caught between being human and part of an alien race."—Denver Post
"There is plenty of intrigue…marvelous attention to detail that makes the culture of the atevi one of the most complex, multi-layered creations in science fiction…. The Foreigner series is about as good as it gets…so finely and densely wrought that you may end up dreaming of sable-skinned giants with gold eyes, and the silver spun delicacy of interstellar politics."—SF Site
"A seriously probing, thoughtful, intelligent piece of work, with more insight in half a dozen pages than most authors manage in half a hundred."—Kirkus
"Cherryh superbly crafts complex intrigues and alien races possessed of integrity, as well as a sense of otherness."—Library Journal
"A large new Cherryh novel is always welcome...a return to the anthropological science fiction in which she has made such a name is a double pleasure.... Superlatively drawn aliens and characterization."—Chicago Sun-Times
Review
"One of the best long-running SF series in existence.... Cherryh remains one of the most talented writers in the field."
Review
"Some of the finest work of Cherryh's long and distinguished career."
Review
"My favorite science fiction series is C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner Universe. Cherryh deftly balances alien psychology and human vanities in a character caught between being human and part of an alien race."
Review
"The Foreigner series is about as good as it gets...so finely and densely wrought that you may end up dreaming of sable-skinned giants with gold eyes, and the silver spun delicacy of interstellar politics."
Review
"A seriously probing, thoughtful, intelligent piece of work, with more insight in half a dozen pages than most authors manage in half a hundred."
Review
“Cherryh superbly crafts complex intrigues and alien races possessed of integrity, as well as a sense of otherness.”
Review
“A large new Cherryh novel is always welcome...a return to the anthropological science fiction in which she has made such a name is a double pleasure.... Superlatively drawn aliens and characterization.”
Review
“Cherryhs project is particularly impressive, not only because it has gone on for so many years and volumes, but because every partial mutual understanding gained by humans and
atevi opens up new opportunities for misunderstanding (and vice versa).” —
Locus
"The latest Foreigner Universe saga...is a deep cerebral entry." —Midwest Review
"Another beautifully woven tapestry in a mesmerizing series about a complex alien society. Ms. Cherryhs expertise in world-building is again showcased in this masterpiece of protocol and intrigue that blends easily understood emotions with the intricacies of maneuvering that accompanies power struggles on a global scale." —Night Owl Reviews
"One of the best long-running SF series in existence...Cherryh remains one of the most talented writers in the field." —Publishers Weekly
"My favorite science fiction series is C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner Universe. Cherryh deftly balances alien psychology and human vanities in a character caught between being human and part of an alien race." —Denver Post
"The Foreigner series is about as good as it gets...so finely and densely wrought that you may end up dreaming of sable-skinned giants with gold eyes, and the silver spun delicacy of interstellar politics." —SFSite
“Cherryh superbly crafts complex intrigues and alien races possessed of integrity, as well as a sense of otherness.” —Library Journal
Synopsis
It's coming up on Cajeiri's birthday. The boy has been promised he can have the young human children he knew from his voyage sent down from the space station for a two week stay.
But there's far a darker business going on in the backgrounda major split compromising the Assassins' Guild, which furnishes security and law enforcement to the whole continent. Tabini's consort's own father has been barred from court, and may be involved in a new conspiracy against him. For safety reasons, Tabini wants Bren and Ilisidi to take charge of Cajeiri, and protect him and his young guests. They themselves are very likely targets of whatever's going on, no question of it. So is Cajeiri. But having the targets separated and contained is an advantage.
It's Bren's responsibility to entertain the guests, keep the security problem secret...and let a lonely eight-year-old prince reestablish his controversial relationship with the only other children he's ever met...inside the best security they can manage.
The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Protector is the 14th Foreigner novel. It is also the 2nd book in the fifth subtrilogy.
Synopsis
Morgaine must meet her greatest challengeGault, who is both human and alien, and also seeks control of the world and its Gate. She will meet the true Gatemastera mysterious lord with power as great, or greater, than her own.
Synopsis
The civil war among the alien atevi has ended. Tabini-aiji, powerful ruler of the Western Association, along with Cajeiri his son and heir, and his human paidhi, Bren Cameron, have returned to the Bujavid, their seat of power.
But factions that remain loyal to the opposition are still present, and the danger these rebels pose is far from over.
Synopsis
Sword-and-sorcery meets hard sci-fi in C.J. Cherryh's epic story of a woman's mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe.
Synopsis
Civil war on the world of the
atevi is finally over. And Cajeiri, son and heir of Tabini-aiji,
atevi leader of the dominant Western Association, is about to celebrate his fortunate ninth birthday. Bren Cameron, brilliant human diplomat allied with Tabini, has managed to arrange a visit for Cajeiris three special associates from the starship
Phoenixordinary human children who developed a bond with Cajeiri during his two years in space.
After a year of political upheaval, this is a happy event: the heir is safe, the aiji is back in power, and a massive celebration is planned in the capital. The whole world is watching.
But Bren Cameron has received evidence that security has been severely compromised from the aijis high office on downward. The powerful Assassins Guildwhich provides the judicial system, law enforcement, and personal protection in atevi societyis in the hands of a man who would like to turn the entire world back two centuries.
Bren now knows the details of a decades-old plot thats been threaded through Guild actions since before his arrival on the continent. The enemys best chance is to strike now, at the public celebration that is much too important and far too advanced to cancel.
Bren and his associates have no choice. If they dont make the first move, the other side will. And the lives of the heir, his innocent human guests, and the entire ruling family are at stake.
Synopsis
At lastCajeiri has his young guests from the starship, three young folk entranced by weather and trees and creatures with minds of their own. Its all he dreamed of...
But now safety is foremost: Cajeiris grandfather has been assassinated, hostile Assassins Guild invaded Great-uncles house, and now Bren Cameron, paidhi-aiji, who was sent to keep the aijis son safe, has more than the young guests on his mind. The aiji-dowager knows whos to blame for the attacks, and theyre going after him.
The fact that the person responsible is in the heart of Assassins Guild Headquarters, the most closely guarded fortress on the continent, is not going to stop her.
Bren Cameron has the pieces now, of a decades-old plot thats been threaded through Guild actions going back before his arrival on the continent, and morehe knows the person responsible is going to find out he knows, and find out within hours.
They have no choice. If they dont move, the other side will.
And the lives of the boy, the guests, the entire ruling family are at stake.
Synopsis
Together for the first time in one volumeall four novels in the dark science fiction epic, the Morgaine Cycle.
The gates were relics of a lost era, a linked network of portals that the ruthless Qual empire used to span Time and Space. The Science Buereau has come to believe that sometime, somewhere in the unreachable past, someone has done the unthinkable and warped the very fabric of the universe using these gates. Now, it is up to Morgaine, a mysterious woman aided by a single warrior honor-bound to serve her, to travel from world to world sealing the ancient gates whose very existence threatens the integrity of all worlds...
About the Author
C. J. Cherryh planned to write since the age of ten. When she was older, she learned to use a type writer while triple-majoring in Classics, Latin and Greek. At 33, she signed over her first three books to DAW and has worked with DAW ever since. She can be found at cherryh.com.