|
|
A Foreigner Novel #20
C. J. Cherryh
Daw Books
7 January 2020 / ISBN 9780756414276
SciFi
Reviewed
by David M W Powers
|
Bren
Cameron is the human ambassador to the atevi, but his atevi
role as paidhi-aiji means that it is also his job to represent
the atevi ruler in their dealings with outsiders - of whatever
species. The series is largely told from the point of view of
Bren.
In this 20th installment, Bren is representing the atevi dowager
Illisidi, grandmother of the aiji Tabini and still a power behind
the throne, as she seeks to bring stability to the north in
the face of intrigues and assassinations, the overt politics
of trade, and the covert politics within the guilds. Much of
the interest in the series comes from the non-human cultural
conventions, traits and proprieties that constrain and control
the actions of the atevi, and these are the major drivers of
this book.
It is the second novel in a three-volume arc whose main additional
protagonist is Cajeiri, the 9-year-old son of the aiji. Cajeiri
is expected to act not just as an adult but as a representative
of the aiji, and has already played a significant role in a
couple of independent areas of international import. He is the
only other character whose thoughts we ride in this story.
Cherryh manages the balance of Cajeiri’s child-like interests
and concerns, his stepping up as adult and heir in the situation
he is presented with, as the development and maintenance of
youthful associations that go beyond human friendships and become
lifelong allegiances.
The present volume, however, revolves largely around Machigi,
a neighbouring ruler with a piratanical [puritanical?] reputation,
Nomari, an unexpected, unexexpectedly connected, pretender to
the lordship of another neighboring state famed for the fast
assassination of its rulers, as well as machinations relating
to the development of a railroad to connect the regions. However,
we still do not learn as much about these two as we might like
- both remain enigmatic to Bren, while Cajeiri provides important
aspects of our understanding of Nomari.
This book is an interesting read, but not the best introduction
to the series.
Reviewer’s Notes:
In a series this long, a reader new to the series must wonder
whether they can start anywhere or must read the series in order,
while a past reader may feel they need to reread the entire
series to understand each new volume. As a set of trilogies,
it would indeed be possible to read one such arc on its own,
and Cherryh deftly provides both the cultural and historical
background without giving too much away of the previous plots.
This reviewer has come to this volume mid-arc, after an absence
of a few years from the annual progression of novels in the
series. The characters and the culture were brought quickly
back to mind, while the four books that I've missed have not
been spoiled, and are indeed now next in my reading queue. |
| AU
Reviewer: David M W Powers is the author of over 300
scientific papers and two books on Artificial Intelligence and
Robotics. His alter ego, Marti Ward, explores the implications
of advanced technologies in science fiction. |
|