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embermantles's review against another edition
1.0
There were an uncomfortable amount of references to the main character's genitals.
Also kept thinking the book was going to start having any kind of plot, but there's no over-arching anything. Except that the main character doesn't know what's expected of him and nobody really tells him anything.
Also kept thinking the book was going to start having any kind of plot, but there's no over-arching anything. Except that the main character doesn't know what's expected of him and nobody really tells him anything.
engrossedreader's review against another edition
5.0
essinink's review against another edition
2.0
C.J. Cherryh's work is always a gamble; it tends to be slow-building and heavy on the details, but it usually pays off. Keyword: Usually.
The human boy Haras (called Thorn) is an infant when he's given into old Duun's keeping. Duun is Hataani, a kind of warrior-monk-judge in the alien Shonun society. His ways are harsh and uncompromising, but he raises and teaches Thorn as he would any other Shonun infant. Of course, as Thorn grows, he can't help but notice that no one in the world looks like him. And so the questions grow: Who is he? What is he? Where did he come from? What is his purpose? Duun gives few answers, and meanwhile others watch to see what this boy becomes.
It's an interesting idea, to raise a human in an alien society and see what comes of it, but while it's notable for its human-as-other perspective and twists on alien contact, I found the execution tepid. Usually Cherryh borders on overwhelming facts and claustrophobic psychological insights. Not so here. If anything, I wish the prose had been been more detailed. Between Thorn's sheltered understanding and Duun's taciturn narrative, Shonun society remains frustratingly opaque, with key caste elements only announced in the run-up to the finale. While I understood the gist of the factors at play, it was a bit of a muddle.
Not bad, but far from Cherryh's best. 2/5 stars.
The human boy Haras (called Thorn) is an infant when he's given into old Duun's keeping. Duun is Hataani, a kind of warrior-monk-judge in the alien Shonun society. His ways are harsh and uncompromising, but he raises and teaches Thorn as he would any other Shonun infant. Of course, as Thorn grows, he can't help but notice that no one in the world looks like him. And so the questions grow: Who is he? What is he? Where did he come from? What is his purpose? Duun gives few answers, and meanwhile others watch to see what this boy becomes.
It's an interesting idea, to raise a human in an alien society and see what comes of it, but while it's notable for its human-as-other perspective and twists on alien contact, I found the execution tepid. Usually Cherryh borders on overwhelming facts and claustrophobic psychological insights. Not so here. If anything, I wish the prose had been been more detailed. Between Thorn's sheltered understanding and Duun's taciturn narrative, Shonun society remains frustratingly opaque, with key caste elements only announced in the run-up to the finale. While I understood the gist of the factors at play, it was a bit of a muddle.
Not bad, but far from Cherryh's best. 2/5 stars.
ladymacbeth_1985's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was unputdownable. It was fascinating and poignant and kind of sad, the story carrying a melancholy and ponderous tone, as well as deep sympathy for the human character who undergoes severe manipulation his entire life.
The most fascinating thing about this novel is that Thorn - the human - grows up isolated from the Shounin society and Duun deliberately withholds information from him about the world and culture. The story jumps between Duun and Thron in terms of third-person POV, so we learn somewhat of why Duun is doing this but we also identify with Thorn because of his confusion, desire to fit in, and desperation to please his adopted father and live up to his legacy.
The most fascinating thing about this novel is that Thorn - the human - grows up isolated from the Shounin society and Duun deliberately withholds information from him about the world and culture. The story jumps between Duun and Thron in terms of third-person POV, so we learn somewhat of why Duun is doing this but we also identify with Thorn because of his confusion, desire to fit in, and desperation to please his adopted father and live up to his legacy.
Duun starts training Thron in his “hatani” warrior culture as a child, a rigorous, somewhat emotionally abusive process that further leads to his confusion, as everything about Thorn’s life seems to be a test by Duun. As such, the entire book has a bit of a mystery quality to it, as we’re never sure what Thorn is or where he’s from (though he’s obviously Terran). This withholding aspect makes perfect sense at the end of the book though, with a satisfying reveal.
In terms of alien culture, while there was some difference in the way society was set up, at times Duun felt like a human with fur. I suppose some of this is because it’s an intimate novel, focusing mainly on the dynamic and relationship between Thorn and Duun, so we don’t see a lot of the aliens at large and the fact that we are afforded such a close purview into Duun's head serves to lessen his alienness. There also wasn’t space in the novel for too much complexity, as the relationship aspect was intricate enough. Still, I loved how Thorn was the displaced one and how we learn about the aliens as he does.
Overall, it’s an addictive read that I highly recommend.
annaswan's review against another edition
4.0
It kept my interest, but it was oh so emotionally tense
sci_fi's review against another edition
5.0
‰ЫПI took an alien, I held it, fed it, warmed it‰ЫУit was small, but it would grow. I took it up on a mountain and lived with it alone. I slept under one roof with it, I made it angry, I encouraged it and pushed it and I had nightmares, minnow, I dreamed that it might turn on me. There were times I held it that my flesh crawled; I did these things.‰Ыќ
liminalcryptid's review against another edition
5.0
I read this years ago, as a young adult, and it remains one of my ultimate favourite reads.
tome15's review against another edition
4.0
It's not my favorite of Cherry's works. However, it is still way better than the run-of-the-mill science fiction novel. It has strong characters, thoughtful world building, and plot that makes sense and is unified. You don't see that everywhere.
rivqa's review against another edition
4.0
This might have been the first Cherryh I read. An absorbing, excellent read.