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mebius's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lastxcaress's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
5.0
This is the fourth book in the abidingly excellent Chanur science-fiction series, a series presented entirely from the viewpoint of aliens. Mild spoilers ahead.
Most of all I love these characters: Pyanfar, a role model of magnificence for any aging female, no matter her species; Tully, the lone human who learns the word for 'friend' early and well; Khym breaking down stereotypes by his presence; hani and mahendo'sat and even the kif Skkukuk. There were a couple of times near the end when the book moved me to tears, not through tragedy, but because of the moments of grace, of understanding and recognition between the characters. Very highly recommended, though, unsurprisingly, it's best to read the series in order.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
While not the final book in the series, it rounds off the sequence of events begun in book one, and does so brilliantly. The characters, likable from the very beginning of the series, are at their worn and desperate best. The maneuvering between and within the different species, the battles and the threat of battle, the exhaustion of a harried spaceship crew are all handled superbly.Most of all I love these characters: Pyanfar, a role model of magnificence for any aging female, no matter her species; Tully, the lone human who learns the word for 'friend' early and well; Khym breaking down stereotypes by his presence; hani and mahendo'sat and even the kif Skkukuk. There were a couple of times near the end when the book moved me to tears, not through tragedy, but because of the moments of grace, of understanding and recognition between the characters.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
mbs1236's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
essinink's review against another edition
4.0
Their little laws don't seem important to me. That's dangerous, I think. I don't know how to get back to where I was. None of us do.
A recurring theme in Cherryh's Alliance-Union books is the division between those who live in space and those who live on-planet. In the case of the Hani, this divide is especially stark because Hani didn't grow into space on their own; the mehendo'sat gave them the technology. So the Hani on Anuurn keep on in their feudal ways, and the Hani in space are forced to adapt.
In the multi-species Compact, this sets the stage for another theme: Betrayal of Species.
Everyone does it. Hani, Kif, Stsho, Human, even a T'ca. The most innocent in the whole equation are the Kif, for whom the whole process is business as usual.
There's a lot of setup to make it happen. A lot of plotting and double-crossing and pages on gods-be pages of thinking and talking and bluffing and thinking to make it work. But it pays off. Because it's an unusual and troubling theme. It's not so simple as "I'm committing treason and I'll never think about it again." It's species betrayal in everyone's best interests, and the stress of the internal conflict is oppressive. The constant questioning of "how did we get here? How did we come to this place where we have more in common with aliens than our own government? Is this really for the best?" is compelling. And it's Not Simple in a way that I think a lot of writers would shy away from.
Some might call it repetitive. I'm not kidding when I say there are pages of dialogue, and then pages of thinking about that dialogue, and then pages of more dialogue... if that's not your thing, you're going to bounce hard. Me, I'm apparently in the mood for close-perspective plotting and the like. And that's par for the course, with Cherryh's work.
But if you like that sort of thing, I think you'll enjoy this. Just remember that venture/kif/homecoming is actually (1) book, and schedule your time accordingly.
katmarhan's review against another edition
5.0
10/10
Such a great combination of political and military maneuvering in space (with constant tension and one disaster after another) and character study and development (with a very diverse group of species). I would love to read more in Compact space after I finish the Chanur series, but I don’t think Cherryh wrote any other books in this part of her universe.
Such a great combination of political and military maneuvering in space (with constant tension and one disaster after another) and character study and development (with a very diverse group of species). I would love to read more in Compact space after I finish the Chanur series, but I don’t think Cherryh wrote any other books in this part of her universe.
onelegflamingo's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was the most exciting book in the series. Pyanfar really shines as a heroic captain. I enjoyed learning more about Chur by reading some chapters from her perspective. Unfortunately, several of the key mysteries were not solved to my satisfaction. We never learned what the Knn's role in the whole affair was, which was a major issue even in book 1. Why was that Knn ship following them for 2 books, etc.? The human part was also woefully under-explained. Getting dragged into human politics/conflicts is glaringly obvious risk of allying with humans, but this book wants us to believe it's a shocking secret.
Most importantly, human factional conflict doesn't effect the story at all. The humans don't effect the story at all, despite their supposed power. Not 100% clear on the Mahen plan either. It is all so convoluted. Pyanfar becomes a "personage" and I want to yell at the screen "what is a personage, beyond my generic understanding that they are an important person? Why does this title mean anything to the Hanni?" I think in Cherryh's mind, everyone understands every nuance of her world perfectly without her having to explain it. A nudge or a hint here and there is enough. It's not enough! Frustratingly, a lot of time is spent on boring delirious stream of consciousness from Chur and even from Pyanfar. They are all on the verge of collapse from fatigue for 80% of the book. I found myself wishing they would get some sleep so the story could focus on something else. The next book is from Hilfi's perspective, and I will probably read it. Eventually.
Most importantly, human factional conflict doesn't effect the story at all. The humans don't effect the story at all, despite their supposed power. Not 100% clear on the Mahen plan either. It is all so convoluted. Pyanfar becomes a "personage" and I want to yell at the screen "what is a personage, beyond my generic understanding that they are an important person? Why does this title mean anything to the Hanni?" I think in Cherryh's mind, everyone understands every nuance of her world perfectly without her having to explain it. A nudge or a hint here and there is enough. It's not enough! Frustratingly, a lot of time is spent on boring delirious stream of consciousness from Chur and even from Pyanfar. They are all on the verge of collapse from fatigue for 80% of the book. I found myself wishing they would get some sleep so the story could focus on something else. The next book is from Hilfi's perspective, and I will probably read it. Eventually.
colossal's review against another edition
5.0
This is a reread for me and part of the buddy read of the Chanur series with the SpecFic Buddy Reads group. The series is structured is an initial volume, a middle trilogy and a sequel set many years later. This is the final book of the middle trilogy.
At the end of the previous book Pyanfur Chanur found herself part of an alliance under the kif Sikkukuk and about to strike at Meetpoint, a stsho station at the heart of Compact space in an escalation of what was previously an internal kif power-struggle. At Meetpoint Pyanfur finds a large group of other hani spacers abandoned by the machinations of Rhif Ehrran and her ill-advised politicking. Finally the machinations of the mahendo'sat and the kif factions point towards a major showdown in the heart of hani space itself.
With all the sitting at dock of the previous book we're overdue for some action, and that action comes thick and fast. First there's the move to Meetpoint which leaves Pyanfur in charge of a bunch of other hani ships and then the jump to Anuurn where the whole hani species is in peril with only Chanur and its tenuous alliances to defend the system. We also get a much wider range of viewpoints in this book which helps free up the narrative. Most of the situation comes clear in this book, with the kif situation finally under control and the human question being dealt with. There's also the sub-plots of the role of Chanur in hani society and male Chanur in space, both of which get dealt with well.
The story isn't without faults. The way that the humans are dealt with isn't very satisfactory, and the activity with the methane-breathers doesn't make a lot of sense either regarding their actions or how the oxygen-breathers have involved them. But the outcomes with the hani and particularly in the epilogue are very satisfying given what has come before.
At the end of the previous book Pyanfur Chanur found herself part of an alliance under the kif Sikkukuk and about to strike at Meetpoint, a stsho station at the heart of Compact space in an escalation of what was previously an internal kif power-struggle. At Meetpoint Pyanfur finds a large group of other hani spacers abandoned by the machinations of Rhif Ehrran and her ill-advised politicking. Finally the machinations of the mahendo'sat and the kif factions point towards a major showdown in the heart of hani space itself.
With all the sitting at dock of the previous book we're overdue for some action, and that action comes thick and fast. First there's the move to Meetpoint which leaves Pyanfur in charge of a bunch of other hani ships and then the jump to Anuurn where the whole hani species is in peril with only Chanur and its tenuous alliances to defend the system. We also get a much wider range of viewpoints in this book which helps free up the narrative. Most of the situation comes clear in this book, with the kif situation finally under control and the human question being dealt with. There's also the sub-plots of the role of Chanur in hani society and male Chanur in space, both of which get dealt with well.
The story isn't without faults. The way that the humans are dealt with isn't very satisfactory, and the activity with the methane-breathers doesn't make a lot of sense either regarding their actions or how the oxygen-breathers have involved them. But the outcomes with the hani and particularly in the epilogue are very satisfying given what has come before.
serena_dawn's review against another edition
3.0
I love, love, love the fact that for lion-aliens in space, as a pride, they are Lionesses (excepting two males later), and that's just true to Earth lions, but still, I liked that aspect. (AND - hehe, alien lionesses with bling!)
Any book by C. J. Cherryh seems like it is hard to get into, but once your there, your there to stay. It also gets easier with each book you read of hers.
This book had a lot of merchant/pirate like talk. I liked how humans were presented as the aliens and strangers, so often it's the other way around when humans "invade" other alien territories to begin with.
In the end I liked a lot about this book, or rather, this series of books.
I look forward to reading "Legacy" for what it hints to at the end of this book...
Any book by C. J. Cherryh seems like it is hard to get into, but once your there, your there to stay. It also gets easier with each book you read of hers.
This book had a lot of merchant/pirate like talk. I liked how humans were presented as the aliens and strangers, so often it's the other way around when humans "invade" other alien territories to begin with.
In the end I liked a lot about this book, or rather, this series of books.
I look forward to reading "Legacy" for what it hints to at the end of this book...
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