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mary_soon_lee's review
4.0
This is book nineteen in a long-running science fiction series that began with Foreigner (1994) and currently numbers twenty-one books. I've hugely enjoyed the first nineteen books.
The series centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I find fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. Some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not. I note, however, that I found the starts of many of the books their weakest point.
Spoilers ahead.
In addition to Bren, books nine through nineteen include a second point-of-view character: Cajeiri, the young atevi heir apparent, whom I've grown increasingly attached to as the series progresses. I am also very fond of several of the supporting characters, especially the assassins Banichi and Jago, and the elderly grande dame, Ilisidi. The plot builds from book to book, with developments from the small and personal to those of sweeping impact. While there are gripping action scenes, there are also many scenes where the action amounts to conversation and the eating of teacakes, albeit often high-stakes conversation.
While I enjoyed book nineteen considerably, for me Bren's thread was weaker than usual, centering on human politics and lacking the usual intensity and fascination. Cajeiri's thread, however, was compelling, dealing in atevi power maneuvers. I especially liked the part played by Tatiseigi (Cajeiri's great uncle). The account of his mecheiti ride stood out as a series highlight.
Four out of five mecheiti stars.
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).
The series centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I find fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. Some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not. I note, however, that I found the starts of many of the books their weakest point.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
Through Bren, the books conjure an intricate alien civilization, one in which words such as "friend" and "love" have no close equivalent, and in which there is an official, highly-respected Assassins Guild. The depiction of the atevi alien civilization is excellent: a great strength of the series. The conspiracies, secrets, intrigue are compelling: another strength of the series. But the primary reason I love these books is Bren. He's ethical, compassionate, courageous, thoughtful, often worried, often hard on himself. I grew attached to Bren in book one, and am, by now, entirely smitten.In addition to Bren, books nine through nineteen include a second point-of-view character: Cajeiri, the young atevi heir apparent, whom I've grown increasingly attached to as the series progresses. I am also very fond of several of the supporting characters, especially the assassins Banichi and Jago, and the elderly grande dame, Ilisidi. The plot builds from book to book, with developments from the small and personal to those of sweeping impact. While there are gripping action scenes, there are also many scenes where the action amounts to conversation and the eating of teacakes, albeit often high-stakes conversation.
While I enjoyed book nineteen considerably, for me Bren's thread was weaker than usual, centering on human politics and lacking the usual intensity and fascination. Cajeiri's thread, however, was compelling, dealing in atevi power maneuvers. I especially liked the part played by Tatiseigi (Cajeiri's great uncle). The account of his mecheiti ride stood out as a series highlight.
Four out of five mecheiti stars.
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).
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Emergence is the 19th book in the Foreigner series by master SF/fantasy author C. J. Cherryh. Published 2 Jan, 2018 by DAW books it's 336 pages and available in ebook, hard- and soft-cover, and audiobook formats.
There are a huge number of fandoms in the speculative fiction genre. Think about meeting someone who is really into Star Trek or Babylon 5 or even Game of Thrones (the book fans, not necessarily fans of the TV show). Sometimes it's hard to decipher exactly what they're talking about, but their enthusiasm is obvious. This series is grand space opera and is sort of like an episode of a long running series. For fans of Foreigner, it's an eagerly anticipated addition to a much loved universe. As such, for readers new to this author, there's a learning curve involved. The effort to do a little background research or keep a handy guide available is well rewarded because this is a worthwhile, engaging, and immersive book (and series).
There are a lot of really good reviewer précises of this book, so I'll just add that this entry does move the narrative along in a lot of ways and it was great to see the development of the characters, especially Cajeiri.
This series is huge and overarching and complex. There's a rich abundance of detail along with a great deal of subtlety and wry political commentary. It's a very cultured book (and by that I mean refined and structured and not raw or strident).
I really enjoyed this book (and the series) and recommend it highly to readers who are prepared to put in the effort.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Emergence is the 19th book in the Foreigner series by master SF/fantasy author C. J. Cherryh. Published 2 Jan, 2018 by DAW books it's 336 pages and available in ebook, hard- and soft-cover, and audiobook formats.
There are a huge number of fandoms in the speculative fiction genre. Think about meeting someone who is really into Star Trek or Babylon 5 or even Game of Thrones (the book fans, not necessarily fans of the TV show). Sometimes it's hard to decipher exactly what they're talking about, but their enthusiasm is obvious. This series is grand space opera and is sort of like an episode of a long running series. For fans of Foreigner, it's an eagerly anticipated addition to a much loved universe. As such, for readers new to this author, there's a learning curve involved. The effort to do a little background research or keep a handy guide available is well rewarded because this is a worthwhile, engaging, and immersive book (and series).
There are a lot of really good reviewer précises of this book, so I'll just add that this entry does move the narrative along in a lot of ways and it was great to see the development of the characters, especially Cajeiri.
This series is huge and overarching and complex. There's a rich abundance of detail along with a great deal of subtlety and wry political commentary. It's a very cultured book (and by that I mean refined and structured and not raw or strident).
I really enjoyed this book (and the series) and recommend it highly to readers who are prepared to put in the effort.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
lissajean7's review
5.0
Loved it! I was frustrated at the lack of a resolution to the last book, but this book nicely catches all the balls that were in the air and is poised to toss them up again next time around. I was not nearly interested enough in watching Bren deal exclusively with Mospheirans, but Cajeiri's sections were excellent. I loved finally getting to see some of Damiri, and I already love Seimiro--and I can't wait for her to grow old enough for Cajeiri to teach her all the things. Alas, I have finally caught up to the publishing schedule, and will have to wait until January for the next installment.
krayfish1's review
3.0
Bren and Cajeiri have storylines that never intersect in this one, which is a little annoying.
It's not like I'm going to stop reading the series now, though, the books are still quite solid.
It's not like I'm going to stop reading the series now, though, the books are still quite solid.
onelegflamingo's review against another edition
2.0
In this book, Bren delivers a copy of the alien treaty to Mospheira and books a dorm for the Reunion kids. A man shows up wanting to take one of the vacant lordships. That's it. Honestly Bren should have gone with the new aliens to negotiate a treaty with original Earth. That would have allowed this very long series to go in a new direction and bring in fresh ideas. Instead, Bren breezes through some administrative tasks at home. Seeing his bodyguards' reactions to the island could have been interesting, but it wasn't. They like fried fish. Awesome. Barb is no longer a problem and Bren is 100% happy with being Atevi. He's not interested in original earth at all. The President agrees with whatever Bren says and does whatever he wants with very little fuss. Bren replaces all the officials who oppose him with old friends. All problems solved.
I have never been so bored with one of Cherryh's books. The characters are not genuinely challenged by anything that happens. There is no character development. Cajeri gets new bodyguards and there is some tension at first, but it doesn't lead anywhere.
Communication and culture clash are huge themes in this series, but Cherryh loves to sequester his/her characters in a corner by themselves so that they can think and stew and think and rehash and think. They solve their problems with other characters in their own heads, rather than WITH the other characters. This is a redcurrant problem in all of his/her books. Communication requires more than one person!
How long does Cajeri spend thinking about how he has to grow up and be responsible? Why not challenge him to do that? Telling his uncle's servant to make tea for his mother because his uncle is asleep is not a challenge. He spends most of the book sitting around, trying not to be bored because the guild is handling everything, and getting involved would just maker their jobs harder. It may be true, but it's not very interesting.
This quiet point in the plot could have been a good time for relationship and character development, but it doesn't happen. Lucasi and Vegico's issues with bonding never come up again. None of his guards say anything about his relationship with the human kids. Do we ever see the juniors and the new senior guard at odds over anything? No. There are so many opportunities to develop this group dynamic, and yet the whole group of 8 just fades into the background and may as well not be there.
Bren's guards are also starting to blur together. Do they ever have different opinions nowadays? Has Cherryh done anything with Bren and Jago's relationship beyond that one incident with Barb several books ago? Cajeri's family dynamic has potential, but it never goes anywhere. His parents start being nicer to him somewhat out of the blue. I guess this mirrors Bren's refusal to confront anyone in his family and actually address their issues. Can we have some real and satisfying interpersonal conflict please? Again, Cherryh is good at planting the seeds of conflict, but so often doesn't follow through. I would like a resolution to the Barb issue that isn't just "time passed and the author forgot about it."
I devoured the last 18 books, but I actually struggled to finish this one.
I have never been so bored with one of Cherryh's books. The characters are not genuinely challenged by anything that happens. There is no character development. Cajeri gets new bodyguards and there is some tension at first, but it doesn't lead anywhere.
Communication and culture clash are huge themes in this series, but Cherryh loves to sequester his/her characters in a corner by themselves so that they can think and stew and think and rehash and think. They solve their problems with other characters in their own heads, rather than WITH the other characters. This is a redcurrant problem in all of his/her books. Communication requires more than one person!
How long does Cajeri spend thinking about how he has to grow up and be responsible? Why not challenge him to do that? Telling his uncle's servant to make tea for his mother because his uncle is asleep is not a challenge. He spends most of the book sitting around, trying not to be bored because the guild is handling everything, and getting involved would just maker their jobs harder. It may be true, but it's not very interesting.
This quiet point in the plot could have been a good time for relationship and character development, but it doesn't happen. Lucasi and Vegico's issues with bonding never come up again. None of his guards say anything about his relationship with the human kids. Do we ever see the juniors and the new senior guard at odds over anything? No. There are so many opportunities to develop this group dynamic, and yet the whole group of 8 just fades into the background and may as well not be there.
Bren's guards are also starting to blur together. Do they ever have different opinions nowadays? Has Cherryh done anything with Bren and Jago's relationship beyond that one incident with Barb several books ago? Cajeri's family dynamic has potential, but it never goes anywhere. His parents start being nicer to him somewhat out of the blue. I guess this mirrors Bren's refusal to confront anyone in his family and actually address their issues. Can we have some real and satisfying interpersonal conflict please? Again, Cherryh is good at planting the seeds of conflict, but so often doesn't follow through. I would like a resolution to the Barb issue that isn't just "time passed and the author forgot about it."
I devoured the last 18 books, but I actually struggled to finish this one.
wingedpotato's review
5.0
I don't know how CJ keeps me on the edge of my seat, but this book was tense for me. Great installment that has me continuing to want more.
nanaofnaia's review
3.0
I am listening to this audiobook version for the third time.
The first two times, I failed to see the significance of all the clans who become involved in the situation, that the Atevi are on the brink of another war, and the stability of the entire country is at stake. For this reason, I didn't understand why Bren was being updated on the situation.
I did not understand that even Bren suggests his absence helps make resolution possible on the mainland. In the absence of Bren and the Dowager, Cajeiri's mother is key to its future stability.
Compassion for the victims of an interplanetary misunderstanding is at issue on the human side of the planet while compassion for victims of an evil plot is at issue on the Atevi side of the world.
This time, I got goosebumps. Human or Atevi, love is the force behind power. This reality blazes out in the climax of the book.
The first two times, I failed to see the significance of all the clans who become involved in the situation, that the Atevi are on the brink of another war, and the stability of the entire country is at stake. For this reason, I didn't understand why Bren was being updated on the situation.
I did not understand that even Bren suggests his absence helps make resolution possible on the mainland. In the absence of Bren and the Dowager, Cajeiri's mother is key to its future stability.
Compassion for the victims of an interplanetary misunderstanding is at issue on the human side of the planet while compassion for victims of an evil plot is at issue on the Atevi side of the world.
This time, I got goosebumps. Human or Atevi, love is the force behind power. This reality blazes out in the climax of the book.
suzjustsuz's review
4.0
4+
I enjoyed this one quite a lot. It felt very much like the beginning of a new era for the entire series, not just a sub-trilogy. I'm expecting to see a lot of social upheaval and changes in this world coming more quickly now. We'll see if I'm correct.
19 books in a row and now I don't want to leave the world. I'm looking forward to the next.
I enjoyed this one quite a lot. It felt very much like the beginning of a new era for the entire series, not just a sub-trilogy. I'm expecting to see a lot of social upheaval and changes in this world coming more quickly now. We'll see if I'm correct.
19 books in a row and now I don't want to leave the world. I'm looking forward to the next.
brianrenaud's review
3.0
Cherryh continues to move the Bren Cameron and Cajeiri story lines forward, the latter given additional maturity. No particularly momentous plot developments, but I found it nicely entertaining.
(Of course, if you haven't read the previous books in the Foreigner series, you don't want to start with this book.)
(Of course, if you haven't read the previous books in the Foreigner series, you don't want to start with this book.)