The story so far…

In 2017 I had my first go at the famous Foreigner series by C.J. Cherryh with Foreigner (Foreigner, #1). I barely finished it by switching to audio halfway through and ended up giving it two stars.

Two stars, not worth it right? Well, I loved the next book, Invader, and gave it 5 ⭐️. Book #3, Inheritor, was a DNF halfway through, then I tried again three years later and ended up giving it 4 ⭐️. It really took time for me to appreciate C.J. Cherryh‘s storytelling. One of these days I might re-read the first book of the series and give it 5 stars as well… 😏 

My review for Foreigner (Foreigner, #1) from 2017, spoilers for the general storyline:

I really liked the first two sections of this novel. First the arrival in the planetary system, then a jump of several settler generation to the first contact with the indigenous population of their chosen planet, the Atevi. I enjoyed the setting in space and the glimpse at societal differences between the humans on planet and onboard the ship. Down below I had fun reading from the POV of an Atevi. His human counterpart was an interesting character as well.

Unfortunately, with the beginning of the main storyline, my enjoyment took a nosedive. Another jump to several hundred years later. Humans and Atevi have been at war and resolved it by exiling the humans on an island. 

Bren, our main character, lives among the Atevi as the sole human, a diplomat and interpreter of the sometimes incomprehensible language and cultural concepts of the Atevi. The Atevi don’t know the concepts of friendship or trust. They also don’t comprehend the idea of borders and separate nations. Instead there is loyalty, betrayal, complicated relationships with other factions, sanctioned assassinations and people with delicate sensibilities.

The culture of the Atevi reminded me of feudal Japan and made me want to re-read Shōgun by James Clavell. 

Could have been fantastic, but isn’t explored as much as I would have liked. Instead we are shown this world through the limited view of Bren, who is a whiny little shite that obsesses endlessly about inconsequential things like getting his mail and being perpetually worried, but never does anything. By the halfway point of the book I was annoyed, bored and skimming. 

On top of Bren being an annoying character, the writing was repetitive and progressed glacially slow. I like my stories plot-driven, endless navel-gazing over the same points and ideas for pages after pages holds little interest for me. Also much of the story happened in the off. Bren spent most of his time sitting around, agonizing over one thing or another. There was very little doing. Except for the last 50 pages or so, when we got a little action.

The other characters were even shallower than Bren. Not much character development. Little humour.

The last 20 pages were not bad, I just wish the rest of the book had been that lively. Mostly it dragged, I was bored. I did not connect to any of the characters, the story was pretty bloodless. 

Nonetheless I am actually interested to find out what happens next. Maybe I will get the next book at some point. Considering that there are about a million sequels after this book, I think it is safe to say that this first book is set-up. One can hope, that there will be more plot development in the next installments…?

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Progress report: (all links lead to Goodreads)

First sub-trilogy
Foreigner #1 ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆
Invader #2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review 
Inheritor #3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ My review 

2nd sub-trilogy — my highest rated sub-trilogy so far.
Precursor #4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ My review 
Defender #5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ My review 
Explorer #6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ My review 

3rd sub-trilogy
Destroyer #7 ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆☆ My review 
Pretender #8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ My lazy almost-no-review 
Deliverer #9 — planned for June 2023

Cherryh is still writing, book #22 has an expected publishing date for October of this year. Cherryh is 80 years old now, it‘s going to be interesting to see how her age, experience and the changing times impact her writing. The first book was published in 1994, so the series spans 29 years now…

Regaining control of the Western Association…

Pretender (Foreigner, #8)
by C.J. Cherryh (Author), Daniel May (Narrator)

The second book in this particular sub-trilogy. If you don‘t want to be spoiled, look away now…

But then make sure, not to read the book blurb or probably the back flap of the paper version of the book…

In the last book, Destroyer, Bren and company came back to their homeworld to find the planet in a political upheaval, Tabini having being deposed by a pretender. In this book it‘s all about Tabini retaking control of the government.

Nice amount of action, I really liked the interpersonal dynamics in this one, especially between Bren and his staff and guards. I never doubted the outcome of the general plot, which made it all a little too predictable.

Series overview:

Trilogy arc 1 – read

• Foreigner (1994)
• Invader (1995)
• Inheritor (1996)

Arc 1 (Foreigner, Invader, Inheritor): focuses on an assassination attempt against Bren Cameron, an act illegal by the peace treaty made following the War of the Landing. The attempt proves to be a conspiracy by factions of humans and atevi to depose Bren as the paidhi, or official translator between the two cultures. The Starship Phoenix returns, causing the entire system to come out of balance, causing political unrest on both Mospheira and the mainland, and while the atevi change from simple rocketry to advanced single-stage-to-orbit shuttles, radically altering their economic and industrial base in the process. (Text taken from Wikipedia)

Trilogy arc 2 – read

• Precursor (1999)
• Defender (2001)
• Explorer (2002)

Arc 2 (Precursor, Defender, Explorer): focuses on Bren as he is elevated by Tabini to be the Lord of the Heavens, making him a lord of the aishidi’tat with authority to negotiate. Bren is then charged with taking Tabini’s heir, Cajeiri, and Ilisidi, Cajeiri’s great-grandmother, to see to a threat of aliens encountered by Phoenix, but Bren and the aiji-dowager must first solve a mutiny aboard Phoenix. (Text taken from Wikipedia)

Trilogy arc 3 – this is where I am currently.

• Destroyer (2005) – read, 3 stars
• Pretender (2006) – read, 4 stars
• Deliverer (2007) – next!

Arc 3 (Destroyer, Pretender, Deliverer): focuses on the return of Bren Cameron, Ilisidi and Cajeiri from deep space and their encounter with the alien Kyo. They find the aishidi’tat in tatters, Tabini-aiji rumored to be dead, and Murini, the pretender-aiji, on the throne in Shejidan. The kyo will expect to meet a unified planet under the rule of Tabini-aiji. Bren, the dowager, and the aiji must restore order before the kyo arrive for negotiations. (Text taken from Wikipedia)

The current status of this series has the beginning of Trilogy arc 8, with the novel Defiance scheduled for October 17, 2023.

Coming home to a revolution…

Destroyer (Foreigner, #7)
by C.J. Cherryh (Author), Daniel May (Narrator)

🚀 🚀 🚀

The first book of the third sub-trilogy. Bren and his posse return home after two years in space. Things are not as they were. To their shock they find out that the Western Association has been overthrown and Tabini is missing and may be dead. I was quite apprehensive, when I took a peek at the book blurb. 

I liked the plot, but there was way too much internal monologue and humming and hawing for my taste. Bren just went on and on and on… I zoned out of the audiobook narration quite a few times. By the time we got around to the frenetic grand finale, I barely cared anymore. This felt like a „middle book“.

Nonetheless, I will definitely continue. Because I really, really want to know where Cherryh takes it all in the end. Only 15 more books to go at current count.

On the way to the stars

Defender (Foreigner, #5)
by C.J. Cherryh, Daniel Thomas May (Narrator)

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Good thing that I don‘t really read the blurbs before diving into these books, because the main plot line of this one was a complete surprise, for me and Bren Cameron. So I experienced it all firsthand though him. Fun!

“Actually, you’re the alien.“
Oh yes, that was a good one. The crew of the Phoenix in all their entitlement still haven‘t understood that the colonists have moved on and are their own society now.

And by now it seems that Bren Cameron is more Atevi than Mospheiran. Stretched out between all those different cultures and not quite belonging to his own origin society anymore.

It doesn‘t feel like a transition or „middle-book“ at all for me, as other reviewers hinted at. Well, yes, it really is a middle-book in this sub-trilogy, but the story was entertaining and had some great new developments. Bren being kept out of the loop of some back-door dealings between two of the major players was quite a revelation to him and leading him to question Tabini‘s trust in him.

I wonder how this trip will shape Cajeiri and I can‘t wait to find out about that other station, the other aliens and what they will find when they all get back home…

Defender is the 5th Foreigner book. It is also the 2nd book in the second subtrilogy.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, and folded his hands and stopped where he was, listening, waiting while a very sick woman tried to gather her faculties.
“First off, tell the dowager she’s a right damn bastard.”
It was no time for a translator to argue. Mitigation, however, was a reasonable tactic. “Aiji-ma, Sabin-aiji has heard our suspicions regarding Tamun and received assurances from me and Gin-aiji that we have not arranged a coup of our own. She addresses you with an untranslatable term sometimes meaning extreme disrepute, sometimes indicating respect for an opponent.”
Ilisidi’s mouth drew down in wicked satisfaction. “Return the compliment, paidhi.”
“Captain, she says you’re a right damn bastard, too.” 

Atevi in Space!

Precursor (Foreigner, #4)
by C.J. Cherryh, Daniel Thomas May (narrator)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Book #4 of the series, first book of the next trilogy, continuing three years after the last books. Shuttles have started to go up to the station, the Atevi have reached space. Relations with Mospheira have improved. Tabini unexpectedly sends up Bren with with his Atevi household and a Mospheiran delegation. They are not exactly welcome on the station, despite agreements to the contrary. Relations with the crew of the Phoenix prove more difficult than expected and go downhill quickly.

I have to confess that I could not fully relate to the action of the ship‘s captains and their motivations. Was this simply a powerplay? Why stall and antagonize the people that they asked for help and in fact need so badly?

Bren‘s family is still a pain in the neck, especially his mother. And Ilisidi is hilarious, as always.

I am finally, finally hooked. This book so far was the fastest moving, with the most action. I enjoyed this a great deal and will definitely continue. Great start for the next subplot and trilogy.

Not so foreign this time around

On Monday I posted about attempting to read Foreigner again. Guess what, I am done. I pretty much listened to the second half of the book today, while doing housework and enjoying the sunny weather on my balcony.

Inheritor (Foreigner, #3)
by C.J. Cherryh

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Book #3 in the massive Foreigner series. From the book blurb:

“The first book in C.J.Cherryh’s eponymous series, Foreigner, begins an epic tale of the survivors of a lost spacecraft who crash-land on a planet inhabited by a hostile, sentient alien race.  From its beginnings as a human-alien story of first contact, the Foreigner series has become a true science fiction odyssey, following a civilization from the age of steam through early space flight to confrontations with other alien species in distant sectors of space. It is the masterwork of a truly remarkable author.

The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Inheritor is the 3rd Foreigner novel. It is also the 3rd book in the first subtrilogy.“

I abandoned the audiobook around halfway in 2019, as I was bored. Go figure.
The first book, Foreigner, was also a mixed bag. I really liked the first two sections of that novel. First the arrival in the planetary system, then a fast forward of a few generations to the planetary settlers and first contact with the indigenous population of their chosen planet, the Atevi. I enjoyed the setting in space and the glimpse at societal differences of the humans onboard the ship and those on the planet. 

Down below I had fun reading from the POV of an Atevi. His human counterpart was an interesting character as well. Unfortunately, with the beginning of the main storyline, my enjoyment took a nosedive. I was not fond of Bren, who I called a whiney little shite in my review back in 2017. I gave the book 2 stars, but was fascinated enough to continue. I actually loved Invader (Foreigner #2) so much that I gave it 5 stars.

Long story short, I abandoned this one halfway, but I delved into a few really long books in the meantime (endurance training) and I really want to like this series, so I decided to give it another try. 

The Phoenix, the ship that left the first settlers behind in Foreigner, is back at the end of book #2 and wants help. The Atevi are still progressing towards space in a slow pace, strung along by those settlers and Bren as the go-between. Bren’s connection to Mospheira is more or less non-existent at this point and what relationships he has left with his home are strained.

As in the previous books, there is a lot of intrigue, politics and complicated relationships. This time around I had a fun, though. Ok, some parts flowed by me on audio — as Bren pointed out several times: One needs a flowchart to keep track of it all. I really did have to look up some of the characters several times. A lot of them sound very similar and the names are not easy. But I think I finally might be hooked. I really want to know how it all plays out now.

PS: I listened at 1.5x normal speed and I am pretty sure that quite a few details swooshed past me, but I don‘t care. I might re-read this in print at some point, to catch all those nuances. Theoretically it means I listened to 9+ hours of audio today. My ears feel a little tender.

A second chance for Foreigner…

Inheritor (Foreigner, #3) by C.J. Cherryh — currently reading

I abandoned the audiobook around halfway in 2019, as I was bored. Very bored.

The first book, Foreigner, was also a mixed bag. I really liked the first two sections of that novel. First the arrival in the planetary system, then a fast forward of a few generations to the planetary settlers and first contact with the indigenous population of their chosen planet, the Atevi. I enjoyed the setting in space and the glimpse at societal differences. Down below I had fun reading from the POV of an Atevi. His human counterpart was an interesting character as well. Unfortunately, with the beginning of the main storyline, my enjoyment took a nosedive. I was not fond of Bren, who I called a whiney little shite in my review back in 2017. I gave the book 2 stars, but was fascinated enough to continue. I actually loved Invader (Foreigner #2) so much that I gave it 5 stars.

Long story short, I abandoned this one halfway, but I delved into a few really long books in the meantime (practicing my endurance!) and I really want to like this series, so I decided to give it another try.  

Here is the review for first book (I just plagiarized myself above), as I never posted it here. I am taking it with a grain of salt, as my reading habits have yet again changed in the last five years. The review would probably look different, if I read this now.

Foreigner (Foreigner, #1) 

Review from 2017, spoilers for the general storyline.

I really liked the first two sections of this novel. First the arrival in the planetary system, then a jump of several settler generation to the first contact with the indigenous population of their chosen planet, the Atevi. I enjoyed the setting in space and the glimpse at societal differences between the humans on planet and onboard the ship. Down below I had fun reading from the POV of an Atevi. His human counterpart was an interesting character as well.

Unfortunately, with the beginning of the main storyline, my enjoyment took a nosedive. Another jump to several hundred years later. Humans and Atevi have been at war and resolved it by exiling the humans on an island. 

Bren, our main character, lives among the Atevi as the sole human, a diplomat and interpreter of the sometimes incomprehensible language and cultural concepts of the Atevi. The Atevi don’t know the concepts of friendship or trust. They also don’t comprehend the idea of borders and separate nations. Instead there is loyalty, betrayal, complicated relationships with other factions, sanctioned assassinations and people with delicate sensibilities.

The culture of the Atevi reminded me of feudal Japan and made me want to re-read Shōgun by James Clavell. 

Could have been fantastic, but isn’t explored as much as I would have liked. Instead we are shown this world through the limited view of Bren, who is a whiny little shite that obsesses endlessly about inconsequential things like getting his mail and being perpetually worried, but never does anything. By the halfway point of the book I was annoyed, bored and skimming. 

On top of Bren being an annoying character, the writing was repetitive and progressed glacially slow. I like my stories plot-driven, endless navel-gazing over the same points and ideas for pages after pages holds little interest for me. Also much of the story happened in the off. Bren spent most of his time sitting around, agonizing over one thing or another. There was very little doing. Except for the last 50 pages or so, when we got a little action.

The other characters were even shallower than Bren. Not much character development. Little humour.

The last 20 pages were not bad, I just wish the rest of the book had been that lively. Mostly it dragged, I was bored. I did not connect to any of the characters, the story was pretty bloodless. 

Nonetheless I am actually interested to find out what happens next. Maybe I will get the next book at some point. Considering that there are about a million sequels after this book, I think it is safe to say that this first book is set-up. One can hope, that there will be more plot development in the next installments…?

And the other reviews:

Invader (Foreigner #2), review from 2019

Inheritor (Foreigner #3), the review of my first aborted attempt at reading this.

And last, but not least, here is what I did yesterday, whilst restarting the audiobook of Inheritor!

It‘s one of the Botanical sets by Lego, called Succulents. It‘s now sitting on my window sill in the living room, next to another flower set… A friend of mine watered my plants in June, while I was away on holiday — she actually watered that one accidentally… 😝

Bored to tears

Inheritor by C.J. Cherryh
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I know this is a series loved by many and considered a great work of SF, but I give up. I don‘t get it, sorry.

Glimpses of good story telling with exiting developments combined with utter, endless boredom. Put on hold somewhere in the middle. Picked it up again for another 1 and a half hours of listening and I am calling it quits. I do not care. I really, really wanted to and I did actually like the second book of this story arch. I was pretty excited about what it could mean for the rest of the series. Alas. Boring, meandering, talkative. Lack of plot progression. Talk, talk, talk. Juvenile characters. Nothing happening. Bored to tears! So sorry, but nope. I am sure there is a fabulous world hiding somewhere and I am probably missing some subtle point. But…. too bored.

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More action with the dark elves atevi

Invader by C.J. Cherryh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I like this much better than the first book. Bran Cameron, the annoyingly whiny navel-gazer from the first book, has grown. Oh, he is still somewhat preoccupied with his mail and wracked with self-doubt, but he has managed to become a more likeable person for me. There are still long stretches of the mentioned navel-gazing, or rather long stretches of introspection, philosophical quandaries over differing perceptions and cultural concepts of two very different species. But somehow all of this starts to come together in this sequel to create a more interesting whole.

Plus I decided to go for the audiobook, which probably helped me to make it through Bran‘s internal debates more easily. The whole things sounds a bit old (must check when it was done), but the narrator does a good job of personating the growing cast of characters. And by the end of this I almost started the next one straight away. Mean moment to finish the book.

4.5 stars, I will definitely continue.

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One more time…

Invader by C.J. Cherryh

Giving this series another chance. Maybe the audiobook will do the trick… RTC.

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