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58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid, April 5, 2011
This review is from: Betrayer (Foreigner, Book 12) (Hardcover)
Sometimes I wonder why I continue with this series, given that (after the previous eleven installments) I always know exactly what I'm going to get: Bren Cameron taking a delicate diplomatic situation in hand, thinking and worrying about it a lot, engaging in extended conversations with the various players, perhaps dodging the occasional bullet, and then tying matters up in a relatively neat little package. A moment later I remember that I regard these characters, human and ateva alike, as something akin to old friends. Then, naturally, I go out and buy the latest volume.
Long-time fans of the series won't be disappointed with Ms. Cherryh's latest offering. In this go-round, Bren is dealing with a particularly obstreperous opponent: Machigi, the nominal leader of the Marid and one of Tabini's most dangerous enemies. For folks who haven't read the previous books, however, there is no point in starting with this volume, as it won't make any sense to you. The political maneuverings and considerations involved here are sufficient to give even a veteran reader of the series the occasional mild headache, as is usual.
Pick this one up and read it for Bren, Cajeiri, and the rest; it'll be a satisfying use of your time.
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
12th in the Foreigner series does not disappoint, April 6, 2011
This review is from: Betrayer (Foreigner, Book 12) (Hardcover)
CJ Cherryh's Foreigner universe gains complexity and nuance in this twelth of the series. Once again alien psychology and political maneuvering takes center stage, but action has not been omitted. As with many of Ms Cherryh's books and most long series, the action takes a little time to rev up, as there is so much stage to set. The political situation in the book has been building for at least four previous books, and insights into the Assassins Guild are doled out in small portions as they are revealed to the protagonist. Ms Cherryh's books all unfold themselves from the viewpoint of one or two central characters, and the reader only knows what these characters know. Unlike many books of the genre and indeed many Mystery books as well, the reader does not have a God's Eye View or understanding of the activity. The reader does not feel cheated by a "gotcha" that no one could have foreseen. My only quibble is that the use of Cajieri as the alien atevi observer gives away perhaps too much emotion, but not enough understanding of the atevi psychological makeup. This is understandable as Cajieri is not yet felicitous nine years old. Bren on the otherhand lets us use an all too human viewpoint to compare and contrast the atevi mindset. In the end the reader understands more about being human. The relationship between Bren and Jago does not progress very much (activity takes place over about three or four days) but the reader's understanding of man'chi (akin to loyalty, devotion, etc.) presents some satisfying and somewhat surprising twists between Cajieri and the Assassin Veijico, and Bren and his aishid of Banichi, Jago, Algini and Tano plus Lucasi. The Assassin's Guild is left with a large mess to clean up but the situation has not yet reached its climax. The political ties being forged between the Taisigin Marid peoples with headstrong Machigi at the helm and the Eastern people's under the dowager Ilisidi's firm hand, and the complications presented by resentsments among the Gan, Edi, and Marid are all setting the stage for a further trilogy. As long as Ms Cherryh keeps on turning out books of this caliber I will continue to read everything she pens.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Politics, danger, and diplomacy as usual!, April 6, 2011
This review is from: Betrayer (Foreigner, Book 12) (Hardcover)
Also as usual, I started reading after informal human dinner and wound up finishing bleary-eyed at 3 a.m. As another reviewer said, it was the same old stuff, but I could hardly wait to read it, and would now start counting the days until #13 comes out, if I knew when that would be. I will admit to fascination with the character of Machigi; I can hardly wait until he meets Tabini and Ilisidi. Can a room or even a large building contain them without their personalities spontaneously sparking a conflagration. Since I have a soft spot for Lord Geigi, I enjoyed his interplay with all of the characters, especially the rapidly maturing Cajeiri. Wonder of wonders, even Barb improved a tiny bit. As for Bren, Banichi, Jago, Tano, and Algini -- not enough words, except, please hurry. Warning though, one minor caveat: If I could reduce the rating to only 4.9 stars I would. I swear that if I had had to read one more condensed version of the Marid/Ragi/Edi/West Coast history, I would have torn the page out, and just think what that would have done to my 12 volume perfect first edition set of C J Cherryh's Foreigner series. Almost forgot the young Dur and his bright yellow plane. Will Cajeiri get a ride?
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