Customer Reviews

Betrayer (Foreigner, Book 12)

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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?

Bren Cameron is the paidhi-aiji negotiator with the Atevi. He and the ruler of all of the ai-shidi'tat states, Tabini-aiji, have become close friends especially during the recent civil war in which the human's skills at solving difficult issues proved valuable.

However, though the capital of Bujavid is back under full control, hostilities remain especially in the Marid District, which borders on Bren's estate. Tabini's grandmother Illisidi assigns Bren to use his negotiating skills to broker a deal between Tabini-aiji and upstart ambitious Machigi of the Marad. Machigi is interested in what the first human he has met says, but distrusts sly Illisidi. Instead he invokes Atevi law by naming Bren the mediator between his unstable side and that of the leader. Knowing Atevi history better than almost any native, Bren knows the most difficult part of the assignment is staying alive as mediators almost always are the only thing two fractious sides agree on; that is death to the mediator.

The third book in the fourth Foreigner Universe series (see Deceiver and Conspirator) is a terrific cerebral entry with plenty of action, but the as political machinations are the backbone to the exciting story line. The human hero is once again caught in the middle but this time he is must prove loyal to both sides in the debate; not easy to achieve since he and Tabini are close friends. Fast-paced, as always in this saga, readers need a chapter or two adjust to the local dialect as C.J. Cherryh transports her audience to het Foreigner Universe.

Harriet Klausner

I love this series. It isn't really sci-fi except when it's dealing with space travel (none in this episode) and except for the fact that it's set on an alien planet with an alien race.
What I love about it are the characters and their interactions. The politics is too complex to follow sometimes, but the person-to-person dialogue and action is superb.
I finished the book in two days and was sad when it was quickly done. I can't wait until the next one comes out.

I am a firm fan of C.J. Cherryh, and especially of Bren paidhi and the Foreigner universe. It was specifically Foreigner that set my C.J. fan 'hook' and I have read them all, several times. Any Bren/Foreigner book is well worth reading, and better than many other books, IMO.

That said, I confess disappointment in this latest installment in the saga. I am starting to get overfull on tidbits while waiting for the main course. While the writing remains excellent and the story is interesting, it feels more like filler while we wait for the next big event. This third book of the fourth set-of-three in the series didn't even seem to satisfactorily complete the story arc with finality - I needed more about how the changes would be handled/accepted by the legislature and that didn't happen, nor did the central agreement become finalized, nor did the principles meet; overall the ending happened before its time, IMO. I am wondering if the symmetry will be disrupted by the next book being basically a fourth in this story arc set rather than the pattern of 3 that has been established.

I really need the story to return to space and the anticipated foreign visitation to occur. I'd hate to see this series degenerate as badly as long series from other writers have. Perhaps it is unavoidable...

I have waited for over a year for this book to be released, and the wait was worth it to find out how things had been going for Bren and the other characters.
I have enjoyed all of the Foreigner series, but Betrayer seemed particularly enjoyable to me.
I do question the assertion that those who haven't read the first eleven books will not be able to get into this one. Since I have a terrible memory, I have to catch up every year, and I find it possible and enjoyable. Cherryh goes to pains to catch us up without terribly obvious or annoying exposition. So if you are looking for a great read with a compelling story and characters you will love getting to know better, Bren and Company can provide it.

The Foreigner series of novels is getting more and more political regarding the factions and allegiances of the Atevi and how our intrepid human hero negotiates his way out of scrapes and conspiracies. There is still plenty of action in the form of an extended hike under fire. But do not ever try to pick up one in the series without reading them in sequence. The recent few have picked up literally the day after the last one left off and no one will be able to help you untangle the complicated alliances and dramatis personae. The novels are addictive and I can't wait for no. 13.

I enjoyed this book, although I felt the story could have been condensed a little, so that the issue of Machigi could have been sorted out in one more muscular book (like some of the other titles in the sequence, such as Explorer). In addition, the rather dumb Toby and the obnoxious, manipulative and stupid (Ilisidi is so right about the latter description) Barb do not belong in the story and feel like padding that does nothing to enhance the story - just slows it down.

However, very much on the plus side, the interactions between Bren and the atevi are, as usual, excellent, as are the parallel actions among atevi elsewhere. I'm very much looking forward to developments with Machigi - a fascinating character, perhaps to become as important as Ilisidi, Tabini and Caijeri (the development in the latter is fascinating). I would like to see him interact with all three of these individuals, as well as Bren, and to perhaps join them on the space station (which he has shown intense interest in) when the need arises. He seems like an intelligent, cultured and powerful young lord, but one that is rather lonely at present, and is perhaps craving to associate with other atevi who he can trust and who are a match for him.

It's a problem having to wait for the next book...

For first time readers: The "Foreigner" series needs to be read in order. "Betrayer", the 12th book in the series, will leave you puzzled and disappointed without reading the prior books.

For "Foreigner" fans: The paidhi (Bren) is enmeshed in politics with his life in constant danger - as usual - as he navigates the minefield of clashing clans and unknown loyalties. This book resolves the situations left in the previous book (Deceiver). The writing is up to the standard we expect from C.J Cherryh, and I only noted a few editing mistakes (Hardcover). However, I only gave the book 4 stars as no new unexpected twists are revealed at all; it was a bit staid - no trips to the space station; no meeting with the new aliens; no news about their enemies, no new love affairs, no ... you get the idea.

That being said, if you are a "Foreigner" fan then you will enjoy the book and then begin waiting for the next in the series.
So buy the damn book already.