Customer Reviews

Chanur's Legacy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
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The 5th and most recent of CJ Cherryh's Chanur Saga, Chanur's Legacy is very much in the vein of Cherryh's previous work. Captain Hilfy Chanur of the Chanur's Legacy is just trying to make a living in the shadow of her aunt, effective ruler of Compact space. When the administrator of Meetpoint Station offers her one million credits for transport of a simple cargo, the offer seems almost too good to be true. Needless to say, it is, and Hilfy and her crew, along with a few passengers, are sent on a harrowing mission throughout Compact space.

Cherryh is in true form here. Each alien race is uniquely developed, none having those "humans in makeup" or "different just to be different" qualities that often plagues SF in general, and space opera in particular. Moreover, each of the characters is quite well developed, and truth be told, I found the subplot regarding Legacy's male passenger as compelling, or more so, than the main plot.

For better or worse, saying the book is typical CJ Cherryh carries some other connotations: physical description is about nil; the main characters may spend 70 pages in a port and the most we'll ever hear about it its name. Also the plot is extremely, I might say excessively, complicated, and can get difficult to follow if you read quickly.

Still, danger, intrigue, romace, conspiracy: all are present and work together to create a marvelous story I could barely put down (even after it was finished). If you enjoy space opera, the Chanur Saga, or and of CJ Cherryh's work, this one's for you.

This review is for those that have already read the previous 4 books. If you have not, I highly recommend The Pride of Chanur - it is complete in itself, so if you only like it you can be finished and satisfied, but if you LOVE it there is much more to come.

Hilfy is now on her own, with a "hand-me-down" ship and experienced crew - all new characters, including a marooned hani male. Her style is quite different from Pyanfar's, and provides further insight into Haniness as well as a Hani translator's view of other alien minds. We also get an in-depth look at the manipulating stsho - and a very fascinating and charming look it is. There are alternate views of the mahendosat, and the kif are developing in an interesting direction. We even gain some glimpses into the methane breathers' inner workings.

Highly recommended as a broadening view of Compact Space's intricate workings, and as a rollicking good time as well!

The books under the title of 'Chanur' have all been great books. I have read the whole set 3 times now. It would be nice to actually see them made into a movie. Impossible, considering the level of detail, but definately a good idea. The level of psychology in these books is high, at the expense of detail in the realm of environment. If your willing to explore this aspect of scifi, read them. To bad Cherryh ended the series.

C. J. Cherryh's 5th Chanur sci-fi book, "Chanur's Legacy", is rich with complex aliens and intertwining cultures and governments. I have only read this book and the first book in the Chanur series, "The Pride of Chanur", but I enjoyed both immensely. Hilfy Chanur and her female crewmates are caught in a web of intrigue when Hilfy agrees to take a stsho religious artifact to the stsho ambassador on Urtur Station (in mahendo'sat space, I believe). As well, she picks up an abandoned male hani, Hallan Meras, who had been tossed in jail from hitting a "kifish gentleman", as Hallan said. His ship, Sahern's Sun Ascendant, leaves him behind. After all of this happens, the plot really takes off and the crew of Chanur's Legacy go for a rip-roaring political ride through Compact Space. Wow! I heartily recommend this book to eager sci-fi fans, because I've read it at least three times over. Can't get enough of it!

To start with, read any book written by CJ Cherryh. Period. But as to this specific book... this is actually the fifth book about the Chanur clan. Reading the series in sequence would be my recommendation (The Pride of Chanur, Chanur's Venture, The Kif Strike Back, Chanur's Homecoming), but it's really not necessary to do so to enjoy Chanur's Legacy. CJ Cherryh is a master at creating an alien universe and alien mindsets. One of the best things about this book (and the series in general) is that there are multiple races of beings, all fully developed in the reader's mind, and humans are not the central players. Cherryh's descriptive style, fast pace, and exploration of contrasting mindsets make this an intriguing read. You'll find it hard to put down, and if you have to, you can't wait to get back to it to find out what's going to happen next! Highly recommended!

Someone mentioned that the Chanur books aren't as good as the Faded Sun trilogy. I've been saving those for a dry period, and since Finity's End doesn't come out until August, it looks like I may get my chance.

All that aside, I actually found this book more enjoyable than the previous Chanur books, although a great deal of that comes from seeing Hilfy all grown up and taking on responsibilities of her own. We also get to know Compact space better, particularly the rich and mysterious stsho (such an irritating bunch, but a lot of fun to watch).

The commentary on gender relations is still a major theme, and I like how Cherryh has addressed it in this series; these books have, on the whole, a lighthearted approach to the subject that prevents heavy-handedness from weighing down the story.

The ending, as with most of Cherryh's books, leaves an opening for a sequel. Will we see one? Time will tell

I am a long time Cherryh fan. Most of her books I have read to rags. This book is a nice continuation of the Chanur family story, so if you haven't read the first ones (Pride of Chanur, Chanur's Venture, The Kif Stricke back, and Chanur's Homecoming, you should read them first. Happy reading.

If you like cats, Sci-Fi, intrique, by-plays and an all-around well-told story, you'll love this story of Pyanfar Chanur's niece. Deserves it's own place apart from the other Chanur stories.

Cherryh's specialties are simple: she creates aliens that are *very* alien, and she is economical with words. Both specialties are in short enough supply that anything she writes merits serious consideration.

_Legacy_ follows the career of one of the primary characters of the four previous _Chanur_ novels (all highly recommended). Thus, except for a couple of familiar faces, there's a new cast of characters. They interact in a lively story that is meat and drink for anyone who appreciates fine SF writing.

One should read the previous four novels (or the compendium, recently released) to get the necessary background for _Legacy_ to be a smooth read, but that said, one should read the whole bunch anyway. This series may be Cherryh's finest work, and _Legacy_ is an interesting continuation with plenty of interest.

As of this writing, this book is the 5th in, and the end of, the Chanur series. It's excellently written and, surprising for a Cherryh book, actually ENJOYABLE to read. Usually, Cherryh's books are so gut-wrenchingly engrossing that you have nothing left with which to enjoy it. This book appeals somewhat more to the intellect than to the intestines. The tension is there, but it's far more subdued than in her other works. One of the interesting tension-makers is how Hilfy Chanur treats the male Hani she gets stuck with. From our Human point of view, it's really tough to understand. However, over time, you come to understand it from a Hani (i.e. lion) perspective. An excellent book and a suitable end/extension to the Chanur saga.