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A review by mary_soon_lee
Pretender by C.J. Cherryh
5.0
This is book eight in a long-running science fiction series that began with Foreigner (1994) and currently numbers twenty-one books. I've greatly enjoyed the first eight books and will begin with general remarks that apply to them collectively, before progressing to comments on book eight in particular.
The series, at least thus far, centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I found fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. I note that some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not.
Spoilers ahead.
In as much as I have a general gripe, it's that the books' openings are comparatively weak (book eight's opening is perhaps the best so far). In the case of the first book, there are two introductory sections that I found less compelling than Bren's storyline. In the case of book two onward, the beginnings mix in new material with an extensive recap of what's happened so far in the series.
As for book eight in particular: I loved it. The story carried me along from start to finish, and I barely had time to appreciate how well it was done, how characters and threads from earlier books blended back into place, how the worldbuilding is so coherent. Bren is often uncertain of atevi intentions, as he is also uncertain of what he should do, and unsure whether his past actions were correct. But though Bren has doubts, I never doubt him: his essential goodness, his worry both for his particular associates and the fate of species.
I'm captivated by the series, the characters, the interplay of humans, aliens, technology, politics. Whether the story stays planetside with a comparatively tight focus, as in book eight, or whether it broadens out and encompasses space and additional alien species, I am captivated.
4.5 out of 5 imperiled 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, at least thus far, centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator living among aliens. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I found fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. I note that some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. I do not.
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. Bren is a very sympathetic character, who finds himself in difficult situations where the stakes are high. I'm 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.In as much as I have a general gripe, it's that the books' openings are comparatively weak (book eight's opening is perhaps the best so far). In the case of the first book, there are two introductory sections that I found less compelling than Bren's storyline. In the case of book two onward, the beginnings mix in new material with an extensive recap of what's happened so far in the series.
As for book eight in particular: I loved it. The story carried me along from start to finish, and I barely had time to appreciate how well it was done, how characters and threads from earlier books blended back into place, how the worldbuilding is so coherent. Bren is often uncertain of atevi intentions, as he is also uncertain of what he should do, and unsure whether his past actions were correct. But though Bren has doubts, I never doubt him: his essential goodness, his worry both for his particular associates and the fate of species.
I'm captivated by the series, the characters, the interplay of humans, aliens, technology, politics. Whether the story stays planetside with a comparatively tight focus, as in book eight, or whether it broadens out and encompasses space and additional alien species, I am captivated.
4.5 out of 5 imperiled 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).