Convergence

Foreigner Sequence 6, Book 3

De: C. J. Cherryh

Narrado por: Daniel Thomas May

The 18th novel in Cherryh's Foreigner space opera series, a groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences.

Alpha Station, orbiting the world of the atevi, has taken aboard 5,000 human refugees from a destroyed station in a distant sector of space. With supplies and housing stretched to the breaking point, it is clear that the refugees must be relocated down to the planet, and soon. But not to the atevi mainland, rather to the territory reserved for humans: the island of Mospheira.

Tabini-aiji, the powerful political head of the atevi, tasks his brilliant human diplomat, Bren Cameron, to negotiate with the Mospheiran government. For the Alpha Station refugees represent a political faction that the people of Mospheira broke from two centuries ago, and these Mospheirans are not enthusiastic about welcoming these immigrants from space.

In the decades Bren has served Tabini, he has become enmeshed in the atevi world in a way no human ever has before. Bren is now an atevi lord, with his own estate on the mainland, his own household, and his own Assassin's Guild bodyguards. He is a treasured resource to Tabini and has become close to Tabini's young son and heir, Cajieri, the first atevi child ever to grow up in the presence of a human. Tabini, impatient with human politics, has ordered Bren to return to the island of his birth in his official capacity as an atevi lord, with his full atevi retinue. Bren is to inform the president of Mospheira that he is no longer his diplomat, that Mospheira must take in the refugees from Alpha, and that there is no other acceptable solution. And among the refugees are three children requiring special protection because Cajieri has made them his "associates" - a bond of atevi loyalty that is unbreakable and lifelong.

While Bren travels to Mospheira, Tabini sends Cajieri to the country to visit his uncle Tatiseigi - a political gesture to shore up an old man and give the boy a well-earned vacation, a cherished opportunity to escape the formality of the atevi court. Tatiseigi's neighbors, however, are determined to end an old feud to their own satisfaction....and Cajieri's presence is just the excuse they need.

©2017 C. J. Cherryh (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Is THIS the end?!?!?!?m

Is there no more to the story? It doesn't seem fair to introduce so interesting a new character and offer no conclusion, no more information on how the Reunion folks fared on their landing attempt(s) and new lives....there is a distinct need for a follow-up book (or 2 or 3 or more....). I realize the author may be tired of all the characters and separate story lines, but I BEG for closure....I DREAM of closure. To just stop and fail to finish seems cruel and unusual punishment!!!!!

I am sorry Audible does not carry the rest of the series

I love this author. However, due to disability I can only "read" audio books. For some reason, Audible has not continued with books 20 thru 23 of this series despite a 5 year gap. I won't buy book 19 because there is no available follow up. Very disappointing, Audible.

Suddenly it was over...

11 hours goes by way too fast. Great book, spends a good deal fleshing out/developing Cajieri as he matures.

Nor much happens

A linking volume, setting things up for later books. Lots of politics, talks, and meetings.

Never a Dull Moment!

I admit I am an avid fan of the Foreigner world and generally eagerly anticipate each new book in the series. The books run in arcs of three (how felicitous!) and this installation brings big changes in the role Bren Cameron plays as interpreter. He no sooner gets back to the planet after concluding agreements with the Kyo, he is sent to his home island to break the news to their government that they need to expect about 5,000 Reunion station refugees. He's got his hands full laying out strategy with old allies, and obstructionist adversaries including his predecessor, Wilson.

The book alternates between two views - what Bren is doing on the mainland and what is happening with the young Aiji who was sent by his father, Tabini Aiji, to visit his uncle Tatiseigi where all kinds of interesting developments occur to test his maturity and judgment. I recommend this book as an excellent groundwork for the next arc of books in the series. Loads of intrigue and possibilities.