Convergence

By: C. J. Cherryh

Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May

Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

Tying the ends together...

As others have said, there isn't a lot "going on" physically in this installment, but there is a LOT of interplay and politics happening, as usual. Politics of the known players, winding out in their slow and plodding fashion. I love this series for it's political depth and character interaction. For anyone looking for a lot of action and hero vs villain interplay, perhaps the series is a bit too subtle.

Bren is maturing and has fully seated himself in Atevi society, and is absolutely invested in his role within same. It is logical that he'll spend time in preparation and thoughtfulness, over action. Politics is all about appearances and presentation, after all.

Cajeri is maturing and coming into his own. I love how the author describes Cageri's thought process as he makes decisions - relating them to his tutelage under Ilisid, or how they would affect his father. Listening to Cajeri make plans to begin to set up his own household was interesting as well. Dealing with his pet Boji, seems so very "real" - a wild animal caught and caged who makes a terrific and uncontrollable amount of noise and fuss, Consequences of a spur of the moment choice that must be dealt with.

All that transpires within the book (and series) is logical, from the "abandonment" of a barely trained paidhi to his fate to the uproar and actions revolving around Tatesegi's estate and nearby lands. Perhaps it is my own maturity that makes me a bit more forgiving of some aspects.

Though the ending of this book felt quite abrupt, I do look forward to what happens on the mainland regarding the "outsider" cousin to Cajeri, Nomari (sp?), and on Mosphera with the landing and integration of the shipfolk. ...twists and turns and plots and conflicts.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This was the weakest of the books so far.

There wasn't no plot that couldn't be summed up in a chapter. I feel like this book was only to set the stage for the next one.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

prepping for the next book.

Both on the mainland and on the island, politics swirls around, waiting for major changes from the space station to fall from the heavens.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

felt cheated.

nothing happened in this book. just filler. delicious filler but boring. almost felt like the ending chapter of the last book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

No plot, no forward progress of the overall story

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It has always been a complete ripoff how this book series is chopped up into little pieces so they can sell you more "books" when in fact in the entire series there should be only about 3 or 4 books. This last installment did not move the story line forward at all. No resolution. Was kind of like waiting and watching the paint dry.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Done with this series

If you want to read a story about how right Bren is, and how everyone who thinks anything different is oafish, then proceed. I just got a bit tired of the protagonist. He seems to think more about his wardrobe than the fact that he allowed a poor human to remain a captive of an alien species. And no, I don't buy the idea that some unskilled guy is suddenly going to become a human interpreter and stop a war. That seemed so contrived to get Bren emotionally off the hook for abadoning the guy. Also Atevi politics are boring. Here goes. Liberal Atevi vs. Evil silly, boorish conservative Atevi. Guess who is right and who is wrong and how it all turns out? I feel I'm done with this series. I used to like Bren, but he has become a cold mildless mean guy I have zero interest in.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding!

If you could sum up Convergence in three words, what would they be?

I want more!

What did you like best about this story?

The saga continues as new elements are added. How long do we have to wait for the next book?

What does Daniel Thomas May bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I live the story through the reader.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Have to start with the first book. Pertaining to this book, Look out below!

Any additional comments?

One of the best series that I have read or lived through.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Teaser

Absolutely loved the book . I liked the new style of back and forth between Bren and Geri-ji. Missed hearing from some of the others. And the ending......it hurt. I NEED the next book tomorrow!!!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mostly filler, but still worth the read

Great narration, its mostly a setup to the next book. Not bad, just not great....

Suddenly it was over...

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