Convergence

Foreigner Sequence 6, Book 3

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.

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!!!!!

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.

When does the next book come out?

I really enjoyed this installment and can't wait for the next book. The only thing that kind of threw me a bit was the change in some of the character's voices. Toby somehow got a Boston accent and some of the other humans sounded different than in previous books. They were better this time as I thought before it always sounded like the humans were .mostly doing bad James Cagney accents while talking to a hearing impaired person .

Superior, sublime narration!

This series is as complex, textured, and nuanced as sci-fi gets! The narrator delivers a subtle and beautiful performance. Every character is separate and distinct. The alien languages are unique and layered. As a lover of language this series appeals to me! None of the characters is flat. Each of them have detailed pasts that have shaped them into the persons they are in this story. The Narrator is the primary reason I have continued listening to this series (a couple of books in the series are a little slower but they set the stage for some of the later books); he does a masterful job!

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.

this story goes nowhere..

its fun to hear more about the island but it feels like about 1/3 of a book that got fattened into a whole book by having Kajerri ponder the meaning of life every few pages..

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.

another great book in the series

the author continues to weave a wonderful tale using both the viewpoints of the young alien Lord in the human negotiator, the performance is outstanding is always and I eagerly await the next book in the series