Defender

Foreigner Sequence 2, Book 2

By: C. J. Cherryh

Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May

The three-time Hugo Award-winning author continues her second trilogy in the "superior alien-contact series." (Kirkus Reviews) National best-selling author and winner of three Hugo Awards, C.J. Cherryh presents book two of her second Foreigner trilogy - the epic story of a single human delegate on a hostile alien planet. In this long-awaited sequel to Precursor, the alien atevi enter the treacherous politics of space travel-as their one human negotiator is caught in the throes of a mutiny.

©2001 C.J. Cherryh (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

the 2nd book in this sequence

This is the 2nd book and like before with these sets of books the review I have is on the first book in each "Sequence" so go there for the full review.

Expect the unexpected

Three very different populations, each with their own unique culture, have to cooperate once again.

With the relative routines in place to make the station run, we just know that something is going to happen.

Secrets are revealed. Relationships are questioned. Plans are made for Bren and his team that are out of his world.

What could possibly happen?

Love this series & this narrator!

Wonderful, imaginative series about communication and understanding between two very different species. The characters suck you right in, they’re fascinating.

This author has an awesome imagination

STORY (sci-fi) - Wow, this series has hit its full stride! It's long (15 books), and Defender is Book 5. The first three books were good, but there was lots of background to assimilate, character development, even some special language to learn. But it's time well spent, because the last two books -- wow! I'm definitely in for all 15!

If you look at the cover art, you will get an idea of the story. Bren Cameron is a human negotiator/translator who lives with a larger, black-skinned alien race "atevi" on their home planet. There is a human colony on the planet as well. As you might imagine, there are all kinds of differences and difficulties with their cohabitation, just like we have here on earth. Things are further complicated by the fact that the humans have detected another possibly evil alien race on a remote space station and fear it may have plans to attack them. The human/atevi alliance is strained to come to agreements regarding their own space station, ship construction, space travel and how to potentially deal with the aliens should there be contact. Bren is in the middle of a myriad of difficult decisions and must navigate all kinds of deception, ulterior motives, etc. It's absolutely fascinating, but if you're looking for lots of neat gadgets, weird creatures and action scenes, this is not the book for you. This is more about thinking and problem-solving, because that is what Bren's job is all about.

PERFORMANCE - Great job, great character differentiation. Can't imagine anyone doing it any better.

OVERALL - You must listen to this series in order, as each book picks up where the previous one stops. That said, each book ends at a good stopping point should you decide to "exit" the series at any time. I don't recall any violence and only heard "damn" a handful of times. There's one extremely minor sexual reference in the story. Very highly recommended for anyone who enjoys sci-fi and dissecting difficult situations.

Endless Political Intrigue

Series moves at snail's pace. Political intrigue, if you like that. Will finish series nonetheless.