Emergence

By: C. J. Cherryh

Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

The 19th book in the beloved Foreigner space opera series begins a new era for human diplomat Bren Cameron, as he navigates the tenuous peace between human refugees and the alien atevi.

Bren Cameron, acting as the representative of the atevi's political leader, Tabini-aiji, as well as translator between humans and atevi, has undertaken a mission to the human enclave of Mospheira. Both his presence on the island and his absence from the continent have stirred old enemies to realize new opportunities.

Old hatreds. Old grudges. Old ambitions.

The situation has strengthened the determination of power-seekers on both sides of the strait. Bren knows most of them very well, but not all of them well enough. The space station on which the world increasingly relies is desperate to get more supplies up to orbit and to get a critical oversupply of human refugees down to the world below. Rationing is in force on the station, but the overpopulation problem has to be solved quickly - and Bren's mission on Mospheira has expanded to include preparation for that landing.

First down will be the three children to whom Tabini's son has a close connection. But following them will be thousands of humans who have never set foot on a planet, humans descended from colonists and officers who split off from Mospheiran humans 200 years before in a bitter parting of the ways. There is no way the atevi, native to the world, will cede any more land to these new arrivals: they will have to share the island. But certain Mospheirans are willing to use force to prevent these refugees from settling among them.

Bren's job is as general peacemaker - but old enemies want war. Is Bren's diplomatic acumen enough to prevent a war that both sides are prepared to wage?

©2018 C. J. Cherryh (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Good, a little slow, didn't like narrator

Cherryh's last book and this one really should have been one book, judiciously edited. Satisfying conclusions to several problems. Not sure what the next book will be about, though. Enjoyed seeing Cajeiri's maturing thought processes and his ability to operate without Bren, Ilisidi or Tabini. Overall enjoyable.

I did not care for the narrator. I could forgive his guesses on name pronunciations (though Cajeiri surely isn't pronounced Ka-ja-REE). But he used a high falsetto for Damiri's voice that almost sounded like mocking. All the atevi from the central district were rendered with heavy accents, as though Ragi wasn't their own language. Worst, Tatiseigi sounded like a ridiculous Count Dracula impression, so bad that I could not at all take him seriously as the refined, powerful political player he is supposed to be.

Ended up reading the e-book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not enough happened

This easily could have been 2-3 chapters in the prior book, or, if you wanted some additional detail, 1/3 of a new book. Performance was good.

Another winner!

Never fail to live the foreigner universe.We get to see the young gentleman mature. Can't wait for the next.

Boring

Don’t bother with this one or the last three books in this series. Every character struggles with circular reasoning throughout every chapter. It becomes dreary, annoying and a waste of tine.

One of the most exciting , and heart warming series ever!

For those who hope and dream of a kinder, gentler future; not only in space but on the earth as well.

More fascinating intercultural action

What did you love best about Emergence?

The scenes of atevi country life are so well done. Best parts of the series.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Emergence?

Tatiseigi's ride! What a scene!

What about Daniel Thomas May’s performance did you like?

The narrator generally does super job. What a great marriage of narrator and story.

Any additional comments?

Although I really like the narration in general - in this book (and Convergence), Toby suddenly gets a different voice and a Jersey accent, plus the pronunciation of a couple of proper nouns changes. A little disconcerting.

The Set Up

Hurry, C J! Ready for another! Mostly political intrigue with familiar characters. WHERE'S THE DOWAGER?

excellently done!

Best of the series so far. Looking forward to the next book and the next adventure.

AWESOME. AS GOOD AS EVER!

Wonderful adventure. Plot is still so good. I love this series and I hope there will be more books to come. C J Cherryh is a brilliant writer. Daniel Thomas May as always narrate/perform splendidly. One of the best Sc/Fc .

#19 and counting

Any additional comments?

This was another good book in the series. I'm looking forward to the next. The recording/voice work is great too.