Precursor (Foreigner series Book 4)

In this first book of the second trilogy of the Foreigner series, translator and human representative Bren Cameron finds himself launched once more into the depths of intrigue, this time literally.For two hundred years the humans and the Atevi have shared the planet. Peace is tentative and conducted via a paidhi - or translator/representative. Technology is exchanged at a careful rate. Enter the Phoenix star ship, the ship that first brought humans to the system, returning with word of hostile aliens who could potentially be on their way with destructive weapons to wage war.Three years later, the Atevi have achieved what was previously thought impossible, building and launching a space shuttle to revive the aging space station. It looks to be the beginning of a new association between humans and Atevi when suddenly the Phoenix recalls their own representative without notice. Once more Bren finds himself in the middle of three way cultural differences, intrigue and hostilities that threaten the tentative peace currently in place.The book starts out a little slow, but helps to ease the reader back into the Foreigner universe. Pace picks up quickly as players play a game of deception, cultures clash, and Bren struggles to resolve the rapidly degrading situation before there is bloodshed.A fantastic read, full of action without sacrificing the intellectual questions regarding culture, race, and what it means to be human.

I continue to enjoy this series. CJ Cherryh writes Sci Fi that is unlike any that I have read. I really enjoyed that this one was about negotiations. Bren has become a Lord and powerful member of the Atevi court. As with the previous books, there is lots of intrigue and this time the race you are in the dark about is human ironically. Looking forward to the next one!

This is book four in a long-running science fiction series that began with Foreigner (1994) and currently numbers twenty-one books. I've greatly enjoyed the first four books and will begin with general remarks that apply to them collectively, before progressing to comments on book four in particular. Mild spoilers ahead.The series, at least thus far, centers on Bren Cameron, a human translator and mediator embedded in an alien civilization. Bren's thoughts are shown in a depth that I found fascinating and highly immersive. This careful meticulous detail reminds me of reading L. E. Modesitt, Jr., though Cherryh's themes are not Modesitt's. I note that some readers find the level of detail an annoyance and the pace slow. For myself, I was riveted to all but the beginnings of the books. (Book one has two introductory sections before moving to Bren; subsequent books were slowed down by recapping earlier material.)Through Bren, the books conjure an intricate alien civilization, one in which words such as "friend" and "love" have no close equivalent, and in which there is an official, highly-respected Assassins Guild. Bren is a very sympathetic character, who finds himself in difficult situations where the stakes are high. I'm also very fond of several of the supporting characters, especially the assassins Banichi and Jago, and the elderly grande dame, Ilisidi. The plot builds from book to book, with developments from the small and personal to those of a sweeping political impact.Somewhat less mild spoilers follow for book four. In book four, the scope widens to encompass a long-abandoned orbiting space station and the return of the humans who built it. The series has me helplessly in its grip. I feel the impending menace of a hostile alien species hovering in the background. I am entirely attached to Bren and his allies, most but not all of whom are alien. I particularly enjoyed Ilisidi's entry into the novel: she is a presence simultaneously formidable and wonderful.Four out of five orbiting stars.About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).

The first trilogy defined the stage and the players. This book does a great job setting the table for the second trilogy in what has become a series. I love these books and the universe they are set in. You won’t be disappointed.

I have written several reviews for this series - as positive as it is one of my favorites! I have most of then in hard copy and all of them in e-format and an eagerly hoping she keep on writing the series! The difficulty of two very physically similar species with two wildly different cultures in a forced interaction is extremely well written - especially from the viewpoint of the paidhi - the one designated human who is the interface between the two to avoid cultural clashes that already led to one war. I would recommend you start reading at the first book, Foreigner, and then proceed through the series - and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Since discovering C.J. Cherryh's novels about the -atevi-, I've waited several years for PRECURSOR, and I'm delighted to say it was worth the wait.Cherryh has a gift for combining breathless and sinister power politics and intricate plotting with a dry, unexpected wit that blindsides you and makes even readers familiar with her tactics laugh out loud. I count myself experienced in the ways of CJ's aliens, but this time, she startled me but good. (The people on the E train are USED to people letting out whoops of glee during rush hour, right? Oh well, they'll get over it.)To borrow -atevi- speech constructions, I can only say that one will prove indecorously impatient for the next installment.

This is a wonderful series. I reread it often and am replacing my paperback books with hardbound books. This could be expensive but buying used books is working out well. Precursor was delivered quickly and was in great condition.

Very good read

Gut durchdachte Geschichte über Kolonisten, die weitab vom Schuss auf einem besiedelten Planeten landen. Dort müssen sie sich mit Einheimischen verstehen lernen, die auf einem anderen technischen Level stehen als sie selbst und die eine ganz andere Kultur haben.Begriffe wie Liebe und Freundschaft kennen sie nicht, dafür ist es legal, seine Feinde ermordenm zu lassen, wenn dies voirher angekündigt wird.Der Held: Ein Diplomat. Spannend, relevant, intelligent.

Ce volume est assez riche .C'est le quatrième volume du cycle et le premier du second « arc « de trois volumes « ...Les trois cultures et entités politiques en présence trouvent un équilibre dans leurs rapports et leur rythme de croisière dans son approfondissement .Ces rapports restent assez mouvementés et insidieux .Le style de l'auteur génère beaucoup d'implications dans cet environnement dont le lecteur ne peut manquer d'avoir une conscience aigüe de ses tenants et de ses aboutissantsLe lecteur est immergé dans ces milieux variés et environnements non moins variés , qui sont systématiquement prégnants de réalisme ..Le personnage du Paidhi est excessivement soigné et réussi . Il nous accompagne et nous l'accompagnons intimement grâce notamment , à ces soliloques dont l'auteur a le secret et dont c'est une des marques de fabrique .Le Paidhi est autrement plus qu'un simple fil conducteur . Dans ce tome en particulier , ses problèmes familiaux qui sont à la lisière de la politisation , sont intéressants explorer car ils l'affectent intensément .L'auteur nous embarques aussi dans ce tome , dans l'espace et c'est un terrain qu'elle connaît bien .Ces trois entités politique , ces trois cultures , dont le lecteur poursuit la découverte , sur un mode intimiste et interagissant , je les trouve passionnantes .La société du Phoenix ( le vaisseau ) est excessivement lisible et elle est absolument à même de susciter un peu de nostalgie chez le lecteur amateur de l'univers alliance et union .Cet aspect du roman m'a bluffé ..C. J. Cherryh nous ballades dans cette petite société qui finalement est née d'un accident de saut ainsi que d'une longue errance dans l'espace .La civilisation Atevi exige plus que jamais , pour sa part , un réel effort d'acculturation ..Elle est le résultat d'un effort créatif très soigné qui repose en partit sur les rapports sociaux dans le japon traditionnel .Mais le lecteur attentif verra que ce modèle a été transcendé subtilement par l'auteur .C'est une société subtilement violente , qui est complexe , déroutante , mais rien d'ennuyeux néanmoins , malgré de nombreuses redondances , de situations types par exemple , au fil du cycle et ceci du premier au dernier tome . Le style fluide du texte fait son effet en faisant ressortir les subtilités des situationsA mon humble avis on est confortable dans ce roman .Du plaisir ... du confort .. à mon humble avis ..Surtout que le grand extérieur , entre dans la danse ...

Rich characterization, clash of differing worldviews, complex intrigue full of unpredictable rebondissements. .. I strongly recommand this series.Even if Bren is a bit of a bully. ..