Defender (Second Foreigner Series #2) by C. J. Cherryh

From the Publisher

In this 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...

Chicago Sun-Times

A large new Cherryh novel is always welcome.

Publishers Weekly

One of the best long-running SF series in existence, Cherryh's Foreigner Universe books (Precursor, etc.) tell the story of a small human colony abandoned on a planet inhabited by the atevi, an alien race whose humanoid anatomy disguises radically different instincts and thought patterns. Misunderstandings have led to war in the past and make human/atevi diplomacy incredibly difficult. Bren Cameron trained for decades to be the paidhi, the only human allowed to negotiate with the atevi, overseeing the slow transfer of advanced human technology to the brilliant but less advanced natives of the planet in trade for vital raw materials. Eventually, Bren changed sides, becoming the representative of Tabini, the atevi's ruler, to humanity. Now the political situation has been complicated by the return of the Phoenix, the starship whose much hated crew abandoned the colonists some two centuries earlier, and, worse yet, by the starship's report that its crew has discovered a hostile space-faring race relatively nearby. The senior captain of the Phoenix, negotiating through Bren, agrees to help Tabini build a second starship to defend the planet, but as Bren learns after the captain's mysterious death, other plots are afoot and not all the information shared by the starship can be trusted. As usual, Cherryh provides a riveting plot that emphasizes intense human/alien interactions instead of physical violence. Perhaps undervalued because she writes in traditional forms that don't appeal to the literati, while too difficult for some fans of space opera, Cherryh remains one of the most talented writers in the field. (Nov. 6) Forecast: The pulpish jacket art by the usually quite competent StephenYoull won't bring in new readers who will appreciate Cherryh's work, but established fans will know better. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA

Bren Cameron, Paidhi-aiji (interpreter/ambassador) to the atevi ruler, Tabini, faces another diplomatic crisis when the senior captain of the starship Phoenix dies unexpectedly after revealing classified information about the abandoned space station. When Captains Ogun and Sabin advance in position, Bren's friend, Jase Graham, is appointed third captain. Suddenly Bren is not certain of his own position. In the face of this unexpected power shift, Tabini is strangely silent, and other voices are called in to negotiate in areas where Bren would have expected to do so. Now knowing that humans were left aboard the damaged space station, the Phoenix powers up to leave orbit to retrieve them. Ilisidi, Tabini's grandmother, arrives with the crown prince in tow, determined to accompany them. In typical atevi fashion, she takes charge by poisoning the uncooperative Captain Sabin, putting Jase temporarily in charge. At the last minute, Tabini orders Bren included in the ship's complement. The book concludes as the Phoenix takes off into outer space. Fans of Cherryh's Foreigner series will be dying to read this sequel to Precursor (DAW, 1999/VOYA June 2000), but the uninitiated had best avoid it unless they are willing to start at the beginning. There is little action; tension is political and interpersonal. A transitional rather than pivotal volume, the overall mood is one of waiting, setting the stage for what is to come. Interaction among some of the long-standing characters is disappointingly minimal in what is obviously only another chapter in the continuing saga. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined asgrades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2001, DAW, 314p, Wallace

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