Intruder
by C. J. Cherryh (DAW, ISBN 978-0756407155)
Crisply written addition to the series
Review by Lawrence I. Charters, April 16, 2012
Cherryh’s Foreigner series is a modern wonder: a lengthy, complex, intricate science fiction series involving two races, one native to a far-off world and another an intruding human colony. Through twelve previous novels, Cherryh has carefully placed the human diplomat-translator Bren Cameron at the center of some evolutionary and, at times, revolutionary changes on the planet — and off it.
But the 13th novel, Intruder, is somewhat different. Taking place over a relatively short span of time, it sees Bren Cameron in a new role, negotiating an exceedingly complex, immensely ambitious series of agreements aimed at bringing peace among the native Atevi. Aside from Bren, there are no human characters in this novel. The novel does not have the frantic, almost claustrophobic desperation of some of the previous entries in the series, in part because Bren has grown in confidence and skill.
This is definitely not the book to start the series; for that, read Foreigner. But if you have been following the series from the beginning, this 13th volume is beautifully crafted, with crisp writing and finely drawn characters, leaven with some delightful, unintended absurdities. Highly recommended. And I can’t wait for #14, Protector, and #15, Peacemaker.