Bren Cameron and the Aiji-dowager, Ilisidi --in the thick of Atevi politics!
Divergence (Foreigner #21) by C. J. Cherryh
In this, the 21st in the Foreigner series, I find myself still as fascinated with the Atevi and their world, their culture and politics as ever! Including the space station inhabitants. (Given the new space race we seem to be in, the space station seems all too real.) There are three distinct groups the Atevi, the humans from the Mospheiran enclave, and the Space Station humans--all the humans being foreigners (indeed the humans are distinct foreign groups to each other) to this Atevi world.
The aiji-dowager, Ilisidi , in her own inimitable way, has decided the time is ripe to settle once and for all the fermentation in the South supported by Lord Tiajo in the Dojisigin Marid—and the outlawed Assassins Guild splinter group, the Ghost Guild. She has taken the Red Train south along with some key players she sees as important to that outcome.
Bren Cameron, paidhi-aiji, the ambassador interpreter and the chief negotiator for Tabini-aiji accompanies her with the Aiji's words ringing in his ears, "Keep her safe. Tabini’s final order to him, hours before he boarded the train."
As always the feisty Atevi Dowager is five moves ahead and six sideways of everyone else. She is one of my favorite characters.
Bren does reminiscence about his first meeting and testing with the dowager. I do think that was one of my favorite tales.
The entourage move towards the troubled areas with important relevant lords, Lord Bregani, his wife and daughter; Lord Machigi of the Taisigin. A new treaty has been proposed. Felicitous Three for the agreement including nand’ Bren. (Numbers have a religious imprimatur for the Atavi)
Lord Geigi on the space station, friend and ally to the Duchess manages to surprise even her.
On board the Red Train is "Nomari, a railway worker, favored candidate to take on the lordship of Ajuri. This brings the important personnel to felicitous seven. The aiji-dowager has decided to test Nomari's mettle.
Meanwhile Cajeiri, Tabini-Aiji's son has turned fortunate nine and finds himself a keeper of knowledge and given greater understandings about his parents relationship and reasons for their actions. He gives us a brief outline of much that has occurred up to now.
A lot of political jockeying is at the forefront. Man’chi (commitment and loyalty) is tested.
Nomari reveals more of himself. Bren manages to bring some plans to fruition but not without his Atevi priectors becoming somewhat disturbed.
As the aiji-dowager and the Assasins Guild look to root out the renegade and entrenched Shadow Guild, Bren finds himself facing a direction that will take nerve and strength.
I am constantly amazed by Cherryh. It continually dazzles me as to how she's able to maintain this world so cleverly and how the series continues to engage my interest right from the very first novel to the latest. I'm never disappointed!
A DAW ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
*****
The aiji-dowager, Ilisidi , in her own inimitable way, has decided the time is ripe to settle once and for all the fermentation in the South supported by Lord Tiajo in the Dojisigin Marid—and the outlawed Assassins Guild splinter group, the Ghost Guild. She has taken the Red Train south along with some key players she sees as important to that outcome.
Bren Cameron, paidhi-aiji, the ambassador interpreter and the chief negotiator for Tabini-aiji accompanies her with the Aiji's words ringing in his ears, "Keep her safe. Tabini’s final order to him, hours before he boarded the train."
As always the feisty Atevi Dowager is five moves ahead and six sideways of everyone else. She is one of my favorite characters.
Bren does reminiscence about his first meeting and testing with the dowager. I do think that was one of my favorite tales.
The entourage move towards the troubled areas with important relevant lords, Lord Bregani, his wife and daughter; Lord Machigi of the Taisigin. A new treaty has been proposed. Felicitous Three for the agreement including nand’ Bren. (Numbers have a religious imprimatur for the Atavi)
Lord Geigi on the space station, friend and ally to the Duchess manages to surprise even her.
On board the Red Train is "Nomari, a railway worker, favored candidate to take on the lordship of Ajuri. This brings the important personnel to felicitous seven. The aiji-dowager has decided to test Nomari's mettle.
Meanwhile Cajeiri, Tabini-Aiji's son has turned fortunate nine and finds himself a keeper of knowledge and given greater understandings about his parents relationship and reasons for their actions. He gives us a brief outline of much that has occurred up to now.
A lot of political jockeying is at the forefront. Man’chi (commitment and loyalty) is tested.
Nomari reveals more of himself. Bren manages to bring some plans to fruition but not without his Atevi priectors becoming somewhat disturbed.
As the aiji-dowager and the Assasins Guild look to root out the renegade and entrenched Shadow Guild, Bren finds himself facing a direction that will take nerve and strength.
I am constantly amazed by Cherryh. It continually dazzles me as to how she's able to maintain this world so cleverly and how the series continues to engage my interest right from the very first novel to the latest. I'm never disappointed!
A DAW ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
*****
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