Cherryh, C.J.
DESTROYER
C.J. Cherryh
DAW 2005
Hb 345 pages
ISBN#
0-7564-0253-0
Hailed as "the explosive launch of the third FOREIGNER sequence," DESTROYER is only for FOREIGNER fans. If you are new to this series and not sure if it's for you or not, then these are the questions of test: Do you like stories set on other worlds, in the far future, interacting with aliens? Do you enjoy a main character whose chief asset is a sharp wit? Do you like stories that delve deep into the human (or alien) psyche yet still deliver good action scenes? Do you appreciate an author who is an expert in the use of words? If you answered yes to even two of those questions then start at the beginning with C.J.'s FOREIGNER novel. DESTROYER is seventh in the sequence of a potential nine (at this date).
For those of you who have been waiting to find out what happens next, DESTROYER brings Bren and his atevi friends home to a world that did not function well in their absence. Tabini-aiji ruled well with his grandmother Ilisidi, the aiji-dowager, and his human paidhi (cultural adviser) Bren Cameron at his side. But with Ilisidi and Bren off traveling the heavens solving another group of problems, Tabini could alone not hold power against the atevi traditionalists who do not understand the need for a space program or an alliance with humans. Bren and Ilisidi get home to find their world on the brink of war. Tabini-aiji is missing and presumed dead. Bren can't begin to warn his world about the coming kyo aliens and their enemies before first setting his world back to rights.
DESTROYER moves from an interplanetary space ship to the atevi space station to a shuttle, to the human-held island of Mospheria, to a boat crossing the strait, to a wagon, to a train, to a bus, and on to the cantankerous mecheiti riding-beasts without stopping for air. The action is paced sedately, however, for Ms. Cherryh takes time to world-build with grace. Her colorful characters and complex culture are filled with graceful beauty contrasted with harsh living. My only complaint of the book is that this sedate pacing does not change in the last hundred pages. This reader enjoys deep insights for the first two thirds of a book, but also enjoys a faster paced ending.
I am a genuine fan of Ms. Cherryh's usage of words--she is indeed a master. Her FOREIGNER series also intrigues with a multitude of cultural interaction problems that almost always lead to life-risking action. And, Ms. Cherryh's characterization is fun. In future volumes, however, I would like to see more dimension added to Jago and Banichi (Bren's body-guards). DESTROYER is highly recommended for fans of the FOREIGNER series--it recovers that same flavor found in the first three books.
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