Precursor (Foreigner Series #4)

by C. J. Cherryh

Overview

The fourth novel in Cherryh’s Foreigner space opera series, a groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences…

Over three years have passed since the reappearance of the starship Phoenix, which two centuries before left an isolated colony of humans on the world of the volatile atevi. Since that time, humans have lived in exile on the island of Mospheira; but the unexpected return of the Phoenix has shattered the fragile political balance of these two nearly incompatible races. For the captains of the Phoenix offer the atevi something the Mospheiran humans never could—access to the stars.

For three breakneck years, the atevi labor to build a space shuttle which will bear their representatives to the Phoenix, to strengthen connections with their new human allies and retain their bid for control of their world. But as soon as the shuttle proves spaceworthy, the captains of the Phoenix suddenly recall their planetary delegates, breaking diplomatic contact and initiating a vicious bid for political dominance.

But the powerful head of the atevi's Western Association is not to be outmaneuvered, and he sends his own diplomat, or paidhi, Bren Cameron, into space to negotiate. Thrust into a political maelstrom with almost no preparation, can Bren gain control of the station and political supremacy for the atevi without sparking a three-sided interspecies war?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780886779108
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/01/2000
Series:	Foreigner Universe Series , #4
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	994,759
Product dimensions:	4.22(w) x 6.73(h) x 1.24(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

C. J. Cherryh planned to write since the age of ten. When she was older, she learned to use a typewriter while triple-majoring in Classics, Latin, and Greek. With more than seventy books to her credit, and the winner of three Hugo Awards, she is one of the most prolific and highly respected authors in the science fiction field. Cherryh was recently named a Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America. She lives in Washington state. She can be found at cherryh.com.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A powerful look at the effects of alienation on individuals and societies...probably the best series installment of the year, and a welcome return from one of our very best writers." —Locus

"The novel features well-developed characters and Cherryh's trademark sophisticated political negotiations and strong prose. Of particular note is the author's ongoing exploration of the atevi, one of the more fascinating alien cultures ever imagined. Taken as a whole, this series represents mainstream SF at its very best." —Publishers Weekly

"Cherryh continues to explore the rich culture portrayed in the Foreigner trilogy with this first novel in a new series. Combining hard SF with realistically complex characters, this blend of adventure and intrigue in the far reaches of space belongs in most SF collections." —Library Journal

"Superior alien-contact series...another intriguing human/alien struggle." —Kirkus

"Once again, readers can revel in Ms. Cherryh's ravishing characterization and sensitive exploration of cultural subtleties." —Romantic Times

Editorial Reviews

"A powerful look at the effects of alienation on individuals and societies...probably the best series installment of the year, and a welcome return from one of our very best writers." —Locus

"The novel features well-developed characters and Cherryh's trademark sophisticated political negotiations and strong prose. Of particular note is the author's ongoing exploration of the atevi, one of the more fascinating alien cultures ever imagined. Taken as a whole, this series represents mainstream SF at its very best." —Publishers Weekly

"Cherryh continues to explore the rich culture portrayed in the Foreigner trilogy with this first novel in a new series. Combining hard SF with realistically complex characters, this blend of adventure and intrigue in the far reaches of space belongs in most SF collections." —Library Journal

"Superior alien-contact series...another intriguing human/alien struggle." —Kirkus

"Once again, readers can revel in Ms. Cherryh's ravishing characterization and sensitive exploration of cultural subtleties." —RT Reviews

From the Publisher

Abandoned by the starship Phoenix, the human colony on the island of Mospheira has learned to exist with the alien atevi who occupy the rest of the planet. When the unexpected return of the Phoenix opens up the possibility of space travel to the atevi, Bren Cameron, a human trained in the art of atevi relations, is assigned to handle the delicate negotiations between humans and aliens. Trouble arises, however, from a third species whose presence may spark a three-sided conflagration unless Cameron succeeds in his difficult task. Cherryh continues to explore the rich culture portrayed in the Foreigner trilogy with this first novel in a new series. Combining hard sf with realistically complex characters, this blend of adventure and intrigue in the far reaches of space belongs in most sf collections. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Cherryh manages to imbue [the novel] with sufficient warmth and humor that it never descends to grimness, and through the accumulation of many small events—which progress the plot only slightly—she manages to build a much larger picture. If Precursor has a flaw it is that it doesn't really stand alone. To fully appreciate the novel, readers need to have read the earlier books in the series. That said, it is probably the best series installment of the year, and another fine novel from one of the genre's very best writers.
—Locus

Johnathan Strahan

Addition to Cherryh's superior alien-contact series (Inheritor, 1996, etc.) about the humanoid-alien "atevi" and the colony of castaway humans they've graciously permitted not only to survive but flourish on their planet. Atevi society, composed of jostling clans and factions and prone to violence, is bound together by instinctive loyalty but little else. A pro-human atevi faction, led by the powerful Tabini, sponsors Bren Cameron as human translator/technical liaison and has appointed two loyal atevi, Banichi and Jago, as Bren's bodyguards. But the starship that originally brought the colonists has returned from deep space with news of hostile aliens in the offing. So the ship's representative, Jase Graham, is working with Bren in releasing technology to the atevi and helping them build spaceships in order to enlist them as allies. Certain atevi factions, however, oppose all this. Another intriguing human/alien struggle: the tiny, intricate plot wheels hum, even if the big picture changes hardly at all.

Kirkus Reviews