Reviews

Explorer, by C.J. Cherryh

rxh05d's review against another edition

5.0

 I love the way this universe just gets bigger and bigger each book. 

melomindy's review against another edition

4.0

Borrowed hard cover copy from coworker

I think I enjoyed this one more than the others in this smaller trilogy. I loved the space travel, and the whole second half of the book just flew by. I have a harder time getting into the books in this series because there tends to be a time jump between them and the action is slow to ramp up again. However I don’t have a hard time picking them back up between long pauses, since I technically started reading this book two years ago.
Overall I enjoyed this book and will likely get the next one from the library at some point.

cathepsut's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The finale of the second trilogy. And it was a great finale. Quite a lot of action, pretty exciting. Everything that came before this was a great read as well. I loved the look at language and how it works or could work, verbally and body language.

We are headed towards that abandoned space station and potentially aggressive aliens. And Cherryh takes us in an unexpected direction again. She gets me every time. There are politics again as well, but the machinations between Atevi, Mospheirans, ship crew and Bren in the middle don‘t seem as strenuous this time around. Or maybe I am getting used to Bren‘s daily navigation through diplomatic minefields.

Bren Cameron is a pretty settled character by now. I really liked his ongoing letters to those he left behind. Then there is Ilisidi with her no-nonsense attitude and adorable Cajeiri—great addition. I really like him and I can‘t wait to find out into what kind of adult he will develop in coming books. I laughed a lot at the toy car shenanigans. 

Did I mention the great action? And new aliens. Exciting and a great first contact situation.

And isn‘t it nice, how sharing food and polite company break down all those barriers? Some tea, dear?

buuboobaby's review against another edition

5.0

5 stars

Explorer was the best installment of the Foreigner series to date. Loved this one. Lots of action to complement Bren's never-ending internal monologues and self doubts. This poor guy would benefit from some Xanax. Love getting to know the secondary characters, too.

opalynx's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

5.0

malmer's review

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

applequinn's review

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

mothwing's review against another edition

4.0

A whole new set of problems at the station requires finesse, Ilsidi, and teacakes. I really enjoyed this instalment, though I miss the "simpler" days on the planet.

nanaofnaia's review against another edition

5.0

5th Reading thots: Anyone who stands between cultures, who tries to understand what the world looks like to someone from a different culture, will resonate with the first two trilogies of the Foreigner Series. It doesn't get better than this.

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Outstanding!

kazen's review

3.0

I enjoyed where this novel ended up... if it only hadn't taken so long to get there. Doesn't change my enjoyment of the series as a whole, though.