essinink's review against another edition
4.0
"Baji-naji," Gin said, in human terms here goes nothing.
And in atevi--here goes everything.
Defender is the second book of the second trilogy--"infelicitous two," so to speak, and it is slow. This is a transitional book in every sense of the word; it's entirely set-up for the book to come, and it is needed. That said, even as someone who's read a lot of Cherryh at this point, the ponderous build of this book was at times trying.
(Note: I do try to keep things spoiler-free, but at a certain point I have to assume that knowledge of previous books is in play.)
Bren's been in orbit for 6 or 7 years now. The station is an ongoing success, the aishidi'tat is strong, Phoenix is fueled, things are going right in the world... and our protagonist hasn't been to Mospheira since the beginning of the previous book.
While I've appreciated that Bren (unlike some SF protagonists) has this nagging family in the background, I've also had the mind that it's been a bit distracting. There's a reason many protagonists just seem to float free of familial attachment and obligations, existing wholly within their job. The backbeat of "Oh you were in town on business and you didn't call? No I don't care that the world is at stake! I'm your mother!" is just a little too real.
And yet here, at the turn of the plot, it has to be resolved one way or the other. There's a theme of change and acceptance running through Defender. Even in space, Bren has been caught in the orbit of his family drama, but it's just not sustainable. And even though I thought it was slightly annoying, I'm still really glad that plot thread has been there, because without it Bren is just another untethered super!diplomat trope.
Ilisidi is here again, because of course she is, but this time she's less "slightly frightening grandmother" and more "please remember this is the 2nd most powerful person on the planet and she doesn't think like you do." This is the Ilisidi from the first book, unleashed on ship-folk, and it has the potential to end very badly.
And that's refreshing. Since the first book (and to lesser degree the second), we haven't seen much on-page evidence of atevi-human flashpoints. They exist in the background, we're told about them (the ongoing drumbeat of "atevi aren't humans"), but we don't see it. Interactions between human and atevi have been very carefully mediated to prevent it. But now we do, because even after a decade there are ship-folk who don't GET it.
Bren Cameron is a human protagonist, but he's a human protagonist working for atevi authority and interests. He doesn't see atevi as aliens, because it's their planet. Humans are the aliens. Humans are the slightly unwelcome guests. And if humans want atevi resources, they need to play by atevi rules. This is--understandably--an unwelcome shock for some.
Which brings me to Sabin. Sabin is one of the ship captains, and arguably the most human-centric of the lot. She doesn't like "aliens," and she doesn't like Bren Cameron. She makes for a good antagonist. And the thing is, as a reader I can understand her position. The Ship is everything. The Ship is the world. Her job as captain is to maintain the security and good operation of the Ship, and atevi threaten that. Unfortunately for her, the Ship is now bound up in atevi interests. It's a great dynamic, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it will play out in subsequent books.
Giving this 3.5 for the filler-drama-content and rounding to 4 stars for necessity and actually making the filler-drama-content interesting.
massivepizzacrust's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Just enjoying this series more and more as it progresses. Excited to read the conclusion to the second trilogy soon!
twentythree_sunrise's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A novel of spiralling crisis from beginning to end. A sound sequel with many familiar characters and tropes, but the series has seen better. Defender very much reads as a transitory part than a story of its own.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This series is a little slow, but I find them highly engrossing. As we get to know the huge cast of characters better, the story only gets better.
I listened to the audiobook
This series is a little slow, but I find them highly engrossing. As we get to know the huge cast of characters better, the story only gets better.
I listened to the audiobook
cathepsut's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good thing that I don‘t really read the blurbs before diving into these books, because the main plot line of this one was a complete surprise, for me and Bren Cameron. So I experienced it all firsthand though him. Fun!
“Actually, you’re the alien.“
Oh yes, that was a good one. The crew of the Phoenix in all their entitlement still haven‘t understood that the colonists have moved on and are their own society now.
And by now it seems that Bren Cameron is more Atevi than Mospheiran. Stretched out between all those different cultures and not quite belonging to his own origin society anymore.
It doesn‘t feel like a transition or „middle-book“ at all for me, as other reviewers hinted at. Well, yes, it really is a middle-book in this sub-trilogy, but the story was entertaining and had some great new developments. Bren being kept out of the loop of some back-door dealings between two of the major players was quite a revelation to him and leading him to question Tabini‘s trust in him.
I wonder how this trip will shape Cajeiri and I can‘t wait to find out about that other station, the other aliens and what they will find when they all get back home…
Defender is the 5th Foreigner book. It is also the 2nd book in the second subtrilogy.
“Actually, you’re the alien.“
Oh yes, that was a good one. The crew of the Phoenix in all their entitlement still haven‘t understood that the colonists have moved on and are their own society now.
And by now it seems that Bren Cameron is more Atevi than Mospheiran. Stretched out between all those different cultures and not quite belonging to his own origin society anymore.
It doesn‘t feel like a transition or „middle-book“ at all for me, as other reviewers hinted at. Well, yes, it really is a middle-book in this sub-trilogy, but the story was entertaining and had some great new developments. Bren being kept out of the loop of some back-door dealings between two of the major players was quite a revelation to him and leading him to question Tabini‘s trust in him.
I wonder how this trip will shape Cajeiri and I can‘t wait to find out about that other station, the other aliens and what they will find when they all get back home…
Defender is the 5th Foreigner book. It is also the 2nd book in the second subtrilogy.
malmer's review against another edition
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
2.75
applequinn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mothwing's review against another edition
4.0
We have an agreement,” Ogun said, “to maintain the station, to continue ship construction and training—and to provide for local shelters. Bomb shelters, Mr. Cameron, on the planet. To provision them. To contribute advanced materials to be sure there’s something left here if the situation goes to hell.” Bomb shelters. For the whole population?
He thought of the Bujavid. Of the hallways of fragile porcelains and priceless work. Of the culture and civilization of two species. Thousands of years. And Malguri’s stone walls, reared against mecheita-riding invaders. Would there be bomb shelters to save what was there? The wi’itikiin on their cliffs—those delicate nesters, their hatchlings—the blue seas and bluegreen hills? Where were shelters for that?
The plot thickens as ship folk and planet folk have to come to terms with each other in the face of a greater threat from outside.