al27caro's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
applequinn's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Light orientalism inherent to worldbuilding
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
8/10
Like many of Cherryh’s books, this is a little dense and hard to get into at first. The politics of Union, and Cyteen in particular, are not easy to grasp but play an important role in the story. But the author crafts a compelling tale of power and loyalty in a world peopled by “born men” or CITs (citizens) and Azi, genetically-created humans who are classed by their gene-sets and deep-tape subliminal and instructional training.
[b:Cyteen|834518|Cyteen (Cyteen, #1-3)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316469389l/834518._SX50_.jpg|820134] was originally published as a trilogy, and [b:The Betrayal|57061|The Betrayal (Cyteen, #1)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407177836l/57061._SY75_.jpg|8754593] is the first book. Cyteen was later released as one book, and given the ending of The Betrayal, I can see why. The end isn’t an end at all. Time to read on...
Side note: there are references to another of [a:C.J. Cherryh|989968|C.J. Cherryh|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244675150p2/989968.jpg]’s books in this universe, [b:Forty Thousand in Gehenna|57148|Forty Thousand in Gehenna (Unionside, #1)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440848230l/57148._SY75_.jpg|1185217], as well as events chronicled in other books of the Company Wars and more. It’s quite a universe she has created!
Like many of Cherryh’s books, this is a little dense and hard to get into at first. The politics of Union, and Cyteen in particular, are not easy to grasp but play an important role in the story. But the author crafts a compelling tale of power and loyalty in a world peopled by “born men” or CITs (citizens) and Azi, genetically-created humans who are classed by their gene-sets and deep-tape subliminal and instructional training.
[b:Cyteen|834518|Cyteen (Cyteen, #1-3)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1316469389l/834518._SX50_.jpg|820134] was originally published as a trilogy, and [b:The Betrayal|57061|The Betrayal (Cyteen, #1)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407177836l/57061._SY75_.jpg|8754593] is the first book. Cyteen was later released as one book, and given the ending of The Betrayal, I can see why. The end isn’t an end at all. Time to read on...
Side note: there are references to another of [a:C.J. Cherryh|989968|C.J. Cherryh|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244675150p2/989968.jpg]’s books in this universe, [b:Forty Thousand in Gehenna|57148|Forty Thousand in Gehenna (Unionside, #1)|C.J. Cherryh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440848230l/57148._SY75_.jpg|1185217], as well as events chronicled in other books of the Company Wars and more. It’s quite a universe she has created!
soulfulsin's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best Foreigner books since the trilogy on the space station, this book was riveting, action packed, and almost impossible to put down. I greatly look forward to Intruder.
robinwalter's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
An excellent wrap to the 4th 3-book subset of the Foreigner series. Action, Machiavellian manoeuvrings and mayhem. Possibly my favourite set so far
kalanadi's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
mothwing's review against another edition
4.0
I read this in a day and especially enjoyed Cajeiri coming to terms with his bodyguards and Machigi, which I wouldn't have anticipated. I did like that we can finally see why Bren at any point would have wanted to be with Barb, though I still find it difficult just HOW many female offscreen villains this series has, and I don't get it, since it's a veeery old trope.
wingedpotato's review against another edition
5.0
This volume ratchets up the tension and the stakes in a fantastic way. Very rewarding for anyone following the whole series. Can't wait for the next one!
nanaofnaia's review against another edition
5.0
The fourth sequence of the Foreigner Series may be the best--lots of action, lots of character development, suspense, surprising resolutions.
Really love the characters and the mess they get in this time!
Really love the characters and the mess they get in this time!