Reviews

Defender, by C.J. Cherryh

buuboobaby's review

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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

cathepsut's review against another edition

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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.

malmer's review against another edition

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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

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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

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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.

nanaofnaia's review

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4.0

Soooo good!

Very grateful for this series.

kazen's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 stars

The extra .5 is for the middle of this book where three mind-blowing things happen in quick succession. It left me breathless and excited for whatever else the plot would bring, but things ended on a gasp instead of a bang. Maybe that's fitting for the middle book of a "sub-trilogy", but I was still hoping for a little more.

suzjustsuz's review against another edition

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4.0

In terms of the long arc nothing much really happening in this entry of the series. It was, nevertheless, highly entertaining.

The characters really do drive this story, which is interesting given the amount of "don't do 'feelings'" that is a cornerstone of more than half of the characters in the series.

Still, it's all court intrigue all the time - in space.

robinwalter's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging informative medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

natcat's review against another edition

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5.0

Another excellent entry in this fantastic series, filled with the twisty politics, delightful characters, and great prose of previous installments, with the extra bonus of more space!