December 1, 2019
Fans of Cherryh will be delighted with this twentieth book in the Foreigner saga. Bren Cameron continues to represent the human colonists as ambassador to the atevi, the native race of ebon-skinned humanoids. Most humans are isolated on the island of Mospheira since landing on the atevi's homeworld 200 years before; Bren is allowed to travel?with bodyguards?to the atevi lands. Returning home from the excitement that occurred in Emergence (2018), he is greeted by Ilsidi, grandmother of the current Tabini, who rules the northern atevi people, as she embarks on a mission to extend their hard-won northern peace against the south. Meanwhile, her great-grandson Cajeiri remains in Sheijidan, adjusting to his role as heir, responsible for his own household at a mere age of fortunate nine. Numbers are particularly meaningful to the atevi, whether in the number of train cars, a person's age, or the people seated together at a meal. Readers learn from Bren and Cajeiri's perspectives as they interpret each revelation about this society in which assassinations are common but should be licensed.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)