Opening just
after the chaotic run of Pretender
(relatively speaking, of course,
this is the Foreigner universe, after all), the opening of C.J.
Cherryh’s Deliverer
(2007). Ninth book in the Foreigner universe, sees Bren, Lord
Taibini, Isildi, Cajeri, and the entire entourage return to power in
the atevi capital. This group responsible for cleaning matters up in
the wake of the attempted coup, they look to restore Taibini’s
power base. But before the dust can settle, a new crisis emerges
that puts the idea the insurrection has been quelled back up for
question. Question is, from which side is the attack, and what are
the long term effect?
In telling
this story, Deliverer
marks a major departure from the pattern, if it can be called as
such, that has emerged over the first eight Foreigner books. Bren is
no longer 100% the viewpoint character; Cajeri, Lord Tabini’s
grandson, shares screentime.
Deliverer thus offers two
perspectives on atevi life. Given the plot directions that are
revealed, it’s a fitting departure, which, for as surprising as it
is, still feels natural. The second departure is that Cherryh
abandons, or at least appears to abandon the trilogy structure. If
events in Destroyer
seemed to be wrapped up by Pretender,
Deliverer
only adds to the feeling. It cleans up the relative mess left over
from Pretender,
but given the majority of plot threads were also tied off by that
book, there is little for Deliverer
to capitalize on save introducing new elements, which in turn breaks
the mold of the first two trilogies which featured strong,
overarching plot lines.
Deliverer
largely self-contained, it makes the reader wonder: where does
Cherryh take the series next? Seeming to open the door on many
possibilities with the development of Cajeri as a character, it seems
logical that she continues to develop his story arc. Perhaps as
foreshadowing of Bren’s removal from the storyline, or as simply a
way to spice up a story arc that is now nine—nine—volumes long,
and counting.
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