Review of Divergence by C.J. Cherryh

Emergence saw the marid finally in a position to take a breath. The Shadow Guild, while still in existence, had been pushed back, allowing Taibini, Bren, and the dowager to begin moving for better territorial position. Nomani was identified as the likely inheritor or lands previously held by insurgents, and in Resurgence the mysterious Machigi appeared with a proposition to solidify his power as well as offer the marid a share. But remnants of the Shadow Guild interrupted proceedings, giving rise to the question are things as stable as readers thought? Divergence (2020) answers that question.

Divergence kicks off precisely where Resurgence ended aboard the red train. Bren is trying to make sense of the strange social, and by default political, milieu the dowager has created. Nomani, still not entirely trustable, continues to push for a lordship, while Machigi sits quietly saying and doing all the right things yet not being entirely open about his long-term intentions. Or is he? In the capital, Cajeri is taken deeper into the confidences of his father and mother as he proves worthy of their trust. And while at a distance from the action, proves his role in the capital can still pack a punch.

Divergence brings this, the seventh trilogy in the Foreigner series, to an enjoyable, relevant close. Cherryh is anything but consistent in delivering story that pushes the world of the atevi forward in realistic fashion. And for a Foreigner novel, there is a fair bit of “action”. Cherryh remains a master of third-person suspense—feeding you just enough to be aware of what is happening outside the main character viewpoints, but not enough to be confident of how proceedings will pan out.

Before I close this review, a personal note. If this is the last Foreigner novel ever to be published, I'd like to say a giant 'thank you' to CJ Cherryh for the series. It is nothing short of noteworthy. When the history of science fiction is written, it is worthy of a paragraph or two. There is nothing else like it. In four decades—four decades—of novels, Cherryh has created a living, breathing, alien place incredibly consistent in style and method. Bren and the atevi have a permanent place in my mind, regardless what happens next. Regarding the state of atevi society, Divergence leaves matters in a reasonably stable state. There are still things to do to secure 100% stability, but what culture or people can claim as such? If this is the end, so be it. We readers who have made it through twenty-one books could read more, but if we don't, I assume most of us will have been satisfied multiple times over. Thank you.