Deliverer (Third Foreigner Series #3) Book

4.5

Tabini is back in power and juggling with all the strings of power, trying to get everything back to the way it was before the coup, something that is not as clear cut as might appear. All the Houses are in turmoil, and some are resisting, especially in their views of Bren's supposedly nefarious influence.

In this ninth volume, Cherryh gives us something different. Indeed, the narration is this time shared between Bren and Cajeiri, Tabini's son. I wasn't too sure at first, but very quickly came to enjoy this different perspective. The young ateva, having just spent two long years in space with humans, has assimilated a lot from this, not just from the people but also his experiences, as well as forged bonds with Bren and the crew's children that his family adamantly want him to sever. They do not however know the young heir, or his resilience, and keep underestimating him. Cajeiri's observations are not just fun but also provide much, especially of the atevi/human spheres. The heir could be said to be Bren's reverse image, an ateva with human affinities while the Lord of the Heavens is a human with atevi ones. Very much looking forward to the next instalment.