Cherryh's Foreigner novels continue to impress, although one does often wish they'd be compacted into something more like an omnibus - every book now is a few more days in the same story. It's a story I'm interested in, though, and like quite a lot; it's unlike anything else being published now.

Author C, J. Cherryh (http://www.cherryh.com) published the novel “Resurgence” in 2020. This is the 20th novel in the author's Foreigner’ series. Mr. Cherryh has published more than 35 novels.

I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains some violence. The story is set in the far future. The primary character is diplomat, Bren Cameron.

The dowager Ilisidi takes the famous Red Train to a remote town. Onboard are Cameron as well as a diverse assortment of characters. Her plan is to make a deal that will bring a close to the hostilities in the south of the Atevi continent. She is playing a risky game of intrigue and politics with Cameron at the center.

I enjoyed the 11+ hours I spent reading this 347-page science fiction novel. I found it a little slow and confusing. While I had read book 17 (Visitor) in this series back in 2016, it was a little difficult to pick up this novel. I would certainly recommend starting at the beginning of the series to get the most out of the novel. While there is some excitement, this book is more about politics and intrigue. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a 4 out of 5.

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Whenever I pick up a title in C. J. Cherryh's Foreigner series, I know I am in for a story full of intrigue, politics, humor, alien relations, and Bren Cameron trying to navigate the twists and turns of the Atevi courts without getting himself or anyone in his care killed. I also know that they are not light, quick reads. These books are full of plot, details, twists, turns, and reasonings that require me to THINK! And I absolutely love that fact! Resurgence was not a disappointment. Despite being the twentieth book in the series, the knots that Bren (and later Cajeiri) must unravel require the characters and readers to dive deep into the machinations of the Dowager, the politics of the Southern Continent, and the complexities of alliance and betrayal like they never have before.

Bren has come a long way from the simple translator and basic diplomat he started as. His character growth has been phenomenal while remaining believable. He is not perfect -- he makes his fair share of assumptions and missteps; but he is always growing and learning from every mistake and success. I think that is why I love him so much as a person as well as a protagonist. He self-awareness of his strengths and weaknesses is also refreshing. And the fact that he has lasted this long and Illisidi (bringer of chaos and queen of the power-play) still "likes" him proves that he is worthy of every title he has acquired.

While this volume reads like a bridge piece between the beginning and end of this seventh arc, I never felt too bogged down in the details to make it a slog. Every page was worth it. However, a map that did not require a microscope to read properly would have been nice -- but that is on the publisher, not the author.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the twentieth book in Cherryh's Foreigner series. The premise is that sometime in the future, a space ship carrying both its crew and a group of human intending to colonize a specific planet somehow got knocked off course, and after a hard time looking for a suitable planet to land, decided to orbit an already inhabited planet. The humans build a space station, but there comes to be a split between the crew of the ship and the aspiring colonists. The ship departs, abandoning the people living aboard the station. After time, there is another split, this time between individuals aboard the station who want to leave the station for the planet below, taking their chances with the natives and those who want to stay aboard because they don't want to contaminate the native culture. Eventually, every one aboard the station does relocate to the planet.

The native inhabitants call themselves Atevi and their civilization has reached the steam age. In the beginning, the humans and Atevi appear to get along very well, but one day, the Atevi attack the humans, killing many of them because the humans have unwittingly violated critical Atevi biologically based cultural norms.. Finally, the humans retreat to a single large island and the Atevi completely abandon that island. It becomes apparent to both sides that their supposed ability to get along was a total mistake. Both sides have dealt with the other side based on their cultural and biological norms, having only a superficial understanding each other. It is agreed that the Atevi will grant the humans the use of their island in exchange for human technology. It is also agreed that only one human will ever be allowed to visit and reside in the mainland, an individual the Atevi call the "paidi", a translator of both language and culture whose job is to keep peace between the two peoples.

The current paidi is Bren Cameron. He stepped into the job at a very young age and with a flexibility of mind to delve much deeper into Atevi culture than his predecessors. Over the course of the series, Bren has made good friends with the Atevi ruler and other high ranked Atevi. He has become a mentor to the Atevi leader's son, a boy dated to inherit his father's throne, giving Bren an unprecedented influence in Atevi affairs.

C.J. Cherry is a superb world builder and very skilled at creating aliens who are truly alien to human beings. Both her Faded Sun and Chanur sagas display her fabulous talent. The Foreigner books are as equally well developed and written.

Bren Cameron is the human ambassador to the atevi, but his atevi role as paidhi-aiji means that it is also his job to represent the atevi ruler in their dealings with outsiders - of whatever species. The series is largely told from the point of view of Bren.

In this 20th instalment, Bren is representing the atevi dowager Illisidi, grandmother of the aiji Tabini and still a power behind the throne, as she seeks to bring stability to the region in the face of intrigues and assassinations, the overt politics of trade, and the covert politics within the guilds. Much of the interest in the series comes from the non-human cultural conventions, traits and proprieties that constrain and control the actions of the atevi, and these are the major drivers of this book.

It is the second novel in a three-volume arc whose main additional protagonist is Cajeiri, the 9-year-old son of the aiji. Cajeiri is expected to act not just as an adult but as a representative of the aiji, and has already played a significant role in a couple of independent areas of international import. He is the only other character whose thoughts we ride in this story.

Cherryh manages the balance of Cajeiri’s child-like interests and concerns, his stepping up as adult and heir in the situation he is presented with, as the development and maintenance of youthful associations that go beyond human friendships and become lifelong allegiances.

The present volume, however, revolves largely around Machigi, a neighbouring ruler with a piratical reputation, Nomari, an unexpected, unexpectedly connected, pretender to the lordship of another neighboring state famed for the fast assassination of its rulers, as well as machinations relating to the development of a railroad to connect the regions. However, we still do not learn as much about these two as we might like - both remain enigmatic to Bren, while Cajeiri provides important aspects of our understanding of Nomari.

This book is an interesting read, but not the best introduction to the series.

In a series this long, a reader new to the series must wonder whether they can start anywhere or must read the series in order, while a past reader may feel they need to reread the entire series to understand each new volume. As a set of trilogies, it would indeed be possible to read one such arc on its own, and Cherryh deftly provides both the cultural and historical background without giving too much away of the previous plots. But the writing order corresponds to a tight world chronology and it is best to start from the beginning if you are a new reader.

This reviewer has come to this volume mid-arc, after an absence of a few years from the annual progression of novels in the series. The characters and the culture were brought quickly back to mind, while the four books that I've missed have not been spoiled, and are indeed now next in my reading queue.

C. J. Cherryh continues one of the longest and best-loved series in science fiction with Resurgence, the middle book in its seventh three-book arc. It returns to the adventures of Bren Cameron, diplomat in residence, the human representative of a group of colonists stranded generations ago on the alien atevi world where their starship foundered, leaving a human-inhabited station in orbit. The humans now live on the planet as well, on an island separated from the aliens.

As usual, the story is embroiled in the politics of the fractious aliens as the Atevi dowager, Ilisidi, co-opts Bren on a voyage on the “Red Train…headed for the snowy roof of the world” where she seeks to use a minor lord as a pawn in settling the squabbles on the Atevi southern continent. - Originally Posted on Amazing Stories (see link)

Addictive!

Like Bren Cameron, the paidhi-aiji (the translator who connects the governments of the Mospherians, human occupants of the Atevi planet whom Atevi allowed to inhabit that island enclave) I quailed when the communique came from his home at Najida that the Aiji-Dowager Ilisidi, grandmother of Tabini (the Aiji, ruler of the Atevi) had come calling. Let's not equivocate! This is not a good portend for Bren leisurely sailing home from Mospheira across the straits using some well deserved down time after all that's happened. (How I love the Dowager. Always the wild card! Although her great grandson Cajeiri, and heir to Tabini has been running a close second!).
The Resurgence focuses on the Midlands and the Ajuri clan. A troubled place where holdouts from the Shadow Guild are still operating. The dowager's nose is somewhat out of joint as Tabini's consort Damiri (of the Ajuri clan) having family connections to this area, has made inroads into securing political power here, and has taken under her wing, a cousin, Nomari, a new claimant to lordship of this area. Nomari "has been living and working as Transportation Guild ... A rail worker... He currently leads a band of other survivors, about whom we know far less, who also seem to have been fugitives" from the deceased Shishogi, founder of the Shadow Guild. Where the guild infiltrated and who is still operational is a big question.
Meanwhile the young gentleman, Cajeiri is coming along nicely. As he puts it "his circle is expanding" and it's instructive to watch his decision making in the light of his past experiences.
Bren is as always in the midst of the troubles, along with the Dowager. The Dowager is wary of how the new Midlands situation might influence things.
Machigi—Lord of the Taisigin Marid and chief lord of the Association of the Southern Marid has an interest in rail links. The Dowager is not beyond using rail building as a way into this area, all the more interesting to me as this appears to be a somewhat tenuous link at this stage with the cousin claimant, Nomari. But perhaps I'm reading too much into it. Still with the Atevi and the Dowager anything is possible!
I was so enthralled by the new twists in this ongoing saga that I let out an Oh No! wail when I came to the end.
Once again Cherryh had me riveted to the various political changes and shifting of loyalty allegiances (man'chi) amongst the Atevi.
Another special journey with these characters I so admire.

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley

C.J.Cherryh has Bren Cameron the human diplomat or paidhi to the atevi, help the aiji dowager Ilisidi out in mercantile negotiations between atevi lords in Resurgence. As usual there are assassination attempts, political rivalries and misunderstandings. The ruling atevi family is ironing out its relations and the young son of the aiji is growing up. Exciting alien tales well told by a master science fiction writer.

Book twenty in the Foreigner series is only for long term fans. You would think that after 19 previous books the world building would be done but no. Much of this brings up the history of the clans and the present danger. What it does not do is solve anything. I came to the last page and could not believe that the book was done. This is a set up for the next book but not a complete story in its self. As a long term fan I will be waiting the next book and not give up on the series just because this on was so slow and tedious to read.

Another installment in the Foreigner series, another book where things are going as they go and then Bren has to take off on a mode of transportation to do something only he can do very, very quickly. If you're surprised, you really shouldn't be. This is book twenty. Resurgence both continues the story of the previous books and creates a potential for a new story going forward. And I really, really liked it.

In Emergence, the previous book, Bren finished what he was doing on Mospheira, and is on his way home to Shejidan to brief the aiji and return to daily life. Only before he can get there, Ilisidi is waiting for him at his home in Najida. And she is really angry because she was left out of the to-do involving her great grandson, Cajeiri, and Tatiseigi, and a bunch of danger at Tatiseigi's home. Which all involved Cajeiri's mother's family, anyway. Ilisidi just likes to be in the middle of everything like the nosy old woman she is. However, everything is settled there now, so she just came to Bren to complain. They're just waiting for the train to get free so they can head back to the capital.

But not before Machigi, the leader of the southern Marid, stops in, freaking out the security of everyone, and looking for an amendment to the treaty they already had together. This time he wants to add some provisions to improve the trains going to the Marid. Which Ilisidi goes for, because it is her life goal to see the Marid in the Aishiditat before she dies. Which is going to be a long time, since Ilisidi is never going to die, being too stubborn to even consider the notion. Plus, I'd cry, and I don't wanna.

Meanwhile, Cajeiri has gone back home with his mother and uncle to Shejidan, to sit around worrying about things. Mostly worried about how awesome he's doing, the precious little thing. Plus he's getting rid of that damned monkey which HALLELUJAH PRAISE EVERYTHING! GET RID OF THE THING ALREADY! This best move in the entire series takes a while, and some money. But also, Cajeiri is expanding his household because of increased responsibility, and he's doing so good my dear little Cajeiri. I'm so proud. In contrast with the books before this, where he was right in the middle of things, Cajeiri is actually on the periphery and Bren is in charge this book.

And Bren is in charge because Ilisidi takes off like a bolt of lightning to both set out to enact Machigi's new plan, and to stir shit up. Mostly she wants to stir things up and see what falls out and falls in line. So Bren, Ilisidi, Machigi (who has never left the Marid before and this is a pretty big deal), and the new lord-of-the-ajuri-to-be and former-spy-for-Machigi, Narida, set out to one of the provinces of the Marid to make known to that lord there what is going to be happening in his territory. Which just happens to be one of the places Narida spied on during the Troubles books and books back now. Ilisidi: professional beehive poker.

I love that woman.

Resurgence is first and foremost a political book. It has built upon books and books of previous backstory and political intrigue. While some of the players may be new, the people who matter aren't and their plans have been in motion for quite a while now. This goes exactly like every other book in the series. It is fun. It is well written. And I can't wait to read the next book.

ARC received from DAW/Berkley Publishing Group on Netgalley. This did not affect my review.