I always love an intricate Cherryh adventure, and this is no exception. We get to see more details of the workings of man'chi and the way Atevi government is formed, along with adventures through the countryside. This was thoroughly enjoyable.
The one little tidbit that bothered was a lack of continuity in the detail of Bren's residence: he had his own apartment before setting off into space and had not lived in the Atageini residence for years. That seems to have been forgotten in this book, although a sticking-plaster is applied in the next book and it would seem very un-kabiu to remark any further upon the indignity.

Not a stand-alone book---8th in series. If you follow the Foreigner series by CJ Cherryh, then buy it. Best books in the series were first two though (Foreigner and Invader).

Anyone who's familiar with Cherryh already knows the quality of her work. If you're not, I recommend ANYTHING by her. The first three books set in the Foreigner universe were brilliant explorations of cultures clashing on a grand scale. The second trilogy was all that and even more action. This third series raises the ante even higher. If you're a fan of Sci-Fi, first contact, or intrigue, you can't go wrong with this whole series.

Great addition to the Foreigner Universe. I enjoy Cherryh's introspective style. If one hasn't read the previous books in the series, do so. This is not a stand-alone book.

Getting down near the end of this epic, now -- at least, the end of the nine volumes so far published. Recently returned from two years in deep space, Bren Cameron, the paidhi-aiji (and now Lord of the Heavens, whether he likes it or not), has found the atevi world in an uproar, a usurper having attempted to oust Tabini, the aiji of most of the world. His boss has gone into hiding to raise a counter-revolution. At the end of the previous book, Bren and the aiji's dowager grandmother (an intimidating old lady with razor-sharp political skills and a devoted following), as well as the aiji's very young heir, have survived an attempt to eliminate them by dissident members of the Assassins Guild and have finally met up with Tabini. This eighth volume is taken up with the journey, partly by commandeered bus, partly by rail, to the capital at Shejidan, where the aiji intends to take back his position. They gather forces as well as momentum -- the ultimate road trip, in a way -- and by the time they hit the palace gates (or, rather, underground train station), the usurper has fled the city. There's quite a bit of action this time out, but also considerable in-depth discussion of the concept of man'chi, which isn't "loyalty," exactly, but a hardwired atevi sense of belonging to the herd, being subject to its instinctive hierarchy. As long as he's been immersed in atevi society, Bren still doesn't quite understand his hosts' psychology, not instinctively. An absorbing and illuminating episode in the ongoing saga. (A small complaint, however: Michael Whelen has provided the cover paintings for the first seven books, and he's generally done a good job. But this time, for some reason, the painting is by Donato Giancola, and it's really pretty poor.)