The fifteenth novel in Cherryh's Foreigner space opera series, a
groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences...
Civil war on the world of the atevi is finally over. And Cajeiri, son
and heir of Tabini-aiji, atevi leader of the dominant Western
Association, is about to celebrate his fortunate ninth birthday. Bren
Cameron, brilliant human diplomat allied with Tabini, has managed to
arrange a visit for Cajeiri's three special associates from the starship
Phoenix--ordinary human children who developed a bond with Cajeiri
during his two years in space.
After a year of political upheaval, this is a happy event: the heir is
safe, the aiji is back in power, and a massive celebration is planned in
the capital. The whole world is watching.
But Bren Cameron has received evidence that security has been severely
compromised from the aiji's high office on downward. The powerful
Assassins' Guild--which provides the judicial system, law enforcement,
and personal protection in atevi society--is in the hands of a man who
would like to turn the entire world back two centuries.
Bren now knows the details of a decades-old plot that's been threaded
through Guild actions since before his arrival on the continent. The
enemy's best chance is to strike now, at the public celebration that is
much too important and far too advanced to cancel.
Bren and his associates have no choice. If they don't make the first
move, the other side will. And the lives of the heir, his innocent human
guests, and the entire ruling family are at stake.
The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual
genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Peacemaker is the 15th
Foreigner novel, and the 3rd book in the fifth subtrilogy.
