Most Popular Books by C. J. Cherryh

The third novel in Cherryh’s Foreigner space opera series, a groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences… Six months have passed since the reappearance of the starship Phoenix—the same ship which brought a colony of humans to the hostile environment of alien atevi nearly two hundred years ago. During these six months, the atevi have reconfigured their fledgling space program in a bid to take their place in the heavens alongside humans. But the return of the Phoenix has added a frighteningly powerful third party to an already volatile situation, polarizing both human and atevi political factions, and making the possibility of all-out planetary war an even more likely threat. On the atevi mainland, human ambassador Bren Cameron, in a desperate attempt to maintain the peace, has arranged for one human representative from the Phoenix to take up residence with him in his apartments, and for another to be stationed on humanity''s island enclave. Bren himself is unable to return home for fear of being arrested or assassinated by the powerful arch conservative element who wish to bar the atevi from space. Responsible for a terrified, overwhelmed young man, and desperately trying to keep abreast of the atevi associations, how can Bren possibly find a way to save two species from a three-sided conflict that no one can win? The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Inheritor is the 3rd Foreigner novel. IT is also the final book in the first subtrilogy.

The third volume of the Chanur saga, set in the Alliance-Union universe, featuring the alien spaceship captain Pyanfar Chanur and her human crewmate Tully. When the kif seized Hilfy and Tully, hani and human crewmembers of The Pride of Chanur, they issued a challenge Pyanfar, the captain of the Pride, couldn''t ignore, a challenge that would take Pyanfar and her shipmates to Mkks station and into a deadly confrontation between kif, hani, mahendo''sat, and human. And what began as a simple rescue attempt soon blossomed into a dangerous game of interstellar politics, where today''s ally could become tomorrow''s executioner, and where methane breathers became volatile wild cards playing for stakes no oxy breather could even begin to understand....

"For years, the stations of the Hinder Stars, those old stations closest to Sol, have lagged behind the great megastations of the Beyond, like Pell and Cyteen. But new opportunities and fears arise when Alpha station receives news of an incoming ship with no identification. The denizens of Alpha wait anxiously for news about the outsiders, each with their own suspicions about the ship and its origins. Ross and Fallon, crew members of the Galway, believe the unidentified ship belongs to Pell and has come to investigate another massive ship docked at Alpha, The Rights of Man. Though Rights is under the command of the Earth Company, it is not quite perfected--and its true purpose is shrouded in mystery. James Robert Neihart, captain of Finity''s End--a huge faster-than-light ship flown by one of the Merchanter Families--has heard whispers of The Rights of Man and wonders at its design and purpose, especially as Sol struggles to rival the progress of the Farther Stars. Now docked at Alpha, he must convince the crews that there is more to The Rights of Man than meets the eye. Because the reasons behind the creation of The Rights of Man, and its true plans, could change everything--not just for Sol, but for the Hinder Stars and the Beyond itself." --

Within the Constellation of the Serpent, out of bounds to all spacefarers, humans live among the insect-like aliens--and one of them, a woman named Paen, is bent on a revenge that will tear apart the truce between human and alien. "Brisk pacing . . . and genuinely brilliant world-building".--ALA Booklist.

The 19th book in Cherryh''s beloved Foreigner space opera series begins a new era for diplomat Bren Cameron, as he navigates the tenuous peace he has struck between human refugees and the alien "atevi."

There was a star Gate in Azeroth marked by alien fires that Morgaine must seal. But Morgaine and Vanye have brought devastation to the peaceful land. For the hordes of Shiuan were on their heels, determined to conquer a new land for themselves and to avenge their lost planet.

"Set in the same future as the Hugo-winning Downbelow Station, but fully self-contained, this is a story on the classic theme of human understanding of the alien. . . . Once again, Cherryh proves herself a consistently thoughtful and entertaining writer".--Publishers Weekly.

The 2nd novel of The Hinder Stars series returns to an intergalactic corporate conflict, set in the Hugo Award–winning Alliance-Union Universe. With deft prose and complex characters, Alliance Unbound is thought-provoking science fiction that shrewdly examines the technological and sociopolitical challenges of humanity’s journey to the stars. When Cyteen opened up faster-than-light travel, it gave the technology for free to any ship that could reach it; and with that technology, it provided a map of jump-points, points of mass enabling starships to navigate hyperspace safely. The map of jump-points, however, stopped with the route to Alpha—thus excluding Sol, and Earth, and the Earth Company, whose gateway to the stars was Alpha. Cyteen knew exactly what it was doing with its gift. Sol and the EC could still reach Alpha with sub-light pusher-ships as it always had—but Sol and the Earth Company no longer had any authority in the Beyond. But Sol intends to take back control of its star-stations and stop Cyteen''s unbridled expansion, however it can. To do that, they are willing to starve Alpha and concentrate their efforts on a huge FTLer capable of carrying military force.

Science fiction paperbooks.

The fourth and final book in the epic Morgaine science fiction saga Morgaine must meet her greatest challenge—Gault, who is both human and alien, and also seeks control of the world and its Gate. She will meet the true Gatemaster—a mysterious lord with power as great, or greater, than her own.

Stranded on a distant planet that abounds with fertile farmland, human colonists appear to be in paradise. But all the native animals communicate by telepathy, projecting images that drive humans mad. Only Nighthorses stand between civilization and madness. When a flare of human emotion spreads to all the horses, chaos erupts.

The classic fantasy duology, combining The Dreamstone and The Tree of Swords and Jewels in an omnibus for the first time It was that transitional time of the world, when man first brought the clang of iron and the reek of smoke to the lands which before had echoed only with fairy voices. In that dawn of man and death of magic there yet remained one last untouched place—the small forest of Ealdwood—which kept the magic intact, and protected the old ways. And there was one who dwelt there, Arafel the Sidhe, who had more pride and love of the world as it used to be than any of her kind. But fear of the world of Faery ran deep in the hearts of men, and when Ciaran Cuilean, Lord of Caer Wiell, a man with Elvish blood in his veins, found himself the object of increasing distrust and suspicion from his men, his king, and even his own family, he knew he must once again put his humanity aside and return to Ealdwood. For shadows of a newly awakened evil swarmed across both lands, and unless Ciaran reclaimed his haunted weapons from the Tree of Swords and joined Arafel, he would see this evil overtake not only the warm hearthstones of the mortal keeps, but the silvery heart of Ealdwood itself....

Deep in an abandoned, shattered castle, an old man of the Old Magic muttered almost forgotten words. His purpose -- to create out of the insubstance of the air, from a shimmering of light and a fluttering of shadows. that most wonderous of spells, a Shaping. A Shaping in the form of a, young man who will be sent east on the road the old was to old to travel. To right the wrongs of a long-forgotten wizard war, and call new wars into being. Here is the long-awaited major new novel from one of the brightest stars in the fantasy and science fiction firmament.C.J.Cherryh''s haunting story of the wizard Mauryl, kingmaker for a thousand years of Men, and Tristen, fated to sow distrust between a prince and his father being. A tale as deep as legend and a intimate as love, it tells of a battle beyond Time, in which all Destiny turns on the wheel of an old man''s ambition, a young man''s innocence, and the unkept promised of a king to come.

The second volume of the Chanur saga, set in the Alliance-Union universe, featuring the alien spaceship captain Pyanfar Chanur and her human crewmate Tully. In this sequel to The Pride of Chanur, Pyanfar Chanur and her human companion, Tully, must sensitive complex interstellar politics without getting caught in an all-out war. Two years after the events of the previous book, Pyanfar returns to Meetpoint Station with the hani spaceship The Pride of Chanur to find her comrades Goldtooth and Tully. Goldtooth advises Pyanfar to take Tully, whom the enemy kif are hunting, and head for mahen space. The mahendo''sat, on the other hand, retrieved Tully from human space and are paving the way for a fleet of human ships to open up trade with the central Compact. But the kif and the stsho oppose the humans'' presence, for fear of losing their place and influence in the Compact. The kif are themselves involved in a power struggle: two kif leaders, Akkhtimakt and Sikkukkut, are vying for the lofty position of mekt-hakkikt. Sikkukkut draws a reluctant Pyanfar into the feud, and her association with the kif puts her at odds with the han. Then, when the kif conflict spills over into hani space, all she and Tully can do is stay alive until Goldtooth and the human ships arrive.

Lives were at stake on the far side of the world; and no other person on Earth except Superman stood a chance of helping those people if that dam went. Four more dams were downriver. That whole region, rocked by earthquakes and deluged by spring rains, was in imminent danger. In this exciting novel, author "C.J. Cherryh takes us deep into the private lives and thrilling adventures of Superman and Lois Lane. As Superman struggles desperately half a world away to save a village threatened by a bursting dam, Lois Lane throws herself into the rescue effort at a collapsed hotel in Metropolis--and emerges a hero. Caught in the glare of national media attention, nothing in her life will ever be the same again . . . including her relationship with Clark Kent. About the Author "C.J. Cherryh is the author of more than fifty novels, and her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She has won the coveted Hugo Award three times, in addition to numerous other awards and honors. Perhaps best known for "Downbelow Station and "Cyteen, her novels regularly appear on bestseller lists. Ms. Cherryh lives in Oklahoma.

Things weren''t right in the little kingdom of Maggiar, so the princes Bogdan and Tamas set off to seek an answer to the kingdom''s troubles in the world over the mountain, a world they knew only from legends. But that glorious place was great no more. The goblins had declared war, and no one--especially not visitors were safe from the raging battles, the darkest sorcery, and the evil that roamed the land....

The author of Cyreen narrates the story of the oldest Merchanter ship of all, Finity''s End, whose young crew has lost an entire generation and is coming home after many years of war and piracy only to have to learn to live in peace.

The twelfth novel in Cherryh’s Foreigner space opera series, a groundbreaking tale of first contact and its consequences… In the wake of civil war, Bren Cameron, the brilliant human diplomat of the alien atevi civilization, has left the capital and sought refuge at his country estate, Najida. But now he is trapped inside Najida—which has been surrounded by enemies—with Ilisidi, the powerful grandmother of his ally, Tabini-aiji, atevi leader of the Western Association. But Ilisidi, the wily and dangerous aiji-dowager, is not inclined to be passive, and in a brazen maneuver sends Bren into enemy territory, to the palace of Machigi, the leader of the rebels. Bren''s mission is to negotiate with Machigi—a young atevi lord who has never actually seen a human—and somehow persuade him to cease his hostile actions against the West. Bren knows that the autocratic Machigi rules a fractious clan, and that his hospitality is not guaranteed. Bren''s genius for negotiation enable him to make a daring trade offer to Machigi—one that seems to interest the young warlord. But Machigi is suspicious of Ilisidi''s motives, and, to Bren''s utter shock, evokes an ancient law that jeopardizes Bren''s life. Can Bren stay alive and not alienate Ilisidi or Tabini, while also representing the interests of their enemy? The long-running Foreigner series can also be enjoyed by more casual genre readers in sub-trilogy installments. Betrayer is the 12th Foreigner novel, and the 3rd book in the fourth subtrilogy.

In paperback for the first time is the complete trilogy--an epic story of a woman''s mission across time and space to preserve the integrity of the universe. This single volume includes "Gate of Ivrel, " "Well of Shiuan, " and "Fires of Azeroth."

Shadows from another realm threaten the world with eternal darkness as this “stunning high-fantasy series” continues (Denver Post). An ancient war between shadowy Immortals persists to this day, thanks to the wizard Mauryl and the Shaping he conjured to face the Shadows of Chaos. Both more and less than human, Tristen is that Shaping. And his victories have won his friend Cefwyn both a kingdom and true love. But the Lines that hold the world in place are shifting again. A ruthless enemy is preparing for battle. Once again, Tristen will take up the sword inscribed with “Truth” and “Illusion” on its blade. But he faces more than a pretender to Cefwyn’s throne. The Shadows he sees are straight from Ruin—a flow of darkness covering the world like ink . . .

Aiela, a world-survey officer, is abducted by the iduve, the most advanced spacefaring race in the galaxy, and is forced to serve his captors on the clanship Ashanome

A new Galasien novel, the eagerly awaited sequel to Cherryh''s acclaimed FORTRESS OF EAGLES and FORTRESS IN THE EYE OF TIME. A new high fantasy triumph continuing the amazing story of two friends, king and sorcerer, in an age of wizardry. The Galasien Books are a legend in the making, an epic saga of ancient magic and the power of destiny. In the conflict between the shadowy immortals Mauryl and Hasufin, Tristen the Shaping and his sword are both weapons: Tristen was made by Mauryl, and the sword, which frightens Tristen, is made for magic. Tristen has helped his friend Prince Cefwyn become King, and now he holds the stewardship of Amefel. But he will have to take up the sword and the ancient Sihhe magic he has forsworn, for he is destiny''s own, a combatant whether he likes it or not in the fearsome conflict between darkness and light.

For the first time in one volume--the complete trilogy comprised of the novels "Kesrith, Shon''jir, " and "Kutath." A race of golden-skinned, golden eyed creatures is nearly annihilated in a war with "human" fighters. It''s up to three individuals to save the race from extinction. Can they retrace the galaxy-wide path of this nomadic race through millennia to reclaim the ancient world that gave them life?

For the first time in one volume--the complete trilogy comprised of the novels "Kesrith, Shon''jir, " and "Kutath." A race of golden-skinned, golden eyed creatures is nearly annihilated in a war with "human" fighters. It''s up to three individuals to save the race from extinction. Can they retrace the galaxy-wide path of this nomadic race through millennia to reclaim the ancient world that gave them life?

Two hundred years ago, there was war. The humans lost and were exiled to the island of Mospheira, trading titbits of advanced technology for continued peace and a secluded refuge. Only one single human - the paidhi - is allowed off the island and into the dangerous society of their conquerors.

Scattered about the galaxy were the time-space, gates of a vanished alien race. Long before the rise of the native civilizations, they had terrorized a hundred worlds--not from villainy but from folly. Now the task was to destroy their potency for mischief. This is the story of one such Gate.

Arafel, the last of the guardian spirits of Ealdwood, narrates this haunting tale of the last stand of faerie and magic against humanity and iron. The sequel is The Tree of Swords and Jewels (1983, pap., 1991).