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39th out of 208 books
—
829 voters
The Faded Sun Trilogy (The Faded Sun #1-3)
by
C.J. Cherryh (Goodreads Author)
They were the mri-tall, secretive, bound by honor and the rigid dictates of their society. For aeons this golden-skinned,golden-eyed race had provided the universe mercenary soldiers of almost unimaginable ability. But now the mri have faced an enemy unlike any other-an enemy whose only way of war is widespread destruction. These "humans" are mass fighters, creatures of th...more
Paperback, 784 pages
Published
January 1st 2000
by DAW
(first published 1978)
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Every now and then I take a break from the new releases stacked atop my desk to treat myself to a classic. This time I chose Kesrith, which begins The Faded Sun Trilogy by C.J. Cherryh. I meant to read just one volume, then set the trilogy aside and get on with reading those new releases. Then I meant to read just the second, Shon’Jir before getting on with business. Then I had to read the last, Kutath.
The Faded Sun Trilogy has long been available in one volume and should, in my opinion, be rea...more
The Faded Sun Trilogy has long been available in one volume and should, in my opinion, be rea...more
Three points:
1. NOBODY does aliens as well as C.J. Cherryh (at least in my experience).
2. This is not a page-turning barnburner. This is a slow, deep immersion that stays with you for a long time.
3. No book that has inspired a Michael Whelan cover has ever disappointed me.
But back on that first point. Cherryh's mri and regul are two awesomely different species, the former mercenary fighters for the latter, who don't fight themselves, but really can't be trusted. They're both battling humans, who...more
1. NOBODY does aliens as well as C.J. Cherryh (at least in my experience).
2. This is not a page-turning barnburner. This is a slow, deep immersion that stays with you for a long time.
3. No book that has inspired a Michael Whelan cover has ever disappointed me.
But back on that first point. Cherryh's mri and regul are two awesomely different species, the former mercenary fighters for the latter, who don't fight themselves, but really can't be trusted. They're both battling humans, who...more
I won't say that I was completely disappointed in the fact that the Kel, for constantly being shown as the most prolific and elite warriors in the galaxy, and one of the oldest races in the galaxy, and yet the action was primarily non-existent, or them getting their heads handed to them. There was a hell of a lot of wandering around, first on a dry desert planet, and then across the empty space and dead worlds. Seriously? I expected a lot of tension with all the violent relationships of the race...more
In the end I enjoyed it, but my GOODNESS it was a wade. Oddly enough, it was harder to get through than Cherryh's "Foreigner" series, and I don't think it should've been: Foreigner gets WAY deeper into politics and history and plots and such that occasionally go over my head. The Faded Sun Trilogy was very straightforward for the most part but I still found myself checking how much longer until the end of a particular chapter when I got bogged down. Somehow it didn't hold my interest the way the...more
I enjoyed this trilogy very much. It's a fascinating story of the dealings of three species. Because the first viewpoint character is mri, we get a particularly good view of this austere and honorable species. They're strangely likeable, despite their extremely strict society with well-defined roles for each caste. I find it odd that they breed mostly within the caste made up of people who weren't judged sufficiently intelligent or talented to become scholars, who are the ruling caste. What do y...more
Dec 24, 2010
Kelanth, numquam risit ubi dracones vivunt
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantascienza
Prima o poi dovevo proprio recensire il libro da cui ho preso il mio "nick". Nome strano certo per chi non ha letto questo stupendo libro (primo di una trilogia - ma che si legge a se stante non preoccupatevi), ma che rappresenta una stirpe di grandi guerrieri del pianeta Kesrith. Purtroppo questa autrice, vincitrice del prestigioso premio Hugo, è sconosciuta ai più... ma i sono qui per questo no? Stranamente questa volta gli umani sono estesi in varie parti della Galassia, siamo i dominatori, s...more
While I have read some fantasy by C.J. Cherryh, this trilogy (Kesrith, Shon'jir, and Kutath) was the first science fiction I've read. Wow! I was completely engaged while reading and thoroughly satisfied when I finished. What more can you ask?
The three species that dominate the story (mri, regul, and human) are each carefully drawn and distinct. The non-humans are not human-like in different bodies--they are definitely alien. And yet we are drawn into their stories as completely as we are into th...more
The three species that dominate the story (mri, regul, and human) are each carefully drawn and distinct. The non-humans are not human-like in different bodies--they are definitely alien. And yet we are drawn into their stories as completely as we are into th...more
1 like · like · see review
Very complex, and there were times I wondered if I wanted to continue reading (half of the first book moves too slowly). But the characters are solid, and engrossing, and the action builds on the characters. One of the universal themes is evident - that of cultural identity and freedom. The Mri race of warriors, which hired themselves out as mercenaries to races that would rather not fight, did such a good job that even their employers feared them. This put them in jeopardy too.
One thing I real...more
One thing I real...more
I really like this series. The politics get to be too much, but that's normal for Cherryh. The four different species and alien worlds are very real. Great characters. Not everything is neatly resolved and it gives you things to think about.
I had a hard time overall with the Faded Sun. The mri are a fascinating species, but their existence and survivability in the face of a refusal to adapt and change confuses me. I know it's a huge theme of the book, and it remains compelling all the way through, but on occasion I had a hard time suspending the disbelief. It would seem to me, correctly or otherwise, that such a rigid and unyielding code of life would not lend itself to long-term survival. Indeed it *nearly* didn't, but I wouldn't...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I'm forever grateful to the artist Michael Whelan for crafting such an intriguing piece of cover art for this book, because without that I most likely would have never picked it up, it would have remained anonymous among the hundreds of similarly themed works lining the shelves of the Barnes and Nobles scifi/fantasy section.
Although its been years since my last reading of The Faded Sun, I still get chills when I take the time to think back on that most epic journey, and those unbelievably 'alien...more
Although its been years since my last reading of The Faded Sun, I still get chills when I take the time to think back on that most epic journey, and those unbelievably 'alien...more
I want to give this book a good review but I just can't seem to do it. I was so torn while reading this book and never once did I care about what would happen. The climax seemed flat to me, without urgency or excitement. Everything took so long to get to that I found myself bored with it.
Also if there is one book that needed a glossary it's this one. It was probably the most confusing first chapter I've ever read in a book. And not confusing plot wise or what the hell is going on wise but the s...more
Also if there is one book that needed a glossary it's this one. It was probably the most confusing first chapter I've ever read in a book. And not confusing plot wise or what the hell is going on wise but the s...more
Feb 09, 2009
Felicity
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
science fiction writers and readers
Recommended to Felicity by:
Dad
I usually hesitate to give star ratings to books I read long ago. But I wanted to make sure my recommendation and praise were on record here.
This is excellent science fiction. Cherryh's great achievement here is the creation of not one, but two mindsets that are believable, yet pervasively alien. The mri and the regul are so consistent and convincing -- not to mention interesting -- that this trilogy is still the first book that comes to mind when discussing beautifully crafted alien races in fi...more
This is excellent science fiction. Cherryh's great achievement here is the creation of not one, but two mindsets that are believable, yet pervasively alien. The mri and the regul are so consistent and convincing -- not to mention interesting -- that this trilogy is still the first book that comes to mind when discussing beautifully crafted alien races in fi...more
A little too soft-sci-fi for my taste. The science isn't too essential to the story, and doesn't get described at all.
Put the characters in early 16th century japan and you basically have the last samurai. the samurai parallels are abundant in this series: from an honor-driven caste-based society, to the weapons they use (2 curved swords, one short, one long [daito], and smaller knives [tanto] come on!), and even their 1-on-1 way of doing battle.
I read it til the end in hopes of seeing some jui...more
Put the characters in early 16th century japan and you basically have the last samurai. the samurai parallels are abundant in this series: from an honor-driven caste-based society, to the weapons they use (2 curved swords, one short, one long [daito], and smaller knives [tanto] come on!), and even their 1-on-1 way of doing battle.
I read it til the end in hopes of seeing some jui...more
Writing: 3
Story: 1
Satisfaction: 0
Cherryh is a good writer but the book moves soooo slowly. I finished through the first book and I still wasn't emotionally involved with the characters and the main plot still wasn't even hinted at. The story seems more character driven than anything else and it's done well except for the part where the characters are all whiney and self-indulgent for annoying reasons. I honestly can't say that I really liked anyone that I came across in the reading and I didn't...more
Story: 1
Satisfaction: 0
Cherryh is a good writer but the book moves soooo slowly. I finished through the first book and I still wasn't emotionally involved with the characters and the main plot still wasn't even hinted at. The story seems more character driven than anything else and it's done well except for the part where the characters are all whiney and self-indulgent for annoying reasons. I honestly can't say that I really liked anyone that I came across in the reading and I didn't...more
Of C.J. Cherryh's books, these are the best I've read. Better than Downbelow, Chanur, Morgaine, Merchanter, etc.
If you've read Robert Jordan
The Eye of the World
imagine the Aiel as a space-faring force of mercenaries who, through treachery, and their own inflexibility, are all but wiped out. Only two survive. Throw into the mix a special forces soldier who is determined to see the Mri survive, and you have Cherryh's story.
The Mri and humans are physically very similar. Tension in the story comes...more
If you've read Robert Jordan
The Eye of the World
imagine the Aiel as a space-faring force of mercenaries who, through treachery, and their own inflexibility, are all but wiped out. Only two survive. Throw into the mix a special forces soldier who is determined to see the Mri survive, and you have Cherryh's story.
The Mri and humans are physically very similar. Tension in the story comes...more
Jun 26, 2008
Emilie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
sci-fi fans
Shelves:
science-fiction,
all-time-favorites
I just re-read this book and loved it just as much as the first time I read it. But this time I realized that this is the "original" version of Cherryh's wonderful Foreigner series. Well, it's not really the original, but it reads like the "origin:"
A lone human is forced to adapt to a confusingly different, yet familiar, alien mindset (mri) -- and to act as a go-between and cultural translator for humans and mri.
Cherryh's writing style is less confusing in this book than it is in Heavy Time (o...more
A lone human is forced to adapt to a confusingly different, yet familiar, alien mindset (mri) -- and to act as a go-between and cultural translator for humans and mri.
Cherryh's writing style is less confusing in this book than it is in Heavy Time (o...more
CJ Cherryh, when she's good is very good, and when she's bad is still very good but just doesn't manage to make me deeply care about what's going on. unfortunately, the 'faded sun trilogy' is some of that latter. told in 3 parts (this hefty edition has all 3 books in one paperback), this is the tale of a mid-ranking human military operative and how he "goes native" and falls into the life of the alien race humans have recently conquered. there's a lot of observations about the nature of humanity...more
Oct 21, 2007
Nicholas Whyte
added it
http://nhw.livejournal.com/1077101.html[return][return]Having rather bounced off both Cherryh's Hugo winners, Cyteen and Downbelow Station, I'm glad to report that I found the Faded Sun trilogy much easier to get into. She slightly lost me at the climax of the last book, but apart from that I found them all very readable. It's a story of questing for destiny and of relationships between three different species, humans, the warrior mri, and the regul. Cherryh gives her aliens an effective and con...more
Jul 26, 2011
Beth
added it
I'm not an avid reader of Sci-Fi but my grandfather gave me this trilogy. The Faded Sun trilogy is an astounding story that I will never forget. I really can not think of words to describe, you have to read it for yourself. Whether you love sci-fi or are just trying it out this book is definatly one to read. The story and the characters will suck you in and the more you read the more you will not want to put the book down.
C.J. Cherryh excels at world building. This three-in-one novel is no different in that aspect, in fact, it is one of the best parts of the entire series. Her strength in creating an interesting, complex, and not to mention unique world with different, unknowable creatures works to her advantage greatly.
Using with three-dimensional, well-rounded and interesting characters, Cherryh sucks you into a story about three main characters: two mri and one human. It is an engrossing book; it is full of de...more
Using with three-dimensional, well-rounded and interesting characters, Cherryh sucks you into a story about three main characters: two mri and one human. It is an engrossing book; it is full of de...more
I'll only give it 4 stars because I read it when I was a freshman in highschool (8 years ago now, yikes) and I don't remember all of it, but for some reason this one really stuck with me. And for some strange reason this is the book I think about when I write stories for a particular character I created, though there's nothing in common between the two.
I wanted to like this book so much -- I'm a big fan of the author and I adore the 'Foreigner Sequence' a lot. The book seemed very promising in the beginning as well -- fascinating world-building, a plot I wanted to know more of and it had that certain 'something' a book has to have in order to pull you in. Unfortunately, it didn't last. At some point in the first book of this omnibus I realized that I absolutely couldn't stand the main characters. I understood them and could even agree with the...more
It's hard to believe how long ago this series was written. The writing is a bit rough, but the Faded Sun books showed what Ms.C really loves to write. Alien cultures. The Faded Sun books follows a pattern she uses to this day, put a human in a alien culture, and see what happens. I thing these should be on anyone's SF reading list.
I enjoyed this read. I have an aversion to reading about ships and outer space, I know it can't be helped in sci-fi, but this book also has a strong fantasy element and that's what kept me reading. The characters were well developed. Good dialogue, no surprise with Cherryh. The disparity between races is well played out.
I really liked novels 1 & 2. The language and ideas are all captivating; C.J. Cherryh's word choice is always stellar. I became frustrated in the mdidle of the 3rd book, though. The storyline where I'm at is dragging on way too long and seems repetitive. I can't wait for the conclusion, but I had to put it down for a while.
1/25
Eh. It turned out to be alright.
If you cut out all the excess crap, it's a decent story with some intriguing ideas.
I felt like Cherryh tried too hard to make this world believable. Essentially force feeding the reader to ingest the political dynamics, cultural and social structure of the 2 alien races in order to get through the story. This also slowed the story down to the point of confusion and disinterest.
1/2/11
So far, so fake.
I'll eventually finish reading this.
Eh. It turned out to be alright.
If you cut out all the excess crap, it's a decent story with some intriguing ideas.
I felt like Cherryh tried too hard to make this world believable. Essentially force feeding the reader to ingest the political dynamics, cultural and social structure of the 2 alien races in order to get through the story. This also slowed the story down to the point of confusion and disinterest.
1/2/11
So far, so fake.
I'll eventually finish reading this.
This is, by far, one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. Is it going to go down in history as the most well written book of our time? No. Still, I have yet to enjoy reading a book more than I have enjoyed this trilogy, and that includes some classics of Sci-Fi Fantasy such as The Lord of the Rings.
A poignant story of a human man desperately trying to live among aliens whose very differences could destroy him, and their own quest to find a home, The Faded Sun Trilogy combines believable characters and intriguing alien species with a grace typical of C.J. Cherryh's early novels.
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| Is this worth reading? | 22 | 42 | Jun 07, 2013 10:01pm |
Currently resident in Spokane, Washington, C.J. Cherryh has won four Hugos and is one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed authors in the science fiction and fantasy field. She is the author of more than forty novels. Her hobbies include travel, photography, reef culture, Mariners baseball, and, a late passion, figure skating: she intends to compete in the adult USFSA track. She began...more
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