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Ambassador #2
Raising Hell
THE SECOND-QUICKEST way to get yourself killed when dealing with Coldi people of the planet Asto is to look a superior in the eye. The Coldi people possess an instinct that demands the formation of hierarchical networks in which every person has a prescribed place. These networks provide stability. They also place one person at the top.
Ezhya Palayi is that person.
After having been released by his previous employers, Cory Wilson not only depends on Ezhya Palayi for his income, but he has developed an unusually friendly relationship with this man whom people on Earth would call an absolute dictator, but whose reign is benign.
The third-quickest way to get yourself killed when dealing with Coldi people is when the leader you depended on for support is suddenly no longer there, as when he goes missing because the system society relies on for interstellar travel goes down.
In a highly-strung hierarchical society, it won’t be long before someone else tries to claim the top spot, someone less benign, someone aggressive who is likely to destabilise peace between Asto and other worlds.
But by far the quickest way to get yourself killed is, as a non-Coldi outsider, to visit Asto and try to interfere in their hierarchical system, to mess with instincts you don’t feel yourself, and people who are much stronger than you.
Oh, and did you know that the average daytime temperature is well over 50 degrees C?
Ezhya Palayi is that person.
After having been released by his previous employers, Cory Wilson not only depends on Ezhya Palayi for his income, but he has developed an unusually friendly relationship with this man whom people on Earth would call an absolute dictator, but whose reign is benign.
The third-quickest way to get yourself killed when dealing with Coldi people is when the leader you depended on for support is suddenly no longer there, as when he goes missing because the system society relies on for interstellar travel goes down.
In a highly-strung hierarchical society, it won’t be long before someone else tries to claim the top spot, someone less benign, someone aggressive who is likely to destabilise peace between Asto and other worlds.
But by far the quickest way to get yourself killed is, as a non-Coldi outsider, to visit Asto and try to interfere in their hierarchical system, to mess with instincts you don’t feel yourself, and people who are much stronger than you.
Oh, and did you know that the average daytime temperature is well over 50 degrees C?
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2014
37 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Patty Jansen
146 books293 followersAuthor of Science Fiction and fantasy and non-fiction.
Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
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Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
Join the official newsletter and receive four books free
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 29, 2015
The more of Patty Jansen's work I read, the more I like her writing.
Raising Hell follows on from Ambassador: Seeing Red. It's the second book in the series, and it moved the story right along.
It was great to reunite with the characters I'd become so fond of, and see their relationships develop. I really enjoyed learning more about the complexities of 'gamra' and the multi-tiered 'associations' formed by the Coldi.
It takes quite a bit of skill to develop a human, but not yet human species and make it hang together. Cory, the main character was once again a great read. I've lived in the Pilbara in Western Australia, and Patty Jansen truly captured the excruciating discomfort of overheating. At points in the story I felt as if I was back there, working hard in the baking sun and feeling the fluid being sucked out of my body by the unrelenting heat.
It's great to see a clever author writing good Science Fiction.
I'll continue to read Patty Jansen's stories, and as five star reads, I'll be reading them more than once.
Raising Hell follows on from Ambassador: Seeing Red. It's the second book in the series, and it moved the story right along.
It was great to reunite with the characters I'd become so fond of, and see their relationships develop. I really enjoyed learning more about the complexities of 'gamra' and the multi-tiered 'associations' formed by the Coldi.
It takes quite a bit of skill to develop a human, but not yet human species and make it hang together. Cory, the main character was once again a great read. I've lived in the Pilbara in Western Australia, and Patty Jansen truly captured the excruciating discomfort of overheating. At points in the story I felt as if I was back there, working hard in the baking sun and feeling the fluid being sucked out of my body by the unrelenting heat.
It's great to see a clever author writing good Science Fiction.
I'll continue to read Patty Jansen's stories, and as five star reads, I'll be reading them more than once.
January 9, 2025
I was reasonably engaged by this tense story of political intrigues and alien cultures. I think the best aspects here have to do with the aliens and their societies and how the tensions of the story arise from that. The world building details are interesting and maneuvering through them lead to intriguing situations.
But I think I'm not sufficiently engaged emotionally with these characters, especially the viewpoint ambassador, to really want to continue reading more of these.
But I think I'm not sufficiently engaged emotionally with these characters, especially the viewpoint ambassador, to really want to continue reading more of these.
December 29, 2016
I have enjoyed Patty Jansen's Ambassador series, and this one is the best so far! Cory is becoming more sure of himself (barely) as he desperately tries to stay alive while navigating Coldi law and customs. Lots of adventure and plot twists on multiple worlds.
May 29, 2017
Couldn't put it down...
The dog's starving; I think the family must've left me, but what can you do with a novel this good! I'm off to start book 3... before the baliff arrives! Good job Cory has a spare bedroom.
The dog's starving; I think the family must've left me, but what can you do with a novel this good! I'm off to start book 3... before the baliff arrives! Good job Cory has a spare bedroom.
August 29, 2018
Cory receives a writ from the AGHYRIANS from Asto.
A writ is a Coldi legal action that states what the person or persons, tell you what they want or expect. Cory and all go to Asto, where things become a matter of life and death.
Read and enjoy.
A writ is a Coldi legal action that states what the person or persons, tell you what they want or expect. Cory and all go to Asto, where things become a matter of life and death.
Read and enjoy.
February 8, 2019
Still a good story
Still enjoy the story. Again it needs re-editing to correct sentence wording to make sense. Not a lot but still needs doing. There is sex and some foul language used but not over much.
Still enjoy the story. Again it needs re-editing to correct sentence wording to make sense. Not a lot but still needs doing. There is sex and some foul language used but not over much.
March 14, 2021
This is an okay read. I’m getting use to the author going into more detail about things I consider not so important and trying to mix romance in with action. I bought these cheap as audio books to read while I walk.
February 15, 2022
Absolutely Fantastic!!!
I am so loving this Space Opera, I can hardly put it down!! It is a Well Written Adventure, one that I have come to know and Love the Characters !!! Can't wait to start the Next One!!!
I am so loving this Space Opera, I can hardly put it down!! It is a Well Written Adventure, one that I have come to know and Love the Characters !!! Can't wait to start the Next One!!!
April 23, 2024
Another great book in the series
The Delegate keeps finding himself in sticky and difficult situations, many of which he knows too little about beforehand. But he presses on…. Highly recommended.
The Delegate keeps finding himself in sticky and difficult situations, many of which he knows too little about beforehand. But he presses on…. Highly recommended.
January 10, 2025
Some of the story was difficult to follow, but all in all the "diplomat" seemed to turn into a "politician" and perhaps even a "military" operative, and the adventure was exciting. The cultural differences among various humans plays a large part in how the action unfolds.
February 1, 2019
The action continues
The plot deepens as the story progresses. A lot of action and background information as we learn more about the history of Astos original inhabitants.
The plot deepens as the story progresses. A lot of action and background information as we learn more about the history of Astos original inhabitants.
December 24, 2019
developed the story and characters well.
July 16, 2021
Loving this series, believable characters with understandable motivations. Alien worlds and cultures, and enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.
July 7, 2022
Love the politics and maneuvering that is done in this story. We can see that something is building up and will be revealed soon.
January 21, 2024
Most excellent. Very tense. It's a wonder the main character doesn't have a total meltdown.
April 30, 2016
After awarding the elusive 5-star review to Ambassdor I - Seeing Red, I had high hopes for the second book in the series, and Patty Jansen delivered a book that did an admirable job of fulfilling them. This is a 4-star review because Ambassador II lacks some of the mystery of the first book, and I didn’t burn pages quite as quickly, but I did go on a really fun ride, with ‘Delegate’ Cory Wilson as an increasingly enjoyable narrator. He still acts as a filter for the more interesting characters around him, but I’ve come to realise that’s the point: he’s as much of an ambassador to the reader as he is to gamra.
Ambassador II has the hallmarks of enjoyable sci-fi (space craft journeys, firefights, peril on invented planets, interplanetary political tension, futuristic technology and mind to mind coms) but once again it’s the social sciences that hold the most interest, as the narrator gets deeper into the Coldi society and arrives at the kinds of cards he was never expecting to play. I’ll keep it all spoiler free, even though you’ve probably read book 1 if you’re reading this, but lets say it’s the dynamic between Cory Wilson and certain ‘associations’ that really make this story what it is.
There’s a strong antagonist at the centre of this story, and plenty of working the tropes so that the opposition turn out to be more than what they seem. The situation of a man on a planet with an atmosphere his body can’t completely tolerate is a nice tension builder in itself, and the now familiar concept of Coldi language containing a LOT of different pronouns for different uses is still here. The fine tuning that Patty Jansen clearly did with Ambassador I is still here to enjoy. On the subject of the languages and nice sounding names that I praised book 1 for, I couldn’t help but smile when one character called ‘Rannu’ is introduced (probably unintentional on the author’s part, but it reminded me of ‘Rana’ - the Spanish word for frog.) For some reason I did start to have trouble keeping track of who was who, because there are so many guards introduced, and that many foreign names sometimes slowed my memory down, but that’s not really a criticism - I came to find it as much a part of the experience as I did with book 1.
An interesting note with this book is that although there’s plenty of shoot-out style violence, there’s no real dwelling on the details of it. As a reader who often likes his action scenes brutal, messy and relentless perhaps I subconsciously marked this book down, but to be honest I didn’t mind a lack of descriptive writing, because the action was hard and fast and didn’t really need excessive detail. Where some other authors become simile machines, Patty Jansen keeps things nicely concise and pacey. This book reached a satisfying conclusion before planting the inevitable sequel bait for book 3, and that got my interest as one of the small mysteries that was present in this book was resolved. I look forward to the next book.
Oh yeah, and the cover of this book looks awesome on an HD e-reader!
Ambassador II has the hallmarks of enjoyable sci-fi (space craft journeys, firefights, peril on invented planets, interplanetary political tension, futuristic technology and mind to mind coms) but once again it’s the social sciences that hold the most interest, as the narrator gets deeper into the Coldi society and arrives at the kinds of cards he was never expecting to play. I’ll keep it all spoiler free, even though you’ve probably read book 1 if you’re reading this, but lets say it’s the dynamic between Cory Wilson and certain ‘associations’ that really make this story what it is.
There’s a strong antagonist at the centre of this story, and plenty of working the tropes so that the opposition turn out to be more than what they seem. The situation of a man on a planet with an atmosphere his body can’t completely tolerate is a nice tension builder in itself, and the now familiar concept of Coldi language containing a LOT of different pronouns for different uses is still here. The fine tuning that Patty Jansen clearly did with Ambassador I is still here to enjoy. On the subject of the languages and nice sounding names that I praised book 1 for, I couldn’t help but smile when one character called ‘Rannu’ is introduced (probably unintentional on the author’s part, but it reminded me of ‘Rana’ - the Spanish word for frog.) For some reason I did start to have trouble keeping track of who was who, because there are so many guards introduced, and that many foreign names sometimes slowed my memory down, but that’s not really a criticism - I came to find it as much a part of the experience as I did with book 1.
An interesting note with this book is that although there’s plenty of shoot-out style violence, there’s no real dwelling on the details of it. As a reader who often likes his action scenes brutal, messy and relentless perhaps I subconsciously marked this book down, but to be honest I didn’t mind a lack of descriptive writing, because the action was hard and fast and didn’t really need excessive detail. Where some other authors become simile machines, Patty Jansen keeps things nicely concise and pacey. This book reached a satisfying conclusion before planting the inevitable sequel bait for book 3, and that got my interest as one of the small mysteries that was present in this book was resolved. I look forward to the next book.
Oh yeah, and the cover of this book looks awesome on an HD e-reader!
December 22, 2021
The Ambassador series has been an engaging surprise find for me this year. The way the author has set up a futuristic world of alien races, tech, political intrigue, and fascinating characters with a slow build to action-packed plotting combined with an already favorite narrator for the audiobook version made it a sure-win.
This latest in the series, Raising Hell, is the second book, but the third entry after a tweenie novella. The first two took place on earth for the most part, but Raising Hell is exclusively on two different alien worlds. The Coldi race is prominent, but another race, is emerging as interesting.
The book starts with Ambassador Cory Wilson cutting ties with earth government and working exclusively for the Coldi dictator, Ezhya Palayi. Cory has taken a Coldi wife and has two Coldi jamahs (sp) including his wife Thayu and her brother to help guide him and steer him. His jamahs' father is a ruthless military leader and it is to him Cory must turn when Ezhya goes missing and Cory must get to Asto and hold together Ezhya's seat of power. Coldi are a more ruthless and power-hungry people so a power vacuum will cause upheaval and upward movement if Ezhya doesn't turn up.
There are still some things that get me turned around when I'm listening to this series, but I have a good enough grasp to keep up with what is going on. I am glad Cory knows enough about Coldi culture and is learning about the others so I can learn as Cory learns, but he knows enough and is getting more knowledgeable so that it isn't same boring ground covered. I like how the alien races are different in their anatomy, but also right down to the way they think. Cory really is in an alien world when not on earth and even the political intrigue is, well, intriguing because it is not like people from earth would plot and plan. Plus, there is the added trouble that Cory's body is not made for the hotter and acidic climate or even some of the foods. He is constantly out of his element while having to think hard and on his feet. That said, often, Cory isn't the the brightest in the group and it is his two jamah who save the day with Cory limping along behind.
Raising Hell started slow and took a bit to snag my interest, but then it got going and I was back in the world and story again.
I already enjoyed Matthew Lloyd Davies work so it was easy to hear his voice for the characters and think of him as the voice of the series. I like how he distinguishes the variety of voices in the cast of characters for age, gender, and race, but also the emotional tone and pace of the scenes.
All in all, this installment was even stronger than the ones before it and has me anticipating further entries in the series. Those who enjoy futuristic sci-fi with a lean toward political intrigue among alien races and humans should give this series a go.
This latest in the series, Raising Hell, is the second book, but the third entry after a tweenie novella. The first two took place on earth for the most part, but Raising Hell is exclusively on two different alien worlds. The Coldi race is prominent, but another race, is emerging as interesting.
The book starts with Ambassador Cory Wilson cutting ties with earth government and working exclusively for the Coldi dictator, Ezhya Palayi. Cory has taken a Coldi wife and has two Coldi jamahs (sp) including his wife Thayu and her brother to help guide him and steer him. His jamahs' father is a ruthless military leader and it is to him Cory must turn when Ezhya goes missing and Cory must get to Asto and hold together Ezhya's seat of power. Coldi are a more ruthless and power-hungry people so a power vacuum will cause upheaval and upward movement if Ezhya doesn't turn up.
There are still some things that get me turned around when I'm listening to this series, but I have a good enough grasp to keep up with what is going on. I am glad Cory knows enough about Coldi culture and is learning about the others so I can learn as Cory learns, but he knows enough and is getting more knowledgeable so that it isn't same boring ground covered. I like how the alien races are different in their anatomy, but also right down to the way they think. Cory really is in an alien world when not on earth and even the political intrigue is, well, intriguing because it is not like people from earth would plot and plan. Plus, there is the added trouble that Cory's body is not made for the hotter and acidic climate or even some of the foods. He is constantly out of his element while having to think hard and on his feet. That said, often, Cory isn't the the brightest in the group and it is his two jamah who save the day with Cory limping along behind.
Raising Hell started slow and took a bit to snag my interest, but then it got going and I was back in the world and story again.
I already enjoyed Matthew Lloyd Davies work so it was easy to hear his voice for the characters and think of him as the voice of the series. I like how he distinguishes the variety of voices in the cast of characters for age, gender, and race, but also the emotional tone and pace of the scenes.
All in all, this installment was even stronger than the ones before it and has me anticipating further entries in the series. Those who enjoy futuristic sci-fi with a lean toward political intrigue among alien races and humans should give this series a go.
February 8, 2016
Book 2 in the Ambassador series. Again, very enjoyable book, I thought. Picking up a short while after the ending of the first, we find Cory Wilson working for Ezhya Palayi, the head of the Coldi race who, in a way, dominate inter-galactic politics. He is still working at the Exchange, which is sort of a United Nations type congress for addressing galaxy-spanning disputes. He has severed more ties with his home planet of Earth has he has married a Coldi, Thayu. The action of this book is spurred not by a murder this time, but the shutting down of faster than light travel provided by the Exchange by powers unknown. This, unfortunately, happens while Ezhya and the newly elected leader of Earth are both off planet, leaving Cory to travel to Asto to try and secure Ezhya's power base there.
This book is more of a sci-fi novel as Cory travels to an alien and inhospitable planet and has to be navigate the customs and procedures of the Coldi while also trying not to die from heat stroke. It is, at its core though, still a political thriller type book, though most of the politics are alien and still a bit difficult to get my head around after reading it. Still, I enjoyed the book. I like the fleshing out and growth of the characters met in the first book. Looking forward to the third.
This book is more of a sci-fi novel as Cory travels to an alien and inhospitable planet and has to be navigate the customs and procedures of the Coldi while also trying not to die from heat stroke. It is, at its core though, still a political thriller type book, though most of the politics are alien and still a bit difficult to get my head around after reading it. Still, I enjoyed the book. I like the fleshing out and growth of the characters met in the first book. Looking forward to the third.
February 9, 2017
This one moves the plot line along quite nicely from the previous book. Our young ambassador is beginning to get quite adept at reading aliens.
November 21, 2015
Another breathtaking adventure in a world so detailed you can feel it.
We're used to aliens who look weird, but Patty Jansen has aliens who mostly look human but their culture, language, politics and customs are so different that Cory Wilson is the only one trained and experienced enough to have any chance of coping with it.
I got the first book in the series free, but as soon as I finished it I bought this one, and as soon as I finished this one, I bought book 3 AND book 1A, which I just discovered. The only reason I'm not rushing to read on is that I need to get my breath back and give my nerves a chance to recover!
Highly recommended.
We're used to aliens who look weird, but Patty Jansen has aliens who mostly look human but their culture, language, politics and customs are so different that Cory Wilson is the only one trained and experienced enough to have any chance of coping with it.
I got the first book in the series free, but as soon as I finished it I bought this one, and as soon as I finished this one, I bought book 3 AND book 1A, which I just discovered. The only reason I'm not rushing to read on is that I need to get my breath back and give my nerves a chance to recover!
Highly recommended.
May 25, 2016
I loved the story! Plot, characters were well developed as were the cultural aspects of the Coldi society. For an Ambassador he sure lands into the thick of things !! Promoting peace is the the main characters goal but he is learning that sometimes taking DIRECT LETHAL ACTION is not a choice but a must ! Kill or be killed.
The action in this book is non-stop and the adventure grips your imagination thusly sweeping you up and landing you square into the thick of things !
A MUST READ ! For sure !!!! Another book in this series that I could not put down !!! I ordered the next book of the series before I had even finished this book. Read on, Read on !!!!
The action in this book is non-stop and the adventure grips your imagination thusly sweeping you up and landing you square into the thick of things !
A MUST READ ! For sure !!!! Another book in this series that I could not put down !!! I ordered the next book of the series before I had even finished this book. Read on, Read on !!!!
May 2, 2016
Continues the adventures of Cory Wilson, Earth's somewhat neglected ambassador to gamra, the intergalactic wormhole-transport network. More fraught political, social and interpersonal drama ensues between rather spectacular explosions. While very much one piece of a series - none of the big background mysteries set up in the first volume are resolved in Raising Hell, and big new questions arise to boot - this is a fast-paced political thriller that's easy to devour despite the horribly complex web of factions and agendas. I will certainly continue reading the series.
July 31, 2016
This time Cory gets to go to Asto to save the day. He has deliver a key to keep the computer routines running until the Coldi leader returns. If he fails, the whole planet will be involved in a fight for control. Along the way, he gets to confront the man the held the contract to his future wife. Cory spent just about everything to buy out the contract so he and Thayu could enter into an open ended contract (our equivalent of marriage).
Once you start reading you are not going to want to stop.
Once you start reading you are not going to want to stop.
May 25, 2016
I enjoyed the first book in the series, with well-developed characters and a plot that twists and turns but is never unbelievable (other than the whole humans not killing themselves off in the next hundred years, and traveling through space).
This book continues the 'adventures' of Cory Wilson. I am about to download the third in the series.
This book continues the 'adventures' of Cory Wilson. I am about to download the third in the series.
February 3, 2017
This series is still worth reading
Sometimes a series of books will decline in quality, but this series does not. The Ambassador still finds himself in situations that need action and diplomacy. Can he find the right thinks to say and do while he is under extreme pressure? Guild reading.
Sometimes a series of books will decline in quality, but this series does not. The Ambassador still finds himself in situations that need action and diplomacy. Can he find the right thinks to say and do while he is under extreme pressure? Guild reading.
December 13, 2015
Loved it!!
I love this series so much!! I can't exactly say why except that the author reminds me so much of author c.j. cherry, and I have probably read her books for about 20 years lol!! I am falling in love with Patty Jansen!
I love this series so much!! I can't exactly say why except that the author reminds me so much of author c.j. cherry, and I have probably read her books for about 20 years lol!! I am falling in love with Patty Jansen!
April 25, 2016
Excellent Reading
I love the world Ms. Jansen has conceived. It works in mysterious ways and is absolutely top notch.
I can't wait to see what happens with Cory in the next book.
You've got to read this series, especially if you love Sci-fi.
I love the world Ms. Jansen has conceived. It works in mysterious ways and is absolutely top notch.
I can't wait to see what happens with Cory in the next book.
You've got to read this series, especially if you love Sci-fi.
April 3, 2017
*4/2/17 - The thing I enjoyed the most this time around was getting to see the Coldi world, seeing the way they interacted with each other and Cory - just getting a bit of a glimpse into the intricate world the author has created.
*6/12/16 - I really enjoyed this book. I like that Cory was more assertive and decisive - coming up with his own plans... and I like that this has created ripples that who knows what will come of. Very much looking forward to the next book
*6/12/16 - I really enjoyed this book. I like that Cory was more assertive and decisive - coming up with his own plans... and I like that this has created ripples that who knows what will come of. Very much looking forward to the next book
August 17, 2016
☺
Great followup, love the pace and the expansion of the universe. I can not wait to see what happens next.
Great followup, love the pace and the expansion of the universe. I can not wait to see what happens next.
March 17, 2015
nice follow up, looking forward to the next installment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews