The Pride of Chanur by C. J. Cherryh

Based on the recommendation of the late Bob Sabella (“Visions of Paradise”) I decided to read a C. J. Cherryh novel.  I remember reading her first two novels (“Gate of Ivrel” and “Brothers of Earth”) when they were first published by DAW Books.  After that I eagerly devoured “The Faded Sun:  Kesrith” as it was serialized in Galaxy SF.  After that, I forgot about her.  Sure, I would think about reading more of her work when I would see an award nomination but for some reason I never got around to it.  Cherryh was one of Bob’s favorite authors.  He and I had very similar tastes in science fiction so when I was looking for a good science fiction book to sink my teeth into, I picked up “The Pride of Chanur”.  If I liked it, I could go ahead and read the other four books in the series.  Well, I will definitely be reading the next four novels (“Chanur’s Venture”, “The Kif Strike Back”, “Chanur’s Homecoming”, “Chanur’s Legacy”).


From interviews I have read, Cherryh wrote this as her universe’s version of a “Star Wars” adventure.  She captures the fast paced adventure story aspect while adding more characterization and science that seems more realistic.  The main character is Pyanfar Chanur, the captain of “The Pride of Chanur”.  When a strange alien stows away on her ship, we find out that this is humanities first encounter with the main universe.  Chanur’s troubles begin when she gives asylum to the human.  The backbone of this universe is the Compact.  It established the foundations for trading between races.  Each race determines its own laws within its domain but peace is kept on the space stations that serve as the commerce centers.  Being the first to set up relations with a new race is a major boon.  Unfortunately for humanity, the Kif was their first contact.  The human ship was destroyed and only one member of the crew survived.  When the Kif docked at Meetpoint Station, the human took the opportunity to escape.  Pyanfar realizes what is going on and escapes with the human.  Since this is the first meeting, the two races cannot understand each other’s language.  Part of the back story is spent working on a translator which becomes a powerful bargaining tool. 


Cherryh incorporates space battles, turmoil on the home planet, deals between various races and much more into this excellent novel.  Without sticking in infodumps, she reveals the background of this universe to the reader.  Even though this book tells a complete story, the ending sets up the future of this series.  I can’t wait to read the next book.

Walpurgis III by Mike Resnick

When mankind spreads to the stars, various groups filed claims to settle the new worlds. Walpurgis III was one of those worlds. In this case, Satanic covens and practitioners of witchcraft were the groups that claimed this planet.

The book focuses on three characters.

Conrad Bland lives to kill. He has led massacres on many planets. Now he has been granted sanctuary on Walpurgis III. Many people on this planet think he is their Dark Messiah. Bland is planning on killing the inhabitants of this world. When he is done, he will move on to another planet.

Jericho is the best hired killer in the underworld.The Republic (the ruling government of the human worlds) has failed to kill Bland so they turn to Jericho. He is hired to journey to Walpurgis III and kill Bland.

John Sable is the chief detective of one of the largest cities on Walpurgis III. He is an honorable family man who believes in the law. Sable believes that the Republic has sent a killer to his city on a mission to take out Bland. Even though he does not agree with Bland's philosophy and prior actions, he has sworn an oath to uphold the law. He tries to warn his planet's government but they are not concerned. It becomes evident that they are collaborating with the Republic. Sable tries to warn Bland but he also is not concerned.

Jericho moves like an irresistable force towards Bland. He kills effortlessly. Sometimes he does it only to throw the police off his track. By changing identities, he is able evade the police and Bland's troops.

Bland kills everyone in various cities where he thinks Jericho is located. Sable is captured and held prisoner by Bland. The two are waiting together for Jericho to arrive for a final showdown. As Sable sees first hand what Bland has done, he starts to regret trying to stop Jericho.

The book showcases the old question, what would a moral man do when a person wants to kill the embodiment of evil? Sable faces this choice when he has a chance to stop one evil person from committing a crime. In the end, he allows one crime to happen but follows the law afterwards. His choice probably saved millions of lives. It still does not make it any better in his eyes. Sable was a very realistic character. Like many people in real life, he wants to live in a world of absolutes. Sable has to choose between evils and live with the consequences.

Two things stand out at the end of this novel. One was how constant exposure to the atrocities committed by Bland had a numbing effect on Sable. After a while, some of Bland's acts did not create the revolting feelings they initially did. And this permanently scarred Sable. Another was how when Sable returned to his normal life, he could not stop smelling the decaying corpses that he was exposed to in Bland's city. I imagine he remembered that smell for the rest of his life.

Resnick's story is fast paced. His writing style is what I would call transparent. If you are looking for a literary craftsman like Gene Wolfe, this is not the book for you. The reader will not have to ponder and try to decipher the meaning of his sentences. This keeps the story moving and focused. Sable's story will stay with you long after you finish the book.

The author does a great job of incorporating the details that develope this fictional world. Walpurgis III becomes a believable world in Resnick's hands.

It is highly recommended to fans of pulp style stories with a modern sensibility.