I have very mixed feelings about Cherryh's novels. I really like her Compact Space series about Chanur. However, I cannot understand how she won the Hugo award for her Cyteen series. For me, that was the worst sci-fi I've ever read. Too much of her writing seems to befuddle and tire my mind, it is so confusing. It almost seems as if she has a dual personality when it comes to writing. I recently started two of her Company Wars books that I had to stop as the entire reading experience was so distasteful.
So I was hesitant about starting this book. And then was very pleasantly surprised. This is not sci-fi at all, but historical fiction, with the plot and characters apparently from early Chinese history.
I started and finished all 383 pages in 24 hours. The story is of a peasant girl who seeks out a legendary warrior who has left the world and become a recluse, she convinces him to train her in the use of weapons, and eventually leads him back to attempt the overthrow of a very corrupt Empire.
Highly recommended for those who love historical fiction.
I'm normally a great fan of C.J.'s but not on this one. I made it thru only because I knew it would get better. Sadly, not even a little. One of the few times I kept wanting the heroine to leave or get killed.
A young girl comes to the home of the former guard of the Emperor. Her people were killed, home and the entire town destroyed. She wanted revenge and him to teach her how to get it. He insisted it was stupid and no way he'd show her how to fight. About 30 pages later, he gives in. She swears she'll honor all his commands. As he breaks one, he says he's thru. She screams at him, you gave your word. This goes on for another 40-60 pages. Really.
She had also been raped when the rest were killed. He knows this but still wants to get closer. Been on a mtn. for 9 years. As you can imagine, she isn't going for it. Along with the rest, this goes on for maybe 140 pages. Then he wants to marry her, she thinks she's not good enough. Yeah, they do go after the bad guy finally.
This would have made a fair, at best, short story. Neither are really very likeable and the plot is so predictable it's sad. I find it hard to believe, well, enough. Thankfully it's not a series.
This book was well written. It had a lot to do with a woman going outside her percieved place in the world.
