Second of the new series based in the Foreigner universe (Foreigner Book 11) Book one of the sub-series is Conspirator.

Bren Cameron, Diplomatic Attaché to Tabini-aiji, Ruler of the Western Association has managed to ride out the local unrest in his West Coast compound while keeping faith with the manchi which connects him to the ruler and his family. New challenges threaten that situation as he needs to find a path that honors those who look to him within his own land while not undermining Tabini-aiji's moves against those who are trying to break the Western Association asunder. The risks ratchet up when his brother's lover (a former associate of Bren) is taken hostage by the restless factions of the South and he is caught between a promise to his brother and his duty to Tabini-aiji as well as the security of the people who live on Bren's estate and owe their manchi to him. Grandmother Ilisidi is up to her brilliant ears in the controversy, pulling strings from behind the scene that may save or demolish all that her son Tabini is working toward.

Whether you are familiar with Cherryh's Foreigner universe or this sub-series is your first foray, you will find yourself caught up in the action and complexity of the atevi society. It is a difficult task to balance action and intricacy, particularly in a world lacking familiarity to most Western readers. Cherryh's use of elements reminiscent of Japanese culture in feudal times (some of which persist to this day) brings in a top note of alien mores while still providing a bedrock understanding by viewing the culture of the atevi through Bren's human eyes.I look forward to the next in the series, Betrayer, due out in April, 2011.