I don't really know what to say, except that Cyteen is unlike essentially any SF book I have read before, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
ItI don't really know what to say, except that Cyteen is unlike essentially any SF book I have read before, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
It's really difficult to discuss the plot, because so much of it revolves around a large twist that happens fairly early on in the novel. I will say that the world building in the novel is ridiculously good. I had a vague notion going in that the book fit into a larger series of books Cherryh wrote that exist within her Union-Alliance universe. I did not expect that pretty much every aspect of the world would be so detailed. The complexity of the political plot alone is a marvel. None of the simple "space empire featuring an all-powerful monarch" that so often typifies space opera. There is a complex elected government full of factions, plots, and backroom dealing. I love that Cherryh doesn't go out of her way to explain everything to the reader. She peppers the book with some explanatory chapters and then lets you figure out the rest of it yourself. While that can be difficult at times, I find it to be much more rewarding than having every plot point laid out for me.
Everything about the book feels incredibly grounded. This is hard science fiction at its absolute best. The science behind the genetic engineering and psychological conditioning technology that is at the heart of the story is really impressive. What's even better is that it doesn't come at the expense of the character arcs. Quite the contrary, Cyteen has some of the most well-rounded and psychologically complex characters of any SF I've ever read.
If you're looking for a fast-paced, exciting story with a lot of action, I would suggest looking elsewhere. The book does take a while to get going, and even then the pace is very slow and deliberate. However, I found myself so engaged with the characters and the world they were navigating that I never found myself to be bored or uninterested.
I could keep going, but it's really hard to talk about the book without getting into spoiler territory. So I will just say that if you are a fan of complex, thoughtful science fiction, then I would give Cyteen a try. I'll definitely be moving C.J. Cherryh's other books toward the top of my reading list....more
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