Conspirator (novel)

Did You Know?

• Audible.com has released the first 19 books as single-narrator audiobooks, narrated by Daniel Thomas May.
• The first installment of the Foreigner series celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2004 with a new edition.
• Cherryh calls the series 'First Contact'.

Introduction

Conspirator is set in the immediate aftermath of the third story arc, with Tabini-aiji restored to power in Shejidan. The novel focuses on the shifting political relations between different atevi ethnic factions. Bren Cameron, now a lord of the aishidi'tat with his own estate, must find a way to stabilize the Western and coastal regions. The peace gained by Tabini's restoration is threatened by long-standing ethnic and cultural differences between the ruling Ragi atevi and the more conservative Edi and Eastern clans. The story continues the complex interplay of man'chi, assassination protocols, and the delicate balance of power that defines atevi society.

Major characters

Bren Cameron serves as paidhi-aiji, translator to the court of Tabini. Tabini is the aiji of Shejidan, supreme leader of the atevi. Ilisidi, the aiji-dowager and grandmother of Tabini, remains a key figure. Banichi and Jago, Bren's Assassin's Guild guards, accompany him. Cajeiri, Tabini's minor son and invested heir, appears. Damiri is the aiji-consort and mother of Cajeiri. Tatiseigi is a conservative lord and great-uncle of Cajeiri. Geigi is a provincial lord and ally of Ilisidi. Machigi is a lord of the Marid Association, nominally in rebellion.

Story arcs

Conspirator opens the fourth story arc, which continues with Deceiver and Betrayer. This arc takes place right after the third, focusing on the tense political landscape among different atevi ethnic groups. Tabini has been restored to power in Shejidan, and Bren must work to stabilize the Western and coastal regions where his own lordly estate lies. The fragile peace following Tabini’s return is under threat from deep-seated ethnic and cultural tensions between the dominant Ragi atevi and the more traditional Edi and Eastern clans. The arc explores the fallout of earlier events and the difficult effort to keep the aishidi'tat unified.

Genre

Conspirator, like the rest of the Foreigner series, can be described as anthropological science fiction, focusing on the interface between human customs and those of the atevi, whose motivations and feelings are diametrically opposed to human ones. The novel also contains elements of political thriller, with complex racial and cultural interplay between humans and atevi, and between different atevi factions. A key aspect of atevi culture is that assassination is a legal and accepted means of settling disputes, provided proper protocol is followed, and the Assassin's Guild holds considerable power. The atevi concept of man'chi—a loyalty-web to one's leader—is central to the political dynamics.