Book description
The Hugo Award-winning classic sci-fi novel about interstellar war.
The Beyond started with the Stations orbiting the stars nearest Earth. The Great Circle the interstellar freighters traveled was long, but not unmanageable, and the early Stations were emotionally and politically dependent on Mother Earth. The Earth Company which ran this…
Why read it?
3 authors picked Downbelow Station as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I was enthralled by this book. If memory serves me correctly, C.J. Cherrryh was awarded the title of Grand Master by an SF organization for this book and it’s obvious why.
The scope of the story universe she has created is mind-boggling. The characters are believable, and the action makes your heart beat faster. There are scenes in the book that make you want to see them in a movie. I can say that this book and her style of writing has had a bigger impact on my own writing than any other author.
If military SF is your thing,…
From Dietmar's list on military SF books that are impossible to put down.
C.J. Cherryh‘s Hugo-winning Downbelow Station is on a lot of people’s TBR pile but I suspect due to its intimidating size, it never gets any further. Which is a damn shame. Once you get into it, the story is completely absorbing. Cherryh’s world-building is outstanding, presenting a convincing 24th Century society, with just enough enriching detail to draw you in. The politics and tactics of the warring factions are familiar yet not derivative. If you loved Alien’s Ripley as much as I did, then I suspect you will love the character of Captain Signy Mallory. She is presented as…
From Felicia's list on sci-fi featuring awesome female leads.
Pell was the first Station to orbit a living world beyond Earth. It now stands as the last link to the closed Earth worlds and the tight fist of the Earth Company. Beyond Pell, Cyteen and hundreds of new worlds have turned their back on Earth. Can the rebel Union leave Earth behind entirely?
Downbelow Station is a wide-reaching story of rebellion and politics and out-growing a past that is too small. I love how CJ Cherryh tells this huge story through the lens of one particular merchant ship and its crew’s struggle to survive and find their place in…
From Jaleta's list on classic space operas written by women.
If you love Downbelow Station...
Aggressor
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The US government has agreed to provide Taiwan with a weapons system so advanced that it can disrupt the balance of power in the region. But what pilot would be crazy enough to run…
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