Downbelow Station

This is described as a 'blockbuster space opera' and it certainly is that. This is the first novel by C.J. Cherryh that I've read and I was blown away by the scope of novel. She not only describes a very realistic view of life aboard a large and complex space station but introduces us to the politics around the Earth based Sol Company, which up to now has controlled space expansion and the space stations and the rebel Union, a new force aiming to free the stations from the Company's control and the Merchanter families who are independent but may not be able to remain so and survive the war.

There is a large cast of characters and for me the novel started fairly slowly but once the action began it was fast and furious and I was glad that the author had taken the time to set the scene so that I had a good grip on what was happening and who was involved in this complex story. There are some great characters: Signy Mallory the feisty female captain of the Company freighter Norway, Damon and Emilio Konstantin, member of the family that runs Pell, John Lukas the evil villain who wants to take over the station and join the Union, Elene Quen the wife of Damon who ends up playing a pivotal role and Josh Talley a Union POW who has his memories wiped by 'Adjustment'.

I also enjoyed the world building of Downbelow and the alien humanoid lifeform, the gentle peaceful hisa who grew to love and protect humans despite all that they had done to each other and to the hisa. Highly Recommended!