C.J. Cherryh is one of the seminal authors of what I think of as modern sci-fi. She's also written wonderful fantasy. She's a definitive stylist--you can almost always tell a C.J. Cherryh book from others.

I've enjoyed her "Foreigner" series quite a bit. There's also the whole Morgaine series, and the Faded Sun series.

I have read and enjoyed Joan Vinge's work, and that reminds me that Vernor Vinge (I believe her husband?) is also a very fine sci-fi author.

I seem to remember that Joan and Vernor Vinge were married at some time, but then divorced. Nice to hear that you also like Cherryh and the Vinge's.

Lian Hearn has come to fascinate me in the past couple of years. The name is a pseudonym for an Australian who writes in other genres as well. Have you encountered or heard of the Tales of the Otori series? Hard to know what to call it, though bookstores put it with science fiction. There are 5 books, now, a series of 4, plus a pre-quel. The "world" is a country like samurai-era Japan, with magic powers attributed to the ninja, a persecuted Christian minority, and other fun stuff. The first one that came out was entitled, "Across the Nightingale Floor."

Music:

I loved 'Tales of the Otori!' Didn't know there was a prequel... will have to go to Amazon now.

For those of you looking for a good 'fantasy' style read, I highly recommend these...

The Foreigner series is one of her best. I am anxiously awaiting the next one so I can get back in the political battle and find out what happens next. BTW, do you know how her name is pronounced? Is it Cherry or Cherrah or what?

Lainie

I believe it's like 'Cherry'

Just found a new C. J. Cherryh book: "Hammerfall." There's a sequel, too, but I've forgotten the title. I love how she can write about politics--politics in the sense of relationships among groups and people in power.

Wasn't "Hammerfall" about a nanotech war? I recall reading it some time back...