The Chanur Saga is a compilation of three books in Cherryh’s Chanur universe. This is the obligatory “catlike semi-humanoid spacefaring alien species” series from Cherryh; for reasons I quail at examining the basic idea is fairly popular and has received several treatments by various authors. This compilation includes an introductory novel and the first two novels of a trilogy, so if you decide to buy it, make sure you buy Chanur’s Homecoming too. The first time I read it, I neglected this step, and was left hanging a bit for lack of resolution to the series.

The Pride of Chanur

This is an introductory novel to the universe, capable mostly of standing alone. In it, the reader is introduced to the Hani, a race of spacefaring, vaguely humanoid felines, and the Chanur, a powerful family of hani; also to the kif, vaguely-humanoid nocturnal predators; the mahendo’sat, vaguely-humanoid and difficult to characterize; and Tully, a lone human trying to survive in interstellar space. As is typical for Cherryh, this is a first-contact novel from the inside out, with the viewpoint resting squarely upon the hani, providing a view of humanity from alien eyes. The Compact races, including all of the above except humans, are thrust into a first-contact situation themselves by the arrival of Tully.

Tully, of course, is a valuable commodity, as the only available representative of a new spacefaring race capable of trade. But after he escapes from his kif captors and sneaks aboard the Pride of Chanur, the hunt is on. Can he trust the hani? Who can the hani trust as allies?

Chanur’s Venture

Following the adventure of the prior novel, the Pride of Chanur has just barely gotten itself back on its feet, but still has debts to pay. So they are understandably wary when Goldtooth offers them a present in the form of Tully, the human who brought them so much trouble the first time around. But the lure of trade is enough to overcome reluctance, and once more the chase is on.

If The Price of Chanur is an introductory novel, this is the first novel of a trilogy, and it shows: problems go unresolved and the whole thing ends on a cliffhanger. But it’s an exciting roller-coaster ride nonetheless, and as usual, Cherryh somehow manages to deliver a high level of tension with a minimum of shooting. We begin to catch glimpses of hani politics, mahendo’sat menuverings, and kif psychology, as the hani are drawn deeper into the intrigues they had previously ignored.

The Kif Strike Back

In The Kif Strike Back, we learn that the kif have no intention of allowing their opponents to dictate the rules of the game. Quite the opposite, in fact. With Tully and Hilfy held captive to force Chanur’s hand, one faction of kif seek to corrupt another ship as before they corrupted Tahar’s Moon Rising. The only way out for the Pride of Chanur is to go deeper in, to learn the intricate web of kifish politics, and hope to learn fast enough to win back their crew and their escape. And the mahendo’sat continue to plot in the background, manipulating events to their own ends.

Although all three books do not hold the complete story, this compilation volume is an excellent introduction to the universe and will surely leave little doubt about picking up the fourth novel, Chanur’s Homecoming.