Booklog 4/2024: Cherryh, C.J.: Pride of Chanur – Chanur #1

Audiobook narrated by Dina Pearlman

When the outsider, bipedal, unfurred, blunt-toothed and blunt fingered escapes from the ctuel kif and takes refuge on the cat-like hani ship, Pride of Chanur, he leaves the captain with a dilemma, hand the outsider over to the aggressive kif, or run for it. She decides the latter, but the kif take action, damaging Meetpoint station and other hani ships, and relentlessly pursduing the Pride. The outsider is a member of a new race, humans, bringing potential trade to the hani sector of space. He's valuable, which is why the kif want him back at all costs. Cherry's female-led hani culture is beautifully realised without being description-heavy or full of infodumps. Excellent space-opera, nicely narrated by Dina Pearlman.