Cloud's Rider
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature, Science fiction |
| Founded | September 1996 |
| Founder | C. J. Cherryh |
| Products | Science fiction novel |
Cloud's Rider is a science fiction novel authored by American writer C. J. Cherryh, released by Warner Books in September 1996. It serves as the second installment in a duology set within Cherryh's Finisterre universe, succeeding Rider at the Gate (August 1995). This series delves into the lives of descendants from colonists who were stranded on the inhospitable planet Finisterre several generations earlier.
Plot summary
Fisher and Cloud accompany the Goss siblings en route to Evergreen village, while being chased by Spook, Harper’s riderless nighthorse. Fisher reports to the local riders about Tarmin village’s downfall and Spook’s presence, yet he withholds information concerning the Goss brothers’ capture and Brionne’s role. Fisher remains at the rider camp; Brionne stays with village physician Darcey Schaffer; Carlo and Randy are with blacksmith Van Mackey. The fall of Tarmin deeply affects Evergreen, dependent on its supplies, although many villagers intend to claim Tarmin’s deserted properties when spring arrives.
During one night, Spook disturbs the rider camp, indicating that Brionne has awakened and is <calling>. Ridley confronts Fisher outside Evergreen’s gates, demanding full disclosure; Fisher ultimately shares all he knows.
Earnest Rigs, a miner, arrives for medical attention and becomes fascinated by Brionne. Later that night, strange sounds emanate from Schaffer’s home before Rigs vanishes and blood is found outside. Carlo faces accusations of murdering Rigs and flees to avoid revealing his prior arrest in Tarmin. Miners and the marshal pursue him as he escapes through the village gate.
In the Wild, Spook locates Carlo and forms a bond with him. Fisher and Cloud follow them, suspecting Spook has become uncontrollable. When Fisher fires at a looming shadow overhead, Stuart and Chang join their search. They uncover a large nest containing human bones—likely belonging to an unknown creature from beyond the mountain, drawn by ambient sounds from Tarmin’s swarm. Hearing Evergreen’s bells signaling distress, they hurry back.
At Evergreen, riders discover the gate guard slain and track an intruder into nearby homes. Upon hearing Brionne <calling>, they realize she commands a massive ape-like creature. At Schaffer’s residence, Brionne reveals a hidden underground passage exposing the beast, which kills Schaffer when she intervenes. Brionne forms a connection with the creature akin to that between rider and nighthorse before they escape over the village wall.
Throughout winter, riders devise plans for spring operations. Stuart discloses gold found in a wrecked truck; Fisher and Carlo will travel to Anveney via Cassivey to retrieve supplies for its recovery. Meanwhile, Stuart and Chang will lead villagers back to Tarmin. Brionne and her beast have disappeared into unexplored mountain territory without leaving any ambient trace.
Humans
- Danny Fisher – 17-year-old junior rider hailing from Shamesey town
- Guil Stuart – border rider stationed in Malvey town
- Aby Dale – senior rider partnered with Stuart
- Ancel Harper – senior rider
- Lew Cassivey – entrepreneur based in Anveney town
- Tara Chang – senior rider originating from Tarmin village
- Brionne Goss – 13-year-old daughter of Tarmin’s blacksmith
- Carlo Goss – 16-year-old son of Tarmin’s blacksmith
- Randy Goss – 14-year-old son of Tarmin’s blacksmith
- Ridley Vincint – senior rider and leader of Evergreen camp
- Callie Sabotay – senior rider at Evergreen, partner to Ridley
- Jennie Sabotay – their 8-year-old daughter
- Darcy Schaffer – physician serving Evergreen village
- Van Mackey – blacksmith in Evergreen
- Rick Mackey – son of Van Mackey
Nighthorses
- Cloud – The young horse belonging to Danny Fisher
- Burn – The horse owned by Guil Stuart
- Flicker – Tara Chang's horse
- Moon – Horse of Aby Dale
- Slip – Ridley Vincint's horse
- Shimmer – Callie's horse
- Rain – The 2-year-old colt of Shimmer
- Spook – Horse belonging to Ancel Harper
Reception
Andy Butcher awarded Cloud's Rider a score of 7 out of 10 in Arcane magazine, commending its suspenseful narrative and inventive world-building as particularly beneficial for developers of role-playing game settings. He pointed out that the novel exhibits symptoms of 'sequelitis' and suggested that readers begin with Rider at the Gate to fully appreciate the story.
Reviews
- Carolyn Cushman (1996) in Locus, issue #429, October 1996
- Keith Brooke (1997) in Odyssey, November/December 1997 edition
- Colin Steele (2001) in SF Commentary, issue #77
References
- Cloud's Rider, authored by C. J. Cherryh, Hodder & Stoughton, first UK edition, 1997.
Further reading
- Carolyn Cushman, Critique of Cloud's Rider, Locus, vol.37, no.4, October 1996, p.31
- Susan Hamburger, Evaluation of Cloud's Rider, Library Journal, vol.121, no.13, August 1, 1996, p.119
- Gerald Jonas, Analysis of Rider at the Gate and Cloud's Rider, The New York Times Book Review, September 15, 1996, pp.40–51
- Sybil Steinberg, Assessment of Cloud's Rider, Publishers Weekly, vol.243, no.34, August 19, 1996, p.56
- Dennis Winters, Review of Cloud's Rider, Booklist, vol.93, no.2, September 15, 1996, p.226