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Ambassador #1
Seeing Red
24 October 2114: the day that shocked the world.
Young diplomat Cory Wilson narrowly escapes death in the assassination of President Sirkonen. No one claims responsibility but there is no doubt that the attack is extraterrestrial.
Cory was meant to start work as a representative to Gamra, the alien organisation that governs the FTL transport network, but now his new job may well be scrapped in anger.
Worse, as Earth uses military force to stop any extraterrestrials coming or leaving, as 200,000 extraterrestrial humans are trapped on Earth, as the largest army in the galaxy prepares to free them by force, only Cory has the experience, language skills and contacts to solve the crime.
But he's broke, out of a job and a long way from Earth.
Young diplomat Cory Wilson narrowly escapes death in the assassination of President Sirkonen. No one claims responsibility but there is no doubt that the attack is extraterrestrial.
Cory was meant to start work as a representative to Gamra, the alien organisation that governs the FTL transport network, but now his new job may well be scrapped in anger.
Worse, as Earth uses military force to stop any extraterrestrials coming or leaving, as 200,000 extraterrestrial humans are trapped on Earth, as the largest army in the galaxy prepares to free them by force, only Cory has the experience, language skills and contacts to solve the crime.
But he's broke, out of a job and a long way from Earth.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2013
About the author
Patty Jansen
131 books285 followersAuthor of Science Fiction and fantasy and non-fiction.
Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
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Author of the Ambassador series, the Icefire Trilogy, For Queen And Country series and the Return of the Aghyrians series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
October 20, 2016
Slow, plodding, introduction to a multi-book space opera. A lot of space--not much opera. The other books shall go unread.
August 24, 2014
I finished Ambassador: Seeing Red, today. I loved this book.
Patty Jansen has done a remarkable world building job, building a complex interplanetary society structured around 'gamra,' with earth and humanity as we mostly know it, sitting on the periphery. Cory Wilson is earth's second ambassador to 'gamra' - but the first ambassador who actually understands the society he's about to be thrust into.
The politics, cultural differences and language differences are complex, but well developed and understandable, and I was easily drawn into the world that she created. At times I felt as hot and bothered and exhausted as Cory, struggling to adapt to the heat of a world far from earth, or as frozen as Thayen, drenched and shivering from experiencing temperatures well below her norm.
The story moved rapidly, and I was drawn in very quickly, and kept tapping the pages of my kindle much longer than I should really have been awake.
I've been reading Science Fiction for a long time. This story is good. It's not simplistic, but neither is it so far out of left field that it has more culture than character. It's a really good tale with enough twists and turns to keep you flicking the pages, and the characters are real and develop from moment to moment. I'm now looking forward to reading the next one. Ambassador 2: Raising Hell.
Patty Jansen has done a remarkable world building job, building a complex interplanetary society structured around 'gamra,' with earth and humanity as we mostly know it, sitting on the periphery. Cory Wilson is earth's second ambassador to 'gamra' - but the first ambassador who actually understands the society he's about to be thrust into.
The politics, cultural differences and language differences are complex, but well developed and understandable, and I was easily drawn into the world that she created. At times I felt as hot and bothered and exhausted as Cory, struggling to adapt to the heat of a world far from earth, or as frozen as Thayen, drenched and shivering from experiencing temperatures well below her norm.
The story moved rapidly, and I was drawn in very quickly, and kept tapping the pages of my kindle much longer than I should really have been awake.
I've been reading Science Fiction for a long time. This story is good. It's not simplistic, but neither is it so far out of left field that it has more culture than character. It's a really good tale with enough twists and turns to keep you flicking the pages, and the characters are real and develop from moment to moment. I'm now looking forward to reading the next one. Ambassador 2: Raising Hell.
September 30, 2016
Lush worldbuilding and good plot; some problematic stereotypes
I read this book in one sitting. It was engaging and suspenseful, complicated enough to be intriguing while being easy to follow.
I mark this as a 4-star read for a few reasons. Firstly, voice: the characters did not have very unique voices. I found it hard to picture individuals, though races are generally described. The narrator is the most individuated. It's possible this improves across the series.
Secondly, I found myself cringing at some unconcious but implied racial stereotypes. There's inscrutable, exotic, desirable Asian-aliens (and the woman is submissive and partner-focused, of course); stoic, tall and violent African-people aliens, an obliging and loyal domestic 'native' mammy character... so on and so forth. I'm fairly sure that these stereotypes were not used ironically.
I'd characterize this as a strong plot-driven read. Cory grows nicely over the book (though the author missed a prime opportunity for a bisexual hero, alas), and the way he handles the action is satisfying. I hope the series gives as much time to the characters as it does the intrigue.
I read this book in one sitting. It was engaging and suspenseful, complicated enough to be intriguing while being easy to follow.
I mark this as a 4-star read for a few reasons. Firstly, voice: the characters did not have very unique voices. I found it hard to picture individuals, though races are generally described. The narrator is the most individuated. It's possible this improves across the series.
Secondly, I found myself cringing at some unconcious but implied racial stereotypes. There's inscrutable, exotic, desirable Asian-aliens (and the woman is submissive and partner-focused, of course); stoic, tall and violent African-people aliens, an obliging and loyal domestic 'native' mammy character... so on and so forth. I'm fairly sure that these stereotypes were not used ironically.
I'd characterize this as a strong plot-driven read. Cory grows nicely over the book (though the author missed a prime opportunity for a bisexual hero, alas), and the way he handles the action is satisfying. I hope the series gives as much time to the characters as it does the intrigue.
March 19, 2017
It was "good" I liked it but.....?
Cory Wilson is the new ambassador for Earth at a 'galactic UN' type organization.
The President of the Earth has been murdered by unknown parties but aliens are suspected.
Can Cory solve the crime and bring peace to the galaxy?
(he would find it a lot easier if he kept his mind on the job rather than what he hopes will be going on in his trousers)
Cory Wilson is the new ambassador for Earth at a 'galactic UN' type organization.
The President of the Earth has been murdered by unknown parties but aliens are suspected.
Can Cory solve the crime and bring peace to the galaxy?
(he would find it a lot easier if he kept his mind on the job rather than what he hopes will be going on in his trousers)
October 17, 2018
Thank god it’s finally over! I hated this book and especially the main character.
December 27, 2017
Decent space opera, wound around a young Earth diplomat who seems, at any moment, to be over his head. Many sequels.
November 2, 2016
This was a serendipitous find, since science fiction isn't my usual fare. But having tripped over it, I started reading and was instantly hooked. The book starts with a bang - literally, since almost the first thing that happens is a massive explosion which seriously injures the Nations of Earth President, during a meeting with our hero, Cory Wilson, the ambassador of the title. Cory is about to take up a position as Earth's ambassador to the united non-Earth nations (gamra) who control interstellar travel. Now, everything is in disarray, his gamra partner has been arrested, and Cory himself is under suspicion. And from here on, the pace is relentless, without a moment for Cory (or the reader!) to catch his breath.
This is as much political thriller as scifi, with various factions chasing after Cory or offering him aid, with the usual problem of who to trust. Cory's own allegiance is in doubt, as well: is he loyal to Earth, or is he more aligned now with his gamra colleagues? And what did happen to his predecessor, the previous ambassador? Cory's a likeable character, though, always willing to do what it takes, and never browbeaten into submission. He takes a lot of punishment during the course of the book, but it never seems to stop him going out and doing whatever he feels needs to be done. There were times when I just wanted him to slow down for a moment and recover from one set of injuries before exposing himself to another dangerous situation, but no, that’s not his way at all. So be prepared for near-constant action.
The most interesting aspect, for me, was the distinctive non-Earth races. The Coldi, in particular, were fascinating, with not just different physiology, but very different customs and beliefs. Cory’s relationships with the two Coldi assigned as his partners (zhayma) - Nicha, who is imprisoned early on, and Thayu, his replacement - are wonderfully complex, but also totally believable. The Coldi have the interesting concept of doing everything in pairs, so everyone has a zhayma (a relationship described as like marriage only without the sex). But the mental connection the two share makes it much closer than that. I loved the language differences, too - the Coldi have a multitude of different pronouns for all occasions, and beware the foreigner who gets one wrong! Cory is forever mentally chiding himself for using a slightly offensive one, or, occasionally, deliberately choosing an aggressive one. This is such great detail, which added a whole layer of complexity to Cory’s interactions with the Coldi.
Apart from the Coldi, there are the mysterious Aghyrians, who I first encountered in ‘Watcher’s Web’, and here they are again, with a little bit of history revealed and potential conflict exposed. But the nuances of these non-Earth races are beautifully drawn. The author doesn’t stop to explain anything, you just have to work everything out as you read, but I prefer that kind of immersion. There were times when I didn’t get a reference, but it rarely mattered.
This is an excellent, fast-paced read, with the sci-fi elements perfectly blended with a political thriller and just a touch of romance to produce a terrific page-turner. Great entertainment. A good four stars.
This is as much political thriller as scifi, with various factions chasing after Cory or offering him aid, with the usual problem of who to trust. Cory's own allegiance is in doubt, as well: is he loyal to Earth, or is he more aligned now with his gamra colleagues? And what did happen to his predecessor, the previous ambassador? Cory's a likeable character, though, always willing to do what it takes, and never browbeaten into submission. He takes a lot of punishment during the course of the book, but it never seems to stop him going out and doing whatever he feels needs to be done. There were times when I just wanted him to slow down for a moment and recover from one set of injuries before exposing himself to another dangerous situation, but no, that’s not his way at all. So be prepared for near-constant action.
The most interesting aspect, for me, was the distinctive non-Earth races. The Coldi, in particular, were fascinating, with not just different physiology, but very different customs and beliefs. Cory’s relationships with the two Coldi assigned as his partners (zhayma) - Nicha, who is imprisoned early on, and Thayu, his replacement - are wonderfully complex, but also totally believable. The Coldi have the interesting concept of doing everything in pairs, so everyone has a zhayma (a relationship described as like marriage only without the sex). But the mental connection the two share makes it much closer than that. I loved the language differences, too - the Coldi have a multitude of different pronouns for all occasions, and beware the foreigner who gets one wrong! Cory is forever mentally chiding himself for using a slightly offensive one, or, occasionally, deliberately choosing an aggressive one. This is such great detail, which added a whole layer of complexity to Cory’s interactions with the Coldi.
Apart from the Coldi, there are the mysterious Aghyrians, who I first encountered in ‘Watcher’s Web’, and here they are again, with a little bit of history revealed and potential conflict exposed. But the nuances of these non-Earth races are beautifully drawn. The author doesn’t stop to explain anything, you just have to work everything out as you read, but I prefer that kind of immersion. There were times when I didn’t get a reference, but it rarely mattered.
This is an excellent, fast-paced read, with the sci-fi elements perfectly blended with a political thriller and just a touch of romance to produce a terrific page-turner. Great entertainment. A good four stars.
July 31, 2015
If you like space opera, this book is for you. If you like political intrigue, this book is for you. Ambassador 1: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen melds these two subjects into one awesome book.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline which could be from today's headlines, but adding a science fiction twist to it. It is full of intrigue and adventure that will leave you breathless by the end of the book. The story has a lot of plot twist and turns which will keep you glued to its pages.
I really like the characters that Patty Jansen has created for her story. They are realistic and very believable. I found them easy to relate to and follow along with as the story line progressed.
I really like Ambassador 1: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen, and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
The author has done a great job of developing a storyline which could be from today's headlines, but adding a science fiction twist to it. It is full of intrigue and adventure that will leave you breathless by the end of the book. The story has a lot of plot twist and turns which will keep you glued to its pages.
I really like the characters that Patty Jansen has created for her story. They are realistic and very believable. I found them easy to relate to and follow along with as the story line progressed.
I really like Ambassador 1: Seeing Red by Patty Jansen, and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
June 4, 2016
A Sci-Fi thriller mixed with political intrigue, literally
starts off with a “ Boom”. The explosion happens in the
office of the Nations of Earth President Sirkonen. He is
meeting with Cory Wilson, the new Earth's ambassador
to “gamra”- the united non-Earth nations alien coalition
who control interstellar travel. Who is responsible for the
bombing?
Wilson’s gamra partner has been arrested plus Cory is
under suspicion. Thus the story takes off at a startling fast
pace. Cory has to decide who can be trusted.
Several cultures are introduced with all the characters
being vivid and well developed.
The storyline is riveting with many unexpected twists and
turns.
Interesting read!!!
starts off with a “ Boom”. The explosion happens in the
office of the Nations of Earth President Sirkonen. He is
meeting with Cory Wilson, the new Earth's ambassador
to “gamra”- the united non-Earth nations alien coalition
who control interstellar travel. Who is responsible for the
bombing?
Wilson’s gamra partner has been arrested plus Cory is
under suspicion. Thus the story takes off at a startling fast
pace. Cory has to decide who can be trusted.
Several cultures are introduced with all the characters
being vivid and well developed.
The storyline is riveting with many unexpected twists and
turns.
Interesting read!!!
October 15, 2016
I liked this a lot. It's more a political thriller than sci-fi, with alien cultures not overly 'alien'. I think the story would have worked just as well if 'gamra' had been the UN and 'alien races' were just nations of the Earth. I like the author's style and hope to check out her other books soon...
February 24, 2017
I have mixed feelings about this one. It was entertaining while reading, but I found the ending unsatisfying and the romance subplot to be uninteresting - of maybe it was just that the two love interests were both forgettable.
March 15, 2020
I would have given this book 3 stars but the author consistently used 'in' instead of 'into' and used the word 'data' as if it were singular. I can't be doing with either of those. (Which is a key datum about me.)
May 24, 2021
A brand new human ambassador to an alien delegation of worlds hasn't even begun work when murder and political intrigue swamp him and leave him unsure who to trust. I spotted this book when I was looking for a new sci-fi series to try and was eager when I saw it was a familiar and engaging narrator for the audiobook edition.
Seeing Red introduces a futuristic earth after a third world war and the discovery that aliens have arrived to trade and live among the humans and also reveal there are many other human-like races out in the galaxy that have diverse ways of government and culture. It takes a man eager to bridge the culture gap to represent the races to each other and keep the trade and peace. This becomes exceptionally difficult when the earth president is shot before his eyes and his own Coldi alien assistant is grabbed as the obvious scapegoat. The Coldi are ready to go to war when the human government takes big steps to blockade the planet and one faction is anti-alien. Not that in the alien federation, Gamra, doesn't have its own hotbed of intrigue and varying opinions.
Cory Wilson, a diplomat's son, has studied the Coldi and learned the language even going so far as to adapt his body for their hot climate. He sees his appointment as human delegate to the Gamra assembly as a career that will allow him to do some real good, but it isn't long when he discovers just how naive he might be and little his knowledge of his own race and the others is. He doesn't have much time to catch up because the murder and the reason behind it must be solved before Gamra and Earth are plunged into war.
I confess to being turned around in the beginning because the action plot gets going with people, governments, cultures, and characters all being thrown at me at once. I stuck with it because I sensed that things would eventually sort out and I am all for a developed space opera/sci-fi world and a nice twisty intrigue. And, I did eventually get it all sorted in my mind. I suspect that this would have taken less time if I had a print copy though I absolutely didn't want to miss Matthew Lloyd Davies narration.
So, it started slow and Cory was a so-so guy that I wanted to swat a few times for being too naive or a bit oblivious when it came to his love life. As the listener, it was obvious that his engagement is something he thinks he should want rather than something he truly wants, but it takes him too long to figure that out. He still isn't over his old flame who happens to be a Coldi. If I'm honest, I didn't see him and Ava working out and it was obvious that he was never going to be satisfied with a human relationship or consider living and working on earth- his mind is in the stars and on his wonderfully, fascinating Coldi and other races of Gamra.
Now, that this book has introduced the backdrop, groups, situations, and characters and showed it could get quite exciting and suspenseful once things finally got rolling in the last half, I want to dig further into this series of space opera adventures for Cory Wilson and the other characters.
Matthew Lloyd Davies narrates a historical mystery series I like so it took me a little time to adjust to the whole new set up on the Ambassador series. I enjoyed his wry way of delivering Cory's thoughts and dialogue and distinguish not just character voices, but alien racial differences in speech. I hope he narrates the whole series.
All in all, I'm glad I stuck with it and got past the initial confusion and slower pace to a story that captivated me completely. Definitely a series that others might enjoy, too.
Seeing Red introduces a futuristic earth after a third world war and the discovery that aliens have arrived to trade and live among the humans and also reveal there are many other human-like races out in the galaxy that have diverse ways of government and culture. It takes a man eager to bridge the culture gap to represent the races to each other and keep the trade and peace. This becomes exceptionally difficult when the earth president is shot before his eyes and his own Coldi alien assistant is grabbed as the obvious scapegoat. The Coldi are ready to go to war when the human government takes big steps to blockade the planet and one faction is anti-alien. Not that in the alien federation, Gamra, doesn't have its own hotbed of intrigue and varying opinions.
Cory Wilson, a diplomat's son, has studied the Coldi and learned the language even going so far as to adapt his body for their hot climate. He sees his appointment as human delegate to the Gamra assembly as a career that will allow him to do some real good, but it isn't long when he discovers just how naive he might be and little his knowledge of his own race and the others is. He doesn't have much time to catch up because the murder and the reason behind it must be solved before Gamra and Earth are plunged into war.
I confess to being turned around in the beginning because the action plot gets going with people, governments, cultures, and characters all being thrown at me at once. I stuck with it because I sensed that things would eventually sort out and I am all for a developed space opera/sci-fi world and a nice twisty intrigue. And, I did eventually get it all sorted in my mind. I suspect that this would have taken less time if I had a print copy though I absolutely didn't want to miss Matthew Lloyd Davies narration.
So, it started slow and Cory was a so-so guy that I wanted to swat a few times for being too naive or a bit oblivious when it came to his love life. As the listener, it was obvious that his engagement is something he thinks he should want rather than something he truly wants, but it takes him too long to figure that out. He still isn't over his old flame who happens to be a Coldi. If I'm honest, I didn't see him and Ava working out and it was obvious that he was never going to be satisfied with a human relationship or consider living and working on earth- his mind is in the stars and on his wonderfully, fascinating Coldi and other races of Gamra.
Now, that this book has introduced the backdrop, groups, situations, and characters and showed it could get quite exciting and suspenseful once things finally got rolling in the last half, I want to dig further into this series of space opera adventures for Cory Wilson and the other characters.
Matthew Lloyd Davies narrates a historical mystery series I like so it took me a little time to adjust to the whole new set up on the Ambassador series. I enjoyed his wry way of delivering Cory's thoughts and dialogue and distinguish not just character voices, but alien racial differences in speech. I hope he narrates the whole series.
All in all, I'm glad I stuck with it and got past the initial confusion and slower pace to a story that captivated me completely. Definitely a series that others might enjoy, too.
September 30, 2024
A political thriller with a number of different alien races, this was tense and eventful and the worldbuilding engaged that part of my brain that enjoys putting together the clues that make up the setting. There were some tidbits that seemed a bit inconsistent but mostly it seemed to hold together.
The alien races and their languages and cultures are sufficiently detailed to not seem too simplistic, if maybe there are some cliches here and there, and the mystery plot was also interesting.
The main character is a competent enough delegate for his age and experience but he's a total disaster when it comes to his interpersonal relationships. I found everything about his engagement baffling and infuriating . I was originally wondering if his character should have been bisexual but actually that would only make him four times more annoying about anything that has anything to do with sex and love. So I'm not a big fan of the romance elements here.
Besides that aspect I thought the characters were generally well drawn and the various alien cultures and languages all influence the ways the characters react to each other and situations in realistic ways. So over all I like this as a science fiction work but it does use some stereotypes that aren't always great.
The alien races and their languages and cultures are sufficiently detailed to not seem too simplistic, if maybe there are some cliches here and there, and the mystery plot was also interesting.
The main character is a competent enough delegate for his age and experience but he's a total disaster when it comes to his interpersonal relationships. I found everything about his engagement baffling and infuriating . I was originally wondering if his character should have been bisexual but actually that would only make him four times more annoying about anything that has anything to do with sex and love. So I'm not a big fan of the romance elements here.
Besides that aspect I thought the characters were generally well drawn and the various alien cultures and languages all influence the ways the characters react to each other and situations in realistic ways. So over all I like this as a science fiction work but it does use some stereotypes that aren't always great.
March 3, 2019
This is a sci-fi political thriller that fails to thrill. It is skimmable at best.
The imagination concerning technology is very, very basic, making this tale less than futuristic. There’s a very boring, prim and proper, and largely implausible Earth-based romance running alongside the action, as well as a few other uninteresting sexual shenanigans. The cultural differences between alien species are barely more alien than between human societies (okay, the aliens are evolved humans, but still there is no impression of passage of time to allow for this evolution and colonisation of the galaxy). This comedy of manners could have been an interesting point, but it just draws out the story to a too-slow pace.
The politics, which are meant to be the core of the matter, are undeveloped and uninvolving, relying on the tropes of mediocre TV serials (baying journalists principally). Amusingly, there’s a resonance with Trump and Brexit in that isolationist factions are pitted against factions promoting international (intersideral) cooperation. There’s also a bit of “fake news”, but this concerns only a provocative movie; such cultural provocations have been boring since Roman times. Finally, fears concerning economic migration and environmental changes come to the fore. Interesting topics, but hardly the realm of speculative fiction unless there’s a clever twist - which evaded me.
The thriller aspects are laughably implausible. The very notion that the protagonist, an ambassador between tensely facing-off powers, who was caught up in an assassination attempt in the office of the president of Nations of Earth, would be dumped off at hospital on his own, left to get back to a hotel on his own, left to face the press on his own, and then treated as a suspect by every petulant junior law officer he encounters, simply does not cut any mustard in any context, sci-fi or otherwise. All the conspiracy plotting that follows is just as daft as the notion that the protagonist only suffered cuts and grazes in a major explosion when the president, sat on the other side of a desk, ended up in pieces.
This is the first instalment in a series, but I won’t be bothering with the rest.
The imagination concerning technology is very, very basic, making this tale less than futuristic. There’s a very boring, prim and proper, and largely implausible Earth-based romance running alongside the action, as well as a few other uninteresting sexual shenanigans. The cultural differences between alien species are barely more alien than between human societies (okay, the aliens are evolved humans, but still there is no impression of passage of time to allow for this evolution and colonisation of the galaxy). This comedy of manners could have been an interesting point, but it just draws out the story to a too-slow pace.
The politics, which are meant to be the core of the matter, are undeveloped and uninvolving, relying on the tropes of mediocre TV serials (baying journalists principally). Amusingly, there’s a resonance with Trump and Brexit in that isolationist factions are pitted against factions promoting international (intersideral) cooperation. There’s also a bit of “fake news”, but this concerns only a provocative movie; such cultural provocations have been boring since Roman times. Finally, fears concerning economic migration and environmental changes come to the fore. Interesting topics, but hardly the realm of speculative fiction unless there’s a clever twist - which evaded me.
The thriller aspects are laughably implausible. The very notion that the protagonist, an ambassador between tensely facing-off powers, who was caught up in an assassination attempt in the office of the president of Nations of Earth, would be dumped off at hospital on his own, left to get back to a hotel on his own, left to face the press on his own, and then treated as a suspect by every petulant junior law officer he encounters, simply does not cut any mustard in any context, sci-fi or otherwise. All the conspiracy plotting that follows is just as daft as the notion that the protagonist only suffered cuts and grazes in a major explosion when the president, sat on the other side of a desk, ended up in pieces.
This is the first instalment in a series, but I won’t be bothering with the rest.
March 22, 2020
While reading Ambassador 1:Seeing Red, I’ve been guilty of putting it down and not thinking about it for a few days (or even weeks) before I would pick it up again. And honestly, the reason why I would continue reading it is for this review. So, yea, you guessed it, I’d Skip it, if I were you.
But the question in my mind was why did I find it so un-engaging? The book started with a bang (literally – a bomb blew up) with ramifications for our protagonist and the wider world. It’s true that I didn’t know much about the world or the main character before the explosion, so that did make it harder to put it into context. I mean, maybe these things happen all the time… But as I continued reading and I got to know the characters and the world better, I still found it hard to care.
And then it hit me, the character had no impact on the world. Things were happening to him. To be fair, he was trying to do things, but every time he was met with excuses and delay tactics and… Well, it was not interesting to read.
There was even a high speed car chase, but again our protagonist was sitting in the back seat… and that’s how the book feels, you’re not reading about the driver, you’re reading about the guy in the back seat.
February 7, 2017
I always try to tread the book description properly because a good description should deliver enough information to arise your interest and to give at least a hint about what to expect.
Off course you do not get any information about the writing style of the author.
Because of the description I expect less action and a lot of politics and interesting facts about the challenge to cope with an alien nation.
To be honest I got more than I expected. A complex story full of twists and turns. A loveable main character discovering himself while discovering the mystery. Different alien nations with different background.
I like it when I as a reader do not know more than the main character.
The writing style of the author fits perfectly to the story.
I'm glad that this is just the first book in a series. Now I have expectations and look forward to read the sequel.
Off course you do not get any information about the writing style of the author.
Because of the description I expect less action and a lot of politics and interesting facts about the challenge to cope with an alien nation.
To be honest I got more than I expected. A complex story full of twists and turns. A loveable main character discovering himself while discovering the mystery. Different alien nations with different background.
I like it when I as a reader do not know more than the main character.
The writing style of the author fits perfectly to the story.
I'm glad that this is just the first book in a series. Now I have expectations and look forward to read the sequel.
February 7, 2024
I found the book quite well done. It was well written, the characters were believable and, where necessary, had depth, the situations plausible and the political machinations very believable. However, for me, there was too much about the political maneuvers which aren’t to my taste. If they are to yours enjoy the book! For me, I don't plan to buy anymore books in this series from the author but I am looking forward to trying other series by her.
February 6, 2017
beaucoup d'infos dumps, un style d'écriture plus que basique, des portraits psychologiques clichés avec des histoires de coeur peu crédibles qui noient le fil plus intéressant des circonvolutions politiques entre des espèces différentes et du rôle sensible et fragile de l'ambassadeur ...
Dommage, il y avait sûrement de quoi m'intéresser mais le fond dilué sans la forme, non, dsl, je passe !
Dommage, il y avait sûrement de quoi m'intéresser mais le fond dilué sans la forme, non, dsl, je passe !
February 26, 2018
Enjoyed it. Its been a while since I read a scifi and this had lots of politics and thriller action to add grit and intrigue to the plot. Made me remember why I liked scifi. Painted the alternate world well and had some unique cultural quirks for the aliens which I loved. I would have liked the romance angle to be more developed than it was. It felt a bit hurried and clunky in parts.
August 16, 2018
Seeing Red - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Patty Jansen's first book in the Ambassador series is Seeing Red - a reference to the bombing that kills President Sirkonen as witnessed by the new Ambassador, Cory Wilson, who's near the victim at the time of his assassination. Circumstances dictate that Ambassador Wilson is expected to find out which of the alien cultures is culpable for the crime, instead of taking up his new position at the UN-type intergalactic organisation. Why they couldn't just call in the usual law-enforcement agencies (CIA & FBI equivalents) is anybody's guess, but this fast-paced thriller, with a side-serving of romance which distracts Cory from his investigation somewhat, proves to be another winner for Patty Jansen.
Get your copy today and look forward to the now-available future episodes in the Ambassador series, of which Raising Hell is Book 2 - you'll love it, guaranteed!
Patty Jansen's first book in the Ambassador series is Seeing Red - a reference to the bombing that kills President Sirkonen as witnessed by the new Ambassador, Cory Wilson, who's near the victim at the time of his assassination. Circumstances dictate that Ambassador Wilson is expected to find out which of the alien cultures is culpable for the crime, instead of taking up his new position at the UN-type intergalactic organisation. Why they couldn't just call in the usual law-enforcement agencies (CIA & FBI equivalents) is anybody's guess, but this fast-paced thriller, with a side-serving of romance which distracts Cory from his investigation somewhat, proves to be another winner for Patty Jansen.
Get your copy today and look forward to the now-available future episodes in the Ambassador series, of which Raising Hell is Book 2 - you'll love it, guaranteed!
April 28, 2021
I enjoyed the story and the unique world building. There were parts that were a little hard to understand but things became clearer as the story progressed. It is unique look at a possible “what might have happened” if aliens had been visiting our world in the past. The story is set in the 22nd century, as far as I could tell.
I will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was another book that has been on my TBR list for a long, long time.
I will look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This was another book that has been on my TBR list for a long, long time.
May 26, 2019
Loved it
A great story with lots of action and mystery. For me it was hard to put down A must read.
A great story with lots of action and mystery. For me it was hard to put down A must read.
January 30, 2019
Disappointing Rookie Mistakes
Review by Carolyn Bragg
The Ambassador speaks 3 or more alien (alien!) languages, but drops enough f-bombs (even when quoting an alien proverb) to destroy all of Europe in the first few chapters?!
There were some interesting story lines and sub-plots, and the language issues began as interesting, but they became as tedious as the later constant reference to yellow skin, literally shoving me out of the story and off of much more important subjects.
And still the unanswered yet ultimately practical questions: 1) If the places are so hot that his hands leave streaks of sweat, why not carry water with him? (They have to find a spa before drinking something. Really?) And, 2) if the man staggers around with low-blood sugar so often, why not carry some energy bars? These people plan for everything EXCEPT to make sure he has adequate food, liquids, and his medicine? Honestly, it was impracticality and incompetence at its finest. If your charge collapses or dies, it makes you look bad—don’t ya think?
I surprised myself by finishing this book. The “ambassador” was depressingly bad at negotiating, maintaining his composure, and dealing with people, which I had assumed were supposed to be what he trained for. As it turned out, people seemed to like him despite his complete lack of charisma, interest in others, and likability, because he was spunky sometimes. He did keep trying to “do the right thing” by saving lives, so that was good.
Not being practical is supposed to be a common flaw for the heroic, driven types, but I just couldn’t find anything genuinely interesting or good about the man to care about. The one character I cared about was Niche, and he wasn’t truly in the book. I will not be joining future adventures, but for the sake of other readers, I hope some of these issues worked themselves out.
Review by Carolyn Bragg
The Ambassador speaks 3 or more alien (alien!) languages, but drops enough f-bombs (even when quoting an alien proverb) to destroy all of Europe in the first few chapters?!
There were some interesting story lines and sub-plots, and the language issues began as interesting, but they became as tedious as the later constant reference to yellow skin, literally shoving me out of the story and off of much more important subjects.
And still the unanswered yet ultimately practical questions: 1) If the places are so hot that his hands leave streaks of sweat, why not carry water with him? (They have to find a spa before drinking something. Really?) And, 2) if the man staggers around with low-blood sugar so often, why not carry some energy bars? These people plan for everything EXCEPT to make sure he has adequate food, liquids, and his medicine? Honestly, it was impracticality and incompetence at its finest. If your charge collapses or dies, it makes you look bad—don’t ya think?
I surprised myself by finishing this book. The “ambassador” was depressingly bad at negotiating, maintaining his composure, and dealing with people, which I had assumed were supposed to be what he trained for. As it turned out, people seemed to like him despite his complete lack of charisma, interest in others, and likability, because he was spunky sometimes. He did keep trying to “do the right thing” by saving lives, so that was good.
Not being practical is supposed to be a common flaw for the heroic, driven types, but I just couldn’t find anything genuinely interesting or good about the man to care about. The one character I cared about was Niche, and he wasn’t truly in the book. I will not be joining future adventures, but for the sake of other readers, I hope some of these issues worked themselves out.
December 31, 2016
I finished 2016 reading this book, which is probably the best written SciFi I read this year. It has a rich and vivid world building in all aspects, people, physiology, cultures, food, places, etc., and one can imagine and see all of it while reading the book. It feels both leisurely (things take their time) and fast paced, because there is a permanent tension on many intertwinned issues, political and personal. I feel that the author has been drawing on her (assumed by me) knowledge of varied cultures, notably Asian ones, to imagine the cultural variations and conflicts between the cultures present in the story. I wonder whether or where the linguistic concepts used can actually be found in known Earth languages.
The novel reads much as a political thriller in an uncertain context of interacting powers, political and others, leading to many twists and unexpected changes. I do not know whether it qualifies as space opera (not many spaceships), but it certainly has multi-system cultures interacting, and relies significantly on technological changes and on planet wide issues.
The story also emphasize with some depth the cross-cultural relations between people. It certainly introduces a setting for future novels, of which 6 or 10 are already written, but it is a complete story in its own right. This is the first novel I am reading from Patty Jansen, and I enjoyed it. I will read more.
Occasional repetitions should have been caught by proofreaders or editors. For example Cory's wish to kick the movie producer should not appear three times. But this is very minor.
Given the crudeness of the star rating system, it is a 5 stars on my scale.
The novel reads much as a political thriller in an uncertain context of interacting powers, political and others, leading to many twists and unexpected changes. I do not know whether it qualifies as space opera (not many spaceships), but it certainly has multi-system cultures interacting, and relies significantly on technological changes and on planet wide issues.
The story also emphasize with some depth the cross-cultural relations between people. It certainly introduces a setting for future novels, of which 6 or 10 are already written, but it is a complete story in its own right. This is the first novel I am reading from Patty Jansen, and I enjoyed it. I will read more.
Occasional repetitions should have been caught by proofreaders or editors. For example Cory's wish to kick the movie producer should not appear three times. But this is very minor.
Given the crudeness of the star rating system, it is a 5 stars on my scale.
January 20, 2017
Seeing Red is the first book in an SF series from Patty Jansen, in which young ambassador Cory Wilson witnesses Earth's President being assassinated, and then does his best to avert interplanetary conflict in the ensuing diplomatic fallout.
While I for once managed to start this series on book 1, I gather Jansen has written a previous series in this universe which establishes Gamra, Coldi, and extraterrestrial concepts like "zhayma" etc. But there's more than enough background sprinkled through this book that I never felt lost or confused.
Understandably given the dramatic opening, Cory begins the novel in a passive role, carried along by other people's agendas for much of the first part of the book, and it's a relief when the scenario is sufficiently developed for him to take a more pro-active role in the narrative.
For a book that opens with an assassination, there's a remarkably slow burn between action sequences, but the worldbuilding in Barresh, etc, is top notch stuff that never outstays its welcome.
My only quibble, perhaps, is with the secret behind "Seeing Red" - the villains' fatal flaw is that they seem to be complacent idiots, as well as genius engineers.
I probably won't be moving on to the next book in this series, but that's more a reflection of the amount of unread books I own than any commentary on this novel! I'll certainly read more of Patty's stuff at some point in the future.
While I for once managed to start this series on book 1, I gather Jansen has written a previous series in this universe which establishes Gamra, Coldi, and extraterrestrial concepts like "zhayma" etc. But there's more than enough background sprinkled through this book that I never felt lost or confused.
Understandably given the dramatic opening, Cory begins the novel in a passive role, carried along by other people's agendas for much of the first part of the book, and it's a relief when the scenario is sufficiently developed for him to take a more pro-active role in the narrative.
For a book that opens with an assassination, there's a remarkably slow burn between action sequences, but the worldbuilding in Barresh, etc, is top notch stuff that never outstays its welcome.
My only quibble, perhaps, is with the secret behind "Seeing Red" - the villains' fatal flaw is that they seem to be complacent idiots, as well as genius engineers.
I probably won't be moving on to the next book in this series, but that's more a reflection of the amount of unread books I own than any commentary on this novel! I'll certainly read more of Patty's stuff at some point in the future.
July 5, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. Jansen has built an interesting world and dressed it finely with plenty of politics and intrigue. At times there was a retro sci-fi feel to it, in terms of the societal requirements of getting married and going to dinner parties, which I felt were a little 1950's/1960's, but all in all I didn't really mind that. The only thing that bugged me was the main character's incompetence with not checking the documents the president gave him before the attack. Someone had just tried to assassinate the president before his very eyes, and just before the attack the president gave him documents to take a look at. After witnessing the attack, wouldn't he take a look at the documents just in case something important was on there? Not forget about them and leave them in his pocket to get laundered? I understand in the first maybe 24-48 hours or so, in all the frenzy of the aftermath, he might be distracted, yes, but after that? He couldn't read the documents initially anyway, so I feel that this element could've been brought forward. If the character had looked at the documents, realised he couldn't read them, then forgot about them for a time, I think this would've been more favourable for the main character. Despite this small point, however, I did enjoy the read, and think Jansen's world-building was well done. I will read more of her work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2016
Ambassador: Seeing Red is a complex and exciting sci-fi novel. The plot is complex and the characters are well developed. There are lots of interesting imaginative species in the worlds that deal with each other. The book is a thriller, mystery, sci-fi, and has a dash of romance. Well crafted to make it feel like you know these aliens and it's normal to do business and live with them. Loved the book and the world created here.
August 5, 2017
We all know I love books where we solve mysteries in spaaaaace, so this book was a good time for me as Cory ran around gathering evidence - I think the mystery wasn't that difficult, but I appreciated that he needed proof.
My only real gripe was his romantic relationship issues. I didn't really understand why he did what he did and thought things moved too quickly to feel realistic.
But yeah, will totally read the next one.
My only real gripe was his romantic relationship issues. I didn't really understand why he did what he did and thought things moved too quickly to feel realistic.
But yeah, will totally read the next one.
March 14, 2017
It's a hundred or so years in the future, but politics hasn't changed. The new phase of Cory Wilson's career is ahead of him, as a full ambassador to the Gamra interplanetary alliance. He's already been working with the "Gamra", understands a number of non-earth languages like Coldi, and he's now been promoted. Just as he's being briefed by the President of Nations of Earth, some strange force hits the president's office, fatally injuring the president (he dies a couple days later), and indirectly injuring Cory as well. A number of things happen in that instant that suddenly make life very difficult. Lot's of broken glass had to be removed from both of Cory's hands, so they are both bandaged up, leaving him with only a finger and a thumb on each hand to do things with. His "zhayma", on whom he was dependant, has been taken into custody as a suspect, the Vice President (who, a few days later, becomes President) doesn't trust him and doesn't understand off-earth culture, and he has to work with off-worlders who don't understand Earth culture.
As one who was raised in a multi-cultural environment myself, this aspect of the story struck a chord with me. It's probably the most challenging job of a diplomat, having to explain the other's culture to people who are very much biased towards their own culture -- their way they do things, what seemingly benign actions mean to the other culture, the hidden meanings, the do-s and don'ts. All this, Cory Wilson as to do without full use of his hands (at first), or the help of his "zhayma".
A "zhayma" is a very close personal assistant. Having a zhayma is like being married, but it's not about sex. Cory's zhayma was linked to Cory via a "feeder", a device that allows interaction through the brain. This is extremely helpful in cases where two heads are better than one, for understanding the nuances of an unfamiliar word in a language one is less familiar with, or just finding the right wording for a statement that must be delicately communicated. Cory has become very close to Nicha, his zhayma, but during his visit with the President, Nicha had to stay outside along with Cory's bodyguards, his weapons, and even his feeder. As Nicha is an immediate suspect in the assassination, we don't see Nicha until the end of the book. However, by then, I felt like I knew Nicha like one of the central characters.
So, the story begins, with Cory thrust into his job, having to do it with his right arm tied behind his back, as it were, inconvenienced in every way imaginable. Towards the middle of the story, we feel like he's going no-where. We feel the total frustration, the intransigence, the giant obstacles, but with a few slight glimmers of hope. But things happen, and we do arrive at a thoroughly satisfying ending.
Those who have had experience with cross cultural communication will enjoy this. Those who haven't had such experience, will learn something, as well as enjoy the narrative. I recommend it to both groups.
As one who was raised in a multi-cultural environment myself, this aspect of the story struck a chord with me. It's probably the most challenging job of a diplomat, having to explain the other's culture to people who are very much biased towards their own culture -- their way they do things, what seemingly benign actions mean to the other culture, the hidden meanings, the do-s and don'ts. All this, Cory Wilson as to do without full use of his hands (at first), or the help of his "zhayma".
A "zhayma" is a very close personal assistant. Having a zhayma is like being married, but it's not about sex. Cory's zhayma was linked to Cory via a "feeder", a device that allows interaction through the brain. This is extremely helpful in cases where two heads are better than one, for understanding the nuances of an unfamiliar word in a language one is less familiar with, or just finding the right wording for a statement that must be delicately communicated. Cory has become very close to Nicha, his zhayma, but during his visit with the President, Nicha had to stay outside along with Cory's bodyguards, his weapons, and even his feeder. As Nicha is an immediate suspect in the assassination, we don't see Nicha until the end of the book. However, by then, I felt like I knew Nicha like one of the central characters.
So, the story begins, with Cory thrust into his job, having to do it with his right arm tied behind his back, as it were, inconvenienced in every way imaginable. Towards the middle of the story, we feel like he's going no-where. We feel the total frustration, the intransigence, the giant obstacles, but with a few slight glimmers of hope. But things happen, and we do arrive at a thoroughly satisfying ending.
Those who have had experience with cross cultural communication will enjoy this. Those who haven't had such experience, will learn something, as well as enjoy the narrative. I recommend it to both groups.
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