Rating: 
Summary: succeeds in several ways at once
Review: The easiest way to describe _Downbelow_ is in terms of what it achieves:As always with Cherryh, it depicts a truly alien race and the issues humanity faces interacting with it. Also as always, the writing is quite dense; no word is wasted and no section is padded. Can't scan-read Cherryh. Everyone and everything *feels* right. The Mazianni feel like the quasi-pirates they are. The honchos running Pell feel like oligarchs trying to balance against many forces. Union feels like a distant, dangerous force. Dockside feels like a large, rough, dangerous place. The characters are interesting and their interactions are the spice of the story. Mallory really feels like the sort of captain you'd want if your ship was set against powerful forces, and her attitude towards her erstwhile superiors is great. It tells a great story, leaving the outcome well in doubt for a long time and weaving all of the above into a tale that deserved its awards. Belongs on every SF reader's bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: The best realized sf universe out there
Review: There is a gritty reality and utter believability in Ms. Cherryh's works that doesn't fade with age. I read this work when it was first published, and have returned time and again to this marvelously realized universe, and have never been disappointed. As with the greatest writers of fiction, you get the feeling that the universe depicted existed well before Ms. Cherryh came along to document it. No BS here, just the sharpest, hardest, and most beautiful SF ever written.
Rating:
Summary: Well thought out, fascinating universe
Review: There is no doubt that this book portrays a dark, frightening universe in which various forces fight for their very survival. Not too different from our world, eh? What is refreshing about this book is that, unlike most other science fiction writers (and today's newspapers, radio, and government spokesmen!), Cherry does NOT gives us a simplistic view of right/wrong, good/bad, but makes the clear the economic and ideological forces that put whole peoples into opposition. The opening scenes of this book are unforgettable, with panicked civilians driven to riot, violence, and murder. And yet even the most villainous characters are not irrational and clearly have reasons for what they are doing. I found this a fascinating book, with an intelligently thought out political and economic system. I only wish Cherryh could so clearly explain why WE continue to have violence and riots in OUR world.
Rating: 
Summary: Intrigue, intrigue, intrigue
Review: There's a lot going on in this book: Signy Mallory and her ruthlessness (or pragmatism, if you prefer); a Unioner rediscovering himself; the Downers and their involvement. I was hooked by the scope, though confused--possibly because I read this after _Cyteen_ and _Cuckoo's Egg_, and I suspect I'm still missing background. The characters are well-drawn, though I feel the Unioner (whose name I can't recall) became more bland as the story went on. There's a lot to keep track of, and it's a challenge to the reader. Still, worthwhile.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!!!
Review: This book is just unbelievable. Great action, great characters, great story. This is one of those few books that I will read over and over. If you haven't read it yet, do yourself a favor and read it! You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: good with flaws
Review: This book sets the stage of Cherryh's Alliance/Union universe, which is one of the more interesting and realistic science fiction universes out there. Cherryh has taken pains to imagine how a human exploration of the stars might realistically progress and what she comes up with is intriguing. This book focuses on the station in the Pell system, a place that sits between past and future, Earth and Beyond; Pell finds itself the focal point of the culmination of the long conflict between Earth and her rebellious Beyond colonies. While the setting and story are interesting and engrossing there are a few flaws that mar what would have otherwise been a near perfect book. The first is the near absence of characterization. This is especially a shame because in several of her other books Cherryh does an exemplary job of characterization. In Downbelow Station, however, we are hard pressed to tell the difference between Emilio and Damon Konstantin. We never completely understand the motivations or goal of Union, Earth, or Fleet. We never understand why the inhabitants of Q are treated (and act like) sub-human criminals. Honors for worst characterization, however, go to Signy Mallory, the most pivotal character in the book. This problem comes to full head in the climax of the book when suddenly we fail to understand the reasons for the actions these characters take. And without that understanding it, unfortunately, feels like nothing more than a deus ex machina used to resolve an otherwise unresolvable situation.
Rating: 
Summary: Good plot, sluggish prose
Review: This is an example of a novel with a solid plot but cursed by a wooden writing style. I'm not sure if this is Cherryh's debut but I had a hard time staying interested because of such mind-numbing prose. I sometimes had no idea what some of the characters were thinking and really didn't care. Still, it's not a bad story. ...
Rating:
Summary: Hugo Winner
Review: This is not just a good introduction to her Earth-Alliance-Union books, it is the one that started it all. The viewpoint is of people who understand and know little about the two powers (Earth and Union) bracketing them. If you continue
reading these books, others will be from new perspectives- Merchanter's Luck from the merchants', Cyteen from Union's, and Hellburner from Earth's, you will appreciate Cherryh's skill at immersing her readers into
her worlds.
Rating:
Summary: THE ONE THAT STARTED IT ALL
Review: This is the first Cherryh science fiction you should read,
because this is where she really establishes the Merchanter
universe that she has developed with such thoroughness and
flair. It's all here; the initial view of Union by
outsiders, the beginning of the Merchanters' Alliance,
the separation of deep-space human populations from Earth.
This book is over fifteen years old, but it's still
timely, especially now that the space program seems to
be revitalized - in the hands of private enterprise. You
can also see how Cherryh's concept of hyperspace travel has
developed, in comparing this book with one of her later
novels, such as "Rimrunners" or "Tripoint." An excellent
read!
Rating:
Summary: The best of its kind!
Review: This is what science fiction is all about. Politics, intrigue, aliens that are not simply humans with lumpy foreheads. Cherryh is a master and "Downbelow Station" proves it. Don't be intimidated by the size, small print and complexity of the writing. Sit back, take your time, and enjoy!!! You won't be disappointed.
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