Downbelow Station is a 1981 novel written by the multiple award winning author C. J. Cherryh. It won the 1982 Hugo Award for Best Novel, and is basically about a space station that is caught between opposing sides in a war between Earth and several interstellar space stations.

SciFi on Space Stations

Are you a fan of science fiction that is set on space stations? I am. I loved both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Babylon 5, so the concept of this book really appealed to me. I ended up enjoying it even more than I thought would! Even though it was published before both of those TV series, it really takes space station concepts to the next level: what would happen to all sides involved if a lone space station was so important that it became the center of a 3-way conflict between major powers? The answer, my friend, is found in the pages of this excellent book!

Non-Spoiler Teaser

The title of this novel reflects the name of the space station that orbits "Downbelow" - another name for the world of Pell. It is one of several space stations that once belonged to Earth, via The Earth Company. Most stations have broken from Earth and formed a Union that is currently battling the remaining Earth Company fleet headed by commander Mazian. Pell station has recently become the lone neutral station in the Beyond, and so is of great importance to Mazian's fleet. And whether the people of Downbelow Station like it or not, the fleet is dumping its refugees there and using it to restock their supplies. As the fleet takes greater and greater liberties on the station, the locals start to feel more pressure and anger at what is going on. Station leaders as well as the indigenous Hisa have their own plans about how to handle the problems, but will the fleet or Unions vessels allow them to do so?

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Where to Get Downbelow Station:

• As always, you can get both physical and electronic versions of this book at Amazon.com.^†
• Don't forget your local library! I would think most libraries have a copy of this famous science fiction novel from 44 years ago.

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