"A third intelligent species makes its appearance in this sixth superior installment in Cherryh's much praised Foreigner series. As with previous volumes in this intense series, detailed character development, highly charged dialogue and an eye for subtle differences in cultural preconceptions are of central importance, although Cherryh also manages some fine action scenes. This is serious space opera at its very best by one of the leading SF writers in the field today." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"[A] standout among Cherryh's generally excellent stories about human-alien relations." —Booklist
"Cherryh superbly crafts complex intrigues and alien races possessed of integrity, as well as a sense of otherness." —Library Journal
"Filled with a complex and layered society, with enough alien intrigue to keep you awake half the night, Explorer is so finely and densely wrought that you may end up dreaming of sable-skinned giants with gold eyes, and the silver spun delicacy of interstellar politics." —SF Site
"This sixth adventure opens things up and adds some new and intriguing plot elements. It's always great fun to see how Cherryh manages to get us to our destination, and this one's no exception." —Science Fiction Chronicle
"Excellent characterization, intense political tension, and truly unique alien races make the [Foreigner] series an essential component in any science fiction collection." —Voya