The novel “The Pride of Chanur” by C.J. Cherryh was published for the first time in 1981. It’s the first novel of the Chanur series.

Pyanfar Chanur is the captain of the space freighter “The Pride of Chanur” trading among the planets of the Compact. At Meetpoint station you can do good business but for her, her crew and generally for the hani it’s always necessary to look away from the kif and the trouble that always accompany them.

When an alien belonging to an unknown species secretely sneaks into her starship, Pyanfar Chanur must make a difficult choice that can have serious consequences. Opening new trade routes would mean a big deal for the hani and considerable prestige for the Chanur clan but the kif want the alien back at all costs.