What do you think?
Rate this book
Fallen
When humans attack Iridos, killing most of the unammi population, misfit cleric Alira discovers she is a Harvester, able to absorb the memories and personalities of those who die in her presence. She'll need that knowledge to help her people. The problem is, not all Harvesters survive with their minds intact.
Alira knows the pilots—including her brother—who live among the humans will be the next target for enemies of the unammi, unless someone flies to the nearest colony world to warn them of the threat. And since Alira Harvested the last pilot on Iridos, she's the only one who can do it. If she leaves, she'll be outcast. If she doesn't, her brother and the other pilots will die. To Alira, there's no choice. She's never going to fit in anyway.
As a shapeshifter, looking human is easy. Acting human is far more difficult, especially once her Harvests start arguing in her head. But she has to succeed. If her species is to have any chance at survival, Alira must take the form of her nemesis, Harvest souls never intended for her, and shelter the remnants of her race where her enemies would never look, in a place only a lunatic would go.
Can she succeed without going insane?
Alira knows the pilots—including her brother—who live among the humans will be the next target for enemies of the unammi, unless someone flies to the nearest colony world to warn them of the threat. And since Alira Harvested the last pilot on Iridos, she's the only one who can do it. If she leaves, she'll be outcast. If she doesn't, her brother and the other pilots will die. To Alira, there's no choice. She's never going to fit in anyway.
As a shapeshifter, looking human is easy. Acting human is far more difficult, especially once her Harvests start arguing in her head. But she has to succeed. If her species is to have any chance at survival, Alira must take the form of her nemesis, Harvest souls never intended for her, and shelter the remnants of her race where her enemies would never look, in a place only a lunatic would go.
Can she succeed without going insane?
- GenresScience Fiction
478 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
1017 people want to read
About the author
Drema Deòraich
11 books94 followersDrema Deòraich is an award-winning author of speculative fiction that sometimes asks big questions. Her flash fiction, short stories, and novelettes have been published in numerous online journals, as well as a few semi-professional zines.
Her debut novel Entheóphage is a medical sci-fi/climate fiction novel that explores the question, “What would it take to make us stop destroying our ecosystems?” “Phagey” (as it is affectionately known by its fans) has become a subject of book club discussions in many places.
Her trilogy, The Founder’s Seed (Fallen, Book 1; Broken, Book 2; and Driven, Book 3), is a science fantasy trilogy exploring what it means to be a misfit, and the challenges involved in finding one’s niche.
Her novelette "Deer in Headlights" follows researcher Cait as she faces unexpected consequences of her ecosystem-damning actions and is faced with a life-altering choice.
Her novelette "Jane Doe #7" follows Dr. Kyle Wicks, who's built his career on the comatose--until one patient fights back.
Two short-story collections and a science fantasy trilogy follow-up to The Founder's Seed are in the works.
Drema currently lives in Southeast Virginia with her husband, his two cats, and all her other characters. When time and mosquitoes permit, Drema works on transforming their yard into more welcoming habitat for small wildlife. She also occasionally blogs about writing, ideas from Life that inspire her, environmental issues, ways to live more sustainably, and whatever else captures her fancy.
Her debut novel Entheóphage is a medical sci-fi/climate fiction novel that explores the question, “What would it take to make us stop destroying our ecosystems?” “Phagey” (as it is affectionately known by its fans) has become a subject of book club discussions in many places.
Her trilogy, The Founder’s Seed (Fallen, Book 1; Broken, Book 2; and Driven, Book 3), is a science fantasy trilogy exploring what it means to be a misfit, and the challenges involved in finding one’s niche.
Her novelette "Deer in Headlights" follows researcher Cait as she faces unexpected consequences of her ecosystem-damning actions and is faced with a life-altering choice.
Her novelette "Jane Doe #7" follows Dr. Kyle Wicks, who's built his career on the comatose--until one patient fights back.
Two short-story collections and a science fantasy trilogy follow-up to The Founder's Seed are in the works.
Drema currently lives in Southeast Virginia with her husband, his two cats, and all her other characters. When time and mosquitoes permit, Drema works on transforming their yard into more welcoming habitat for small wildlife. She also occasionally blogs about writing, ideas from Life that inspire her, environmental issues, ways to live more sustainably, and whatever else captures her fancy.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 30, 2024
Fallen is a modern-type science fiction novel. There is an underlying message, which becomes pretty predictable though Deoraich does a good job adding some nuance to it through the story.
The story starts slow, and I admit I had a hard time getting into the story, as the “hook” didn’t happen for some time, and the main character is an alien creature. They have an enhanced way to communicate via changes in light that emits from the skin. It’s a cool concept, though I had a struggled when I envisioned it, especially during key moments, as the different colors meant different emotions or reactions. Other readers might have a better handle on this, but I felt since I didn’t see all the colors and didn’t know what they all meant, I felt as if I was missing things.
The story itself is good, and her world building was well done.
For modern science fiction fans, many will like the novel. For classic sci-fi fans, I suspect they might not as much. Still, the story was well written and the main character was compelling.
The story starts slow, and I admit I had a hard time getting into the story, as the “hook” didn’t happen for some time, and the main character is an alien creature. They have an enhanced way to communicate via changes in light that emits from the skin. It’s a cool concept, though I had a struggled when I envisioned it, especially during key moments, as the different colors meant different emotions or reactions. Other readers might have a better handle on this, but I felt since I didn’t see all the colors and didn’t know what they all meant, I felt as if I was missing things.
The story itself is good, and her world building was well done.
For modern science fiction fans, many will like the novel. For classic sci-fi fans, I suspect they might not as much. Still, the story was well written and the main character was compelling.
February 13, 2025
Drema Deòraich’s Fallen is a rich, immersive dive into a world where political intrigue, personal destiny, and deeply entrenched traditions collide. At its heart is Alira, a character caught between duty and defiance, burdened with a power she barely understands. As she navigates the shifting alliances and betrayals of her people, she unearths secrets that change not only her fate but that of an entire civilization. The novel is an intricate blend of sci-fi world-building and personal struggle, told through gripping prose and a keen eye for character depth.
The alien culture of the unammi is layered, full of history and social nuance, with a linguistic and political structure that feels real. From the moment Alira steps into the ruins of her past, determined to carve out her own path, I was hooked. The way Deòraich weaves the past into the present through Alira’s inherited memories and the revelations they bring, creates an eerie sense of inevitability. This is a story about identity and the weight of history pressing down on the present.
The writing itself is a highlight. Deòraich has a knack for sensory detail, making every scene vivid. The dialogue is sharp, with political conversations layered with double meanings and personal confrontations charged with emotion. One of my favorite moments comes when Alira, pushing past the resistance of her elders, insists on following the path she knows she must take, even as it leads her to terrifying truths about her lineage. Her growth from an uncertain idealist to a hardened survivor is nothing short of gripping.
The depth of the world, while impressive, can feel overwhelming at times, especially as new terms and cultural nuances pile up. However, the payoff is worth it. As the layers of deception unravel and Alira gains control over her fate, the story reaches a crescendo that left me both satisfied and eager for more.
I would recommend Fallen to readers who love immersive science fiction with strong character arcs. If you enjoy the political intrigue of Dune, the cultural depth of The Broken Earth trilogy, or the existential questions of The Left Hand of Darkness, this book will resonate with you.
The alien culture of the unammi is layered, full of history and social nuance, with a linguistic and political structure that feels real. From the moment Alira steps into the ruins of her past, determined to carve out her own path, I was hooked. The way Deòraich weaves the past into the present through Alira’s inherited memories and the revelations they bring, creates an eerie sense of inevitability. This is a story about identity and the weight of history pressing down on the present.
The writing itself is a highlight. Deòraich has a knack for sensory detail, making every scene vivid. The dialogue is sharp, with political conversations layered with double meanings and personal confrontations charged with emotion. One of my favorite moments comes when Alira, pushing past the resistance of her elders, insists on following the path she knows she must take, even as it leads her to terrifying truths about her lineage. Her growth from an uncertain idealist to a hardened survivor is nothing short of gripping.
The depth of the world, while impressive, can feel overwhelming at times, especially as new terms and cultural nuances pile up. However, the payoff is worth it. As the layers of deception unravel and Alira gains control over her fate, the story reaches a crescendo that left me both satisfied and eager for more.
I would recommend Fallen to readers who love immersive science fiction with strong character arcs. If you enjoy the political intrigue of Dune, the cultural depth of The Broken Earth trilogy, or the existential questions of The Left Hand of Darkness, this book will resonate with you.
May 11, 2024
Unique Sci-fi with heart.
I greatly enjoyed Fallen, which is a bit tough to define but I think science fiction is a fair category. This story is part of a trilogy that promises to be vast in scope with epic implications affecting several planets and races.
I found the main protagonist Alira easy to root for. She’s a rebellious shapeshifter of the Unammi species, which Drema describes in colorful detail along with their home planet of Iridos. Alira is at odds with her species, questioning their ways and methods. She is a definite non-conformist, and a fiery spirit which made it easy to latch onto her character. Drema writes with a lot of heart and her characters bring emotion to the pages, so if that’s your thing then you will want to give this a go.
Aside from the internal strife within Alira’s own species, the “Founder’s Seed” universe is a harsh one with different several factions featuring cruel commanders. Which brings me to the topic of villains! This story has two great ones … Crow and Skalar, affiliated with before-mentioned factions. I love a great villain (don’t judge me) and Drema really delivers this area in spades, which helped to pull me into the story. Skalar and Crow are both repulsive, despicable, and at the same time amusing to read.
The writing and editing are all clean and polished. For the most part the story is easy to follow, though it can be a bit tricky to keep track of the various locations and factions in this series. It is worth it though as the story concludes with a beautiful final image that I think sets up the trilogy perfectly.
Bottom line: If you’re into epic sci-fi and are looking for something unique and full of heart then I’d highly recommend Fallen. I’m eagerly awaiting the subsequent releases in The Founder’s Seed trilogy.
I greatly enjoyed Fallen, which is a bit tough to define but I think science fiction is a fair category. This story is part of a trilogy that promises to be vast in scope with epic implications affecting several planets and races.
I found the main protagonist Alira easy to root for. She’s a rebellious shapeshifter of the Unammi species, which Drema describes in colorful detail along with their home planet of Iridos. Alira is at odds with her species, questioning their ways and methods. She is a definite non-conformist, and a fiery spirit which made it easy to latch onto her character. Drema writes with a lot of heart and her characters bring emotion to the pages, so if that’s your thing then you will want to give this a go.
Aside from the internal strife within Alira’s own species, the “Founder’s Seed” universe is a harsh one with different several factions featuring cruel commanders. Which brings me to the topic of villains! This story has two great ones … Crow and Skalar, affiliated with before-mentioned factions. I love a great villain (don’t judge me) and Drema really delivers this area in spades, which helped to pull me into the story. Skalar and Crow are both repulsive, despicable, and at the same time amusing to read.
The writing and editing are all clean and polished. For the most part the story is easy to follow, though it can be a bit tricky to keep track of the various locations and factions in this series. It is worth it though as the story concludes with a beautiful final image that I think sets up the trilogy perfectly.
Bottom line: If you’re into epic sci-fi and are looking for something unique and full of heart then I’d highly recommend Fallen. I’m eagerly awaiting the subsequent releases in The Founder’s Seed trilogy.
April 10, 2024
A Good Different
I can't pin down another book this is similar to, which is good. With the main species in this book, I get a mix of a tribal and technological vibe--a rare combo. There are lots of POV characters and a vast spread of settings, giving the book an epic feel. I found it easy to root for Alira, the main character, because she's such an earnest rebel against a repressive system where everyone else is scared to change. And the two main villains are awesome. I enjoyed the shrewdness of Skalar and snorted at the crazy stuff Crow was always saying. He would tell his own brain to shut up, for example.
The writing style is clean, clear, and well polished. I never had to reread sentences because of parsing issues. I did struggle a little with the complexity of the various POV characters and didn't feel invested in them as much as I felt with Alira, Skalar, and Crow, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment or overall understanding. The author does some rather unusual things near the end, which I won't explain here to avoid spoilers. Let's just say that I look for stories that surprise me and give me something new to think about, and this book does both very well. The scientific details are realistic and well-researched and didn't devolve into needless techno-babble. And the settings are vivid and sensory. And the cultural and linguistic world building for the main species is quite immersive. Because this is only book one of a trilogy, there's plenty more coming. So basically I got everything I wanted from a sci-fi novel here, and I easily recommend it to any adult sci-fi fan.
I can't pin down another book this is similar to, which is good. With the main species in this book, I get a mix of a tribal and technological vibe--a rare combo. There are lots of POV characters and a vast spread of settings, giving the book an epic feel. I found it easy to root for Alira, the main character, because she's such an earnest rebel against a repressive system where everyone else is scared to change. And the two main villains are awesome. I enjoyed the shrewdness of Skalar and snorted at the crazy stuff Crow was always saying. He would tell his own brain to shut up, for example.
The writing style is clean, clear, and well polished. I never had to reread sentences because of parsing issues. I did struggle a little with the complexity of the various POV characters and didn't feel invested in them as much as I felt with Alira, Skalar, and Crow, but this didn't detract from my enjoyment or overall understanding. The author does some rather unusual things near the end, which I won't explain here to avoid spoilers. Let's just say that I look for stories that surprise me and give me something new to think about, and this book does both very well. The scientific details are realistic and well-researched and didn't devolve into needless techno-babble. And the settings are vivid and sensory. And the cultural and linguistic world building for the main species is quite immersive. Because this is only book one of a trilogy, there's plenty more coming. So basically I got everything I wanted from a sci-fi novel here, and I easily recommend it to any adult sci-fi fan.
July 1, 2024
Audiobook: This was my first experience with Drema Deòraich's work, and I enjoyed it very much. After her world was attacked, Aliria had to find a way to warn those of her people who were living among the enemy. I liked the extensive worldbuilding. I enjoyed the characters and the new race featured in this story. There were moments in the story that I found amusing. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Stacey Lind's narration was great, and her performance kept my attention. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I volunteered to post this review which included my opinions.
September 29, 2024
Good start to the series, hasn't fallen to the demon of chapters upon chapters of World building, building up your understanding through exposure to the characters actual thoughts and interactions.
Maybe a bit on the nose on the themes of how we treat outsiders to society, the role of revolutionary thinkers in changing society and how helpful/welcomed/successful trying to change society after a massive loss may be.. Good overall, I'd be interested to see where the rest of this series goes
Maybe a bit on the nose on the themes of how we treat outsiders to society, the role of revolutionary thinkers in changing society and how helpful/welcomed/successful trying to change society after a massive loss may be.. Good overall, I'd be interested to see where the rest of this series goes
October 30, 2025
Drema Deòraich does a fantastic job in writing scifi book and this was no exception, I really enjoyed the way the characters and world were presented and developed. It was everything that I wanted in a opening chapter in the Founder's Seed series and was glad it was everything that I was looking for and am excited for more in this world.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 9, 2024
I want more SF like this!
The characters were believable and interesting, the plot fast-paced, and the themes worth delving into. What is the price of lacking concern for or awareness of others? What is the price if taken to the other extreme? I will be looking forward to the rest of this series.
The characters were believable and interesting, the plot fast-paced, and the themes worth delving into. What is the price of lacking concern for or awareness of others? What is the price if taken to the other extreme? I will be looking forward to the rest of this series.
November 27, 2025
Fallen is the kind of story that stays with you long after you close the book. Alira’s journey is heartbreaking, inspiring, and at times deeply unsettling in the best possible way. Her struggle with the voices she hears, her determination to save the pilots (especially her brother), and her constant fear of losing herself made me care about her on every page.
February 21, 2025
It took me a while to get drawn in to the story, but it was well worth it as my interest grew exponentially as I read on. The world building intrigue of this sci-fi adventure is extraordinary. The characters are realistic, adding a believable touch to the dynamic. Well done!
July 2, 2024
I love how thought provoking this story is while still being fun to read and keeping you on your toes, wondering what will happen next!
August 4, 2024
The whole premise for this book is so freaking cool and creative!!! Just so well written and just awesome!! Really fun,fresh,engaging,edge of your seat sci-fi! I highly recommend!
October 29, 2025
It was a good book. I enjoyed reading it. It was fast paced and a real page turner! 5 stars!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews