What do you think?
Rate this book
First Word: A Novel of the Dying Light Archive
For seven thousand turns, the Ta’el have searched the ruins of the human world for the answer to one What fel events wiped the humans from the Earth?
On this day, Ayasha joins all those Ta’el that have gone before in the task of answering that question. Yet, she finds that achieving the culmination of a lifetime of training, the title of Stone of the Hearth, is not at all as she expected when she is named the Speaker.
Attempting to decipher the elusive portents of her new name reveals events in their world unlike any known to her people. With the magic of the Ta’el failing, the secret behind her name may be the only hope there is.
Chasing that secret leads Aya deeper into the murky past than any Ta’el has gone before. Unearthing the answers to the aeons old question is only a single piece of the puzzle. Dredging free what remains pits her against creatures not of her reality, and maybe something much worse. A left-behind truth that sets their world on the edge of a ruin that will finish what the long-dead humans began.
On this day, Ayasha joins all those Ta’el that have gone before in the task of answering that question. Yet, she finds that achieving the culmination of a lifetime of training, the title of Stone of the Hearth, is not at all as she expected when she is named the Speaker.
Attempting to decipher the elusive portents of her new name reveals events in their world unlike any known to her people. With the magic of the Ta’el failing, the secret behind her name may be the only hope there is.
Chasing that secret leads Aya deeper into the murky past than any Ta’el has gone before. Unearthing the answers to the aeons old question is only a single piece of the puzzle. Dredging free what remains pits her against creatures not of her reality, and maybe something much worse. A left-behind truth that sets their world on the edge of a ruin that will finish what the long-dead humans began.
380 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2024
2 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 17, 2024
Amazing read! I'm so thankful that this book entered my radar. Every chapter hits; the pacing and action sequences are inventive and tailored to its worldbuilding. All of the characters, their skillset, and their relationships are well thought-out. The ending shocked me; I was devastated to flip to the next page only to find that the book was finished. Without giving spoilers, there's a clear momentum forward while also maintaining its uncertainty. Will be one of the first to purchase the second! If you love anthropomorphic storytelling, magic systems, adventure, and mystery--give this indie darling your time.
March 18, 2024
A fantastical, complex post-apocalyptic novel following a new species after the human race has been wiped out.
First Word is a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set in the future after humans have been wiped out and a new species takes over. The Ta’el have searched the remains of the human world for the answer as to why humans were wiped from Earth. The novel follows Ayasha who joins the search for the answer. She is named the Speaker, a title that no ones knows what it means. Ayasha has to decipher the meaning of her name and with the magic of the Ta’el failing, the secret of her name may be their only hope. Ayasha embarks on a perilous journey with terrifyingly dangerous creatures and a forgotten truth that could finish what the long-dead humans began.
As someone who grew up loving the Warriors books by Erin Hunter (the cat ones) this book was something I didn’t even know I was looking for. While its not the same thing as Warriors, it gives off a similar vibe that I adored. It’s far more complex in the world and the magic system and species, but it’s ultimately an animal perspective and I loved it.
The world and magic in this book is so incredibly well-thought out and complex. It’s so detailed and so unique with the spirit realm and how it works. It was really cool, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like it before. The plot was really engaging and had a lot of twists I wasn’t expecting. The concept of this book was really fun and the spirit realm was a interesting touch that created a really great cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially Ayasha. She was really smart and strong and capable. It was fun to follow her on her journey and I enjoyed her growth and progression throughout the novel. There was also a really sweet romantic subplot that I thoroughly enjoyed! I also really liked the side characters and spirits. Everyone was really distinct and I thought it was well done.
Definitely recommend if you like fantasy, post-apocalyptic, animals, or were a fan of the Warriors series!
First Word is a post-apocalyptic fantasy novel set in the future after humans have been wiped out and a new species takes over. The Ta’el have searched the remains of the human world for the answer as to why humans were wiped from Earth. The novel follows Ayasha who joins the search for the answer. She is named the Speaker, a title that no ones knows what it means. Ayasha has to decipher the meaning of her name and with the magic of the Ta’el failing, the secret of her name may be their only hope. Ayasha embarks on a perilous journey with terrifyingly dangerous creatures and a forgotten truth that could finish what the long-dead humans began.
As someone who grew up loving the Warriors books by Erin Hunter (the cat ones) this book was something I didn’t even know I was looking for. While its not the same thing as Warriors, it gives off a similar vibe that I adored. It’s far more complex in the world and the magic system and species, but it’s ultimately an animal perspective and I loved it.
The world and magic in this book is so incredibly well-thought out and complex. It’s so detailed and so unique with the spirit realm and how it works. It was really cool, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like it before. The plot was really engaging and had a lot of twists I wasn’t expecting. The concept of this book was really fun and the spirit realm was a interesting touch that created a really great cast of characters.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially Ayasha. She was really smart and strong and capable. It was fun to follow her on her journey and I enjoyed her growth and progression throughout the novel. There was also a really sweet romantic subplot that I thoroughly enjoyed! I also really liked the side characters and spirits. Everyone was really distinct and I thought it was well done.
Definitely recommend if you like fantasy, post-apocalyptic, animals, or were a fan of the Warriors series!
April 13, 2024
First Word is a very unique, post-humanity story. Built on the questions of what happened in the past to put Earth in such a state of disarray? Why does it look like there was a major conflict that ended the human race suddenly?
Aya starts on a journey when she is given the name of Speaker. The mystery enshrouded in this name will take her all over the world, making allies with unique skills as she goes. They will come across creatures of great and dangerous powers that could destroy the very foundation of the Ta’el race if they are left to their own devices. What will Aya’s group do to make it through this threat?
This story is very well crafted, set in a world with characters being of animal descent. Filled with awe-inspiring magic, links to the spirit world & powers that will have you amazed to see how they’re used. The story will leave you wanting more.
If this is your first time reading a C.M. Brown book, you’re in for a wild ride. From start to finish, it will have your attention. Bringing you through the highs & lows with Aya & crew as you progress into the Ta’el world. What will you discover along your journey? Only reading to the end will afford you that knowledge.
I enjoyed reading First Word & couldn’t put it down. Each chapter delves deeper into this world & I was engaged in wanting to know how everything plays out. Definitely went in a few directions I wasn’t expecting, but every good rollercoaster does.
Would recommend it to anyone that likes fantasy, magic, animals & worlds set in post-human times.
Aya starts on a journey when she is given the name of Speaker. The mystery enshrouded in this name will take her all over the world, making allies with unique skills as she goes. They will come across creatures of great and dangerous powers that could destroy the very foundation of the Ta’el race if they are left to their own devices. What will Aya’s group do to make it through this threat?
This story is very well crafted, set in a world with characters being of animal descent. Filled with awe-inspiring magic, links to the spirit world & powers that will have you amazed to see how they’re used. The story will leave you wanting more.
If this is your first time reading a C.M. Brown book, you’re in for a wild ride. From start to finish, it will have your attention. Bringing you through the highs & lows with Aya & crew as you progress into the Ta’el world. What will you discover along your journey? Only reading to the end will afford you that knowledge.
I enjoyed reading First Word & couldn’t put it down. Each chapter delves deeper into this world & I was engaged in wanting to know how everything plays out. Definitely went in a few directions I wasn’t expecting, but every good rollercoaster does.
Would recommend it to anyone that likes fantasy, magic, animals & worlds set in post-human times.
April 9, 2024
Character development is really good.
Genuinely well wrote, a post apocalypse type of world where the humans no longer exist in this world. I love the meshing of the old world with the new world, I can genuinely see them in my mind.
The characters are well defined, I actually enjoy the storytelling more than the action scenes. One of my favorite scenes is where they are making the hearth blades.
I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't enjoyable in the book.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Genuinely well wrote, a post apocalypse type of world where the humans no longer exist in this world. I love the meshing of the old world with the new world, I can genuinely see them in my mind.
The characters are well defined, I actually enjoy the storytelling more than the action scenes. One of my favorite scenes is where they are making the hearth blades.
I had a hard time finding anything that wasn't enjoyable in the book.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews