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Firebird #1
Firebird
Her Death Was Expected but Something More Powerful Kept Her Alive
Bestselling author Kathy Tyers' has rewritten her first and favorite science fiction novel to deal more fully with questions of salvation and the search for faith. If you are a fan of science fiction, Christian fantasy, or just great storytelling you will be thrilled by the important themes and intriguing plot.
Lady Firebird was born a princess of the royal family of Naetai. Because of her birthplace in the family, however, her life is expendable. Honorable suicide is the highest calling she could hope to attain. When she is chosen to lead an attack on the neighboring planet of VeeRon her death is expected. She is taken prisoner during the battle and is held by the enemy. With her own people seeking her sacrifice, Firebird must choose between two worlds before she can carve out her new destiny. This is the story of Princess Firebird's personal spiritual battle and the eternal consequences it has not only for herself but for everyone around her and especially the man who loves her.
Bestselling author Kathy Tyers' has rewritten her first and favorite science fiction novel to deal more fully with questions of salvation and the search for faith. If you are a fan of science fiction, Christian fantasy, or just great storytelling you will be thrilled by the important themes and intriguing plot.
Lady Firebird was born a princess of the royal family of Naetai. Because of her birthplace in the family, however, her life is expendable. Honorable suicide is the highest calling she could hope to attain. When she is chosen to lead an attack on the neighboring planet of VeeRon her death is expected. She is taken prisoner during the battle and is held by the enemy. With her own people seeking her sacrifice, Firebird must choose between two worlds before she can carve out her new destiny. This is the story of Princess Firebird's personal spiritual battle and the eternal consequences it has not only for herself but for everyone around her and especially the man who loves her.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1987
67 people are currently reading
1281 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Tyers
39 books233 followersShe is the first child of Dr. H.C. Moore, an accomplished dentist and jazz musician who had served during WWII as a test pilot, and Barbara Putnam Moore, flutist with several California orchestras.
Kathy attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where she received a degree in microbiology, married, performed widely on her flute, and then became certified as a K-12 classroom teacher. After teaching primary grades for three years, she retired to start a family. Her only son took long naps and enjoyed playing alone, so in 1983 she set her electric typewriter on her kitchen table and started writing a book. Shortly after finishing the first draft, she joined a writers group, where she learned to critique and self-edit. First novel FIREBIRD was published by Bantam Spectra books in 1987, followed by FUSION FIRE, CRYSTAL WITNESS, and SHIVERING WORLD.
In 1993, her Bantam Spectra editor asked if she’d like to be a Star Wars © writer. THE TRUCE AT BAKURA hit the bestseller list, and life got hectic, exciting, and generally crazy for a while.
After one more novel for Bantam Spectra (ONE MIND’S EYE), Kathy took a sabbatical to deal with family issues. Targeting the Christian Booksellers Association market, she attended several writers conferences before concluding that no CBA publisher was interested in science fiction. She made three attempts to write a contemporary women’s novel, then turned back to her secret passion, which was to revive the unfinished FIREBIRD series. A year later, she connected with Steve Laube of Bethany House Publishers. Laube, a science fiction fan, was willing to take a risk on the project. Rewritten to enhance their underlying spiritual themes, FIREBIRD and FUSION FIRE reappeared in 1999 and 2000, followed in 2000 by a third Firebird novel, CROWN OF FIRE. Meanwhile, the call to write Star Wars came again, this time from Del Rey Books. NEW JEDI ORDER: BALANCE POINT was also a 2000 release.
In 2001, Kathy received the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference’s Pacesetter award for her efforts in the growing Christian science fiction genre. However, during the years that followed, worsening family troubles forced another sabbatical. Another SF novel was started but shelved. Bethany House asked for a new edition of SHIVERING WORLD, which Kathy completed while working at a retail greenhouse.
Kathy was widowed in 2004 and returned to school in 2006. Also in 2006, she completed working with classical guitarist Christopher Parkening on his autobiography, GRACE LIKE A RIVER. She has received a Diploma of Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver, BC, and she is working on toward a Master’s degree, mentoring several apprentice writers through the Christian Writers Guild, and drafting a new science fiction novel. Her Canadian experience includes worshipping at a marvelous Anglican church with stained-glass windows, kneeling rails, and challenging Scriptural preaching.
In October 2014 Kathy married William Thomas Gillin.
Kathy attended Montana State University in Bozeman, where she received a degree in microbiology, married, performed widely on her flute, and then became certified as a K-12 classroom teacher. After teaching primary grades for three years, she retired to start a family. Her only son took long naps and enjoyed playing alone, so in 1983 she set her electric typewriter on her kitchen table and started writing a book. Shortly after finishing the first draft, she joined a writers group, where she learned to critique and self-edit. First novel FIREBIRD was published by Bantam Spectra books in 1987, followed by FUSION FIRE, CRYSTAL WITNESS, and SHIVERING WORLD.
In 1993, her Bantam Spectra editor asked if she’d like to be a Star Wars © writer. THE TRUCE AT BAKURA hit the bestseller list, and life got hectic, exciting, and generally crazy for a while.
After one more novel for Bantam Spectra (ONE MIND’S EYE), Kathy took a sabbatical to deal with family issues. Targeting the Christian Booksellers Association market, she attended several writers conferences before concluding that no CBA publisher was interested in science fiction. She made three attempts to write a contemporary women’s novel, then turned back to her secret passion, which was to revive the unfinished FIREBIRD series. A year later, she connected with Steve Laube of Bethany House Publishers. Laube, a science fiction fan, was willing to take a risk on the project. Rewritten to enhance their underlying spiritual themes, FIREBIRD and FUSION FIRE reappeared in 1999 and 2000, followed in 2000 by a third Firebird novel, CROWN OF FIRE. Meanwhile, the call to write Star Wars came again, this time from Del Rey Books. NEW JEDI ORDER: BALANCE POINT was also a 2000 release.
In 2001, Kathy received the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference’s Pacesetter award for her efforts in the growing Christian science fiction genre. However, during the years that followed, worsening family troubles forced another sabbatical. Another SF novel was started but shelved. Bethany House asked for a new edition of SHIVERING WORLD, which Kathy completed while working at a retail greenhouse.
Kathy was widowed in 2004 and returned to school in 2006. Also in 2006, she completed working with classical guitarist Christopher Parkening on his autobiography, GRACE LIKE A RIVER. She has received a Diploma of Christian Studies from Regent College in Vancouver, BC, and she is working on toward a Master’s degree, mentoring several apprentice writers through the Christian Writers Guild, and drafting a new science fiction novel. Her Canadian experience includes worshipping at a marvelous Anglican church with stained-glass windows, kneeling rails, and challenging Scriptural preaching.
In October 2014 Kathy married William Thomas Gillin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
March 27, 2020
A Christian space opera?
To some, it may sound strange; then again, I've had friends who thought it weird that I listened to Christian music that sounded much like what you'd hear on any secular pop or rock station. CCM--contemporary Christian music, that is--has been a big part of my life since around the time I started middle school, and probably always will be. You could say the same about Christian fiction; as a kid, my mom bought me books from my local Christian bookstore, as well as from the Crossings catalogs, many of which I've reread as an adult and found just as enthralling.
More surprising is that Kathy Tyers, the author of this book, has written two entries in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. My longtime friends know that Lucas' intergalactic film saga has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years--in my opinion, anyway--after the shark jump that was The Last Jedi. Instead of relegating the wonderful sequel trilogy and plethora of other stories they already had to "legends" status, they should have left the series as it was and tried their hand at adapting the Thrawn trilogy or X-Wing series into celluloid form. With the critical response The Rise of Skywalker got, I can't be the only one who thinks Star Wars is in need of a reboot. Still, when Kathy Tyers' two EU books were released, the Force was strong with the franchise, so, I can't fault her for its eventual demise; in fact, her books were very good. (Sorry, but the topic of the decline of one of my favorite pieces of media always gets me started.)
So...how was the book? Very engaging and fun, well-written, great storyline...all in all, a fabulous read. I'm glad my local library had this and its sequels available for eBook loan.
To some, it may sound strange; then again, I've had friends who thought it weird that I listened to Christian music that sounded much like what you'd hear on any secular pop or rock station. CCM--contemporary Christian music, that is--has been a big part of my life since around the time I started middle school, and probably always will be. You could say the same about Christian fiction; as a kid, my mom bought me books from my local Christian bookstore, as well as from the Crossings catalogs, many of which I've reread as an adult and found just as enthralling.
More surprising is that Kathy Tyers, the author of this book, has written two entries in the Star Wars Expanded Universe. My longtime friends know that Lucas' intergalactic film saga has fallen into a state of disrepair in recent years--in my opinion, anyway--after the shark jump that was The Last Jedi. Instead of relegating the wonderful sequel trilogy and plethora of other stories they already had to "legends" status, they should have left the series as it was and tried their hand at adapting the Thrawn trilogy or X-Wing series into celluloid form. With the critical response The Rise of Skywalker got, I can't be the only one who thinks Star Wars is in need of a reboot. Still, when Kathy Tyers' two EU books were released, the Force was strong with the franchise, so, I can't fault her for its eventual demise; in fact, her books were very good. (Sorry, but the topic of the decline of one of my favorite pieces of media always gets me started.)
So...how was the book? Very engaging and fun, well-written, great storyline...all in all, a fabulous read. I'm glad my local library had this and its sequels available for eBook loan.
October 28, 2025
It’s been years since I read this and apparently Kathy Tyers re-wrote this version with a heavy Chrisitian message. I’ll have to see if I can get a hold of an older copy and read it.
Edited (2025) : Older copy found, will be reading it in 2026.
Edited (2025) : Older copy found, will be reading it in 2026.
February 5, 2017
Overall 3.5 stars.
This detail was VERY important for me, but I wish it'd been revealed at the beginning of the book not after.
This book is based on the idea of what if Christ hadn't come yet and the Israelites had gone on waiting for another 3k years. This is not an allegory.
I saw "Christian Sci-fi" and assumed it'd either be an allegory or "the future if the time up to our present remained the same". This left me a bit confused at times as the MMC talks about the Savior being expected to come one day from a certain family line(Judah).
Most of the terminology is not what it is today, so the Israelites have become "Jedi"(can't recall the name they use, but they're force powered, mind-reading, object-lifting, lightsaber wielding, people). Different names for the Messiah and so on.
It took me awhile to adjust to all the terminology and names. New solar system with new ruling powers, new planets, people, cities, etc. Trying to remember what was what took some time.
But I kept thinking, "How is this Christian and not Jewish if the people of this society are still waiting for the Messiah?" The note at the end of the book explained it was a "what-if Christ hadn't come for another 3k years" thing.
Totally changed how I saw the book in retrospect.
A dense book in a lot of ways(a lot to absorb). This is kind of like a Ruth/Rahab story in the future where a woman leaves her people and learns the way of the Israelites(and you can figure out the rest).
The characters were fully developed and the plot was just wow. The idea that the Israelites had gotten restless and given themselves powers which almost destroyed their "new" homeland and caused them to be cursed to not share their faith unless directly asked was a new one.
Overall, despite that obvious similarities to the Jedi(and I don't think SW should have exclusive rights to an idea like the Jedi), this was very original. I'd never seen an idea like this one and the depth and detail to both the Federate society and Firebird's was amazing.
I mean, we have a culture that doesn't allow any nobility to have more than 4 people lined up for the posistion(in Firebird's case, the throne). So the minute you get bumped down to #5, you are told to kill yourself or they'll kill you!
But there's this whole ritual to the mess. Expensive education goes into these "wastling" so that when they kill themselves it'll bring honor to the planet. It was so messed up, but the people BELIEVED in this and I thought it was handled in such a way that I could see how someone indoctrinated like that could believe it.
If I'd known that it was a "what if" story and not an allegory from the beginning, it probably would've gone to 4 stars(As I would've been less distracted with "what's going on!" while reading). And then I docked 1 star for a combination of it was hard to get all the new "words/names" straight and sink my teeth into the world at first and I felt like the ending was unsatisfactory(and book 2 starts off quite a time afterwards it seems).
I'll be reading the second book for sure.
This detail was VERY important for me, but I wish it'd been revealed at the beginning of the book not after.
This book is based on the idea of what if Christ hadn't come yet and the Israelites had gone on waiting for another 3k years. This is not an allegory.
I saw "Christian Sci-fi" and assumed it'd either be an allegory or "the future if the time up to our present remained the same". This left me a bit confused at times as the MMC talks about the Savior being expected to come one day from a certain family line(Judah).
Most of the terminology is not what it is today, so the Israelites have become "Jedi"(can't recall the name they use, but they're force powered, mind-reading, object-lifting, lightsaber wielding, people). Different names for the Messiah and so on.
It took me awhile to adjust to all the terminology and names. New solar system with new ruling powers, new planets, people, cities, etc. Trying to remember what was what took some time.
But I kept thinking, "How is this Christian and not Jewish if the people of this society are still waiting for the Messiah?" The note at the end of the book explained it was a "what-if Christ hadn't come for another 3k years" thing.
Totally changed how I saw the book in retrospect.
A dense book in a lot of ways(a lot to absorb). This is kind of like a Ruth/Rahab story in the future where a woman leaves her people and learns the way of the Israelites(and you can figure out the rest).
The characters were fully developed and the plot was just wow. The idea that the Israelites had gotten restless and given themselves powers which almost destroyed their "new" homeland and caused them to be cursed to not share their faith unless directly asked was a new one.
Overall, despite that obvious similarities to the Jedi(and I don't think SW should have exclusive rights to an idea like the Jedi), this was very original. I'd never seen an idea like this one and the depth and detail to both the Federate society and Firebird's was amazing.
I mean, we have a culture that doesn't allow any nobility to have more than 4 people lined up for the posistion(in Firebird's case, the throne). So the minute you get bumped down to #5, you are told to kill yourself or they'll kill you!
But there's this whole ritual to the mess. Expensive education goes into these "wastling" so that when they kill themselves it'll bring honor to the planet. It was so messed up, but the people BELIEVED in this and I thought it was handled in such a way that I could see how someone indoctrinated like that could believe it.
If I'd known that it was a "what if" story and not an allegory from the beginning, it probably would've gone to 4 stars(As I would've been less distracted with "what's going on!" while reading). And then I docked 1 star for a combination of it was hard to get all the new "words/names" straight and sink my teeth into the world at first and I felt like the ending was unsatisfactory(and book 2 starts off quite a time afterwards it seems).
I'll be reading the second book for sure.
September 17, 2024
I can't even explain why I love this series so much. For me, FIREBIRD hits all the perfect notes with Brennen's abilities and Firebird's tenacity. I almost never re-read a book, but it had been a hot minute since I'd been in this world, and it was glorious to be back! If you haven't read this series, do yourself a favor and dive in.
September 30, 2025
3.5 stars. RTC if I have time, but for now I'll just say, the sci-fi worldbuilding is quite rich, but Brennen is not the "good guy" he's cracked up to be, and that dissonance is annoying.
August 4, 2025
[BOOK 1 in series; I read the original 1987 version].
IN SHORT: Romance between two "enemies," inside a Star Wars*-influenced space opera. Notable for some some quasi-religious elements which become more prevalent in Books 2+.
VERDICT: ~3 stars if you are not allergic to Star Wars -and- the Sci-Fi/Romance sub-genre (often recognizable by 2 floating heads in space on the cover, ha ha!). It's all slightly cheesy or odd by today's standards, but it holds up as a a decent, space-opera style escape from reality.
Or: 2 stars if you were expecting a rip-roaring adventure.
Maybe 4 stars if you only read these things for the characters, drama, and romance.
BEST CHARACTER: Bad girl Phoena.
RUNNER-UP: Firebird.
Note: The author has aso written some offical Star Wars universe novels. 'Firebird' seems to borrow heavily--perhaps way too heavily from SW, but you may dig that sort of thing.
IN SHORT: Romance between two "enemies," inside a Star Wars*-influenced space opera. Notable for some some quasi-religious elements which become more prevalent in Books 2+.
VERDICT: ~3 stars if you are not allergic to Star Wars -and- the Sci-Fi/Romance sub-genre (often recognizable by 2 floating heads in space on the cover, ha ha!). It's all slightly cheesy or odd by today's standards, but it holds up as a a decent, space-opera style escape from reality.
Or: 2 stars if you were expecting a rip-roaring adventure.
Maybe 4 stars if you only read these things for the characters, drama, and romance.
BEST CHARACTER: Bad girl Phoena.
RUNNER-UP: Firebird.
Note: The author has aso written some offical Star Wars universe novels. 'Firebird' seems to borrow heavily--perhaps way too heavily from SW, but you may dig that sort of thing.
June 12, 2021
Well, it was fun to read a sci-fi book. And Tyers world-building was pretty amazing most of the time. The story kept me up late because I had to finish it. So for those reasons, it gets there stars.
The religious aspect was odd and confusing. I know this is the first in the series, but I felt like for how big it was to the story, not enough was explained about the faith aspect. I also found it very, very bothersome that the main guy said God had punished his followers by telling them they could not share their faith. This seems so wrong. Also, I'm still not sure how I feel about the Jedi powers aspect of the book. No, there weren't people called Jedi, but that's basically what they were.
Overall, I say it was a compelling story, but I'm not sure I personally can continue the series due to the bothersome aspects of it.
The religious aspect was odd and confusing. I know this is the first in the series, but I felt like for how big it was to the story, not enough was explained about the faith aspect. I also found it very, very bothersome that the main guy said God had punished his followers by telling them they could not share their faith. This seems so wrong. Also, I'm still not sure how I feel about the Jedi powers aspect of the book. No, there weren't people called Jedi, but that's basically what they were.
Overall, I say it was a compelling story, but I'm not sure I personally can continue the series due to the bothersome aspects of it.
December 26, 2021
What!? We don't get a wedding?
Rude.
XD
Rating 3.75?
I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, but the world building is interesting and I really did like how the author incorperated the gospel.
I suppose I'll just have to finish the series. *sighs* ;)
Rude.
XD
Rating 3.75?
I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, but the world building is interesting and I really did like how the author incorperated the gospel.
I suppose I'll just have to finish the series. *sighs* ;)
April 25, 2023
The first time I read this a few years ago, I gave it 4 stars. This time around, I was having a harder time getting into it and focusing, so I mostly listening to the audiobook because that helped. Not sure if it's the writing style or what, but I wasn't jiving. The whole telepathy thing was interesting, but overall this was just okay. I tried reading book 2 and dnfed early on because I just didn't care at all what was happening and where the story was going. Not the series for me.
August 4, 2015
Since I just gave five stars to the previous book, I was tempted to give this only four. This wasn’t quite as inventive as Singularity, but it will certainly resonate with many of its intended readers. Since it’s the author’s first, I give her extra credit.
Tyers does one thing well: she gives the reader a satisfying closing. I mention that up front because so many authors of series don’t. Even though this is the first of a series, she gives closure to this phase (even as she dangles loose threads to lure us back for more).
I read the 2014 version, which the author admits to having “a few ‘tweaks’ to a book written so long ago.” Originally published in 1987, it’s stood the test of time better than many similar stories.
My biggest quibble is with the title. A science fiction or fantasy book titled “Firebird” excites a whole set of expectations. Nope. That’s just the name of the protagonist, though she does ... (no, that would be telling). Oddly, many other characters have typical SF names (not quite the same as current conventions); “Firebird” is anomalous even in her society (though her sister is named Phoena).
Books about persons of faith are a rare breed. It’s as if authors and publishers of speculative fiction forget than many—no, most—readers are persons of faith. The norm in science fiction, and to a lesser degree fantasy, is for the neo-atheist world view: only measurable things are real. Those stories miss is a lot of beauty, love and creativity. Tyers (and Enclave Publishing) demonstrate that it’s possible to write convincing, fun stories involving people who believe in higher realities. I have read books by persons of different faith communities which, despite our irreconcilable theological differences, still touch me more than books written from the Flip Wilson POV: “What you see is what you get.”
Similarly, Firebird's musical proclivities add depth to her character.
A different SF story; a different kind of SF story. I’ll look for more of Tyers’ and Enclave’s works.
Tyers does one thing well: she gives the reader a satisfying closing. I mention that up front because so many authors of series don’t. Even though this is the first of a series, she gives closure to this phase (even as she dangles loose threads to lure us back for more).
I read the 2014 version, which the author admits to having “a few ‘tweaks’ to a book written so long ago.” Originally published in 1987, it’s stood the test of time better than many similar stories.
My biggest quibble is with the title. A science fiction or fantasy book titled “Firebird” excites a whole set of expectations. Nope. That’s just the name of the protagonist, though she does ... (no, that would be telling). Oddly, many other characters have typical SF names (not quite the same as current conventions); “Firebird” is anomalous even in her society (though her sister is named Phoena).
Books about persons of faith are a rare breed. It’s as if authors and publishers of speculative fiction forget than many—no, most—readers are persons of faith. The norm in science fiction, and to a lesser degree fantasy, is for the neo-atheist world view: only measurable things are real. Those stories miss is a lot of beauty, love and creativity. Tyers (and Enclave Publishing) demonstrate that it’s possible to write convincing, fun stories involving people who believe in higher realities. I have read books by persons of different faith communities which, despite our irreconcilable theological differences, still touch me more than books written from the Flip Wilson POV: “What you see is what you get.”
Similarly, Firebird's musical proclivities add depth to her character.
A different SF story; a different kind of SF story. I’ll look for more of Tyers’ and Enclave’s works.
May 27, 2011
The writing may not have been great (I had to re-read a few sentences to figure out who did what), but the story was quite good! I enjoyed the action, the characters, and even the romance, and if I was a bit confused about the political aspects of the various factions/planets, it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the story.
August 22, 2017
A moderately enjoyable sci-fi adventure.
May 23, 2017
3.75-4/5
Firebird. I have a lot to say about this book.
This book was a kindle freebie that I began reading at work. Late into the book, I discovered that the downloaded copy I had was actually a re-written fourth edition of the original 1987 novel. Apparently, Tyers wrote two books in the eighties, Firebird and Fusion Fire (the edition I have linked here is the original), but apparently they didn't receive much success as science fiction novels. Thus Tyers wrote newer editions that were targeted towards Christian fiction sci-fi markets.
I read the Christianized Firebird until chapter 12 (~50%) until I got a hold of the original. It is interested what Tyers changed between the two books -- I cannot speak for the latter half of the books, but I can for the first. Everything from place names, adding and removing characters, to entire plot points.
Firebird is a space opera novel that in the 4th + editions takes place "before the coming of the Messiah". In the 80's -- it just takes place in a future where aliens had invaded the Whorl galaxy, forcing a human interplanetary Federation to be created. All except for one planet of N'Taei (spelling?) whom remained an isolated sovereign planet dictated by harsh practices. One of which is the killing of extraneous heirs. Firebird is one of these Wastlings. She is doomed to die an honourable wastling death by air-raid on nearby planet VeeRon/VeRoh yet is captured by the Federates and instead chooses life. Tyer's space opera novel deals with interplanetary politics (on a simple level; it's not too complicated) and romance that is somewhat "forbidden".
The Christian edition of the book eliminates mention of aliens, female independence (in my opinion), and has a heavily "brain-washed" feeling coming from the character of Firebird herself. In the rewrite, Firebird's home planet's customs are dictated by Holy Powers that are ever-present and I didn't realize how pervasive until I picked up the first edition. It is almost overwhelming at their influence on Firebird. She is definitely a less defined character without them in that her character isn't as "deeply" constructed by the author. Additionally, the romance between Firebird and Caldwell is less heavily dictated by religious influences/expediencies.
The rewrite does do some things well in that it "fixes" nonsensical scenes (one in particular I am thinking of) and adds much in the way of action. I like both for what they are, just from the tiny bits I can compare it to, but over-all really loved this space-operatic story. It is very BattleStar Galactica and Star Wars in nature -- two things I love, which is why I probably enjoyed it so much -- making it not very original but a tried-and-true testament to these science fiction tropes.
I am not huge on marriage plot points, so I wonder how this will carry on into Fusion Fire (80's) when I read it.
Firebird. I have a lot to say about this book.
This book was a kindle freebie that I began reading at work. Late into the book, I discovered that the downloaded copy I had was actually a re-written fourth edition of the original 1987 novel. Apparently, Tyers wrote two books in the eighties, Firebird and Fusion Fire (the edition I have linked here is the original), but apparently they didn't receive much success as science fiction novels. Thus Tyers wrote newer editions that were targeted towards Christian fiction sci-fi markets.
I read the Christianized Firebird until chapter 12 (~50%) until I got a hold of the original. It is interested what Tyers changed between the two books -- I cannot speak for the latter half of the books, but I can for the first. Everything from place names, adding and removing characters, to entire plot points.
Firebird is a space opera novel that in the 4th + editions takes place "before the coming of the Messiah". In the 80's -- it just takes place in a future where aliens had invaded the Whorl galaxy, forcing a human interplanetary Federation to be created. All except for one planet of N'Taei (spelling?) whom remained an isolated sovereign planet dictated by harsh practices. One of which is the killing of extraneous heirs. Firebird is one of these Wastlings. She is doomed to die an honourable wastling death by air-raid on nearby planet VeeRon/VeRoh yet is captured by the Federates and instead chooses life. Tyer's space opera novel deals with interplanetary politics (on a simple level; it's not too complicated) and romance that is somewhat "forbidden".
The Christian edition of the book eliminates mention of aliens, female independence (in my opinion), and has a heavily "brain-washed" feeling coming from the character of Firebird herself. In the rewrite, Firebird's home planet's customs are dictated by Holy Powers that are ever-present and I didn't realize how pervasive until I picked up the first edition. It is almost overwhelming at their influence on Firebird. She is definitely a less defined character without them in that her character isn't as "deeply" constructed by the author. Additionally, the romance between Firebird and Caldwell is less heavily dictated by religious influences/expediencies.
The rewrite does do some things well in that it "fixes" nonsensical scenes (one in particular I am thinking of) and adds much in the way of action. I like both for what they are, just from the tiny bits I can compare it to, but over-all really loved this space-operatic story. It is very BattleStar Galactica and Star Wars in nature -- two things I love, which is why I probably enjoyed it so much -- making it not very original but a tried-and-true testament to these science fiction tropes.
I am not huge on marriage plot points, so I wonder how this will carry on into Fusion Fire (80's) when I read it.
April 30, 2023
I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read this book, it being a definite favourite! Beneath the interplanetary wars going on, which are epic on their own, I love the story of one woman’s gritty journey from living with a death sentence to finding not only the will to live but a high purpose to live for. Every time I read it, it inspires me again to truly own my faith and cherish the journey that lead me there. Of course, the swoony romance doesn’t hurt my love of the book any either! Brilliantly written book by a truly talented author.
May 8, 2023
An awesome story full of space, traditions and life or death. We follow Lady Firebird as she approaches the time of her honorable death as the 'extra heir'. Raised to believe in values and obedience rather than a God she struggles with the idea of living another way or having a long life. But on her final flight in the name of her world, things don't go to plan...
June 20, 2019
While the writing style was exasperating at times, I enjoyed the political and cultural conflict in this story and Firebird's inner conflict between her cultural upbringing and her desire to live was well spun. This story is a romance at its backbone and I wasn't expecting nor looking for that, but it was a decently told romance and I am pacified, at the very least, by that.
February 6, 2021
I had to look this up coz saw the word Firebird in my book feed and got reminded of this book. And I've just pored over the reviews to see if anyone expressed my conflicting opinions of this book but unfortunately not. The first time I read it (as a young adult) I LOVED it! She's a super cool pilot, potentially tragic character, plus gets a nice juicy romance! Then some years later I read it again and this time noticed and couldn't get past the religious aspects of it coz I'm an atheist. How did I miss them the first time through though?! So anyways I know I loved it, but know I probably don't anymore?
February 18, 2012
Edit: The new Annotated Firebird is out. More on my blog:
http://vikingsbooksetc.wordpress.com/...
http://vikingsbooksetc.wordpress.com/...
Original review:
I first read this in used paper back form (I guessed '97, but it may have been earlier) and enjoyed them as young-adult sci-fi in the vein of Star Wars (very much in that vein). I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy at the Mt Hermon writers conference one year (got to drink root beer with her while watching John Fischer sing at the Mt Hermon soda fountain!), and she's a really cool person who loves the read the sorts of things she writes. I have to admit, though, of those books she has rewritten for the Christian market, I typically enjoy the original versions better-- there is just something about the flavor of the prose that changes, though I noticed it most with Shivering World (my favorite of her books). Still, with this new version of the series she was able to expand the story line and add a concluding book, which is a good thing-- though to be honest, when I got to the third I lost steam and haven't been able to finish it (though that has also happened with books I'm a big fan of-- sometimes life derails my reading and I can't get back on the track again). I hope to reread the new version of the trilogy again soon, and may be able to post a more thorough review then.
http://vikingsbooksetc.wordpress.com/...
http://vikingsbooksetc.wordpress.com/...
Original review:
I first read this in used paper back form (I guessed '97, but it may have been earlier) and enjoyed them as young-adult sci-fi in the vein of Star Wars (very much in that vein). I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy at the Mt Hermon writers conference one year (got to drink root beer with her while watching John Fischer sing at the Mt Hermon soda fountain!), and she's a really cool person who loves the read the sorts of things she writes. I have to admit, though, of those books she has rewritten for the Christian market, I typically enjoy the original versions better-- there is just something about the flavor of the prose that changes, though I noticed it most with Shivering World (my favorite of her books). Still, with this new version of the series she was able to expand the story line and add a concluding book, which is a good thing-- though to be honest, when I got to the third I lost steam and haven't been able to finish it (though that has also happened with books I'm a big fan of-- sometimes life derails my reading and I can't get back on the track again). I hope to reread the new version of the trilogy again soon, and may be able to post a more thorough review then.
September 30, 2017
Really not my cup of tea, but if you like romance you may find it charmingly pulpy.
I almost put the book down the first time it referred to the heroine's "flowing auburn locks" - and then again when she's captured by the enemy and they take off her helmet and GASP because IT IS A WOMAN!
And I sort of threw the book across the room when the mysterious alien man with All The Powers finds himself magically attracted to her. (There's some mumbo jumbo about soul mate stuff. ICK.)
I love space opera, but I only like romance if it is messy, unrequited, or ends badly. And I despise traditional gender roles, which this book manages to embrace heartily despite having ruling queens and female space pilots. It's an odd sort of dance, rewarding traditional feminine characters and vilifying every woman with ambition and then the protagonist gets all the ambitions accidentally without trying? Kinda? There's a paper in this somewhere about the contradictory goals of traditional femininity in a post-industrial society.
I almost put the book down the first time it referred to the heroine's "flowing auburn locks" - and then again when she's captured by the enemy and they take off her helmet and GASP because IT IS A WOMAN!
And I sort of threw the book across the room when the mysterious alien man with All The Powers finds himself magically attracted to her. (There's some mumbo jumbo about soul mate stuff. ICK.)
I love space opera, but I only like romance if it is messy, unrequited, or ends badly. And I despise traditional gender roles, which this book manages to embrace heartily despite having ruling queens and female space pilots. It's an odd sort of dance, rewarding traditional feminine characters and vilifying every woman with ambition and then the protagonist gets all the ambitions accidentally without trying? Kinda? There's a paper in this somewhere about the contradictory goals of traditional femininity in a post-industrial society.
June 11, 2023
I first read this book back when I was a preteen, and it has guarded a little piece of my heart since then. Now, reading it as a 30 year old it still checks out.
The way a heart of a fiercesomely convicted woman can be melted and shored up by the patience and kindness of an elitely-skilled, fiercesome man.
As well as the fact that the rhythms of Christianity are riddled throughout the book, drawing my heart closer to our Creator as well.
If you love the Lord, like sci-fi, fantasy, a strong lead woman, and a good enemies-to-lovers trope, this book is a gem.
The way a heart of a fiercesomely convicted woman can be melted and shored up by the patience and kindness of an elitely-skilled, fiercesome man.
As well as the fact that the rhythms of Christianity are riddled throughout the book, drawing my heart closer to our Creator as well.
If you love the Lord, like sci-fi, fantasy, a strong lead woman, and a good enemies-to-lovers trope, this book is a gem.
July 4, 2017
This book is stuffed with invented terms which are unexplained, making it difficult to visualize things and understand what exactly is going on. After struggling through half of it and then running into some silly romance, I decided to send this one to my "book dump".
September 11, 2025
5 stars! Firebird is a thrilling Christian space opera, filled with planetary battles, telepathic warriors, familial betrayal, and the deep longing for one's soul to be seen - by one's people, lover, and God himself.
Synopsis
As the third princess of the planet Netaia, Firebird has been ordered to die. Her people consider her a wastling, an extraneous heir whose only role is to die in service to her people. A fighter pilot and Major, Firebird is sent with the leading strike force to conquer a nearby planet which holds mineral resources vital to weapons of mass destruction. Captured by the Federate forces who defend the system, she is shocked when they offer her mercy. Shielded by the telepathic warrior who spared her life, she begins to question the fanatic loyalty her people and gods expect of her.
Characters: 5/5
Characters are the heart of this story, and the dialogue and dynamics between characters have physically palpable energy and tension.
Lady Firebird Angelo is one of, if not the only, female character who I'd consider one of my favorite characters in fiction. I prefer reading about male leads because I never connect well with female protagonists. Not so here! Firebird displays a delightful mix of vulnerability, loyalty, grit, poise, intelligence, and more. She is much better fleshed out than most female characters I encounter, with a strongly incorporated skill for music, a complex dynamic with her family and authority figures, inside jokes and regrets about the past, and maturity beyond her years. She is torn apart by a complex moral dilemma - serve the lies and violent agenda of the planet she loves (but which has rejected her), or embrace truth, eternal salvation, and a new life among the strangers who were once her enemies.
Brennan Caldwell is super hot - it's true. A fighter pilot, commander, and Sentinel (genetically engineered user of telekinetic and telepathic abilities), he's the most desirable bachelor in his culture (not even accounting for his religiously significant bloodline). But he's not just a love interest - we get his POV as he runs ops, struggles to develop his leadership, chafes against the prejudice of the Federacy, and tries to help Firebird heal from the mental abuse she's lived with her whole life. His driving motivation is to find a true companion who can share his life and soul with him. Their people (Thyrian-Ehretans) form telepathic pair bonds with individuals who are connatural, or share a high mental, spiritual, and physical resonance. And, oh, the dramatic tension when he discovers an enemy is more of a kindred spirit to him than any of his own people.
Plot: 4/5
This is a character-driven story, so while there are some epic (and realistically written) battles, there's a much greater focus on politics, family dynamics, and cross-cultural encounters.
The first time I read this book, the middle portion irritated me a little, because the plot slows down and the two main characters end up on different planets for a time - however, this is quite necessary for the long-term health of the main characters' relationship. Brennan was in a position of power over Firebird, who was extremely vulnerable mentally, emotionally, and politically. Separating them for a time allowed Firebird to get her feet under her and explore a new planet and ideology without pressure. If not for this distance, Brennan could easily have come across as predatory - something he himself is highly aware of throughout all their interactions. I admire how Tyers planned this out, allowing both leads to do some soul searching independently before eventually joining forces to address the larger political problems they face.
The ending felt a bit abrupt to me, both the physical conflict and spiritual outcome, but I think the rest of the trilogy did an excellent job of expanding on the themes and ideas present in this book, and progressing the relationship between characters in a realistic way. It is also true that soldiers often make major decisions that would seem abrupt to regular people, because we don't understand the stakes they live through when risking their lives every day.
Writing: 5/5
I love Kathy Tyers' writing style! Her dialogue is poignant, sharp, emotional, and filled with tension. She's an expert at describing body language and using physical motions to punctuate emotion and create breaks within scenes. Her scenes have excellent internal pacing. There are several scenes in this book that are seared into my memory because of how physically visceral it feels reading them. The tension and draw between characters is palpable. Many stories explore the concept of telepathic bonds, but some fall flat because they don't manage to make readers feel how the characters' souls sing to one another.
This story explores how mental beliefs and passions, spiritual longings, and physical compatibility all weave together to create truly deep relationships. So many love stories and friendships in fiction omit anything of spiritual significance, but this story is all the richer for raising questions like "will I face more condemnation in the afterlife for committing a moral wrong in loyalty to my people, or for betraying them to save many lives?" Firebird must confront the manipulation, abuse, and state-leveraged religion that has twisted around her her whole life, and she does so because one of her enemies shows her more compassion and forgiveness than any of her mentors or blood relatives ever did. That, is a relationship worth writing home about.
Worldbuilding: 4/5
It's SO hard to find space opera without aliens, and I'm always delighted when I do. This world is completely focused on human cultures, politics, and relationships, reminiscent of both Star Wars and Lois McMaster Bujold's world (Shards of Honor). I loved the unique cultural dynamics on Firebird's planet, Netaia - a society ruled by an aristocratic class, a line of Queens, and a religion of 9 Powers. Their culture reminded me somewhat of Imperial Japan and Russia.
The underlying premise in Brennan's culture is fascinating too: what if Jesus didn't come 4,000 years after Creation, but waited many more millennia? His people are essentially the Jews, and his family is like the line of Judah, from which the prophesied Messiah will one day come. Firebird, then, is like Ruth.
The Federacy that rules a large portion of the universe is characterized as a benevolent Empire despite its obvious bureaucratic corruption, self-serving politics, and prejudice against Ehretans. It bothered me, especially in later books, that the Ehretans let the Federacy treat them like trained dogs, and the ones who split off (the Shuhr) to create their own society outside of the Federacy's self-serving restrictions on ability users are shown as completely evil and in the wrong. In fact, every time an Ehretan acted outside of the extremely controlling rules, they are shown to be despicable people. It rubbed me the wrong way because it reminded me of a brand of Christian authoritarianism that advocates submission to rule following even when leaders are treating you unfairly.
Of course, the strictures they place upon themselves make sense considering how they were nearly wiped out in the past by humans who feared their abilities. They limit individuals out of desperation to maintain the survival of their race. But it still bothers me that Brennan acts as though it would be objectively wrong not to follow the restrictions placed on him by his people and the Federacy alike.
But the best sci-fi makes people think and ask questions like this! I love rereading this book because each time I get to chew on something new. Her story sparked my imagination and helped inspire my own sci-fi world!
You can check out my interview with Kathy Tyers (9/5/25) here: https://creativecornerstones.com/2025...!
Synopsis
As the third princess of the planet Netaia, Firebird has been ordered to die. Her people consider her a wastling, an extraneous heir whose only role is to die in service to her people. A fighter pilot and Major, Firebird is sent with the leading strike force to conquer a nearby planet which holds mineral resources vital to weapons of mass destruction. Captured by the Federate forces who defend the system, she is shocked when they offer her mercy. Shielded by the telepathic warrior who spared her life, she begins to question the fanatic loyalty her people and gods expect of her.
Characters: 5/5
Characters are the heart of this story, and the dialogue and dynamics between characters have physically palpable energy and tension.
Lady Firebird Angelo is one of, if not the only, female character who I'd consider one of my favorite characters in fiction. I prefer reading about male leads because I never connect well with female protagonists. Not so here! Firebird displays a delightful mix of vulnerability, loyalty, grit, poise, intelligence, and more. She is much better fleshed out than most female characters I encounter, with a strongly incorporated skill for music, a complex dynamic with her family and authority figures, inside jokes and regrets about the past, and maturity beyond her years. She is torn apart by a complex moral dilemma - serve the lies and violent agenda of the planet she loves (but which has rejected her), or embrace truth, eternal salvation, and a new life among the strangers who were once her enemies.
Brennan Caldwell is super hot - it's true. A fighter pilot, commander, and Sentinel (genetically engineered user of telekinetic and telepathic abilities), he's the most desirable bachelor in his culture (not even accounting for his religiously significant bloodline). But he's not just a love interest - we get his POV as he runs ops, struggles to develop his leadership, chafes against the prejudice of the Federacy, and tries to help Firebird heal from the mental abuse she's lived with her whole life. His driving motivation is to find a true companion who can share his life and soul with him. Their people (Thyrian-Ehretans) form telepathic pair bonds with individuals who are connatural, or share a high mental, spiritual, and physical resonance. And, oh, the dramatic tension when he discovers an enemy is more of a kindred spirit to him than any of his own people.
Plot: 4/5
This is a character-driven story, so while there are some epic (and realistically written) battles, there's a much greater focus on politics, family dynamics, and cross-cultural encounters.
The first time I read this book, the middle portion irritated me a little, because the plot slows down and the two main characters end up on different planets for a time - however, this is quite necessary for the long-term health of the main characters' relationship. Brennan was in a position of power over Firebird, who was extremely vulnerable mentally, emotionally, and politically. Separating them for a time allowed Firebird to get her feet under her and explore a new planet and ideology without pressure. If not for this distance, Brennan could easily have come across as predatory - something he himself is highly aware of throughout all their interactions. I admire how Tyers planned this out, allowing both leads to do some soul searching independently before eventually joining forces to address the larger political problems they face.
The ending felt a bit abrupt to me, both the physical conflict and spiritual outcome, but I think the rest of the trilogy did an excellent job of expanding on the themes and ideas present in this book, and progressing the relationship between characters in a realistic way. It is also true that soldiers often make major decisions that would seem abrupt to regular people, because we don't understand the stakes they live through when risking their lives every day.
Writing: 5/5
I love Kathy Tyers' writing style! Her dialogue is poignant, sharp, emotional, and filled with tension. She's an expert at describing body language and using physical motions to punctuate emotion and create breaks within scenes. Her scenes have excellent internal pacing. There are several scenes in this book that are seared into my memory because of how physically visceral it feels reading them. The tension and draw between characters is palpable. Many stories explore the concept of telepathic bonds, but some fall flat because they don't manage to make readers feel how the characters' souls sing to one another.
This story explores how mental beliefs and passions, spiritual longings, and physical compatibility all weave together to create truly deep relationships. So many love stories and friendships in fiction omit anything of spiritual significance, but this story is all the richer for raising questions like "will I face more condemnation in the afterlife for committing a moral wrong in loyalty to my people, or for betraying them to save many lives?" Firebird must confront the manipulation, abuse, and state-leveraged religion that has twisted around her her whole life, and she does so because one of her enemies shows her more compassion and forgiveness than any of her mentors or blood relatives ever did. That, is a relationship worth writing home about.
Worldbuilding: 4/5
It's SO hard to find space opera without aliens, and I'm always delighted when I do. This world is completely focused on human cultures, politics, and relationships, reminiscent of both Star Wars and Lois McMaster Bujold's world (Shards of Honor). I loved the unique cultural dynamics on Firebird's planet, Netaia - a society ruled by an aristocratic class, a line of Queens, and a religion of 9 Powers. Their culture reminded me somewhat of Imperial Japan and Russia.
The underlying premise in Brennan's culture is fascinating too: what if Jesus didn't come 4,000 years after Creation, but waited many more millennia? His people are essentially the Jews, and his family is like the line of Judah, from which the prophesied Messiah will one day come. Firebird, then, is like Ruth.
The Federacy that rules a large portion of the universe is characterized as a benevolent Empire despite its obvious bureaucratic corruption, self-serving politics, and prejudice against Ehretans. It bothered me, especially in later books, that the Ehretans let the Federacy treat them like trained dogs, and the ones who split off (the Shuhr) to create their own society outside of the Federacy's self-serving restrictions on ability users are shown as completely evil and in the wrong. In fact, every time an Ehretan acted outside of the extremely controlling rules, they are shown to be despicable people. It rubbed me the wrong way because it reminded me of a brand of Christian authoritarianism that advocates submission to rule following even when leaders are treating you unfairly.
Of course, the strictures they place upon themselves make sense considering how they were nearly wiped out in the past by humans who feared their abilities. They limit individuals out of desperation to maintain the survival of their race. But it still bothers me that Brennan acts as though it would be objectively wrong not to follow the restrictions placed on him by his people and the Federacy alike.
But the best sci-fi makes people think and ask questions like this! I love rereading this book because each time I get to chew on something new. Her story sparked my imagination and helped inspire my own sci-fi world!
You can check out my interview with Kathy Tyers (9/5/25) here: https://creativecornerstones.com/2025...!
March 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book and am optimistic about continuing the series.
January 20, 2024
I actually bought this series for my mom several years back because I thought it sounded like her cup of tea, but I just now got around to trying it myself. I have long liked Kathy Tyers as a person and enjoyed reading her chunky stand-alone scifi book "Shivering World" back in 2021, so I was excited to read her series. As with Shivering World, her writing drew me in immediately. She just seems to have a knack for starting in the right place to quickly establish who the main character is and help me relate to them fast. This was very important because most of Firebird's family made me want to punch them in the nose.😛 I say this because everyone but her oldest sister had completely accepted the cultural norm of insisting that all "wasteling" (third born) children must die off and I was just really mad at them, but this was intentional because we as readers are not meant to be okay with it.
Honestly, while I'm not saying that as a critique of the story because the author handled things well, this is the only reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, because I typically don't like reading things that touch on the topic of suicide. It can really bother me to read characters thoughts when they're thinking about death by their own hand, and I especially don't like scene of sucide, and this book had both. (See content advisory for details.) The only reason it didn't get me upset was A) I paired the physical book with the audiobook to get past the parts that were bothering me faster, B) It's pretty obvious that this series is about Firebird, so she had to survive in order to be in the rest of the books, and C) I know this author's style and faith well enough to trust her. Once it got past the scene where Firebird attempted suicide to avoid military capture and she started to change her mentality to one of seeking life, not death, I was okay and was able to more freely enjoy the rest of the book. It was just those first few chapters I wasn't enjoying so much due to my own sensitivities.
Speaking of the rest of the book, I really did enjoy the rest. I'm in a scifi reading mood right now and this scratched that itch in a very satisfactory manner. You can tell the world in which the story is set was heavily influenced by Star Wars (one of the characters is basically a Jedi, except there's a unique explanation for his powers that goes with this unique world), so if you enjoy the feel of Star Wars, you're probably going to like this book, too. Our second main character, Brennan (the guy who's a Jedi, but not a Jedi :P) was very likable. I loved his strong faith in God and how much he values life. He was also very brave, kind, and selfless. His dynamic with Firebird was great and I loved how slow and natural their relationship felt. It really felt like two people getting to know each other and fall in love in a very natural, realistic way.
The story itself was very engaging, too. I'm definitely invested in this galactic conflict and looking forward to how everything works out with this series! So much so that I'm going to jump straight into the second book now!
Highly recommended to lovers of the vibe of Star Wars (but with Christian faith content) and scifi in general.
Content Advisory:
This is adult scifi, but I feel that it's appropriate for teen readers as well.
TRIGGER WARNING for SUICIDE: As the book's synopsis and my review states, the culture in which Firebird is born does not value the lives of children who are the third born in their families. They consider these children "wastelings". Because of an insurrection that happened many years ago where a third born royal who was so popular with the people they tried to take over the throne, the planet has since tried to prevent this from happening again by requiring all "wastelings" to commit suicide once the heir of their family has married and had enough children to secure the throne (or whatever other office their family holds). One option is to die in battle so they can earn "bliss" in the afterlife, but if not battle, they're still expected to die, either by their own hand or by submitting themselves to a firing squad. Readers who are sensitive to the topic of suicide may wish to approach this book with caution because of all the talk and thought of death and killing oneself that goes on. The talk is never graphic and I'll say right here that Firebird ends up valuing her life by the end of the book, but in the beginning she's been brainwashed by her culture into accepting her fate and thinking about her own death a lot. When she's about to go into battle, her own mother gives her a packet of poison so that if Firebird gets captured she can end her life rather than be interrogated. (Her mother later commits suicide via poison herself, which is not described at all.)
When Firebird does get captured soon after that, there's a scene that shows things from her perspective when she swallows the poison. Sensitive readers may wish to skip this. Scifi technology saves her life, though, and her captors are actually good people who fight with her to choose to live because there is a God who loves her and wants her to live for Him, not just die for Him like her false gods wanted.
Language:
None.
Sexual/Romance:
A romance blooms very slowly between Firebird and a man. They occasionally notice each other's handsomeness/beauty but they don't obsess over looks. They hold each other a couple of times and share two or three kisses that are described in emotional terms rather than physical.
There is talk of a fictional concept called "pair bonding" in which a telepathic race can basically bond to each other on a near spiritual level when they marry so that they feel each other's emotions deeply.
Violence:
This book features typical sci-fi action violence that is very reminiscent of what one sees in Star Wars movies. Lasers get fired a lot and people get shot and killed with them, but deaths are never described, nor are they bloody. Someone is implied to be killed in a fiery explosion. Another person is killed with sound waves. (A character sees video of this person in distress and then they fall over dead. Nothing yucky is described, but it's stated that the sound waves burst the blood vessels in that person's brain.)There's talk of a machine that vaporizes people painfully, but this never actually happens. It is suspected that Firebird's middle sister may have smothered a baby to death once. (Not described.)
Drug/Alcohol
On three separate occasions, Firebird (who has a phobia of needles, so some of her anxiety gets described) gets injected with a serum that temporarily makes people hypersensitive to all stimuli. This is a punishment since it makes everything too loud, bright, painful, etc. We only have her perspective while under the influence of this drug once, though. She experiences a lot more fear about what might happen when it's in her system than anything actually awful happening.
Spiritual/Magical:
This is Christian fiction, so there are characters who believe in and talk about the Christian God and faith. At the beginning of the story, Firebird and her people believe in false gods called "The Powers" who seemingly require them to live (and die) a certain way in order to earn "bliss" but it seems more like it's their government that truly requires these things. Firebird later comes to believe in the true God.
The author states in her note at the end of the book that this story investigates the "what if" question of "what would it look like if the Messiah came during the age of space travel? So, this book is actually set in a fictional world before the coming of the Christ figure. The characters are still looking forward to His coming the way the Jewish people did in the Old Testament of the Bible.
This story is science fiction, but has a Star Wars-like feel because there are characters who are very similar to Jedi. In Star Wars the Jedi have supernatural power in using the Force, and the Force is a spiritual concept instead of a scientific one. This book's Jedi-like characters are different because while their powers resemble Force wielding on a surface level, they have a scientific basis, not a spiritual one. These characters are genetically-altered humans who have been given telepathic powers through fictional science methods. They can feel people's emotions, see their memories, make things float, and carry lightsaber-like weapons, but it's all based in a part of their brain that was altered to let them do this. There is no Force in this world and you also don't find the spiritual dualism here that you find in Star Wars.
Honestly, while I'm not saying that as a critique of the story because the author handled things well, this is the only reason why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5, because I typically don't like reading things that touch on the topic of suicide. It can really bother me to read characters thoughts when they're thinking about death by their own hand, and I especially don't like scene of sucide, and this book had both. (See content advisory for details.) The only reason it didn't get me upset was A) I paired the physical book with the audiobook to get past the parts that were bothering me faster, B) It's pretty obvious that this series is about Firebird, so she had to survive in order to be in the rest of the books, and C) I know this author's style and faith well enough to trust her. Once it got past the scene where Firebird attempted suicide to avoid military capture and she started to change her mentality to one of seeking life, not death, I was okay and was able to more freely enjoy the rest of the book. It was just those first few chapters I wasn't enjoying so much due to my own sensitivities.
Speaking of the rest of the book, I really did enjoy the rest. I'm in a scifi reading mood right now and this scratched that itch in a very satisfactory manner. You can tell the world in which the story is set was heavily influenced by Star Wars (one of the characters is basically a Jedi, except there's a unique explanation for his powers that goes with this unique world), so if you enjoy the feel of Star Wars, you're probably going to like this book, too. Our second main character, Brennan (the guy who's a Jedi, but not a Jedi :P) was very likable. I loved his strong faith in God and how much he values life. He was also very brave, kind, and selfless. His dynamic with Firebird was great and I loved how slow and natural their relationship felt. It really felt like two people getting to know each other and fall in love in a very natural, realistic way.
The story itself was very engaging, too. I'm definitely invested in this galactic conflict and looking forward to how everything works out with this series! So much so that I'm going to jump straight into the second book now!
Highly recommended to lovers of the vibe of Star Wars (but with Christian faith content) and scifi in general.
Content Advisory:
This is adult scifi, but I feel that it's appropriate for teen readers as well.
TRIGGER WARNING for SUICIDE: As the book's synopsis and my review states, the culture in which Firebird is born does not value the lives of children who are the third born in their families. They consider these children "wastelings". Because of an insurrection that happened many years ago where a third born royal who was so popular with the people they tried to take over the throne, the planet has since tried to prevent this from happening again by requiring all "wastelings" to commit suicide once the heir of their family has married and had enough children to secure the throne (or whatever other office their family holds). One option is to die in battle so they can earn "bliss" in the afterlife, but if not battle, they're still expected to die, either by their own hand or by submitting themselves to a firing squad. Readers who are sensitive to the topic of suicide may wish to approach this book with caution because of all the talk and thought of death and killing oneself that goes on. The talk is never graphic and I'll say right here that Firebird ends up valuing her life by the end of the book, but in the beginning she's been brainwashed by her culture into accepting her fate and thinking about her own death a lot. When she's about to go into battle, her own mother gives her a packet of poison so that if Firebird gets captured she can end her life rather than be interrogated. (Her mother later commits suicide via poison herself, which is not described at all.)
When Firebird does get captured soon after that, there's a scene that shows things from her perspective when she swallows the poison. Sensitive readers may wish to skip this. Scifi technology saves her life, though, and her captors are actually good people who fight with her to choose to live because there is a God who loves her and wants her to live for Him, not just die for Him like her false gods wanted.
Language:
None.
Sexual/Romance:
A romance blooms very slowly between Firebird and a man. They occasionally notice each other's handsomeness/beauty but they don't obsess over looks. They hold each other a couple of times and share two or three kisses that are described in emotional terms rather than physical.
There is talk of a fictional concept called "pair bonding" in which a telepathic race can basically bond to each other on a near spiritual level when they marry so that they feel each other's emotions deeply.
Violence:
This book features typical sci-fi action violence that is very reminiscent of what one sees in Star Wars movies. Lasers get fired a lot and people get shot and killed with them, but deaths are never described, nor are they bloody. Someone is implied to be killed in a fiery explosion. Another person is killed with sound waves. (A character sees video of this person in distress and then they fall over dead. Nothing yucky is described, but it's stated that the sound waves burst the blood vessels in that person's brain.)There's talk of a machine that vaporizes people painfully, but this never actually happens. It is suspected that Firebird's middle sister may have smothered a baby to death once. (Not described.)
Drug/Alcohol
On three separate occasions, Firebird (who has a phobia of needles, so some of her anxiety gets described) gets injected with a serum that temporarily makes people hypersensitive to all stimuli. This is a punishment since it makes everything too loud, bright, painful, etc. We only have her perspective while under the influence of this drug once, though. She experiences a lot more fear about what might happen when it's in her system than anything actually awful happening.
Spiritual/Magical:
This is Christian fiction, so there are characters who believe in and talk about the Christian God and faith. At the beginning of the story, Firebird and her people believe in false gods called "The Powers" who seemingly require them to live (and die) a certain way in order to earn "bliss" but it seems more like it's their government that truly requires these things. Firebird later comes to believe in the true God.
The author states in her note at the end of the book that this story investigates the "what if" question of "what would it look like if the Messiah came during the age of space travel? So, this book is actually set in a fictional world before the coming of the Christ figure. The characters are still looking forward to His coming the way the Jewish people did in the Old Testament of the Bible.
This story is science fiction, but has a Star Wars-like feel because there are characters who are very similar to Jedi. In Star Wars the Jedi have supernatural power in using the Force, and the Force is a spiritual concept instead of a scientific one. This book's Jedi-like characters are different because while their powers resemble Force wielding on a surface level, they have a scientific basis, not a spiritual one. These characters are genetically-altered humans who have been given telepathic powers through fictional science methods. They can feel people's emotions, see their memories, make things float, and carry lightsaber-like weapons, but it's all based in a part of their brain that was altered to let them do this. There is no Force in this world and you also don't find the spiritual dualism here that you find in Star Wars.
August 6, 2020
I wanted to give Firebird a chance, really I did. I have a fondness for Lewis’ Space Trilogy and will always have a soft spot for Zenna Henderson. I honestly wanted to give this book a chance, even though the preface did not impress me very much. (It offers a solemn disclaimer that this is an imaginary story about God having created multiple planets instead of Earth. The disclaimer also states that this is basically New Testament fan fiction, and is about an Evil Religion and a Good, Real Religion.)
Our heroine is a noblewoman named Firebird Angelo. Her society is kind of oppressive and has a state religion that looks a great deal like Roman Catholicism if you belonged to a Christian denomination that had a bug up its butt because the Seven Virtues are not in the Bible. (The religion is a state religion that follows certain exemplary traits. Among the requirements of the religion are specific actions referred to as disciplines and charities.) One particularly unpleasant aspect of this culture is that spare heirs are under a death sentence only slightly ameliorated by the spares or “wastlings” being given the “opportunity” to go into the military and die in battle.
During a military action that Firebird does not at all approve of, she is captured by the enemy! She is prevented from committing suicide and is interrogated by a telepath who is a member of the Good Religion. For some reason these two are extremely Sympatico, though they are no Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan. Firebird decides she wants to live after all, which causes some consternation among her family because they very stupidly let someone with knowledge of state secrets lead a mission that resulted in her getting captured. As a result, Firebird’s people lose the war and the enemy ends up occupying their planet. In between her family trying to kill her and the most boring conversion arc in the history of ever, there is a very uninteresting romance. There is also something about a member of Firebird’s family working on a bio-weapon.
Some other minor irritations:
--Firebird is briefly given an assumed identity to protect her. The name is Mari. Mr. Telepath insists on calling Firebird Mari even after the assumed identity ruse is over. Firebird never protests this or questions it. (Spoiler: Firebird is apparently destined to be the mother of the Messiah. Or something.)
--Firebird’s conversion arc is rendered extremely boring by her already having doubts about her religion. Also, there’s a little song and dance about how the Good Religion is not allowed to convert, but they hope one day to be once more allowed to proselytize!
--Not having boy children is a punishment or a flaw that can be corrected by medical intervention.
--Mr. Telepath is horrified that Firebird was a frontline soldier.
--Mr. Telepath is also horrified by Firebird’s loyalty to her own side and willingness to commit suicide to avoid interrogation.
--There are also soul bonds but the soul bonding is boring.
In short, I did not really care for the world building, and the plot was kind of flat. I found it extremely difficult to become engaged with the characters, mostly because I was too busy grinding my teeth.
Our heroine is a noblewoman named Firebird Angelo. Her society is kind of oppressive and has a state religion that looks a great deal like Roman Catholicism if you belonged to a Christian denomination that had a bug up its butt because the Seven Virtues are not in the Bible. (The religion is a state religion that follows certain exemplary traits. Among the requirements of the religion are specific actions referred to as disciplines and charities.) One particularly unpleasant aspect of this culture is that spare heirs are under a death sentence only slightly ameliorated by the spares or “wastlings” being given the “opportunity” to go into the military and die in battle.
During a military action that Firebird does not at all approve of, she is captured by the enemy! She is prevented from committing suicide and is interrogated by a telepath who is a member of the Good Religion. For some reason these two are extremely Sympatico, though they are no Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan. Firebird decides she wants to live after all, which causes some consternation among her family because they very stupidly let someone with knowledge of state secrets lead a mission that resulted in her getting captured. As a result, Firebird’s people lose the war and the enemy ends up occupying their planet. In between her family trying to kill her and the most boring conversion arc in the history of ever, there is a very uninteresting romance. There is also something about a member of Firebird’s family working on a bio-weapon.
Some other minor irritations:
--Firebird is briefly given an assumed identity to protect her. The name is Mari. Mr. Telepath insists on calling Firebird Mari even after the assumed identity ruse is over. Firebird never protests this or questions it. (Spoiler: Firebird is apparently destined to be the mother of the Messiah. Or something.)
--Firebird’s conversion arc is rendered extremely boring by her already having doubts about her religion. Also, there’s a little song and dance about how the Good Religion is not allowed to convert, but they hope one day to be once more allowed to proselytize!
--Not having boy children is a punishment or a flaw that can be corrected by medical intervention.
--Mr. Telepath is horrified that Firebird was a frontline soldier.
--Mr. Telepath is also horrified by Firebird’s loyalty to her own side and willingness to commit suicide to avoid interrogation.
--There are also soul bonds but the soul bonding is boring.
In short, I did not really care for the world building, and the plot was kind of flat. I found it extremely difficult to become engaged with the characters, mostly because I was too busy grinding my teeth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2024
Loved!! I’m so glad I saw Ronie’s raving review and decided to give this a try. For anyone out there sad that The Droseran Saga is over pick this up!!! You’re going to be obsessed with Firebird and Brenn!
December 3, 2015
Normally I would never rate or review a book I haven't finished, but I'm making an exception because I don't anticipate finishing this one. (Since I've not read to the end, it is certainly possible the book gets brilliant later on. But since I am pretty sure where the story is going, I reserve my right to be skeptical.)
The beginning, despite some rough writing, was fairly interesting. Firebird is the daughter of a queen in a world that has chosen as a way to ensure the continued unity and power of their royal houses to only allow two children in any noble family to live past a certain point, and only one is allowed to procreate. Firebird, being the fourth daughter, will face a compelled suicide as soon as her oldest sister has a second baby. (This premise certainly sets up possibilities in terms of character exploration, but I confess I find myself wondering how many of the royal families have gone extinct because of unforeseen fatalities; students of demographics may have a better grasp on this, but I don't think this method would actually work) Firebird accepts her destiny with regret but not much fuss, because she believes in the calling she was raised under. But on a suicide bombing run during an attack on a nearby world, she is captured alive. This of course introduces the love-interest, also Christian figure in the story, a man who feels such an instant mental connection with Firebird (telepathic abilities enter into it) that he immediately starts wondering if she is the woman he's been waiting for God to bring into his life, despite her complete and utter opposition to most of his core beliefs.
That was the point at which I was thrown out of the story for good, for it was exactly the same set up I'd seen over and over and over again in Christian fiction, and I neither liked nor approved of it the first time. Coupled with the undertones which indicated all the political conflicts would turn out to be between evil empire and perfect empire, rather than flawed civilization and other flawed civilization, which would have been both more realistic and more interesting, I decided I would not give it any more time.
The beginning, despite some rough writing, was fairly interesting. Firebird is the daughter of a queen in a world that has chosen as a way to ensure the continued unity and power of their royal houses to only allow two children in any noble family to live past a certain point, and only one is allowed to procreate. Firebird, being the fourth daughter, will face a compelled suicide as soon as her oldest sister has a second baby. (This premise certainly sets up possibilities in terms of character exploration, but I confess I find myself wondering how many of the royal families have gone extinct because of unforeseen fatalities; students of demographics may have a better grasp on this, but I don't think this method would actually work) Firebird accepts her destiny with regret but not much fuss, because she believes in the calling she was raised under. But on a suicide bombing run during an attack on a nearby world, she is captured alive. This of course introduces the love-interest, also Christian figure in the story, a man who feels such an instant mental connection with Firebird (telepathic abilities enter into it) that he immediately starts wondering if she is the woman he's been waiting for God to bring into his life, despite her complete and utter opposition to most of his core beliefs.
That was the point at which I was thrown out of the story for good, for it was exactly the same set up I'd seen over and over and over again in Christian fiction, and I neither liked nor approved of it the first time. Coupled with the undertones which indicated all the political conflicts would turn out to be between evil empire and perfect empire, rather than flawed civilization and other flawed civilization, which would have been both more realistic and more interesting, I decided I would not give it any more time.
November 18, 2013
The premise for this was really good, and the book wasn't bad, it just had some issues that, if fixed, would make the book better. It starts out kinda rough. I like Firebird, and her story, but the beginning doesn't draw you in. It's full of politics, which do not make good reading material for me. I had issue with all the make believe jargon. It didn't make sense, and I had difficulty following it. Basically, I just read thru it.
The relationship between Firebird and Bren was pretty sketchy. I felt no bonding, fondness, no spark whatsoever between them. The author relied heavily on the word connatural to link them, and I had to look that word up. I know what it means, but it didn't relay feeling or desire. It's a shame, I think, when people think Christian fiction means relationships can't exhibit passion or spark. And Bren wanted Firebird to be something and someone else. I don't mean the religion thing, just that there wasn't anything "Firebird" that he seemed to want to keep about her. He even took to calling her by another name, her alias, even when it was no longer necessary, because he wanted her to be something or someone other than who she was. I found that difficult to digest.
My other issue was Bren himself. He was so wishy washy. He caught a criminal, with absolute proof, and felt bad about arresting him. What the heck is that about? He spent so much time NOT using his powers and abilities, that I found him quite dull.
Despite all this, and a few other things, I thought the story had promise. The concept and the worlds were great. I thought Firebird was really well fleshed out and her psychology and thought processes well done. Her character made the story.
The relationship between Firebird and Bren was pretty sketchy. I felt no bonding, fondness, no spark whatsoever between them. The author relied heavily on the word connatural to link them, and I had to look that word up. I know what it means, but it didn't relay feeling or desire. It's a shame, I think, when people think Christian fiction means relationships can't exhibit passion or spark. And Bren wanted Firebird to be something and someone else. I don't mean the religion thing, just that there wasn't anything "Firebird" that he seemed to want to keep about her. He even took to calling her by another name, her alias, even when it was no longer necessary, because he wanted her to be something or someone other than who she was. I found that difficult to digest.
My other issue was Bren himself. He was so wishy washy. He caught a criminal, with absolute proof, and felt bad about arresting him. What the heck is that about? He spent so much time NOT using his powers and abilities, that I found him quite dull.
Despite all this, and a few other things, I thought the story had promise. The concept and the worlds were great. I thought Firebird was really well fleshed out and her psychology and thought processes well done. Her character made the story.
October 21, 2024
I didn't really like this book and won't go on to the next one in the series, though I am curious to see what happens. Three reasons: 1. The author created words and meaning for a new sci-fi world and I was left to figure it out in context, and there wasn't even a dictionary for the words. I am not familiar with flying craft and did not know what some of the phrasing meant when there was a battle. 2. I was confused about who was the bad guy and who was the good guy for a long time. Why was the Federation bad? Oh, because the Netaians wanted to be independent. 3. The culture of the
Netaians; what? kill your extra heirs? because you're afraid they will usurp you one day? why have them? Oh, so you can have an army? No, no, no. That's terrible and cruel and I never quite got over that (and I read somewhere that as a culture it would never work, too much loss of population that way). I was curious enough to finish, though, and that's why I kept it at 3 stars. Some of the writing was ok.
Netaians; what? kill your extra heirs? because you're afraid they will usurp you one day? why have them? Oh, so you can have an army? No, no, no. That's terrible and cruel and I never quite got over that (and I read somewhere that as a culture it would never work, too much loss of population that way). I was curious enough to finish, though, and that's why I kept it at 3 stars. Some of the writing was ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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