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Tethers Torn
The sun dawns on a new world.
Still reeling from their harrowing escape, Bori, Tuther, and Samna find themselves stranded and alone.
Bori’s psionic abilities are gone, and he despairs that he has doomed himself and his friends.
Tuther struggles to heal his mate even as his own mind begins to stutter and crack.
Samna does what he can to make sure their little group survives, while his newly developed talents lead to a discovery with profound implications for the future of both fennecs and hyenas.
Meanwhile, the consequences of their abrupt departure ripple throughout the colonies they’ve left behind. As troubling information from the distant past is unlocked, the three must keep both themselves and their society as a whole from being torn apart.
Still reeling from their harrowing escape, Bori, Tuther, and Samna find themselves stranded and alone.
Bori’s psionic abilities are gone, and he despairs that he has doomed himself and his friends.
Tuther struggles to heal his mate even as his own mind begins to stutter and crack.
Samna does what he can to make sure their little group survives, while his newly developed talents lead to a discovery with profound implications for the future of both fennecs and hyenas.
Meanwhile, the consequences of their abrupt departure ripple throughout the colonies they’ve left behind. As troubling information from the distant past is unlocked, the three must keep both themselves and their society as a whole from being torn apart.
358 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 17, 2026
A great continuation in my opinion. I'm very happy with the continued world building while some old questions are answered, many more pop up and drive me to keep reading. Now I'm left with no more book... ⟨sadness⟩
I still need to write my review of the first book, but the continued woven world building and character progression is so nice to read. This universe seems so big and is begging to be understood. I'm so excited to read what's next. I must be patient though.
Growing up, I watched Babylon 5, deep space 9, and many other sifi shows over my father's shoulder. I'm reminded of those days in this book specifically. It has a similar vibe to me but can't really describe anything specific about that. I just feel nostalgic.
I feel so much for the characters. It's like they are family.
I still need to write my review of the first book, but the continued woven world building and character progression is so nice to read. This universe seems so big and is begging to be understood. I'm so excited to read what's next. I must be patient though.
Growing up, I watched Babylon 5, deep space 9, and many other sifi shows over my father's shoulder. I'm reminded of those days in this book specifically. It has a similar vibe to me but can't really describe anything specific about that. I just feel nostalgic.
I feel so much for the characters. It's like they are family.
April 2, 2026
As if the author wasn't a suspiciously talented magician with words already, the second installment took the characters of 'Far Flung' and took them to new heights of relatability. The plot dragged me along its ups and downs even more intensely than before (isn't a book supposed to make your vision blurry only once at the end, not three or four times at arbitrary occasions?!) and, luckily for my sanity, concluded in a cliffhanger not as dreadful as the first. It provided all the answers I was hoping for and uncovered more of the intricate sci-fi world that feels just right: exactly the right amount of tech and (scientific and psionic) mystery to fit together neat and plausible.
I feel ready and eager for the last part of the trilogy, whenever it comes.
I feel ready and eager for the last part of the trilogy, whenever it comes.
June 5, 2026
A fantastic sequel that absolutely does justice to the first book. All of the things I found delightful about the first book are back in force, and the plot improves on a lot of the issues I had with the first book! I definitely recommend picking this one up (along with the first book!)
All of the same praise for the characters, dialogue, and worldbuilding from my review of Far Flung is just as great here, I really do love these characters. The councilors meetings were phenomenal, love the Saro notes!
The biggest improvement for me over the previous book is that the stakes and conflict feel more real this time. In some sense the structure is similar to that of the first book, with the main trio on their own for the first half in a fun slice-of-life environment with some ambient problem lingering, and then pivoting to a broader cast of characters and raising stakes until an explosive climax. I think this book does it better than the first, where the conflicts feel real and driven by more than bad decision-making by the characters.
Very excited for the finale!
All of the same praise for the characters, dialogue, and worldbuilding from my review of Far Flung is just as great here, I really do love these characters. The councilors meetings were phenomenal, love the Saro notes!
The biggest improvement for me over the previous book is that the stakes and conflict feel more real this time. In some sense the structure is similar to that of the first book, with the main trio on their own for the first half in a fun slice-of-life environment with some ambient problem lingering, and then pivoting to a broader cast of characters and raising stakes until an explosive climax. I think this book does it better than the first, where the conflicts feel real and driven by more than bad decision-making by the characters.
Very excited for the finale!
May 26, 2026
Tethers Torn is an excellent follow-up to Far Flung. I can't imagine a scenario where someone would not want to read this after reading the first book in this series.
Lots of fun or interesting perspectives, backstory, and increasing stakes.
Absolutely can't wait to see where we go from here!
Lots of fun or interesting perspectives, backstory, and increasing stakes.
Absolutely can't wait to see where we go from here!
April 26, 2026
You may want to continue this series if you:
-Are worried about Tuther, Bori, and Samna now that they're marooned on another world
-Want to uncover some secrets, and some more mysteries, about the colonies
-Enjoyed the borderline slice-of-life vibes of the first book
-Are hoping for improved pacing, a faster story, and a lot more intrigue
-Eat way too much shellfish
Review summary:
Tethers Torn is an intriguing follow up to Far Flung that dares to dive deeper into dramatic territory while while still maintaining the borderline slice-of-life vibes that make this series so special. It's far better-paced as well, with more plot-turning moments bolstered by deeper intrigue. The book focuses much more on Tuther, exploring his past, powers, and mind to make him even more of an exemplary standout character. It also seems to be setting up a focus on Samna for the future, which is very welcome. I can't wait to see what's in store for the third book.
Full Review:
As much as I loved Far Flung, I often had difficulty describing it when making a recommendation. It's a book with a slow, methodical pace, letting you sit with and enjoy the characters, refraining from too much action and drama while still making you care about what happens next. It took me a while to realize that this was essentially describing slice of life, and that realization has made me see this series in a whole new light. These books have a borderline slice of life vibe that's occasionally punctuated with dramatic sci-fi moments. That feels like a much better descriptor, and it's the one I think I'll use from now on.
Tethers Torn maintains that slice of life vibe, though with a bit more of that dramatic punctuation sprinkled throughout. Bori, Tuther, and Samna have Flung to Archipelago, one of the uninhabited planets in their solar system, to escape from Gehrn, the Psiogeneticist who doesn't understand medical consent. There they've found sanctuary from the Verdant colony, but seem to have lost parts of themselves. Tuther saved Bori from mindvoiding, but at a cost - Bori's psionic powers are gone, and Tuther's carefully organized psionic mind seems to be degrading, leading to occasional seizure-like episodes.
As the three friends survive on Archipelago, the council on Verdant attempts to figure out what the heck just happened. In fact, the book basically starts with them scolding Gehrn for "overreacting," which I found delightful. I'm a sucker for when a book recognizes and echoes what every reader is thinking. But more importantly, one of the data crystals containing lost knowledge from before the colonies, which can only be read when certain conditions are met, has unlocked. It reveals ominous information about different psionic abilities, and which ones should be "culled" to prevent "societal collapse." However, it reveals very little about these abilities other than their names and their danger levels. This leaves the council with a mystery to solve by speculation alone, and it's not hard to see how it may spell danger for our beloved triad.
It's easy to put two and two together and imagine that the data crystal's revelation has something to do with Bori, Tuther, and Samna. Specifically, it bolsters the mystery and seriousness of Tuther's condition, as his psionics have proven unusually complex and powerful, and they now seem to be destabilizing. Tuther was my favorite character in Far Flung, even winning the Favorite Character award in my 2024 Shiloh Awards, so I was happy to see this story revolve more around him. He's just such a supportive, emotional, and intelligent little fennec, so the unfair peril he's faced with in this book due to that data crystal got me more invested in finding out what happens. I even opened Photoshop to meme about it.
You know a book is good when it makes me open Photoshop.
So, if you were a fan of Tuther in Far Flung, like I was, you're going to appreciate this book a lot. You get a really good look at his inner world here, and since he was built up as such a loveable character in the first book, it's wonderful to spend more time with him.
You'll also enjoy this book if you enjoyed the dynamics between Bori, Tuther, and Samna in the first. I tend to say that Utunu's dialogue is so charming that I could just read his characters having a conversation for a whole novel. That's true here as well. Bori, Tuther, and Samna continue to work great together, protecting and supporting each other every step of the way. This continues to be one of the most wholesome relationships I've read about, as just experiencing these three being together is endlessly heartwarming.
Those who found the pacing inconsistent in the first book will find this one much improved. The act structure is a bit more apparent, and the story beats ring a bit louder. I think those readers will also appreciate the story moving a bit faster. It still maintains a careful, methodical pace that I love, but dramatic moments happen more frequently here than in Far Flung. And finally, I've heard complaints about a general lack of intrigue in Far Flung once Bori, Tuther, and Samna arrived at Verdant, but you can rest assured that PLENTY of intrigue is introduced in this book that I absolutely cannot wait to get more answers on in the third installment.
I should also point out the wonderful artwork done by Maricela Ugarte for this book. The cover is gorgeously vibrant, and there's probably nothing that could have made me want to desperately read the book to find out what's happening more than a disintegrating Tuther. The interior art is also great, and I have to point out that the hyenas in particular look absolutely adorable. There's a lot of happy Samna. We love a happy Samna.
Speaking of, if the first book focused mainly on Bori, and this book focused mainly on Tuther, I have to wonder if the third book will focus mainly on Samna. There are certainly signs that he's about to shine a bit more. He has psionic abilities now, as revealed at the end of Far Flung, and he gets a lot more time to theorize and solve problems in this book. He may also still feel a bit insecure about his place in the triad, though I can't quite discern if that was the intended message here or not. It all makes me very excited to see what's in store for Samna in the third entry.
I have such a soft spot for this series. I'm happy to see it's still going strong and that everything I loved from Far Flung is both present and improved upon in Tethers Torn. If you couldn't tell, I'll be eagerly awaiting the third, and apparently final, entry in the series, though it'll be very difficult to say goodbye to such wonderful characters.
-Are worried about Tuther, Bori, and Samna now that they're marooned on another world
-Want to uncover some secrets, and some more mysteries, about the colonies
-Enjoyed the borderline slice-of-life vibes of the first book
-Are hoping for improved pacing, a faster story, and a lot more intrigue
-Eat way too much shellfish
Review summary:
Tethers Torn is an intriguing follow up to Far Flung that dares to dive deeper into dramatic territory while while still maintaining the borderline slice-of-life vibes that make this series so special. It's far better-paced as well, with more plot-turning moments bolstered by deeper intrigue. The book focuses much more on Tuther, exploring his past, powers, and mind to make him even more of an exemplary standout character. It also seems to be setting up a focus on Samna for the future, which is very welcome. I can't wait to see what's in store for the third book.
Full Review:
As much as I loved Far Flung, I often had difficulty describing it when making a recommendation. It's a book with a slow, methodical pace, letting you sit with and enjoy the characters, refraining from too much action and drama while still making you care about what happens next. It took me a while to realize that this was essentially describing slice of life, and that realization has made me see this series in a whole new light. These books have a borderline slice of life vibe that's occasionally punctuated with dramatic sci-fi moments. That feels like a much better descriptor, and it's the one I think I'll use from now on.
Tethers Torn maintains that slice of life vibe, though with a bit more of that dramatic punctuation sprinkled throughout. Bori, Tuther, and Samna have Flung to Archipelago, one of the uninhabited planets in their solar system, to escape from Gehrn, the Psiogeneticist who doesn't understand medical consent. There they've found sanctuary from the Verdant colony, but seem to have lost parts of themselves. Tuther saved Bori from mindvoiding, but at a cost - Bori's psionic powers are gone, and Tuther's carefully organized psionic mind seems to be degrading, leading to occasional seizure-like episodes.
As the three friends survive on Archipelago, the council on Verdant attempts to figure out what the heck just happened. In fact, the book basically starts with them scolding Gehrn for "overreacting," which I found delightful. I'm a sucker for when a book recognizes and echoes what every reader is thinking. But more importantly, one of the data crystals containing lost knowledge from before the colonies, which can only be read when certain conditions are met, has unlocked. It reveals ominous information about different psionic abilities, and which ones should be "culled" to prevent "societal collapse." However, it reveals very little about these abilities other than their names and their danger levels. This leaves the council with a mystery to solve by speculation alone, and it's not hard to see how it may spell danger for our beloved triad.
It's easy to put two and two together and imagine that the data crystal's revelation has something to do with Bori, Tuther, and Samna. Specifically, it bolsters the mystery and seriousness of Tuther's condition, as his psionics have proven unusually complex and powerful, and they now seem to be destabilizing. Tuther was my favorite character in Far Flung, even winning the Favorite Character award in my 2024 Shiloh Awards, so I was happy to see this story revolve more around him. He's just such a supportive, emotional, and intelligent little fennec, so the unfair peril he's faced with in this book due to that data crystal got me more invested in finding out what happens. I even opened Photoshop to meme about it.
You know a book is good when it makes me open Photoshop.
So, if you were a fan of Tuther in Far Flung, like I was, you're going to appreciate this book a lot. You get a really good look at his inner world here, and since he was built up as such a loveable character in the first book, it's wonderful to spend more time with him.
You'll also enjoy this book if you enjoyed the dynamics between Bori, Tuther, and Samna in the first. I tend to say that Utunu's dialogue is so charming that I could just read his characters having a conversation for a whole novel. That's true here as well. Bori, Tuther, and Samna continue to work great together, protecting and supporting each other every step of the way. This continues to be one of the most wholesome relationships I've read about, as just experiencing these three being together is endlessly heartwarming.
Those who found the pacing inconsistent in the first book will find this one much improved. The act structure is a bit more apparent, and the story beats ring a bit louder. I think those readers will also appreciate the story moving a bit faster. It still maintains a careful, methodical pace that I love, but dramatic moments happen more frequently here than in Far Flung. And finally, I've heard complaints about a general lack of intrigue in Far Flung once Bori, Tuther, and Samna arrived at Verdant, but you can rest assured that PLENTY of intrigue is introduced in this book that I absolutely cannot wait to get more answers on in the third installment.
I should also point out the wonderful artwork done by Maricela Ugarte for this book. The cover is gorgeously vibrant, and there's probably nothing that could have made me want to desperately read the book to find out what's happening more than a disintegrating Tuther. The interior art is also great, and I have to point out that the hyenas in particular look absolutely adorable. There's a lot of happy Samna. We love a happy Samna.
Speaking of, if the first book focused mainly on Bori, and this book focused mainly on Tuther, I have to wonder if the third book will focus mainly on Samna. There are certainly signs that he's about to shine a bit more. He has psionic abilities now, as revealed at the end of Far Flung, and he gets a lot more time to theorize and solve problems in this book. He may also still feel a bit insecure about his place in the triad, though I can't quite discern if that was the intended message here or not. It all makes me very excited to see what's in store for Samna in the third entry.
I have such a soft spot for this series. I'm happy to see it's still going strong and that everything I loved from Far Flung is both present and improved upon in Tethers Torn. If you couldn't tell, I'll be eagerly awaiting the third, and apparently final, entry in the series, though it'll be very difficult to say goodbye to such wonderful characters.
April 4, 2026
I had been waiting in anticipation for the release of Tethers Torn since reading Far Flung and learning that a sequel was in the works! The prior book ended on a cliff hanger (to put it lightly), and had many unanswered questions that made readers wonder what could possibly happen next. The story picks right back up where it left off, and keeps running with the same momentum and energy that the first book held. The world around Bori, Tuther and Samna expanded further, leading to questions being answered, as well as many new ones arising. It really feels like we are learning the history of this world alongside those living in it!
The writing as a whole felt seamless between Far Flung and Tethers Torn, and still contained a lot of the love for both the world and the characters within. You could feel the heartbreak, the impact of the revelations the characters made, and the closeness between the main three.
On that note, I appreciate the approach to their relationship. Nobody questions the trio in the slightest, and is accepting of them. It may seem like a small thing, but whilst living in a world where my identity as a gay man is the topic of many political debates, it's refreshing to see homosexuality and polyamory not be seen as "different," or "issues."
I patiently wait for the third and possibly final book, and know that it will be just as good if not better than the previous two!
And of course, Tuther still remains my favorite <3
If you enjoyed Far Flung, you will love Tethers Torn!
The writing as a whole felt seamless between Far Flung and Tethers Torn, and still contained a lot of the love for both the world and the characters within. You could feel the heartbreak, the impact of the revelations the characters made, and the closeness between the main three.
On that note, I appreciate the approach to their relationship. Nobody questions the trio in the slightest, and is accepting of them. It may seem like a small thing, but whilst living in a world where my identity as a gay man is the topic of many political debates, it's refreshing to see homosexuality and polyamory not be seen as "different," or "issues."
I patiently wait for the third and possibly final book, and know that it will be just as good if not better than the previous two!
And of course, Tuther still remains my favorite <3
If you enjoyed Far Flung, you will love Tethers Torn!
April 17, 2026
What an absolute treat to dive back into this universe. My high expectations for this experience were exceeded. Tethers Torn is certainly a worthy sequel, offering an exciting and natural expansion on Far Flung. Everything great about Far Flung continues to be present. The writing is honestly more extravagant than I remember. The swings taken with the narrative landed firmly, although perhaps with a bit less shock. As such, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Highly recommend once again.
That said...
That said...
April 12, 2026
This was without a doubt an incredible sequel to the already strong Far Flung. Tethers Torn had an amazing mix of wholesome slice of life moments, emotional trauma bonding, and thick, heavy tension that leads to an incredible and nail-biting cliffhanger ending. It left me very distressed that the final installment isn’t already out, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Bori, Tuther, and Samna are quickly becoming some of my favorite characters in furry literature. And Utunu’s worldbuilding for this series’ setting is exquisite. For someone like myself who has never really been into science fiction, this series is incredibly exciting. I absolutely cannot wait for the epic conclusion! Tethers Torn is an excellent middle sequel that is absolutely setting up for a banger of a finale!
Bori, Tuther, and Samna are quickly becoming some of my favorite characters in furry literature. And Utunu’s worldbuilding for this series’ setting is exquisite. For someone like myself who has never really been into science fiction, this series is incredibly exciting. I absolutely cannot wait for the epic conclusion! Tethers Torn is an excellent middle sequel that is absolutely setting up for a banger of a finale!
April 2, 2026
I got introduced to Utunu’s work a year or two ago with Rafts and fell in love with his writing style.
Far Flung was a no brainer to buy, and I devoured it within a day. Unsurprisingly, was itching for the next story in the series and was thankful to hear that it was coming very soon.
Had my copy of Tethers Torn delivered a week or so ago and delayed reading it because I knew it’d consume my day.
It definitely did.
Binged it and thoroughly enjoyed the continued world building that Utunu delivers in his writing. Following the adventures of Tuther, Bori, and Samna was like reuniting with close friends and I absolutely empathized with them through my read.
10/10 great book and highly recommend it to anyone!
Far Flung was a no brainer to buy, and I devoured it within a day. Unsurprisingly, was itching for the next story in the series and was thankful to hear that it was coming very soon.
Had my copy of Tethers Torn delivered a week or so ago and delayed reading it because I knew it’d consume my day.
It definitely did.
Binged it and thoroughly enjoyed the continued world building that Utunu delivers in his writing. Following the adventures of Tuther, Bori, and Samna was like reuniting with close friends and I absolutely empathized with them through my read.
10/10 great book and highly recommend it to anyone!
May 27, 2026
Tethers Torn is a worthy follow-up to Far Flung that expands the world of Bori, Tuther, and Samna without losing touch of what made the first novel so special. Utunu doesn't miss a single opportunity to inject more "flavor" into this world: more locations, more reveals, more answers, and even more questions that'll have you dying for the next (and perhaps final) book.
Tethers Torn is more than worth the read if you enjoyed Far Flung, and if you're somehow seeing this without having read the first novel, what are you waiting for? It's got action, angst, and romance. It's got psychic fennecs and sweet hyenas. It's got one of my favorite depictions of a polyamorous relationship and an incredibly intricate sci-fi setting with planet-hopping and struggling colonies. Do yourself a favor and read both of these books as soon as you can.
-mindhug-
Tethers Torn is more than worth the read if you enjoyed Far Flung, and if you're somehow seeing this without having read the first novel, what are you waiting for? It's got action, angst, and romance. It's got psychic fennecs and sweet hyenas. It's got one of my favorite depictions of a polyamorous relationship and an incredibly intricate sci-fi setting with planet-hopping and struggling colonies. Do yourself a favor and read both of these books as soon as you can.
-mindhug-
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews