by Jason Joyner | Aug 23, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Day 3 of the CSSF Tour, in which the blogger discusses endorsements and the third book of Kathy Tyers’ enjoyable trilogy Firebird. See the last 2 days for more intro.
First, I have a complaint about the endorsements on the 1 volume version of Firebird. On the cover the endorsement is from Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs. He is a gentleman I deeply respected for his position in the entertainment industry and the way he walked out his faith. But his quote sets up the book as “anticipating the coming Messiah. A must read for people of science and people of faith.” The problem is, if you don’t know who Bob Briner is, then any impact of the quote is lost. True, there’s not a lot of Christian Sci-fi to go to an author for an endorsement, but there may have been a “better name” to go with this.
The endorsement by Christopher Parkening, premier classical guitarist, on the back cover is even more puzzling. Why would I care what a musician says about a book? I know Kathy Tyers is classically trained as a musician, but this endorsement is just a little bizarre. Anyway, these are quibblings, but goofy endorsements don’t help the book! Had I seen this in the store, wondering about the book, they would make me think, “Ooooo-kay, they couldn’t get anybody with authority in fiction to endorse it.” What do my fellow tour folks think of this?
Again, the warning of spoilers if you continue…
Crown of Fire is the third installment of Firebird. This book has an interesting history. Firebird and Fusion Fire were written originally in the 80’s, then were re-written in their “definitive vision” state along with Crown of Fire in the late 90’s(a la George Lucas and the Special Edition of Star Wars perhaps?). I mention this, because the third book carries a different tone altogether from the first two books.
Firebird has been called back to Netaia to be reinstated as an heir to the throne. Brennan, weakened in his Sentinal powers from Fusion Fire, accompanies her and the two try to set up a trap to capture a Shuhr agent in order to mount a final attack on Three Zed. Through many official balls and events, Firebird is put into danger as they try to lure out the Shuhr agent tracking them.
Meanwhile, there is infiltration into the Netaian government, and Tel Tellai must rise up from his previous meekness to confront great danger to his homeworld.
Again, Tyers takes us through an explosive finale (I’m sorry, but it can’t be explained any other way!). I can’t really give away too much more about the plot in my synopsis here without major spoilers.
Here in lies one of the problems with Crown of Fire: it has one major set-up that takes up half the book. All the preparation for the major confirmation ball, and Firebird’s personal conflict (again), takes too much time to develop. I really bogged down for a little while, waiting for things to take off. There would be little action events here and there, without much satisfaction as a reader.
As I mentioned before, I think I can really tell the time lapse from when the first two were written to this one. It felt like I was reading a different series, just with the same characters.
Now, once the middle to 2/3’s point is reached, the book takes off and doesn’t let you go – you end up catching your breath at the end, white knuckles and sweat running off your palms. So, don’t lose heart in the beginning of the book. Those who are patient are rewarded with an exciting ending (even though some events are tied up a little too conveniently, but this is hard NOT to do).
Overall, I though Firebird was the strongest book, though not by much over Fusion Fire. Crown of Fire is a little disappointing, but it still is worth pushing through to get the resolution to the series, and is rewarding in the end. It just takes a little more determination in the 3rd book. I enjoyed Firebird’s journey, and there were some side characters like Tel who had very satisfying character arcs.
I enjoy Sci-Fi movies like Star Wars and Serenity more than reading these type of books. However, Firebird was a great summer journey, and it actually spoke encouragement to me in situations I was dealing with through the summer. I recommend Firebird heartily – just don’t put me on the cover as an endorsement just yet…
Jim Black
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
by Jason Joyner | Aug 23, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Day 3 of the CSSF Tour, in which the blogger discusses endorsements and the third book of Kathy Tyers’ enjoyable trilogy Firebird. See the last 2 days for more intro.
First, I have a complaint about the endorsements on the 1 volume version of Firebird. On the cover the endorsement is from Bob Briner, author of Roaring Lambs. He is a gentleman I deeply respected for his position in the entertainment industry and the way he walked out his faith. But his quote sets up the book as “anticipating the coming Messiah. A must read for people of science and people of faith.” The problem is, if you don’t know who Bob Briner is, then any impact of the quote is lost. True, there’s not a lot of Christian Sci-fi to go to an author for an endorsement, but there may have been a “better name” to go with this.
The endorsement by Christopher Parkening, premier classical guitarist, on the back cover is even more puzzling. Why would I care what a musician says about a book? I know Kathy Tyers is classically trained as a musician, but this endorsement is just a little bizarre. Anyway, these are quibblings, but goofy endorsements don’t help the book! Had I seen this in the store, wondering about the book, they would make me think, “Ooooo-kay, they couldn’t get anybody with authority in fiction to endorse it.” What do my fellow tour folks think of this?
Again, the warning of spoilers if you continue…
Crown of Fire is the third installment of Firebird. This book has an interesting history. Firebird and Fusion Fire were written originally in the 80’s, then were re-written in their “definitive vision” state along with Crown of Fire in the late 90’s(a la George Lucas and the Special Edition of Star Wars perhaps?). I mention this, because the third book carries a different tone altogether from the first two books.
Firebird has been called back to Netaia to be reinstated as an heir to the throne. Brennan, weakened in his Sentinal powers from Fusion Fire, accompanies her and the two try to set up a trap to capture a Shuhr agent in order to mount a final attack on Three Zed. Through many official balls and events, Firebird is put into danger as they try to lure out the Shuhr agent tracking them.
Meanwhile, there is infiltration into the Netaian government, and Tel Tellai must rise up from his previous meekness to confront great danger to his homeworld.
Again, Tyers takes us through an explosive finale (I’m sorry, but it can’t be explained any other way!). I can’t really give away too much more about the plot in my synopsis here without major spoilers.
Here in lies one of the problems with Crown of Fire: it has one major set-up that takes up half the book. All the preparation for the major confirmation ball, and Firebird’s personal conflict (again), takes too much time to develop. I really bogged down for a little while, waiting for things to take off. There would be little action events here and there, without much satisfaction as a reader.
As I mentioned before, I think I can really tell the time lapse from when the first two were written to this one. It felt like I was reading a different series, just with the same characters.
Now, once the middle to 2/3’s point is reached, the book takes off and doesn’t let you go – you end up catching your breath at the end, white knuckles and sweat running off your palms. So, don’t lose heart in the beginning of the book. Those who are patient are rewarded with an exciting ending (even though some events are tied up a little too conveniently, but this is hard NOT to do).
Overall, I though Firebird was the strongest book, though not by much over Fusion Fire. Crown of Fire is a little disappointing, but it still is worth pushing through to get the resolution to the series, and is rewarding in the end. It just takes a little more determination in the 3rd book. I enjoyed Firebird’s journey, and there were some side characters like Tel who had very satisfying character arcs.
I enjoy Sci-Fi movies like Star Wars and Serenity more than reading these type of books. However, Firebird was a great summer journey, and it actually spoke encouragement to me in situations I was dealing with through the summer. I recommend Firebird heartily – just don’t put me on the cover as an endorsement just yet…
Jim Black
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
by Jason Joyner | Aug 22, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here we go with day 2 of the Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog Tour (hereby christened the CSSF Tour). We are featuring Kathy Tyers, author of Star Wars novels and classical musician, and her trilogy Firebird.
Warning: if you haven’t read any of the first book, this discussion will give spoilers!
Today I want to talk about the second book of the trilogy: Fusion Fire. Like any good middle book, it should be full of angst and drama, with darkness ready to overtake the heroes (think The Empire Strikes Back or The Two Towers). This book generally does not disappoint.
Here we find Firebird married to Brennan Caldwell, pregnant with twin boys who will carry on the Caldwell line and legacy. She wakes up to the discomfort due to the pregnancy, but ends up foiling an intruder who is trying to kill them. After calling security, it is discovered that Brennan’s brother and his family were all killed. Who could be trying to destroy the Caldwells?
The Shuhr. The Sentinals and Shuhrs are descendents from the planet Ehret, which was almost destroyed due to pride, greed, and civil war. The Sentinals pursue a path of justice and righteousness, following the teachings of the Holy One and anticipating the Word to Come. The Shuhr reject any higher authority and look to only themselves and augmenting their epsilon powers to obtain immortality and destroy the Sentinals and the Federacy once and for all.
It is prophesied that a Caldwell will bring destruction to Three Zed, the Shuhr home world. Events are sparked by an unlikely source: Firebird’s power hungry sister Phoena, who travels to Three Zed to enlist the Shuhr’s help in throwing off Federate control of their home planet of Netaia. Her presence there forces Brennan’s hand in trying to infiltrate Three Zed.
Meanwhile Firebird is coping with the eminent birth of their twins, as well as trying to develop her own epsilon powers. It was found that her lineage included an outcast Sentinal, giving her Ehretan genes that promise the mysterious abilities to her, if she can develop and control them.
Fusion Fire is darker than the initial entry. The villians are deliciously evil characters who scare you, make you cheer for their destruction, but leaving you wondering how they could possibly be defeated.
The pacing slows a little bit, dealing with Firebird’s pregnancy and her attempts to access her epsilon powers, which leads to a lot of internal struggle. One of Tyers’ strengths is establishing her new cultures in engaging ways, but since Netaia and the Sentinals were introduced in Firebird, only the Shuhr get that treatment here. Also, the twins drop off in importance once they come and events spiral in a different direction, making the investment in their well being somewhat misspent.
However, the tension is more intense, making up for any short-comings in pacing. The end is explosive yet again, and leaves you waiting for the conclusion of the trilogy. I definitely recommend this volume as well.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the discussion of Crown of Fire, as well as the overall impression of Firebird, and a couple of interesting observations. Also, check out the peeps below, who are my fellow participants in the CSSF Tour!
Jim Black
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
by Jason Joyner | Aug 22, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Here we go with day 2 of the Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog Tour (hereby christened the CSSF Tour). We are featuring Kathy Tyers, author of Star Wars novels and classical musician, and her trilogy Firebird.
Warning: if you haven’t read any of the first book, this discussion will give spoilers!
Today I want to talk about the second book of the trilogy: Fusion Fire. Like any good middle book, it should be full of angst and drama, with darkness ready to overtake the heroes (think The Empire Strikes Back or The Two Towers). This book generally does not disappoint.
Here we find Firebird married to Brennan Caldwell, pregnant with twin boys who will carry on the Caldwell line and legacy. She wakes up to the discomfort due to the pregnancy, but ends up foiling an intruder who is trying to kill them. After calling security, it is discovered that Brennan’s brother and his family were all killed. Who could be trying to destroy the Caldwells?
The Shuhr. The Sentinals and Shuhrs are descendents from the planet Ehret, which was almost destroyed due to pride, greed, and civil war. The Sentinals pursue a path of justice and righteousness, following the teachings of the Holy One and anticipating the Word to Come. The Shuhr reject any higher authority and look to only themselves and augmenting their epsilon powers to obtain immortality and destroy the Sentinals and the Federacy once and for all.
It is prophesied that a Caldwell will bring destruction to Three Zed, the Shuhr home world. Events are sparked by an unlikely source: Firebird’s power hungry sister Phoena, who travels to Three Zed to enlist the Shuhr’s help in throwing off Federate control of their home planet of Netaia. Her presence there forces Brennan’s hand in trying to infiltrate Three Zed.
Meanwhile Firebird is coping with the eminent birth of their twins, as well as trying to develop her own epsilon powers. It was found that her lineage included an outcast Sentinal, giving her Ehretan genes that promise the mysterious abilities to her, if she can develop and control them.
Fusion Fire is darker than the initial entry. The villians are deliciously evil characters who scare you, make you cheer for their destruction, but leaving you wondering how they could possibly be defeated.
The pacing slows a little bit, dealing with Firebird’s pregnancy and her attempts to access her epsilon powers, which leads to a lot of internal struggle. One of Tyers’ strengths is establishing her new cultures in engaging ways, but since Netaia and the Sentinals were introduced in Firebird, only the Shuhr get that treatment here. Also, the twins drop off in importance once they come and events spiral in a different direction, making the investment in their well being somewhat misspent.
However, the tension is more intense, making up for any short-comings in pacing. The end is explosive yet again, and leaves you waiting for the conclusion of the trilogy. I definitely recommend this volume as well.
Stay tuned tomorrow for the discussion of Crown of Fire, as well as the overall impression of Firebird, and a couple of interesting observations. Also, check out the peeps below, who are my fellow participants in the CSSF Tour!
Jim Black
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
by Jason Joyner | Aug 21, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Today is the start of the current Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour, sponsored by my good friend Becky Miller. We’re working out of an exciting book, Firebird by Kathy Tyers. I was able to participate with this month’s tour thanks to winning a copy of the book from Mirathon. Thanks so much Mir!
There’s not a lot of Christian Sci-fi to my knowledge, but this effort makes up for it! Firebird is a trilogy, so I will talk about each book over the 3 days of the tour.
Firebird is also the name of the initial book in the series. We follow Lady Firebird Angelo, born in a royal family on the planet Netaia. Normally this would be a good thing, but not on a planet that encourages ritual suicide for excess nobility. Netaia has a tradition that only two heirs can live a full life, but other children are conceived just in case something happens. Since Firebird falls after older sisters Carradee and Phoena, she is trained in the royal Navy. She leads an attack on a neighboring planet, and if she can’t die in battle, she is expected to do away with herself to appease the “Powers”.
On the other side of the battle is Brennan Caldwell, a Federate officer who is a member of a mysterious race called Sentinals. His people are looked to for protection, but are also feared because of their unique abilities and tragic past. Caldwell swears himself to obedience to the Holy One, and works to prevent upheaval from the Shuhr, an off-shoot of his people that are interested in conquest and immortality.
Firebird and Caldwell are brought together in an explosive time, and their adventures hurl Firebird toward her destiny, one that she did not imagine was possible. Netaia and the Federation hang in the balance.
The opening book moves quickly to hook you into Firebird’s world. The details of Netaian society are dizzying in their complexity. I always admire sci-fi and fantasy writers because they have to create their own worlds, and Kathy Tyers deserves special notice for the work she puts forth here. She builds tension, characterization, and action neatly through the first half of the book, so that you are compelled to finish the book quickly. The inner tension is as exciting as the explosians and battles. The book does not disappoint in its ending.
Overall this book is an excellent read and a great introduction to this series. I read most of it over traveling in Germany, and I was always pressing for time in our journey to slip a little more reading in.
I encourage you to check out others on the tour below, as they will have different insights to share. Be sure to catch up with Fusion Fire tomorrow!
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
by Jason Joyner | Aug 21, 2006 | Blog, Uncategorized
Today is the start of the current Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Blog Tour, sponsored by my good friend Becky Miller. We’re working out of an exciting book, Firebird by Kathy Tyers. I was able to participate with this month’s tour thanks to winning a copy of the book from Mirathon. Thanks so much Mir!
There’s not a lot of Christian Sci-fi to my knowledge, but this effort makes up for it! Firebird is a trilogy, so I will talk about each book over the 3 days of the tour.
Firebird is also the name of the initial book in the series. We follow Lady Firebird Angelo, born in a royal family on the planet Netaia. Normally this would be a good thing, but not on a planet that encourages ritual suicide for excess nobility. Netaia has a tradition that only two heirs can live a full life, but other children are conceived just in case something happens. Since Firebird falls after older sisters Carradee and Phoena, she is trained in the royal Navy. She leads an attack on a neighboring planet, and if she can’t die in battle, she is expected to do away with herself to appease the “Powers”.
On the other side of the battle is Brennan Caldwell, a Federate officer who is a member of a mysterious race called Sentinals. His people are looked to for protection, but are also feared because of their unique abilities and tragic past. Caldwell swears himself to obedience to the Holy One, and works to prevent upheaval from the Shuhr, an off-shoot of his people that are interested in conquest and immortality.
Firebird and Caldwell are brought together in an explosive time, and their adventures hurl Firebird toward her destiny, one that she did not imagine was possible. Netaia and the Federation hang in the balance.
The opening book moves quickly to hook you into Firebird’s world. The details of Netaian society are dizzying in their complexity. I always admire sci-fi and fantasy writers because they have to create their own worlds, and Kathy Tyers deserves special notice for the work she puts forth here. She builds tension, characterization, and action neatly through the first half of the book, so that you are compelled to finish the book quickly. The inner tension is as exciting as the explosians and battles. The book does not disappoint in its ending.
Overall this book is an excellent read and a great introduction to this series. I read most of it over traveling in Germany, and I was always pressing for time in our journey to slip a little more reading in.
I encourage you to check out others on the tour below, as they will have different insights to share. Be sure to catch up with Fusion Fire tomorrow!
Rachel Marks
John J. Boyer
Valerie Comer
Bryan Davis
Beth Goddard
Rebecca Grabill
Leathel Grody
Karen Hancock
Elliot Hanowski
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Sharon Hinck
Pamela James
Tina Kulesa
Shannon McNear
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Cheryl Russel
Mirtika Schultz
Stuart Stockton
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
