Customer Reviews

Firebird

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm giving this five stars not because it's some academically thought out review, nitpicking every sentence--almost nothing would get five stars that way--but because once I got several pages into it, I was totally swept into the story of Firebird and her world(s). In terms of holding my interest, making me adore the lead characters (who are fiercely courageous, honorable, unselfish people with some aching needs that make them vulnerable), making me want to know more about these cultures that Tyers has created, making me hate putting down the book when I wanted to read MORE.....on these terms, I'm giving it the full rack of stars. For romance fiction lovers, there is a really beautiful love story. For action lovers, there are air battles and sieges and special operations risking all. For those interested in spiritual matters, there are religions, and they actually affect the characters' choices. There is palace intrigue. There is family dysfunction. There is redemption and hope.For those who object to anything that smacks of Christian or Jewish theology, well, this book is published by a religious publisher. Be open-minded. Just because the writer has taken elements from the Judeo-Christian belief system to form one of the two main religious systems in the story, this is not sufficient cause to dismiss the novel. Let's beware of dismissing legitimate archetypes from our own world being used in speculative fiction. Yes, she chooses to use the terms "Father God", an "Eternal Speaker" and "The Path". So what? Does that make the action scenes less intense, the machinations less interesting or the characters less well-drawn?Anyway, I've long loved SF. Be it the more accessible forms such as Star Wars and Babylon Five or the more intellectual type such as Gene Wolfe or Delany or Sturgeon. And I am also an avid reader of genre romance. I like a good head story and a good heart story. I found a happy few hours here and hope Tyers has a sequel planned.

The original Firebird was a good plot and interesting characters somewhat marred by a beginners writing style. The rewrite comes back and cleans up a lot of those faults. Unfortunately it adds several new ones, leaving us with a book essentially about the same quality as the old one.

Ms. Tyers gives us more depth on Netaian culture and religion, which was welcome. She cleans up Phoena's character a bit, which is the original wavered between spoiled brat and true evil plotter. She moves the start of the romance between Firebird and Brennan closer to the end of the book, which is more feasible. She removes several improbably trusting moments from the book - I mean really, the Federates allowing the slaughter of most of their negotiating team? All of these are good things.

On the down side, without the attraction to Brennan so visible, Firebird becomes rather insipid in the middle section of the book, the religious questing might have taken the place of the romance in providing drive, but somehow doesn't. Instead she's barely gotten started questioning when she has a huge epiphanal moment, and now she believes, even if she doesn't quite know what. Ummm - if God had given me a great epiphanal moment right at the start, I wouldn't have had any problem believing either. Things are usually more subtle than that. The Ehretan religion is a bit of a problem too. For a pre-Messianic religion they seem to know an awful lot about what this Messiah is going to be like, and it bears a suspicious resemblance to our Christ. After all, Jesus wasn't at all what the Jews of the day had in mind.

There are some other minor quibbles. Ellet Kinsman is more ethical in her behavior in this version, but somehow less likeable. The old Ellet would do the virtually unforgiveable, but she was doing it out of great emotions and desires which we understood, and could understand even if we disagreed. The new Ellet does less horrible things, but we're given less reason for why she does them, so she seems very dry and remote.

All in all, I call it a wash, it was a pretty good book before, it's a pretty good book now, just different in emphasis.

Welcome back to Netaia and the "Firebird" Universe. That's correct, I said 'Netaia' and it's not a typo for those, who have read the first 2 books in the series. This version of "Firebird" has been revised and some words in the original version that were unpronounceable have been rewritten so you can now pronounce it. The story of the book hasn't changed much from what it was in the original but the revisions has made a great book better. The flow of the story is much easier to follow now since everything is pronounceable. The main characters are fairly the same with the exception of Ellen, who is much more likable or at least you'll understand why she acted the way she has. The plot of the book tells the tale of a 'wastling' daughter of the Royal Family of Netaia. Some people would say why should I go out and buy this book due to the fact that I have read the original and the sequel to it, "Fusion Fire." That reason is due to the major rewrite to the book makes things more clearer than what it was in the first book. Also, the rest of the series has been rewritten along the same lines as "Firebird" and they will be published as well. It will included 'Fusion Fire,' the 2nd book in the series and the 3rd book, 'Crown of Fire,' which was never released. Depending of how well the first three books do in sales for Bethany House, there is the strong possibility that the series could be expanded by 2 more books. For Bethany House, the publication of a science fiction book is an adventure into the unknown for them. This is the first total pure science fiction book ever published by them and they couldn't have picked a better vehicle to use than Kathy Tyers' Firebird series as the standard bearer of that adventure. After searching though the net for a fan club for Kathy Tyers, or any information on what she was doing couldn't be located, I had just about given up on locating any information until I ran across a message in one of the UseNet newsgroups that she had replied to. I took a chance that it was Kathy and got back an almost instant reply from her. Since then, I have setup a place where her fans can call home and invited her to join her fans there. She has graciously accepted the invitation and now her fans can actually ask her questions to what she is up to nowadays. Everyone who enjoy her work and consider themselves fans of hers are invited to join her club. You can reach us at onelist.com and all you need is a valid email address.

In the sci-fi genre, Star Wars books are usually my reading of choice, but I have to say that I was impressed by Kathy Tyers' book Firebird. I read the recently published version by Bethany House and have never read the previously published version. Firebird's struggle is one that many people can probably relate to. The new worlds and cultures Tyers has created were a breath of fresh air. I was especially intrigued by the Sentinels and would like to find out more about them. Tyers gives a lot of good background on characters but leaves spaces that will more than likely be filled in the upcoming books. Tyers has the uncanny ability to create characters that touch the heart as well as characters you dislike upon first meeting. The space battles were very well-done and were balanced out by the moments of romance and deep conversation. I am very much looking forward to the next book coming out! I do not think that Bethany House will regret the decision to publish this series!

I picked up a copy of the origional 1988 version when it first came out, before it became a "Christian" book. (I don't think it was origionally intended as "Christian" Sci-Fi, but was re-edited to become one after the "conversion" of the author)

This book (first edition) really caught my attention, besides being good sci-fi, it is well written and has excellent characterization. It also includes telepathy and a wonderful romance. The villains, however, are rather two dimensional and stereotypically overly sensual, self-important and greedy.

While in many ways is is rather typical of the Sci-Fi Romance genre, it is one of the better examples. I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone who prefers "hard" sci-fi.

If you are looking for "Christian" fiction, buy a second edition copy of this book, but if you just want good sci-fi romance, look for a first edition copy.

Years ago, "Firebird" was published as a terrific mainstream science fiction adventure about duty, honor, finding oneself, and finding one's true love. New York Times bestselling author Kathy Tyers (Star Wars: The Truce at Bakura) has revised the novel with a little more emphasis on the theme of faith: faith to oneself and faith in One greater than ourselves. This Bethany House edition of the novel introduces Kathy to a whole sphere of readers previously unfamiliar with her work, and they're in for a treat.

"Firebird" follows the adventures of Lady Firebird Angelo, destined to sacrifice herself for her people as an extraneous heir to the royal family. When, in the course of battle, her noble suicide attempt is foiled by the enemy, Firebird is captured and finds herself introduced to a completely different philosophy, one that makes her question everything she's ever known.

Beyond being essentially a story of conversion, "Firebird" is also a riproaring good adventure that revolves around conspiracies: a plot to destroy a world, and a scheme to ensure Firebird's death. The novel also includes a romance that is sweetly engaging, but realistic in its slow development over the course of the story.

Written by a writer who has already proven her chops as a first-rate science fiction author, "Firebird" offers science fiction lovers a terrific tale with all the action of a Star Wars movie. It offers religious readers the story of one woman's spiritual odyssey. Highly recommended.

Firebird is a wonderfully unique science fiction novel in a new genre: Christian science fiction. Firebird is such excellent science fiction, it can be enjoyed even by those who are not religious, however. Firebird draws us into the lives and trials of Firebird and Brennen Caldwell, the main characters in Kathy Tyers' fictitious universe. Built around a wonderful "what if," the conclusion leaves you anxiously wanting to read the next volume in the series. You are in luck -- Firebird's sequel, Fusion Fire, was recently published! I highly recommend both books to those who love good science fiction and to Christians who would like to read excellent books in this new genre. Enjoy!

This is outstanding science fiction, clever and imaginative, well-paced, and thoroughly enjoyable. The basic theme of "Does life have real meaning without God" argues both sides of the question fairly and does not insult one's intelligence. Highly recommended.

Kathy Tyers has done an excellent job integrating fantasy and spirituality in this engaging story about a condemned princess and the genetically-enhanced telepath who is offering her another chance at life. The action is written realistically and Firebird's inner conflicts draw the reader in to her budding romance. An excellent read for anyone who loves action and adventure along with romance. Hghly Recommended.

Note: I have not read the original "Firebird" or its sequel "Fusion fire" but would be interested in obtaining a copy. If you have any suggestions please e-mail me at the address above.

Having recently re-read the original Firebird, I have to say that this revised version is superior to that excellent original, and not just because of the change in cover (which for some strange reason Amazon doesn't display). The action has been enhanced, character motivations are clearer, and a lot of extraneous details have been removed.

Despite the similarities between the two versions, the storyline is obviously going in a different direction from the original. Even though I already have Fusion Fire (the sequel to the original Firebird), I'm looking forward to the 2 sequels from Bethany House.