I know that I would rate this book at 5 stars since I loved the first two in this series. And after reading the other reviews I really would like to read this one! I picked the first two up at a Christian book outlet for next to nothing. I read them in no time at all and was ready for the third one. Much to my dismay, it is the only one out of print!! Is this some kind of publisher's ploy to make the last one in the series a rare and expensive book to buy? I have only found it at prices as high as $$ which I can't get myself to spend since the first two are still being sold at lower prices, I am so dissapointed that I can't finish the series, but will keep checking for them to print it again or for more people to decide to let their copies go. Any one want to sell theirs for $$ or less since they sell originally for $$, I can't see paying more for it. Thank you Kathy and Bethany House I think it is, for such a great series. Please, reprint the last one to go with the first two!

The only thing bad about this book was that it's the last in the Firebird series, and I want more, but everything else I just loved. It has all the same good qualities as Firebird and Fusion Fire. I don't know if I can pick a favorite out of this series, but if I could, it might be this one. Near the end, when poor Firebird was so sure Brennan was dead, I nearly cried (something I usually don't do while reading). I'd recommend this book to anyone.

When I first received my copy of this book, I let it sit for a few days. I was aware that it was the final volume of the Firebird trilogy, and I wanted to savor it for awhile. Then I began to take peeks at the book, and before I realized it I had read the entire thing. All I can say is, "Wow!"

This was definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time. I love the characters of both Firebird and Brennen. They are utterly human, with human strengths and failings. I don't like books with one-dimensional characters who can do either no right or no wrong. Firebird and Brennen make their share of mistakes, but ultimately become stronger for them.

Although I know it's not likely to happen, I would love to see more stories in this universe!

I recently finished Shivering World, and this book is guaranteed to make you think, laugh and cry. Grasha Brady-Phillip's life since she decided to go to the human colony planet Goddard is both intriguing and suspenseful. The back cover states "The colonists think Graysha's a spy. Graysha thinks the colonists are trying to kill her. They're both right..." Read about Graysha's struggle to gain their trust, all for the sake of finding a cure for the disease that is eating her away at the cellular level. A must read!

One of the best radio dramas I ever heard. I must hear for any fan boy or Star Wars fan. based on a great short story by a great author. If ony the Firebird books were made into a Radio Drama.

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.

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 loved reading Fusion Fire. I'm giving this book five stars, because from the moment I started reading it, I was kept on the edge of my seat. New York Times bestselling author Kathy Tyers (Star Wars: The Truce at Bakura) has written another masterpiece. I was spellbound by Firebird's adventures and I want to read another sequel.

Fusion Fire is an excellent novel in a relatively new genre: Christian science fiction. Actually, Kathy Tyers has written a book that is excellent science fiction written within a Judeo-Christian, messianic worldview. From the very first page, you are gripped by the exciting events that effect the lives of Firebird and Brennen Caldwell, the main characters of the book. There were times when I finished a particularly exciting section and felt breathless as if I had been holding my breath for a long time! Fusion Fire is a wonderful sequel to Firebird. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of science fiction and to Christians who are willing to check out this new genre of Christian fiction. You won't be disappointed.

Firebird and Fusion Fire by Kathy Tyers are the two best science fiction novels I have ever read. I love them both so much that I'm reading them for the 2nd time in 6 months. I am never bored when I read these books and contrary to a few reviews that some people gave, I LOVE THE RELIGIOUS ASPECT OF THE NOVELS! Before I am a science fiction fan, I am a born again Christian. Its about time that quality Christian science fiction be written. I thank God for Kathy Tyers and her writing. Her books have been and continue to be an inspiration for me. I can't wait until the next one!

Another good New Jedi Order read! I had stayed aways from the Star Wars books for awhile but i got caught up once again with the New Jedi Order Series. The portrayal of Luke and Mara in this book is great. Reminds the reader of Han and Leia a long time ago. It was also great to see Han and Leia caring for eachtother was again since Chewie's death. The situation with Jacen is kinda frudstrating but towards the end he uses his power again and gets back to being a jedi. The portrayals of Anakin and Jaina are great! Kathy Tyers brings the old Star Wars charachters back to their original selves, just like in The Truce at Bakura ( another great read) I love this realationship between Luke (my fav) and Mara....and there wonderful news in this book! I can't wait till the whole family knows! ONly one hope for the future of the New Jedi Order books, I would like to see more of Luke and his feelings and thoughts, He's been pushed aside with the development of Mara and the kids. But A definite must read!

This is really a great book. It reads tremendously quickly because it has a good pace. It has good action sequences, and the set-up to get to these scenes are great.

The characters have good development, which I like to see. Jacen is starting to make inroads on his Jedi dilemma. Luke and Mara are closer than ever, and looks like Han and Leia are on the back to their old selves. This novel brings everyone back like the "old days." That was rather refreshing.

Leia's encounter with the warmaster is one of the high points of the NJO series. The subtle "behind the scenes" mysteries are great also (like which side is Duros gov't on and when is Senator Shesh going to be discovered?).

The only problem I had with this installment was that is just seemed to end. I guess I got so involved with the story, that I hated to see it end. Welcome back to the Star Wars galaxy, Kathy Tyers!

Thanks to VECTOR PRIME (VP), mortality has become a welcome, or unwelcome, presence in the Star Wars Universe. It has added an element of suspense to every proceeding book. Kathy Tyers uses it, or the threat of it, to great effect in BALANCE POINT (BP). The last 100 pages were absolutely intense. I couldn't put the book down. The ending was such, that the next five months (which is how long it will be until the next book comes out) is going to test the limits of my patience.

The ending owes much to the events that occurred in the first five books in the New Jedi Order series. Without those events, Kathy Tyers would not have enjoyed the rich array of emotional and personal states we find our familiar gang of SW characters in at the beginning of BP. I will right now personally admit to not being much of a fan of Luke and Mara. I like them, but they have never been a favorite because they are both Jedi. They are too alike. So while their storyline in BP is interesting, the real reason I loved the book is because of the Solo family.

Ever since THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, Han and Leia have been my favorite characters in the SW Universe. They have been the princess and her knight-in-shining-armor, the Jedi and the scoundrel. Despite their differences, nothing had come between them. Then, Chewbacca died in VP. A relationship I once thought was unbreakable, started to crack. By the end of JEDI ECLIPSE, Han and Leia were barely speaking, and their children - Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin - were spread out all over the galaxy. As BP unfolds, the reuniting of the Solo family becomes a riveting examination of family dynamics. I found their intra-family relationships to be very realistic. With the Solo family, Kathy Tyers is able to show that while our families can create our greatest exasperations, they also provide us with our greatest strengths. At the end of BP, one hopes this realization has not come too late to prevent a tragedy.

This book has my highest recommendation. Read it!

this book started off ssssllllooooowwww and and at about page 115 it started to get better. but, there were lots of things that proved sketchy in my mind instead of a fuull-blown collage of perfectly fitting words and images. had a hard time saying "firwirrung" without stumbling. i'd hate to be the guy who had to read the book for the audio version. sjome characters were underdeveloped, and some were so overdeveloped, i didn't even care about those people, anyway. i used to go and check this out from the library and for about 6 times i'd get up to about page 100 and would always return it because it was lousy. but about a week ago i tried again and struggled through those first 100 pages and it got pretty good ( off and on, of course). not on top of my list of "awesome star wars books", but definitely higher than barbara hambly's "children of the jedi." that was a stinker. but that's another matter. the bottom line is, if you want to sit through a hundred pages of junk, and you are patient, this is probably the sw book for you. thank you, and good night.

I was very disappointed by "The Truce at Bakura." There were some interesting parts, but overall I thought that it didn't capture the spirit of the "Star Wars" stories. I was confused with the stuff about Bakura's political standings, which made for a difficult read. There was hardly any action.But what I was really disappointed by was the character development. Eppie was more believable when she was comatose, because when she was healed she became a boring, cliched character. Gaeriel was a real jerk, and having Luke blinded by his love for her was really out of character for him. Also, trying to be this "tough guy" was never in his job description. "A Jedi feels no passion?" Please! When did THIS happen? I'd give this book a five because I thought that it was, for the most part, well written, which was really the only thing going for it.

As the first new SW book to come out after Zahn's legendary trilogy, it suffered quite a bit by comparison. By viewing it objectively after some time has passed, it fares better, but it's still not the best. It picks up IMMEDIATELY after ROTJ. Like, the next day. They get a distress call from an outlying Imperial world, Bakura, telling of an evil foe come to kill them all. So, Our Heroes go out there in force, and there are forced to make a treaty with the Imperials to fight a common foe, the Ssi-ruk. (who are V-ish, lizard aliens) It's one of the most cohesive books in the series. It sets out to tell one story, and that's what it does. However, much of the plot seems borrowed from other sources, and the Ssi-ruk never REALLY seem to fit within the Star Wars universe. (cross the Borg with the Visitors, and you've got 'em) It's not as flashy as many, but it is a solid read, especially if you aren't expecting non-stop action. Definately worth picking up

Llyn Torfinn is in an upscale mental hospital on the planet Antar, cared for around the clock by her therapist and adoptive mother, Karine. Discovered abandoned in an artificial reality tank years ago, Llyn is subject to strange flashbacks which have Karine convinced that the girl is incapable of surviving on her own. Llyn, however, yearns for a wider world, and when political unrest rises between planets, Llyn is finally given the chance to expand her horizons.

My main difficulty with the book is that while the summary I just gave is fairly accurate, Llyn's story -- which I found to be the heart of the book -- is mixed in with a more typical science fiction story of inter-planetary politics, scheming families, and strange aliens. Tyers handles both aspects of the stories well, but in the end I felt that the focus on other characters and their political struggles took away from Llyn's story. The ending was particularly unsatisfying, being predictable in case of the political subplots, and rather deus ex machina (literally, in my mind) in its resolving of Llyn's emotional issues. The emotional resolution might, however, work well for readers approaching the book with a strong religious background.

All in all, I wanted to like this book much more than I did. The political plotting and strange aliens were interesting in their own right; it was only the quick changes between Llyn's personal story and the larger external story along with the ending that dissatisfied me. I'll probably try another of Tyers' books to see if they hang together better.

Kathy Tyers as per usual likes to set her characters in "interesting" times. In this story the larger political setting gives our main character Llyn a boost in her quest to find independence from her guardian/therapist when she is both a minor, and a committed mental patient. Despite continuing problems from a prolonged stint in a virtual reality tank at a young age, Llyn is determined to be herself, while her guardian is determined to keep her safe, protected, and controlled. In the end Llyn's problems turn out to be a great and necessary talent. Not as riveting perhaps as some of Tyers' other books, but a cracking good read nonetheless. It will make you think about the difference between protecting and smothering.