Yea! Another promising series. Thought provoking, full of surprises, entirely other worldly, almost.
We are more than anyone can guess, even ourselves. The truth of our complexity takes unexpected turns in these speculative worlds that include shapeshifters who can reconfigure minds outside of themselves. I’m being careful not to give anything away here. Fallen starts out as a coming-of-age tale about Alira who is a young adult with a future as a great cleric from a notable lineage. She lives on Iridos, a planet with such physical challenges that the civilization is underground. She wants to know more than they teach her; more than she is allowed as a cleric. She explores other trade guilds. She asks uncomfortable questions. I like her. I would question the way of right thinking. The tension grows as she is warned to tread carefully, or she might be mitigated into a compliant obedient living robot (my word). Mitigation, of course is a healing, an act of compassion for her own good. And theirs. She knows this is a threat. She recognizes that is utter nonsense. Like her kind, Alira’s emotions dance in vibrant colors across her skin. She reveals herself in unguarded feelings. She also can’t behave herself--No living in a box for this one. Not only are the Iridosians in each other’s heads, they see each other’s feelings at a glance.
As if that conflict isn’t enough, trouble descends from off world oligarchs. At that point the book is no longer a coming-of-age tale, but a classic clash of civilizations. Themes of greed, raw power, healing, destruction, and elements from the author’s incredible creative imagination bring us to confront our identity and values. Who are we when we stop being who we were? When are we changed by our enemies? How can we evolve as change slowly kills our people and our planet? Is the evidence of our eyes convincing or not? How are acts of heroism rewarded when the leaders aren’t certain the changes are lethal?
Frankly, humans don’t come off so well in this book with their spindly little legs and odd fibers growing out of their heads. How can anyone tell what they are thinking? Their skin remains a dull monotone. Ethnic bias and distrust run rampant, both ways between Iridosian and human. Those damned Irodisians are passive. They have no big guns but won’t negotiate for trade even if it might make them rich. They won’t fight. They don’t care there are invaders. Of course, both humans and Iridosians are wrong. Their biases are organically peeled back and truth is revealed in the course of disaster, redemption and reward.
Fallen, Book 1 of The Founder’s Seed is well written. There are maps, and you might need them. There is a character list and a glossary. I found them helpful. The important part about Fallen is in the answers posed to the questions about identity and values. Those things remain with me weeks after I read the book. Of course I would do the right thing. Of course I would be that brave. Maybe. Alira has guts. Maybe I don’t.
The ending of this book is an enigma. I can’t wait for the next book to follow up on that last line in Fallen, which I won’t reveal. I am emotionally connected to these characters. I care. I can project myself into their company. However, Book 2 is called Broken. I’m worried about that.
So join me in my anticipation. Read Fallen and figure out who hits the dirt when they fall and who will break next time. And by the way, who is the Founder?