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Zafiil #1
FireBorn UnPainted
Enter into the heart of an alien race...
Thousands of years ago, the God of the Faulfenza promised His people He would send a messiah to lead them into a Golden Age, alongside the aliens who would be to them as brothers and sisters. Not a generation has passed without longing for the fulfillment of that Promise.
Zafiil Paidiiza Qodii has dreamed of finding the Others since she was a child, a dream that spurred her to train as leader of one of the Faulfenza's galactic scout teams. Against all odds, hers is the ship that makes the prophesied discovery--and reveals the cost of the God's promises, and the part she is destined to play in His designs...
FireBorn Unpainted begins the epic saga of the Faulfenza's first contact with the Pelted Alliance, and unveils at last the mysteries of one of the Peltedverse's most beloved alien races.
Thousands of years ago, the God of the Faulfenza promised His people He would send a messiah to lead them into a Golden Age, alongside the aliens who would be to them as brothers and sisters. Not a generation has passed without longing for the fulfillment of that Promise.
Zafiil Paidiiza Qodii has dreamed of finding the Others since she was a child, a dream that spurred her to train as leader of one of the Faulfenza's galactic scout teams. Against all odds, hers is the ship that makes the prophesied discovery--and reveals the cost of the God's promises, and the part she is destined to play in His designs...
FireBorn Unpainted begins the epic saga of the Faulfenza's first contact with the Pelted Alliance, and unveils at last the mysteries of one of the Peltedverse's most beloved alien races.
492 pages, Paperback
Published June 27, 2022
About the author
M.C.A. Hogarth
369 books396 followersDaughter of two Cuban political exiles, M.C.A. Hogarth was born a foreigner in the American melting pot and has had a fascination for the gaps in cultures and the bridges that span them ever since. She has been many things—-web database architect, product manager, technical writer and massage therapist—-but is currently a full-time parent, artist, writer and anthropologist to aliens, both human and otherwise.
Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.
Her fiction has variously been recommended for a Nebula, a finalist for the Spectrum, placed on the secondary Tiptree reading list and chosen for two best-of anthologies; her art has appeared in RPGs, magazines and on book covers.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 28, 2022
I read this many months ago (as of writing this review) and I put off reviewing it because it is actually the first part of a single very long story. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to read part two (more on this later) and I've decided I should go ahead and write this one up regardless.
This is beautifully-realized science fiction, with aliens who feel believably alien. It's also deeply religious, as the alien race (technically, as the main character is one of them, it's humans who are alien, but whatever) have a profound and tangible connection to their God and are motivated by prophecy. There is no sideways dig at religious people, either; at no point does Zafiil have her faith broken, nor does she discover that It's All Been A Lie. I love that.
However, this is a very slow-paced story told out of sequence, and I've had trouble thinking who I can recommend it to despite how much I like the story, the characters, the worldbuilding, and the underlying concept. Even with all that, I've had trouble getting through book two because I'm rarely in the mood for what it offers. It's hard for me to convey how odd it is to be both captivated by a story and be disinclined to dive into it.
So this probably sounds like damning with faint praise, and it really isn't--I loved this book and I loved being immersed in it. Hogarth has a solid grasp of character and is incredibly inventive with her alien universe. If I haven't finished the story, it's not because the books are flawed. I hope I'm eventually in a place to finish it.
This is beautifully-realized science fiction, with aliens who feel believably alien. It's also deeply religious, as the alien race (technically, as the main character is one of them, it's humans who are alien, but whatever) have a profound and tangible connection to their God and are motivated by prophecy. There is no sideways dig at religious people, either; at no point does Zafiil have her faith broken, nor does she discover that It's All Been A Lie. I love that.
However, this is a very slow-paced story told out of sequence, and I've had trouble thinking who I can recommend it to despite how much I like the story, the characters, the worldbuilding, and the underlying concept. Even with all that, I've had trouble getting through book two because I'm rarely in the mood for what it offers. It's hard for me to convey how odd it is to be both captivated by a story and be disinclined to dive into it.
So this probably sounds like damning with faint praise, and it really isn't--I loved this book and I loved being immersed in it. Hogarth has a solid grasp of character and is incredibly inventive with her alien universe. If I haven't finished the story, it's not because the books are flawed. I hope I'm eventually in a place to finish it.
July 31, 2022
I'm rounding up a little, but not much.
This book and its sequel (really two parts of one narrative) constitute an ambitious undertaking and a great achievement. Whether one brings to it an interest in science fiction generally, or alien races, or contrasting civilizations, or intriguing religions, or linguistic possibilities, or suspenseful plot (particularly in the later of the two timelines), or complexity and development of character, one can find it here.
Dual timeline stories sometimes frustrate me, as I become invested in one story only to be forced to put it aside for another, but the two timelines (especially as developed in the two books read together) illuminate each other.
For those who've read other Hogarth books set in the Peltedverse, this story is long awaited and oh, so welcome. But while there are depths and nuances only those readers will appreciate, one can definitely dive into this story without that background.
This book and its sequel (really two parts of one narrative) constitute an ambitious undertaking and a great achievement. Whether one brings to it an interest in science fiction generally, or alien races, or contrasting civilizations, or intriguing religions, or linguistic possibilities, or suspenseful plot (particularly in the later of the two timelines), or complexity and development of character, one can find it here.
Dual timeline stories sometimes frustrate me, as I become invested in one story only to be forced to put it aside for another, but the two timelines (especially as developed in the two books read together) illuminate each other.
For those who've read other Hogarth books set in the Peltedverse, this story is long awaited and oh, so welcome. But while there are depths and nuances only those readers will appreciate, one can definitely dive into this story without that background.
July 20, 2022
Very much enjoyed this 'historical' look at the Pelted Universe. At times, it was hard to remember that the 'present day' sections are set ~300 years before the 'current' timeline of the other Pelted books. Moreso the first section. The 2nd section is obviously historical (childhood of main character). Final section gives more clues that it is 'historical'.
I think this would actually be a good first book for someone not familiar with Ms. Hogarth's other Pelted novels, as much of it does not rely on them for background. The parts that are 'common knowledge' for those who have read most of her other work are explained in book.
Zafiil, the main character, is new to the Pelted species, so we learn along with her about them. And while Faulfenzair have appeared in 'present' time, they have always been mysterious, and while significant, not major characters. This book sorta forshadows why.
(Have preordered the second volume, and will be nominating as Best Novel for the 2023 Hugo awards.)
I think this would actually be a good first book for someone not familiar with Ms. Hogarth's other Pelted novels, as much of it does not rely on them for background. The parts that are 'common knowledge' for those who have read most of her other work are explained in book.
Zafiil, the main character, is new to the Pelted species, so we learn along with her about them. And while Faulfenzair have appeared in 'present' time, they have always been mysterious, and while significant, not major characters. This book sorta forshadows why.
(Have preordered the second volume, and will be nominating as Best Novel for the 2023 Hugo awards.)
April 19, 2023
mystic sci-fi
Contrasts religion with science, leans into the religious, almost mystical, side.
Lots of soul searching and processing, bad things happen in the midst of a time of celebration, and the main character who witnesses the best and worst of a First Contact situation gone very, very bad.
Seeing the Pelted through the (very judgy) eyes of an alien beings fresh perspective. Glad she’s religious but not self righteous.
Got a little plodding in the inner monologues and processing trauma and disappointment, but therapy is work.
Contrasts religion with science, leans into the religious, almost mystical, side.
Lots of soul searching and processing, bad things happen in the midst of a time of celebration, and the main character who witnesses the best and worst of a First Contact situation gone very, very bad.
Seeing the Pelted through the (very judgy) eyes of an alien beings fresh perspective. Glad she’s religious but not self righteous.
Got a little plodding in the inner monologues and processing trauma and disappointment, but therapy is work.
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July 7, 2022#dnf
Very much a "not you, it's me" situation. This is the point the religiosity and mysticism that's always been a part of Hogarth's work (and I've enjoyed) is so central to the narrative that it significantly gets in the way of enjoying the book. This entry not for me. Will still be eagerly on the lookout for the next entries in the future chronology of the peltedverse.
Very much a "not you, it's me" situation. This is the point the religiosity and mysticism that's always been a part of Hogarth's work (and I've enjoyed) is so central to the narrative that it significantly gets in the way of enjoying the book. This entry not for me. Will still be eagerly on the lookout for the next entries in the future chronology of the peltedverse.
December 26, 2025
A beautiful, and at times terrible, introduction to the Faulfenza. Zafiil is amazing and kind, and to see her confront evil is difficult.
January 14, 2023
A look at the past, about 300 years before the events in the other Peltedverse books, this tells of the Faulfenzi and their first contact with the Alliance and the Chatcaava. Because it's the first in a duology, it's a bit frustrating because there is so much the reader (me!) didn't understand. However, I'm sure all will be revealed in book 2. There was a great deal of angst, and it lost a star because of the murkiness I felt.
November 14, 2022
This is only the first half of the story, so it’s hard to judge whether I will like it or not. For me if an excellent story ends poorly that ruins it. So far I am enjoying the journey, and cautiously optimistic about the next one!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews