FUSION FIRE by Kathy Tyers

So I was looking for more variety in my Science Fiction Romance and it occurred to me that there could be Science Fiction with strong romantic elements. I remember reading Kathy Tyers' Star Wars novel, TRUCE AT BAKURA. I thought she handled Han and Leia post-Return of the Jedi but pre-marriage pretty well in that. I found her website and looked up her booklist. She's not an incredibly prolific author, but she has won acclaim for the books she has written. In recent years, she's been widowed and returned to college, so her output of Science Fiction has slowed down even more. Nevermind that.
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I wanted FIREBIRD, but it wasn't readily availible to me here in Alaska. I didn't want to wait around for Amazon to deliver so I grabbed FUSION FIRE off the shelf. FUSION FIRE is the sequel to FIREBIRD. Now, I really need FIREBIRD!
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FUSION FIRE picks up where FIREBIRD leaves off. There's a synopsis of the first novel at the beginning and it's just wonderful, but I still think FUSION FIRE would be most enjoyable if the first book is read first. Anyway, Lady Firebird is newly married and pregnant, the result of her romance in FIREBIRD. It's rare to find a married romance, a pregnant heroine, less-than-graphic-nookie, and a powerful couple all in one novel. To say nothing of finding all that in a Science Fiction novel.
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FUSION FIRE is darker than I like my Science Fiction to be. I prefer fun and adventure. However, Kathy Tyers' ability to bring out the dimension of her characters and their motivations and such makes up for that.
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The story starts with Firebird wondering her house because, like many pregnant women, she can't sleep. You can tell the author has been through this herself. No fakey Padme-pregnancy ala Revenge of the Sith in this extraterrestrial yarn! She takes on an assassin in the dark and I believed it. She shares a telepathic bond with her husband which is typical when his species mates, but it's not typical for her species. She's adjusting to it, however. It's interesting to follow how they interact. The whole telepathy thing is carefully done, consistant, and believable.
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Firebird has no choice but to adjust. She has nowhere else to go. Going back to FIREBIRD, the heroine was supposed to carry out a suicide mission. She's a princess, but there's no tiara for her. The royal family she was born into lives under a law which considers all royal children beyond the heir and the spare to be 'wastlings.' It is the wastlings' duty to die gloriously for their gods in battle. This is to prevent family members from contesting succession to the Throne. However, she chose Life even though she has no political ambitions. Now, she's been tried, convicted, and sentenced to die a horrible death. Worse yet, this law also forbids anyone in the royal family besides the Queen from having children. The spare heir may have children only if the Queen fails to produce. And, as mentioned, Firebird is pregnant. With Twins!
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Firebird's husband, Brennen, isn't exactly a carefree soul either. Another powerful family is convinced by a prophacy that Brennen's family will destroy theirs.
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So, there are two major intergalactic factions who want this couple dead. The ante is upped when Brennen's brother and his wife and his three children are murdered in their beds. The youngest, a pre-teen girl, is forced to kneel for her execution while the murderer telepathically shows her what he intends to do to the rest of her family. This part really sent chills up my spine.
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As anyone who's ever been pregnant can empathize, Firebird feels exceptionally vulnerable anyway. What the assassins all seem to be completely stupid about is that it's really stupid to threaten a Mother Bear. All Alaskans know this. Never get between a mother bear and her cubs. Stay far, far away. Never surprise her. Never, ever annoy her. Especially when she's packing heat.
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One of Firebird's sisters tries to use her new throne to loosen up the old laws which could lead to Firebird's reconcilation. Another sister plots Firebird's murder to prevent this from happening. Talk about a dysfunctional family! Will forgiveness and peace win out? You won't know because this is not genre Romance. You're not promised a 'Happily Ever After.' However, you'll really want one with each page you turn.
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The underlying theme of this novel seems to be how some people twist religion to suit their own purpose, even to the point of twisting it to justify the murder of innocent children. While espousing devotion to their religion, they're actually using it to gain power for themselves. Meanwhile, those of pure faith struggle to hold onto it in the face of this evil. Very pertinent to our times, I think.
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I still recommend you read FIREBIRD first, but you don't have to. It's obvious Firebird and Brennen enjoy, ahem, 'Wedded Bliss.' However, the romance is demonstrated by the deep emotional bond which empowers a couple to lay down their lives for each other. The sweeping intergalactic epic tale will keep you going from start to finish with plenty of high-tech gadgetry and really cool space battles, slinking assassins, nasty scum the likes of which Han Solo would know all about, and intriguing alien species.
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And you won't be horrified if your ten year old reads it either. There is violence, but no gore. Lovemaking takes place behind closed doors making the Heat Level Sweet.