Far Flung

by Utunu

On the harsh, barren planet of Sands, in the small settlement of Oasis, live three young companions: the inseparable fennecs Bori and Tuther, and their best friend, the hyena Samna.

Bori is psionic—and on the distant planet of Verdant, psionics are fervently sought. When the two planets are in conjunction, a shuttle journeys between
them, bringing needed resources to Sands and hoping to take gifted psionics back to lush Verdant in return.

The shuttle’s imminent arrival signifies opportunities for Oasis, but for the trio it instead evokes dread. For if Bori is chosen, he’d be taken from his dearest friends and the only home he’s ever known.

Bori would be broken without Tuther.
Tuther would be broken without Bori.
And Samna? All he can do is help make their remaining days together a little brighter.

300 pages, Paperback

Published July 5, 2024

Reviews

[Nancy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC4 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.

Status: Safe!
Read: 100%

Now that the official announcement is public, I am now greenlit to write my review! Even if I had not been assigned to read this book, from the cover alone, I probably would have ended up reading it. Really, I wish to send kudos to the artist, the cover is GOREGOUS!

It seems like the author was born in Britain and resides in Texas, so we get a strange mesh of occasional US idioms intertwined with British spelling. This was not an issue for me at all, I have read enough books by New Zealand authors to feel pretty comfortable with the writing style.

This is a book that combines several genres in one. It seems like the author is from a videogame job background, so you do get vibes there is a strong Progression Fantasy element to it, maybe to a small degree even LitRPG since abilities are classified by type and Tier range. Combine it with queer polyamorous Romance, Post Apocalyptic, Space colonization and Coming of Age, and you get quite a surprising mixture of genres that work quite well together.

One of the aspects of the book I truly enjoyed was the collectivist and good natured culture of the humanoid Hyenas and Fennec crash survivors. After reading so many Grimdark books where thugs terrorize everyone and live like kings, it was quite refreshing to have a story where crime is not tolerated and the worst punishment someone can endure is exile. Which, given a good chunk of the novel happens in a desolate desert planet with minimal water deposits would equal certain death.

While the book never confirms (nor denies) it, I am already suspecting the immense history and technology loss of the 1st generation that ended up in planet Sands was deliberate. I also believe a colony ship with 100 Tier IV and V psychics did not just conveniently crash against an asteroid right before it reached one of the 3 intended inhabitable planets it was tasked to populate. Could these folk be slaves to an evil empire and intended to harvest planet goods for an evil overlord? Was the memory swipe done in the hopes the survivors enjoyed true peace without relying on psychic abilities?

The current story happens around 100 years after the initial crash and 75 years after survivors begin a sibling enclave in the much more inhabitable jungle planet Verdant. Both colonies have equal amounts of Hyenas and Fennecs living together in complete harmony and only have a shuttle visit the sands planet whenever both planets are in sufficient conjunction.

Most of the story focuses on a teenage Fennec named Bori whose Psionic teleportation abilities have awakened recently and his mother (who is a low level Sniffing Psionic) is encouraging him to practice his skill so that he joins the Verdant colony. There is just one problem: Bori doesn't want to leave his love interest Tuther behind or his best friend, a Hyena with an inclination for science named Samna.

So we spend a gigantic portion of the book where the talented protagonist only wants to practice and hone his teleportation skill among the privacy of his friends and pretends to be mediocre in town in the hopes the shuttle team won't choose him. Tuther was also born Psionic, with the abilities to Mend and alter minds (for good and bad), Hide his own skill (that he's trying to hone so that he sabotages Bori's test when the shuttle team arrives) and can also begin seeing the auras of Psionic fennecs and determine their abilities and skill level with increased accuracy as the story advances. I quite enjoyed the relationship being formed by the 3 friends, and how Samna feels 'left out' because hyenas aren't born with psychic abilities. The romance aspect of this novel was one of the aspects I enjoyed the most.

On occasion, the normal dialogue of the book switches from normal to a kind of computer code like speech with brackets whenever psychic characters are telepathically communicating with each other. Some readers will find this jarring, it was ok with me. Takes some time getting used to it.

I did have some issues with the book that isn't related to my spoilery theories of the truth behind the space ship crash. The reason why Sands is still being inhabited despite the harsh climate is because Verdant lacks the metal mineral deposits to build more modular housing and other devices. We also discover for odd reasons, Psionics are never born on Verdant (which might have something to do with the jungle planet's more electromagnetically charged atmosphere).

It did seem confusing for me that if the colonies are in such desperate need for birthing Psionics (it seems to be inheritable and 'turns on' with the right environment), they'd purposely have their shuttle teams birthing kids left & right on Sands, maybe staying for an entire year during a conjunction. And only return to Verdant to fetch for constructed building materials.

Whether there is some kind of 'brain fog' that is purposely keeping the community ignorant as I am suspecting, it did surprise me that nobody has ever thought of inventing the wheel. Like quite literally, the desert colony can clone lambs, but nobody has a wagon to transport minerals, recreate the modular home building machine so that Verdant shuttles can prioritize bringing other products and no solar panels either. Heck, nobody knows what a bike is! It's honestly quite bizarre and I really hope the sequel explains this further.

Alongside those quips, I did feel the middle of the book was spending too much time having Bori unwanting to be selected and his conversations with his friends. It could have been tightened just a little bit more to emulate better the faster beginning and more hectic ending. However, this didn't reduce how much I enjoyed spending time with all 3 characters, learning more about their Psionic abilities and unraveling the secrets about what really happened 100 years ago.

I am sooooo definitely wanting to read book 2 whenever it comes out and am voting Yes for this book to continue in the competition.

4.5 stars!

[Flam · Rating 5 out of 5]

After having my emotions flung around like flimsy little toys by the author's first book, Rafts, I approached this novel with anxious caution, expecting hidden hints or foreshadowing between every other line. However, this story is quite different and deserves to be looked at with a fresh perspective.

The narrative takes its time to develop the connection between the three protagonists and introduces the reader to an intriguing world. It's only near the end of the 300 pages that a (somewhat predictable) conflict errupts, leaving readers eager for a continuation. Unlike many other sci-fi stories, this one strikes a perfect balance between providing enough technical detail to satisfy my curiosity while remaining accessible to non-technical readers. This makes it an ideal read for any sci-fi-loving fennec and hyena enthusiast.

I already can't help but speculae about how the story of Tuther, Bori, and Samna will continue.

[Shiloh Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

You might enjoy this book if you like:
-Gay, furry literature
-Charming characters
-A relatively low-stress story
-Interesting sci-fi powers
-A book that's as deep as you want it to be
-giving people hugs with your brain

I said in my 2023 review of Utunu's first novel, Rafts, that the more I thought about the book the more I came to appreciate it. Well, that seems to be a trend with Utunu's books. Far Flung is another heartfelt story that I appreciate more and more every time my mind wanders back to it. Its characters are charming and intimate, its worldbuilding is focused and interesting, and the uplifting themes explored in Rafts are expanded upon to great effect. I loved it, and I think it's well worth your time. Here's my review:

I'll admit, I had some concerns about Far Flung before it came out. While I was pretty confident this was going to be a decent book, the sci-fi setting and psionic powers seemed likely to be a far departure from the idyllic and grounded little island in Rafts. Even the cover seems to imply an action-packed story, and while that action-packed story wouldn't be unwelcome, I hoped that it wouldn't drown out the writing style and themes Utunu is known for. I am very happy to say that it did not.

For all the action-adventure that the cover implies, Far Flung is actually a surprisingly gentle book. Psionic powers aside, it is first and foremost about the loving relationship between its three main characters: Bori, Tuther, and Samna. Anyone who enjoys close, wholesome relationships in their stories is in for a treat. Much of the story is spent watching these three "friends" enjoy each other's company. Their banter, intimacy, and consideration for one another builds up the reader's love for them. That might be a letdown for readers who were expecting a more exciting tale. They might even feel a bit misled by the cover. But readers who enjoy the nuances of quieter tales will feel right at home here.

That's not to say the story isn't engaging. For one thing, the world building is focused and appropriate for the scope of the story, only zooming in on the most engaging concepts and events and not sweating the small stuff. Detailed explanations of how things work or why things are done a certain way in this universe are mostly omitted. After all, the story is primarily concerned with its characters, and so only the aspects which affect their lives tend to be shown off. I think this strikes the right balance. It's refreshing for readers like me to see worldbuilding not get out of hand. However, I can see it being a bit of a letdown for readers who prefer being able to really delve into the intricacies of a story's universe.

The biggest boon to the book's engagement, however, is right on the book's back cover. One of the smartest things Utunu does here is describing the impending conflict right there. As the back of the book says, a shuttle is coming to take the psionically-gifted Bori away from his friends. Thus from the very first moment in the book, you are anticipating this turn in the plot, waiting for that shoe to drop. The more you come to love the characters, the more you begin to share the dread that this shuttle's arrival evokes in them. That anticipation helps to keep the reader engaged, allowing more time to be spent building up these characters and getting the reader emotionally invested in them. It's a clever device; without it, the first part of the book might have felt boring or pointless, but it hangs over the story instead, a pending and inevitable threat to the characters that becomes more worrisome the more you fall in love with them. For readers who don't typically become emotionally invested in characters, it might not be enough to keep you engaged, but it certainly made me want to see what was going to happen once that shuttle arrived.

Because the characters in this book really are very likable. You don't want anything bad to happen to them. Their relationship is built up over a period of time that most authors wouldn't dare to stretch out for so long. It's necessary here, because there is just so much to discover with these three. Bori is a psionic who is weighed down by the obligations his powers will one day require of him. Tuther is another psionic who wants to keep his powers hidden so people don't define him by his abilities. Meanwhile, Samna is powerless and wishes for the psychic intimacy that Samna and Bori's powers allow them. Clearly, these three character have their own distinct desires that create interesting dynamics between them, but they are united in a shared desire to continue living a happy life together. The way their individual desires play into that shared one is a highlight of the book, further bolstered by how uncompromising they are toward anything that would threaten their idyllic life together. They'll do anything to make sure that the safety they find in each other stays intact, and that makes for some really endearing moments.

That uncompromising nature is also super engaging for readers who enjoy analyzing a book's themes, because it presents an interesting dilemma that carries over from Rafts. In Rafts, the characters struggle at times with the guilt of staying in paradise, abandoning their obligations to their people in order to live a loving life together. The character's obligations in Rafts, however, would not lead to the fall of their society if they choose not to fulfill them. In Far Flung, their small colonies are in fact on the brink, and Bori's powers could be essential to keeping everything from falling apart. So, this book basically asks the same question from Rafts, but in a much more consequential way: Is it okay for a person to abandon what's expected of them for the sake of a loving, peaceful life, even when that abandonment may cause suffering? I think readers will enjoy how this question is and is not approached in the story. I can't wait to see how it's further developed in the sequel(s).

The book is as deep as you want it to be, which is one of my favorite qualities for any book to have. As a result, I think it appeals to a wider general audience without sacrificing the depth that would otherwise make it more niche. There's a good chance you'll like this book if you explore it to your heart's content. I certainly did, and I think it's another essential furry read for 2024. Utunu knocked it out of the park once again.

[J.F.R. Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely not an event story - much of the actual events are squeezed into the last few dozen pages. The rest are filled with delightful character interactions and development, with a slow moving plot that feels almost meandering until the mid point. But this is not to the detriment of the story, instead it really helps to sell the character dynamics and tease little tidbits about the history of these worlds.

There aren't many answers by the end, with so many more questions asked when those events really start happening. Very keen to see a continuation of this story.

[Pip the Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I did not expect to be reading this book. In fact, I won it on accident at a convention, but let me tell you, that must have been the universe speaking to me because this ended up being, I think, my favorite book I have ever read. I read it quickly too- in three days. It's just that good.

When you pick up Far Flung, you can expect a tightly written science fiction story about love, empathy, and connection in a disparate and harsh time and place. Everything about this books writing, from the worldbuilding to the romance between the three main characters, is made to support those themes and nothing about the books writing, exposition, or lore fails to tie into the themes the book is trying to explore.

But if picking apart themes isn't your thing and you care more about how a book makes you feel, then you're still in luck: This book made me FEEL things. The power of human connection and love is a hard thing to get a reader, especially me, to feel without sounding sappy or making a story that doesn't have enough conflict. But this book does it damn near perfectly.

Also, there are so many parts of this book that are just absolutely adorable. I don't want to say much , but if the idea of psychic mind hugs from adorable fennec foxes piques your interest, start the book now for that alone, and you'll end up coming to love everything else about his book very quickly.

[V Gershman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure to anyone reading this, I’m writing this review having finished the book at one in the morning because by the end it was incredibly hard to put down. Take that as you will!

Getting into this book requires two considerations. The first is that there will be a sequel, although Utunu does wrap the ending up nicely, the flow of the narrative reflects the fact that there is more story to come. The second is that Utunu’s literary bread and butter are relationships, and coming off of the coat-tails of Rafts Far Flung is a wonderful exploration of that. The beautiful illustrations by Chutkat are a continuation of that too.

The story follows the adventures of three best friends: two fennecs Bori and Tuther, and the hyena Samna, as they try and navigate their fears, their love, and challenges of their respective abilities. Bori is an incredibly gifted psionic, while Tuther masquerades as a ‘null’ and tries to hide Bori’s skill so the three friends won’t be torn away from each other when an ominous shuttle comes to take gifted psionics to another planet, Verdant. The science-minded Samna meanwhile lacks psionic potential altogether, even so the three are joined at the hip and value each other deeply. Samna does not feel like a third wheel (although he does experience insecurities around this), but the book’s gentle exploration of that is deeply heartwarming.

One thing that I appreciated going into this is that Utunu trusts the reader to not require exposition. You learn about psionics in bits and pieces as you read, the information as it comes to us seems to follow the same pace as the trio learning about them, which is a fun parallel. Of course it helps that the principles of psionics as Utunu as written them are really, really cool. Another thing that’s really cool, although it took me a little bit to get used to it after which it flowed well, was the mindspeech. In short the psionically gifted characters are able to communicate to each other with a unique form of conversation that is written out in a different font, that somehow manage to communicate intensity and emotion with just script. Most authors just keep to italics or symbols to denote mindspeech, and in all my years of reading fiction this is the most unique and interesting interpretation of it that I’ve seen. Fantastic.

I very much enjoyed reading this story. It was relaxing, with some very fun moments, and also some truly shocking ones. I hope you’ll enjoy the story as much as I did.

[Grey Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far Flung Review

The Crushing Weight of Societal Expectations

Let’s just cut to the chase, this book is fantastic! If you were looking for someone to tell you to read it, then here’s the TLDR: Read it.

Still not convinced? Ok, let’s discuss it then.

We find ourselves in a pretty bleak setting on the desert planet of Sands, home to a town known as Oasis (irony). Years ago, a colony shuttle crashed here, leaving the survivors stranded with barely any resources to their name to rebuild. The survivors were a race of hyenas and fennecs. Hyenas were technologically savvy, having created spacecraft and ancient fabrication machines. Meanwhile the Fennecs had psionic abilities that allowed them to read minds, teleport long distances, and repair minds of psionic damage. Both species worked, and still work, in harmony to further their mission of colonization.

Over the years, they’ve made great strides, having established two settlements. One, the aforementioned town of Oasis on Sands, and the other, Feraka of the neighboring planet known as Verdant. For those wondering how that’s possible, that’s where the psionic fennecs come in with their titular ability known as Flinging. You see, space travel among the two races can only be achieved with a shuttle and several strong fennecs that can use their psionic powers to teleport long distances. Using this method, the races travel from Verdant to Sands and back again. It is because of this that particularly strong psionic fennecs are often traded for resources from Verdant in order to keep the Oasis settlement going and vice versa. This goes on for a little over a hundred years.

Which brings us to the present day with our trio of protagonists, Tuther, Samna, and Bori. Bori is one such psionic fennec that can travel long distances while Tuther has the ability to mend the minds of those who’ve got fatigue from jumping/flinging. You see, when one flings too much, it inflicts a psychic fatigue on them. If it’s pushed too far, it can cause irreversible damage. What Tuther does is make sure any fatigue sustained from using psionic energy is healed.

This makes for such a great dichotomy between the two in that one cannot be sustained without the other. They create a symbiotic relationship that makes their more intimate moments all the more compelling. But where does that leave the third, Samna? Despite not having psionic abilities, being a hyena and all, what he brings to the table is emotional grounding. While the two fennecs struggle to keep their heads above water throughout the story, Samna helps them stay afloat. When the conflict of the story presses down against our trio, he’s the one running support.

Speaking of which, let’s talk about the plot that looms over their heads for the majority of the story. Bori being a Psionic Flinger means he’s of great interest to Feraka, the colony of Verdant. His abilities are needed in order to pilot the shuttle between the two planets after all. Because of this, it’s certain that he will be taken from his home colony of Oasis on Sands, in exchange for supplies. Obviously our main trio takes issue with this as it means the separation of Tuther and Bori.

Tuther, however, is carrying a secret of his own. No one knows that he’s a Psionic Mender and he keeps that closely guarded to his chest. His abilities not only grant Mending, but Hiding. It’s his hope that he can Hide Bori’s abilities so that the three can never get separated. Meanwhile, Samna has to figure out how he’ll take care of Tuther if all else fails and Bori is taken after all. All of this makes for an emotional tug of war of uncertainty as each character has to come to terms with the reality they’re being presented with.

Bori doesn’t desire the power or authority his abilities give him. He’s the more level headed of the group with a good sense of humor amongst the three of them to match. It’s clear that he just wants to live his life normally and happily with his friends, like most people his age. He fits that archetype of having greatness thrust upon him that he’s more than happy to hand off to someone else in favor of connections and love. And boy does he love his friends with all of his heart.

Tuther similarly doesn’t desire the power he has, but this manifests in a different way. He’s almost afraid of the gifts he’s given and refuses to show anyone outside of his friend group the extent of his prowess. What he wants more than anything is to keep things exactly the way they are and cherishes the little time he might have left with Bori. Despite wearing a mask of humor and snark, it’s clear just how sensitive he is. You can tell the thought of losing his connections terrifies him immensely through little ways he expresses himself. There are multiple moments where you feel the terror that comes with being separated from all you know.

Samna seems almost stoic at the start, but he has a heart on his sleeve. I’d argue despite not being psionic, his emotions shine through more than any other character. His more heartfelt scenes brought me to tears with how visceral and raw his emotional moments were. Especially when he takes on the more parental role in keeping his friends’ spirits up. It’s usually him that comes up with a plan and explains how much of the tech of this world works. Plus he fits that cute gentle giant niche that I think most readers will enjoy.

Together, it really feels like the three of them represent one character while also being three distinct ones. Never once do I imagine them ever being apart, which makes their plight all the more heartbreaking. You want them to succeed and you want them to never be separated. But due to societal expectations about what’s needed in their community, it feels almost hopeless that they’ll get the happy ending you want so desperately for them.

And that’s what makes Utunu such a masterful writer. While not perfect, no one is, he nails character arcs and gets you to care about their natural conclusions. That alone keeps me attached to his narratives and leaves me wanting more.

By the time I reached the end, I was left wanting even more in all the best ways. I want to see what other stories these characters have to tell. I want to see them succeed. I want to see where all of this is going.

Far Flung is another slam dunk by Utunu in what I hope is a fantastic series to come.

[Cassius · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put my thoughts simply, I love Far Flung. While it might struggle to exist on its own, functioning better as the first part of a bigger series than a standalone story, I was hooked from the beginning.

The characterization on display within this story is phenomenally endearing, and it’s surrounded by flashy world building about psychic fennec foxes and a coherent plot about the survival of Sci-Fi settlements in an alien solar system that make you invested in protagonists' story. The psychic powers are conveyed to us in such interesting ways; from the telepathic code-like conversations between the foxes Bori and Tuther to Tuther's burgeoning power culminating in a frankly ridiculous showing later in the book that had me laughing from how cool it was, this book kept surprising me the flexibility of the protagonists' abilities. On top of that, everything is explained just as much as it should be. You get bits and pieces about how the psychic powers work the deeper into the novel you get, and by the end of the story, you have even more questions with sweeping implications for these characters' world. The novel is so consistently well written—like all of Utunu’s work— that my only complaint is that I can’t read the sequel yet.

I spent a few weeks thinking aboutFar Flung, and an enduring, though potentially inarticulate, sentiment kept cropping up: it’s just adorable. That’s not meant to be glib or downplay the stakes of this world. No, the story is adorable despite the struggles these characters endure—in fact, the struggles make the moments of levity and intimacy all the more potent, an oasis in a roiling storm of stress surrounding an uncertain future.

Bori, Tuther, and Samna’s interactions made this book such a joy to read; it had me grinning ear-to-ear and kicking my feet as I watched the trio’s relationship come to fruition, warm and slow like the sun cresting over the horizon. Utunu spends much of Far Flung’s word count showing us how deeply these three love each other, the distances they will go to protect this precious life they have created, culminating in a story about the beautiful connections we form in a hostile world that wants to tear us apart. By the end of the story, one thing becomes clear: Bori, Tuther, and Samna will never let that happen.

An aspect of Far Flung that I particularly enjoyed—and what actually convinced me to read this novel in the first place—was the inclusion of a polyamorous relationship between the main characters. This is an easy way to get me to pick up a book, but what eventually endeared me to the novel was its nonchalant attitude toward what has unfortunately become a divisive subject in recent memory. While I might be interested in seeing the social or political ramifications of a polyamorous relationship between three men in this setting, especially given the extreme setting and the desert settlement Oasis’ delicate balancing act for survival, it was refreshing not having to endure yet another discourse about polyamory. There was no quibbling over the logistics of two fennecs and a hyena being together, nor concerns for procreation or moralizing about relationships between men. Bori, Tuther, and Samna are simply together, and as far as the character’s friends and family are concerned, that’s all that needs to be said. It’s a kind of wish fulfillment that’s delicious in moderation; not every LGBTQ+ relationship needs to be the result of a hard-fought battle with a bigoted and oppressive society. Far Flung sidesteps discussions of homophobia and polyamory in favor of building the emotional stakes with methods that better utilize the novel’s unique setting. Bori, Tuther, and Samna’s relationship is too concerned with the inexorable march of time and the unfeeling winds of change coming to their desert world to worry about their parents’ approval.

For most of the book, Bori’s inevitable departure hangs over the trio’s heads like a Sword of Damocles. You see, Bori is special; all three of them are special in their own ways, but people know Bori is special, and that’s an issue. In this setting, psychically-gifted fennec foxes are eventually transfered to Oasis’ sister settlement on the lush planet of Verdant, their abilities to affect the mind or teleport long distances needed to ensure their people’s survival. While Bori downplays his own abilities, it isn’t enough to avoid the inevitable approach of Verdant. Some day soon, a shuttle will come for Bori, ripping him away from his other half and the fledging relationship Tuther and he had with the hyena Samna. This is the main conflict of Far Flung, one woven together with equal parts hope and angst. Out in the desert, far away from the settlement of Oasis, Bori, Tuther, and Samna attempt to make the most of their remaining time together. Every act of intimacy is tinged with grief for a lost future they will never share; each moment spent together is precious and defiant, something beautiful clawed from the rocky outcroppings that dot the barren landscape of the planet they call home. Feeling the breadth of what they stand to lose is what makes the fight to protect what they have so compelling.

Far Flung is about love. The novel weaves you a tale of three lovers that yearn for each other above all else, dressing it up in a dramatic Sci-Fi adventure spanning multiple planets, and then it asks you a deceptively simple question: How far are you willing to go to be with the ones you love? Bori, Tuther, and Samna answered that question loud and clear, an unequivocal declaration with reverberations that will shake the foundations of their people’s settlements. I look forward to seeing the consequences of that answer in the sequel.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fennecs and hyenas in space-that gets my attention. Fennecs and hyenas finding love across multiple worlds through yearning hearts and burgeoning psionic powers got me invested. Utunu’s characters are vulnerable, affecting and justifiably afraid of what their incredible powers represent in the face of an interplanetary community that would make them commodities first and celebrities second.

I won’t spoil anything here, but the complex lives of characters who find one another in love while being lost in the world is no less touching here than it was in Utunu’s first novel outing, Rafts. The pressures heaped on the two Fennecs, Tuther and Bori, and their more-than-friend Samna accumulates at a slow-burning pace towards a day of reckoning; The Assaying process, an assessment of psionic abilities that will change their lives forever in ways they can’t help but dread.

The world-building is top notch, the tech inspired, environments lived-in and the supporting cast well rounded. The villains are both sympathetic and relentless, as those resolute in their well-intended but inflexible convictions often are. Far Flung is some great sci-fi with a strong cast and I look forward to a sequel.

[Nate True · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer, I read an early version prior to final editing

I loved Far Flung. Equal parts wholesome tale of coming-of-age romance and sci-fi action adventure, I was hooked from the start. Having read Utunu's first book, Rafts, I expected beautiful and realistic interaction between the characters and he delivered that in spades. I fell in love with the characters very quickly.

The twists and turns in the plot, especially in the second half of the book, kept me excited page after page and the ending is __so satisfying__. I can't stress that enough.

Anyway. Read this book. Utunu's a great writer and this is a great story.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my normal cup of tea. I tend to enjoy Adult historical fiction, not Y/A novels nor science fiction. That said, I read Utunu's other novel Rafts and was impressed enough to give this a try.

Far Flung is a relatively slow paced book about two fennecs and a Hyena. Those being Tuther, Bori, and Samna, the hyena. Their relationship to each other is very simple in the way that they simply love each other, and that that fact isn't a big deal to them (once Samna admits it anyway) or anyone else. Despite that simplicity, it's incredibly convincing that they have a bond to each other I doubt could ever truly be replicated between people in the real world thanks to psionic fennec hugs and the intimacy of psionically caressing someone else's very mind. Suffice to say, their love is a simple fact.

Most of the book, the first half or so in fact, is spent focusing almost entirely on this very relationship. While, again, slow paced, this is probably my favorite part of the novel, as the bulk of character interactions and worldbuilding necessary to make us care about these characters, that world, and what happens to it all of them happens here. What's more, the growing dread for Verdant and the many questions this section raises both from the characters and readers are absolutely necessary for the second half of the novel to work as well as it does.

The conflict in the story, the first half at least, is as simple as the main groups relationship, but also convincingly world-shattering for the three of them. Bori may leave the planet, only able to visit Samna and Tuther only a couple of times per year. As for the second half, things grow both complicated and fast paced, as more characters and outside motivations are introduced. There is a palpable sense that anything could happen to these characters, should their secrets get out. Normally, I wouldn't be particularly stressed about things going poorly in a Y/A novel, but knowing the author, and specifically Rafts, truly anything is possible in the end for these characters.

Fundamentally, my taste in novels is a realistic feeling world navigated by realistic characters with relatively down to Earth problems, and while the nature of Bori and Tuther's abilities and even world are well beyond the realm of what is currently realistic, the world itself and characters deliver on feeling realistic. Despite being animal people from the far flung fantastical future, with basically superpowers, they still feel like genuine people. They just want to lead happy lives with the people they love and who love them, and as is common for Utunu's writing, they'll do anything to make that happen. There are, of course, other motivating factors for them, and those complicate everything, but love is the core of it all.

Notably, this is written to be the first in a series of novels. The ending, at least, certainly gives the impression that we haven't heard the last from these characters. So if you do read this novel, and I frankly absolutely would recommend doing so, be prepared to need more. I for one, will certainly be waiting with bated breath.

[Aether Furelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psionic space fennecs and hyenas could not possibly be more up my alley, so I may be a little biased, but I absolutely love this novel. Utunu's grasp of relationships makes for a thoroughly relatable read, and while this story isn't as gut-wrenching emotionally as Rafts was, the softer touch suits the start of the trio's adventure well. Bori, Tuther, and Samna all feel very interesting, and none of them outshine the others in personality. Each have their own struggles and talents, but are all so dedicated to staying together and supporting each other despite the goings-on is thoroughly heartwarming.

The pacing of the story is also quite well done. It never felt like the characters were doing things solely for the benefit of the reader's understanding, and they talk about things in a way that feels natural. This lead to a little bit of confusion when the trio is talking about things we haven't been introduced to yet, but that confusion never overstayed it's welcome and I'd take that over a jarring exposition any day.

As a little side-note, I really enjoyed the way the psionic speaking was handled. It took a few re-reads the first couple of times it came up, but a rhythm quickly emerged and it made it feel so much more akin to passing thoughts between each other rather than just, talking but with their minds. Especially for something that could have been glossed over so easily, I appreciate the thought that went into it.

Truly, I love this story, and would recommend giving it a read if sci-fi space adventure with a heartfelt-but-tame romance sounds at all interesting. I read the last two thirds of the novel in one unintentional sitting because I just couldn't put it down, and my biggest disappointment is only that the next book isn't finished, because I desperately want to know more of what happens to these three and the rest of the world around them. As soon as it's out, I'll be grabbing the sequel without any hesitation.

[toasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book full of warmth, which is something I appreciate more and more these days. I've reread this a few times already, which is why I wanted to update my review!

I really enjoy the author's writing style. The sci-fi explanations I found to be informative and intriguing, without ever being overwhelming. Mindspeech is written out almost like a scripting language, which I enjoyed "deciphering". I had a fun time with it, and even occasionally reference it with a friend. :)

While I definitely enjoyed the plot and world(s)building, I would say the interactions of the main characters - two fennecs and a hyena - are the main draw of this book for me. It's refreshing+ seeing a polyamorous relationship that is free of the stereotypes and discourse that tends to be loudest out there. Samna's journey I found especially heartwarming. To see people simply be positive and supportive about Bori, Samna, and Tuther being together was lovely.

The book gets suggestive at times, but it doesn't get explicit. I thought it was done in a way that felt pretty natural and fun!

Overall, I just really enjoyed spending time with these characters for a while. They are at different times tender, silly, adorable, foolish, kind, capable, and.. formidable. I found Tuther especially relatable - we are both small and very sensitive to the cold. :P

I am curious to see how these three will grow and adjust after the events of book 1. Very much looking forward to the sequel!

Also, a shoutout to the cover artist, chutkat! The art is beautiful and is what first led to me finding this book. :)

[Tim Copley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know what to expect with the first story that I read from this author. I am happy to report that the book was an absolutely lovely little adventure that I had a hard time putting down -- especially as the story progressed.

This story explores a lot of facets of love, without ever being particularly explicit on the sexual side of things, which I found to be a great balance and adds up to something that I feel comfortable recommending to many people. There are plenty of challenges to be overcome throughout the story, but overall it is largely positive and warms the heart in the best of ways.

I can't wait to see where we go from here!

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the SPSFC where I’m a judge. This book is one of our team’s quarter finalists, so I’m doing a full review of it.

Far Flung is an incredibly cozy sci-fi fantasy with charming characters.

When I’d read the first 15% of this novel in the initial round I very easily voted yes on it. It’s very well-written, in that I didn’t notice any typos or narrative issues I sometimes see with self-published books (such as head-hopping or too much passive voice). The story starts quickly, and the stakes, while low, are set up nicely.

It’s, as I said, charming. It’s like a little hug of a book and I thought the characters were very cute and endearing. I’m also all for queer stories!

If you love rather calm stories with a tight-knit group of friends/lovers, furry culture (which I’m assuming this is based on; with sci-fi, sometimes it’s hard to tell), and great writing, you will like this and should check it out.

The thing is, though, the further I got into the novel, the less I was into it. Nothing about the novel dropped off in quality of the writing, it’s just that I think the cozy aspect got a bit too much for me and I grew a bit bored. All conflicts, except for one at the very end, were so minor or were resolved so easily there was next to no tension.

And then the finale had a lot of action jammed together so that the pacing felt a little off. It also was the epitome of “well, that escalated quickly,” as it all stems from a very logical and potentially colony-saving request of a character that another character instantly rejects (and the vehemence of which seemed out of character) and then somehow spirals out of control. I didn’t understand why there was hesitation at all. I agree that it should 100% be a choice, but why he was choosing to abstain was what confused me.

Another aspect that left me less enthused was because the characters are very similar. One says occasionally risque things, the other is sort of the leader, and the third blushes a lot. Other than that, I found not a lot distinguished them from one another and they had no sort of conflict between them. While the one did give the odd amusing comment, there wasn’t much banter. I also didn’t understand why one character kept his powers a secret - it’s never really explained what he feared about using them.

I hate to feel like I’m going on and going about stuff, but given I read this for a competition, I think it’s fair to be frank and open about my opinion.

I did think the idea of the two colonies, only accessible with certain powers at a limited time per year, was a really cool concept. The worlds were also described very well, and I loved the canyons and the mineral hunting. The worldbuilding was very interesting and there were also lovely images dropped in here and there that were a nice touch. That cover is gorgeous, by the way.

Overall, there is a lot to love about this novel, so if you’re looking for something really cozy with a cool worldbuild, you should check it out.

[Gre7g Luterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really, really wanted to love “Far Flung” by Utunu. I did! I saw it while attending Anthrocon, and a guy chatting with the author assured me it was amazing. I’m a huge fan of furry sci-fi, and have published several novels of it, so how could I pass it by?

Spoiler alert: I was unimpressed. But all week, I’ve been asking myself why.

Before we get into that, “Far Flung” is a sci-fi tale about two anthro-fennec guys and an anthro-hyena guy who are best friends. They live in a post-collapse world where the only survivors are a small town on the planet Verdant and an even smaller town on the planet Sands. With most of their technology lost, the two planets are barely in contact. Anyhow, Bori (one of the fennecs) has psionic powers and is expected to move from Sands to Verdant, but the friends don’t want to split up.

At this point, you might be thinking, “So, just don’t go.” I know I did. For 150 pages, I found myself repeating this before the narration finally explained that the tiny town they live in would treat him like an outcast if he didn’t. Fine, but this needed to be mentioned at the beginning (or if it was mentioned, it needed to be made clear) because I couldn’t take the drama seriously. My brain just kept saying, “So, just don’t go.”

Next gripe: Tuther (the other fennec) also has psionic powers, so he should go too, but he’s been hiding them from everyone because… Y’know, I have no idea why. He doesn’t want to be valued for his abilities, but everyone is, really. Aren’t they? In each society, we appreciate the baker for making bread, the doctor for healing the sick, and so on, so why the heck would it be so horrible for Tuther to be appreciated for what he could contribute?

Furthermore, Thuther has been hiding Bori’s powers, and Bori is far more powerful and important than anyone outside the trio realizes. Well, sheesh. That’s just ridiculous. Sure, in a great big city, if you didn’t want to contribute to society, then it wouldn’t really matter, but in a tiny post-collapse town? That’s just stupidly selfish. The community NEEDS his powers, so pretending he isn’t powerful is just… gah. Not to be Communist about this, but it sure doesn’t make me care about these characters when they CAN contribute but DON’T. I want to love them, but I just can’t.

And speaking of not loving the characters, another shortcoming is that the book has no main character. All three of the friends are given roughly equal amounts of screen-time, so instead of falling in love with the main character and his friends, the narration tried to split my feelings, and I walked away with luke-warm feelings for all three (at best).

More gripes: Lots of passive sentences (a pet peeve). One chapter was written in present tense for no apparent reason (another pet peeve). Some of the narration was redundant where a character would think something and then say it (if it’s going to be in the dialogue, then don’t bother sticking it in the narration).

Also, in the collapse they had lost so much information that they don’t even know why they were headed to these planets. Bu-wha? Okay, sure, if you lost your records, you might not know what such-n-such country was called a thousand years back, why countries went to war, or where the trade routes were, but to not know why your people came to this planet? Did the survivors forget? Did they not write it down? Never mentioned it to their kids? It’s only been three generations or so since the crash, so how did this important detail go missing?

And this was a big one; big enough that had I noticed it before buying the book, then I probably wouldn’t have bought it in the first place. When the characters communicate over their psychic link, this is shown by a different font, weird hap-hazard notations, and words all squished together. It’s annoying, distracting, has to be deciphered each of the many times you encounter it, and frankly, if you were in the zone and enjoying the story, it pulled you out of your immersion and back to reality each time you encountered one.

There’s a couple chapters where lesser characters are the point of view to fill in some background information that could totally have been shared by a main character.

Near the end of the story, Samna (the anthro-hyena friend) thinks he might of re-invented some of the society’s long-lost technology, but he gets interrupted and we never find out if it works or not. He never actually TRIES it. How infuriating!

And finally, the book was almost completely lacking in plot. There was a storyline, but not a PLOT. For the first 265 pages, the “plot” is little more than I-love-you, uWu, hug, and then we went here, and then we did this. There was zero foreshadowing, no escalation of threat, no reason that we should worry about whether the three friends would be okay or not. It wasn’t an adventure. It was little more than a chronicle of what things they did together.

It isn’t until the final thirty pages when anything exciting happens, and when it does, it’s just implausible. Without spoilers, let’s just say that a community member makes what I thought was a really reasonable request of Bori, and Bori turns him down. That kind of rubbed me wrong, but even worse, the guy who made the reasonable request responds to the rejection in an excessive and implausible way, which launches the “adventure portion” of the story. But this only lasts a few pages before we get dumped into a generally unsatisfying ending.

The saddest thing about all of this is that the story had some really fantastic world-building in it, and then it completely failed to deliver any story worthy of the setting.

“Far Flung” was Utunu’s second novel, so hopefully he can refine his craft, get a developmental editor to point out his future stories’ shortcomings, and they can be fixed prior to publication. I’d really like his writing to live up to his creativity.

[Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR: Far Flung has amazing world-building and a cute trio of core characters, but the tension it works so hard to build falls flat at the halfway point and it never quite recovers.

Far Flung captivated me as soon as I started reading. Utunu is clearly very skilled at world-building, it really sparked my imagination. Sands is a very unique planet, and the small commune of Fennecs and Hyenas who reside there all have a part to play in their shared survival.

At first, Verdant seems a mysterious place. The reader slowly learns the backstory of the colony, mostly through the main trio's knowledge but sometimes through cutaway chapters focusing on unknown characters. We learn that Bori will be expected to leave for Verdant if his psionic abilities become known, but we don't know if he can hide it. The three friends, Bori, Tuther, and Samna, have only so long together before they may be ripped apart.

And thus, the first half of the book kept me extremely engaged. We see how deep the relationships are between the main trio, how they understand each other and care for each other. I think the psionic Speaking between Tuther and Bori especially is extremely cute! I love their little mindhugs. It's portrayed as though texting your furry friends online is the most intimate form of communication, moreso than standing up and giving them an actual hug. Little old me would've loved this when I was younger, when this was the only way I was able to express intimacy. I imagine this will strike a chord with a lot of furries.

My attitude towards the book shifted when Gehrn arrived. Once Bori was Assayed as Tier IV, he had two choices: Leave, or live in shame. If he took the first option, then Tuther too would need to decide whether to reveal his psionic ability to go with Bori, or to stay behind with Samna. No matter what though, I was prepared for my heart to be ripped out of my chest.

None of that happened. Tuther and Samna were both allowed to go with Bori... so what was all that build-up for? In fact, they were only allowed to go because of how strong Bori was, and that was with Tuther Hiding him! If he showed the full extent of his powers, he would have so much more bargaining power. Maybe he could choose to live on Sands, and train there?

There was one potential conflict which could have arisen here: Verdant was very mysterious at first, we didn't know why the colony crashed, why there was such little communication. Why hadn't the Fennecs heard from Dzer in all these years? Was there something more sinister going on? Unfortunately, the main trio never consider this, and I had learnt enough about Verdant through the non-Sands based chapters that I was now convinced everyone in this world was well-intentioned and if Bori just revealed his powers, things would be okay.

Something else which would have improved this part of the story, would be if the main trio's other relationships were deepened. We learn a bit about Samna's mother, Lirra, and about Bori's brothers. But they all seem secondary to the main trio's relationship. As long as Bori, Tuther, and Samna are together, everything's okay. But what if instead, Bori was forced to leave, and Tuther and Samna decided to make some big sacrifice to keep them all together? They just needed some other people who were important to them, in my opinion, to make this more meaningful.

Once they got to Verdant, it seemed like a fantastic place to live. Bori was having fun using his abilities with Dritha, Samna had access to more equipment and autonomy to conduct research, and Tuther started enjoying the company of new people.

I think this would've made a great "happily ever after" if this was their *goal*, but it felt like the trio did their best to self sabotage, failed, and ended up winning anyway.

The conflict with Gehrn at the end felt like it came out of nowhere, so I don't wish to comment on it too much. Gehrn didn't have enough characterisation beforehand. It felt like this final conflict was made to justify Hiding Bori ad-hoc.

With all that being said, I am excited for the sequel. There's a lot of mysteries left to uncover in this world. I want to see where Utunu takes the main trio's relationship. I want to see what becomes of the dual-colonies on Sands and Verdant, it seems like there might be some class-based oppression here. I want to learn about the lost souls from the colony ships, who Speak to Tuther at the Scar. I want to learn about why these people were sent into the stars, and why they lost the knowledge of their past. And I want to learn about the causes of psionic power, why those born on Verdant aren't psionic, why Tuther and Bori are so powerful, why it seems Hyenas were once psionic but now aren't, and how much latent psionic potential exists within everyone. There's many more mysteries to learn about, and I think many more challenges await our main trio. For now, I hope they enjoy their life on Archipelago. It seems peaceful, like all they've ever wanted.

[Michael Miele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far Flung is a lovely furry science fiction read that focuses a lot on building out the world that these anthro fennecs and hyenas live in. Sands, Archipelago, and Verdant are the names of the planets that are within their immediate star system. Most of the colony lives on Sands and relies on strong psionic fennecs to travel to Verdant.

The description of the psionic powers and how the fennecs train themselves to become better with them were some of the most interesting parts of the book to me. I also appreciated the way that emotions were communicated telepathically. It reminded me a lot of simplifying things into programming variables and using that as a shorthand to get across the emotion they were trying to convey. This gets expanded on more throughout the story as well, so I have to say I am impressed++ at how well it translated once I was used to it. Bori’s ability to Fling himself large distances and Tuther’s role as a Mender to make sure he doesn’t overexert himself and Mindwipe, a frankly horrifying concept, helped to establish the two as a binary pair that balanced each other.


But that binary is only part of the overall equation. The thing that really carries Far Flung as a book is the exploration of the relationship between Bori, Tuther, and Samna, the book’s three leads. With the benefit of psionics, there is little in way of guarded emotions between the three and we get to see them grapple with how to communicate what they want out of their shared friendship throughout the story. A good amount of gay romance and some very sweet polycule representation kept me squealing in delight for each new way they found to be cute with each other. There’s nothing overly explicit described so fans of Utunu’s last work in Rafts may be disappointed on that front. I felt like the implicit and things referenced go a long way for your imagination to fill in the gaps, so I was happy with it.

I know by this point I’m predictable when it comes to books that include pictures every so often, but I can’t help it! I really love getting to see the characters and the sci-fi environments every so often. The one with Samna experiencing rain for the first time just really hit me super hard with being able to see the emotion on his face and connecting it to that moment in the book.

My biggest criticism with the book is that I felt like the stakes were not really balanced well throughout. The whole first half of the book has a well defined problem that the characters are trying to avoid and then in the second half that tension goes away for a long time before exploding very suddenly at the end. While it made for an explosive finish, it felt somewhat off to me. Making the up until then very low stakes into something that will have disastrous consequences in the next book.

If you’re in the mood for a largely cozy science fiction story with plenty of romance and a good deal of worldbuilding for future entries, then I’d say to pick this book up!

[Ty Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming off of Rafts , last year's Coyotl-award-winning novella, Utunu has again written an excellent book in Far Flung.

As a science fiction novel, it deviates fairly significantly from Rafts in genre and scope, but is no less engaging for it. A concern I had going in was that it may fall into the genre trap of overloading the reader with trivia and inscrutable techno-jargon at the expense of the characters and plot. It's a pervasive enough issue for me that I'm hesitant to pick up science fiction books in general, but I'm happy to report that these elements are all very well balanced in Far Flung. The descriptions of futuristic technology and the details about this universe's unique world-building feature — psionic powers — are clear, never distracting, and integrated seamlessly into the narrative. In particular, telepathy is one of many psionic abilities endowed upon several of the characters, and the way Utunu has built in this form of communication as distinct from normal speech is absolutely wonderful, though it took a little bit to get used to at first.

The perspective bounces between each of the three main characters — the fennec foxes, Bori and Tuther, and the technologically inclined hyena, Samna — but again this is executed in a way that wasn't confusing. A high point overall is how strongly they are characterized — they each have distinct voices, and their relationship was a tether that kept me consistently invested.

My one critique — and a minor one overall — is that I found the pacing in the beginning of the novel to be slow at times. That's not to say that it didn't hold my attention, but I found myself wishing for the plot to unfurl a little sooner. As is typical for Utunu's work, the prose is high-caliber and the editing on point, which went a long way for me in terms of staying fully immersed.

As with Rafts, there are many interior illustrations, all of which are lovely. The artist does fine work and I'm glad that they and Utunu are continuing to collaborate, because it very much adds to the experience.

It is worth mentioning that Far Flung has a planned continuation, so the reader shouldn't go in with the expectation that the story will be concluded (I knew this before picking it up). The ending itself is a good stopping point, though, with a good mix of plot elements that were resolved and those that will doubtless be explored in a future book. As such, I’m already ready to pick up the next one, when it's completed!

Definitely give Far Flung a look — you won't be disappointed!

[Frank LeRenard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very cozy, much more so than I was expecting. Most of my experience with sci-fi involves either a lot of intrigue, drama, or else detailed explorations of speculative futures and technologies. And while this book has some of that (the psionic abilities are evidently well-considered), the vast majority of it is about the close relationship between the three protagonists.

The book's pace felt... leisurely. I think this is because what little conflict there is--getting caught in a sandstorm, being assaulted by the despairing ghosts of long-dead psychic energy, having hidden psychic powers assessed by a third party--is usually resolved right away, with few lasting consequences (save that last one). The first half of the book I recall being just chapter after chapter of friends hanging out, chatting, taking showers, eating curry, sometimes mining, exploring, and having sex, just every so often interrupted by interstitial chapters used to explain some of the world's backstory. That's not a criticism, but it might be worth knowing if you're expecting a high-octane action piece for some reason. This is less that and more "friends hanging out and chilling" for a good chunk of it.

Not that there isn't intrigue, of course. There is plenty, driven by the conflict between the simple life the protagonists all want and their potential for the story's two settlements, which if exploited could easily disrupt that simplicity. And this all is doled out at a good pace, with just enough new developments to keep things interesting the whole way through.

Honestly, the only thing that bothered me was the writing itself, which is nothing if not straight-forward. The characters are all very close to each other, but many of the conversations still came across to me as awkward small talk (a lot of "Yeah" and "Oh" and other phrases filling the gaps between kind of boilerplate statements about the goings-on). But this is just a personal preference, being someone who enjoys wordplay and metaphor and such things. The simple prose did make the book extremely easy to read.

Anyway, I do recommend giving it a read, especially if you're into sci-fi but want something more laid back. Take it with you to the beach.

[M. Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start this off by saying that I haven't really read fiction from the furry community prior to Far Flung, so this was my first time. That being said, Far Flung is a wonderful novel and I'm glad to have picked it up at Furnal Equinox 2025.

Far Flung itself is a novel that grapples with themes of community, legacy, and the expectations placed on one because of that. The three main characters are brimming with emotions over how they struggle between their need to contribute to their respective community and staying true to themselves and their relationship. The first half of the novel focuses in on that via bonding and fear over the group being separated due to Bori and Tuther's psionic abilities. While the second half continues this, but focuses on how sacrifices must be made so the legacy of a people isn't disrupted again. The characters, for all intents and purposes, are special and they aren't looked down on for it, some of them would even venerated for it. That possible veneration and the threat it carries is what drives home those themes and I find it a unique and fun experience to read through those emotions involving it. That fear of being seen for what you are and not who you are a feeling I'm sure many can relate to.

Lastly, the way psionic communication is handled in written form in Far Flung is very fun! It can be difficult to read at times, but it's unique in a way I believe adds to the novel. Additionally, the way technology and psionics meld in the world building is enough to get one thinking and I enjoyed the explanations offered.

Overall, I highly recommend Far Flung. It starts a bit slow, but once it starts running, it really starts running. Taking you into a fun science fiction world that's unlike most others I've read!

[Tiberiusrings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far Flung is a science fiction novel about fennecs, hyenas, a mystery of the past, and psionics.

But I am not going to tell you much about any of them because what good is a review if I tell you all the good parts? I will start by saying this is a wonderful book that you should absolutely pick up if you care about characterization and watching a plot slowly open up and broaden as we, the reader, are introduced to more of the world(s) Utunu has created.

Far Flung is a book that made me pay attention to the nuance. Utunu opens the world up slowly, going by the rule of showing rather than telling. He opens with words that will make the reader, initially wonder what the characters are talking about but he never keeps us in the dark for long, and as the story continues he adds more layers to those Capital Letter Words, avoiding an info dump or random moments of exposition that may have felt out of place.

Utunu had so many opportunities to take his characters down cliche and predictable routes but he bucked expectations and really fleshed them out. Tuther, Bori, and Samna all have flaws but they are so much better as people because these friends have each other. Every character gets a chance to shine and when the characters were happy I felt happy and when they were sad I felt sad. If a writer can make me cry or cheer during a read then they've succeeded.

Ultimately I cannot say more without spoilers. What I will say is this book is worth your time and money. I can easily see myself picking this book up again and re-reading it just because I love the characters.

[Lauren Rivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d read Utunu’s previous work and been genuinely impressed by it, which I consider to be no easy feat. While I’m not by my consideration a harsh critic I do have high standards for top ratings, and if you do well the first time I’m much more likely to read your next book. So with a reasonable amount of confidence in it I ordered a signed copy of Far Flung and at last it’s turn arrived in the rotation.

I admit I’d put it off a little because I was still trying to come to terms with some feedback I had received on my own project from Utunu and was still trying to figure out how best to absorb it. To digress a little, I was a little emotionally overwhelmed by some of the comments and while overall I do feel that a lot of the changes made were beneficial as a result of the commentary, it took longer than it should have to balance it all and reestablish my confidence in my work. Now what does this have to do with Far Flung, you may ask, well, I pride myself on giving everything a fair shake, and I was at least for a while afraid that some of the psychic damage I had taken from the growth process would color my impressions, so I waited until at last I felt I was ready to tackle it with an even mind.

Utunu’s first foray into scifi at least on a larger scale, it was a well thought out story with a unique setting. There’s a reason for everything and it all makes sense. He does a fantastic job establishing a world that has its own flavor and could never be mistaken for Tatooine or Arrakis. Sands is its own entity and through the early chapters we get a picture of life on this harsh desert world.

The main characters work well together, with an organic chemistry to their interactions. I think that they formed a great polycule, with no one feeling like a third wheel, which is a tricky skill to master. Generally I find relationships of more than two characters to be complicated, on more than one level, but this trio forms a bond of friendship and more that feels free of any of the usual jealousies or complications one typically finds when there are more than two people involved. Their group is very much ‘us against the world’ where they know they can trust each other but everyone outside the group is a potential risk to their happiness. Now I don’t mean to make that sound paranoid but to point out that the trio really only has themselves to depend on, and that being said it makes their bond stronger as a result.

All three add unique aspects to the group dynamics, both in terms of their personalities, abilities, and function in the story. They all fit together well with each character balancing perfectly against the other two. While I do feel that with a three way relationship it somewhat dilutes the investment one might get from a traditional pairing, the story still did a fantastic job of getting me emotionally invested in each of the characters and caring about what happens to them.

If I had to pick a favorite, I think it would probably be Bori. The centerpiece of the group, he has I think the brightest personality of the trio. Although I will say that Tuther is perhaps the most interesting, if for no other reason than a large part of his backstory is left a mystery at least for the duration of Far Flung itself.

The abilities are well thought out with each one possessing a particular set of limitations and dutifully maintained. It is both unique and relevant, both establishing the identity of the series along with serving the needs of the plot. There are no superpowers here, everything serves a purpose.

I think Utunu does a great job at portraying the feeling of having a happy life and wanting to protect the people you care about from potentially harmful change, particularly relevant in this day and age, it both reminds us to keep those we love close but also to take care of the people around us and appreciate them while they are here. It very much emphasizes the idea that it’s not where you are, but who you’re with that matters. Perhaps it’s just me being sappy, but a good story should make you think about the world around you, and that’s what this one does.

It was a solid effort, beautifully told. Do I think it was better than Rafts? Overall I think Rafts had more of an emotional impact on me but Far Flung was a better story. Even more so when I consider this was his first science fiction effort. As I understand it, a sequel is already in the works, and if this one was any indication, I’ll be on board for the sequel, even if there aren’t any zebras.

[Packwolf Lupestripe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this with some trepidation as it’s not the sort of story I typically read. However, Utunu’s first novel, Rafts, was so good that I decided to give Far Flung a try.

It’s certainly a gentle read, with the only real action coming towards the end of the book. The first half focuses strongly on the relationship between Bori, Tuther and Samna, the three main protagonists. Indeed, I would say it is their relationship that is the main protagonist rather than the characters themselves.

There are a few things that could be introduced earlier, particularly Tuther’s motivations regarding hiding while I did feel that Samna expressing his lack of psionic ability until about a third of the way into the book seemed a little late. These are minor issues though and may be down to how I would personally react rather than the characters themselves.

The main strength of the book is the excellent world building and this, along with the powerful descriptions, really shone through. There are also enough open ends for a sequel, which I’m looking forward to reading.

In tempestuous times, this novel was the perfect escape, focusing on the power of love and friendship. Pick it up if you can.

[Domus Vocis · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Far Flung" is a science fiction book that combines anthropomorphism, gay relationships, and character-driven storytelling. The main characters are easily likable and the setting is so vast and alien, with Utunu's writing style bringing everything to life. I cannot say anything more without spoiling the book, but I will tell you that it is an emotional journey which will leave you wanting more, and I hope to see more of our three protagonists in future stories.

[Rhys Fulenwider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got hooked on Utunu's writing with 'Rafts'. 'Far Flung' did not disappoint at all. Although deciphering the 'mind speak' was a bit tricky at first, the story carried me through. The tale of the survivors of a crashed colony ship is enthralling, and the ways differing species can cohabitate uplifting.

Thank you, Utunu, for the gift of your imagination and writing,

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's very touching, heartfelt and uses some very interesting ways to communicate ideas and connections that make it feel fresh and intriguing.
I devoured it in one day so i definitely recommend giving it a read!

[Charlie Coyote · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for any fan of "furry" literature, science fiction, or both! Lovable characters you will just want to hug, fantastic world building, cute and tasteful romance, telekinesis, and much more! At the risk of divulging spoilers, I won't say more here-- read it and find out for yourself!

[Dire Woof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read! The three protagonists are incredibly endearing and a joy to read about. Even as someone who isn’t super into the sci-fi genre, this book still kept me invested in the story and worldbuilding.

-Schande T.