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mikibooks's review against another edition
4.0
El libro iba directo a las 5 estrellas (sólo porque no hay más) desde la primera palabra, por varios motivos:
Por un lado, la sinergia entre los autores. No conozco al coautor, pero esta combinación en particular creo que saca a ese Voinov que más me emociona, ese que no tiene que adaptarse a determinadas variables, ni necesita moderar su imaginación o frenar sus impulsos creativos; el que es posible leer en muchas de sus más jugadas obras en solitario. En este caso, y aún si es posible notar que los personajes tienen algunas particularidades que no le son exclusivas, el libro en general es indiscutiblemente de la cepa de Voinov
Por el otro, los avatares políticos y las discusiones político-filosóficas que se entablan entre los protagonistas, y con otros personajes secundarios que gravitan a su alrededor y que representan diferentes maneras de entender grandes temas como el poder, la libertad, la independencia, la responsabilidad, la lealtad, lo político, etc. Aún si ambos defienden posiciones muy puras y absolutas, es muy interesante la forma en la que éstas se estructuran porque dan cuenta de muchos matices y lográs identificarte un poco con ambas. La idea de una resistencia vs una especie de gobierno absolutista no es que sea de lo más novedoso, tampoco tiene por qué serlo, pero sí se nota el dominio de la pluma, la inteligencia, el conocimiento y la habilidad de los autores para construirlo de manera profunda y super interesante.
La acción y el desarrollo de la trama en general también es de lo mejor que tiene el libro, con la suficiente dosis de cada ingrediente. Las escenas violentas son parte de lo que (les) sucede, por lo tanto necesarias, y muy bien construidas en su crudeza. Quizás para los más flojitos pueda ser demasiado atravesar ciertos momentos.
Así que por lo único que terminó con 4 estrellas es por el desenlace. No necesito siempre que me den un final feliz, es más, hay casos en que resulta completamente desilusionante. No sé si este es el caso, pero hay ocasiones en que pareciera que el autor se ve obligado a cerrar una obra, que viene siendo dramática, con un moño de colores quizás por cierta presión editorial, como si pudieran ceder algunos detallitos pero nunca el HEA o HFN. El final de este libro parece recortado de otro libro. Por supuesto que es una postura completamente subjetiva (de eso se tratan las reseñas a fin de cuenta), pero ansiaba con mucha intensidad otro tipo de conclusión.
Dark Edge of Honor comenzó como tragedia. Me hubiera gustado que no terminara como farsa.
Por un lado, la sinergia entre los autores. No conozco al coautor, pero esta combinación en particular creo que saca a ese Voinov que más me emociona, ese que no tiene que adaptarse a determinadas variables, ni necesita moderar su imaginación o frenar sus impulsos creativos; el que es posible leer en muchas de sus más jugadas obras en solitario. En este caso, y aún si es posible notar que los personajes tienen algunas particularidades que no le son exclusivas, el libro en general es indiscutiblemente de la cepa de Voinov
Por el otro, los avatares políticos y las discusiones político-filosóficas que se entablan entre los protagonistas, y con otros personajes secundarios que gravitan a su alrededor y que representan diferentes maneras de entender grandes temas como el poder, la libertad, la independencia, la responsabilidad, la lealtad, lo político, etc. Aún si ambos defienden posiciones muy puras y absolutas, es muy interesante la forma en la que éstas se estructuran porque dan cuenta de muchos matices y lográs identificarte un poco con ambas. La idea de una resistencia vs una especie de gobierno absolutista no es que sea de lo más novedoso, tampoco tiene por qué serlo, pero sí se nota el dominio de la pluma, la inteligencia, el conocimiento y la habilidad de los autores para construirlo de manera profunda y super interesante.
La acción y el desarrollo de la trama en general también es de lo mejor que tiene el libro, con la suficiente dosis de cada ingrediente. Las escenas violentas son parte de lo que (les) sucede, por lo tanto necesarias, y muy bien construidas en su crudeza. Quizás para los más flojitos pueda ser demasiado atravesar ciertos momentos.
Así que por lo único que terminó con 4 estrellas es por el desenlace. No necesito siempre que me den un final feliz, es más, hay casos en que resulta completamente desilusionante. No sé si este es el caso, pero hay ocasiones en que pareciera que el autor se ve obligado a cerrar una obra, que viene siendo dramática, con un moño de colores quizás por cierta presión editorial, como si pudieran ceder algunos detallitos pero nunca el HEA o HFN. El final de este libro parece recortado de otro libro. Por supuesto que es una postura completamente subjetiva (de eso se tratan las reseñas a fin de cuenta), pero ansiaba con mucha intensidad otro tipo de conclusión.
Dark Edge of Honor comenzó como tragedia. Me hubiera gustado que no terminara como farsa.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my gosh I liked this so much. "Honeytrap except they fall in love for real" is a TIMELESS PLOT and I love it. And this one took place in SPACE! And there were DRAGONS! And it was GAY!
I'm never much for political conflict, but the tension and emotion in this was so good, all the time. I was on the edge of my seat like 80% of the time. Sergei was such a sweet sweet dude, I just wanted the best for him. The narrator of the audiobook I listened to did a great job (though I'm not the biggest fan of his voice). I do think the resolution was just a tiny bit rushed, and there was so many threads left hanging. (Did the general get his comeuppance for real? What happens with Sergei's aunt and family? Mike's job? The Andrew thing? What was up with the revision officer and that colonel, because I swore they were gay too?)
But I still enjoyed it very much.
I'm never much for political conflict, but the tension and emotion in this was so good, all the time. I was on the edge of my seat like 80% of the time. Sergei was such a sweet sweet dude, I just wanted the best for him. The narrator of the audiobook I listened to did a great job (though I'm not the biggest fan of his voice). I do think the resolution was just a tiny bit rushed, and there was so many threads left hanging. (Did the general get his comeuppance for real? What happens with Sergei's aunt and family? Mike's job? The Andrew thing? What was up with the revision officer and that colonel, because I swore they were gay too?)
But I still enjoyed it very much.
teresab78's review against another edition
4.0
This book was well written and engaging! The sex was hot and I could see how their feelings evolved. That being said, I feel like Mike was forgiven too fast and I didn't like the how the ending resolved. For all the conflict in the book, it was too easy.
But I loved the imagery and basic plot.
But I loved the imagery and basic plot.
shemi's review against another edition
5.0
Was really worried about a lot of things that turned about to be total non issues. Firstly, the Sci Fi extraterrestrial element. It was written so well, and I really didn't have to worry because I caught on in what felt like a calculated and well thought out and well explained time. Secondly, the pace seemed fast at first, but it wasn't. It was perfect. Thirdly, the characters seemed kind of vague, like we don't know their ages and their full backgrounds and histories, but that was also a non issue. It didn't bother me at all which surprised me.
I absolutely ADORED the writing style. It just seemed intelligent and poetic in a way. It wasn't too easy to read, though not necessarily complex either; it wasn't just a quick little story. It felt very thought out, and well developed and I cant get enough of all the little nuances in the writing.
The story was beautiful. I enjoyed all the complexities and emotions that came with it.
I absolutely ADORED the writing style. It just seemed intelligent and poetic in a way. It wasn't too easy to read, though not necessarily complex either; it wasn't just a quick little story. It felt very thought out, and well developed and I cant get enough of all the little nuances in the writing.
The story was beautiful. I enjoyed all the complexities and emotions that came with it.
hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
(Audiobook review. Narrator: Jack LeFleur) I loved this book, and Jack LeFleur's narration was spot on. I loved his reading of Sergei, but he did great with everyone. He put the perfect amount of emotion into the story to pull the reader in, never over emphasizing dialog or action scenes. And he really made the sex scenes scorching.
Along with the wonderful narration, the story was compelling. The slow development of the main characters' feelings for each other was believable, which made the betrayal that much more devastating in the end. The world building was also well done. It's easy to have a story fall into 'telling not showing' when it comes to describing a world different from ours, but that didn't happen here. All the supporting characters were as well developed as the two main ones. The only problem I had was with the relationship between two of the supporting characters which never seemed fully explained to me. Maybe that was the intent but it felt like a loose end.
This story is dark, with dub-con sex and torture, so it's not for everyone. I like a plot which, although somewhat predictable, is more than the same old m/m romance found everywhere these days.
Along with the wonderful narration, the story was compelling. The slow development of the main characters' feelings for each other was believable, which made the betrayal that much more devastating in the end. The world building was also well done. It's easy to have a story fall into 'telling not showing' when it comes to describing a world different from ours, but that didn't happen here. All the supporting characters were as well developed as the two main ones. The only problem I had was with the relationship between two of the supporting characters which never seemed fully explained to me. Maybe that was the intent but it felt like a loose end.
This story is dark, with dub-con sex and torture, so it's not for everyone. I like a plot which, although somewhat predictable, is more than the same old m/m romance found everywhere these days.
kira_dance's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
leahkarge's review against another edition
4.0
Dark Edge of Honor tells the story of soldiers on opposing sides: Mike, of Alliance CovOps, and Sergei, of the Doctrine. Mike is tasked with finding out whatever he can about Doctrine movements on the planet of Cirokkan, and that involves getting close to Sergei. Unexpectedly, though, Mike begins to actually care for Sergei, and duty and emotions get irrevocably tangled. After a disastrous mission in the mountain and a couple bouts of torture, secrets finally come out. Eventually, after saving Sergei from an undesirable fate, the two manage to get away together and start planning for a life.
After trying several times to come up with something that sounds really intelligent, and coming up with nothing, all I can say is that this book was really good. Better than I was expecting. Mike and Sergei were both easy to connect to and fall in love with. The plot as a whole was engaging and I was never bored; there were even times when I clutched my Kindle hard, waiting to see what was going to happen next (especially during the torture scenes). Aleksandr Voinov and Rhi Etzweiler have produced a wonderful story.
After trying several times to come up with something that sounds really intelligent, and coming up with nothing, all I can say is that this book was really good. Better than I was expecting. Mike and Sergei were both easy to connect to and fall in love with. The plot as a whole was engaging and I was never bored; there were even times when I clutched my Kindle hard, waiting to see what was going to happen next (especially during the torture scenes). Aleksandr Voinov and Rhi Etzweiler have produced a wonderful story.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. This is a military-setting Sci-Fi with some dark moments in it, as invader and resistance fighter meet, have sex, and then find something more developing between them.
Sergei is a man who has always taken to heart the tenets of the Coalition which he serves as an officer. The focus and discipline ground him, and he truly believes in the philosophy. He sees their invasion as bringing the virtues of the Coalition, with its focus on the group over the individual, to the backward world which his forces are trying to subdue.
Mike is a spy for the Alliance. He dislikes the Coalition's motives and methods, and has a healthy respect for the rights and powers of the individual. Given the opportunity to seduce Sergei, and thereby get close to the aide of a Coalition General, he does so. As an opportunity to spy, it's a success, but Mike doesn't expect to find himself falling for the enemy.
Sergei's lack of any kind of romantic or sexual experience beyond anonymous or forced sex, means that his time with Mike feels like a revelation. He falls for Mike fast. But his basic decency, and his open eagerness to give himself to Mike, has Mike also becoming emotionally involved.
Aleks Voinov does really good enemies-to-lovers books. This one is a bit of a twist on that, because at first only one of the two men knows that they are actually on opposite sides of a smoldering war. And yet he falls in love just as fast as his oblivious counterpart. That gives the book an interesting dynamic, with shifts in the power relationship between the MCs occurring several times as the plot developed.
The first chapter was a bit dry and confusing - I didn't feel like I had a handle on the characters or the political and military situation until a couple of chapters in. But by about the first third, this book had grabbed me and I was fully engaged with both the main characters and the world-building. The story is dark, but the relationship is satisfying. There is an understated sweetness in and between these men that keeps showing in glimpses beneath the horrors of war, of prejudice, of military blind obedience and violence. Sergei in particular is an amazing character.
Sergei is a man who has always taken to heart the tenets of the Coalition which he serves as an officer. The focus and discipline ground him, and he truly believes in the philosophy. He sees their invasion as bringing the virtues of the Coalition, with its focus on the group over the individual, to the backward world which his forces are trying to subdue.
Mike is a spy for the Alliance. He dislikes the Coalition's motives and methods, and has a healthy respect for the rights and powers of the individual. Given the opportunity to seduce Sergei, and thereby get close to the aide of a Coalition General, he does so. As an opportunity to spy, it's a success, but Mike doesn't expect to find himself falling for the enemy.
Sergei's lack of any kind of romantic or sexual experience beyond anonymous or forced sex, means that his time with Mike feels like a revelation. He falls for Mike fast. But his basic decency, and his open eagerness to give himself to Mike, has Mike also becoming emotionally involved.
Aleks Voinov does really good enemies-to-lovers books. This one is a bit of a twist on that, because at first only one of the two men knows that they are actually on opposite sides of a smoldering war. And yet he falls in love just as fast as his oblivious counterpart. That gives the book an interesting dynamic, with shifts in the power relationship between the MCs occurring several times as the plot developed.
The first chapter was a bit dry and confusing - I didn't feel like I had a handle on the characters or the political and military situation until a couple of chapters in. But by about the first third, this book had grabbed me and I was fully engaged with both the main characters and the world-building. The story is dark, but the relationship is satisfying. There is an understated sweetness in and between these men that keeps showing in glimpses beneath the horrors of war, of prejudice, of military blind obedience and violence. Sergei in particular is an amazing character.
mrella's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. The story itself, loved it. At the same time I can't stop bitching about annoying things in the book, either. Just go through my updates, some of it is there.
What I disliked the most is uneven writing, perfectly clear picture one moment and the next is like looking through a dusty window and needing a description. But I don't want actions and emotions described to me. I want to experience them with the characters. Here is an example. Sergei finds out about Mike. What do we get from him? Something along the lines "Well, goddamit. Who could he ...and how could I. I should probably feel bad about it." "And he did," adds the author. The whole two paragraphs and a few scattered sentences. It was a disappointment.
That's not to say the rest of the book was the same way. There are absolutely brilliant parts in it. Never a dull moment.
3.5 stars on BookLikes and Leafmarks, rounding up to 4 here, on GR.
*
Ребяты! В книге присутствует побратим Ульянов! :D
What I disliked the most is uneven writing, perfectly clear picture one moment and the next is like looking through a dusty window and needing a description. But I don't want actions and emotions described to me. I want to experience them with the characters. Here is an example. Sergei finds out about Mike. What do we get from him? Something along the lines "Well, goddamit. Who could he ...and how could I. I should probably feel bad about it." "And he did," adds the author. The whole two paragraphs and a few scattered sentences. It was a disappointment.
That's not to say the rest of the book was the same way. There are absolutely brilliant parts in it. Never a dull moment.
3.5 stars on BookLikes and Leafmarks, rounding up to 4 here, on GR.
*
Ребяты! В книге присутствует побратим Ульянов! :D