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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This one really spoke to me. Reminds me of Firefly, but if River were the protagonist. Yeah, it's sci-fi, but really, it's a romance about two really broken people learning to be strong in their broken places together.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did like this one better than the first, mostly for the political aspects. I LOVE seeing alien politics and intrigue. But I just CANNOT stand the plot with March. I do not find him likeable, and I don't get why Jax is so determined to "fix" him. The analogies between their relationship and an abusive one (which Jax LITERALLY BRINGS UP to herself at one point) make me uncomfortable. Idk. I'm considering reading the next one, mostly out of the hope that it's better now that he's "fixed" but idk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence
Okay, this book delivers on the promise I saw when I read Grimspace a couple of weeks ago. Wanderlust was kind of a mess, but I'm glad I stuck with this series, because Aguirre's writing has improved by light-years just in the space of three books (I think at this point she had also starting writing one of her other series, so she was getting in A LOT of writing in a short period of time -- practice makes perfect, and such). Unless this book is a fluke, of course, but I don't think that's likely.
Doubleblind (not sure why it's called that, kinda driving me crazy), unlike Wanderlust and even Grimspace, has a tight, focused plot. Jax and her crew arrive at Ithiss Tor on a diplomatic mission, and if they don't succeed, the human race is pretty much doomed. The Ithtorians are crucial in defending human civilization from the vicious aliens, the Morgut, who see humans as yummy snacks, but have historically feared the Ithtorians, whose blood is poison to them. Jax's friendship with Ithorian outcast, Vel, makes her uniquely qualified among humans to negotiate the peace and bring the two races together as allies, but she's got her work cut out for her, to say the least. The Ithtorians are isolationists in the extreme, having cut off contact with the rest of the universe 200 years before, and most of them are xenophobes. Jax has to not only navigate the tricky terrain of learning Ithtorian culture and how to be a diplomat (hint: no shooting), but she has to do it all without starting a galactic incident. All the while she has to deal with her an extremely PTSD Marsh, whose trigger-happy presence could easily start said galactic incident.
I loved this book. Of course, I love these kinds of stories. Cultural differences, bridging gaps, conspiracies, aliens and spaceships, diplomacy, murder . . it's good stuff. But this was also just a really good book. Jax has character growth up the wazoo, her relationship with Marsh in this is really good (if a bit intense), and her friendship with Vel is just great. And it was so much fun watching her navigate the tricky terrain of Ithtorian society, and yes, win the day. Really excited about reading the rest of the series now.
Doubleblind (not sure why it's called that, kinda driving me crazy), unlike Wanderlust and even Grimspace, has a tight, focused plot. Jax and her crew arrive at Ithiss Tor on a diplomatic mission, and if they don't succeed, the human race is pretty much doomed. The Ithtorians are crucial in defending human civilization from the vicious aliens, the Morgut, who see humans as yummy snacks, but have historically feared the Ithtorians, whose blood is poison to them. Jax's friendship with Ithorian outcast, Vel, makes her uniquely qualified among humans to negotiate the peace and bring the two races together as allies, but she's got her work cut out for her, to say the least. The Ithtorians are isolationists in the extreme, having cut off contact with the rest of the universe 200 years before, and most of them are xenophobes. Jax has to not only navigate the tricky terrain of learning Ithtorian culture and how to be a diplomat (hint: no shooting), but she has to do it all without starting a galactic incident. All the while she has to deal with her an extremely PTSD Marsh, whose trigger-happy presence could easily start said galactic incident.
I loved this book. Of course, I love these kinds of stories. Cultural differences, bridging gaps, conspiracies, aliens and spaceships, diplomacy, murder . . it's good stuff. But this was also just a really good book. Jax has character growth up the wazoo, her relationship with Marsh in this is really good (if a bit intense), and her friendship with Vel is just great. And it was so much fun watching her navigate the tricky terrain of Ithtorian society, and yes, win the day. Really excited about reading the rest of the series now.
Loved the setting for this novel and the ambassador role. Just really interesting stuff. The rest didn't make it my fave, but it gets a bonus star for such an interesting alien race.
Warning: Spoilers for the first two books, but not for Doubleblind.
The Sirantha Jax series runs through the gamut of all possible elements in science fiction/ fantasy. [b:Grimspace|1828067|Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, #1)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298780718s/1828067.jpg|1827857] was a jaunty, action-filled adventure with romance. [b:Wanderlust|3182799|Wanderlust (Sirantha Jax, #2)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267840049s/3182799.jpg|3215632] had horror, separation from love interest, a thrilling escape from war-torn, Teras-infested planet, and the added stress of Jax's health issues. Now, Doubleblind features political intrigue, psychological post-war issues, expansion of artificial intelligence, and exploration of alien culture. Unlike in any series I've ever read, each of Jax's books feel distinctly different from the other, and not in the usual, expected way. Aguirre seems to tap into a different genre for every installment. Since I'm currently in the middle of reading the fourth book [b:Killbox|7843135|Killbox (Sirantha Jax, #4)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1282093259s/7843135.jpg|6913748], I can verify that this assessment remains valid.
The Jax novels are foremost Science Fiction. Still, the first had traces of Urban Fantasy grittiness with its snarky, kick-ass heroine, while Wanderlust had a suspense-horror feel to it, and now Aguirre switches the gear once again to create a political environment.
Unfortunately, I agree with Jael--political intrigue can be as boring as a documentary about bugs. Some might find either subject fascinating, but I can't find much interest in either. I favor the suspense of physical battle more than the tension of underhanded, political dealings. I felt Jax's spirit die a little as she played the more subdued and passive role of Ambassador. Moreover, the sudden gravity of Jax's mission and the descriptions of Jax's past, wild days lacked the type of verisimilitude I would've liked. I'm sure there are readers who enjoyed this book a lot. I would have rated Doubleblind three stars if not for the redeeming action-packed ending.
I did like that March's background got fleshed out more. The ending promises an exciting fourth book.
The Sirantha Jax series runs through the gamut of all possible elements in science fiction/ fantasy. [b:Grimspace|1828067|Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, #1)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1298780718s/1828067.jpg|1827857] was a jaunty, action-filled adventure with romance. [b:Wanderlust|3182799|Wanderlust (Sirantha Jax, #2)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267840049s/3182799.jpg|3215632] had horror, separation from love interest, a thrilling escape from war-torn, Teras-infested planet, and the added stress of Jax's health issues. Now, Doubleblind features political intrigue, psychological post-war issues, expansion of artificial intelligence, and exploration of alien culture. Unlike in any series I've ever read, each of Jax's books feel distinctly different from the other, and not in the usual, expected way. Aguirre seems to tap into a different genre for every installment. Since I'm currently in the middle of reading the fourth book [b:Killbox|7843135|Killbox (Sirantha Jax, #4)|Ann Aguirre|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1282093259s/7843135.jpg|6913748], I can verify that this assessment remains valid.
The Jax novels are foremost Science Fiction. Still, the first had traces of Urban Fantasy grittiness with its snarky, kick-ass heroine, while Wanderlust had a suspense-horror feel to it, and now Aguirre switches the gear once again to create a political environment.
Unfortunately, I agree with Jael--political intrigue can be as boring as a documentary about bugs. Some might find either subject fascinating, but I can't find much interest in either. I favor the suspense of physical battle more than the tension of underhanded, political dealings. I felt Jax's spirit die a little as she played the more subdued and passive role of Ambassador. Moreover, the sudden gravity of Jax's mission and the descriptions of Jax's past, wild days lacked the type of verisimilitude I would've liked. I'm sure there are readers who enjoyed this book a lot. I would have rated Doubleblind three stars if not for the redeeming action-packed ending.
I did like that March's background got fleshed out more. The ending promises an exciting fourth book.
This is the third book in the series and picks up where the second book left off. Sirantha Jax and her crew, are on a diplomatic mission to Ithiss-Tor. This book revolves around a lot of political maneuvering, so the pacing is slower than in previous books, but we get a lot more character development. Jax seems more vulnerable and has a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders, she can't just weigh what she wants but must consider what is best for the greater good.
The main story has a complete arc, but clearly Sirantha Jax's adventures are not over and continues in Killbox.
The main story has a complete arc, but clearly Sirantha Jax's adventures are not over and continues in Killbox.
I'm going to make this simple. The world building of the Ithtorian race and world was great and I loved getting to know more about Vel, he's such an interesting character!
I was a little upset with the March arc. I felt like the resolution to it was a little anti-climactic, I was expecting more crazy.
On to the next!
I was a little upset with the March arc. I felt like the resolution to it was a little anti-climactic, I was expecting more crazy.
On to the next!
This one was a little bit of a slow/drag. Picked up at the end, but I'm hoping the next installment will flow a little better.
That said, I liked the Jax interactions with the "bugs" and her bounty hunter. The March stuff seemed to be hot and cold and wrapped up a bit too quick for me. One session and he's fixed? I'd have liked a little more try and fail on this one.
Still enjoyed the world building and am curious enough to venture on with the series.
That said, I liked the Jax interactions with the "bugs" and her bounty hunter. The March stuff seemed to be hot and cold and wrapped up a bit too quick for me. One session and he's fixed? I'd have liked a little more try and fail on this one.
Still enjoyed the world building and am curious enough to venture on with the series.
Whew again, that was exhausting! My favorite of the series, so far.
Spoiler alert:
Aguirre is a master of "not so fast," however, and I should have known there'd be at least one more twist, one more hurdle, one more tension-packed life-and-death situation to get through. I was grateful at the way the taking of Jael played out. I could not have handled more suspense. I really love Hit. I hope she keeps being a good guy. After what went down with Jael, though...well, hell, I have to hope he's the only betrayer in the inner circle. Honestly I can't imagine any of the rest of them having nefarious intentions.
I love the way this woman writes! I'll say again: it's that alchemy of a fast-paced, seeming overview without the loss of any depth or detail. I don't know how she does it, but I envy it. I can't believe how fast these things read, but having been through the emotional wringer with this one, I'm going to try to take a break before buying the next.
"Try" being the operative term ;)
Spoiler alert:
Spoiler
I loved the body-language stuff that came with the chip Vel inserted into Jax. Down-right poetic, it was. The way she's maturing in leaps and bounds is touching and I can't overstate how relieved I am that she has March back (for the most part). I love how his absence from her head helped facilitate it. I'll admit to some annoyance when they went to tell the truth about Jael and March was already gone. I chalk that up to it being 3 a.m., being almost to the end of the book, and being completely unprepared for...well, more. And to being mentally exhausted by the thought of it. I started to skim (which I rarely do), then realized what time it was and told myself to be a damn grown-up and put the book down and go to bed. I honestly just wanted a nice prisoner exchange and then for them to get the hell off that planet.Aguirre is a master of "not so fast," however, and I should have known there'd be at least one more twist, one more hurdle, one more tension-packed life-and-death situation to get through. I was grateful at the way the taking of Jael played out. I could not have handled more suspense. I really love Hit. I hope she keeps being a good guy. After what went down with Jael, though...well, hell, I have to hope he's the only betrayer in the inner circle. Honestly I can't imagine any of the rest of them having nefarious intentions.
I love the way this woman writes! I'll say again: it's that alchemy of a fast-paced, seeming overview without the loss of any depth or detail. I don't know how she does it, but I envy it. I can't believe how fast these things read, but having been through the emotional wringer with this one, I'm going to try to take a break before buying the next.
"Try" being the operative term ;)
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes