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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Not bad, interesting universe, readable even though I hadn't read the first few in the series.
Doubleblind is my favorite book in this series so far, which I think is probably because Vel is my favorite character and this entire book took place on his home world. The writing has improved so significantly from the first book that there is really awesome character development and world building in Doubleblind, and I am much more invested in the whole series now than I was after Grimspace. I'm excited to see where this goes, although I'm hoping that the crew can catch a break finally, because it has been one crappy thing after the other for them.
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so fast paced. It took place over a couple days and the pressure never let's up. I'm not a huge thriller person but I was drawn in so fast. I did not see who the killer was coming at all!
Why oh why did it take me so long to read Doubleblind?! I read Wanderlust aaaaages ago and loved it, and it has one big ol' unresolved plot point that is a primary concern for Ms. Sirantha Jax in Doubleblind - the frayed psyche of her lover March.
There is so much to love about this world. I don't generally read sci-fi, but that hasnn't proven to be a stumbling block, with the alien landscapes vividly brought to life and quickly normalised. Hands down, though, my favourite aspect of this series is the characters. Jax, first and foremost, is a phenomenal heroine, gritty, tough, flawed and evolving, she is self-aware and shaped by her past, and not afraid to admit to her failings. Her interactions with Vel, Dina and March especially are a delight to behold, and similarly these characters were all beautifully realised in this book, even Dina who doesn't feature prominently.
Another thing to commend in Doubleblind is the shift in pace. Unlike books 1 and 2 which hop across the galaxy, this book takes place almost entirely on one world and Jax does not jump anywhere. Her diplomatic mission is a stroke of genius - as Jax herself is quick to point out, she isn't the most obvious candidate to encourage inter-racial relations, but it was hugely enjoyable to watch her in her ambassadorial capacity. It was also good to see Vel be fleshed out and to understand him a bit more. It will be interesting to see what happens next with this character.
The finale was excellent and I didn't see "whodunnit" - suffice to say I was surprised. I plan to be much quicker coming to book 4.
There is so much to love about this world. I don't generally read sci-fi, but that hasnn't proven to be a stumbling block, with the alien landscapes vividly brought to life and quickly normalised. Hands down, though, my favourite aspect of this series is the characters. Jax, first and foremost, is a phenomenal heroine, gritty, tough, flawed and evolving, she is self-aware and shaped by her past, and not afraid to admit to her failings. Her interactions with Vel, Dina and March especially are a delight to behold, and similarly these characters were all beautifully realised in this book, even Dina who doesn't feature prominently.
Another thing to commend in Doubleblind is the shift in pace. Unlike books 1 and 2 which hop across the galaxy, this book takes place almost entirely on one world and Jax does not jump anywhere. Her diplomatic mission is a stroke of genius - as Jax herself is quick to point out, she isn't the most obvious candidate to encourage inter-racial relations, but it was hugely enjoyable to watch her in her ambassadorial capacity. It was also good to see Vel be fleshed out and to understand him a bit more. It will be interesting to see what happens next with this character.
The finale was excellent and I didn't see "whodunnit" - suffice to say I was surprised. I plan to be much quicker coming to book 4.
i really enjoyed visiting ithiss-tor and finding out more of the ithorian customs and culture, and i love vel so much. i felt that there was decent character growth with jax for a change, although i'm still tired of march and his constant manpain. at least it was well-earned this time, but i also just don't care. there are certain characters you just can't force yourself to like and march is one of them for me.
this book had a great combination of political intrigue and action, and was among the best in the series for me.
this book had a great combination of political intrigue and action, and was among the best in the series for me.
It took me a long time to start on this book. I couldn't get into it the first time around, but that was probably because I had a lot of stress around the time I bought it. Now that everything is quiet again I took the time and finished reading it, and I have to say the book is as stunning, intoxicating and page-turning as the first two novels in the series were. Aguirre dumps us right into a vivid world, packed full with intrigue and espionage, and she also lets us connect to the feelings of all the characters in this story.
I'm glad I took this book with me and was able to finish reading it in record time, again.
Can't wait for the next installment and how the story and the war, Jax and her crew are currently thrown into, will develop.
I'm glad I took this book with me and was able to finish reading it in record time, again.
Can't wait for the next installment and how the story and the war, Jax and her crew are currently thrown into, will develop.
I like that the March drama took a backseat, and the Ithtorian world and political scene was really great.
The same thing I said about the previous books, except add a preternaturally competent best friend where there is chemistry that will not be fulfilled because said friend is from a completely alien species.
Well, all I have to say is, if you’ve stopped reading this series after book two (Wanderlust), then please give it another chance! This was the best installment so far. With the first two books my reviews were a bit like, “I loved it…except for…” and “if it weren’t for this then I would have loved it.” But this book needs no qualifiers. I loved it all the way through!
Sirantha has just arrived on Ithiss-Tor (finally), in an attempt to gain an alliance against the brutal, gluttonous Morgut. Everyone expects her to fail, and they have good reason. Sirantha Jax isn’t exactly known for her tact or diplomacy skills (more like her drinking and table-dancing skills), and the Ithtorians are notoriously xenophobic and insular. To complicate matters, March has retreated into his cold, volatile mercenary persona after leading a violent rebellion to victory. With so many lives resting on her shoulders, Jax may find herself having to choose between the love of her life and the welfare of the entire universe.
This book feels more mature than both of the others: the action and horror elements are toned down, and there is a wonderful mix of political intrigue, mystery, and moral dilemma in their place. This is the kind of book that I really love, where the action takes place in significant glances and intellectual maneuvering instead of hand to hand combat. Although, there’s a bit of the other too if that’s what you prefer.
For the majority of this book, the side characters that I’ve come to know and love (Dina, Hit, Dr. Solaith, Jael, Constance, even March) are largely absent. But I think that Aguirre accomplishes something extraordinary by making me not care. The Ithtorian characters are subtle but compelling; I love all of the nuance that fills their imaginative customs and communication. And Vel, the mysterious Ithtorian bounty hunter, really steps out of the shadows in this book. His ostracism and quiet faith in Sirantha are so moving.
And I was also completely reminded of why I fell in love with Sirantha Jax herself in the first place. She’s strong but in a vulnerable, lay-it-all-out-there kind of way. She has that self-acceptance and maturity that only comes with age. And she’s just about the antithesis of TSTL.
The romance felt more real and mature in this installment than ever before, and it also surprised me. I love how March somehow manages to fill the stereotype of every damaged, “rabid dog barely on a leash” alpha male hero out there, but also completely destroys that stereotype. Maybe because Aguirre seems to realize that having an inner core of controlled violence might actually be a bad thing.
For us voracious genre-fiction readers, originality is worth its weight in Book Depository gift cards. There are only so many ways that two people can fall in love, or the day can be saved, or the murderer unveiled. Well, you’ll find it here. At the same time, this series reminds me in a good way of so many fantasy and sci-fi shows that I’ve loved. If you’ve been mourning the loss of Firefly since 2003, then I don’t think you’ll find a better balm than this series.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
At around page 86, I really thought this book was going in a certain direction, which immediately brought to mind a Marvin Gaye hit that I love. But then Aguirre went in a completely different direction, and I can’t say that I was sorry about that. It’s hard to let go of Marvin once I’ve got him in mind though…. Luckily I am a huge fan and I could probably find a way to fit every book this month with a Marvin Gaye song. This one is just right. “Ain’t no Ithtorian mining prison secure enough…”
Sirantha has just arrived on Ithiss-Tor (finally), in an attempt to gain an alliance against the brutal, gluttonous Morgut. Everyone expects her to fail, and they have good reason. Sirantha Jax isn’t exactly known for her tact or diplomacy skills (more like her drinking and table-dancing skills), and the Ithtorians are notoriously xenophobic and insular. To complicate matters, March has retreated into his cold, volatile mercenary persona after leading a violent rebellion to victory. With so many lives resting on her shoulders, Jax may find herself having to choose between the love of her life and the welfare of the entire universe.
This book feels more mature than both of the others: the action and horror elements are toned down, and there is a wonderful mix of political intrigue, mystery, and moral dilemma in their place. This is the kind of book that I really love, where the action takes place in significant glances and intellectual maneuvering instead of hand to hand combat. Although, there’s a bit of the other too if that’s what you prefer.
For the majority of this book, the side characters that I’ve come to know and love (Dina, Hit, Dr. Solaith, Jael, Constance, even March) are largely absent. But I think that Aguirre accomplishes something extraordinary by making me not care. The Ithtorian characters are subtle but compelling; I love all of the nuance that fills their imaginative customs and communication. And Vel, the mysterious Ithtorian bounty hunter, really steps out of the shadows in this book. His ostracism and quiet faith in Sirantha are so moving.
And I was also completely reminded of why I fell in love with Sirantha Jax herself in the first place. She’s strong but in a vulnerable, lay-it-all-out-there kind of way. She has that self-acceptance and maturity that only comes with age. And she’s just about the antithesis of TSTL.
The romance felt more real and mature in this installment than ever before, and it also surprised me. I love how March somehow manages to fill the stereotype of every damaged, “rabid dog barely on a leash” alpha male hero out there, but also completely destroys that stereotype. Maybe because Aguirre seems to realize that having an inner core of controlled violence might actually be a bad thing.
For us voracious genre-fiction readers, originality is worth its weight in Book Depository gift cards. There are only so many ways that two people can fall in love, or the day can be saved, or the murderer unveiled. Well, you’ll find it here. At the same time, this series reminds me in a good way of so many fantasy and sci-fi shows that I’ve loved. If you’ve been mourning the loss of Firefly since 2003, then I don’t think you’ll find a better balm than this series.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
At around page 86, I really thought this book was going in a certain direction, which immediately brought to mind a Marvin Gaye hit that I love. But then Aguirre went in a completely different direction, and I can’t say that I was sorry about that. It’s hard to let go of Marvin once I’ve got him in mind though…. Luckily I am a huge fan and I could probably find a way to fit every book this month with a Marvin Gaye song. This one is just right. “Ain’t no Ithtorian mining prison secure enough…”
This took forever for me to read, as I really struggled with aspects of the book. Why on earth was Jax in that role? I missed Dina and Doc. I was disappointed in the reveal. Saying that, I really liked Vel, and Jax finally maturing a bit.