Endgame (Sirantha Jax, #6) by Ann Aguirre

Endgame by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Regret nothing.

Sirantha Jax has the J-gene, which permits her to “jump” faster-than-light ships through grimspace. She loves nothing more than that rush, but the star roads have to wait…

Her final mission takes her to La’heng, a planet subjugated during first contact. Since then, the La’hengrin homeworld has been occupied by foreign conquerors.

All that’s about to change.

Now, as part of a grassroots resistance, Jax means to liberate the La’hengrin. But political intrigue and guerrilla warfare are new to her, and this will be the most dangerous game she’s ever played—spies and conspiracies, a war of weapons and hearts, and not everyone is guaranteed to make it out alive..

~~~~~



As much as I am going to miss the world of Sirantha Jax I was pleased to see everything wrapped up and the series end the way that it did. Ann Aguirre has a very special talent for creating worlds that the reader can immerse themselves in. The world of Sirantha Jax has been an exciting one to visit.



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Aftermath (Sirantha Jax, #5) by Ann Aguirre

Aftermath by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So much happened in this book and I can sadly see the final installment in the works.


DEAD HEROES GET MONUMENTS. LIVE ONES GET TRIALS.

Sirantha Jax has the right genes—ones that enable her to “jump” faster-than-light ships through grimspace. But it’s also in her genetic makeup to go it alone. It’s a character trait that has gotten her into—and out of—hot water time and time again, but now she’s caused one of the most horrific events in military history…

During the war against murderous, flesh-eating aliens, Sirantha went AWOL and shifted grimspace beacons to keep the enemy from invading humanity’s homeworld. The cost of her actions: the destruction of modern interstellar travel—and the lives of six hundred Conglomerate soldiers.

Accused of dereliction of duty, desertion, mass murder, and high treason, Sirantha is on trial for her life. And only time will tell if she’s one of the Conglomerate’s greatest heroes—or most infamous criminals…


~~~~~~~~~~


Sirantha is imprisoned and put on trial for her decision to change the beacons to stop the Morgut from destroying the galaxy. She and Vel have quite the adventure on Marakeg and finally she and March have to make some decisions about their relationship.

Really this was quite a heartbreaking read in so many ways. While Sirantha is definitely evolving into a better person, it is quite tragic at the sacrifice and personal pain that she has to endure to get there.

I very much look forward to seeing how Aguirre ends this fabulous series. I am going to be sad to say goodbye to this wonderful cast of characters, but I do want to read their end story.



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Killbox (Sirantha Jax, #4) by Ann Aguirre

Killbox by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Talk is cheap when lives are in jeopardy

Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. With no tolerance for political diplomacy, she quits her ambassador post so she can get back to saving the universe the way she does best—by mouthing off and kicking butt.

And her tactics are needed more than ever. Flesh-eating aliens are attacking stations on the outskirts of space, and for many people, the Conglomerate’s forces are arriving too late to serve and protect them.

Now, Jax must take matters into her own hands by recruiting a militia to defend the frontiers—out of the worst criminals, mercenaries, and raiders that ever traveled through grimspace…

~~~~



Another fantastic book in the Sirantha Jax series. Even though it has been a while since I read the last book it was easy to fall right back into the world that Ann Aguirre has created for this series. The characters are like old friends.

This time Sirantha, March and crew are out to save the human race from the Morgut, a battle that started in earlier books and reaches a furious pitch in this book. Sirantha has to deal with a lot of loss in this book and we are left with the ultimate cliff hanger as Sirantha selflessly attempts to save her race and those that she loves by sacrificing herself.

Looking forward to seeing how the war goes in the next novel.




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Blade Dancer by S.L. Viehl

Blade Dancer by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jory Rask is a professional shockball player. The fastest runback in the game, she is loved across Terra. But Jory Rask has a secret that she's lived with for twenty-four years. In a xenophobic world that despises aliens, she is not quite human...
~~~~


Really enjoyed this book. Having read both Viehl's 'BioRescue' series and just finishing her 'Stardoc' series probably added to my enjoyment. I had a lot of background knowledge of Jorenian customs as well as knowledge about the war between the League and the Hsktskt. It was fun to see the things that tied into the 'Stardoc' series.

Glad that I took the time to enjoy this book. I really hope that Viehl has some future plans for us to visit this universe again. I would be very sad to know that we will never again travel along on an adventure with any of the characters found in these series again.



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Dream Called Time (Stardoc #10) by S.L. Viehl

Dream Called Time by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dispatched to investigate an unidentified ship that has emerged from a mysterious rift in space, Cherijo discovers technology far more advanced than anything she's ever seen. Before she can unravel the alien ship's mystery, Cherijo's own ship is sucked into the rift and transported through time. Unless she can find a way to reopen the rift, they will remain trapped in another time. And Cherijo will never see her family-which she's only just been reunited with-again...

~~~~~



Overall this was a series that I really enjoyed. Some twists and turns along the way that I did not like, but overall a great read.

This last books was a nice wrap up of the series. Maybe not exactly what I was expecting, but still a nice way to wrap everything up (and possibly leave an opening for a new series?)

I can say that this is an author who will now have my attention with everything that she publishes.



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Crystal Healer (Stardoc #9) by S.L. Viehl

Crystal Healer by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Genetically engineered interstellar surgeon Dr. Cherijo Torin, her husband Duncan Reever, and a handpicked crew journey to the planet oKia to locate a strange black mineral that is the source of an intergalactic epidemic. When one of the crew members becomes infected, his body slowly begins to crystallize. While Cherijo races to save the crew member, mercenaries arrive in the oKia system, wanting Cherijo's genes-and her near immortality. It will take all of her abilities to elude the mercenaries and discover the black crystal's secrets before it's too late.

~~~

This book was slow compared to the others in this series. Not a lot of action, too much scientific jargon and sadly an ending that I did not like much.

As much as I disliked 'Rebel Ice' and the plot twist that the author introduced in that book, I have to say, that I was disappointed with the ending of this book. I suppose that Jarn has grown on me and that her opinion/view of Cherijo has influenced me a bit, but I was sad to see how the author ended this book.

I am not too sure that I am going to be pleased with the next book and am wondering if the ending of this series is going to be a disappointment for me. I suppose that there is only one way to find out...........



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Omega Games (Stardoc #8) by S.L. Viehl

Omega Games by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dr. Cherijo Torin faces a different kind of epidemic�a mysterious black crystal spreading like cancer throughout the galaxy. The hunt for information leads Cherijo to the planet Trellus, whose inhabitants exhibit excessive paranoia and anger, taking out their frustrations in the Omega Dome in simulated combat against battle drones. But someone is killing victims outside the arena, and Cherijo believes the black crystal infection is responsible for this horror

~~~



So Jarn and Duncan find themselves once again caught in the middle of trying to save a world when they are lured to and stranded on a planet where a creature is killing people by taking over their bodies and leaving behind nothing but their skins. The action was constant and interesting. There were some new characters introduced that I liked a lot and the twist was interesting. Overall a good read.

My one complaint is the whole Cherijo/Jarn thing. I don't know anymore who I like the best. At first it was hard to think of Jarn as her own person, but now I am beginning to like her a little more and from her POV Cherijo was not such a wonderful person. But I really liked Cherijo before the author decided to 'kill' her off and give us this new character. So why am I now liking Jarn more and Cherijo less? Confusion!! Well maybe we will get some resolution in the next book since this series seems to be coming to an end soon.



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Plague of Memory (Stardoc #7) by S.L. Viehl

Plague of Memory by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dr. Cherijo Torin is not herself. With no memory of her past-or even of the man she loved-she sees herself as a different person and has no desire to remember who she once was. But Cherijo must remember if she's to develop a cure for the Hsktskt plague before their race becomes extinct.

~~~



I started this book with a little trepidation as I so disliked the events in the last book which resulted in the 'new' Cherijo. I have to admit that I was not happy about the fact the Cherijo seemed to no longer exist and we had Jarn in her place.

Fortunately Viehl's writing makes up for any unhappiness I have about the twist and I found this book a good read. I even have to admit that by midway through the book I was beginning to like Jarn a little more.

The events of the book were as usual a quick paced, interesting story line. I very much look forward to seeing where Viehl plans to take the characters in her next book.



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The Seer (Truesight #2) by David Stahler Jr.

The Seer by David Stahler Jr.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Young Jacob Manford grew up in Harmony, a blind boy raised in a colony of citizens dedicated to blindness as a way of life. Stricken with sight at thirteen, he escapes to the futuristic city of Melville, only to discover he has traded one hostile community for another.

Jacob's sight introduces him to a thrilling new world--vast landscapes, glittering skyscrapers, and flying machines--but he is unsure if he has finally found a place to belong. Will Jacob ever find what he is looking for?

~~~

While I enjoyed the first book in the Truesight series immensely, I found myself having a hard to time with this sequel. It follows Jacob as he leaves Harmony in search of Delaney. We do get to see some of the world outside of Harmony which was interesting, but I felt like the book started taking a different path in plot. We went from Jacob's struggle with his new sight and the implications that it brought to his way of life, into a more supernatural type heading, that to me did not really fit with the plot of the first book.

No question that you need to read the first book in the series to get anything from this sequel, but I have to wonder where the next book is going to take us.



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Working Stiff (Revivalist, #1) by Rachel Caine

Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Bryn Davis was killed on the job after discovering her bosses were selling a drug designed to resurrect the dead. Now, revived by that same drug, she becomes an undead soldier in a corporate war to take down the very pharmaceutical company responsible for her new condition...

~~~

Very different type of book from the other series that I have read by Rachel Caine. Not bad different, just a little unexpected.

First I have to say that this book should in no way be classified as either Paranormal or Urban Fantasy. I would say it is more of a techno-thriller than anything. While there are 'zombies' in the book, this term is used very loosely. What we really have is science making it possible for nanites to revive and keep alive a human body. While the body will decay if injections are withheld the results are about as far as you can get from your typical storybook zombies. The person who is revived is in complete control of themselves (well most of the time)and has no strange cravings whatsoever.

This is the story of unsuspecting heroine getting caught up in something that she has nothing to do with. Wrong place, wrong time, basically. The story comes complete with corporate espionage, James Bond type good guys and enough futuristic science fiction to make you go hmmmmmmmm.

Overall an enjoyable read, though I was a little disappointed in the ending. Of course there are more books to follow in the series. I will continue to read, but not with the enthusiasm that I have consumed some of Ms. Caine's other books.



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Rebel Ice (Stardoc, #6) by S.L. Viehl

Rebel Ice by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Dr. Cherijo Torin crash-lands on an ice planet whose population is on the verge of civil war. With no knowledge of her past-or even her identity-she becomes entangled in the encroaching conflict, unaware that her husband is moving heaven and earth to find her.

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I have to say that I did not enjoy this book nearly as much as the previous books in this series. The beginning of the book was very confusing as we are plopped down on a whole new world and it was somewhat difficult to understand the politics/dynamics of the various groups involved in the story.

The book got better about half way through when some of the bits and pieces started coming together, but overall I did not really like the guessing game of who Resa and Jarn really were. I did not like the 'new' Cherijo and I did not like the way that the book ended.

But I do love the series and I am very much looking forward to continuing it with the hopes that Ms. Viehl will redeem herself with the next installment.



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Eternity Row (Stardoc, #5) by S.L. Viehl

Eternity Row by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cherijo and her husband have found safety aboard the star vessel Sunlace. But they have promises to keep-promises that will endanger everything she ever fought for-including her solemn oath to protect life.

~~~

And another great book in the Stardoc series. I really enjoyed riding along with Cherijo as she discovered more about herself and her origins. I am glad that I was able to read this book immediately after the previous one. Looking forward to much more in this series.



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Shockball (Stardoc, #4) by S.L. Viehl

Shockball by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Cherijo Grey Veil is searching for a place where she'll be safe from the demented man who created her. But she soon finds that she can't just run from her past-she must destroy it...

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It has been quite a while since I last read a book in the Stardoc series. Maybe that was a good thing because I totally enjoyed this one. Wrapped up a lot concerning Cherijo's creation and ongoing problems with her 'father' as well as solidifying her relationship with Duncan. Love the new characters that were introduced as well as some old ones who returned. Looking forward to the next book as the group heads out into space. I really enjoy Viehl's writing and look forward to more adventures with the Sunlace crew.



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Black and White (The Icarus Project #1) by Jackie Kessler, Caitlin Kittredge

Black and White by Jackie Kessler

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It's the ultimate battle of good versus good.

They were best friends at an elite academy for superheroes in training, but now Callie Bradford, code name Iridium, and Joannie Greene, code name Jet, are mortal enemies. Jet is a by-the-book hero, using her Shadow power to protect the citizens of New Chicago. Iridium, with her mastery of light, runs the city’s underworld. For the past five years the two have played an elaborate, and frustrating, game of cat and mouse.

But now playtime’s over. Separately Jet and Iridium uncover clues that point to a looming evil, one that is entwined within the Academy. As Jet works with Bruce Hunter—a normal man with an extraordinary ability to make her weak in the knees—she becomes convinced that Iridium is involved in a scheme that will level the power structure of America itself. And Iridium, teaming with the mysterious vigilante called Taser, uncovers an insidious plot that’s been a decade in the making…a plot in which Jet is key.

They’re both right. And they’re both wrong. Because nothing is as simple as Black and White.

~~~~



Excellent read. I was not sure going in how I was going to like this book as I am not a big superhero or comic book fan. But I absolutely loved this book. The story of 2 best friends who are in training to be hero's jumps back and forth between present day and the past as well as between the two main characters POV. It makes for a very interesting story and one that I absolutely became immersed in. Can not wait to get my hands on the next book to see what the next chapter in the lives of Jet and Iridium is like.



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Winter's Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge (Winter's Saga #1) by Karen Luellen

Winter's Awakening: The Metahumans Emerge by Karen Luellen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Assumptions: I am a normal human being. I'm an average fifteen-year-old. I have always lived here, and I always will. This year will be like every other. But I'll soon find out... none of these assumptions are true.

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Very interesting read. I loved the plot, enjoyed getting to know the characters and look forward to reading more about the Metahumans. There was enough action to keep me reading and I found that I was hesitant to put the book down.
Unfortunately I was unable to give 5 stars due to a few minor annoyances that a little editing would be able to take care of. There was a grammatical error that was found throughout the book. The word passed was used where the word past should have been used. Ex. "I hopped down the stairs and flew passed Dr. Andrews heading out the back door." The word in this sentence should have been past-- " I hopped down the stairs and flew past Dr. Andrews heading out the back door." This mistake was repeated several times throughout the book.
Another problem for me was that the story kept switching POV at inappropriate times. I would be reading along and all of the sudden in the middle of a sentence we would switch POV and I found that a bit disconcerting.

Overall though I did enjoy this freebie that I picked up for my Kindle at Amazon and I do intend to continue reading this series. I will purchase the next in the series and recommend them to friends.



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Santa Olivia (Santa Olivia #1) by Jacqueline Carey

Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Lushly written with rich and vivid characters, SANTA OLIVIA is Jacqueline Carey's take on comic book superheroes and the classic werewolf myth.
Loup Garron was born and raised in Santa Olivia, an isolated, disenfranchised town next to a US military base inside a DMZ buffer zone between Texas and Mexico. A fugitive "Wolf-Man" who had a love affair with a local woman, Loup's father was one of a group of men genetically-manipulated and used by the US government as a weapon. The "Wolf-Men" were engineered to have superhuman strength, speed, sensory capability, stamina, and a total lack of fear, and Loup, named for and sharing her father's wolf-like qualities, is marked as an outsider.
After her mother dies, Loup goes to live among the misfit orphans at the parish church, where they seethe from the injustices visited upon the locals by the soldiers. Eventually, the orphans find an outlet for their frustrations: They form a vigilante group to support Loup Garron who, costumed as their patron saint, Santa Olivia, uses her special abilities to avenge the town.

Aware that she could lose her freedom, and possibly her life, Loup is determined to fight to redress the wrongs her community has suffered. And like the reincarnation of their patron saint, she will bring hope to all of Santa Olivia.

~~~~~

Excellent read, though the blurb is a bit misleading. This is in no way a Paranormal Urban Fantasy and really has absolutely nothing to do with werewolves. I would classify it more as a dystopian or even more of a sci-fi type book, although those don't really classify it correctly either. It is set in the near future in a place that could easily exist.



Loup is the offspring of a genetically altered humanoid. We never really learn how exactly he was altered or even the full extent of how Loup is affected. The town it is set in is caught between the border of Mexico and the United States and has basically ceased to exist as far as the rest of the world is concerned. But really the story is about so much more than that. It is about survival and hope. It is about being different and fighting for what is right even when it is against all odds.



I am very much looking forward to the sequel as I think that we will learn a lot more about Loup and her kind. I hope that we will learn more about life outside of Outpost and learn about what the world has become. What will become of the Santitos that we have gotten to know and love? Can not wait to read the rest of the story!!



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Wool 3: Casting Off (Wool #3) by Hugh Howey

Wool 3: Casting Off by Hugh Howey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The silo has appointed a new sheriff. Her name is Juliette, and she comes not from the shadows of deputies, but from the depths of the down deep.

But what does being a mechanic have to do with upholding the law? And how will she be able to concentrate on the silo's future when she is surrounded by the ghosts of its past?

Before she can even settle in, the whirring gears of the silo begin to grind anew. Things aren't right. And the people whose help she most needs are gone.

If Juliette isn't careful, she'll soon be among them.

~~~


Excellent read. As much as I enjoyed the first 2 books in this short story series, this one was even better.



In book #2 we learned more about life inside the silo and this book takes up where that one left off. We follow Juliette as she ascends from the deep pits of the silo, where she has been content to live her life taking care of the machines that allow the silo to survive. She is convinced to take a position as the new sheriff which is the beginning of a life changing journey for not only herself, but for possibly everyone who lives in the silo. As people start to die and revelations are made Juliette begins to question her very existence and what she has always been lead to believe. She makes shocking discoveries that lead her to the place that is most feared in the silo, the outside world.



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Afterburn (Bio Rescue #2) by S.L. Viehl

Afterburn by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


~~
After driving their mutual enemy out of the Pmoc quadrant, the Allied League of Worlds gather for a peace summit on K-2, the homeworld of the underwater-dwelling 'Zangians. With the Bio Rescue team assigned to protect the delegates, Sub-Lieutenant Burn mu Znora's attention is placed on the daughter of one of the ambassadors, who is hiding a deadly secret-a secret that may alter the fate of four worlds.
~~~

Great sequel to Viehl's Bio Rescue. I love this author. I enjoyed reading Burns story and wrapping up some of the events from the first book. Totally enjoyed it and looking forward to reading more by Viehl soon!



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Doubleblind (Sirantha Jax #3) by Ann Aguirre

Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


~~~

It’s not easy to tread lightly wearing steel-toed boots.

Sirantha Jax isn’t known for diplomatic finesse. As a “Jumper” who navigates ships through grimspace, she’s used to kicking ass first and taking names later—much later. Not exactly the obvious choice to sell the Conglomerate to the Ithtorians, a people whose opinions of humans are as hard as their exoskeletons.

And Ithiss-Tor council meetings aren’t the only place where Ambassador Jax needs to maneuver carefully. Her lover, March, is frozen in permanent “kill” mode, and his hair-trigger threatens to sabotage the talks—not to mention their relationship.

But Jax won’t give up on the man or the mission. With the Outskirts beleaguered by raiders, pirates, and the flesh-eating Morgut, an alliance with Ithiss-Tor may be humanity’s only hope.

Which has Jax wondering why a notorious troublemaker like her was given the job…

~~~


Love this series!! This book started out slow. The first half was mostly politics as Sirantha and her crew attempt to broker an alliance with the Ithtorian. But about half way through the book we get back into the action that makes this series such a great read. Looking forward to more of this series soon.



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Bio Rescue (Bio Rescue #1) by S.L. Viehl

Bio Rescue by S.L. Viehl

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


~~~
A new interstellar adventure from the bestselling author of the Stardoc saga... Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic with a Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair...

Lieutenant Dair mu T'resa heads a squadron of SEAL (surgically enhanced/altered lifeform) pilots responsible for the security of the quadrant containing her home world of Kevarzangia Two. She finds a new calling in life as an interstellar paramedic leading the first Bio Rescue team. But the entire project faces opposition from a lupine species with a hatred for native 'Zangians like Dair..

~~~


I think that I might have mentioned before that I love

Viehl's Stardoc series. I was excited to read this one since it takes place on K-2 which is where Stardoc started out. I was not disappointed. This book was just as hard to put down as the Stardoc books. Totally enjoyed the characters. Love the wonderful descriptions that Viehl gives us of her non-human characters and loved the storyline. Looking forward to getting my hands on 'Afterburn' soon so that I can read more about these wonderful characters and this fabulous world that Viehl has created.



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