(Great cover!)
I recently read Blue Diablo having never read Ann Aguirre before. I really enjoyed that book and decided to try out her other series. All I can say is, if you have this book in your to be read pile, it is time to start it!
Sirantha Jax is a Jumper. She is able to “jump” through space at super speed, discovering new worlds and life. She used to work for Corp, a huge company that monopolizes Jumpers for their own profit. Jax thinks her job is the best out there until she is the jumper when there is a horrific crash that kills 80 people including her pilot who she was also romantic with. She has yet to come to terms with his death. She does not have any recollection of the events leading up to the crash, and Corp has been doing intensive, almost tortuous procedures on her, ones she feels are not looking for answers but rather trying to make her go insane
In comes a man she has never seen, March, and she quickly discovers he is no one to mess around with. He breaks them out of Corp throwing punches, being more brutal then she ever thought. He is also a Psi, he can read her thoughts, something that is quite amusing throughout the book. At the beginning when he is in her head, Jax becomes very annoyed with it. But after awhile, it almost becomes second nature to her. So when they have an argument, and he stops listening in – she doesn’t like.
Realizing he doesn’t and he isn’t, now…I feel lonely.[…]I fall in behind March, not because I acknowledge his authority in any fashion but because if by some chance we were wrong, and there’s something big and ugly left in these wetlands, I really prefer it eats him first. Gives me a chance to run.“Nice.” he says, sparing a glance over his shoulder.“Really nice.”Oh sure, that he hears.
Under heavy attack they escape Corp and board March’s ship. March pilots and she sits in the Jumper chair. Under normal circumstances the pilot and jumper take time to know each other, but here there is no time. They must immediately find trust in each other to save themselves and the crew.
They land on a planet called Larion, and although they have temporarily escaped harm, much more foul creatures are awaiting them. Sirantha learns that what they really want is for her to to train Jumpers for a new program. The only source of all Jumpers is through Corp at the moment. If someone could create an alternative, there is lots of money to be made. However, Corp is not happy Jax has escaped and they are not going to stop hunting her without a fight.
Sirantha Jax has easily become one of my favorite heroines. She is not beautiful, she is sarcastic, and honest. As March says:
“Do you have any idea what a miracle you are? What you say is exactly what I see in your head. No disparity, no dirty secrets. Even when you detested me, you made no bones about it.”
Jax is reeling from the loss of her boyfriend and the guilt of the crash in which she has no idea if she was the one that caused it. March is emotionally injured as well. His sister was on the flight that crashed and he is also still learning to deal with keeping others unwanted thoughts out of his head, something that has made him go insane in the past.
Ann Aguirre also writes wonderful supporting characters – Saul the doctor who is always calm, although he may be more interested in scientific specimen then human life. Dina the ships mechanic that despise Jax from the beginning until Jax can prove herself to her. And Loras, the not quite human person in charge of communications.
This is not only an action packed, outer-space urban fantasy, but a love story. Outwardly, March comes across very strict and all business. He has a job to do and everyone had better expect to follow his orders. He thrives on chaos and daring situations. Just as quickly as Ann Aguirre gives you heart pounding crazy action, she will drop the story down to a very intimate level, where Jax and March’s souls become exposed. But it is these times when you get glimpses inside of him, when Jax breaks down from the stress and turmoil in her life, that you see how much he truly comes to care about her.
And I say quietly in the confines of my own head: Thank you. Not expecting to be heard. To my surprise, as I fold to my feet to follow Saul, I receive a very soft response that maybe I am not meant to hear.I will always come for you Jax.
This was the kind of book that I stopped doing laundry and cleaning for a day. My kids were forced to eat pre-packaged food. Alright, so maybe it was like every other day – but I walked around the house with a book in my hand. I am officially an Ann Aguirre fan girl!!
Rating: 5 Stars
This series includes:
Grimspace – February 26, 2008
Wanderlust – August 26, 2008
Doubleblind – September 29, 2009
Killbox – October 2010
Wasn't this an awesome book? I am a huge AA fan, and this is the first one I read. Can't wait for more. The only author so far who's gotten me to read about zombies and not be upset about that LOL.
Yes, very awesome. I have Wanderlust in my tbr so I am ready for Doubleblind:)
Ann Aguirre is one of my autobuy authors. Just curious…do you prefer this series or her Corinne Solomon books? Or do you find them so different there's no comparison?
Hmmm..that is a hard question:) I haven't read Wanderlust yet..but I think Grimspace edges out Blue Diablo..but just by a little bit. I enjoyed the romance between March and Jax – although BD had romantic tension galore:)
I'm glad you liked it! This is one of my favorite series right now. :)
Yeah, I already have this one in my tbr shelves. Plan to read soon. Great review!
I liked Blue Diablo and your review has prompted me to add to my TBR. Great review!
Oh crap Mandi, not another author to join my wishlist, I just had it cleaned up a bit LOL
This sounds very good but first want to catch up on my PNR/UF reading before I try out other authors, she did make it on my wishlist though, reviews like these are playing havoc on my CC ROFL
I am so happy it's that good! I can't wait to start it then. but will wait until September when things calm down
Great review, and I love your insights here. This:
"Just as quickly as Ann Aguirre gives you heart pounding crazy action, she will drop the story down to a very intimate level, where Jax and March's souls become exposed."
So true and so well put. She has a new addition to this series coming out in September.
Oh, hold on, what was that up there, Blodeuedd? You won this book from me and you haven't started it? I'm going to jump on a plane to Finland and make you read it!!!!
I loved Grimspace and anything that Ann writes I am there :D
I wish there was more sci fi romance written and I am not talking about futuristics but I am definitely glad for this series. I would also recommend Jess Granger's Beyond the Rain which has fantastic worldbuilding and anything written by Linnea Sinclair and Susan Grant.
Janicu – I can't wait to start Wanderlust!
Donna – you are going to like this one. I can't wait to read your thoughts.
Patti – Yay :)
Leontine – I have given up trying to get my tbr pile under control. I think it may have growled at me this morning.
Blodeuedd – LOL..apparently..you need to start this book!
Carolyn – I need to read the second asap!
Has – Thanks for the recs!!!!
I forgot to mention I left you an award over at my non-book blog:
http://sleeplessinneworleans.blogspot.com/2009/08/who-me.html
I know it's a repeat for you, but I do love your blog! You're going to need a website just for your awards! :)
Fantastic Review Mandi!
I've heard so many great things about this series and now I'm really kicking myself for having not yet purchased it. I loved the little excerpts you provided. Jax does seem like a very interesting heroine.
Thanks for your thoughts!
;) VFG
I just re-read this because I totally forgot what was going on and so that I could get up to speed to read Wanderlust
Its still really good the second time around. And Wanderlust is great too. ^_^
Yay! Great review. I loved it for all the reasons you mentioned. I'm so into these characters and I can't wait for DOUBLEBLIND.
I absolutely loved this book.
I am a huge Joss Whedon fan, so of course I love all things 'Firefly' and 'Serenity' – and this book just reminded me so much of that universe.
I absolutely loved the March/Jax relationship; "I will always come for you" *heart melts*.
I have 'Wanderlust' on my bookshelf, but I am holding off on reading it until 'Doubleblind' comes out – so I can have a special back-to-back treat.
Patti – Thanks..you are so sweet!
VFG – just another one to add to your pile ;)
Aymless – Can't wait to start Wanderlust!
Angiegirl – yes, I'm ready for more March.
Danielle – Oh, I love Joss Whedon:) By the time I start Wanderlust, Doubleblind will be coming out!
I've been staring at this cover for years, wondering if I should pick it up. Now I will.
Thanks.
Wow, a 9/10! That's a pretty big recommendation. :)
I did the same thing as you Mandi and read Blue Diablo, loved it so much that when the opportunity came along I acquired "Grimspace" too.
I must pull it out of the stacks.
Thank You!!
L
Wow Mandi, this sounds very interesting!!! Okay… I thought my ink pen dried up on me, it was not wanting to write any more names in the notebook for now… but I scared it by saying I was going to get another one… lol!!
Wrote this one down… I love the dialogue between March and Jax!!
Excellent reveiew honey!!!
I hope you had a great night and have a wonderful tomorrow
Cecile: I've lots of extra pens floating around here. Just offering. ^_^
Great review! I've heard of this author but never read her books. I'm not much of a SF fan but this does sound good.
Hi Mandi!
This is on my list to read, sounds soooo good!!
And Wanderlust, can't wait!
Dottie :)
As part of my celebration leading up to Doubleblind's release, I'm going to give away five signed sets of Grimspace & Wanderlust, so if you want to gobble the first two up in order to get up to speed for the third one, that would be a great chance to give the series a try. I will say that I have a LOT of readers who don't read any other SF, but they enjoy mine.
This was so lovely to read! Thank you so much.
Ann: Woohoo! Will there be chances to win a copy of Doubleblind!?
Ann – Awesome!!
Great review, Mandi. I just loved Grimspace. Just wait until Wanderlust, though! Can't wait to read your thoughts.
Christine – Thanks!! I am starting Wanderlust VERY soon!!!