Where did you get this book from: Review copy from Publisher

Release date: Out now.

Blurb taken from author’s official website:

Love ties them together.
Death can’t tear them apart.

Best. Birthday. Ever. At least, it was supposed to be. With Logan’s band playing a critical gig and Aura’s plans for an intimate after-party, Aura knows it will be the most memorable night of her boyfriend’s life. She never thought it would be his last.

Logan’s sudden death leaves Aura devastated. He’s gone.

Well, sort of.

Like everyone born after the Shift, Aura can see and hear ghosts. This mysterious ability has always been annoying, and Aura had wanted nothing more than to figure out why the Shift happened so she can undo it. But not with Logan’s violet-hued spirit still hanging around. Because dead Logan is almost as real as ever. Almost.

It doesn’t help that Aura’s new friend Zachary is so understanding—and so very alive. His support means more to Aura than she cares to admit.

As Aura’s relationships with the dead and the living grow ever complicated, so do her feelings for Logan and Zachary. Each holds a piece of Aura’s heart…and clues to the secret of the Shift.

Sixteen years ago, a shift happened which affected all of the young people that were born from that point. They are able to see and speak to ghosts. Although most ghosts are benign and move on, some turn to Shades who can become violent, and harm and even kill those who can interact with them.

Aura was one of the first amongst this new world to see and hear ghosts, and she has had to cope with their attention which can be annoying, humorous and sometimes dangerous. She also has to cope with growing up, facing doubts about her deepening relationship with her very popular boyfriend, Logan, who is part of a band, and deal with the ghosts around her. After a night of partying and celebrating Logan’s new found success with his band, tragedy strikes when he suddenly dies. Aura has to pick up the pieces and live with the guilt because she feels she was part of the cause of his death.

Shade is a stark and haunting book with a gritty and dark prose that adds to  the chilling tone, although there are lighter flashes of humour and emotion that helps to balance the story from verging into too dark of a place. The scene with Logan’s death and its aftermath was so realistic and heat-wrenching that I still felt the shock of it even though I knew it was coming. Seeing Aura and Logan’s family and friends dealing with his death, and the realisation of his reappearance as a ghost, really highlights the theme of grief and adds multi-layered meanings to the theme of life and death in the book. I think it was one of the best portrayals about grief, and I have read a few books with this subject.

The rich and realistic characters were also a highlight for me. Aura was a great character with doubts and flaws, but she also had strong and an inner iron will to cope with the creepy world around her and dealing with her grief. When Zachary, an engaging and humorous exchange student from Scotland, arrives to her school, he becomes her study partner for a personal project and that adds more complications to Aura’s love life.  While she has to deal with the physical loss of Logan, he still visits and interacts with her which complicates her feelings and grief process.

I LOVED Zachary and I hope in future books Aura will be able to move on and have a relationship with him. He was funny, smart, and he was very empathic and supportive to her situation. I loved how his humour shone – especially in contrast with the dark tone of the book. I especially loved this part of the book as it really made me laugh out loud . Here is a quote that I feels captures the humour of Zachary:

“ At school tomorrow,” I said, “you’re going to hear a lot of stuff about me. Most of it’s bullshit.”
“I won’t believe a word. In fact, I’ll just give them blank looks and say-” He uttered a series of guttural Gaelic syllables. All I could make out was something that sounded like byorla.
“What’s that mean?”
“I don’t speak bloody English.”

I also felt there that there was more tension with Zachary and Aura, and they had more things in common compared to Logan, who I could not warm up to.  Although this sets up an unusual love triangle which I think adds a new twist to this trope.

Aura is still dealing with her grief realistically, and is unable to let go of Logan which was heartbreaking to see. Jeri Smith Ready really captures teen emotions authentically, and with real substance; their voice and feelings were fantastically portrayed with real depth – which also makes this one of the most real YA books I have read!

Whilst Aura has to deal with ghostly boyfriends and a potential of a live one, secrets of her past and origins and how it relates to The Shift comes to light.  I won’t state more because it’s pretty spoilery, but I really can’t wait to see how how this pans out. Along with the emotional elements, the added mystery and the hint of a conspiracy, I definitely want to pick up the next book.

Shade combines the coming of age and teen life in a haunting setting with people coping in a strange and unsettling world. This is one of the best books that really examines grief, as well as dealing with themes of sexuality, death and love. Add in the fact that it’s memorable, has snappy dialogue, and well fleshed out characters with a hint of mystery, Shade is a great start to this multi-layered series.

I give Shade a B+

Publisher:  Ace
Where did you get this book: Book provided by publisher
Release date: 31st August 2010

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…

I have been eagerly awaiting for the next installment in the Grimspace series, and it was well worth the wait! The book starts off shortly after the last book, Doubleblind, with Jax resigning her role as ambassador to the Conglomerate after her stint on Ithiss Tor. But this does not mean the end of her troubles – far from it. War is building up in the galaxy with growing attacks by raiders and pirates on border worlds, and far worse, the Morgut who are increasing their attacks. Jax and her crew embark on training an Armada to combat the growing threat – even if they have to recruit raiders/pirates themselves.

Oh wow! I literally inhaled this book and I could not put it down. It really felt like the tension and pace of the series has really stepped up a notch, and it’s definitely heading towards a big confrontation. Jax has grown so much – although this was illustrated in the previous two books. Killbox really shows how far she has changed and instead of just reacting and defending herself to those who threaten her, Jax has become more proactive and is on the offense and she does it in style.

In many ways this feels like a transitional book for the next arc of the series, but that is not to say it’s a filler, far from it. So many important things happened in Killbox that I feel the need to do a reread because it was so fast paced. While the galaxy is heading towards a major war, Jax has to face her own personal problems. The crew she comes to love as her family are also involved in the Armada, and have to face being separated from each other due to their different responsibilities and duties.

In Killbox you can see how far Jax has come to love and support her friends who have become her family, and there is some wonderful and emotional scenes where they all have to cope with separation, and their fear about the encroaching war with the Morgut. I especially love the scenes Jax shares with Vel, the alien bounty hunter, and Dina, the crew’s mechanic that really heightens personal bonds she shares with them, but without crossing into sentimentalism.

However, the real heartache comes with March’s self imposed estrangement. And because he took command of training and heading the newly established Armada, he placed their relationship on a hiatus. I really felt Jax’s pain because she understood the reasoning due to the military confines of establishing the Armada, but I did feel like smacking him in the head. And Jax did too! Especially after they both went through hell to be together. But there was a scene that really reflects all this, and shows how much Jax loves him and highlights what their relationship is about.

“March acknowledges that with a nod. Mary, how he burns, as if kindled from within by love of me. I remember its loss. I remember how I navigated him on Ithiss-Tor, filtering my essence through the dark spots in his mind, as though he were a series of broken beacons. I did it to repair him, fuse the damaged connections, so he could remember what it was to feel and love. War killed that part of him. I brought it back. In doing so, I left some of myself behind, but I think I also took part of him with me. We are twined together inextricably now, and I wouldn’t have it otherwise.”

I also liked the new characters that were introduced, such as the scientist, Evelyn Derad, that Jax and her crew rescues from an ex Farwan space station. And there are older faces who reappear.  But I really enjoyed Evelyn’s introduction, and like Jax, has many similarities as she survives a Morgut attack, and realising she was also used by the Farwan Corporation. She also holds the key in helping Jax cope with the after-affects of Grimspace exposure, as well offering new possibilities to Jax’s affinity as a navigator. And in the meanwhile, political intrigue is added with secret communications from a mysterious agent (who I hope to see in latter books), and the leader of the Conglomerate whose messages were placed throughout the book which adds a level of political intrigue along with the action.

Unlike Doubleblind, which was more introspective and calmer in tone, Killbox is an epic Space Opera with lots of space battles and action that does not stop until the last few pages. Killbox also shows how much Jax has adapted and changed, and is also willing to sacrifice herself to those she has promised to protect.  There are several twists and surprises in Killbox, but also several story threads in previous books that have been tied up, but also sets up bigger ones that will certainly play out in the next two books. Killbox also ends on a humdinger of a cliffhanger, and I SO want the next book. Like. right.now!

Killbox is a great installment in the Grimspace series. It’s fast paced with lots of action that really illustrates how the endgame is coming to a head. But this is a book that shows how far Jax has grown from the brash, selfish navigator in the first book, to the brash and selfless navigator that she is now. And Jax’s scenes of shared poignancy and affinity with her friends, and lover, March, adds a multilayer of emotional intensity towards the characters.. If you have not picked up the series yet, I highly, highly recommend the series as it’s one of the best, if not, thee Best Sci-Fi romantic series that combines action and plot. I cannot wait for the 5th book of the series!

I give Killbox  5 out of 5 stars!

It was once known as the City of Los Angeles, but a series of fierce interspecies wars -  resulting in the streets running red with blood – gave birth to the nickname, Crimson City.  An uneasy peace has been established between the three main species: Vampires, humans and werewolves.  Each species has their own living area with vampires inhabiting lofty spires 100-200 stories above street level, humans in the typical street levels, and werewolves relegated to the subway tunnels and stations below.  Entering Crimson City, despite the peace, we notice an undercurrent of tension that seems to grow as the days pass.

Noted author Liz Maverick teamed up with five other authors to bring us the story of Crimson City, as the fragile peace unravels and how a few dedicated individuals risk their lives trying to hold that peace.  We are also introduced to two other species: The mechanicals and demons; who play vital roles in determining the fate of Crimson City.  We experience the combination of glitz and grit that is Crimson City in the following books:

Crimson City by Liz Maverick, July 2005

A Taste of Crimson by Majorie M. Liu, August 2005

Through a Crimson Veil by Patti O’Shea, October 2005

A Darker Crimson by Carolyn Jewel, November 2005

Seduced by Crimson by Jade Lee, March 2006

Crimson Rogue by Liz Maverick April, 2006

Anthology: Shards of Crimson, January 2007 – with stories by Liz Maverick, Patti O’Shea, Carolyn Jewel and Jade Lee.

The most recent instalment and the focus of this review is Crimson and Steam by Liz Maverick, which is released on the 29th December, 09.

Per the FTC guidelines, I must state that I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review.  I purchased the other books in this series for personal enjoyment.  Unfortunately I will not be able to avoid spoilers for the previous books in this particular review because it is the 8th in the series.  I will, however, do my best to minimize those.

Each book in the series, while entwined with the others, focuses on a primary hero and heroine.  Crimson and Steam draws the reader closer to what appears to be the star-crossed pair of not-yet-lovers: Marius Dumont and Jill Cooper.  Marius is the acting head of Clan Dumont, the most powerful vampire clan in Crimson City, and therefore head of the Vampire Council.  His clan is trying to pursue peaceful yet powerful alliances by marrying strategically amongst powerful werewolves outside Crimson City.  A previous marriage attempt between the two families was derailed due to some unexpected events detailed in Shards of Crimson.

Jill is a freelance human reporter who lost her steady job during Crimson City around the time she first met Marius.  The two of them share a mental and emotional connection but Marius is determined to do the right thing for his family and the vampire community as a whole.  The right thing does not include a relationship with a human.

We get to see both the determination and the emotional pain experienced by both Marius and Jill as he weds Tatiana, the daughter of a powerful werewolf alpha from New York.  That same night Jill stumbles over a gruesomely dead body in one of the rooms in Dumont tower.  Her panicked mind reaches out to Marius and he leaves his new bride to investigate.  They discover that the dead body used to be a vampire, but it’s missing all of the physical vampire traits.  Marius drags Jill and the carcass to an underground research lab – run by and for the Mechs or Mechanicals.  They discover that the vampire was infected with a pathogen that looks for non-human parts.  Once they are located, the micro-organism attempts to change them back to human.  At this time the pathogen does not have an airborne transmission path, but the Mechs have seen three or four other bodies with the same infection…

Ms. Maverick takes a different tact with this book then the previous ones in the Crimson City series.  The reader is treated to a series of unfortunate events that occurred in London during 1851 during the height of experimentation with steam, mechanical devices, and unusual creatures from the West Indies.  The events in London center around a young lady named: Charlotte, who co-owns a draper shop, and a penniless inventor called: Lord Edward.  At first the reader is left wondering about the importance of these experiments and why half the book is spent with those characters.

Ms Maverick seemed to pick the most tension filled moments to switch between centuries.  I have to admit the jumps did keep me interested.   By the end of the book, I was able to see how all the various threads are interwoven and exactly why a sizeable chunk of time is spent in London.  I can’t divulge any of those reasons because they contain major spoilers.

I really, really wanted to like this book.  I had been looking forward to Marius and Jill since the last instalment.  Unfortunately this one didn’t really work for me.  I think the problem was twofold.  First, Ms Maverick used a version of a trope that is not one that I personally enjoy.  Second, there were too many threads to be resolved.  Some of the contrivances were necessary to avoid potentially uncomfortable situations.  However, others were not.  Compared to the other books in the series, it is hard to become emotionally involved in Marius and Jill’s quasi-relationship with the addition of Charlotte and Lord Edward.   Ms Maverick did a good job interweaving her two storylines and answering some lingering questions, but in my opinion it is not at the same calibre of the previous instalments.

I give Crimson and Steam 3 out of 5 stars.

In this third instalment in the Grimspace series, Doubleblind marks a departure from the previous two books, which were frenetic in high octane action and scope. Sirantha Jax is asked by the Conglomerate to become a goodwill ambassador, to try and forge an alliance with the elusive and secretive bug-like Ithtorians. However, there are factions who would like to jeopardize this alliance. There is the insidious threat from a progressively more powerful Syndicate (a mafia like organization), headed by Jax’s own mother that would love to take over where the Farwan Corporation has left off, and has become a threat to the Conglomerate’s authority in the Galaxy. It is essential for Jax to try and cement an alliance with the Ithtorian because failure would leave the Galaxy under threat from the Morguts – a vicious alien race who have increasingly attacked outposts, stations and threatening the survival of the Conglomerate Alliance

In addition to these outside pressures, Jax also has to deal with healing March’s fractured mind after the events in Wanderlust, which have left him emotionless and dangerous to the people around him. Did I mention earlier that Jax doesn’t do diplomatic and sensitive well? Especially when she has to deal with an alien race that do not view humans in a favourable light due to a testy past.

Doubleblind is quieter in tone and pace compared to Grimspace and Wanderlust. It is more character driven as it focuses more about Jax’s developing relationship with March and Vel; ( If I wasn’t in love with Vel in the last book – I so am now!) the Ithtorian bounty hunter, who has cemented himself as a firm ally and friend to Jax despite his ties to Ithiss-Tor. Jax has grown up and matured a lot over the past two books. This becomes evident to the reader during the many diplomatic incidents in Doubleblind where the old Jax would have jeopardised the mission and abandoned March.

I really love the course of their romance across the three books, (Grimspace, Wanderlust and Doubleblind). Ann Aguirre gives the reader a sense of symmetry with March’s and Jax’s relationship. From the beginning, March was the sensitive and patient lover while Jax was the opposite. Now, Jax has learned and grown from past mistakes, to realize how important March really is. This shows how much she has changed from her previous irresponsible and cocky persona in Grimspace, and is evident in her determination to try to heal March from his emotionless disconnect.

There were times when I feared that March wouldn’t be able to reconnect due to the coldness and menace of his emotional disconnect – which was pretty scary at times. Despite this, I think readers will definitely enjoy how this subplot develops, because like the previous books where March helps Jax to overcome her own grief and emotional baggage, Jax does the same for March. And for me, this book strengthens their love, I think the quieter tone and pace of the book were needed to show and emphasize that.

Another relationship that was further developed was that between Jax and Vel; who I think – in my eyes – he is definitely become one of my all time favourite characters. Just like Jax’s relationship with March, the events in Doubleblind brings Vel and Jax closer – especially as there are outside and inside forces that threaten their mission, and even their lives.

One of the best elements in the book involved the world building about Ithtorian culture and their political intrigue. Vel helps and guides Jax, who learns there is more to the Ithtorian than she realised. This helps her to understand Vel and bond with him more.

One of my favourite passages in the book, which highlights this is:

‘As he straightens, his mandible moves in some subtle meaning. “Your manners have become … exquisite, Sirantha. The shading you gave that wa… it was poetic.”
Surprise washes over me as I register the compliment. “Really? What did I say?”
“In the time after the broken sunrise, brown bird looks to white wave. The Sky does not touch, all songs have ceased. It is far and lorn.”

Ann Aguirre does not keep the readers trapped on Ithiss-Tor. In between chapters, there are breaks with interviews and satellite forum conversations which convey what the galaxy is going through after the downfall of the Farwan Corporation, and the takeover bids of the Syndicate. This gives an insight that things are coming to a head later, and adds to the tension about the success of Jax’s mission.

There are also a few developments with Constance (Jax’s personal computer aide) and Jael. I hope we get to see more about them in the next book, although I was slightly disappointed that Dina, Doc and Hit were featured lightly in this book. I can understand why, though, as they would have detracted attention from the plot.

Doubleblind has enriched and further developed the characters and the world building of this series. It’s a pivotal book as it sets out and expands on future things to come for Jax and Co., and I am sorry to say it does end in a cliffhanger.

The Grimspace series is multi-layered with memorable characters and heart wrenching romance with dashes of high octane action and wit. And although this installment has a different change of pace and tone, it is a rich and satisfying chapter in this series.

Book four, Killbox, will be out late Sep/early Oct and I cannot WAIT!!!

I give Doubleblind 4.8 out of 5