Publisher: Carina
Where did you get this book from: Netgalley E-arc
Release date: Out Now
The Republic had taken everything from Moon—her research partner, her privacy, her illusions. They thought they had her under control. They were wrong.
Srin Flerovs, Moon’s new research partner, is a chemically enhanced maths genius whose memory is erased every two days. While he and Moon work on a method of bringing dead stars back to life, attraction between them flares, together with the realisation that they are nothing more than pawns in a much larger game.
When Moon discovers the lethal applications her research can be put to, she knows she must rescue Srin and escape the clutches of the Republic. But there are too many walls around them, too many eyes watching. They want to run, but they’re trapped on a military spaceship in the depths of space, and time is running out….
I am always on the lookout for Sci-Fi romance, especially since I am on a Sci-Fi kick right now and I don’t think there can never be enough books out in this genre! Nonetheless I do find some are too sci-fi lite or they gloss over the romance, but In Enemy Hands is a great book that straddles both genres with great ease, and with an unusual twist with the romance.
Moon Thadin is a scientist working on a project to reignite dead stars to help bring back life in dead solar systems. But when she is betrayed by a co-worker who works for the resistance against the authoritarian Republic, she finds herself being interrogated and tarnished as a rebel. So when she finds herself having the chance to restart her research, she is determined to clear her name and regain back her old life – even though she has to work with Srin Flerovs instead of a super-computer to help her calculate and prove her theory. Yet she soon finds out that Srin under the control of a Republican operative, has constrained without his knowledge so that he loses his memory every two days so they can take advantage and command his unique abilities.
I really loved the premise of this book, and it had a fantastic twist although the premise/world-building was not original, it did feel refreshing at the same time. I loved the fact that Srin whose own memory loss did not stop him from re-falling in love repeatedly, which is very appealing to the romantic in me! Although, I did think Srin made huge leaps of logic, even with the clues he laid out to help him figure what was happening to him, despite losing his memory. But I could forgive this, because Srin and Moon’s love story was believable and heartfelt and how they connected with each despite the danger around them was absorbing. And the heart of In Enemy Hands is a love story about two lonely people falling in love and connecting not only, on an emotional level but on a intellectual one too. I really liked that aspect and I really think it added and gave depth to their romance.
K.S Augustin also captured the sci fi elements really well without making it too difficult to understand or overpowering the story. But it was also richly detailed with scientific fact and this made the world-building and premise believable which combined really well with the intelligent and emotional romance between Srin and Moon.
However my main gripe has to be the ending of the book which ended way too abruptly, and although it left story threads like what would happen to Srin and Moon, and the fact if they joined up with the rebels, would the technology that Moon carries be a danger still? I wouldn’t have minded an open ending but the way it was cut off at the end, it was just way too abrupt and it felt like there was something more to the plot. I hope she does revisit these characters in another book, just to see they did have real closuer a HEA or even a clearer happy for now.
In Enemys Hands is an intelligent and enjoyable Sci Fi romance with a rich and detailed world. The characters are well fleshed out and I loved how the romance combined both the emotional and mental elements that made this an unusual love story. I look forward to more books in this series.
I give In Enemy’s Hands a C +
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I had this book on my to-buy list and I had no idea why. Still don’t remember, after reading the synopsis. But after reading your review I think I’ll leave it on there. It sounds like a good book and apparently you’re the second person to recommend it 🙂
If you fancy a good Sci Fi romance – I definitely recommend it although the ending is a bit jarring but I loved how the scifi elements weaved around the romance. I have read books in this genre where its been pretty light on that the scifi and I found them disappointing. Let me know how it goes when you pick it up! 😀
Thanks for the thoughtful review, Has. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t plan on a sequel but people have been hitting me around the head about that. SFR is such a niche and I’ve been under the impression that not many people read it AT ALL. (Yet another in a long series of examples of shooting myself in the foot by writing in that genre.)
And now that I’ve written the book, I think I took a huge misstep by combining hard sf with erotic romance. Personally, I now DON’T think the two go together and I was being bull-headed trying to make them do so. Considering the combined experiences of The Book Pushers, I would be interested in your take on this mash-up.
Oh Kaz, I really hope you consider doing a sequel!
There are so many authors who try and combine Sci-Fi and erotica. Some do it really well (Lauren Dane), and some do it not so well at all. I also got and enjoyed your book. I liked that there were good mixes of Science Fiction with the romance.
I do agree with Has though, the ending was so abrupt and quick, I assumed it was done that way to allow for a sequel!
Hi Kaz! Thank you for commenting!
I agree with MinnChica and I think in general that hard SF can fit into erotica – but for me the most important aspect of the story if the couple emotionally and mentally as well as physically connect with each other and I think you captured that perfectly in this book. But the world-building and premise was a highlight. I also hope there might be a chance for a sequel in the future – you wrote a rich world to explore in!