Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Grimspace
Ann Aguirre
Ace
February 26, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01599-3

The only survivor of the Matins IV crash, Sirantha Jax has been isolated by her employer and forced to undergo psychological torture disguised as treatments to mend her. Born with the J-gene that allows her to act as a Jumper, Jax has the ability to work with a pilot and move a ship through grimspace. While most Jumpers would have died from the number of jumps Jax has completed, her continued strength has captured the notice of a group who has plans of their own where her future is concerned. If Jax can train their engineered Jumpers they can break-down the control that the Farwan Corporation holds.

March arrives and offers to free Jax with the condition that she do as they ask, and use her talent to help them stand against the Corp. It’s clear to Jax that March has shadows of his own that he holds deep inside, but with their roles as Pilot and Jumper their relationship must be close and trusting. The Corp won’t easily allow Jax to walk away, so the tentative connection she forges with March could be all that enables her to survive.

In this science fiction tale, Ms. Aguirre blends a creative adventure with a thorny romance and takes readers on a fast-moving ride through space. With a fascinating concept in space travel, and the unique characters that make it possible, Grimspace is well-imagined and very entertaining. The sequel, Wanderlust, is currently scheduled as an August 2008 release.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Slave by Cheryl L. Brooks

Slave
The Cat Star Chronicles, Book One
Cheryl L. Brooks
Sourcebooks – Casablanca
April 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-1-4022-1192-8

For the past six years Jacinth has traveled from planet to plant searching for her kidnapped sister, Ranata. Believing that she’s been taken to Statzeel, a planet where all women are slaves, Jacinth poses as a man to purchase a slave of her own to act as her master. This will allow her the freedom to search for her sister without being taken as a slave herself.

Cat was taken as a slave at a young age, and has been in servitude all of his adult years. Back on the slave market he’s bought and freed by Jacinth, but he’s unwilling to leave the woman who showed him such kindness. Born on a planet that no longer exists, and possibly the last of his race, Cat has no home to return to as a free man.

Tracking down Ranata will be a dangerous journey for Jacinth and Cat. What they’ll find along the way will threaten their future and tie them together in ways they never dared hope for.

Slave is the first story in The Cat Star Chronicles. After spending years searching for her sister alone, Jacinth finds the help and companionship she needs in Cat. Theirs is a relationship built on trust and survival that will quickly grow to more. Ms. Brooks creates a detailed sci-fi world and sends her characters on a journey to alien planets in their search. This is an erotic romance with a creative plot, and while I usually enjoy a first person narrative it was difficult to get through in this story. The protagonist’s internal dialog is peppered with exclamations that seemed unnecessary, and in the end I was unable to establish a connection with her. The character that did capture my attention was Cat. He’s intriguing, sweet and sexy. The next installment in the Cat Star Chronicles, Warrior, is currently due to release in October 2008.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Netherwood by Michele Lang

Netherwood
Michele Lang
Love Spell – SHOMI
February 26, 2008
978-0-505-52759-2

Talia Fortune is the primary shareholder of FortuneCorp as well as a Sheriff. Her job has sent her to the colony of Fresh Havens to find Kovner, an outlaw suspected of sabotage and other crimes. Under her uncle’s leadership, the colony has found itself in a dangerous position and Talia will use every one of her skills to save it.

Kovner knows exactly who Talia is from their time together in the Netherwood as Avenger and Amazonia. What he needs now is for her to trust him and believe in his fight against giving up their souls and becoming part of the Singularity. The Gray Forest is their best bet for survival, but they’ll have to stay off Grid to get there and hope that the forest will welcome Talia as Kovner has.

Netherwood is an action romance with many surprises along the way. When Talia sets out after Kovner she has every intention of doing her job and bringing him in. What greets her on Fresh Havens is a sight that gives her pause, and it’s then that Kovner takes the opportunity to show Talia the truth of what’s happening all around them. Together they continue the fight to save what’s left of the human race. Ms. Lang packs this tale with futuristic action, an intriguing storyline and characters that have you cheering on their fight for survival. Netherwood is an entertaining escape into a fascinating future world.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Marseguro by Edward Willett

Marseguro
Edward Willett
DAW Books Inc.
February 5, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-7564-0464-2

When Victor Hansen left Earth in order to see his people survive, he took the race of modified humans he had created with him. They named the planet they colonized, Marseguro, and the landlings and water-dwelling Selkies strove to live in harmony. Here on the new world, the religious beliefs of the Avatar would no longer threaten the Selkies who were deemed abominations on Earth. While most of the unmodified humans among them were in support of the freedom, there was a small faction who continued to follow the Avatar’s beliefs behind closed doors. Chris Keating’s family was among those few, and his hatred towards the Selkies prompts him to set off a distress beacon that alerts those on Earth to their location.

Richard Hansen is the grandson of Victor, and has spent his time searching for the location of his grandfather and his people. Raised on Earth under the Avatar’s teachings, Richard believes the worst of Victor and wants to help cleanse Marseguro of the Selkies. What he didn’t realize when he turned over the colony’s location, was that there would be little hope for anyone inhabiting the planet. Now, torn between duty and what he’s now seen to be true, Richard must decide where his loyalties lay. His decision could mean the difference between survival and death for all who call Marseguro home.

Marseguro is a creative tale in science fiction. Having been raised to see the worst in Selkies, Chris Keating finds what he believes will be the solution to purifying Marseguro. Richard Hansen starts his journey pleased with discovering the location of his grandfather’s people, but as the assault begins he finds himself questioning his beliefs. Mr. Willett blends science fiction with heavy religious beliefs into a well-written storyline that’s filled with dramatic scenery and character detail. Sci-fi and fantasy fans should find this story full and entertaining.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews