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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Really enjoy Owens' writing and storytelling, while questioning some of the underlying gender politics. In this 2nd book of the Heartmates futuristic romance series, new head of her Greathouse Ailim D'Silverfur has come to the FirstFamilies Council to ask for a loan, as she's discovered her house is in major debt. While waiting for her case to be heard, she meets a handsome, audacious man, a man to whom she immediately finds herself attracted. Because for some reason, her magic gift, telempathy, seems to quiet in his presence, something she finds amazingly soothing. But their relationship seems destined to end before it's even begun, for the insouciant man turns out to be a captive awaiting trial.
Ruis Elder, who ran away from his own Greathouse and his abusive uncle at the age of 14, has been living for twenty years as a thief. Unlike other Greathouse offspring, Ruis has no magical talent, or at least, a magical talent that negates all others' magic: he's a null. Banished from the city as a result of his (unfair) trial, Ruis ends up sneaking back in and taking up residence in the abandon starship that brought his ancestors from Earth to Celta hundreds of years ago. And Ruis, fascinated by anything mechanical, gradually restores the ship, all the while courting Ailim. But Ruis's evil uncle has it in for both of them...
The novel asserts that Ailim, a judge, is a competent, intelligent woman. But the plotting here continually presents her as weak (constantly worried; bullied by her family; at the mercy of the FirstFamilies) and places her in danger, and allows Ruis to rescue her. Weirdly, though, the climax of the novel is more about Ruis learning to contain his anger, and to believe in Ailim, than about proving that Ailim needs to be under constant (male) protection. Do Owens' female protagonists all fall into the "worrier/damsel in distress" mold?
Ruis Elder, who ran away from his own Greathouse and his abusive uncle at the age of 14, has been living for twenty years as a thief. Unlike other Greathouse offspring, Ruis has no magical talent, or at least, a magical talent that negates all others' magic: he's a null. Banished from the city as a result of his (unfair) trial, Ruis ends up sneaking back in and taking up residence in the abandon starship that brought his ancestors from Earth to Celta hundreds of years ago. And Ruis, fascinated by anything mechanical, gradually restores the ship, all the while courting Ailim. But Ruis's evil uncle has it in for both of them...
The novel asserts that Ailim, a judge, is a competent, intelligent woman. But the plotting here continually presents her as weak (constantly worried; bullied by her family; at the mercy of the FirstFamilies) and places her in danger, and allows Ruis to rescue her. Weirdly, though, the climax of the novel is more about Ruis learning to contain his anger, and to believe in Ailim, than about proving that Ailim needs to be under constant (male) protection. Do Owens' female protagonists all fall into the "worrier/damsel in distress" mold?
birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic! I loved this book! Looking forward to reading more, but don't know that the rest of them can top this one. Can't really say why, as I don't want to spoil it.
cadyly's review against another edition
3.0
When I was getting ready to donate "HeartMate," I realized it was a series. I wasn't all that taken with it, but checked and saw they had the second book at the library. I'm glad I have it a chance, because this book is much better than the first.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
I was quite engaged with this one. I liked both leads and loved the pets, sorry fams, and the mystery. I do wish that the villain of the piece had had more of a comeuppance, but this worked.
bunnerz's review against another edition
3.0
nixwhittaker's review against another edition
5.0
Great tension in this book as we have a judge and a condemned man find love. You are always wondering if he will get caught and killed and even better the second time I read it, even when I knew how it would all end up.
nelsonseye's review
4.0
I was quite engaged with this one. I liked both leads and loved the pets, sorry fams, and the mystery. I do wish that the villain of the piece had had more of a comeuppance, but this worked.
tita_noir's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Liked this one a tick better than the previous book.
cranberrytarts's review against another edition
4.0
Reread 10/12/19: Probably my favorite of the series to date. I really love Samba, Ruis' Fam, the overall story and the secondary characters, including the Ship. It was great to return to this world. I enjoyed the narrator as well. It was a new experience listening to the story.
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Re-read 10/27/11: This is another favorite of the series. Ruis's gloomy personality bothered me more this time around. I loved Samba just as much as always. The ship and residences played larger roles and were much appreciated secondary characters.
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I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it. Ruis Elder is a Null, which means he has no magical Flair. I wasn't sure how that would work in this world, but Owens pulled it off brilliantly.
I really loved both Ruis and Ailim. Their conflict - she is a Judge and he a Fugitive - was interesting and worked well. I really liked that the setting was something new.
Samaba was a great Fam, too. I literally laughed out loud at her antics.
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Re-read 10/27/11: This is another favorite of the series. Ruis's gloomy personality bothered me more this time around. I loved Samba just as much as always. The ship and residences played larger roles and were much appreciated secondary characters.
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I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it. Ruis Elder is a Null, which means he has no magical Flair. I wasn't sure how that would work in this world, but Owens pulled it off brilliantly.
I really loved both Ruis and Ailim. Their conflict - she is a Judge and he a Fugitive - was interesting and worked well. I really liked that the setting was something new.
Samaba was a great Fam, too. I literally laughed out loud at her antics.