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katyanaish's review
4.0
I liked it!
It reminded me a huge lot of the Jax series (though I know this came first)... I'm not going to go into all that in the review though, except to just note that the similarities are boggling.
Though I think I liked Chaz better than I like Jax. Don't get me wrong, it is fun to watch Jax learn and grow, but there were many-a-time that I wanted to slap some sense into her. Chaz, though, is much more sensible, mature, she has a sense of responsibility and loyalty that I admire, and she's quick-witted. Chaz puts together the pieces of the plot as quickly as the reader does, and I found that gratifying.
My criticisms, though:
Chaz was a bit too forgiving.
She's pretty much the living embodiment of "turn the other cheek". She doesn't get pissed at anyone for more than a moment, and there were at least a handful of times when I felt that not only was serious anger justified, it was necessary. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to see permanent friction between Chaz and Sully, but there were a couple of points where that man needed a good punch to the junk. This was aggravated by the fact that the "oh, and here's another secret he's been keeping from you, but it's the last one, promise!" was repeated about 185 times too many in this book (it was like a constant repeating plot point... so I started to feel like the entire book was just waiting for the next shoe to drop, and yet at the same time, I felt that Sully's big secret was so damn obvious that it was agitating to not just come out with already). Every time, she'd be pissed for about 30 seconds, shrug it off, and go comfort him for making him feel bad when she found out he'd been lying to her. Backbone, please. PLEASE.
Sully was a bit too angsty.
I like that he was emotional. I like that he was clearly impacted by events, and I like that he's basically be pining for her for eons. It was sweet. But I disliked the perpetual victimhood. Sully was making choices to do things that were - imo - wrong (let's be clear, this all related to not being honest with people he expected to blindly trust him and ask no questions ever of him). It wasn't fair. And when the shit comes out - and it always does - he was never really held accountable because Chaz's anger was so upsetting to him that she felt bad and ended up comforting him. WTF? Put on your big boy pants, Sully. You weren't truthful, and now you get to be held accountable. The irritating thing is Chaz was generally less upset with what was revealed than she was upset with the fact that he was - yet again - not honest with her / didn't trust her. And, Sully damn well knows that. But he'd still take it as a personal rejection of him, and become The Amazing Emo-Man.
Regardless, I still had a ton of fun with it, and already picked up the next one for my kindle. Definitely will be reading it.
Also: Ren... yum.
That is all.
It reminded me a huge lot of the Jax series (though I know this came first)... I'm not going to go into all that in the review though, except to just note that the similarities are boggling.
Though I think I liked Chaz better than I like Jax. Don't get me wrong, it is fun to watch Jax learn and grow, but there were many-a-time that I wanted to slap some sense into her. Chaz, though, is much more sensible, mature, she has a sense of responsibility and loyalty that I admire, and she's quick-witted. Chaz puts together the pieces of the plot as quickly as the reader does, and I found that gratifying.
My criticisms, though:
Chaz was a bit too forgiving.
She's pretty much the living embodiment of "turn the other cheek". She doesn't get pissed at anyone for more than a moment, and there were at least a handful of times when I felt that not only was serious anger justified, it was necessary. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want to see permanent friction between Chaz and Sully, but there were a couple of points where that man needed a good punch to the junk. This was aggravated by the fact that the "oh, and here's another secret he's been keeping from you, but it's the last one, promise!" was repeated about 185 times too many in this book (it was like a constant repeating plot point... so I started to feel like the entire book was just waiting for the next shoe to drop, and yet at the same time, I felt that Sully's big secret was so damn obvious that it was agitating to not just come out with already). Every time, she'd be pissed for about 30 seconds, shrug it off, and go comfort him for making him feel bad when she found out he'd been lying to her. Backbone, please. PLEASE.
Sully was a bit too angsty.
I like that he was emotional. I like that he was clearly impacted by events, and I like that he's basically be pining for her for eons. It was sweet. But I disliked the perpetual victimhood. Sully was making choices to do things that were - imo - wrong (let's be clear, this all related to not being honest with people he expected to blindly trust him and ask no questions ever of him). It wasn't fair. And when the shit comes out - and it always does - he was never really held accountable because Chaz's anger was so upsetting to him that she felt bad and ended up comforting him. WTF? Put on your big boy pants, Sully. You weren't truthful, and now you get to be held accountable. The irritating thing is Chaz was generally less upset with what was revealed than she was upset with the fact that he was - yet again - not honest with her / didn't trust her. And
Spoiler
being a mind-readerRegardless, I still had a ton of fun with it, and already picked up the next one for my kindle. Definitely will be reading it.
Also: Ren... yum.
That is all.
samrushingbooks's review
3.0
I didn't like this book as much as the previous picks for the Vaginal Fantasy book club. It was an okay story but sometimes I just didn't feel that the characters were all that realistic. In the narration it was mentioned that Chaz was 35 but most of the time I just felt that she acted more like mid-20s or so. However, I really loved Ren. Honestly I felt like the connection between Chaz and Ren was more authentic than the relationship between Chaz and Sully.
annkniggendorf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
masquerader888's review
4.0
I picked up this book in an effort to be a better member in the Vaginal Fantasy online book club/hangout. Not really familiar with the whole reading-with-others thing, this was a branching-out of sorts for me. The first book recommendation that I had not already read from this group (That I could get a copy of) I decided to give it a go...and discovered a remarkable story that left me in places both awed and enthused by the many twists that our intrepid heroes navigated both in and out of space.
Sci-fi is not really my genre of choice...not that I dislike space in any particular way, but sci-fi books tend to be a bit more heavy-handed on the science speak than I enjoy. It was a bit of a stretch for me to decide to give this title a go, but once I picked it up and began reading a supposedly difficult decision become zen simple. I was drawn in from the first, a magnetism that never really let up. This book both surprised and impressed me with the author’s skill at taking a setting that usually leaves me cold and turning it into an intriguing playground.
The simple yet twisting plot of this book struck me as a fairly standard device. The goal was introduced in the beginning chapters and working toward said goal while obstacles keep being set in their path composed the plot arch that moved the characters forward. Not a reinvention of the wheel, but very well done for what it was. The world-building that was revealed through the plot’s progression was, I felt, the compelling momentum that kept the story from being predictable or stale feeling. The tensions between different groups, and the prejudices behind them, were a living dynamic that propelled the characters forward as much, if not more, than the end goal. It is with these characters that I felt this book truly shined. By illuminating both strengths weaknesses Ms. Sinclair was able to create a human character with faults and insecurities along with all the gifts, talents and confidence that make a strong and compelling character. Gabriel's Ghost is truly a humanistic tale...even—and in some cases especially—when dealing with characters that are not completely human.
Shades of Dark, The follow-up book in this series, is most definitely going on my buy list. I want to know what happens to Chaz and our intrepid Gabriel as they continue the journey they have begun. This book gave me the impetus to continue to broaden my horizons, now knowing it can mean being introduced to wonderful works and worlds. I give this book a strong four stars.
Sci-fi is not really my genre of choice...not that I dislike space in any particular way, but sci-fi books tend to be a bit more heavy-handed on the science speak than I enjoy. It was a bit of a stretch for me to decide to give this title a go, but once I picked it up and began reading a supposedly difficult decision become zen simple. I was drawn in from the first, a magnetism that never really let up. This book both surprised and impressed me with the author’s skill at taking a setting that usually leaves me cold and turning it into an intriguing playground.
The simple yet twisting plot of this book struck me as a fairly standard device. The goal was introduced in the beginning chapters and working toward said goal while obstacles keep being set in their path composed the plot arch that moved the characters forward. Not a reinvention of the wheel, but very well done for what it was. The world-building that was revealed through the plot’s progression was, I felt, the compelling momentum that kept the story from being predictable or stale feeling. The tensions between different groups, and the prejudices behind them, were a living dynamic that propelled the characters forward as much, if not more, than the end goal. It is with these characters that I felt this book truly shined. By illuminating both strengths weaknesses Ms. Sinclair was able to create a human character with faults and insecurities along with all the gifts, talents and confidence that make a strong and compelling character. Gabriel's Ghost is truly a humanistic tale...even—and in some cases especially—when dealing with characters that are not completely human.
Shades of Dark, The follow-up book in this series, is most definitely going on my buy list. I want to know what happens to Chaz and our intrepid Gabriel as they continue the journey they have begun. This book gave me the impetus to continue to broaden my horizons, now knowing it can mean being introduced to wonderful works and worlds. I give this book a strong four stars.
sparklingreader's review
5.0
Linnea Sinclair is an expert in world building and now you can add romance to that expertise. In “Gabriel’s Ghost”, she combines science fiction and romance in a sizzling manner that leaves you wanting more.
Captain Chasidah Bergren was falsely accused of a crime she didn’t commit, court-martialed and sentenced to a harsh prison planet. Her surprising rescue comes in the form of Gabriel Sullivan, a pirate and mercenary who Chas chased from one end of the galaxy to the next.
Though initially Sully told Chas he needed her for her expertise in shipping and knowledge of the system, his underlying personal needs often take precedence over his practical needs. He is on the hunt for the people behind the breeding of the deadly jukors. He asks for and gets Chas’ help in his quest. Along the way, Chas starts to see Sully the man instead of Sullivan, the pirate. They must work together to clear both their names and reputations and the close contact sets off sparks that grow. Throw in a personal secret that Sully must hide and you have the makings of great conflict and an even better story.
Linnea blends science fiction, romance, world-building and the paranormal into one wonderful read. You will not be able to put this one down.
Captain Chasidah Bergren was falsely accused of a crime she didn’t commit, court-martialed and sentenced to a harsh prison planet. Her surprising rescue comes in the form of Gabriel Sullivan, a pirate and mercenary who Chas chased from one end of the galaxy to the next.
Though initially Sully told Chas he needed her for her expertise in shipping and knowledge of the system, his underlying personal needs often take precedence over his practical needs. He is on the hunt for the people behind the breeding of the deadly jukors. He asks for and gets Chas’ help in his quest. Along the way, Chas starts to see Sully the man instead of Sullivan, the pirate. They must work together to clear both their names and reputations and the close contact sets off sparks that grow. Throw in a personal secret that Sully must hide and you have the makings of great conflict and an even better story.
Linnea blends science fiction, romance, world-building and the paranormal into one wonderful read. You will not be able to put this one down.
kathrynreadsmuch's review
Mind rape. I stopped reading this when the MMC mind raped the FMC. And then she forgave him, a man she hasn't seen in YEARS, in like 4 pages (less than 4 book days). He claims to love her, but he does that shit?!? No. Just no.
uberaubs's review
4.0
I actually liked this book, and the Vaginal Fantasy book club on the whole DID NOT. I really like the set up of the space pirate boy and the imperial officer girl, but not the whole weird mind/rainbows thing.
raetracer's review
3.0
Fun scifi romance, I enjoyed the world-building but the characters were a little annoying.
lizzy_22's review
3.0
More romance in space surrounded by a well developed plot! There was nothing really surprising in this story by Linnea Sinclair, who knows how to bring all of this novel's pieces together in a brisk fashion. I liked Games of Command (oh Kel-Paten you handsome biocyb you) better than this one I think and since the rest of the series bounces points of view I might skip to Sinclair's stand alone novels from here on out.