Book Review: Wanderlust

Wanderlust

By:  Ann Aguirre

Publisher:  Ace Books

Publish Date:  August 2008

Format:  Paperback 311pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Science Fiction fantasy

Series:  2nd book in Sirantha Jax Series; Book 1 ~ Grimspace

Recommendation:  Yes.  Quick read of Outer space action and interesting characters

Book Synopsis:
Sirantha Jax doesn't take chances...
She jumps at them.

Sirantha Jax is a "jumper," a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster-than-light ships through grimspace.  Jax has worked for Farwan Corporation her entire career.  But now word's out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and its stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled - which means that Jax is out of a job.

She's also broke due to being declared dead a little prematurely.  So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax agrees to do it.  Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince its inhabitants to join the Conglomerate.

But Jax's payday is light-years away.  First she'll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body.  She'll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive...

First Sentence:
The hearings have been going on for days.

My Thoughts and Summary:
With Farwan's fall the Conglomerate is scurrying to keep control over things.  Siratha has been summoned to the conference room for the umpteenth time expecting to be put through another round of questions.  She's surprised when she walks in to see March and the others, whom she's been separated from since the day of upheaval.  The Conglomerate wants to make Jax an Ambassador and help them with a mission to Tarn with the bounty hunter Velith as the liaison to help.  Then Jax's mother shows up... As Jax goes on her journey she heads back to Lachion to see Doc as something is slowly happening to her.  Now things are starting to get even more dangerous in space with Farwan gone.  Will it be better or not with out Farwan's control?  Will Jax be able to succeed her mission as Ambassador or will she be sidetracked and trouble find her?

I have to say I am liking the new characters in this book.  And to meet Ramona Jax, Siratha's mother.  Nice.  She shares some big pieces of information about Jax and the story here.  And we bring together a few new people into the crew, and I'm hooked on them.  I do hope they stick around a while longer.  And the old characters, well, we keep them around and learn soooo much more about them... good and bad.  I like how these characters are taken to a brink and grow from there.  Some grow to be leaders and others start to break apart.  But this is where we leave off and leave us wanting more.

Here the world opens up and becomes more dangerous to Jax and everyone in it.  The fall of a powerful controlling unit has left the outskirts of space, and even closer areas to the Central system of the Conglomerate open to raids and damage by dangerous human eating creatures and pirates looking to turn a profit.

Jax being in her new position doesn't realize she can attract attention and trouble quicker than normal now.  When she appears at places there are thoughts of armies coming with her, or even assassination attempts on her.  Her newly acquired position could end up being the death of her faster than the jumping was.  And if not death, at least the destruction on the universe.

Another good read of Siratha Jax.  This book seems to be the one leading you into Doubleblind.  So have Doubleblind ready for you when you read this one, as you'll want to keep going with Jax on her missions.  I will definitely be continuing with the series as I'm hooked.


I purchased this book for my reading enjoyment.


This book qualifies for the Speculative Fiction Challenge hosted by Floor to Ceiling Books.