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.

Teaser Tuesday (82)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

She had her psychopomp with her, in her bag.  For the first time ever she thought of it with unease, picturing the skull as something that could erupt into being without warning and attack her.

City of Ghosts

By Stacia Kane

136 pg

Monday's Beginnings (97)

Well it's Monday.  And a holiday here in the states too.

Happy Forth of July to all who celebrate, and Happy Canadian Day to all my buddies up north who celebrated on Friday. :) (sorry, I'm a little late.)

Well, it's going to be a hard week in blogging for me.  I'm off work on a vacation with and so is my husband.  So with him around, he has many plans in work around the house... um, hopefully for him and not me. ;)  But I do have things in mind to get done.  And already Monday is about gone.  But I do hope all my regular visitors do still visit and chat away with me as I will be stopping in to comment back, it just might take me a little longer than normal.  And I will stop by to visit you too.  :)  It's going to be hard with out you all chatting with you regularly as we do. :)  But I will be around.

I have big plans for this week too!  Yeah, well, we'll see how well that all pans out right. ;)

Currently Reading:
Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa - With a few friends over at Goodreads.
City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane
And I'm hoping to toss in at least one other book this week as well.  But not sure which one yet.  Either White Cat by Holly Black or The Rebel Prince by Celine Kiernan (which will finish off the wonderful trilogy for me)

To Come This Week:
Reviews:
   Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
   Lodestone Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars by Mark Whiteway

Last Week:
Books I Finished:
Lodestone Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars by Mark Whiteway

Reviews Posted Last Week:
Shadow's Lure by Jon Sprunk
City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Podcasts Reviewed Last Week:
Tales from the Archives - 6

I did write a Flash Fiction Friday last week as well.  It is another continuation of the story I started and have been writing on for the last... 4 weeks now.  I'm really liking this world and love growing with it.  If you would like to stop by and read it, please do HERE.

My WANT List... I've added 6 books and another Podcast I want to listen too. :) I started with the first short session and enjoyed it.  But it is along a good ways and I need to get caught up with it.  Maybe I'll review a few casts at once when I get going with it.  But I'm working good at slowly adding more books each week.  Thank you all!

Books Received:
For Review:

Goodreads Synopsis:
The epic story of Thomas Cale-introduced so memorably in The Left Hand of God--continues as the Redeemers use his prodigious gifts to further their sacred goal: the extinction of humankind and the end of the world.

To the warrior-monks known as the Redeemers, who rule over massive armies of child slaves, "the last four things" represent the culmination of a faithful life. Death. Judgement. Heaven. Hell. The last four things represent eternal bliss-or endless destruction, permanent chaos, and infinite pain.

Perhaps nowhere are the competing ideas of heaven and hell exhibited more clearly than in the dark and tormented soul of Thomas Cale. Betrayed by his beloved but still marked by a child's innocence, possessed of a remarkable aptitude for violence but capable of extreme tenderness, Cale will lead the Redeemers into a battle for nothing less than the fate of the human race. And though his broken heart foretells the bloody trail he will leave in pursuit of a personal peace he can never achieve, a glimmer of hope remains. The question even Cale can't answer: When it comes time to decide the fate of the world, to ensure the extermination of humankind or spare it, what will he choose? To express God's will on the edge of his sword, or to forgive his fellow man-and himself?

Won:
I'm going to show pictures of the books and not list the descriptions.  But I will link to the books over at Goodreads so you can check them all out if you would love to. :) I'm soooooo excited about this win!  Ann Aguirre was cleaning off her shelves and giving away all the books she had that she wrote.  And I'm a big fan, so I was thrilled to find out I won on Twitter one day. :) And then to see the big box on my doorstep! Eeep! Okay here we go....

All the books that where in the box:

First series here is The Sirantha Jax series!

Grimspace
Wanderlust
Doubleblind
Killbox

Next Series is Corine Solomon:
and these covers are the UK version! I LOVE them!
Blue Diablo
Hell Fire
Shady Lady

Now we have the Skin series under the name Ava Gray, which I have been wanting to get:
Skin Dive #4
Skin Tight #2
Skin Heat  #3

You all know I've been wanting the first Dark Age Dawning Novel by Ellen Connor, which is two authors one being Ann Aguirre:
Nightfall

And Ann Aguirre's YA novel:
This one I received AND in Dutch too!  I love the foreign cover, don't you?
Enclave

Now, she also has a few Anthologies she has stories in.  And I do love my anthologies. :)
Primal
Corsets & Clockwork

Holy books right!?! lol.  I was soooo happy with all these, and they are all made out to me. :) Thank you Ann Aguirre!!!!

Well, I'm hoping to have a great week in the pages here, but we shall see what comes of it. 

How are you looking so far this week?  Does it look like a good reading week for you?

Here's to wishing you all the best in words and pages.

Just for Thought (5)

How do you pick what to buy?

Last week we talked about that gnawing need to go buy books, even through you have plenty at home to keep you reading.  This week I'm curious how you pick the book to buy from that miles long WANT list.  Which ones do I buy now and which ones do I wait on?

I'm not sure how I do it.  I think in part it's what the store has on it's shelves as compared to what's on my want list.  That and for some reason I have books that just call to me.  You know, those ones you see and just can't quit thinking about no matter what books you read.  These are the ones that are destine to be in my presence. ;D  But I am to own and enjoy.

I've found I've had a lot of the 'destine' books as of late.  And they have been amazing reads too!  I love when this happens.  But these destine books have been ones I've had to order off line because the local Express book store doesn't carry them.  But I usually have a book in mind that has been calling to me for a while and if the store has it I pick it up, and sometimes even additional books grab my attention while there. ;)

So how is it you pick which books you are going to buy over all the ones on the WANT list?

We Have a Winner! For Thief.

Thank you Sarah-Jane Lehoux for being available to do an interview and offering up a signed copy of this wonderful book.

Thank you everyone for stopping by to read the interview with Sarah-Jane Lehoux.  I hope you all get the chance to enjoy this wonderful read as much as I did.  Did you miss reading the interview?  Well, it is always going to be up here on the Blog, but please stop by HERE.

Now, after all the checking, calculating and the help of Random.org we have a winner!

The winner is....

Michelle @ The Book Addict!

Yeah! Thank you Michelle and congratulations to you.  I do hope you enjoy the read as much as I did.

I'm sending an email to you to notify you of your winning, you will have 48 hours to respond with you address so I can send it over to Sarah-Jane to get it out for you.  From 6:30pm 7/1/11 EST.

Flash Fiction (12)

Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.

I have to thank Blodeuedd at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell for introducing me to this fun meme. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with every week, but I'll give it a try from time to time.

The Image this week:

Continuation of the last three weeks!  It's a little bit of a transition to hoping to bring you more next week.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Sheen and John exchanged a look of anger and fear mixed.  Neither wanted to see Sinn hurt, or more than she had already been.  And to loss her.  Well, that would be a loss great than any either knew.  They both looked to Sinn, and she was shacking her head slowly with a determined look in her sparkling chocolate colored eyes.  John knew when Sinn made up her mind and was determined there was no holding her back, not even tying her up would stop her.

Sighing a sound of defeat, Sheen turns and says, "Alright, come on we'll head out."  He turned on his heels and headed down the hall to a closed door.

John waved Sinn to follow Sheen in front of him and asked with surprise, "You're coming too?" John knew he wasn't on Sheen's favorite list these days, and couldn't believe he would chance harm over him... like the old days.

Sheen's big head nodded, "Well someones got to keep you two nuts safe.  I might as well sign up for the job, as usual."  the later part he mumbled but John could still hear him clear enough.

Sheen had opened the door and as Sinn and John followed in the room John heard a young girls chipper voice, "Oh, Mr. Sheen.  I wasn't thinking I had any... classes?"  And trailed off as she saw two others follow into the room.

John looked over to see a proper young lady dressed in a full Victorian gown, her hair pulled back in a loss bun, and sitting with papers gathered around her on other historical chairs.  Maybe the furniture in this room was from a hundred years ago, John thought looking around at the decorative carved wooden furniture.  And her feet, in heeled women's dress shoes propped up on a pillow.  The thought ran through John's head, I don't think anyone does that anymore and humphed.

Sheen answered her, "No 'Stashia.  No classes today.  How is the music writing coming along today?"

'Stashia, as Sheen had called her, perked up with a broad smile and answered as the world shined it's spotlight on her, "Oh Sheen.  It's coming wonderfully!  I turned the pen over there into that dove up there on the chandelier.  Isn't she just lovely?  And the music is really starting to blend faster to make the versus I need in the magic.  I'm trying to sing the poor wilted plant over there," pointing to the far corner, "into perking up some.  It's so sad in here alone all the time."

Sheen was walking to the far wall as 'Stashia's eyes where watching him all aglow, but Sheen didn't seem to noticed. "Splendid 'Stashia.  I'm very proud of you.  You are really starting to come along with your magic music.  Now would you be a dear and see if Joe downstairs needs a hand.  I'm stepping out for a while."

'Stashia jumped up from the chair she was sitting at, gathering up her skirts in the front to walk out the door with out tripping.  And answering Sheen with such a chipper voice it almost grated on John's nerves,  "Okay.  If you need anything just let me know."

John was glad to see the young girl leave, she was full of energy and he didn't feel like tending with.  John turned his eyes to Sheen who was walking to a large formal dinning room painting.  Sheen then pushed one of the painted plates on the right side of the painting.  Unexpectedly the painting popped open, like a door.  Sheen pulled the door open further and waved for Sinn and John to follow, "This is the back way into the tunnels below.  John, grab me a flash light out of the cabinets top drawer please."

John opened the drawer and found two flashlights.  Grabbing both, handing one to Sheen, he followed Sheen then Sinn down the stone spiraling stair into the tunnels of darkness.  Not knowing what he was going to do when he was out of immediate harms way.

Looking Forward To...(58)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Stormlord's Exile

Watergivers #3

By:  Glenda Larke

Due Out:  August 4, 2011

I started this trilogy and loved the first book.  I bought the second book.  And got behind in my reading.  I really look forward to getting back into this world for of lack of water.  Yes, lack of water.  These characters have wonderful abilities with water, but the world is quickly in a loss and has all the people on a strict assigned amount.  

And now thinking about it I really do need to get back to this trilogy. *sigh*

My Review of:  The Last Stormlord


AND
I did two Favorite Fictional Characters from the first book:
   Terelle
   Ryka

Goodreads Synopsis:

SHALE is finally free from his greatest enemy. But now, he is responsible for bringing life-giving rain to all the people of the Quartern. He must stretch his powers to the limit or his people will die-if they don't meet a nomad's blade first. And while Shale's own highlords and waterpriests plot against him, his Reduner brother plots his revenge.

TERELLE is Shale's secret weapon, covertly boosting his powers with her own mystical abilities. But she is compelled by the strange magic of her people and will one day have to leave Shale's side. No one knows what waits for her across the desert, but her people gave the Quartern its first Stormlord and they may save Shale and his people once again-or lead them to their doom.

This is the final volume of the epic Stormlord series.