Review: Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

Grimspace (Sirantha Jax, #1) by Ann Aguirre

Release Date: February 26, 2008

Publisher: Penguin Group

Author Information: Website / Twitter / Facebook

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Available Formats: Paperback and eBook

My Shelf: Want to Buy

Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Books-A-Million

By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago…

As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herself: she has no memory of the crash.

Now imprisoned and the subject of a ruthless interrogation, Jax is on the verge of madness. Then a mysterious man breaks into her cell, offering her freedom—for a price. March needs Jax to help his small band of rogue fighters break the Corp monopoly on interstellar travel—and establish a new breed of jumper.

Jax is only good at one thing—grimspace—and it will eventually kill her. So she may as well have some fun in the meantime…

Review:

I know, I know, this is not a YA book, but I feel compelled to share it with you. Have you ever read a book that once you finish it, you want to run to all of your friends and get them to read it, too? You love it so much you want to share it with everyone? That is what Grimspace is for me. Here are a few reasons why you will love it:

1. The story is original, a much-needed breath of fresh air. It is a wonderful blend of urban fantasy and science-fiction, and we get the best of both worlds. This book is not weighed down by redundant plotlines or one-dimensional characters. Instead, readers get a unique story with awesome characters and an action-intense plot that keeps you guessing. What more could we ask for?

2. Sirantha Jax is kickass. She is snarky and strong, and she is not afraid to take on a whole government organization who would like to see her dead. She has her own battle scars, but she displays them with pride. She takes crap from no one, questions everything, and has a rather macabre mind at times. She’s someone I would want to have on my side during a fight, and people tend to pay (particularly in bruises and broken bones) when they underestimate her. Jax commands respect, and she has earned mine.

3. March is a dark, broody type of guy, so I totally swooned over him (as can be expected of me). He is cloaked in mystery, and he has a few personal demons locked away in a closet, but that just increased his intrigue factor. I loved getting to know him, and he is totally badass, just my kind of guy!

4. The romance is tasteful and brilliantly crafted. There is none of the grueling angst, insta-love or unnecessary love triangles, just a nice, straight up romance between two people. There is some smut, but it is kept clean. You do not feel like you are reading a novel that is better classified as a sci-fi romance instead of UF/sci-fi. No overly descriptive or dirty words, just a solid relationship that focuses on the emotional ties between two people instead of the physical ones. *applause to Aguirre*

5. There are wonderful side characters. Dina, Doc, and Loras add some personality and vitality to the story. There were many moments between them and Jax and March that had me giggling. They were a great addition.

Recently, it has been hard for me to really get into UF series. There is so much out there, and a lot of it is much the same. And then I stumbled upon Grimspace, a diamond in the rough, if you will. Aguirre has an impeccable writing style, and I felt what Jax felt and could clearly visualize all the new worlds she traveled to. This book is the epitome of brilliant: a brilliant plot, brilliant characters, brilliant world-building, brilliant everything. If you have not read it yet, then I suggest you do yourself a favor. You are going to be in for one hell of a read. 

The Greatest Escape!