Collision Course is Book 6 of Diener’s Class 5 series, and features the protagonists from Book 1, Dark Horse. Can this be read as a stand-alone? Yes, Collision Course is Book 6 of Diener’s Class 5 series, and features the protagonists from Book 1, Dark Horse. Can this be read as a stand-alone? Yes, but I suggest reading at least Dark Horse and Book 5, Dark Class.
If you are familiar with Diener’s Class 5 series, you’ve probably read the previous five (and 4.5) books, and have your favorite Earth-stolen heroine. For me, Rose from book 1, Dark Horse, has always been my favorite, so I was delighted to discover the sixth installment, Collision Course, features Rose, Dav, and Sazo.
In Book 6, Rose and her boys are off to meet the previously unknown alien race whose sentient AI spaceship, Irini, was stolen by the Tecran (as detailed in book 5, Dark Class). However, before Dav and his explorer crew can even make first contact, the Fisone snatch away a 9-months pregnant Rose, wanting to use her as ransom for restitution of the loss of Irini. This turns out to be a very bad choice for the Fisone as they’ve not just pissed off Dav and his Grih crew, but also Sazo, Rose’s sentient Death Star Class 5 BFF.
A classic Diener action and adventure then unfolds, with Rose being her usual badass damsel as she thwarts her foes and makes new friends along the way. Though I love Diener’s powerhouse leading lady formula, in past books, the FMC has often overshadowed the MMC love interest. However, in Collision Course, both Dav and Sazo get screen time being awesome.
This book is awesome. If you’ve enjoyed the Class 5 series, book 6 is the perfect exclamation point to all the fun and adventure you’ve come to love and enjoy. Cheers, cheers, cheers and bravo.
Note: I had the privilege to review an ARC of Collision Course as part of Michelle’s reader group, and scan out a few typos. Look for me in the acknowledgements! #nothumblebragging...more
There was so much I loved in this book. So much. A bulleted list is needed:
1. Improbable romance. This is my ultimate catnip. Probably why I read The There was so much I loved in this book. So much. A bulleted list is needed:
1. Improbable romance. This is my ultimate catnip. Probably why I read The Host like 12 times. In this case, Cleo falls in love with a hologram. It’s just awesome that you’re thinking, how’s this going to work? Then when it does… Double whammy feels. 2. Sapphic love. The romance between Cleo and Billie was just lovely. The pacing to the love declarations was a little fast but fit well in the overall plot of the story. This book was a specific Pride Month pick for me. 3. Space adventure! A clever mystery unfolds as the heroes hurtle through space. 4. Found family. Our quartet of intrepid explorers are like any loving family. They bicker, they call “BS” when BS is called for, and they love and support each other 112 percent. This story works because all four in the main group get their moments to shine. 5. Debut novel? Bravo. Though some of the prose was a little clunky in parts, but I think Hamilton has room to grow, and I expect she will.
I read this book twice since I got it five days ago, and I know I’ll read it again and again....more
Like other reviews have mentioned, this wasn’t much of a love story. It was a fairly entertaining time-travel/time-loop adventure. Read it if you’d liLike other reviews have mentioned, this wasn’t much of a love story. It was a fairly entertaining time-travel/time-loop adventure. Read it if you’d like, but note that the title is false advertising....more
The ol’ short, x.5 Side Character book. These can go different ways, from awesome to terrible. Only Hard Problems was closer to awesome on the scale, The ol’ short, x.5 Side Character book. These can go different ways, from awesome to terrible. Only Hard Problems was closer to awesome on the scale, and here’s why: The main protagonist spends the book grappling with information he was given at the end of the previous book in the series that will have significant ramifications for the overall plot. That works. It’s not just a side adventure....more
Enthraller is the seventh book in Diener’s Verdant String series. Like the others, you could enjoy this book as a standalone, but as it references ploEnthraller is the seventh book in Diener’s Verdant String series. Like the others, you could enjoy this book as a standalone, but as it references plot points from the previous six books, I think you’ll enjoy it more if you’ve read the previous books in the series.
Let me just get this out of the way: I’m ready for the crossovers, Michelle! Enthraller does a great job of tying together the events in previous books, going all the way back to the 0.5 novellas Interference / Insurgency. There is even a character in Enthraller that showed up on the isolated, yet-to-be-discovered by the other VS planets, Fjern (Peace Maker).
As is Diener’s formula, Enthraller introduces us to a new set of love interest protagonists. And as in previous books, the FMC has stumbled upon those ‘silver beads’ that grants her special powers. However, in Wren’s case, the nanotech has granted her almost comic book hero-like superpowers, assumingly because she ingested five silver balls rather than one? It made for some cool action sequences, but Wren overshadowed the MMC a bit, I think.
In terms of the romance, this was the first time I felt it was slightly shoehorned into the story, rather than growing organically along with the plot. I think it was because of the way Wren’s powers initially enthralled Ed. I know that is the hook of the plot, but the nanotech has never manipulated others rather than just assisting its host. Again, more superpower than benevolent internal boosting power, but I still recommend this book and it is a great addition to a fantastic space opera romance series.
Disclosure: I am a member of Michelle Diener’s reader group and was given an ARC of this book by the author. (Look for me in the Acknowledgements! #shamelessbrag)...more
Aside from the insta-love in this short near-future sci-fi book, this was very sexy and romantic. The insta-love is at least acknowledged, which proviAside from the insta-love in this short near-future sci-fi book, this was very sexy and romantic. The insta-love is at least acknowledged, which provides some plausibility.
The romance is set around a clever social injustice subplot where individuals with cybernetic implants—cyborgs—are the pariah of society. Book 1, Tin Man, and this book have been delightful and I am looking forward to finishing out the trilogy with Tin Soldier....more
This book was fun. The romance moved unrealistically fast, but I tend to not let that bother me. Especially in such a quick read such as this.
At the hThis book was fun. The romance moved unrealistically fast, but I tend to not let that bother me. Especially in such a quick read such as this.
At the heart of the story—hidden behind the government conspiracy stuff—is a clever social injustice dialogue. In the near future, people who choose cybernetics to save their lives become the pariah of society. More Terminator than human. For who could ever love a Terminator?
Okay, the Beauty and the Beast reference was intentional. But do read and find out....more
This was such an original take on the ‘resurrection’ sci-fi trope. Add in the badass female bodyguard and the pampered prince who finds his mettle; plThis was such an original take on the ‘resurrection’ sci-fi trope. Add in the badass female bodyguard and the pampered prince who finds his mettle; plus, (view spoiler)[zombie-like monsters and mind-controlling spores (hide spoiler)] and yeah, this book had a lot of good stuff cooking.
The romance is definitely a slow build in the background, but also had a feel of genuineness which is a challenge when the whole cast spends most of the book running for their lives.
No wonder it took so long for my Libby borrow. This book is good. Bravo and Cheers....more
This was an extremely satisfying conclusion to a very good sci-fi romance trilogy. I’ve enjoyed how each book has focused on the romance of one of theThis was an extremely satisfying conclusion to a very good sci-fi romance trilogy. I’ve enjoyed how each book has focused on the romance of one of the Starlight’s original female characters, but Mihalik does a great job of blending in the entire cast for the action and adventure sequences. However, if I had to rate the three romances, Lexi and Nilo were my least favorite. Mostly because the book 1 romance of Tavi and Torren in Hunt the Stars was close to perfection. Needless to say, read all three books in order.
If there was one negative to the story, it was the continuous variation of this:
Tavi: How dare you sacrifice yourself for everyone else! Lexi: But Tavi, you would have done the same thing! Tavi: Yeah, okay, I would.
This had my eyes starting to roll by the end of the book, because it pops up in all three books. However, for a misstep, it was more annoying than frustrating and I didn’t let it drag down the jam for me.
Bravo and cheers, Ms. Mihalik. Everyone go read this series....more
This book and the Galactic Bonds series are the perfect balance of magic, pew! pew! pew!, and royal romance. If any of these three are your gig, you’lThis book and the Galactic Bonds series are the perfect balance of magic, pew! pew! pew!, and royal romance. If any of these three are your gig, you’ll enjoy this book. If all three of these things are your gig, you’ll really enjoy this book. The series also has an interesting take on the “bonding” sub-genre in all its good, bad, and ugly.
I really like these science-fiction/historical romance mashups. It seems like they shouldn’t work, but when written well as Jennifer Estep has done inI really like these science-fiction/historical romance mashups. It seems like they shouldn’t work, but when written well as Jennifer Estep has done in this first book of a new series, it is fun and enjoyable. Oh, and magic. Don’t forget the fantasy element magic. Estep pulls it all together brilliantly.
Our main damsel-not-in-need-of-saving, Vesper, is all kinds of delightful. She’s independent and smart, with more than a bit of badassery. Which leads to a fun juxtaposition when she unintentionally forms a bond with our broody, handsome, super soldier Regal hero, Kyrion. The “truebond” is more HER getting saddled with HIM, than the other way around. Bravo, Ms. Estep, I’m all on board for that. Kyrion is a bit harder to get to know, but the reader comes around after learning his backstory, I think. Or at least I did.
Estep is playing the long game with the romance, as there is only a smidge hinted at in this book. Normally I’d like to get a little more fizz in the first book of a series, but this was my first Estep book, and I get the sense that this ploy is nothing new to her longtime readers. That being the case, I’m willing to play along. The payoff should be awesome. Hopefully.
Another aspect that Estep turns on its head is the concept of “bonding.” That is nothing new in sci-fi/fantasy romance; and I’ve read some good, some bad, and some ugly stories with that concept. (I’m looking at you, Maas, and all the "She's my Mate!" going on.) However, here, both protagonists are, “No thank you, I don’t want it, get rid of it, I’m better off without it.” Of course, they start to discover that they may be better with the bond after all, but that also is still playing out when Book 1 ends.
Anyway, 5-Stars despite the “to be continued.”...more
It took me a hot minute to realize why I loved this series so much, and it’s because not only is it Sci-Fi, but it also has many elements of a FantasyIt took me a hot minute to realize why I loved this series so much, and it’s because not only is it Sci-Fi, but it also has many elements of a Fantasy tale, including (view spoiler)[a freaking dragon (hide spoiler)]. Smoosh my two favorite genres’ together and that is—to borrow a phrase—totally my jam.
Book 3 in the trilogy was by far my favorite, and I know it is partly because I was finally hip to the narration-by-diary from the start. Plus, the romance not only picks up the pace after being only hinted at for 1-9/10th of the first two books, but the conclusion is… Gah, I hate to use the word perfection, so let’s say pretty darn close to perfection.
Bottom line, the Touchstone series is one of the most creative and original stories that I’ve read in a while. All the bravos and all the cheers.
(Gratuitous plug for one of my favorite authors, but if Sci-Fi vs. Fantasy is also your jam, check out the Sky Raiders Series by Michelle Diener.)...more
If I seemed a little wishy-washy on whether I liked this series after reading the first book, I am now fully of the OHMYGOSHIFUCKINGLOVETHISSERIES opiIf I seemed a little wishy-washy on whether I liked this series after reading the first book, I am now fully of the OHMYGOSHIFUCKINGLOVETHISSERIES opinion.
This book is so well written, but I needed to adjust my perspective due to the epistolary narrative of journaling in a diary. At times, it felt like nothing was happening, but of course everything is happening—action, dull, romantic, and otherwise—it’s just all couched as "a review of the day." Once I wrapped my brain around that, I could then just enjoy the brilliant story.
With the romance, it helped if I thought of it as a slow burn type of thing as it was completely one-sided for most of the book. I give Cass credit for not pining away. Instead, she was trying to control her feelings in a mature and adult fashion. Which made the romantic payoff… Really. Really. Good.
Okay, jumping right into Book 3, Caszandra. Cheers, and bravo so far....more
This was certainly a change of pace from my usual fare. I don’t read much YA, mostly because I’m a father with a teenage daughter and the last couple This was certainly a change of pace from my usual fare. I don’t read much YA, mostly because I’m a father with a teenage daughter and the last couple of YA books I read had TMI, IYKWIM.
Stray, however, didn’t stray (sorry) in that direction too much. Instead, it sneakily transitions from a contemporary setting to Science Fiction, which I liked very much. The plot is too complex to summarize here, so I’ll just say it’s a fish-out-of water story, where the protagonists discovers that she has greater value than anyone initially believes. Okay, that wasn’t a half bad summary, but read the book description for more details.
The first thing you’ll notice is the unusual first person POV. Everything is written as though journaling in a diary. Unusual yes, but the author makes it work. Kudos for that.
It seems Höst has set up the plot in a 3-book story arc which is fine, except there are long section of this book that really drag. Like, slog-level drag. I haven’t read the next two books in the series, but I hope they pick up the pace. Let me know in the Comments if they do, or that as I suspect, this would work better as a two-book series rather than a trilogy.
I can’t think of more to say, other than it is an enjoyable, well-written yarn with a big ol’ cliffhanger....more
This is the sixth in a sci-fi romance series that are connected by a single plot thread but can be read as a standalone. Peacemaker, however, builds oThis is the sixth in a sci-fi romance series that are connected by a single plot thread but can be read as a standalone. Peacemaker, however, builds on the thread established in books 3-5, so I would recommend reading those first, though it is not required to enjoy the story.
Well, that wraps up that mystery. After being introduced to the mysterious silver balls in books 3-5 of the Verdant String series, book 6 gives answers in spades to what those are, and where they come from. Now we have a name for the silver balls—gyra--and a name for the enhanced warriors that are gifted with the nanotech, Gyr.
Peace Maker centers around Fliss, a Gyr who doesn’t understand the larger ramifications of all that she is, until her mentor tries to kill her which brings the attention of the political and military machinations of the Gyr society on her planet. Fortunately, she has an ally in Han, a leader in the Gyr forces who comes to investigate the attempted murder. With Han’s help, Fliss will discover that she is unique in many ways and that makes her dangerous to the Gyr Command. As the book jacket says, “Han is determined to make sure she never ends up in their clutches, even if he has to upend the very structure of their planet.”
It’s been over a year since book 5, Wave Rider, was published and Diener has fit in a couple of books from other series in the intervening time, so I was excited to discover what direction she would take Peace Maker in relation to the earlier books in the series. For better or worse, Verdant String has been very formulaic, and I was hoping she might shake things up a bit in this new story, and I was delighted to discover she did.
Also, for better or worse depending on your opinion, the romance really takes a backseat to the action/adventure storyline. I’m okay with that, because that non-romance plotline was excellent, and a departure from the “heroine and hero against the world” plot thread that has become a bit of a trademark of Diener’s. However, when the one sex scene did come around, it almost felt a little placed out of necessity. As if, fans were expecting to see it, so it better be there.
Overall, I really enjoyed Peacemaker, and it was a bit of a reset on the series, I think. If Diener wanted, I can see further books in the series that stem from the plot of this book. Or rather, I can see the planet Fjern connecting to the other Verdant String planets in future books, as it was barely even mentioned in this book....more
I liked Eclipse the Moon more than Book 1, and here is why. Unlike the steady-as-she-goes architype ship captain Tavi, who was the protagonist in HuntI liked Eclipse the Moon more than Book 1, and here is why. Unlike the steady-as-she-goes architype ship captain Tavi, who was the protagonist in Hunt the Stars; Kee—the heroine of this book—is very different, therefore the obstacles and challenges she faces are much more unique.
Kee is the tech nerd of the crew and it is clear that she is on the autism spectrum, so Mihalick’s ability to write a swashbuckling adventure about a character whose superpower is basically staring at a computer, is impressive to be honest.
Varro, our grumpy-brooding male main character, I could take or leave. I just don’t like the Klingon-like motivated by “honor” crap that Varro employs. And to give Kee a lot of credit, she pretty much tells Varro to knock that shit out or this relationship ain’t going to work. They found a compromise, of course, but it took a while to get there; almost too long. The only reason the whole missed-signals schtick they start off with gets a pass in my book is that our wonderful, unfiltered Kee just flat out admits her feelings to Varro and they go from there. I know right? That doesn’t usually happen.
Anyway, stick with the book for the unconventional damsel-in-charge, and you’ll be happy you did....more
Loading...
