Gillian won a copy of Wanderlust on this here site, and since she doesn’t have a blog of her own, she sent her review to me. Enjoy!
Note: I play far too many videogames. Whenever Jax’s PDA speaks, I hear it in GlaDOS’ voice. Just...throwing that out there.
Onward!
Wanderlust is the sequel to Grimspace, which detailed the trials and tribulations of one Ms. Sirantha Jax, whose job used to be navigating spaceships through the grimspace of the title for the Farwan Corporation. Then there was some unpleasantness with a crash and a cover-up, and a psychic mercenary and a symbiotic baby, and a bounty hunter who was really a giant insect, and so Farwan Corp ceased to be.
Thus, Jax needs a new job, as ambassador for a newly empowered government. Her mission is to persuade a whole planet of giant bugs to join the Conglomerate. She is not a qualified ambassador, nor is she particularly diplomatic, but she’s the only person the giant insects will accept, and so she is hired on principle.
Honestly, I didn’t enjoy Wanderlust as much as Grimspace. It was entertaining, but it didn’t keep me gripped the way the first book did. I read a lot of it whilst waiting for my merry band of idiots to regain their health points in Mass Effect (Oh Garrus! Dead again, are we?). It lent itself quite well to keeping me entertained for short bursts of time when I had nothing to do, but it was pretty near the end before I hit a point where I didn’t want to put it down.
Because you mentioned GlaDOS in the beginning of the review, I heard it’s voice while reading it. It was awesome!
Good review!
The cake is a lie.
I heard GlaDOS, too.
I saw Ann (with Catherine Asaro and Robin D. Owens) during a talk at the RWA conference and thought she was very funny. It also helped me discover her books since I love futuristics but sometimes finding where they get hidden in the bookstore is quite an adventure (that and I don’t get to the bookstore nearly as often as I want (hanging head in sorrow)). Thanks for the great review, Gillian; I definitely need to pick up Grimspace and Wanderlust.
Woot! Thanks for the review.
Anya, I was so tickled that everyone laughed when I meant them to during that panel (instead of the point-and variety). Let me know how you like the series if you check it out.
Cool review! I for one look forward to another adventure with Jax.
In a recent discussion about another book it was mentioned that it often seems like people reading the same book in theory are actually reading different books, because their interpretation of what’s written depend on their personal experiences.
So… it’s funny that for me Wanderlust was not only better than Grimspace, but it was more intense and the action felt even more urgent.
@azteclady - Seriously, I don’t even think you need to have seperate people. If I’d read this book on a different day my opinion might have been different, maybe better or maybe worse! Everyone brings their own baggage to any reading, so things are going to resonate differently. It’s part of the reason I dropped English Lit at sixteen and ran into the comforting arms of science, where there is at least the vague possibility of a proper answer!
I read Grimspace on my lunch breaks at work, and I have vivid memories of really, really not wanting to go back to the lab because just...one...more...page…
I love this series. I just finished Wanderlust. The introduction of new characters kept the story fresh and I love Jax’s take no prisoners take on life. She’s madly in love with March and she doesn’t know how to handle it because its almost like a betrayal of her dead lover. Can’t wait until the next one!
I couldn’t put either one of these books down… I gobbled up Grimspace and Wanderlust. I thought Jax’ character continued to develop, although she had me banging my head against the wall a couple of times; and we got to know more about March. Totally agree that Hit and Jael as new crew members are a “hit” and I want to know more about Jael. Love Val’s character—and I’ll definitely be reading the next book about Jax and her dysfunctional crew.
Good news for Vel lovers… there’s a lot more Vel in Doubleblind. You get his complete backstory, in fact.
And I think everyone will be very pleased with the direction of March and Jax’s relationship. That’s all I’m saying. *g*
I totally agree! Grimspace was a tough book to follow.
I may give Wanderlust a try. I enjoyed the first half of Grimspace, but had a helluva time trying to follow the science and logic of the second half. If this book irons that out, then color me happy, ‘cause I love me some space romances.
Also - Garrus is kind of a babe, for a reptilian/insectoid thing.
You’re really thankful for this post, I’ve been really enjoying checking up your posts from time to time :)
A website that reviews romance novels from a couple of smart bitches who will always give it to you straight. No bullshit. No gushing--unless the author really deserves it.
Interesting take on Twilight, considering how much of it is Meyer’s constant exhortations to NOT HAVE SEX, OMG. The New York Times review I read today picked up on that and claimed it made Edward boring. But you can’t have…
From Half Time Penalties
If you can’t find it on YouTube, google Stephen Colbert and you should be able to retrieve it one way or the other. I watched this last week and nearly died laughing. I love this man.
It tells me the video is no longer available.
(Although someone else should check because it could be just not available in Korea. It’s happened before).
I think I may have to get a pair - the magical words “custom made” are what got me. I bought mittens like this once...and the half gloves completely covered my pinkie and left at most my nail exposed on…
From Fun Gift Ideas
I’m with Leah. There are some people you canNOT critique. If your friend is gonna get butthurt/insulted, or hate you, or ignore you, do not waste your time. The letter writer’s friend sounds like one of ‘em.
Examples…
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09.03.08 at 09:53 AM |