I RARELY if never write a review for a book (this is my first) - and while this book is in the sci-fi romance category, the romance is not to the focal point of the story, but is still well played while in the background. I generally go after sci-fi books like those by Ursula K La Guin, and while not sci-fi, I love the Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews (ok totally unrelated genera - dark fantasy with a fantastic, snarky female lead - I know a lot of people get annoyed with 'snarky' female leads, but the character Kate Daniels is snarky, fun, and stands on her own [doesn't need the H to protect her], these books have a great cast of characters, and creative new look on the paranormal - Ok, this review is not about these other books, I just want to mention them BECAUSE I highly rate THIS book - even with it's hang ups).
Diener blew me away with her look into the idea of AI's or 'Thinking Machines' as they are known to the 'Aliens' of this book. The main character Rose has to always remind herself SHE is the 'alien'. Rose can stand on her feet, and does not let herself get intimidated by the Grih (alien - advanced sentient species she is introduced to by my fav character in the Sazo, the AI who drives the action in this space Opera). Yes, this book is a space opera, very political, and not enough development of the 'alien' characters, they seemed too human, even when the author tried to portray them as 'alien', but that doesn't mean I didn't love them. I love the Grih, they were well done if not a little too human in their actions, even if the author tried to show traits to remind the 'reader' this species is 'alien'—that was my throw back, they are TOO human, not that I can't contemplate the idea of a very human like species in space (space is a 'you-never-know'), they needed to be a little bit more 'alien' even if they were 'meant' to be rather humanoid. Regardless, I loved them. I liked that she threw in the idea of this alien species coming from a world with 'less' gravity and how it effects the genetic development of the species to their environment (that they weighed LESS than the h, she coming from a planet [Earth] with a stronger gravitational pull, thus making 'human' anatomy more dense than the alien race [Grih]. Showed a little more development in the 'alien' department). Dav was an especially fun and fully dimensional character, he had his ticks, he was NOT the domineering H portrayed in soooo many romance novels, and this really wasn't a romance per-se—it is really more of a political space opera than anything else, and the politics between the alien species, their Union that 'governs' and carries out the laws of the many species allied I found believable, because the politics are a big part of the story—these races wish to be peaceful, benign, and strict with their laws (about the treatment of 'advanced' sentients, like Rose, the h). They went through a tremendous war bringing them closer together, and like many nations and peoples that experience the true devastation of war (like the Great World War of the 1940s here on 'Earth), the parties become weary, resistant, humanitarian, and try to keep neutrality, yet being 'altruistic' to other ethnicities (like Europe after WWI-II, offering political asylum—similar to how the alien species in the book tries to offer 'rights' to other 'advanced' sentient species'—'oranges' as a slang for 'alien' by the Grih], like the UN here on 'Earth' (that could do a better job at not being so 'transparent' in their humanitarian goals—ok, off track). Ok enough of that, this book is wonderful read; a sci-fi, political, alien, murder mystery, with romance thrown in (but smoothly and well integrated into the story) and great characters.
Ok, enough of all that—I don't want to give away spoilers. All in all—from my perspective while I loved the Grih race and characters (Dav the H and Rose the h)—it was the AI, 'Thinking Machine' that was the star of the story and the driver of the plot. His development from a cold HAL9000 character (2001 a Space Odyssey—one of my fav movies) to a fully dimensional being by the end of the story was great. He was scary, he was dangerous, he was unpredictable, a child with too much knowledge—deadly in a sociopathic manor as he did not understand altruism, conscience, right/wrong, and other 'human' type characteristics, he had to learn these ideas/behaviors from Rose, and Rose, oh Rose, how I loved her and Sazo's relationship, he, Sherlock Holmes and she, Watson. Such a wonderful characterization to help the childlike AI Sazo become a fully rounded being by the end of the book. Rose too grew in strength of mind as the book went on—not that she was ever a weak character.
Ok, this was long, but I just feel this book is under-rated and deserves more visibility than it has gotten—the other books are fun (I liked the third). Hope this review inspires others to give this book a chance, it's a worthy read, was for me.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“No one can guarantee any sentient being will only work for good. A sentient being is by definition autonomous, and therefore free to behave as it wishes.”Highlighted by 144 Kindle readers- “Rose, the song you just sang ʽfor funʼ to Dr. Revilʼs child is the most beautiful music any of us has ever heard.”Highlighted by 111 Kindle readers
- If not me, who? If not now, when?” “What does that mean?” “It means take responsibility. If you have the opportunity to act, take it. Donʼt leave it for someone else to do at some other time. Why should they risk themselves more than you?”Highlighted by 93 Kindle readers
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Reviews with images
It's a space opera
I really enjoyed this book and thought the plot line was unique. Other reviews touch on the inconsistencies such as not addressing what happens with the animals and the pool scene between Dav and Rose. I agree that those could have been handled better. It does seem that a culture that loves music so much would at least have more ready access to instrumental music, but I'm writing that off as a cultural attitude of handling music as precious and to be used for special occasions. I am also hoping a theory will emerge in other books regarding why the Grih and humans look so similar. The sex scenes are closed door, and they don't play a large part of the book, which to be honest is a breath of fresh air. I often end up skimming a large portion of alien romances because I'm really more interested in the world building and relationships so it was nice to read something PG 13. I truly enjoyed this book and I'm starting the next in the series.
