Aguirre, Ann: Doubleblind
Doubleblind (2009)
Written by: Ann Aguirre
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 302 (Mass Market Paperback)
If you're wondering why you haven't seen this book in the book bag, it's because I haven't posted it yet. I haven't posted it yet because I wait to get four books, and I haven't yet reached book #4. But the other reason is that I literally just got the book two days ago. Here's the story:
I come home for lunch and check my mail. I notice a package from janicu, which perplexes me, as I didn't recall us sending each other anything lately, so the only thing I could think it might be is the copy of Norse Code that I sent her to keep. So I didn't think much of it and only opened the package on my way back to work because, well, I love procrastinating (and in this case, I was procrastinating work). So you can imagine the squeal of surprise I emitted when a brand-spanking-new copy of Doubleblind slid out, especially since it's not yet available in stores (official release date: 9/29/09).
After thanking janicu profusely, I read the book immediately. Immediately. As in, the second I finished reading Elizabeth Moon's Victory Conditions, which is the same day Doubleblind arrived.
No, I wasn't looking forward to this book at all.
The premise: Sirantha Jax hasn't always been known for putting others before herself, but as an ambassador to the Ithorian people, she needs all the help she can get. The Conglomerate is falling apart thanks various criminal organizations, and that doesn't include the Morgut, who've started attacking human outposts in earnest and leaving no survivors. Jax needs to convince the Ithorians to join the Conglomerate, because the Ithorians are the only race the Morgut respects and fears. But it's not easy: Ithorians can't stand humans, and Jax's companions aren't making her job that much easier, especially her lover March, who's stuck in kill mode after returning from a very bloody war, a mode that could destroy Jax's mission, or even take her life.
Review style: I'll be nice. NO SPOILERS. Not for this book anyway. Expect spoilers for the first two books, Grimspace and Wanderlust, but for Doubleblind, I'll talk generalities, so no spoilers. Don't say I never didn't anything for you. ;)
OMGYAY!!!
*coughs*
Okay, I discovered a really disconcerting fact about my memory retention and this series, and that would be a barely remember a damn thing about the plot. And for a while, this really concerned me, because I usually consider my not remembering the plot of a book to mean the book itself wasn't all that memorable to begin with. But in this case, that's really not true. The reason I forget the plot so easily, especially in the case of Wanderlust, is because the relationship between Jax and March is so damn powerful, so gripping, that it's just really hard for me to remember anything else. If you had asked me to describe the plot of Wanderlust in a sentence, you would've gotten something like this, "That stupid bitch Keri forced March to fight her war which is STUPID because SHE KNOWS it'll turn him into a homicidal killer that her grandmother fixed the LAST time but she won't let him go to Jax because she's in LOVE with him and I want to punch her face in."
No, I don't get wrapped up in these characters at all.
But in all seriousness, I didn't remember a damn bit of the plot of the last book. I had to grab it and refresh my memory, which was useful since the opening of Doubleblind picks up right where Wanderlust leaves off. March remembers loving Jax, but he feels absolutely nothing, and it's a condition that worsens as Doubleblind goes on, because he enjoys being the ruthless killer.
But the good thing about THIS book is that the emotional relationship elements (not just the romance) are well-balanced with the overall plot. I didn't fixate on any one thing like I did with Wanderlust, which allowed me to really enjoy and appreciate what Aguirre is doing with her world-building and plot. I absolutely loved the world-building surrounding the Ithorians and Jax's acclimation to it. I'm impressed with her character growth, because she has come a LONG way since Grimspace, and there's even a rather painful (but well-done) flashback to illustrate that point. But also made of win is the friendship that deepens between Jax and Vel the bounty hunter, which I enjoyed so much that I'm not sure I can articulate just HOW MUCH I enjoyed it. I want to say this book is the best in the series so far, and based on the other early reviews I've read (janicu and genrereviews), I don't think I'd be crazy for saying so. But I do have one question, and the question isn't a spoiler: what does the tattoo really mean? I know what's it's used for, but what does the design communicate? I'd kill to find that out.
The Jax/March relationship is . . . incredibly well-done. Aguirre doesn't give these characters a damn thing, they have earn what they get. And trust me, they earn it. There's conflict, but it's the type of conflict that doesn't feel contrived, and Jax has to work really hard to help March be the man she fell in love with, even though he really doesn't want to be that man ever again. Better still is that she has to figure out if March is worth it or not, and I really liked that aspect to her decision-making. And her solution to help him? Absolutely-frakking-brilliant. I'm not kidding. It ties into a core part of who and what Jax is as a character, and I was so thrilled with it that I started bouncing in my chair. Well done, Aguirre, well done.
Another interesting thing to note about this book is Aguirre's usage of "talk shows," "newscasts," and "online forums" to give the reader an outside view of what's happening in the universe. At first I was kind of annoyed by this, but it did lend greater gravity to Jax's mission on Ithiss-Tor and helped remind me of those important details I forgot in Wanderlust.
And that is all I think I have to say about it. janicu, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! *hugs*
My Rating
Must Have: if you're already a fan of this series, just camp outside of the bookstore the morning of 9/29 and get it. Read it. Be happy. I think it's the best book in the series so far, and that's saying something since the first book, Grimspace, was so damn amazing. For those of you who haven't checked out Aguirre's space opera/romance, here's who needs to pay attention: this series is a MUST for readers of science fiction romance, but if you're a fan of space opera and don't mind a little romance? This is a must. Aguirre's writing is smooth, enjoyable, and a really fast read without her prose being light. Does that make sense? The prose has no pretensions (which is impressive, as it's written in first-person-present tense) and Aguirre has no trouble giving the reader the details they needs. Its fulfilling on an emotional and story level, and the world-building really isn't too shabby either. Sure, the world-building of these books embraces the type of space opera we see in shows like Firefly and Farscape, but those are two great shows, and that smooth transition is what makes these books come to life. They could be a television show of that caliber, or if you prefer another description, Ann Aguirre is writing what Firefly and Farscape would've been if those tv shows had been a book series instead. The point? If such shows interest you, then it's criminal to miss Aguirre's books. Start with Grimspace, the read Wanderlust, and then pick up the latest, Doubleblind. You won't be disappointed. Those of you who're already on the wagon? Get this as soon as you can. You'll be thrilled to pieces and oh-so-very-sorry that you'll have to wait another year for the fourth book. I know I am.
Cover Commentary: beautiful and colorful, as always. I'm glad Jax's hair had grown out, and I really like seeing the shock-stick motive in each of the covers so far. They're bright and colorful, which should warn away the more narrow readers of SF and invite its target audience, which is namely women, but doesn't have to be. Anyone who's a fan of space opera with a strong emotional component will be happy with these books.