Review: Honor's Knight by Rachel Bach

Series: Paradox Book #2
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 358
Rating: 5 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from Library
Genre: Sci-Fi, Futuristic, Space Opera
Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

After a mysterious attack left her short several memories and one partner, she's determined to keep her head down, do her job, and get on with her life. But even though Devi's not actually looking for it -- trouble keeps finding her. She sees things no one else can, the black stain on her hands is growing, and she is entangled with the cook she's supposed to hate.

But when a deadly crisis exposes far more of the truth than she bargained for, Devi discovers there's worse fates than being shot, and sometimes the only people you can trust are the ones who want you dead.

Review

Why did I double you Rachel Bach? I was such a gool. For the first 100-150 pages I wasn't sure about what I was reading. But then she pulled it together. I'm still incredibly confused, but I completely trust Ms. Bach. And even that rough bit works for me now.

For the last two-thirds I couldn't put this down. All I wanted to do was read this. I was incredibly emotionally invested. And not just Devi-I care about Nova, Rupert, Rashid. And the story was paced well and had me on the edge of my seat. I don't often feel this way when reading a book written in first person.

The stakes were definitely raised in this one-for Devi and the world. Ms. Bach also expanded on her already fantastically built world. This whole story just comes alive in my mind. That's how great of a writer she is. She also does that thing I simultaneously love and hate: a lot of my questions were answered, but now I have even more. Some of them probably aren't even important, but I can't help but think every single word is meticulously crafted.

My biggest random question: Who is Nic and Nova's father? For some reason I can't help, but think this is an important thing. But there's so much left to explore.

Must pick up the next book now.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach

Series: Paradox Book #1
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 320
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Borrowed from the Library
Genre: Sci-Fi, Futuristic
Publisher: Orbit

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

 

Devi Morris isn't your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It's a combination that's going to get her killed one day - but not just yet.
That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn't misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she's found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn't give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.

Review

I normally picture the books I'm reading in my head, but this was like a full-blown movie. I attribute that mostly to Ms. Bach's world building, but I have watched a lot of Sci-Fi shows with bad-ass women-BSG, Killjoys, Dark Matter, Firefly, etc. The characters were fantastic and I'm invested in these characters and their story so hard.

Really the world is the star for me. It's so developed and explained in such an easy way. Ms. Bach touches on some tiny things that help make it feel real. Like details about different species I wouldn't even think about. A lot of times, Sci-Fi stories just have humans or humanoid creatures.

All that being said Devi is solid. She's actually a pretty well-balanced bad-ass which you don't always see I don't have a lot in common with her, but I still respect her. She's smart and kind even if she's a little reckless.

The side characters were also done well. Rupert and Nova are probably my favorites. Ms. Bach did a great job of laying groundwork so I'm curious about them, but didn't do too much. Which right now I'm pretty frustrated about.

I have no idea were this is going but I'm definitely excited to go on the journey.

Thanks for reading!
Holly