This is my third Showalter book, and if you checked out the other reviews, you know I had to comment on the nonsensical covers. Well, folks, this one at least makes sense. And I like the art. While I would prefer some of the alien tech, the weapons, the deadly femme fatale-ness to show on the cover, this is still clearly Mishka. Plus, I like tattoos. So kudos to the publisher for putting some thought into the cover instead of giving us another random female in a random teddy.
OK, on to the goodness, and there was much goodness about this book. Lets be upfront about the sex scenes. Yes, they are one of the reasons I read these books. In this case, you have a couple of trained, deadly assassins on opposite sides of the conflict, Mishka and Jaxon. Each is physically fit, which makes them a joy to picture doing, well, anything. Plus, I like tattoos. The books starts off with a few teaser scenes and then moves to full descriptive sex scenes. Nice.
Now, what else do we have in this book? Well, some cool tech, plenty of weapons, several women with weapons, training, and goals. Plus we have the various aliens, including the infection-spreading Schon (spelling?). This plot also adds some AIR agency politics that put a few of the characters at odds with each other. Then there is Mishka. She is a thinking being and has desires of her ownbut theres that life-controlling chip in her head that essentially makes her property.
There is some silly emphasis on love. Yep. As a reader, I am quite alright with lust playing a large role in why the characters get naked and role around in bed. Really. I dont need them to be in love. There was also some added silliness concerning the Schon and love. I think it was meant to make a particular character likeable or understandable on some level, but I found it to be a weak point in the plot. My only other criticism is that the book ended without giving us closure on the main source of conflict. Perhaps it is suppose to be a series arc? Anyway, I could have used a little more completeness there.
The Narration: While Justine Eyre has a luscious voice for Mishka, it was the exact same voice for the main female from Awaken Me Darkly and the main female from Enslave Me Sweetly. As the two main ladies from those books make guest appearances in this book, you can imagine how it was a little difficult to picture all 3 as separate entities instead of one well-armed lady with multiple-personality syndrome. With that aside, Eyre was a delight to listen to, providing a deep sensuality when the story called for it. She had provided accents for the aliens.
OK, on to the goodness, and there was much goodness about this book. Lets be upfront about the sex scenes. Yes, they are one of the reasons I read these books. In this case, you have a couple of trained, deadly assassins on opposite sides of the conflict, Mishka and Jaxon. Each is physically fit, which makes them a joy to picture doing, well, anything. Plus, I like tattoos. The books starts off with a few teaser scenes and then moves to full descriptive sex scenes. Nice.
Now, what else do we have in this book? Well, some cool tech, plenty of weapons, several women with weapons, training, and goals. Plus we have the various aliens, including the infection-spreading Schon (spelling?). This plot also adds some AIR agency politics that put a few of the characters at odds with each other. Then there is Mishka. She is a thinking being and has desires of her ownbut theres that life-controlling chip in her head that essentially makes her property.
There is some silly emphasis on love. Yep. As a reader, I am quite alright with lust playing a large role in why the characters get naked and role around in bed. Really. I dont need them to be in love. There was also some added silliness concerning the Schon and love. I think it was meant to make a particular character likeable or understandable on some level, but I found it to be a weak point in the plot. My only other criticism is that the book ended without giving us closure on the main source of conflict. Perhaps it is suppose to be a series arc? Anyway, I could have used a little more completeness there.
The Narration: While Justine Eyre has a luscious voice for Mishka, it was the exact same voice for the main female from Awaken Me Darkly and the main female from Enslave Me Sweetly. As the two main ladies from those books make guest appearances in this book, you can imagine how it was a little difficult to picture all 3 as separate entities instead of one well-armed lady with multiple-personality syndrome. With that aside, Eyre was a delight to listen to, providing a deep sensuality when the story called for it. She had provided accents for the aliens.
