Book Review: Grimspace

Want to read something different? Try Grimspace, a space/science fiction romance, by Ann Aguirre. The plot, involving space travel, conjures up many delightful elements one would find in television shows like Whedon's Firefly, Futurama, Babylon Five, and even a very twisted version of Star Trek. Written in FIRST PERSON PRESENT, we see the world through the heroine's eyes, and Aguirre really did a fabulous job using the most difficult of point-of-views.

A first-person story has to be intense to keep a reader's attention and the character has to be intriguing enough for the reader to want to stay in her head. Sirantha Jax, the heroine in Grimspace, is definitely layered and intriguing. As a "jumper," she has a unique gene that enables her to guide the space pilot (ala the Navigators in Frank Herbert's Dune series, except without the melange/spice) through space. She works for a Consortium that has the stranglehold on space travel (also very Dune-ish) and at the beginning of the novel, she's in confinement, having somehow managed to cause the deaths of an entire spaceship filled with VIPs, along with her pilot-lover.

So, in the beginning, we see Jax in a not very happy time of her life. Enters March. Renagade. Savior. Maybe even Avenger. Jax isn't sure. But he gives her a choice--leave with him or die being interrogated. Jax chooses the former.

From here, the story settles into an action-packed planetary chase that moves the plot of conspiracy, Jax's role in it, and March's plans for her. What saves the story from becoming another planetary exploration ala Star Trek type tale is Jax's voice. Done in first person, she has the feel of an urban fantasy heroine, a snarky, daredevil, and distrustful voice that keeps the reader on the edge because everything and everyone around her seems to be using or hiding something from her. Jax is kick-ass without being too tough and smart-ass without being overly snarky. She's also surprisingly comfortable in her own skin because when she finds out that in "jumping" with her new pilot, March, there is the side effect of him being able to read her thoughts. March, it seems, has hidden PSI talents. That doesn't even scare our girl here; she, unlike him, has nothing to hide except her own demon, the knowledge that she'd caused so many deaths.

Sometimes not being able to read the other characters' POV, esp. the hero's, irritates me. Sometimes too much heroine POV becomes a whine-fest. I didn't find either problem with Grimspace. Jax grows as a person when she realizes she isn't just a tool for space travel. March's slow capitulation into letting Jax into his mind is a pleasure to watch (read). There's not enough of it, but hey, give this couple a few more bedromps.

The romance itself isn't very romantic. There are, like I said, some urban fantasy elements, such as Jax's still grieving her dead lover while wanting March as a man. It doesn't bother me, but may bother some traditional readers. The ending is very satisfying, though, and the leap from an "arranged marriage" (as jumpers and pilots are bonded psychically) to real deep love is very believable.

The worldbuilding is standard space opera, twisting familiar words to convey food and strange beasts. Choclaste immediately gives you an idea, yes? For some reason, the word "fragging" (which was used a lot, e.g. "frag you" and "what the frag") kept taking me out of the story. It's...a bit out-of-character for world-wearied renegades, who've lost many of their loved ones (there are tragic endings in this book), and who are also able to rough up and kill when they need to. Just a minor quibble.

So, if you don't mind cyber-talk and spaceship quarters, if you're looking for something other than werewolves and vampires, I highly recommend Grimspace. Loved the heroine's sense of humor. Loved her journey of self-discovery. And still crying about Baby Z :::boohoo:::

So, what have you guys been reading? Your turn!

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