Killbox

Killbox pushed the envelope even further than the previous books, the build-up of the galactic-scale situation coming to a furious explosion that threatens to destroy everything in its path – and not just figuratively speaking.

Aguirre manages to mix drama and romance and dry humor in a well-balanced whole, keeping her readers interested in the story and invested in the characters: this series is getting better with each new book.

Well done indeed…

The premise: ganked from author's website: TALK IS CHEAP WHEN LIVES ARE IN JEOPARDY.Sirantha Jax is a "Jumper," a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. With no tolerance for political diplomacy, she quits her ambassador post so she can get back to saving the universe the way she does best--by mouthing off and kicking butt.And her tactics are needed more than ever. Flesh-eating aliens are attacking stations on the outskirts of space, and for many people, the Conglomerate’s forces are arriving too late to serve and protect them.Now, Jax must take matters into her own hands by recruiting a militia to defend the frontiers--out of the worst criminals, mercenaries, and raiders that ever traveled through grimspace...My RatingMust Have: When this series started with Grimspace, I would've told you it was very much a space opera romance that was reminiscent of a Firefly/Pitch Black hybrid, in a good way. Now, I'm not sure how to describe this, only to say it's definitely more space opera than romance, and I'd be remiss in labeling the series as SFR, even though in terms of subplot, romance is there. But it's not the focus of the series, if it ever was. Jax is in the middle of a war, and she's making sacrifices left and right (and in some cases, those sacrifices are being made for her). Jax has certainly grown and changed from her debut in Grimspace, and that's a fantastic thing. Honestly, I can't wait for this series to end so I can sit down and read it ALL OVER AGAIN, back-to-back-to-back. That's quite the compliment, because there's few books, let alone a series, that I can honestly say I want to come back to and re-read, even if I loved them initially. But if Aguirre keeps this up, you can bet I'll be coming back to this series again, and again, and again. This is well worth the read, but don't pick it up until you're caught up on the series. Review style: I didn't take any notes while reading this (sadly, I got a stomach bug while reading, which meant finishing took me longer than it should have!), so I'm going to talk about how this book fits in with the series as a whole and how the series is changing from its debut of Grimspace and why it's one of the few series that I can see myself re-reading in the future. Spoilers? No, I'll behave this time. Consider yourself lucky. ;) For anyone interested in the full review at my LJ, please click the link below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome!REVIEW: Ann Aguirre's KILLBOXHappy Reading!

While this was another action packed Sirantha Jax novel, I feel like the narrative is a little more in the pocket. It isn't quite as frenetic as the others. However, splitting the team multiple times (especially when it is Jax and Vel) was heartbreaking. It is bad enough to have to say those good byes once, but to do it again was a little ridiculous. The relationship between Vel and Jax is more exciting and precious to me than the one between March and Jax. I am intrigued to see where it goes from here. I'm anxiously awaiting my hold on Aftermath to be delivered to my library.

This series is growing on me. Either the writing is getting better, or I'm getting used to the style. I haven't noticed any problematic disability analogies like in the first book, but in this book I did notice an emphasis on blonds. For example, there's a group of children and the main character and/or author singles out the blond, blue-eyed girl as particularly worthy of mention. Then there's a 'blond cadet' who gets no more characterization than that except we later learn it's a girl (to my disappointment). Apparently you can be a 'blond cadet' and also 'a blonde' in the same book. I feel you either gender that word or you don't. Don't mix and match.

The fighting was back in this book, but I found I didn't mind as much. Still, plot-wise, the last book was more interesting.

Hey there...what happened to the ending?? I was really involved, couldn't wait to get to the next chapter, and suddenly...the book was over! It felt less like a cliffhanger and more like there was a missing chapter at the end! Regardless, I eagerly await the next installment.

This series reminds me of the fantastic sci-fi books I read as a kid, from authors like Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon. Love it!

**No spoils.

Oh yes. Yes, yes, a million times yes. Thank Mother Mary of Anabolic Grace that this series is back on track. I was worried after Doubleblind, but Jax is back. In this book, the gang is no longer dirtside, but back in the stars as they should be. I felt like a giddy little kid in anticipation of what was to come and Killbox did not disappoint. It was full of action, suspense, and even creepy-crawlies that made for some nail-biting situations.

My biggest gripe continues to be the relationship between Jax and March. Yah, the mofo got his shit together kinda, but he’s still behaving stupidly and creating barriers between them. It’s getting old. The whole there-must-be-angst-between-the-main-couple thing is tedious now in this fourth installment. There’s something to be said for an author who can do that for a bit and then continue to keep the audience interested even after the couple finally gets together. I wonder if Aguirre is avoiding this purposefully. I wish she wouldn’t. I really like March of Grimspace. He and Jax were cute together, despite how quickly they fell for each other. Now they’re constantly at odds and it seems as if Aguirre is always cooking up a new way to keep them separated. Blah. I no longer root for March..

I’m so Team Vel. I love him long time. Give me his shiny carapace any day over stick-in-the-mud, wishy-washy March. I love to see Vel and Jax’s relationship grow. I live for their interactions and I can’t get enough of them. I’ve come to depend on Vel for so much in these books. When there’s danger, my first thought is, “Vel will come. White wave will save brown bird.” Ha. He’s just so awesome.

The book does end on an epic cliffhanger, but thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for the next book, so I can’t complain. This time. =)

I’m now completely invested in this series and in Jax’s world. I hate that it’s closer to the end than it is to the beginning at this point… sadness. Anywho, if you were on the fence after book #3, fear not. This book = sweet redemption.

I have been eagerly awaiting for the next installment in the Grimspace series, and it was well worth the wait! The book starts off shortly after the last book, Doubleblind, with Jax resigning her role as ambassador to the Conglomerate after her stint on Ithiss Tor. But this does not mean the end of her troubles – far from it. War is building up in the galaxy with growing attacks by raiders and pirates on border worlds, and far worse, the Morgut who are increasing their attacks. Jax and her crew embark on training an Armada to combat the growing threat – even if they have to recruit raiders/pirates themselves.
Oh wow! I literally inhaled this book and I could not put it down. It really felt like the tension and pace of the series has really stepped up a notch, and it’s definitely heading towards a big confrontation. Jax has grown so much – although this was illustrated in the previous two books. Killbox really shows how far she has changed and instead of just reacting and defending herself to those who threaten her, Jax has become more proactive and is on the offense and she does it in style.
In many ways this feels like a transitional book for the next arc of the series, but that is not to say it’s a filler, far from it. So many important things happened in Killbox that I feel the need to do a reread because it was so fast paced. While the galaxy is heading towards a major war, Jax has to face her own personal problems. The crew she comes to love as her family are also involved in the Armada, and have to face being separated from each other due to their different responsibilities and duties.
In Killbox you can see how far Jax has come to love and support her friends who have become her family, and there is some wonderful and emotional scenes where they all have to cope with separation, and their fear about the encroaching war with the Morgut. I especially love the scenes Jax shares with Vel, the alien bounty hunter, and Dina, the crew’s mechanic that really heightens personal bonds she shares with them, but without crossing into sentimentalism.
However, the real heartache comes with March’s self imposed estrangement. And because he took command of training and heading the newly established Armada, he placed their relationship on a hiatus. I really felt Jax’s pain because she understood the reasoning due to the military confines of establishing the Armada, but I did feel like smacking him in the head. And Jax did too! Especially after they both went through hell to be together. But there was a scene that really reflects all this, and shows how much Jax loves him and highlights what their relationship is about.

“March acknowledges that with a nod. Mary, how he burns, as if kindled from within by love of me. I remember its loss. I remember how I navigated him on Ithiss-Tor, filtering my essence through the dark spots in his mind, as though he were a series of broken beacons. I did it to repair him, fuse the damaged connections, so he could remember what it was to feel and love. War killed that part of him. I brought it back. In doing so, I left some of myself behind, but I think I also took part of him with me. We are twined together inextricably now, and I wouldn’t have it otherwise.”
I also liked the new characters that were introduced, such as the scientist, Evelyn Derad, that Jax and her crew rescues from an ex Farwan space station. And there are older faces who reappear. But I really enjoyed Evelyn’s introduction, and like Jax, has many similarities as she survives a Morgut attack, and realising she was also used by the Farwan Corporation. She also holds the key in helping Jax cope with the after-affects of Grimspace exposure, as well offering new possibilities to Jax’s affinity as a navigator. And in the meanwhile, political intrigue is added with secret communications from a mysterious agent (who I hope to see in latter books), and the leader of the Conglomerate whose messages were placed throughout the book which adds a level of political intrigue along with the action.
Unlike Doubleblind, which was more introspective and calmer in tone, Killbox is an epic Space Opera with lots of space battles and action that does not stop until the last few pages. Killbox also shows how much Jax has adapted and changed, and is also willing to sacrifice herself to those she has promised to protect. There are several twists and surprises in Killbox, but also several story threads in previous books that have been tied up, but also sets up bigger ones that will certainly play out in the next two books. Killbox also ends on a humdinger of a cliffhanger, and I SO want the next book. Like. right.now!
Killbox is a great installment in the Grimspace series. It’s fast paced with lots of action that really illustrates how the endgame is coming to a head. But this is a book that shows how far Jax has grown from the brash, selfish navigator in the first book, to the brash and selfless navigator that she is now. And Jax’s scenes of shared poignancy and affinity with her friends, and lover, March, adds a multilayer of emotional intensity towards the characters.. If you have not picked up the series yet, I highly, highly recommend the series as it’s one of the best, if not, thee Best Sci-Fi romantic series that combines action and plot. I cannot wait for the 5th book of the series!
I give Killbox 4.5 out of 5

My enjoyment of the Sirantha Jax series grows with each additional book. Aguirre doesn't miss a beat as the universe she created heaves and fractures, going through the growing pains and disorder of transformation. While I appreciate the action, my main focus and enjoyment comes from the characters and their relationships. Aguirre does a wonderful job writing everything from grief to camaraderie, love to betrayal. In her hands the slow, satisfying growth of a friendship is as beautiful as any romance. KILLBOX reminds me of my favorite portions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, where the action is hot and heavy and the friendships between Gimli and Legolas and Frodo and Samwise have reached their richest depths. My greatest anticipation for this series is the continued evolution of Sirantha’s relationship with Vel, and Dina’s continued growth.

Sirantha Jax is on a roller-coaster of political, scientific and emotional change and we the readers go along for the ride. Like most reviewer I found my eyes moist once or twice during this 4th book in the Jax adventure. This series by author Aquirre is what I consider real science fiction. Many stories are set in a future imaginary world, but do not talk about the science of the future. Killbox grabs the science of grimspace with both hands and tries to wrestle with what it means and how it can be modified and used for human needs. There are difficult separations between the core characters during the course of this story. Most of the book is devoted to a struggle between the humans and the Morgut. This battle becomes grimmer and grimmer and the sacrifices of all the characters become difficult to bear. The team around Jax seem almost real to me. I feel like I almost understand the motives of these individuals. This makes the book vastly interesting to read in a single sitting or small series of sittings. I enjoyed the entire book even including the heavy personal losses and cliff hanger on the last page. I am lucky I only had to wait a day to start the next book in the series. Up to this book number 4, I have liked each book slightly better than the previous one in the series. I applaud Aquirre and admire her writing.

The good news is the gang is back together, temporarily at least, but the bad news is that the flesh-eating alien menace is multiplying fast, and the Conglomerate is facing almost certain ingestion. With March in command of a rough-and-ready militia made up of former pirates, mercenaries and raiders, they stand a chance of slim to none. Jax knows there's one way out - but is she willing to risk love, life, and space itself to save civilization?

This is one heavy, emotional and intense book, so much so that I’m not sure if I even enjoyed it. I must admit it was a bit of a slog. I mean it was brilliant don’t get me wrong but it wasn’t a happy read and it shouldn’t be either because the Conglomerate is at war with the Morgut. I was so wrapped up in the story that I dreamt about it twice. In one my boss was using me as bait to trap a Morgut so he could cook and eat it and the other I was solving quadratic equations to make the ships engine more efficient. Why can’t I have a nice dream about sexy March? Anyway Jax suffers with terrible loss in this book as her friends are leaving her to fight the war and March distances himself from her yet again as he also takes up the fight. Because of this Vel doesn’t appear too much and I really missed him I love Vel. Ms Aguirre creates even more of a vivid world as we find out more about the Morgut and there is more science involved too. As I mentioned this is a very emotional book and twice I had a tear in my eye. I also warn you now that there is a massive cliff hanger at the end. I’m so glad that I have the next book ready to go. I would like to give Killbox 5 stars.

Jax is with March and crew jumping again, leaving Ithiss-Tor. She quits her job as ambassador and they are heading back to Emry Station where Surge and Kora have taken charge. Jax agrees to train her first apprentice jumper. The Conglomerate now needs to work on creating policing ships to help protect the space and different worlds from pirates, slavers , the Syndicate, and other troubles lurking. Chancellor Tarn has asked for March's help... Jax learns she is an all new type of jumper... and she just might be able to help save them all...I like how this book pulls from the last 2 books to work them together. Emry Station and technology. Angus who we learned in Doubleblind has J-gene, and the dream of March's and others from Lachion to create a new academy for jumpers. Jax starts down this path with new methods, ideas, and technology.Jax seems to be at the top of the game here. She has become the hero type from the influence of March and the crew. And March gets a glimpse of how it feels to be on the other side watching those you love risk their own life for others. Jax has learned a lot about herself in the previous book and in this book it just accelerates. I know I say this with each book, but Jax has come a long way since the nav star she was way back before the series started and she does remind herself off and on. Jax takes on some new technology and things to improve herself, which comes greatly handy. She even shares her DNA to make jumpers better. But the information she gathers to help with the drives and even a few other pieces is what leads us to the ending of this book. Jax has become wonderful at thinking outside the box, which Farwan didn't want jumpers to do. Jax puzzles the pieces together to come up with a wonderful yet heart wrenching idea. War is in full swing, and Jax has an idea to at least slow the Morguts down.We have a new mysterious, yet key character that shows up here. We only get a small feel for this person through letters passed between this person and Chancellor Tarn. I'm not even sure who or what this character is yet. Or if we have ever met him prior. I don't think so, but don't really know.I think this book has become my favorite out of the series thus far. There is much that happens here. Jax has to learn to let go of what she is holding so close, what she never had until she met March and the crew. The crew has become a family and close friends. The crew does have to separate here as they need to spreed the knowledge they share with others to defeat the Murgot's and the army they have created with the war starting. A whole new species comes back to life here. Jax and March are even tested to their limits to try to think of the bigger result other than just their love for each other.As much as I loved broken March, I really liked Commander March too. Oh, I was mad with him at first but who can stay mad at March? Not I or even Jax. Vel isn't as prominent in this book, but the few scenes he and Jax share; Jax pulls at the heart strings regarding her close friend. Who would have thought I could love a bug so... We do see Jax's mother again, surprise surprise, and in a new light as well.I think this book is the best book of the series yet! Full of action and information. We do get more details here with some technological upgrades, but they are not overly bearing to take over the story. In this book we focus more on the war at hand and the battles that must be won.The end left me thinking they forgot to attach pages and my jaw hanging open, stuttering. Jax, Hit,... March? The Morguts! Now What!?! Leaves you WANTING Aftermath, which is now available. I CAN'T WAIT to get it on my doorstep here soon. Yes, I ordered my copy already.

This book (and series) is awesome. It is a perfect blend of action, science fiction, romance, and fantastic characters. Jax is at the top of my list of favorite book heroines. It's amazing to watch her development throughout the series. And it is not just Jax I love; this series is full of complex and likable personalities - March, Dina, Vel.So in Killbox, the crew is asked by the governing Conglomerate to put together an armada to stop the different threats wandering around their universe. You know - pirates, mercenaries, and the like. But their biggest threat is the Morgut. They remind me of the Reavers from the Firefly universe, not because they are the same creature, but because they are both the bogeyman of space. The Morgut like to eat people. The more they learn about what the Morgut are really planning, the more dire they realize their universe's situation is. Of course the story is bigger and much more complex than this; too much has happened throughout the four books to easily summarize here. It's definitely one of those series you need to read from the beginning and in order.The end of the book leaves us with a cliffhanger, so I am personally glad I read the book only a couple weeks before the next one comes out. The last 20 pages left me with a headache from trying to keep myself from getting teary-eyed. It was that good!

For some reason I thought this was going to be the last book in the series, so I started to be a little confused towards the end when it became obvious that it wasn't.I did like this one, but I'm a little wary of the series extending indefinitely. It's getting a little same-y.

I purchased this book.Sirantha Jax, book 4This review contains spoilers for previous books in the series.When last we left Sirantha Jax, one of the elite jumpers born with the gene that allows navigators to travel through the subspace area known as grimspace, she'd escaped an alien planet she was sent to as an ambassador after breaking her love and captain, March, out of the alien jail.Killbox starts fast and remains very hard to put down. What was hinted at in the last books, the increasing invasions of the flesh-eating monstrous aliens known as the Morgut, has become a full on, planned attacks as the Morgut are clearly declaring war on their favorite tasty snacks. However Farwan, the mafia/Empire-like organization that had been protecting the human worlds, have been exposed for their corrupt actions, namely the sabotage and destruction of a ship carrying beloved political emissaries (and the subsequent brainwashing attempting to set Jax herself up for the crash that killed everyone but her). Now that Farwan has fallen there is no one else to step up and protect human space from pirates, the Syndicate and the Morgut. The Conglomerate has been too dependent on others for too long and lacks the force to fight the coming war. So it does the next best thing, and hires March to build an Armada to stave off the attacks while plan B formulates. Meanwhile other members of March's crew (all becoming increasingly more important) are at work at a variety of projects. Jax is training the first non-Farwan trained jumper. Doc is working on tech that will turn Jax's ability to heal from grimspace damage into a strength rather than a random mutation and Dina is hard at work trying to hash out the secrets of the Morgut ability to jump anywhere, not just from hotspots.The truth is that they know very little about the Morgut other than they have a 97% kill rate against humans. So now Jax and March and the crew find themselves on the front lines of a war against an nearly unknown, but very deadly enemy with the clock ticking until the major invasion begins.Killbox is a fabulous book. It's complex, and exposes more background of grimspace and human space travel and how the world came to be where it is in this series. Furthermore Jax has changed as well, into a solid, determined woman willing to face down ultimate evils to help the people she loves.This series is far too complex to ever fit into a single book, or a trilogy and nearly impossible to put down. Fans of the big SF flicks out there, from Serenity to Star Wars, will find everything they love about those stories in this one. Princesses, space ship battles, monsters, lasers and aliens, Killbox has it all and is poised to thrust this series into a strong, tight spin to its (I hope) victorious end.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as I have the previous books in the series, but it seems like she was setting up some stuff for the next books that should be pretty cool.