Fangirl Raving: Doubleblind by Ann Aguirre

Hey, folks, I ain’t even fronting.  My name is Bree, and I’m a fangirl. Ann Aguirre‘s writing gives me giddy glee, and I’m not coming to you today in any attempt at impartiality.  (Of course, if you came here for objectivity, you took a wrong turn anyway, unless you’re the person who keeps finding us by looking for spells to protect against werewolves, in which case I’ll come up with one ASAP, I promise!)

I think Ann Aguirre is a rad chick with a boatload of talent, and I have yet to read a book of hers that I didn’t enjoy the crap out of.  (And I think I’ve read…6 in the past few months, so that’s not saying nothing.)  I discovered her through the usual method: Shannon told me to buy one of her books.  In this case, though, she told me to buy Grimspace, and I made the first mistake by not listening to her.  “But Shannon,” I whined, “I’m not in a Sci-Fi mood! I’m really feeling my paranormal love hardcore!”  But since I’m incapable of disobeying Shannon’s book recs for long, I compromised and snatched up the recently released Blue Diablo.

I ordered Grimspace the next day, tore through it, and ordered Wanderlust after the third chapter, all while Shannon graciously kept the “I Told You So”s to a minimum.

The narrator of these books, for those not in the know, is Sirantha Jax, a woman with a gene that allows her to guide ships through grimspace in order to reach their destination.  It’s a rare talent and Jax spent a good part of her life pampered and capable of doing pretty much whatever she wants.  When Grimspace begins, she has a lot of growing to do.

I think what I loved most about Doubleblind is how, in a way, it was a turning point.  It had some very awesome parallels to to Grimspace, especially in the relationship between Jax and her romantic interest March.  When the series starts March has got his shit together.  He’s the rescuer, the healer, the one who’s trying to pull Jax out of the mess her life has become.  Over the course of the first three books these two undergo almost a complete 180, until March is in desperate need of help and it’s up to Jax to save him in every way that counts.

The Highlights: The political maneuvering.  Jax the diplomat.  Scary ass March fighting his way to humanity.  Jax not giving up on him.  Vel.  Vel.  Vel.  (Vel!!!!) When I did my quick sum up of books I’d read recently, I believe I stated that the best part was seeing Jax care so hard.  In Grimspace she had a self-acknowledged selfish streak, a first instinct to look out for herself and let the chips fall as they would for everyone else.  In Doubleblind she’s putting her life on the line because humanity itself is in danger, and watching that personal growth evolve over three books has been awesome.

The Gut Reaction: OMGOMGOMG MARCH YOU ARE A SCARY BASTARD <3

The Bit That Seems Vaguely Like a Threat: If you are already a fan of Jax, you should have pre-ordered this book by now.  If you’re not, you should go buy Grimspace.  If you don’t, I will know. Yeah, I will. And remember, I’m coming up with spells to protect against werewolves when I’m done writing this blog post…do you really want me mad at you?

Proof that I Can Be Coherent: Doubleblind is not just the latest chronicle of Sirantha Jax, it is without a doubt the greatest as well.  High stakes, crackling tension and a tangled web of political intrigue would have been amazing enough, but the entire book is built on strong characters and stronger relationships between them, which is proof that you really can have it all.  If you read Ann Aguirre, that is.

One Last Bold Section Because I Like Them: And now I leave you with a blurb & pretty picture.  You should already be buying Doubleblind.

It’s not easy to tread lightly wearing steel-toed boots.

Sirantha Jax isn’t known for diplomatic finesse. As a “Jumper” who navigates ships through grimspace, she’s used to kicking ass first and taking names later—much later. Not exactly the obvious choice to sell the Conglomerate to the Ithtorians, a people whose opinions of humans are as hard as their exoskeletons.

And Ithiss-Tor council meetings aren’t the only place where Ambassador Jax needs to maneuver carefully. Her lover, March, is frozen in permanent “kill” mode, and his hair-trigger threatens to sabotage the talks—not to mention their relationship.

But Jax won’t give up on the man or the mission. With the Outskirts beleaguered by raiders, pirates, and the flesh-eating Morgut, an alliance with Ithiss-Tor may be humanity’s only hope. Which has Jax wondering why a notorious troublemaker like her was given the job…