Grimspace by Ann Aguirre

'The name’s misleading. Grimspace means inexorable, implacable. Not to be appeased. You see, grimspace will have its due from all who traverse it. But it’s beautiful there or we wouldn’t be drawn back, time and again, driven on by a jones stronger than anything mankind could devise. Jumpers burn out smiling for a reason.

My pretty poisonous mistress, I’m coming back.'

Grimspace is the first book of the Sirantha Jax series and, as is often the case with a new series, there’s a whole lot of world building and character introduction taking place, but that never felt forced, nor did it bog the story down. Ann Aguirre did a fantastic job of creating people who I quickly and easily became invested in, and a story line compelling and exiting enough to grab me from the first page, and hold on tight all the way through the last.

Wow! I can’t even begin to tell you what an awesome book this is, and that’s coming from someone who usually avoids not only science fiction, but any books written in the first person point of view. Grimspace is both, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I. Loved. It! And okay, maybe I can believe I’m saying that because to be honest, I figured I’d enjoy it well enough since it’s written by Ms. Aguirre, who also writes as Ava Gray, the author of one of my other favorite series, the Skin series. But what really surprised me about Grimspace is that I couldn’t put it down! I even put off reading a book I’ve been waiting almost a year for, because I simply had to find out what was going to happen next to Sirantha Jax, March, Dina, Doc, Loras, and Baby – Z! And what’s even more astounding (because this is science fiction and first person, after all) is that I went out today, before I even finished this book, and bought the next two! Sirantha Jax is a woman who’s all kinds of amazing! She's strong, determined, and not afraid to fight, as this quote proves -

The Gunnars look like killers, all of them. Big men, hard eyed, well geared, and ready to throw down. That’s fine.

So am I.

I’m Sirantha Jax and I have had enough.

Anyway, I could go on and on, but I won’t. I’ll only say that if you’re like me and find that science fiction is usually too ‘technesque’ and dry, or that you feel like you need a degree in rocket science to follow along, stop worrying! The story is easy to read and follow, and not at all nerdy or geekified. And for those who are wondering, while not as heavy as it is in some books, there is romance and passion and even some sex in Grimspace! The way the relationship and the intimacy progressed was perfect! Slowly and honestly and reminding me of the way Urban Fantasy relationships are written. I loved it!

Ms. Aguirre, your evil plan worked! You gave away copies of this book in hopes of drawing new readers to the series. Yes, it worked indeed! You gave me characters to care about, a story that had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more. I’m hooked, my daughter is hooked and we can’t wait to read more of Sirantha Jax.

4.5/5

Edited to add - Because Science Fiction can be hit or miss, I'm listing a couple other books in this genre that worked for me -

The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Born of Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon