Sirantha Jax is a jumper. A 'jumper' is the rare person genetically able to 'jump' a ship through grimspace. Jax embraces the cavalier life of a jumper--even knowing that each jump brings her closer to her own death, because the inevitable end of each jumper is burning out. When one of the ships she was navigating crash lands, killing everyone on board but her, Jax is held in a facility to 'heal'. Instead, she's subjected to horrible treatments and brought nearly to her breaking point. When a man name March shows up and offers Jax freedom, she must take the offer or be lost.

Grimspace is an incredibly tight read. By that I mean, the pacing is quick and the tension makes the book an incredibly quick read. Aguirre begins the story in a great spot. Jax is mentally hurting and fragmented after the crash. Her memories of the crash are lost to her and convoluted by the cruel 'treatments' she's receiving. Her career, life, and mind are shattered.

When March enters, the action begins.

I adored Jax as a character. She's scarred by her experiences, but alternately tough as nails (and just a touch crazy). I loved Dina, the mechanic of the crew, and March grew on me. And I could never claim that any character wasn't unique. Aguirre always has had a touch for excellent characters and relations between the characters. There's a romance. A incredibly well-done romance. Like I said, Aguirre does personal relationships. It's her strong ground.

Don't head into Grimspace looking for the sci-fi. If you want the elaborately detailed worlds, technology, and aliens then Grimspace might disappoint. Don't get me wrong: Grimspace is definitely a sci-fi novel with all the elements; however, Grimspace doesn't pause to become bloated with worrying overmuch on the details. Instead, Aguirre sets up a riveting protagonist, an intriguing plot, and a whole lot of trouble. The characters will sweep almost any reader away. Of course, this is great for those readers who tend to sidestep science fiction. For readers who ordinarily prefer urban fantasy or romance, I urge you to give Grimspace a try.

Now, there were two places that really didn't work for me in Grimspace. Both ended up feeling hurried and just not quite right. (For those who've read, this would be the initial meeting with Hon and some parts with Velith). In both cases I was able to just make an extra effort to suspend my disbelief and just get past the problem areas without great detriment to the novel. All-in-all, I highly recommend Grimspace and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next two in the series: Wanderlust and Doubleblind.

Grimspace is a science fiction novel that doesn't worry itself overmuch on the genre elements and instead devotes itself completely to the wonderful cast of characters. Mix up a very human, interesting protagonist along with a whole lot of action to get an idea of what makes Aguirre's Grimspace so addicting. ( )

Not a bad book, but not really a good one either. The story was interesting and the characters mostly entertaining. A nice quick read for people who like Sci-fi. ( )

Grimspace is a great blend of Sci-fi, mystery and romance. The two main characters are tortured souls. Jax (written first person from Jax's pov) is a grimspace jumper- not a vocation that many last long in, they tend to lose their minds and lives because grimspace jumping is so addictive. March is a navigator with psychic powers. Jax has recently survived a horrific crash (no other survivors)which has killed her lover/navigator and the book starts with her "hospitalizatio", or recuperation that seems more like incarceration. She has lost a big chunk of memory regarding the crash and many seem to blame her for the disaster. The conglomerate company (that seems to own everything in space) has ulterior motives regarding Jax and her recuperation.

More info would be spoilers. I enjoyed the narrative voice very much, as well as the friendship and growth of the main characters as well as the secondary characters. There is quite a lot of adventure and a little romance in this novel which takes place in deep space and on a few planets. Ann Aguirre has a wonderful way with words, plots and subplots. Her secondary characters play a large role in this book, and have a wide variety of personalities and species. All the characters are slightly "damaged" in one way or another, none are angelic - all are interesting and engaging. ( )

This was a cool book. It was a good sci-fi book with some nice romance in it. I real enjoyed it. If you liked Linnea Sinclair's books (Gabriel's Ghost and Finders Keepers) then you will love this one. The world that she has created was very cool. The characters are a nice variety. The hero, March, is a nice tortured hero role. And Jax is a nice combination of strength and vulnerability. This is her first book and it was great, I look forward to reading more of her books.

I don't often come across a book where I am disappointed that it was written recently. I loved this story and immediately double checked the author hadn't written a score of other books. Usually when I find something this good, I go and buy any other title I can get my hands on- feeling like a glutton about to feast.

The hero was well written - clearly good at what she did, she wasn't the smartest tool in the shed and was for the most part, ok with her limitations. More real than most female protagonists who are written to come out on top, I appreciate a gal who qualifies as someone I might actually know...if I lived in a scifi novel.

I can't wait for the next book. ( )