Killbox

**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 show more 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. show less

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 show more 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 show less

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 show more for this series is the continued evolution of Sirantha’s relationship with Vel, and Dina’s continued growth. show less

As an author Ann Aguirre is as brilliant as she is unique. I can't say that up to so far have met a character like Sirantha Jax or a good series like this. It's very, very, very hard to find stuff that is similar and equally good.

The only thing i would touch up in the way Aguirre writes are the sex scenes. They are generally bland, and leave everything to be desired. Lucky for us there is plenty of other good stuff to focus on.

Sirantha Jax is on a roller-coaster of political, scientific and emotional change and we the readers go along for the ride. Like most reviewers 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 show more grimmer and the sacrifices of all the characters become difficult to bear. The team members 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. show less

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?

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.