Doubleblind [Mass Market Paperback]

Sirantha Jax is finally on Ithiss-Tor, feeling way over her head as an ambassador for the Conglomerate. The Conglomerate needs her to bring the bug-like aliens, the Ithtorians to their side because they need an ally against increased attacks by the Morgut (a species of violent, frenzied eaters that see everyone as food). The Ithtorians are the only species the Morgut have ever respected. A "jumper" and former party-girl, Jax doesn't feel in her element as someone responsible for such an important task, and March, who has always been at her side isn't himself to help her.

I would have finished this much faster if it weren't for those pesky things like parents coming to visit, going to work, eating, sleeping, blah blah. All I wanted to do was read this book. I love space opera and science fiction romance. This is one of my favorite series. I think I've been anticipating it so much that by the time I got it I was getting lightheaded with giddiness and enthusiasm and I had a feeling that perhaps I was talking too much about it. The thing is, it is so hard to stay quiet while reading this book, because there's these elements you just want to talk to *someone* about. For me it was character development and the twists in the plot. I think Ann Aguirre has an evil streak. First of all, she wrote Wanderlust and ended it the way she did (if you read Wanderlust, you know what I mean). What she puts her characters through has me looking around desperately for someone so I can discuss what I just read.

First of all, you would think that by now, the third book, March and Jax's relationship would be stable. But Aguirre did something that was the equivalent of pressing the "reset" button, and it is delicious. Neither March or Jax are the same people they were at the start of this series. In fact, I'd say that what they've been through has pretty much reversed their roles, although their old selves are in there somewhere. The first half of the book had me hanging on to every word or gesture between the two of them. I kept saying "intense", because that was the word to describe it (besides "AHHH!!"). It was kind of torture, yet I was happy. It was well worth going through the wringer in Wanderlust and here to come out the other side. There was one particular scene early in the book where March and Jax talk that had me completely involved and.. well I just don't have the words.

Aguirre seems to excel at character growth. Since we're on Vel's home planet and diplomacy is the reason for being there, Vel has the biggest role besides Jax, who is the narrator. I was really interested in finding out more about Vel in Wanderlust so I was pleased with learning more about him through Jax. The others were around less often (they weren't needed for all the negotiations that Jax attended), but everyone in Jax's circle is multi-faceted, and you catch a glimpse of inner depth in Jael, Dina, Hit, and Doc. If you're familiar with Ann Aguirre, you know these aren't always happy people either. Jax has a past full of scandal and self-preservation, and March is a psychic and soldier who had to do horrible things.

One of my favorite tropes is a stranger in a strange land or a culture-clash story, which we have here as Jax navigates the Ithtorians, some of who don't consider humans very smart. They remember an earlier delegation which had disastrous results. There are many Ithtorians who would like Jax to fail in her talks, even enough to kill her. That's why Vel is so important, explaining to Jax subtle gestures such as meaning to a bow. The story also covers what foods to eat, what markings on caripaces mean, and Ithtorian politics. I loved this. I also liked the description of the lush, tropical world the Ithtorians' surrounded themselves in, which is nicely illustrated on the cover by Scott M. Fischer.

Overall: The best installment yet. If you read Wanderlust, you really *need* to read Doubleblind. And if you haven't read this series and you like space opera/science fiction romance, I think you should pick it up. Every successive book is better than the last.

Sirantha Jax, finally on Ithiss-Tor, is sticking to her ambassador duties. She's going to do right by the Conglomerate, and by the world. Even though she sometimes feels like it's at the risk of her friends lives and her own personal feelings and beliefs. Her job is to get the Ithtorians on their side, so they can fight against the Morgut. A very poisonous enemy that they will be unable to defeat alone. Since the Morgut are "allergic" to the Ithtorians, and are the only being they respect, it's key to gain their alliance. Sirantha feels very off kilter doing what is "right" instead of what she WANTS to do, and most of the Ithtorians aren't very welcoming to her kind on their planet. She also doesn't have the help that she usually does from March, who is dealing with his own inner demons.

I'm loving this series, and I can't wait till the fourth book comes out. Which is sad since this one comes out tomorrow! I'll have to wait a little while. Sirantha Jax is one of my favorite protagonist ever. She sticks to her guns, even when she doesn't want to. She's got a smart mouth, but it's not over done. She's strong, even though she doesn't think she is.

Doubleblind shows her working through some tough stuff. Dealing with the Ithtorians is difficult, especially since most don't want her there, and some want to kill her. March isn't even there, he's off in a deep dark place inside his head. He knows he used to have feelings for Jax, but he doesn't feel them now. He's just doing what he thinks he should be doing, even though most of the time he wants nothing more than to tear the closest being's head off.

There was a huge chunk missing from this story, and that was Hit, Dina, and Doc. They definitely weren't around enough. This is due to the politics on Ithiss-Tor, and Jax dealing with March in her spare time. She also spends a lot of time with Vel, who is one of my favorite characters of the series. He's so different from the rest of his species, and I love his little quirks. Him and Jax get along really well, and I can't wait to see their friendship grow even stronger.

A plus about Doubleblind is that Jax and March are not the same characters they were in Grimspace. They have grown so much, and I believe it's for the better. Even though they have a rough road ahead of them. I can't get enough of this couple. The bit of romance in this Sci-fi tale is the perfect amount.

Loving the Sirantha Jax series, and can't wait to read more. If you enjoy Sci-fi, or if you don't know if you'd like Sci-fi, you should give this series a chance. Ann Aguirre captures another exciting, and well thought out story, and I'm so happy I had the chance to read it.

Jax is growing up. Despite herself. As the ambassador to Vel's home planet of Ithiss-Tor, she finds herself forced to play a part. A part she feels supremely unsuited for. It doesn't help that she's accompanied by her particularly ragtag group of rebels, each of whom seems to have a reason to distrust her at this point. And none of them more than her former lover March. Destroyed by another war, the tough-as-nails pilot has completely withdrawn so as not to pose a quite literal threat to Jax and her mission. Now that he's just a ticking time bomb, Jax is unsure what (if anything) she can or should do bring him back. And knowing March the way she does, he wouldn't want her to. More and more it seems Vel is the only one she can count on and, now that they're both in enemy territory, so to speak, they will have to combine their not inconsiderable personal arsenals in order to forge the alliance the Conglomerate needs to mount a defense against the encroaching threat of the Morgut.

DOUBLEBLIND is a much quieter book than the previous two in the series. But it wouldn't do to underestimate it because it doesn't flash and bang quite as spectacularly as its comrades. If you're a Vel fan, this book is for you. My favorite thing about it was the scenes Jax and Vel shared as he teaches her about the world he abandoned years ago and she teaches him about friendship between outsiders. There's so much political maneuvering going on that the few quiet interpersonal scenes are quite relieving to read. As always, the charged interactions between Jax and March pack such a punch. At this point, three books in, their history is one gorgeous, messy roller coaster and all I could do was hope they made it through without killing each other. I love how tightly coiled March was and how Vel seemed to always be there when Jax was in more danger than she realized. Which is often with Jax. Usually I'm the one holding my breath while reading. In this case it seemed as though each of the characters were holding their breaths, consciously restraining themselves for fear of what horror they might unleash with one wrong move. DOUBLEBLIND did have the feel of a transition book to me and I found myself turning the pages quickly, wanting to get to the end already, my mind looking ahead to what Ann Aguirre has in store for us next with KILLBOX, which is due out in September.

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