Recent Read

Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

Release date: February 2007

Type: Science Fiction

Hotness Level: Warm

Chapters summary: The universe isn’t what it used to be. With the new Alliance between the Triad and the United Coalition, Captain Tasha “Sass” Sebastian finds herself serving under her former nemesis, biocybe Admiral Branden Kel-Paten–and doing her best to hide a deadly past. But when an injured mercenary winds up in their ship’s sick bay–and in the hands of her best friend, Dr. Eden Fynn–Sass’s efforts may be wasted.

Wanted rebel Jace Serafino has information that could expose all of Sass’s secrets, tear the fragile Alliance apart–and end Sass’s career if Kel-Paten discovers them. But the biocybe has something to hide as well, something once thought impossible for his kind to possess: feelings . . . for Sass. Soon it’s clear that their prisoner could bring down everything they once believed was worth dying for–and everything they now have to live for.

Why this one: I've seen for a while now that Devon and Bev have been big fans of this author so I thought I would give it a try. I bought it with a group of other books, started it, got buys, put it down, read Rosario's most excellent review and decided to read it again.

My Thoughts: Well, Rosario said it so much better than I did, so I'll just add a few things. I fell completly and totally for the hero in this book. Branden Kel-Paten was just the kind I love to read about. Outwardly calm and imperious, he even programed in anger if he thought it called for when interagating someone. But on the inside he is wrecked for Tasha Sebastian the heroine. I love it when the hero is wrecked for the heroine. Just love it! In one heartbreaking scene she accidentally comes across personal logs he has been keeping on her for years and she finally sees the depth of his love for her. These logs are full of love and longing and hopelessness. He is such a dufus, this normally totally in control man/machine but when it comes to her, he is so unsure of himself. And she makes a wonderful heroine too. Smart, intelligent she's baffled at how to handle Branden's feelings for her. You see she is keeping a secret and fears that Brandon doesn't really know her and if he does find out who she really is, he will hate her.
The other love story between Jace and Eden is also well done but without the issues that Brandon and Tasha seem to have. Although they do have their own interesting ones - that's for sure.
One thing though. I'm not sure I would call this a romance book. It's a science fiction with a couple of wonderful romances thrown in. For the longest time I wasn't sure if there would be a love scene or not. But when I finally got to it, it was very tender and very touching and made me love Brandon even more with his insecurities.
And I had the same thoughts about Tasha and Brandons' backgrounds as Rosario did. I wondered where Brandon came from. I tend to skim books and missed the little tidbit that Rosario explains here:

And Kel-Paten, there's a reference to him having been a perfectly regular human until age 16 (or 17? can't remember exactly), when they turned him into a biocybe, and I somehow got the impression that it wasn't a wholly voluntary process. Just what happened there? Is it related to the other reference we get much later in the book about his being so-and-so's brother? There just seems to be so much story behind these two characters, and I wanted to know more!

What she says!!!! And I also got the feeling that the ending seemed a bit rushed. The book was a lenghty one (and I liked that) but I suppose she had to cut somewhere. I too hope that there is a sequel for this one in the works.
And unlike Rosario :) I liked the furzels. They were loads better than the fams in Robin Owens books - that's for sure.

But romance or not, this was wonderful and I'm sure glad Rosario's review kicked me into reading it. And I have two more of her books in my TBR pile *grin*. I would have given it a 5 but I did get kind of confused in a few places.


Grade: 4 1/2 out of 5

'til later