6th out of 463 books
—
623 voters
Grimspace (Sirantha Jax #1)
by
Ann Aguirre (Goodreads Author)
By all accounts, Sirantha Jax should have burned out years ago…
As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herse...more
As the carrier of a rare gene, Jax has the ability to jump ships through grimspace—a talent which cuts into her life expectancy, but makes her a highly prized navigator for the Corp. But then the ship she’s navigating crash-lands, and she’s accused of killing everyone on board. It’s hard for Jax to defend herse...more
Paperback, 312 pages
Published
March 2008
by Penguin Group
(first published February 26th 2008)
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I've always said that I'm a honest reviewer, so to continue being truthful it has to be said that this review is late due to me being stranded in London overnight, after spending the day getting ever so slightly drunk and then going to see The Avengers in 3D. So yeah, now we've got that out of the way, I can't see any reasons not to like Grimspace. Apparently, some people found it difficult to connect with the characters, but I had no such problem. I would liken the love/hate relationships - fi...more
What an awesome book! I was reminded of all of my favorite science fiction shows, the ones with the “rag tag” crews, the beat up spaceships, and the insectoid alien creatures. A little Star Trek, a little Andromeda, a little Battlestar Galactica. Grimspaceis all of that and more. More - because of the fascinating worlds that we get to visit and because it is great science fiction.
Grimspace is an exciting book. There is a lot of action and adventure. There is a lot of running away from scary spac...more
Grimspace is an exciting book. There is a lot of action and adventure. There is a lot of running away from scary spac...more
Sirantha Jax is one cool name. (view spoiler)
She's a jumper. Jumpers are people gifted with a special J-gene who can take entire spaceships from one place in space to another through Grimspace, something similar to the hyperspace in Star Wars et al., a dimension which allows you to travel light years in no time. When we meet Sirantha, she's in a really bad shape. Locked up in a cell, she's the sole survivor of the Sargasso shipwreck, a spaceship wh...more
She's a jumper. Jumpers are people gifted with a special J-gene who can take entire spaceships from one place in space to another through Grimspace, something similar to the hyperspace in Star Wars et al., a dimension which allows you to travel light years in no time. When we meet Sirantha, she's in a really bad shape. Locked up in a cell, she's the sole survivor of the Sargasso shipwreck, a spaceship wh...more
'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...more
Jan 13, 2011
Alisha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
UF fans who are looking to delve into sci-fi.
Shelves:
favorites
(From second read-through, August 14-17, 2011)
Still a favorite. What a magnificent book.
(From first read-through, Jan 4-6, 2011)
Rating: 4.5
Quick Take: Yessir, now THIS is what I call a supremely entertaining SF/F romp. The story is intimate character-wise, yet epic plot-wise. The relatively unusual 1st-person-present was used to excellent effect, and resulted in a close connection with the protagonist. An excellent series start.
I've got to make a confession. Though historically science fiction h...more
Still a favorite. What a magnificent book.
(From first read-through, Jan 4-6, 2011)
Rating: 4.5
Quick Take: Yessir, now THIS is what I call a supremely entertaining SF/F romp. The story is intimate character-wise, yet epic plot-wise. The relatively unusual 1st-person-present was used to excellent effect, and resulted in a close connection with the protagonist. An excellent series start.
I've got to make a confession. Though historically science fiction h...more
4 stars
Due to the acquisition of GoodReads by Amazon on March 28, 2013 and my existing and continuing boycott of all things Amazon, the review I wrote after reading this book now resides, safe and secure, at my blog. You can read it by following this link: http://bit.ly/Z3UjB8
Due to the acquisition of GoodReads by Amazon on March 28, 2013 and my existing and continuing boycott of all things Amazon, the review I wrote after reading this book now resides, safe and secure, at my blog. You can read it by following this link: http://bit.ly/Z3UjB8
Feb 16, 2011
Regina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Regina by:
Fans of science fiction; fans of gritty fantasy and urban fantasy; fans of Ann Aguirre/Ava Grey
4.25 stars. This is a new favorite series of mine. What I loved about this book (and the series so far), is that it is creative in terms of the struggle the characters are facing and how they resolve it. Aguirre introduces a cast of characters who are written with depth. The heroine -- Jax is a complex person. She has flaws (personality wise, emotionally and physically) and her flaws create problems throughout the storyline. But to me, she is written as a real person -- not perfect, not exceptio...more
★★★★½
I am sure this is the start of a new and beautiful friendship with Ann Aguirre.
Sirantha Jax is a rare carrier of the J-gene, meaning she can jump through space, a talent which makes her a valuable asset - she can lead the charge in charting space, discovering territories - you know the kind of thing that space ships do. She also suffers from major survivors' guilt over her last jump, which went terribly wrong and killed quite a number of people. She is in prison, waiting for it to all end,...more
I am sure this is the start of a new and beautiful friendship with Ann Aguirre.
Sirantha Jax is a rare carrier of the J-gene, meaning she can jump through space, a talent which makes her a valuable asset - she can lead the charge in charting space, discovering territories - you know the kind of thing that space ships do. She also suffers from major survivors' guilt over her last jump, which went terribly wrong and killed quite a number of people. She is in prison, waiting for it to all end,...more
Aug 04, 2011
Nisha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everybody who wants to read something good.
Recommended to Nisha by:
new_user
I would like to thank everyone who recommended or enticed me with tidbits of this book because it one of the most worthwhile books I've ever read. This is a nice mix of urban fantasy, space opera, and futuristic romance. It's really an urban fantasy set in the future with space travel. It kinda reminds me of Firefly - except with an actual relationship between the lead characters.
The main character is Sirantha Jax, stuck in a facility being mentally tortured for supposedly killing an entire ship...more
The main character is Sirantha Jax, stuck in a facility being mentally tortured for supposedly killing an entire ship...more
Apr 12, 2010
new_user
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
UF, Kate Daniels, Jericho Barrons fans
Recommended to new_user by:
The Flooze (Michelle M.) Zolkos
Shelves:
romantic-scifi
Everyone's already said everything better in their reviews, so I will just say give a few brief points.
Her brilliance unfurls like... uh, like, a flower. Yes. Read to the end. (Many things make more sense later.)
The relationships cement too quickly, but everything else is legit.
This would appeal to urban fantasy fans more than scifi fans. That is, do you like action, first person and a dark, gritty tone? We have the girl for you.
Sirantha's conflicts are actually pretty unique. Paranoia, corpora...more
Her brilliance unfurls like... uh, like, a flower. Yes. Read to the end. (Many things make more sense later.)
The relationships cement too quickly, but everything else is legit.
This would appeal to urban fantasy fans more than scifi fans. That is, do you like action, first person and a dark, gritty tone? We have the girl for you.
Sirantha's conflicts are actually pretty unique. Paranoia, corpora...more
Jun 26, 2012
Damali
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Battlestar fans
Recommended to Damali by:
Regina, Katie
I've finally found a scifi series where space is being explored the way I want it to be. This series has quirky aliens, creepy planets, shady outposts, slick spaceships, cool gadgets, dynamic cast, witty dialogue that doesn't get annoying. It's like Deep Space Nine meets Battlestar Galactica!
Jax has a gene which allows her to travel in grimspace -- a faster mode of travel than by FTL -- and so her kind is sought after and glamorized. Jax is the lone survivor of a crash that killed all of her cre...more
Jax has a gene which allows her to travel in grimspace -- a faster mode of travel than by FTL -- and so her kind is sought after and glamorized. Jax is the lone survivor of a crash that killed all of her cre...more
Apr 17, 2010
The Flooze
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of Serenity. Those who champion the underdog.
*4.5*
The short of it?
It's gritty, unapologetic, and fast-paced. Jax and her shipmates are thoroughly unhinged, but mostly pragmatic, with a biting humor that gets them through the dark. Worthwhile introduction to the series. Can also be read as a stand-alone.
_______
The meandering version?
Not too long ago, I read a book where a character claimed he wasn't a good man. He was just a man, doing the best he could do with whatever life threw at him: trying to make a difference in those moments he coul...more
The short of it?
It's gritty, unapologetic, and fast-paced. Jax and her shipmates are thoroughly unhinged, but mostly pragmatic, with a biting humor that gets them through the dark. Worthwhile introduction to the series. Can also be read as a stand-alone.
_______
The meandering version?
Not too long ago, I read a book where a character claimed he wasn't a good man. He was just a man, doing the best he could do with whatever life threw at him: trying to make a difference in those moments he coul...more
Ann Aquirre created herself a fangirl today. Hi, my name is Brandi and I am a Jax fangirl. (edit 5/8/13, I lost my fangirl status as the series wore on) :/
So, I have a confession to make (other than my burgeoning fangirl status that is). Sometimes I put off reading books that catch my attention again and again, and I don't know why. This book was a spectacular example of why we all should trust our instincts and not deprive ourselves of what might be a fantastic read just because we are maybe a...more
"No matter how interminable something feels, there is always, always an ending. Sometimes that's good, and sometimes it's bad; sometimes it's a matter of indifference, and sometimes it's heartbreaking, and your life is never the same thereafter."
4.5 stars, easily
I have found a new series to obsess over, although it's unfortunate that this series will only run 6 books. This was definitely not the kind of book I read all the time, and it was heavier science fiction than I usually read.
This book c...more
4.5 stars, easily
I have found a new series to obsess over, although it's unfortunate that this series will only run 6 books. This was definitely not the kind of book I read all the time, and it was heavier science fiction than I usually read.
This book c...more
I first became acquainted with Ann Aguirre, writing as Ava Gray. I enjoyed the “Skin” series so much, I set out to find more of her books, which led me to this series. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about “Romantic Science Fiction” , but it did not disappoint!
In a time far off into the future, Sirantha Jax is the lone survivor of a fatal crash on Matins IV, that also claimed the life of her pilot, and lover, Kai. Jax possesses a rare J-gene, that allows her, along with the assistance of her pilot...more
Sirantha Jax is one of the rare people, born with the J-gene. This allows her to jump ships through grimspace, but also shortens her life expectancy, as jumpers tend to die young due to burnout. She is already doing her job a lot longer than anybody expected and is pretty much living the life of a Rock star.
One day a passenger ship full of dignitaries she has just taken through grimspace crashes. Nobody but Jax survives, including her pilot and lover Kai. Jax can't remember anything about the c...more
One day a passenger ship full of dignitaries she has just taken through grimspace crashes. Nobody but Jax survives, including her pilot and lover Kai. Jax can't remember anything about the c...more
Originally posted at WickedLilPixie Reviews
I have wanted to pick up this series for what seems like forever, and I finally did! This is my first introduction to Science Fiction and I can tell you I am hooked on this series and am a “Jax” fan.
Grimspace is the first book of the Sirantha Jax series and not only my first Science Fiction book but also my first time reading Ann Aguirre. I am still reeling from the worlds that Ms Aguirre created and took us through. It is one of the most edgy books I h...more
I have wanted to pick up this series for what seems like forever, and I finally did! This is my first introduction to Science Fiction and I can tell you I am hooked on this series and am a “Jax” fan.
Grimspace is the first book of the Sirantha Jax series and not only my first Science Fiction book but also my first time reading Ann Aguirre. I am still reeling from the worlds that Ms Aguirre created and took us through. It is one of the most edgy books I h...more
Oct 25, 2011
Dija
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Sci-fi and alien fans
Recommended to Dija by:
Anzu and Miss Vain, albeit indirectly
Are you afraid of falling, baby?
No, I’m afraid of landing.
I'm ashamed to admit it now, but the only reason I put off reading these books for so long is because of the covers. They simply never caught my attention enough for me to actually read the synopsis. Shallow, I know, but I do love a pretty cover.
Another reason is because I'm not really a huge fan of sci-fi and spaceships and talking gadgets or whatever. As for aliens...

And then...

Jax is our very selfish and traumatized heroine. She's als...more
Aug 19, 2012
Stacia ~ Mistress of Mediocrity
marked it as return-to-later
Three chapters in and I'm loving this already. I realized how much I've missed sci-fi. When the book started talking about jumping ships, I got a little giddy. This might be the escape I was looking for.
Sigh. I need to come back to this later. I'm really liking the book but I have other commitments piling up.
Sigh. I need to come back to this later. I'm really liking the book but I have other commitments piling up.
Oct 09, 2011
Anzu The Great Destroyer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
UF Sci-Fi fans and cool people
Guess what made me choose this book! Anyone? You! The boy wearing the creepy frog mask! Tell me the answer!
...

Never gets old...
Ooor maybe it’s the coolness of Mass Effect. Good times being Commander Shepard...

Aaaanypoop let’s put an end to this useless jabbering! Back to our precious book!
Overall the story was very interesting. A sh*tload of action, a bunch of remarkable characters and some well-placed drama. I just mostly care about the action. And March. Mmmmmmmm…. I immediately got attached t...more
...

Never gets old...
Ooor maybe it’s the coolness of Mass Effect. Good times being Commander Shepard...

Aaaanypoop let’s put an end to this useless jabbering! Back to our precious book!
Overall the story was very interesting. A sh*tload of action, a bunch of remarkable characters and some well-placed drama. I just mostly care about the action. And March. Mmmmmmmm…. I immediately got attached t...more
Oct 09, 2011
MISS VAIN
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
UF/Sci-Fi/Romance fans
Recommended to MISS VAIN by:
Names located at bottom of my review
Shelves:
ann-aguirre,
series-that-i-m-obsessed-with
"Farwan shot down some proxy terrorist. In retaliation, her people set bombs all over Ankaraj headquarters, demanding the head of the bloke that gave the order. They're holed up with hostages, and the Corp's shut down all air traffic within two hundred kilometers of the city."
I feel as though someone punched me in the chest. He believed I'm dead, or he wouldn't be doing this. It's vengeance now, he doesn't see a way for us to win. In his own eyes, he failed me, so this is the only thing left.
I...more
I feel as though someone punched me in the chest. He believed I'm dead, or he wouldn't be doing this. It's vengeance now, he doesn't see a way for us to win. In his own eyes, he failed me, so this is the only thing left.
I...more
What I liked about Grimspace were the flawed central characters of Jax and March. There is nothing more boring than reading about "hospital corner" characters.
In the beginning, Jax seems extremely confident in what she knows about people and about what she can do. But as the book progresses, she finds out her snap judgments about the crew onboard the Folly are dead wrong. She even begins to doubt her own sanity. The only thing she really knows is grimspace.
Meanwhile, we have March (hey, is that...more
In the beginning, Jax seems extremely confident in what she knows about people and about what she can do. But as the book progresses, she finds out her snap judgments about the crew onboard the Folly are dead wrong. She even begins to doubt her own sanity. The only thing she really knows is grimspace.
Meanwhile, we have March (hey, is that...more
Nov 17, 2008
Shannon (Giraffe Days)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Shannon (Giraffe Days) by:
Pamela
Sirantha Jax is a rarity, a jumper: she's a carrier of the J-gene, enabling her to navigate grimspace and take spaceships with her through a pilot, dramatically decreasing the amount of time it takes to travel the galaxy. Jumping shortens her life expectancy but she's highly prized by the Corp - an arm of the mighty Conglomerate. She's also the only survivor of the disastrous crash of the Matins IV which killed her pilot and lover, Kai, as well as over 80 dignitaries on their way to meeting. She...more
I do not normally read any sort of sci-fi book. I'm just not a fan of the futuristic/space travel sort of books. I was urged to try this one by a good friend who said it was phenomenal.
It took me a little bit to get into the book. Jax has a very different voice than I'm used to reading, and it took me a while to tune into how she thought and talked. But it's that very uniqueness of voice that makes me really enjoy the character later.
The storyline is new, to me, interesting, and fast paced. I re...more
It took me a little bit to get into the book. Jax has a very different voice than I'm used to reading, and it took me a while to tune into how she thought and talked. But it's that very uniqueness of voice that makes me really enjoy the character later.
The storyline is new, to me, interesting, and fast paced. I re...more
One star for originality but four and a half stars for plot and character development. Heroine is a smart-mouthed, "don't tell me what to do," amazing at her job but on the run navigator who is one of only a few people who can do what she does because of a special gene. She has recently suffered a devastating loss. Love interest is at turns tender and dangerous, just and immoral. People In Charge are out to get her, she keeps messing up, has difficulty trusting, but her friends are loyal and lov...more
this book was fantastic! a bit confusing at the start but after that i got right into it.
nearly everyone in this book wanted to be a hero except Jax, she was selfish and completely insane but it worked! i have no idea how the author pulled it off, but whatever she did made this book brilliant.
cant wait till the next book!
nearly everyone in this book wanted to be a hero except Jax, she was selfish and completely insane but it worked! i have no idea how the author pulled it off, but whatever she did made this book brilliant.
cant wait till the next book!
Posted at Under the Covers
Grimspace is my first jump into science fiction romance. I was missing out big time! I don’t usually enjoy first person narration. It’s even worse when it’s written in present tense, so I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first. But once I got the hang of things, this book really took off for me.
Aguirre sets a fast pace, taking you by the throat and never letting go until the end of the book. I found my eyes glued to these pages and murmuring, “Just one more chap...more
Grimspace is my first jump into science fiction romance. I was missing out big time! I don’t usually enjoy first person narration. It’s even worse when it’s written in present tense, so I had a bit of trouble getting into it at first. But once I got the hang of things, this book really took off for me.
Aguirre sets a fast pace, taking you by the throat and never letting go until the end of the book. I found my eyes glued to these pages and murmuring, “Just one more chap...more
Jan 28, 2012
SubterraneanCatalyst ; I Will Always Read
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who love sci fi romance+drama+action
This entire review is one big spoiler fest you have been warned!
(view spoiler)...more
(view spoiler)...more
Sirantha Jax is a jumper who can navigate through grimspace. She carries the rare J-gene which allows her to jump and she works for the Corp discovering new planets with her lover Kai. Jumpers have a shortened life expectancy and never know when their last jump will be. The story starts with Sirantha being held in prison where she is being interrogated and tortured by the Corp for the crash of a ship on Matins IV where 82 people died including Kai. The Corp are blaming Sirantha even though she c...more
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Ann Aguirre is a USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music,...more
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“No matter how interminable something feels, there is always, always an ending. Sometimes that's good, and sometimes it's bad; sometimes it's a matter of indifference, and sometimes it's heartbreaking, and your life is never the same thereafter.”
—
83 people liked it
“Most people can’t stomach silence; it provides too much opportunity to think about things they prefer to avoid.”
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45 people liked it
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and I also love action films and science fiction films..and science fiction video games. Yes! This book has almost everything I want. 





















Apr 03, 2012 01:11pm
Mar 20, 2013 11:54am