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Shades of Dark (Dock Five Universe #2)

by Linnea Sinclair (Goodreads Author)

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 617 ratings · 57 reviews

Can love alone save the day? Award-winning author Linnea Sinclair returns with a vibrant interstellar thriller of romance and adventure in which two lovers are tested in the crucible of deep space, where there are only…

Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from the “justice” of a corrupt Empire. Alo...more

Paperback, 411 pages

Published July 29th 2008 by Bantam

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Feb 03, 2011 Wicked Incognito Now rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: over-the-top-with-the-angst

I can't review this right now. The emotional turmoil and angst is still too fresh. I'd probably just ramble on in an uncontrolled fashion and no one wants that....so, I'll leave you with these brief thoughts.

Tedious at the beginning.
More of Chaz and Sully angstiness ala Gabriel's Ghost.
LOTS more.
A new Stolorth enters the scene, and is he ever--uh---um--interesting? Hot? Evil? Insanely twisted.
Ending is rather abrupt.

Linnea Sinclair is a fantastic storyteller, but I don't know if I can handle ano...more

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Dec 26, 2008 Gina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: action, erotic, futuristic, own, paranormal-supernatural, romantic-suspense, suspense, science-fiction

Perfect blend of sci-fi, romance, action, suspicion and suspense - don’t miss this one!

**Spoiler Warning - This review will contain spoilers**

Not long after Chaz and Sully escaped Marker with the help of her brother and her ex-husband, Chaz receives news that her brother, Thad, had been arrested for treason. From there, things quickly escalate from bad to worse. Hayden Burke and First Barrister Darius Tage are in cahoots together, wanting the Empire for themselves, and are planning on taking it...more Perfect blend of sci-fi, romance, action, suspicion and suspense - don’t miss this one!

**Spoiler Warning - This review will contain spoilers**

Not long after Chaz and Sully escaped Marker with the help of her brother and her ex-husband, Chaz receives news that her brother, Thad, had been arrested for treason. From there, things quickly escalate from bad to worse. Hayden Burke and First Barrister Darius Tage are in cahoots together, wanting the Empire for themselves, and are planning on taking it any way they know how. They’re sure that Burke is behind the jukor gen labs, and Chaz and Sully intend to shut them down, no matter the cost. With the help of an informant, Del, they find the lab, but the cost is greater than anyone would even begin to believe, for Del is Stolorth, and a Kyi-Radkiril, and has taken Sully on as a student, helping him harness and use his power. But Del is hiding something from both Sully and Chaz, and it’s not good.

And now a war is starting, and no one is sure how it will turn out. Those who don’t swear allegiance to Tage are hunted, some killed. Being hunted is her ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and Chaz and Sully save him just in time. And just when we think that everything will finally work out - the gen lab found, the crew out of the way, and Hayden Burke walking aboard to deal with the lab - more betrayal hits too close to home.

The story begins right at the start, when Chaz finds out her brother has been arrested. She he be questioned by a Radkiril, their enemies will learn what Sully truly is, and nothing could be worse for them right now.

I didn’t like Del right from the start, and I was right not to like him. Just when you want a good guy to help, the bad comes along with dark intentions, and that pissed me off. Yes, the story needed him, but I think I’d have liked to see this come about in a different fashion. I’m glad that we got to see more of Philip Guthrie - we needed more between him, Chaz and Sully. Finally, you really understand where Philip and Chaz stand with each other, and while is makes the reader sad that their relationship turned the way it had, it’s understandable, and not unlike those in higher social standing that we’re used to reading.

And now, the ending. Oh, was I mad! With all the action, you’re adrenaline pumps up as you’re following the story. You want so badly that Sully wins against Del, that Chaz and Philip manage to help him, but I felt let down. Sure, Del is beaten, but the price that Chaz and Sully pay is over the top, leaving several questions unanswered; questions that need answers. We understand how it happens and why (from earlier explanations about cultures, customs and such), but it wasn’t fair for that to happen. And what was between Sully and Chaz will never be the same. Then I’m told that there will be a Book #3, Hope’s Folly, but after reading the description, the book is about Philip, not Chaz and Sully. Please, Ms. Sinclair, we need more on Chaz and Sully. It’s not just because I like them very much, but to leave them hanging like that, as well as the reader, isn’t fair.(less)

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Aug 23, 2010 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-read

The last 100 + pages warrant the 3 star rating. I would give the ending 5 stars but it just can't diminish the slow start and dead middle.

I almost want to say to all readers just skip to page 295.... you don't want to read most of the book. And that is sad because this is a great series with a strong heroine and an interesting world.

So what is my problem with Shades of Dark? It was soooooo slow.

As soon as Philip enters the picture again the story gets good and I mean really good. I love Phili...more

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Jan 05, 2012 Nenia Campbell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: x-2008s, x-series-bk-2

Whew… what a ride! I really like this author — which is surprising because normally I don't like romance writers. However, put in a good, solid sci-fi context, how can you lose? I suspect Ms. Sinclair is a Star Trek and Star Wars fan. Stolorths remind me a bit of Vulcans and Romulans combined (except significantly more evil and vain), and Takans kind of remind me of Klingons with a bit of Wookie influence. Even Chaz Bergren kind of reminds me of Captain Janeway from the Voyager series. However,...more Whew… what a ride! I really like this author — which is surprising because normally I don't like romance writers. However, put in a good, solid sci-fi context, how can you lose? I suspect Ms. Sinclair is a Star Trek and Star Wars fan. Stolorths remind me a bit of Vulcans and Romulans combined (except significantly more evil and vain), and Takans kind of remind me of Klingons with a bit of Wookie influence. Even Chaz Bergren kind of reminds me of Captain Janeway from the Voyager series. However, there is nothing derivative about this series. Linnea Sinclair has created an intricate and logical world, and made it her own, giving her story a unique backdrop that sets it apart from most romances. In fact, rather than being classified as “sci-fi romance,” space-opera would probably be a better term. There's inter-alien relations, laser fights in space ships, and political undertones — all hallmarks of the genre. Interestingly, the Dock Five Universe books also deal with xenophobia, with many of the fears about aliens of other races and ethics applicable to our own terrestrial lenses of morality.

As with the last book, Chaz is still trying to deal with the repercussions of being a dishonorably discharged escapee from the prison planet Moabar, in addition to being hunted down by the Imperial Fleet, and various rebel factions with various motives — AND having a ragkiril, mind-reading boyfriend who could easily tear her mind apart if he was so inclined. Sully doesn't like being a “mind-fucker” and suffers a lot of angst about his abilities. For the first couple chapters, this gets a little annoying, especially since Chaz is so accepting. It kind of seems like Sully is just wallowing in his own misery and projecting his own negative feelings onto others. However, all of this changes when he meets Del, a Stolorth ragkiril with an interest in being his teacher AND pilot. It seems to be too good to be true, especially with everything else crashing down on him at the same time. Is it?

This was not a short book but it wasn't boring. The background was, as usual, amazing. If you're a female sci-fi geek this is definitely your calling. The romance was pretty good. Not over the top and not silly. No frilly language to describe acts which might offend a lady's delicate sensibilities — and no explicit “gosh, aren't I daring?” quasi-porno stuff, either. Actually, the romance kind of took a backseat to the action which, as I have mentioned many times before, I really like in a novel. Romance should be the spice, not the main course.

I really liked Del. My Gosh. He was so sexy. And so evil. And yet, so sexy while he was being evil. I wouldn't call him a villain, exactly, but — oh, well, that would be telling. Guess you'll have to read the book for yourself and see what I mean. I also liked the way Linnea Sinclair developed her characters in book 2. They grew up from before and learned a bit about themselves from their experiences and mistakes. I love the crew. Marsh is that grumpy but kind-hearted guy you see in anime so often (often called tsundere, I believe), and Dorsie is adorable. Even Philip Guthrie grew on me, once it was revealed that he wasn't such a pompous asshat, after all. The ending was a bit of a bummer, but I'm wondering where it will go from here on out…

Definitely a must-read for any geeky gals out there! (less)

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Jun 25, 2011 Anna (Bobs Her Hair) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: sci-fi romance fans

Shelves: futuristic, science-fiction-romance, fantasy

This Dock Five series book had A LOT going on with the different factions, the betrayals, the inner conflict, the mission, etc. It looked like it was going to get a little kinky too. The ending is not what I was expecting and it didn't give closure to Sully and Chaz's relationship. I'm going to have re-read a few parts before I can rate it. At this point, it deserves no less than 3 stars.

Final vote: 4 stars
Yes, this story can get complicated if you don't keep your eye on the players. I love how...more

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Dec 29, 2008 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

9/10

By the end of Gabriel's Ghost, I was so hooked that I had to go out and buy Shades of Dark so I could start it immediately. That night, I was halfway through this book and finished it about two days later (it would have been much sooner if I didn't have to go to work). I found this one a little slower to get into in the beginning with a few info dumps about happenings from the previous book but overall better (and much darker) than the first book. Dark books are my favorites, and I really lo...more

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Mar 14, 2009 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

The sequel to Gabriel's Ghost is intense. Very intense. Sinclair does her usual outstanding job producing fascinating characters, a gripping plot and richly thought out settings. She did a world class [should that be universe class?:] job but as the title suggests it is a very dark story. Since I like my stories to end with some variation of 'and they lived happily ever after or until the next adventure' I was not satisfied with the ending. Which explains why this is marked as a 4 instead 5 - 5...more

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May 06, 2012 Katherine rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction

After reading and enjoying the first book, Gabriel’s Ghost, in this series I was excited to read the sequel. Having now finished Shades of Dark, that excitement has soured.
I will give credit to the fact that the plot-arc started in the first book is brought further in this work; the goals set forth are largely reached; tho in a disintegrating social landscape they lose some of their importance. What I felt the lack of in this book was the depth that I so enjoyed in the first book in this series...more After reading and enjoying the first book, Gabriel’s Ghost, in this series I was excited to read the sequel. Having now finished Shades of Dark, that excitement has soured.
I will give credit to the fact that the plot-arc started in the first book is brought further in this work; the goals set forth are largely reached; tho in a disintegrating social landscape they lose some of their importance. What I felt the lack of in this book was the depth that I so enjoyed in the first book in this series. The church and its role in uniting and dividing the different species we have been introduced to, the political turmoil caused by power struggles (which is greatly present in this book, but I felt that the deft hand we saw in Gabriel’s Ghost that painted a picture was somewhat replaced by a heavy hand and a sharpie.) the history and how it interacted with the time period of the book. The foreshadowing, always a bit heavy-handed, became for me just telling me what was going to happen…more akin to a playbook than an expansion of ideas.
I did love the delving into Sully’s exploration of the Kyi. The fact that it was cloak-and-daggered a bit bothered me almost as much as the reason behind the sly exploration. I felt that some of the most interesting parts of this story were taken off-screen, as it were. Told about, but not showed.
The main characters in this volume were a grave disappointment to me. The reason I enjoy connected works, indeed one of the reasons I picked up this book in the first place, was to continue learning about and expanding the relationships that were built in the previous work. In this book, that prior relationship, I felt, was in many ways dismissed, diminished, and forgotten. For perhaps the first forth of the book, that continuation existed, but when a new primary character was introduced it changed the relationship dynamics of the whole crew, most notable Sully and Chaz. The trust that had formed was greatly diminished, and the capabilities of the individual enhanced by a partner applied only to a sexual and energy arena. It was a large disappointment to me that the author chose to take the character devolvement conflicts in the direction she chose too. I realize the motivation behind the inclusion of the character dynamic that was introduced; I just do not appreciate it.
While a fairly well written book, with intriguing elements that would have otherwise kept my attention, the conclusion of this work precludes further contact from me into this author’s worlds. I do not consider anger and nauseousness to be a favorable byproduct of such an expenditure of my time. By the finishing of this work I wanted to vomit. (Not really a reaction I look forward at the end of any kind of book, but one that I thought was going to be a romance—albeit a sci-fi one—reached its antithesis in such a reaction.) This author has broken my faith in their writing and I highly doubt I will continue to read any more of her books. I do not trust that she will not again pour bilge-water into my psyche.
I will give this work three stars for the development of plot and characters—after-all it did enact a visceral reaction on my part—I do however truly wish I had stopped reading after book one.
(less)

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Mar 11, 2012 Jacey rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, science-fiction

A science fiction romance, six packs and sex in space. The second story about Chaz Bregren and her lover, former monk, mercenary and telepath Gabriel (Sully) Sullivan. In the first book, Gabriel's Ghost, Sully, Chaz and Sully's crew, with the help of Chaz's ex husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and her brother, Thad, take out a lab breeding vicious and highly illegal Jukors. This takes up where Gabriel's Ghost left off. Chaz and Sully are out hunting Hayden Burke, Sully's cousin, and the owner of...more

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Apr 05, 2011 Mystique Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-romance

I wept. I cheered. I screamed. I hated reaching the end.

A followup to last year's award-winning GABRIEL'S GHOST, author Linnea Sinclair returns us to deep space, where a ship, the Boru Karn, holds the hope of galaxies. She also holds wanted men and women. They're the same people: Captain Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren and her lover/husband, outlaw smuggler Gabriel "Sully" Sullivan.

Fresh from their harrowing escape, detailed in GABRIEL'S GHOST, Chaz and Sully don't find much time to catch their breath....more

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Dec 14, 2010 Alana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: space-opera, romance-scifi

Captain Chaz Bergren has her hands full - she's one of the leaders of a rebellion against the corrupt Empire, her brother has been arrested for treason and is now facing execution, and her telepath lover, Gabriel Sullivan, is having trouble with his increasingly strong powers. And Chaz is still trying to uncover and destroy the lab breeding jukors. As if the politics weren't difficult enough, Chaz' ex-husband Admiral Philip Guthrie turns up on board and Sully's mentor Del is out to seduce Chaz....more Captain Chaz Bergren has her hands full - she's one of the leaders of a rebellion against the corrupt Empire, her brother has been arrested for treason and is now facing execution, and her telepath lover, Gabriel Sullivan, is having trouble with his increasingly strong powers. And Chaz is still trying to uncover and destroy the lab breeding jukors. As if the politics weren't difficult enough, Chaz' ex-husband Admiral Philip Guthrie turns up on board and Sully's mentor Del is out to seduce Chaz.

While Sully spent most of the first book doing his best to downplay (or even ignore) his powers, that is increasingly impossible. In Shades of Dark, Sully must learn how to truly control his powers, and also how to accept all of himself. As much as Chaz loves and trusts Sully, she is (quite understandably) afraid of some of the things that Sully can and does do in this novel. Angst levels are through the roof.

Things aren't so black and white, and there is a definite struggle as to where to draw the line as to what may be necessary in wartime and what crosses the line into something unforgivable. And this struggle, the fact that moral superiority can't dictate battle tactics but must nonetheless be considered, is a real strength of Shades of Dark and makes for some fascinating reading.

And while I still loved Chaz as a no-nonsense strong heroine - and this was far more her story and how she comes to grips with Sully, I felt a little more out-of-tune with her emotions this time around. I also missed seeing the other side characters. I particularly felt the loss of Chaz' close friendship with Ren that had built up in Gabriel's Ghost. That said, I loved the addition of Philip. While I had thought he was a bit on the pompous straight-laced side, in this instalment of the series, it's easy to see why Chaz and he made such a good team - and also why they simply didn't work out as a romantic couple.

On the whole, everything was kicked up a notch in Shades of Dark - more intrigue, more adventure, more romantic complications. I preferred Gabriel's Ghost, as it was more light-hearted and a bit, well, simpler, but this was a compelling read. And I loved getting to know Philip and am very much excited to read his story in Hope's Folly.(less)

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Oct 04, 2009 Lexie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: genre-romance-futuristic, review-blog, books-owned

I stand corrected on my previous statement that I didn't need to know more about Sully's past/heritage. With the additional of his Kyi-Ragkiril mentor, Regarth, well it all got a whole lot more interesting. Reading the by-play between Sully and Regarth or the interchange between Chaz and Regarth was highly informative. Not just in how well (or little) each new the other, but also in how far they would push back.

Despite the fact I should have seen Philip as an obstacle, or at least a hindrance to...more

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May 01, 2009 Kerry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, 8, ebooks, sf, romance

I really enjoyed Linnea Sinclair’s first book about Chaz Bergren and her growing relationship with Gabriel Sullivan (not to mention her involvement with political intrigue, ex-husbands, monster breeding programmes and difficult family relationships). So when I heard there was a direct sequel coming out that would continue Chaz and Sully’s adventures I was delighted. But then the reviews started coming out. They were pretty much uniformly positive, but most talked about it being a dark book and a...more

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Apr 15, 2009 Donna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, sci-fi

I liked the first book better. If this had been just a romance story with a sci-fi setting I may have felt differently, but the intrigue and investigation parts of the plot were so interesting that I kept getting annoyed when it would bog down in making out and repetitive discussions about feelings or relationships.

Del was a frustrating addition for me. There was already a fair amount of internal dissent among the crew, and the constant revelations about Sully's powers were enough to cause a qui...more

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May 11, 2012 Alyriora rated it 1 of 5 stars

This is the sequel to Gabriel's Ghost, a book I gave 4 stars to for its passionate romance set in a wonderfully expansive sci fi world. However, I feel that Shades of Dark failed me completely in being a sequel and I can only give it 2 stars.

This book had a clearly darker tone to it, and the passionate romance began in the first book between Chaz and Gabriel takes on an excessive amount of angst, more than even the first book had between them as lovers. In fact the entire middle of the book craw...more This is the sequel to Gabriel's Ghost, a book I gave 4 stars to for its passionate romance set in a wonderfully expansive sci fi world. However, I feel that Shades of Dark failed me completely in being a sequel and I can only give it 2 stars.

This book had a clearly darker tone to it, and the passionate romance began in the first book between Chaz and Gabriel takes on an excessive amount of angst, more than even the first book had between them as lovers. In fact the entire middle of the book crawls along at a infuriating slow speed, telling the reader more than they ever wanted to know about all this angst the two main characters are going through.

(view spoiler)

I don't mind that the book was darker, or that the hero became even more brooding and dark. Only that half way through the book I couldn't relate to Chaz anymore after hearing in her head how much it all disgusted her. The abrupt HEA barely rings true after all that turmoil I read.

Anyways, besides all that, I missed the interesting side characters from the first book, I wondered why she spent more time with her ex-husband than anyone else, and very little of the galactic troubles raised were dealt with.
I would have been more forgiving in my rating if this had been the second book of a series with resolutions promised to come one day, but I discovered the next book in the series is a whole new couple.

I should have stayed with book 1.(less)

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Feb 01, 2011 new_user rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romantic-scifi

The tedium's worth it. Until 35-38% into Shades of Dark, I thought I was reading Gabriel's Ghost Redux, only with less action. Sure, Linnea Sinclair pens us a couple of new conflicts: Chaz's brother Thad Bergren's imprisonment and a mole, but Shades really plumbs Sully and Chaz's relationship more than politics or schemes.

Sinclair shines because she allows her heroes and heroines vulnerability. Female lead Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren, while capable and practical, owns a lot of sympathy and fears not...more

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Mar 20, 2013 Jeannie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 16, 2011 The Flooze rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sci-fi, owned, vanquished_2011

*2.75?*

This was nowhere near as exciting as Gabriel's Ghost.

Though I had a few issues with the pacing of the first book, I still enjoyed the characters and found the overall plot intriguing. Thinking that some of my complaints might be attributed to an aversion to quickly-built romances, I was eager to read Shades of Dark and follow the progression of the story arc, as well as the fuller development of Chas and Sully's relationship.

I was utterly disappointed in terms of the story arc. The first...more *2.75?*

This was nowhere near as exciting as Gabriel's Ghost.

Though I had a few issues with the pacing of the first book, I still enjoyed the characters and found the overall plot intriguing. Thinking that some of my complaints might be attributed to an aversion to quickly-built romances, I was eager to read Shades of Dark and follow the progression of the story arc, as well as the fuller development of Chas and Sully's relationship.

I was utterly disappointed in terms of the story arc. The first 75% of the (e)book focuses mostly on interpersonal drama: Chas and Sully adjusting to one another, crew reactions, personal tragedies, and quite a few pissing contests between various male characters. 75% of the book trudges on by before our heroes receive any concrete leads on their primary mission. The result is a distinct lack of adrenaline. Sure, there are some tense scenes. But they weren't strong enough or frequent enough to prevent me putting this book down for days at a time.

New elements are introduced, including an arrogant character named Del. He offers interesting complications and added information on Gabriel's powers. Unfortunately, much of his value is lost amidst all the shipboard drama. By the time the plot does center on him, he's lost most of his appeal.

All of this bickering and emotional tension has a negative affect on the pacing. In addition, the crew is stuck on the ship for the majority of the book - playing a waiting game - and I couldn't help feeling the plot reached a point of stagnancy. How many times can we read about ready-room discussions, mind-link debates, and the reiteration of the goal?

The final scenes brought back some of the thrill of the first book: Chas fully armed and running in Captain Mode, Sully's talents showcased, a whole host of problems brought on through new alliances. I only wish that the unpredictable and fresh action of the last chapters had appeared throughout the rest of the story.

I think the universe is worth exploring further. Some day I will continue and find out more about Admiral Phillip Guthrie. Unfortunately, because of my disappointment in Shades of Dark, I won't be rushing out for the next installment any time soon.(less)

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Nov 30, 2010 A.B. Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars

The follow up to Gabriel's Ghost again told from the first person POV of Chasidah Bergen. As the mind meddling and telepathy become even more a feature of the book, this limited POV becomes even more important. Sully, Del and her ex-husband, Philip Guthrie have to remain enigmas to her.
Anyone wanting to learn how to write should either read Linnea's books or beter still take one of her writing courses. Her craft is excellent.
All her books are definite must reads for fans of scifi romance. The pa...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Vicky rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, science-fiction, space-opera, zz-american-author, series-maybe-finish

Whew, Shades of Dark was so much better than it's predecessor Gabriel's Ghost!

I liked the story in Gabriel's Ghost, but there were a lot of minor issues with the writing and the characterization that Sinclair really improved upon in Shades of Dark.

I thought Shades of Dark does a much better job of handling character emotions. It still wasn't perfect, but it was much improved. In the first book I found Chaz to be childish and unreliable in her emotional reactions to things - she was much more rat...more

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Feb 13, 2012 mlady_rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction__speculative, fiction__part_of_a_series, genre_sub__aliens_and_space_travel, pov__first_person_female, genre__sf_futuristic_romance, author__linnea_sinclair, 2012, troupe__mindlink_mates, format__mass_market_pb

I should probably review this book as a stand-alone, or as a sequel to "Gabriel's Ghost", but what comes to mind as I finish it is a common factor that I've seen in several series I enjoy. I suppose it's a troupe. This one, "Mindlink Mates", looks like the closest to what I'm thinking of. Telepathy, but restricted to either one other person, or a small group of people.

One of my childhood favorites as far as tv programs, "The Tomorrow People", introduced me to the troupe in a less romanticized v...more

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Jan 16, 2010 Lou rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, sffr, 2009-10-winter-challenge, sci-fi, 2010-144-challenge

Although I'm a big fan of Linnea Sinclair and this series, I actually got stalled only a few pages in and distracted by other books. It didn't have a slow start, I just wasn't in the mood for reading it, I think. Because when I did re-start just a couple of days ago, I was couldn't put it down.

This series is most definitely not just a romance set in space / the future. It's as much a sci fi book as it is a romance - the relationships between all the characters are what drives the plot, and there...more

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Mar 14, 2010 Summer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: psychic-powers, romance, sci-fi-futuristic, sci-fi-romance

I kinda bounced between 2 and 3 stars with this one. I loved the first book in the series, 'Gabriel's Ghost', to pieces. However, I felt like this was a completely different book. It had a much larger focus on character drama and dynamics than in the previous book, which wasn't necessarily a negative. The majority of the book focused on Sully and Chaz's relationship with Ren and most of the other characters making less appearances. I also think Sully must have gotten some kind of brain transplan...more

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Sep 07, 2008 Janice (Janicu) rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's a lot of things going on despite much of the story taking place on Sully's spacecruiser, the Boru Karn. The book isn't short - 410 pages because of all the things going on. And besides all the intruige and incidents that happen in space because of their enemies and because they are wanted people, Sully and Chaz are also dealing with Sully's gifts as a Ragkiril. Sully has so much power, a power he feels is growing and which could corrupt him. Actually, it made the love story more complica...more

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May 19, 2009 Katie(babs) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fugitives in space! That is what has become of Chasidah "Chaz"' Bergren, a former captain of the Sixth Fleet along with outlaw Gabriel Ross "Sully" Sullivan and their ragtag intergalactic crew. Chaz and Sully are lovers on the run from Hayden Burke, who happens to be Sully's cousin, and Darius Tage. These two have secretly re-created mutant beasts called Jukors that were originally used by the Empire and are now considered to be too dangerous, even in battle. Chaz and Sully are searching for Bur...more Fugitives in space! That is what has become of Chasidah "Chaz"' Bergren, a former captain of the Sixth Fleet along with outlaw Gabriel Ross "Sully" Sullivan and their ragtag intergalactic crew. Chaz and Sully are lovers on the run from Hayden Burke, who happens to be Sully's cousin, and Darius Tage. These two have secretly re-created mutant beasts called Jukors that were originally used by the Empire and are now considered to be too dangerous, even in battle. Chaz and Sully are searching for Burke's illegal lab where these beasts are being created. If they aren't able to stop Burke, he could take over the entire galaxy.

If things aren't bad enough, Sully himself places everyone in danger because of what he is. Sully is a rare human breed called a Kyi-Ragkiril who has secret telepathic and telekinetic abilities. His kind are so feared that, if found out, he would be killed. Chaz is able to keep Sully under control as his ky'sara, where he can sense all her thoughts and emotions just as she can do the same to him. They have only been lovers and mates for three months, but their attraction for each other has been there for years. Sully saved Chaz from a place where only death would be a welcome relief, and now they are closer than any humans can be.

Even though time may be running out for this motley crew, Chaz does have some support on her side with her brother Thad and her ex-husband, Philip Guthrie, who is an Admiral of the Sixth Fleet. Things go from bad to worse when Thad is arrested for treason because he aided the fugitives. Unless Thad tells everything he knows, he will be executed.

The race is on for both Chaz and Sully, along with the help of Ren, who is good friends with the couple and is a blind Stolorth empath. They must find any information they can about these labs, even looking for help from those who shouldn't be trusted. There is one man who may be the answer to their problems. Regarth Serian Cordell Delkavra, otherwise known as Captain "Del" Regarth, is also a Stolorth and a Kyi. He is willing to help for a price, and that is training Sully to become more powerful and in control of his Kyi capabilities.

As Sully and Del bond in ways that makes Chaz very uncomfortable, Sully is slowing changing into something that scares Chaz. She doesn't trust Del because Del wants to share Chaz with Sully! But Chaz has to put her trust in Del's hands because he is possibly the only one who can help save the universe as they know it. It all comes down to the price Chaz is wiling to pay to keep her lover sane and hope their love is strong enough to keep them alive.

Buckle yourselves in and prepare for a ride you will not soon forget! Linnea Sinclair has written a masterpiece of science fiction fantasy with SHADES OF DARK. This is the sequel to her award winning GABRIEL'S GHOST that turned me into a sci-fi fanatic, and don't be surprised if you find yourself doing the same. SHADES OF DARK takes place three months after GABRIEL'S GHOST and reveals how Chaz and Sully are surviving and if their love is still stronger than ever. And I can tell you that the love and devotion between these two is so strong, that if one died, the other one would be lost as if a piece of their soul was gone.

The love story between Chaz and Sully is more out in the open and just as important as the action and suspense as they try to save the known galaxy. There are excellent fight scenes and some nice funny moments to relieve the non-stop tension. You will find yourself welcoming old friends, such as Ren, an alien being with a scary reputation who is so kind, sweet and very intuitive, along with Philip, Chaz's ex-husband, who in GABRIEL'S GHOST was a roadblock to Chaz and Sully's newly formed relationship. Philip is a very worthy hero, and I anxiously await his personal story to be told in HOPE'S FOLLY.

I also enjoyed the shady Del who is one of the most interesting characters in this book. He straddles the fence between good and evil and is a worthy adversary for Chaz. You will have no clue what he has up his sleeve till the very end, and that may surprise you in ways I didn't even see coming. Even when he was propositioning Chaz, I still found him to be a bit irresistible.

SHADES OF DARK is not to be missed. Of course, I recommend you read GABRIEL'S GHOST first to get a good idea of the story and the characters. If you don't find yourself having a crush on Sully, well that is fine, because I want to claim him for myself! *G*.

Linnea Sinclair is always an author you can count on for amazing stories and is one of the best in the business. SHADES OF DARK is going down as one of my favorite books of all time.
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Sep 26, 2011 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, romance

It's 2:30 in the morning. I should have been asleep hours ago, but I couldn't put this book down. And now I'm sad that it's over, because the remaining novels in the Dock Five Universe (at this time) feature other characters - and not my beloved Chaz and Sully.

Wow, what a read. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it very much. I hope the remaining novels in the D5U tell us what happened to these characters, and I seriously hope this isn't the last we've heard from them.

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Jan 22, 2010 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi, romance-futuristic, reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 07, 2012 Aelethiel rated it 4 of 5 stars

And again a great read. I was not disappointed! Although I would've liked to read a little bit more about what's going on between Sully and Del. We mostly stay in the dark about the whole Kyi-mechanics, because our main character stays in the dark, too. And I found that to be a little unsatisfying. That's why I give it 4/5 stars.

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Apr 06, 2009 Colleen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed "Shades of Dark." I read it right after I read Gabriel's Ghost, I could not wait to see what happend to Chaz and Sully.

This book was full of excitment, betrayal and lots of Kyi. I don't know if I would ever want to be that close to another person. Having someone in my mind would drive me crazy, but it made for a great story line.

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Dec 06, 2012 Sassapphras rated it 3 of 5 stars

As a story, it was pretty good. As a love story, not so much. It both aspects, though, it felt incomplete. The next two books might (or might not) elaborate a little, but they both have different main characters so I probably won't be reading them.

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About Linnea Sinclair

Winner of the prestigious national book award, the RITA, science fiction romance author Linnea Sinclair has become a name synonymous for high-action, emotionally intense, character-driven novels. Reviewers note that Sinclair’s novels “have the wow-factor in spades,” earning her accolades from both the science fiction and romance communities. Sinclair’s current release is HOPE'S FOLLY and, schedule...more

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Quotes from Shades of Dark

“…and suddenly I love you beyond all measure is not just words but a heart, a soul bursting open, a stripping raw of all pretense. It is Sully, it is Gabriel, it is his tears on my face, his body in mine, our minds seamless. It is hopes and dreams and failures. It is apologies and a prayer for redemption. It is heaven and damnation.
All that I am is yours pales beside it.
It is everything.
It is love.” — 43 people liked it

“Something cascaded lightly through me—a gentling, a suffused glow. If love could be morphed into a physical element, this would be it. It was strength and yet it was vulnerability. It was all-encompassing and yet it was freedom. It was a wall of protection. It was wings of trust and faith.

It was Gabriel Ross Sullivan, answering the questions I couldn’t ask. Not that everything would be okay, but that everything in his power would be done, and we’d face whatever outcomes there were together.” — 24 people liked it

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Shades of Dark (Dock Five Universe #2)

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