What do you think?
Rate this book
Razia #1
Double Life
Piracy is a game. How much are you worth?
Since she was a little girl, everyone - from her father to the Great Creator himself - told Lyssa Peate the same thing: she's worthless. But when she becomes the pirate bounty hunter Razia, she can see the price tag on her own head. Employed by one of the four pirate syndicates, she uses bank transactions and her considerable wits to capture rival members. At least, she would be if Razia's boss ever gave her a chance. It's a man’s world, and all she’s allowed to hunt are purse snatchers while she languishes on probation.
To pay the bills, she's stuck in her old life as Lyssa, discovering and analyzing distant planets and selling them for cash. She's doing just enough to stay out of trouble, pretending to be continuing her father's mysterious research while away for long periods of time. Her slimy boss is always asking questions and even assigns one of her younger brothers, Vel, to intern with her. Already struggling to keep the balance between her double lives, she tries everything to rid herself of the kid...
...until the universal police mistake Lyssa’s intern for Razia's hostage.
Since she was a little girl, everyone - from her father to the Great Creator himself - told Lyssa Peate the same thing: she's worthless. But when she becomes the pirate bounty hunter Razia, she can see the price tag on her own head. Employed by one of the four pirate syndicates, she uses bank transactions and her considerable wits to capture rival members. At least, she would be if Razia's boss ever gave her a chance. It's a man’s world, and all she’s allowed to hunt are purse snatchers while she languishes on probation.
To pay the bills, she's stuck in her old life as Lyssa, discovering and analyzing distant planets and selling them for cash. She's doing just enough to stay out of trouble, pretending to be continuing her father's mysterious research while away for long periods of time. Her slimy boss is always asking questions and even assigns one of her younger brothers, Vel, to intern with her. Already struggling to keep the balance between her double lives, she tries everything to rid herself of the kid...
...until the universal police mistake Lyssa’s intern for Razia's hostage.
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 2014
59 people are currently reading
1444 people want to read
About the author
S. Usher Evans
77 books518 followersS. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 23, 2015
The aptly named Double Life is about Lyssa Peate, a respected scientist, and her bounty hunter alter-ego, Razia. As a young child Lyssa would accompany her father on his scientific journeys as he investigated the origins of the Great Creator. On one such journey Lyssa ventured too close to a sacred structure and found herself nearly destroyed by a lake of fire. After that Lyssa grew up knowing that the Great Creator deemed her soul to be foul, unworthy of salvation. With this in mind, Lyssa began to think of herself as a lost cause. Once she became an adult, Lyssa continued to work as a scientist while creating a bounty hunter alter-ego on the side. Razia uses her unparalleled skills to hunt pirates while funding her adventures with the money Lyssa makes selling planets. If Lyssa is already damned, she may as well become the universe’s greatest bounty hunter.
Double Life was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was very excited to read about a heroine who was convinced that her soul was damned, not matter what she did in life. That seemed like a great storytelling opportunity. Unfortunately, Lyssa’s story is pretty one-dimensional. Nearly the entire book is spent with Lyssa, as Razia, running around and trying to capture pirates, while making her way up the wanted list. These adventures, however, are not very exciting and don’t have any level of suspense. Razia is a smart girl but she makes some pretty stupid decisions and lets her anger get the better of her. In some situations this could be a good character flaw, leading to some fantastic storytelling. Here it was simply used to get her into and out of trouble.
Lyssa herself isn’t a particularly likable character. She grew up thinking that she was worthless and her family has always treated her like an unwanted guest. This has led Lyssa to be a closed-off, aggressive person who can’t accept help or kind words from anyone. She, of course, has a soft side hidden underneath, which comes out as the book goes along. That said, the writing of Lyssa’s personality was not particularly nuanced and I found myself annoyed with her attitude more than once. I can take a character who is a badass and who has anti-social issues, but it just felt forced and flat in Lyssa’s case.
I also disliked the use of mini-computers and the web throughout the book. There was not a lot of unnecessary technobabble but Razia is constantly pulling up the wanted list of pirates, the accounts of known aliases, etc. This would be fine if I didn’t have to read about it in detail over and over again. Not to mention that we are forced to look at screenshots of her web viewings throughout the book. Of course the main issues I had with that was that the pictures were far too small on my Kindle. It was obnoxious to lean in and try to read them. If you have a different setup or are reading the physical book, it would be less of an issue.
All of that said, this book was not badly written. I really enjoyed the backstory and the world building. In Lyssa’s universe scientists find, analyse, and sell planets to the highest bidders. There are all kinds of crazy planets with exotic wildlife. The parts of the story where Lyssa investigates planets were more interesting than the bounty hunting portions and I would have liked to have seen that part of the world taken advantage of. The world also has a rich religion, which is unique to this book. Their take on the Great Creator and their idea of heaven and hell was intriguing. I would have preferred more time spent on that aspect, rather than just using it as a catalyst for Lyssa’s character development.
If you are looking for an action-based book about bounty hunters and pirates, try this out. If you’re looking for something more nuanced, maybe skip it.
Visit my blog for this review and more!
Double Life was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was very excited to read about a heroine who was convinced that her soul was damned, not matter what she did in life. That seemed like a great storytelling opportunity. Unfortunately, Lyssa’s story is pretty one-dimensional. Nearly the entire book is spent with Lyssa, as Razia, running around and trying to capture pirates, while making her way up the wanted list. These adventures, however, are not very exciting and don’t have any level of suspense. Razia is a smart girl but she makes some pretty stupid decisions and lets her anger get the better of her. In some situations this could be a good character flaw, leading to some fantastic storytelling. Here it was simply used to get her into and out of trouble.
Lyssa herself isn’t a particularly likable character. She grew up thinking that she was worthless and her family has always treated her like an unwanted guest. This has led Lyssa to be a closed-off, aggressive person who can’t accept help or kind words from anyone. She, of course, has a soft side hidden underneath, which comes out as the book goes along. That said, the writing of Lyssa’s personality was not particularly nuanced and I found myself annoyed with her attitude more than once. I can take a character who is a badass and who has anti-social issues, but it just felt forced and flat in Lyssa’s case.
I also disliked the use of mini-computers and the web throughout the book. There was not a lot of unnecessary technobabble but Razia is constantly pulling up the wanted list of pirates, the accounts of known aliases, etc. This would be fine if I didn’t have to read about it in detail over and over again. Not to mention that we are forced to look at screenshots of her web viewings throughout the book. Of course the main issues I had with that was that the pictures were far too small on my Kindle. It was obnoxious to lean in and try to read them. If you have a different setup or are reading the physical book, it would be less of an issue.
All of that said, this book was not badly written. I really enjoyed the backstory and the world building. In Lyssa’s universe scientists find, analyse, and sell planets to the highest bidders. There are all kinds of crazy planets with exotic wildlife. The parts of the story where Lyssa investigates planets were more interesting than the bounty hunting portions and I would have liked to have seen that part of the world taken advantage of. The world also has a rich religion, which is unique to this book. Their take on the Great Creator and their idea of heaven and hell was intriguing. I would have preferred more time spent on that aspect, rather than just using it as a catalyst for Lyssa’s character development.
If you are looking for an action-based book about bounty hunters and pirates, try this out. If you’re looking for something more nuanced, maybe skip it.
Visit my blog for this review and more!
October 11, 2014
I couldn't finish this one, so the review is only on the first fourth of the book. The book wasn't for me anyway. After a few pages, it was clearly a YA science fiction book leaned heavily towards the youngest end of the young adult category, with a special appeal to girls. Since I am neither a teenager nor a girl, my opinion on the book doesn't carry much weight.
The best way I could describe the story is "Buffy in space." The book combined fairly serious adult elements (piracy, bounty hunters) with a main character who is essentially a teenage girl. The protagonist, Razia, is twenty-one years old but acts like a fourteen year old girl: hopelessly insecure, immature, and with no redeeming qualities in terms of talent or wit. Since I didn't finish the book, it is likely Razia evolved towards the end into a more complete character but for the first quarter, she was unbearable.
The world-building was seriously watered-down. No serious sci-fi fan is going to accept it. Younger readers and non sci-fi fans will be okay with it. Pirate networks doubling as bounty hunters doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Hiring a little girl to be a bounty hunter also doesn't. Razia has a regular life where she has a doctorate (how the hell did she earn that?). Somehow she sells planets, a concept that is not explained. Every planet she visits and "sells" has life, something that suggests humanity has spread over a massive portion of the galaxy. Habitable planets are rare.
There are some style issues but they pale in comparison to the world-building and character issues. Double Life probably appeals to younger readers in the 12-21 age group that loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I guess that leaves a target audience of teenage girls looking to relate to an immature female protagonist.
I give it 2 stars because I can't bring myself to give a self-published work 1 star. There might be an audience for the book, it just isn't me.
The best way I could describe the story is "Buffy in space." The book combined fairly serious adult elements (piracy, bounty hunters) with a main character who is essentially a teenage girl. The protagonist, Razia, is twenty-one years old but acts like a fourteen year old girl: hopelessly insecure, immature, and with no redeeming qualities in terms of talent or wit. Since I didn't finish the book, it is likely Razia evolved towards the end into a more complete character but for the first quarter, she was unbearable.
The world-building was seriously watered-down. No serious sci-fi fan is going to accept it. Younger readers and non sci-fi fans will be okay with it. Pirate networks doubling as bounty hunters doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Hiring a little girl to be a bounty hunter also doesn't. Razia has a regular life where she has a doctorate (how the hell did she earn that?). Somehow she sells planets, a concept that is not explained. Every planet she visits and "sells" has life, something that suggests humanity has spread over a massive portion of the galaxy. Habitable planets are rare.
There are some style issues but they pale in comparison to the world-building and character issues. Double Life probably appeals to younger readers in the 12-21 age group that loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. I guess that leaves a target audience of teenage girls looking to relate to an immature female protagonist.
I give it 2 stars because I can't bring myself to give a self-published work 1 star. There might be an audience for the book, it just isn't me.
February 9, 2016
A quick and fun read, with both humor and depth. I really enjoyed Double Life. Our main character is Lyssa, and the more we get to know her and her back story, the more we understand her alter-identity Razia. Lyssa has been abandoned, betrayed, and rejected--emotionally, spiritually, in so many ways. Razia is so absurdly independent she won't let anyone help her at all because she is strong, she can do this, and she WILL do it, dang it. Clearly, there's a lot of history, and as the story progresses, Lyssa / Razia has to come to terms with who she is, her family, and a better understanding of just what happened the day her father disappeared.
However, instead of reading through long passages of soul searching, we get space pirates! Not to mention new planets to explore (and document, and then sell to the highest bidder--ha! How's that for social commentary?). I actually rather wish there had been more exploration of planets because I really enjoyed that, but the piracy was fun too, even if it took a little while to understand the "game" of it. There was just enough techno jargon to be enjoyable without becoming babble. Sadly, I couldn't make out the "screenshots" of Razia's searches, but I was able to figure out most of what I should have read from the context.
Razia is also one of those characters who would probably drive me crazy in real life. I wanted to shake her so many time, because she lets her emotions--her anger and insecurities--drive her, where a few minutes of quiet thinking would probably have served her much, much better. But there's a reason for those emotions, and while she has a ways to go by the end of the book, she's starting to make some headway. Kudos to Sage Teon, potential love interest and appreciated comic relief, for sticking by her even when she shoved him away. (And can I say how much I appreciate that the biggest relationship that developed over the course of this book was Lyssa's relationship with her brother? So much win! Not that I'm not looking forward to more Sage, but I was so happy to watch the sibling relationship develop.)
Overall, an enjoyable read and a series I intend to keep reading.
However, instead of reading through long passages of soul searching, we get space pirates! Not to mention new planets to explore (and document, and then sell to the highest bidder--ha! How's that for social commentary?). I actually rather wish there had been more exploration of planets because I really enjoyed that, but the piracy was fun too, even if it took a little while to understand the "game" of it. There was just enough techno jargon to be enjoyable without becoming babble. Sadly, I couldn't make out the "screenshots" of Razia's searches, but I was able to figure out most of what I should have read from the context.
Razia is also one of those characters who would probably drive me crazy in real life. I wanted to shake her so many time, because she lets her emotions--her anger and insecurities--drive her, where a few minutes of quiet thinking would probably have served her much, much better. But there's a reason for those emotions, and while she has a ways to go by the end of the book, she's starting to make some headway. Kudos to Sage Teon, potential love interest and appreciated comic relief, for sticking by her even when she shoved him away. (And can I say how much I appreciate that the biggest relationship that developed over the course of this book was Lyssa's relationship with her brother? So much win! Not that I'm not looking forward to more Sage, but I was so happy to watch the sibling relationship develop.)
Overall, an enjoyable read and a series I intend to keep reading.
May 6, 2014
I may be a bit biased, as I have been waiting for the release of this book for years. However, I was certainly not disappointed. S. Usher Evans presents us with a female heroine at the beginning of her journey to balance two completely different lives and she needs to come to terms with her past in order to move forwards with any success. It is a journey that many women can relate to and the growth of Lyssa/Razia throughout the book is intriguing to read. However, all of this character development is balanced by action, adventure, and a healthy dose of snark. I highly recommend this book to any fan of fantasy and I eagerly await the next installment.
Read
July 25, 2016Leaving a small note to say SURPRISE! The cover's been updated! Over the next few weeks, I'll be updating all four Razia books, so be sure to "update" your Kindles and iPads (sorry paperback peoples) to get the new cover.
July 31, 2019
I met Ms. Usher Evans at Baltimore Comic-Con a year or two ago and she is a very prolific author. If any particular book of yours isn't your cup of tea, you can try another - she has magical school YA, fantasy, and SF as well as others. This book is one of her science fiction books.
I like the character Ms. Evans makes with Razia/Lyssa. By changing the context I'm used to, changed the way I look at dual identities in another medium - the superhero story. Her struggles are also quite relevant in the current moment in which MAYBE we might finally be working towards a more equitable work environment for women. Her internal monologue is pretty realistic as are her interactions with others.
I think where the book fell short for me was in the pacing. The book pretty quickly introduces us to Razia/Lyssa's skills, shortcomings, and challenges. Then spends most of the rest of the book without the stakes rising or falling significantly. There isn't really a climax to this story, just a couple hills in place of what should be a mountain, figuratively. I don't know if it's because it was a planned trilogy or just one of Ms. Evans' earlier novels, but I just found myself wondering when things would pick up.
I'm not soured on Ms. Evans' writing; I'd like to check out some of her other series. But I think I'm done with Razia.
I like the character Ms. Evans makes with Razia/Lyssa. By changing the context I'm used to, changed the way I look at dual identities in another medium - the superhero story. Her struggles are also quite relevant in the current moment in which MAYBE we might finally be working towards a more equitable work environment for women. Her internal monologue is pretty realistic as are her interactions with others.
I think where the book fell short for me was in the pacing. The book pretty quickly introduces us to Razia/Lyssa's skills, shortcomings, and challenges. Then spends most of the rest of the book without the stakes rising or falling significantly. There isn't really a climax to this story, just a couple hills in place of what should be a mountain, figuratively. I don't know if it's because it was a planned trilogy or just one of Ms. Evans' earlier novels, but I just found myself wondering when things would pick up.
I'm not soured on Ms. Evans' writing; I'd like to check out some of her other series. But I think I'm done with Razia.
February 8, 2017
This is a tricky review to write because I loved Double Life a lot and I'm trying really hard to not ramble on about things nobody would understand. I wasn't expecting to love Double Life as much as I did. I was confident that it would be a 4 star read (partially because I'm not much of a sci-fi reader). I was pleasantly surprised when I was easily sucked into the world of bounty hunting and planet excavation.
My favourite part of Double Life was easily the whole bounty hunting aspect. I can't tell you why, but I loved it. It just felt like this big game where pirates hunt other pirates to make their rankings go higher. Something about that just made me really excited to keep reading this book (and eventually the whole series). I even found the idea of excavating and selling planets was pretty cool. Let's be real though, I thought everything was pretty cool. While the plot of Double Life was mostly about bounty hunting and being a pirate, I actually really enjoyed Lyssa's life of exploring planets too. I liked that we got to see a good chunk of both her identities instead of only focusing on the one. I'm really happy with how that turned out.
I wasn't a fan of Lyssa/Razia at the start of the book. I didn't hate her but I didn't love her either. As I kept reading she started to grow on me. There were quite a few times that I wanted to give her a good smack across the face but I ended up really enjoying her company. I think it was her voice that really stuck with me. I loved the sarcasm and witty responses. I loved that she didn't let anybody tell her what to do. I loved that she could seriously kick some ass. I also really loved her relationship with Sage (though we didn't see enough of him in this book to make me REALLY happy). I can tell he's going to be an interesting character in the later books and I can't wait to see more of him.
Double Life deserved all the possible stars I could give it. It hooked me from the first chapter and didn't let me leave until I was done (thankfully it was a quick read for me). I don't think I've ever read through a book with this much desperation, just to see what happened next.
My favourite part of Double Life was easily the whole bounty hunting aspect. I can't tell you why, but I loved it. It just felt like this big game where pirates hunt other pirates to make their rankings go higher. Something about that just made me really excited to keep reading this book (and eventually the whole series). I even found the idea of excavating and selling planets was pretty cool. Let's be real though, I thought everything was pretty cool. While the plot of Double Life was mostly about bounty hunting and being a pirate, I actually really enjoyed Lyssa's life of exploring planets too. I liked that we got to see a good chunk of both her identities instead of only focusing on the one. I'm really happy with how that turned out.
I wasn't a fan of Lyssa/Razia at the start of the book. I didn't hate her but I didn't love her either. As I kept reading she started to grow on me. There were quite a few times that I wanted to give her a good smack across the face but I ended up really enjoying her company. I think it was her voice that really stuck with me. I loved the sarcasm and witty responses. I loved that she didn't let anybody tell her what to do. I loved that she could seriously kick some ass. I also really loved her relationship with Sage (though we didn't see enough of him in this book to make me REALLY happy). I can tell he's going to be an interesting character in the later books and I can't wait to see more of him.
Double Life deserved all the possible stars I could give it. It hooked me from the first chapter and didn't let me leave until I was done (thankfully it was a quick read for me). I don't think I've ever read through a book with this much desperation, just to see what happened next.
April 6, 2015
Have you ever seen the show Cowboy Bebop? It's a really amazing anime that I'll admit to watching many times (and seeing as how I don't watch much anime at all, that's saying something :). Anyhow, Double Life really reminded me of this great show in all the best ways. I love a good piracy game, and in space just makes it more fun. Add in some characters who are wonderfully complex (though at times make you want to scream at them, *ahem* Razia...), this was a really fun read. I did find myself thinking that the world building could have been a bit more creative in places, but I was invested in what happened to Lyssa and needed to know how she'd fare to overlook that. While the ending was a touch on the predictable side, I did enjoy it, and definitely can't wait to read more of this series!
August 17, 2019
Q:
Time seemed to stand still in the center of Leveman's Vortex. (c)
Q:
Time seemed to stand still in the center of Leveman's Vortex. (c)
Q:
August 1, 2014
Double Life is a snappy sci-fi adventure that follows Lyssa/Razia, the sometimes-scholar, sometimes-pirate, to the far reaches of space as she tries to find balance and meaning in her life. It’s a wild and thrilling ride filled with pirates, bounty hunters, betrayal and trust, and at its core, a quest for self-knowledge that is more dangerous and uncertain than any of the planets and any of the pirates Lyssa/Razia encounters.
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and a solid debut. It’s not your standard hard sci-fi, and it’s got a bit more soul than your average space opera. I would have liked to see some more development of the secondary characters…that is definitely something I will hope we’ll get in the next book! I loved the idea of Lyssa having to float a day job she hates (and which traps her in the web of everything she is desperate to escape) to fund the career she really wants, which no one believes she can succeed at. (Many writers, I think, can empathize with that predicament!:)
I admit I was a bit lost at the beginning as to who was hunting who and why, and so found it hard to be invested in the events. It wasn’t made clear until much later in the book that it was a sort of game (I think the book description now makes that clear, but I don’t think it did when I got the book), and there are a lot of pirates and aliases that were sometimes hard to keep straight. But as I got the hang of it, I had a great time trying to figure out who the different pirates were along with Razia, and I love, love, love how expectations and reality didn’t always align.
A little more elaboration about her family and her past early on in the story might have helped too — for a while I wasn’t clear how old Vel was, for instance (he seemed very young at first), and why Lyssa wouldn’t have recognized him. But as the story went on I found him to be fascinating and totally cool…he was definitely one of my favorite characters! I really liked Sage too. . I wanted to know more about him, about how he and Lyssa knew each other before, and what happened that divided them. I really hope he comes back in book 2, because I could use a whole lot more Sage in my life! :-)
Lyssa/Razia was an interesting character for me. She obviously had some really crazy internal conflicts stemming from the events of her childhood. The haunting of that trauma was really well played out, I thought. There was a lot of mystery surrounding those events, and I don’t think it was drawn out unnecessarily. (I mean, we’re talking trauma. Repressing memories like that is normal.) That said, I sometimes had a hard time connecting with her. Maybe it’s just me, because I’ve never really dealt with a lot people who scream regularly. It sometimes felt like most of the conversations ended up in an argument or shouting match. I’ve always associated screaming with a lack of self-control, so that made it more difficult to empathize with her. I know Lyssa is a very broken character who struggles with massive trust issues and insecurity, but I would have loved to see her have at least one other character she could trust and confide in. Even when we’ve got a strong character who is capable of walking the dark paths alone and fighting her own way back to the surface, it’s hard to see her completely isolated. Of course, as her relationship with Vel starts to grow stronger, I found her amazement at her own fondness for him to be absolutely wonderful.
I really enjoyed the climax of this story, and thought it was fascinating how everything kind of comes full circle for her. All in all, I thought this was a fascinating read and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Overall I found this to be an enjoyable read and a solid debut. It’s not your standard hard sci-fi, and it’s got a bit more soul than your average space opera. I would have liked to see some more development of the secondary characters…that is definitely something I will hope we’ll get in the next book! I loved the idea of Lyssa having to float a day job she hates (and which traps her in the web of everything she is desperate to escape) to fund the career she really wants, which no one believes she can succeed at. (Many writers, I think, can empathize with that predicament!:)
I admit I was a bit lost at the beginning as to who was hunting who and why, and so found it hard to be invested in the events. It wasn’t made clear until much later in the book that it was a sort of game (I think the book description now makes that clear, but I don’t think it did when I got the book), and there are a lot of pirates and aliases that were sometimes hard to keep straight. But as I got the hang of it, I had a great time trying to figure out who the different pirates were along with Razia, and I love, love, love how expectations and reality didn’t always align.
A little more elaboration about her family and her past early on in the story might have helped too — for a while I wasn’t clear how old Vel was, for instance (he seemed very young at first), and why Lyssa wouldn’t have recognized him. But as the story went on I found him to be fascinating and totally cool…he was definitely one of my favorite characters! I really liked Sage too. . I wanted to know more about him, about how he and Lyssa knew each other before, and what happened that divided them. I really hope he comes back in book 2, because I could use a whole lot more Sage in my life! :-)
Lyssa/Razia was an interesting character for me. She obviously had some really crazy internal conflicts stemming from the events of her childhood. The haunting of that trauma was really well played out, I thought. There was a lot of mystery surrounding those events, and I don’t think it was drawn out unnecessarily. (I mean, we’re talking trauma. Repressing memories like that is normal.) That said, I sometimes had a hard time connecting with her. Maybe it’s just me, because I’ve never really dealt with a lot people who scream regularly. It sometimes felt like most of the conversations ended up in an argument or shouting match. I’ve always associated screaming with a lack of self-control, so that made it more difficult to empathize with her. I know Lyssa is a very broken character who struggles with massive trust issues and insecurity, but I would have loved to see her have at least one other character she could trust and confide in. Even when we’ve got a strong character who is capable of walking the dark paths alone and fighting her own way back to the surface, it’s hard to see her completely isolated. Of course, as her relationship with Vel starts to grow stronger, I found her amazement at her own fondness for him to be absolutely wonderful.
I really enjoyed the climax of this story, and thought it was fascinating how everything kind of comes full circle for her. All in all, I thought this was a fascinating read and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
October 9, 2014
Psychocat Reads Review of DOUBLE LIFE by S. Usher Evans
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I'll start off by saying, I don't read sci-fi. It's just never been one of my genres of choice. Of course, when S. Usher Evans joined The Sassy Summer Book Party, I had to go be nosey and check out her book.
Hm, I may not read sci-fi, but PIRATES! Grant it, I haven't really read much pirate stuff either, but something about it just sounded fun. In the end, I decided to tempt fate (or possibly pissing off one of our SSBP authors), and offer to review DOUBLE LIFE. Mel can attest that while in Indy last week I was a bit nervous about how this was going end. After all, I really (REALLY) hate writing bad reviews.
So it was with no small amount of trepidation that I cracked open DOUBLE LIFE on my Kindle app Sunday evening. Let's see how my sci-fi book guinea pig held up.
The Characters: It didn't take long to decide that this book is driven far more by its characters than the sci-fi elements. You could have put Lyssa in any number of settings, and her personality and struggles would have resonated just as strongly. Her sass captured me early on, but by the end, there was so much more to her character that makes her a strong main character.
The secondary characters were also well done. Some of them play very minimal roles, but both Sage and Vel leave larger impressions on the book. I hope to see more of both of them as the Razia series continues.
The Relationships: This is absolutely NOT a romance, but it is a book full of people which means there are interactions and relationships to evaluate. First, OMG Evans' guest post yesterday was so dead on about the Sage / Razia relationship. I had to laugh at the obliviousness surrounding them.
On a less amusing note, the relationship between Lyssa/Razia and her family is insane. It all makes complete sense, but it also really just makes you want to knock some sense into some people. Seriously guys? What a bunch of asshats!
The Book as Part of a Series: Since the cover clearly says it's the first in the Razia series, I'm expecting more books to turn up. As the opener for a series, DOUBLE LIFE laid a solid foundation to understand the world (um... lots of planets, so maybe universe?) the story plays out. I was very pleased with the end of this book. I felt like we were given a solid conclusion to the plot. At the same time, Evans leaves plenty of juicy stuff out there that additional books can play from.
Jen's Final Rating: 5 STARS! From being terrified to crack the book open, to completely unable to put the book down, DOUBLE LIFE was a huge surprise for me. This was an incredible, character driven story, and with characters this fiesty it was impossible to step away.
Psychocat's Final Rating: 5 CLAWS! If Razia ever changes her mind about having a crew, this crazy feline will be first in line to sign up. She's convinced she'd prove more than minimally useful.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
I'll start off by saying, I don't read sci-fi. It's just never been one of my genres of choice. Of course, when S. Usher Evans joined The Sassy Summer Book Party, I had to go be nosey and check out her book.
Hm, I may not read sci-fi, but PIRATES! Grant it, I haven't really read much pirate stuff either, but something about it just sounded fun. In the end, I decided to tempt fate (or possibly pissing off one of our SSBP authors), and offer to review DOUBLE LIFE. Mel can attest that while in Indy last week I was a bit nervous about how this was going end. After all, I really (REALLY) hate writing bad reviews.
So it was with no small amount of trepidation that I cracked open DOUBLE LIFE on my Kindle app Sunday evening. Let's see how my sci-fi book guinea pig held up.
The Characters: It didn't take long to decide that this book is driven far more by its characters than the sci-fi elements. You could have put Lyssa in any number of settings, and her personality and struggles would have resonated just as strongly. Her sass captured me early on, but by the end, there was so much more to her character that makes her a strong main character.
The secondary characters were also well done. Some of them play very minimal roles, but both Sage and Vel leave larger impressions on the book. I hope to see more of both of them as the Razia series continues.
The Relationships: This is absolutely NOT a romance, but it is a book full of people which means there are interactions and relationships to evaluate. First, OMG Evans' guest post yesterday was so dead on about the Sage / Razia relationship. I had to laugh at the obliviousness surrounding them.
On a less amusing note, the relationship between Lyssa/Razia and her family is insane. It all makes complete sense, but it also really just makes you want to knock some sense into some people. Seriously guys? What a bunch of asshats!
The Book as Part of a Series: Since the cover clearly says it's the first in the Razia series, I'm expecting more books to turn up. As the opener for a series, DOUBLE LIFE laid a solid foundation to understand the world (um... lots of planets, so maybe universe?) the story plays out. I was very pleased with the end of this book. I felt like we were given a solid conclusion to the plot. At the same time, Evans leaves plenty of juicy stuff out there that additional books can play from.
Jen's Final Rating: 5 STARS! From being terrified to crack the book open, to completely unable to put the book down, DOUBLE LIFE was a huge surprise for me. This was an incredible, character driven story, and with characters this fiesty it was impossible to step away.
Psychocat's Final Rating: 5 CLAWS! If Razia ever changes her mind about having a crew, this crazy feline will be first in line to sign up. She's convinced she'd prove more than minimally useful.
April 27, 2016
Review also on the blog The Book Voyagers
I needed a space-opera book at the moment. Double Life came at the right time and S. Usher Evans wrote such a interesting universe to read about.
Things that I enjoyed hella lots:
✓ I love Razia. She's filled with spunk and so much passion in her heart. She reminded me a bit of Thora James from Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie. That when people tell her no and that why does she try to do stuff she won't get, she tells them to shut it and probe them all wrong. She is a great bounty hunter and really frigging smart. Plus she's the only female pirate. She has to try to get to the top even though all the other male pirates tell her she won't make it because she's a "girl". She goes for the biggest pirates because it's her dream to be one of the greatest.
✓ Even though Vel pissed me off at some points. Like whenever he thought their family was right and they didn't mean anything they did to Razia. I was like please don't make excuses for them, what they did was super wrong and awful. But his relationship with Razia was great to see to be honest. She needed her little brother there and the banter and sibling-fighting was superb to see.
✓ Pirates in space says it all. I mean who can resist?!!! And it is actually like a game. So there are these webs that have Runners that run the webs and they all have their own pirates like in charge of them. The thing is to hunt pirates from other webs and catch them and put them to jail. That gets you serious points and $$$ plus you in against the other web pirates and your rank goes up. You have to keep hidden so the other pirates don't catch you and you *clap* start again *clap*
✓ This could be such a fun anime. I seriusly thought about it when I was reading it. The opening scene and the whole plotline felt right, now I need a studio to know about this book and writes me an animated show please. I have a feeling Razia would be loved very very much.
✓ Let's not forget Sage. As S. Usher Evans saw I'm a complete mess whenever it came to him. He totally stole my heart and he didn't even appear /that/ much lol. You can see something going on there with Razia, the fact that he is the only one who knows her secret identity and her childhood self?? That gets serious points in my favor. Plus he's always there somehow hah!
Things that I didn't enjoy a lot:
✓ The way the "waiters" "girls" at bars were described as. The "skimpy" clothes and stuff like that. It didn't come down really well, oops.
✓ Some plots that were left unattended. But I'm not sure if they will be tackled in the next ones so I will have to see?
I'm very !!! to read next books and will do this asap of course. I am too deep in this world and want to know all the pirate shenanigans to come!
I needed a space-opera book at the moment. Double Life came at the right time and S. Usher Evans wrote such a interesting universe to read about.
Things that I enjoyed hella lots:
✓ I love Razia. She's filled with spunk and so much passion in her heart. She reminded me a bit of Thora James from Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie. That when people tell her no and that why does she try to do stuff she won't get, she tells them to shut it and probe them all wrong. She is a great bounty hunter and really frigging smart. Plus she's the only female pirate. She has to try to get to the top even though all the other male pirates tell her she won't make it because she's a "girl". She goes for the biggest pirates because it's her dream to be one of the greatest.
✓ Even though Vel pissed me off at some points. Like whenever he thought their family was right and they didn't mean anything they did to Razia. I was like please don't make excuses for them, what they did was super wrong and awful. But his relationship with Razia was great to see to be honest. She needed her little brother there and the banter and sibling-fighting was superb to see.
✓ Pirates in space says it all. I mean who can resist?!!! And it is actually like a game. So there are these webs that have Runners that run the webs and they all have their own pirates like in charge of them. The thing is to hunt pirates from other webs and catch them and put them to jail. That gets you serious points and $$$ plus you in against the other web pirates and your rank goes up. You have to keep hidden so the other pirates don't catch you and you *clap* start again *clap*
✓ This could be such a fun anime. I seriusly thought about it when I was reading it. The opening scene and the whole plotline felt right, now I need a studio to know about this book and writes me an animated show please. I have a feeling Razia would be loved very very much.
✓ Let's not forget Sage. As S. Usher Evans saw I'm a complete mess whenever it came to him. He totally stole my heart and he didn't even appear /that/ much lol. You can see something going on there with Razia, the fact that he is the only one who knows her secret identity and her childhood self?? That gets serious points in my favor. Plus he's always there somehow hah!
Things that I didn't enjoy a lot:
✓ The way the "waiters" "girls" at bars were described as. The "skimpy" clothes and stuff like that. It didn't come down really well, oops.
✓ Some plots that were left unattended. But I'm not sure if they will be tackled in the next ones so I will have to see?
I'm very !!! to read next books and will do this asap of course. I am too deep in this world and want to know all the pirate shenanigans to come!
January 10, 2016
This review was originally posted on Literary Legionnaire
Lyssa Peate is living a double life. She juggles between selling planets as a Deep Space Explorer (DSE) and trying to hunt down intergalactic space pirates as Razia the Bounty Hunter, all while going through an identity crisis and dealing with her family that disowned her, her annoying younger brother who won't leave her alone, and Sage Teon, a guy from her past who just happens to show up whenever she's in trouble—whether she wants him to or not.
I immensely enjoyed Double Life. I've always been wary about sci-fi, but this one was a super fun and fast-paced space opera. For the most part, the characters were intriguing and lovable (I mean if I’m being honest, some were complete b*tches/a**holes). Even Lyssa had her faults. Although Lyssa could be annoying at times, she went through a transformation throughout the book, and it was incredible seeing her start to accept all aspects of herself and her past.
Speaking of Lyssa's past, it was really heartbreaking to read about. She felt so alone and powerless, and her family did nothing to help her—in fact they were the ones who catalyzed her uncertainty and hatred for herself. She is such a strong character, and even though she often overestimates her abilities, in many ways she also underestimates herself. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but in the sense of her double life, she overestimated her abilities as Razia and underestimated the power of Dr. Lyssa Peate. Although Razia often stuck her nose in situations she couldn't handle, this flaw added to the high-stakes storyline.
The plot was action-packed and so exhilarating. It was fascinating reading about Razia's mad talent for piecing together data and hunting pirates. Sometimes the data tracking scenes were a little confusing with all the graphics, but all in all the scenes were still fun to read.
The story was super creative. I never really thought space books could be so broad and unique, but I guess the possibilities are endless in space since so much is still left unexplored. The concept of Leveman's Vortex was INSANELY cool, like I still can't even contemplate how epic that part of the story was. Leveman's was a huge part of Lyssa's childhood and her father's career, but it was so interesting how their religion was centered around it as well. So often it seems to be science vs. religion, and even in this book it was like that, but it also kind of proved that it does not have to be one or the other.
Overall, Double Life was an extremely enjoyable read. It had a fantastic plot and unique concepts, as well as characters I absolutely loved. I am looking really forward to continuing the series and seeing Razia's story play out.
✪✪✪✪
Lyssa Peate is living a double life. She juggles between selling planets as a Deep Space Explorer (DSE) and trying to hunt down intergalactic space pirates as Razia the Bounty Hunter, all while going through an identity crisis and dealing with her family that disowned her, her annoying younger brother who won't leave her alone, and Sage Teon, a guy from her past who just happens to show up whenever she's in trouble—whether she wants him to or not.
I immensely enjoyed Double Life. I've always been wary about sci-fi, but this one was a super fun and fast-paced space opera. For the most part, the characters were intriguing and lovable (I mean if I’m being honest, some were complete b*tches/a**holes). Even Lyssa had her faults. Although Lyssa could be annoying at times, she went through a transformation throughout the book, and it was incredible seeing her start to accept all aspects of herself and her past.
Speaking of Lyssa's past, it was really heartbreaking to read about. She felt so alone and powerless, and her family did nothing to help her—in fact they were the ones who catalyzed her uncertainty and hatred for herself. She is such a strong character, and even though she often overestimates her abilities, in many ways she also underestimates herself. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but in the sense of her double life, she overestimated her abilities as Razia and underestimated the power of Dr. Lyssa Peate. Although Razia often stuck her nose in situations she couldn't handle, this flaw added to the high-stakes storyline.
The plot was action-packed and so exhilarating. It was fascinating reading about Razia's mad talent for piecing together data and hunting pirates. Sometimes the data tracking scenes were a little confusing with all the graphics, but all in all the scenes were still fun to read.
The story was super creative. I never really thought space books could be so broad and unique, but I guess the possibilities are endless in space since so much is still left unexplored. The concept of Leveman's Vortex was INSANELY cool, like I still can't even contemplate how epic that part of the story was. Leveman's was a huge part of Lyssa's childhood and her father's career, but it was so interesting how their religion was centered around it as well. So often it seems to be science vs. religion, and even in this book it was like that, but it also kind of proved that it does not have to be one or the other.
Overall, Double Life was an extremely enjoyable read. It had a fantastic plot and unique concepts, as well as characters I absolutely loved. I am looking really forward to continuing the series and seeing Razia's story play out.
✪✪✪✪
November 8, 2014
Double Life by S Usher Evans
(I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The story is set in a very small universe where pirating is a game of one-upmanship, seeing who can get the highest bounty on their head while staying clear of the U-Pol and their bounty hunting colleagues.
Young Dr. Lyssandra Peate, used and abused by her father and family in her tender, younger years, yearns to become Razia, a bounty-hunting pirate and earning the highest bounty in the universe. Convinced that only when she does this will everyone realize that she is not worthless; that she does deserve to be respected.
Unfortunately, after two years, though she is an accepted member in one of the contending top pirate webs she is still humiliatingly on probation. Constantly humored and ridiculed, given only low-level jobs she watches and waits for her chance to prove her worth.
In the meantime, following her famous and now missing father’s example, Lyssa uses her doctorate in Deep Space Exploration at the Planetary and System Science Academy to foot the bill for her alter ego. Excavating planets and selling them while she dodges an unscrupulous DSE Supervisor who is convinced she is continuing her father’s work on the one of the universe’s mysteries, Leveman’s Vortex - work he wants to publish under his own name.
Her past and her present all seem to combine to drag Lyssa’s self-image (which was not so great to begin with thanks to her mother refusing to ransom her from a pirate at age 11) deeper and deeper into the mire. She has become a strong, independent, sassy, bitter, loner who pushes everyone who tries to help her away. She has few acquaintances whom she can trust. Sage, a charming childhood pirate friend, plays the guardian angel despite her keen insistence that she needs no help. Harms, an omniscient informer, befriended her despite her being a woman. Val, her never-before-met and unwelcomed 16-year-old brother latches on to her wagon, irritates, and pushes her toward an ending that does not exactly surprise the reader.
Still, I have to say I identified with this young, desperately troubled woman and her sassy, reckless ways. I enjoyed this story and the characterizations. There is action, sass, and humor but the grit and grime of the underworld one would expect from a story of piracy and bounty hunting is missing - to no real ill effect. A charming story that keeps to the light.
Double Life is the first book for this author and I look forward to the sequels she plans for the Razia series.
(I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The story is set in a very small universe where pirating is a game of one-upmanship, seeing who can get the highest bounty on their head while staying clear of the U-Pol and their bounty hunting colleagues.
Young Dr. Lyssandra Peate, used and abused by her father and family in her tender, younger years, yearns to become Razia, a bounty-hunting pirate and earning the highest bounty in the universe. Convinced that only when she does this will everyone realize that she is not worthless; that she does deserve to be respected.
Unfortunately, after two years, though she is an accepted member in one of the contending top pirate webs she is still humiliatingly on probation. Constantly humored and ridiculed, given only low-level jobs she watches and waits for her chance to prove her worth.
In the meantime, following her famous and now missing father’s example, Lyssa uses her doctorate in Deep Space Exploration at the Planetary and System Science Academy to foot the bill for her alter ego. Excavating planets and selling them while she dodges an unscrupulous DSE Supervisor who is convinced she is continuing her father’s work on the one of the universe’s mysteries, Leveman’s Vortex - work he wants to publish under his own name.
Her past and her present all seem to combine to drag Lyssa’s self-image (which was not so great to begin with thanks to her mother refusing to ransom her from a pirate at age 11) deeper and deeper into the mire. She has become a strong, independent, sassy, bitter, loner who pushes everyone who tries to help her away. She has few acquaintances whom she can trust. Sage, a charming childhood pirate friend, plays the guardian angel despite her keen insistence that she needs no help. Harms, an omniscient informer, befriended her despite her being a woman. Val, her never-before-met and unwelcomed 16-year-old brother latches on to her wagon, irritates, and pushes her toward an ending that does not exactly surprise the reader.
Still, I have to say I identified with this young, desperately troubled woman and her sassy, reckless ways. I enjoyed this story and the characterizations. There is action, sass, and humor but the grit and grime of the underworld one would expect from a story of piracy and bounty hunting is missing - to no real ill effect. A charming story that keeps to the light.
Double Life is the first book for this author and I look forward to the sequels she plans for the Razia series.
October 29, 2014
Double Life (2014) introduces the reader to Lyssa, a space scientist with a dark secret. Officially, she pursues a career at the Academy, excavating and selling planets for a living, but what nobody knows is that she leads a double life as a pirate under the name of Razia. She is forever treading a dangerous line between her two aliases and as the bounty on her head rises, the stakes do as well. Together with Lyssa, we enter the criminal underworld where pirates and bounty hunters play a dangerous game, all under the corrupt and watchful eye of the police.
Lyssa is one of those love-to-hate (but mostly love) classic heroines whose poor decision-making and fatal flaws throw her into one difficult situation after another. She has lots of personality and a temper like a ticking bomb. You do wish her well and I was on her side most of the time, but still, when hardships hit, you kind of feel she has it coming. That’s a difficult balance to achieve, and one that Evans manages delightfully.
What really gives Double Life its sparkle, however, is the fictional universe in which it takes place. If I had to choose one word to describe it, it’d be the oh-so-literary ”cool”. Honestly though, how can you not love funky pirate characters moving across an infinite playground in space, hunting and taunting each other with humour and deadly seriousness at once? It’s believable and well established in a way which makes it feel real – and gives that silly and wonderful urge of wishing it was indeed reality.
Finally, even if this is a fantasy novel it does what good fantasy usually does: it discusses real-life issues like sexism, political corruption, and justice. Through the main character, Evans allows us to peek into the flaws of her society – flaws that much resemble those we see around us every day. This is not a political novel, but the politics is there, nestled in the thrilling, unpredictable and captivating story of Lyssa/Razia.
All in all, Double Life has plenty of sparkle and soul. For fans of YA fantasy, heavy or light, I’d absolutely recommend Double Life. It’s a quick read, a real page-turner, and an entertaining one at that. Whether you like dystopia, reality-linked fantasy or urban fantasy, Double Life is for you. I hope more readers will discover this series, and that S. Usher Evans keeps the novels coming! The sequel is scheduled for early next year and I, for one, cannot wait!
Lyssa is one of those love-to-hate (but mostly love) classic heroines whose poor decision-making and fatal flaws throw her into one difficult situation after another. She has lots of personality and a temper like a ticking bomb. You do wish her well and I was on her side most of the time, but still, when hardships hit, you kind of feel she has it coming. That’s a difficult balance to achieve, and one that Evans manages delightfully.
What really gives Double Life its sparkle, however, is the fictional universe in which it takes place. If I had to choose one word to describe it, it’d be the oh-so-literary ”cool”. Honestly though, how can you not love funky pirate characters moving across an infinite playground in space, hunting and taunting each other with humour and deadly seriousness at once? It’s believable and well established in a way which makes it feel real – and gives that silly and wonderful urge of wishing it was indeed reality.
Finally, even if this is a fantasy novel it does what good fantasy usually does: it discusses real-life issues like sexism, political corruption, and justice. Through the main character, Evans allows us to peek into the flaws of her society – flaws that much resemble those we see around us every day. This is not a political novel, but the politics is there, nestled in the thrilling, unpredictable and captivating story of Lyssa/Razia.
All in all, Double Life has plenty of sparkle and soul. For fans of YA fantasy, heavy or light, I’d absolutely recommend Double Life. It’s a quick read, a real page-turner, and an entertaining one at that. Whether you like dystopia, reality-linked fantasy or urban fantasy, Double Life is for you. I hope more readers will discover this series, and that S. Usher Evans keeps the novels coming! The sequel is scheduled for early next year and I, for one, cannot wait!
March 7, 2015
NetGalley! Thanks for the copy.
My feelings on books based in space is neutral. I hate some. I like some. I love some. (Must I give examples?). But I think that Double Life is more in the "I like some" area. It isn't bad, and it is good at some parts, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Want to dig with me? Let's get started.
Lyssa and Razia is the same person. Lyssa is a boring doctor who discovers planets and sells them to rich people who want to do whatever they want to those planets. Razia is the more... exotic pirate who pretty much does what she wants... Or maybe not. Razia is still on probation, and Razia is the equivalent of a petty thief. And Lyssa is on the brink of getting broke.
And Lyssa has a lot of issues. A lot of issues. Shall we start with the beginning? She was abused as a child, she was neglected, and she was easily forgotten. She has like twenty-four siblings or something like that, and she is barely remembered. And if she is remembered, her mother would curse her name like the devil is chasing her mother's heel.
The piracy game is pretty easy enough to understand. It is like a video game. If you can ignore the fact that Lyssa can be executed, of course. So fun stuff. And that space thing makes it even more interesting (though I'm very curious by how fast Lyssa's space ship could fly).
There are some parts of the plot that goes a bit weird, and some events are not executed properly, but Double Life isn't terribly bad. Though it is slow in the beginning. Annoyingly slow.
I also have to mention Lyssa and Vel's relationship. It both amuses and delights me. Seriously, I just like it so much. Brother/sister relationship. Gosh. Lyssa has to make up for years of disappearance. And some parts of their relationship gets... really funny.
Overall, I think that Double Life is a very interesting book. There is still room for more editing and changes (especially in smoothness of plot). The characters are great, and I'm glad Double Life isn't centered around a romance. Thank goodness.
Rating: Three out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
My feelings on books based in space is neutral. I hate some. I like some. I love some. (Must I give examples?). But I think that Double Life is more in the "I like some" area. It isn't bad, and it is good at some parts, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Want to dig with me? Let's get started.
Lyssa and Razia is the same person. Lyssa is a boring doctor who discovers planets and sells them to rich people who want to do whatever they want to those planets. Razia is the more... exotic pirate who pretty much does what she wants... Or maybe not. Razia is still on probation, and Razia is the equivalent of a petty thief. And Lyssa is on the brink of getting broke.
And Lyssa has a lot of issues. A lot of issues. Shall we start with the beginning? She was abused as a child, she was neglected, and she was easily forgotten. She has like twenty-four siblings or something like that, and she is barely remembered. And if she is remembered, her mother would curse her name like the devil is chasing her mother's heel.
The piracy game is pretty easy enough to understand. It is like a video game. If you can ignore the fact that Lyssa can be executed, of course. So fun stuff. And that space thing makes it even more interesting (though I'm very curious by how fast Lyssa's space ship could fly).
There are some parts of the plot that goes a bit weird, and some events are not executed properly, but Double Life isn't terribly bad. Though it is slow in the beginning. Annoyingly slow.
I also have to mention Lyssa and Vel's relationship. It both amuses and delights me. Seriously, I just like it so much. Brother/sister relationship. Gosh. Lyssa has to make up for years of disappearance. And some parts of their relationship gets... really funny.
Overall, I think that Double Life is a very interesting book. There is still room for more editing and changes (especially in smoothness of plot). The characters are great, and I'm glad Double Life isn't centered around a romance. Thank goodness.
Rating: Three out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
March 7, 2016
Lyssa Peate and Razia are the same person.
And they are representative of every woman on this planet (and, who knows, maybe others).
While Lyssa Peate excavates new planets and sells them to the highest bidder, Razia hunts pirates. While Lyssa Peate pretends to continue her father's research as an outcast from the rest of her family, Razia's trying to climb the ranks. Both of them are desperate for their freedom—Lyssa Peate wants to disappear for good, and Razia wants her pick of the pirate bounties. And neither of them are going to get what they want unless Razia's pirate runner starts treating her as an equal, and not a little girl playing dress up with the big boys.
Filled with humor, wild characters, a breathtaking scientific and space-oriented universe, and heart-pounding action and mystery (yes, mystery; watching Razia hunt pirates and uncover their aliases is the coolest thing ever), there is no doubt that the character of Lyssa/Razia is the heart of this story. She's surrounded by people who insist there's a limit to her worth, which means she works twice as hard for half as much, and that kind of life gives her the kind of strength that only comes from overcoming emotional hardship. it's the kind of hardship that doesn't make the reader pity her, though; much better, it's the kind of hardship that makes the reader identify.
Which almost overpowered my disappointment of the predictability of the plot. Maybe not predictability; more like it felt like Razia's bad decisions were unfounded and illogical, so much so that even Razia should have been smarter. Too heavy an author's hand? Maybe.
Despite that, this is a great first novel set in a universe that's much bigger than we'll probably ever know. I'm highly anticipating reading the sequel, which promises much more mystery and much more of Lyssa/Razia's badassery, Vel and Teon's antics, Relleck's irritating arrogance, and a slew of new characters that I can't wait to meet.
And they are representative of every woman on this planet (and, who knows, maybe others).
While Lyssa Peate excavates new planets and sells them to the highest bidder, Razia hunts pirates. While Lyssa Peate pretends to continue her father's research as an outcast from the rest of her family, Razia's trying to climb the ranks. Both of them are desperate for their freedom—Lyssa Peate wants to disappear for good, and Razia wants her pick of the pirate bounties. And neither of them are going to get what they want unless Razia's pirate runner starts treating her as an equal, and not a little girl playing dress up with the big boys.
Filled with humor, wild characters, a breathtaking scientific and space-oriented universe, and heart-pounding action and mystery (yes, mystery; watching Razia hunt pirates and uncover their aliases is the coolest thing ever), there is no doubt that the character of Lyssa/Razia is the heart of this story. She's surrounded by people who insist there's a limit to her worth, which means she works twice as hard for half as much, and that kind of life gives her the kind of strength that only comes from overcoming emotional hardship. it's the kind of hardship that doesn't make the reader pity her, though; much better, it's the kind of hardship that makes the reader identify.
Which almost overpowered my disappointment of the predictability of the plot. Maybe not predictability; more like it felt like Razia's bad decisions were unfounded and illogical, so much so that even Razia should have been smarter. Too heavy an author's hand? Maybe.
Despite that, this is a great first novel set in a universe that's much bigger than we'll probably ever know. I'm highly anticipating reading the sequel, which promises much more mystery and much more of Lyssa/Razia's badassery, Vel and Teon's antics, Relleck's irritating arrogance, and a slew of new characters that I can't wait to meet.
February 16, 2015
A wonderful beginning to a new series. This is what science fiction should be all about - enough technical information to keep you interested, but enough "what if" to let your mind roam over new vistas, and strange encounters.
With an outstanding, strong female character, Ms. Evans takes you on a wonderful ride through the double life of her main character. The dichotomy is written well enough that the two parts do not blur into one another, yet flow seamlessly when you flip "hats".
The recipe used for this mix is that of a brash young lady with enough courage to fight for everything she wants in a profession that doesn't want to accept her contrasted against a meek little mouse with enough attitude to cow the lions of a profession she has to keep just to pay the bills. Season all of this with a family that doesn't want her, and you wonder why this young lady doesn't just go fly herself into a convenient sun.
A wonderfully paced, gripping tale of adventure, intrigue, and skillful use of limited resources that had me turning the pages from the first line.
While I may say this one is a solid 4.5, I do this because there are a very FEW points that are a bit vague. This may be to provide set up for the next book, or it could be the scope of the story distracted me from the finer details that would have filled in these areas. Nothing interfered with the reading experience, and I definitely look forward to the next book in the series.
With an outstanding, strong female character, Ms. Evans takes you on a wonderful ride through the double life of her main character. The dichotomy is written well enough that the two parts do not blur into one another, yet flow seamlessly when you flip "hats".
The recipe used for this mix is that of a brash young lady with enough courage to fight for everything she wants in a profession that doesn't want to accept her contrasted against a meek little mouse with enough attitude to cow the lions of a profession she has to keep just to pay the bills. Season all of this with a family that doesn't want her, and you wonder why this young lady doesn't just go fly herself into a convenient sun.
A wonderfully paced, gripping tale of adventure, intrigue, and skillful use of limited resources that had me turning the pages from the first line.
While I may say this one is a solid 4.5, I do this because there are a very FEW points that are a bit vague. This may be to provide set up for the next book, or it could be the scope of the story distracted me from the finer details that would have filled in these areas. Nothing interfered with the reading experience, and I definitely look forward to the next book in the series.
August 3, 2014
I started to follow this author on Twitter before reading any of her work...and after a while...I read the blurb about this book. It caught my interest. I've read a lot of Sci-Fi/Fantasy over the years, but the concept sounded fun. Pirates in space that bounty hunt each other for sport, a young female scientist who really wants to be a respected pirate, and a mixed up family life fraught with angst. Well, I was ready for light hearted, page turning, romping adventure and this book did not disappoint. While the topics sound heavy, this author makes them fun with the saucy dialogue and good natured resignation of what life throws at the protagonist. Razia/Lyssa is a spitfire with intelligence, and her stubbornness while a weakness is also her strength. My only two thoughts where things could be more interesting if the reasons for the pirates listed for bounty had a bit more variety, and Razia/Lyssa's realization at the end seemed a bit abrupt. I wish there had been more to her realization, and more transformation - but I suppose that comes in book two! I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
July 5, 2014
5 out of 5 stars for Double Life!
Lyssa Peate is a scientist by day and a pirate bounty hunter by night. Even though she is just as capable or more so than any of the male pirates she is not given to opportunity to prove herself until she becomes Razia, one of the most wanted pirates in the universe.
S. Usher Evans has created a wonderful sci fi world filled with bounty hunters and pirates and the moral question of a good vs evil soul. I was totally amazed at how much I became wrapped up in this world. Lyssa/Razia was smart mouthed and kickass but yet sometimes so full of insecurities because of her sad childhood that you can't help but feel for her. I loved the character and the banter between her and Sage, a fellow pirate. The supporting characters were amazing, notably Vel and Harms.
The action is non stop in this book and keeps you hooked until the very end. The writing is amazing and the plot is well thought out. I would recommend any sci fi fan pick this up, you will not be disappointed. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series.
Lyssa Peate is a scientist by day and a pirate bounty hunter by night. Even though she is just as capable or more so than any of the male pirates she is not given to opportunity to prove herself until she becomes Razia, one of the most wanted pirates in the universe.
S. Usher Evans has created a wonderful sci fi world filled with bounty hunters and pirates and the moral question of a good vs evil soul. I was totally amazed at how much I became wrapped up in this world. Lyssa/Razia was smart mouthed and kickass but yet sometimes so full of insecurities because of her sad childhood that you can't help but feel for her. I loved the character and the banter between her and Sage, a fellow pirate. The supporting characters were amazing, notably Vel and Harms.
The action is non stop in this book and keeps you hooked until the very end. The writing is amazing and the plot is well thought out. I would recommend any sci fi fan pick this up, you will not be disappointed. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the next in the series.
November 8, 2014
It is always refreshing to see a kick-butt female lead, especially in science fiction. Razia is a butt kicker, but because she is a woman, the only female pirate for that matter, she doesn't get the same respect as her male colleagues, despite working twice as hard as any of them. Sadly, this may be fiction, but the real world parallels can be drawn without much of a stretch.
Razia (and Lyssa) can be a bit brusque. The biggest criticism that I see from other reviewers is that she can't accept help when it's offered. Well, given the history we uncover, is that so odd? In many ways Razia is not unlike a feral cat who has spent a life surviving in the streets and does not readily trust even the kindest of humans.
I found the story to be well written, entertaining, and engaging. The supporting characters are fantastic and the villains are satisfyingly evil. I can't wait to see what awaits Razia in the next book. I'm also quite curious to learn more about the smartly dressed woman and what she really does.
Razia (and Lyssa) can be a bit brusque. The biggest criticism that I see from other reviewers is that she can't accept help when it's offered. Well, given the history we uncover, is that so odd? In many ways Razia is not unlike a feral cat who has spent a life surviving in the streets and does not readily trust even the kindest of humans.
I found the story to be well written, entertaining, and engaging. The supporting characters are fantastic and the villains are satisfyingly evil. I can't wait to see what awaits Razia in the next book. I'm also quite curious to learn more about the smartly dressed woman and what she really does.
June 21, 2014
Scientist by day, pirate bounty hunter by night. Double Life is the story of Lyssa/Razia, a young woman struggling to make her place in the world. The main character is one that many women, and men, can relate to. Razia knows the life she wants to lead and has to deal with people telling her on a daily basis that she can't or is not good enough to live her dream as a pirate bounty hunter. She is driven by a need to prove what she is capable of and prove her, many, critics wrong. There are many unanswered questions about Lyssa's childhood and family history that will hopefully be answered in the future books in the series. As a reader, it will be helpful to gain more information about what drives Lyssa/Razia to be the person she is. Overall, this book was an easy read with main characters who are easily relate-able to.
January 26, 2015
OK, so let me start by saying, this book isn't my usual read. I really like to have a bit more romance in my stories, but...that doesn't mean I didn't like this book.
Ms. Evans did a fantastic job of world building. And, while there was a lot of science things in there, I didn't feel it was overly complicated or difficult to follow.
I didn't really understand how a pirate could also be a bounty hunter, as those two things seem diametrically opposed to me. I also felt there were times that Razia wasn't as strong as she could be- that she acted more like Lyssa would (which may have been intentional, seeing they are the same person ;-))
Still, I'm looking forward to reading the Alliances, the second book in the series.
My final rating: 3 1/2 stars
Ms. Evans did a fantastic job of world building. And, while there was a lot of science things in there, I didn't feel it was overly complicated or difficult to follow.
I didn't really understand how a pirate could also be a bounty hunter, as those two things seem diametrically opposed to me. I also felt there were times that Razia wasn't as strong as she could be- that she acted more like Lyssa would (which may have been intentional, seeing they are the same person ;-))
Still, I'm looking forward to reading the Alliances, the second book in the series.
My final rating: 3 1/2 stars
October 27, 2014
I have received this book via first reads giveaway.
The story of a young female scientist and bounty hunter named Lyssa, trying to make a career in a world in which she was refused by her own family. But being a woman makes it unreasonably difficult for Razia, her alter ego, to become a fellow pirate. The striking plot, happening in the future is full of twists and turns, and has interesting views on spirituality. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Lyssa's / Razia's adventures.
The story of a young female scientist and bounty hunter named Lyssa, trying to make a career in a world in which she was refused by her own family. But being a woman makes it unreasonably difficult for Razia, her alter ego, to become a fellow pirate. The striking plot, happening in the future is full of twists and turns, and has interesting views on spirituality. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of Lyssa's / Razia's adventures.
July 30, 2014
Double Life was a good read. This was a new and refreshing take on science fiction. The characters were well developed, likeable, and easy to relate to even though they and the story line was different from anything that I have read before. The book is the first in a series, but it ends without cliffhanger. I look forward to the next book in the series not because I have to get unanswered questions answered, but because I want to see what happens next.
September 13, 2018
Well written tale of a PhD planet discoverer (Lyssa) who doubles as a space pirate ( Razzia). Lyssa is a brilliant research scientist and brave explorer who hates her life, and Razzia is a beginner pirate who can’t get any respect because she’s female. This could have been an awesome story but in my opinion it misses the mark by making Lyssa’s horrendous upbringing the focus of everything that happens. How depressing.
October 19, 2014
Since I'm so busy this week, I'm just gonna write a short review and edit it later.
I got this book through first-reads.
I really enjoyed this book. Even if I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, I must say I was really hooked. PIRATES! A Solid debut from the author.
The Characters are interesting. The book is refreshing. I highly recommend it.
I got this book through first-reads.
I really enjoyed this book. Even if I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, I must say I was really hooked. PIRATES! A Solid debut from the author.
The Characters are interesting. The book is refreshing. I highly recommend it.
July 28, 2014
i literaly ate the Book :D
Razia has totally become one of my fave heroine.
The plot is sensational, it totally bewitched me :D
cant wait to read more
Razia has totally become one of my fave heroine.
The plot is sensational, it totally bewitched me :D
cant wait to read more
July 6, 2017
I have to say i didn't know what to expect when I picked this book up at a local con but i have to say this book is a great read and I am dying waiting for the next book.
November 3, 2015
Pretty freaking awesome adventure story. The author is pretty rad herself. Can't wait to start the second book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews