Phase Shift (Chaos Station, #5) by Jenn Burke

Jun 05, 2017 Richard Derus rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindled, quiltbag

Rating: five sentimental, grateful stars out of five

I will miss this series very much. It came into my reading life exactly when I needed it. As endings to books go, and as endings to series go, I can't find fault or register a complaint.

There's a pearl-clutcher for yinz.

Probably my favorite scene in the whole Chaos Station universe takes place in this book: Zed and Flick are trudging across the fifty-centigrade surface of Leonis 83b after tracing some vile malefactors' flight path back to it. ...more

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Jul 10, 2016 Kade Boehme rated it it was amazing

I've read this whole series 3 times now. It's prob one of my faves ever. Zed & Fix FTW. Never skimmed in any of the 5 books and they're all long, with great world building and each storyline was fun and action filled without detracting from the romance or boring me away from the next book. *swoons over this series* 5 stars for the whole series, 5 for the HEA, 5 for each book. Win. ...more

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May 15, 2020 Lisazj1 rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aliens, m-m, hot-and-sexy, favorite-author, favorite-series, favorites, loved-loved-loved, sci-fi, military-spy-merc-assassin, friends-and-family

A great finish to an awesome sci-fi series *if it has to be done* 🥺 and one of the most well-deserved HEAs ever. 🥰 I'm not gonna lie, there were a few honest to God heartfail moments in this one but I'm completely happy with the way everything worked out. This is a truly wonderful bunch of book-people and I will miss them. ...more

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Dec 17, 2015 Simone rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, sci-fi-alternate-universe, series

Forever...

Whew... But it was a long way. A very hard and sometimes very painful way.

I knew it! I just knew that both men would make me suffer during this last book in this series. Again!!! But I loved the beginning, the end and everything in between.

What began with a moment that made me smile like a fool, turned right away into chaos. (Pun intended. ;-)) I won't go into detail, because I don't want to reveal too much of the content, so if you want to know more you just have to read it yours
Forever...

Whew... But it was a long way. A very hard and sometimes very painful way.

I knew it! I just knew that both men would make me suffer during this last book in this series. Again!!! But I loved the beginning, the end and everything in between.

What began with a moment that made me smile like a fool, turned right away into chaos. (Pun intended. ;-)) I won't go into detail, because I don't want to reveal too much of the content, so if you want to know more you just have to read it yourselves. ;-)

Ending stuck on a foreign planet, Zed and Felix have to deal with new opponents, Zed's old nemesis, but also new allies. It was a thrilling ride almost right from the beginning and had me on the verge of a nervous meltdown more than once. There were some creepy scenes in this book, not to say very creepy scenes (I will give you a hint: tentacles. Yes, tentacles! Lots of it, actually. Or like Felix said “Tentacle things with personal space issues.”), but also moments that were as heart-melting and heart-breaking as in the previous books. Of course, the mutual promise from Inversion Point, not to die on each other again, didn't last very long, so there were lots of occasions that put me through the emotional wringer.

Near the end the suspense was so palpable, I couldn't sit still anymore and had to grab my Kindle and to read walking up and down my living room. Zed is forced to make a tough decision which goes against everything he believes in. everything he stands for, against his will to do the right thing. And it all ends with a bang. Literally!

The ending itself was really swoonworthy and just perfect. All I could have hoped for and even more.

“I think you're amazing,” Zed murmured against Flick's lips. He pressed kisses along Flick's jaw, paired with tiny nibbles. “I think you're the strongest man I know.”
Flick made a noise of protest, but Zed placed two fingers against his lips. Flick had giving him a ring. No, he'd made him a ring, with the symbol that meant so much to both of them. A soliton, a never-ending wave. A sign of infinity.

So, if you love books about friendship, about tolerance, acceptance and an amazing, heart-breaking love story, all of it wrapped up in an outstanding worldbuilding with great characters (and I loved all of them, each and every crew member), who make you laugh, cry and suffer all along the line, give this series a try. You won't regret it. ...more

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Jul 14, 2016 Kaje Harper rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites, scifi, comfort-reread, m-m, intense, signif-past-abuse

In this last book of the series, Zander and Felix have battled through fear and pain and loss and nightmares, separation and reunion, to become a solid couple, although not yet entirely on the same page. But they're not done with adventures. Just as Zander thinks they're ready to settle down, their life is interrupted by a hacking threat to their ship and their fellow crew, which leads back to the very project that created Zander's fellow supersoldiers, and which is now a growing threat.

This st ...more

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Jan 25, 2016 Adam rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-for-review, fantasy-world, military-men, mysteries-thrillers-crime-etc, secondary-characters-were-memorable, mm-sciencefic-dystopia-apocolyptic, futuristic, established-or-existing-couple, action-packed, hurt-comfort

I'm going to miss these two!

"Then you came back to me and it was like someone had switched a light on. I hadn’t even realized I’d been sitting in the dark."

In this final book of the Chaos Station series, we find Zed and Felix enjoying some down time. The different species of the universe seem to be at peace, the Guardians are content, and the crew of the Chaos isn't fighting for their lives. That is until Zed and Felix's romantic night is interrupted by a hacker who steals everything on Proj I'm going to miss these two!

"Then you came back to me and it was like someone had switched a light on. I hadn’t even realized I’d been sitting in the dark."

In this final book of the Chaos Station series, we find Zed and Felix enjoying some down time. The different species of the universe seem to be at peace, the Guardians are content, and the crew of the Chaos isn't fighting for their lives. That is until Zed and Felix's romantic night is interrupted by a hacker who steals everything on Project Dreamweaver.

Chasing the hacker to an outlying planet beyond civilization's control, Zed and Felix must put an end to the remnants of the illegal super soldier program.

'Phase Shift' takes readers in a new direction, away from the AEF and its repeated attempts to subdue Zed and the Chaos. There are no new species or the terrifying stin. The book could have easily been dull without those extra plot points, but instead it was a heart-pounding joyride.

In this final book, Zed and Felix are really put to the test, marooned on a planet with hostiles, and forced to survive with minimal technology. While we get less politics this time, I'd say there're more good old-fashioned action scenes. Throw in the Guardians, who we finally see without the mask of benevolence, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.

While Zed and Felix try to evade the planet's residents, they also grapple with their own relationship problems. The romance in this series has always been a bit of roller-coaster. Zed's super soldier status has put him at death's door multiple times, and Felix has never been able to let himself believe that he deserves anything good.

In 'Phase Shift', the two finally address the issues they'd been keeping bottled up. However at no point was I worried that they would let the negatives drown out what they'd built so far. Felix and Zed have been a forever-and-ever kind of deal from the first book, and they worked at it throughout the series. I loved seeing Felix finally accept that he was more than an orphaned station brat, and that Zed was there to stay.

And the final chapter just put a bow on top of everything. It was romantic a HEA, but one that fit our MCs.

'Phase Shift' is an excellent end to this series, with the entertaining plot and sweet romance I've come to expect. I'd highly recommend the Chaos Station series for readers looking for good MM science fiction. ...more

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Mar 16, 2016 Paul rated it really liked it

Shelves: review

4.5 STARS
That was a great finish to a great Sci-Fi/Thriller series. To publish five excellent books for one series within a year or so is also an amazing feat too. They might have come out fast but I assure you that that are not churned out like a sausage factory, feeling rushed or slapped together. Each book is well thought out and to me, each one stands strong on its own merits.

The Chaos Station series is also quite emotional, yet keeps a perfect balance of humour which can have you laughing o 4.5 STARS
That was a great finish to a great Sci-Fi/Thriller series. To publish five excellent books for one series within a year or so is also an amazing feat too. They might have come out fast but I assure you that that are not churned out like a sausage factory, feeling rushed or slapped together. Each book is well thought out and to me, each one stands strong on its own merits.

The Chaos Station series is also quite emotional, yet keeps a perfect balance of humour which can have you laughing one moment and on the verge of tears the next. I don't like the fact that some people think it's a rip off of Firefly anymore, I can see why some might think that after book one, I myself could see why people thought that. Maybe even after book two, but then it was like nope, no way, this is not a space western and by the end there is no doubt that this series stands strong to itself with its own identity. Sure some fundamental and basic ideals of sci-fi pop up in most books within this genre and they do here too but its minimalistic in nature and this is its own series and a bloody good one at that.

Its fast paced action and adventures are well written, with awesome characters and great storylines. I loved the fact that the series had a defined central storyline which was dark and kept popping in and out of their lives to keep haunting them but there was always another adventure going down too, so there were sub-plot's within sub-plots and that kept it fresh.

I know that Felix and Zander were the MC's but I loved each character on board the Chaos and their diverse, strong loyalty grew and it was like watching a family by the end and it ended just at the right time too. The series was ended really well which is something I'm usually unhappy about but this was perfect. I can't remember if it was Jenn or Kelly in the notes that said we'll miss our boys but it's time to leave them alone so they can go live their lives and (not verbatim, lol) I couldn't agree more. Thanks for a wild ride, I loved each and every second of it.

...more

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Feb 18, 2017 Kit (Metaphors and Moonlight) rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2017-books, lgbtqia, reviewed, bisexual-main-character, m-m, gay-love-interest, science-fiction, space-other-planets

4 Stars

Review:
After writing reviews for four other books, I'm not sure what I can say that I haven't said numerous times already. The characters in this series were so realistic and developed, and the world-building was absolutely incredible with all the details and thought and backstory that went into it. I also loved the friendships and Zander's family relationships, and the romance between Zander and Felix was rocky but ultimately adorable.

One difference in this book as opposed to the others ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Natalia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

4.5 stars

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Dec 19, 2016 Alisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: zz-2016, night-owl, bi-sexual, hard-knock-life, disabilities, m-m-read, second-chances, military-guys-read, sci-fi, friends-to-lovers

Beautiful ending. I'm going to miss these two........

The final book in the Chaos Station series was just as good as the previous four. The crew is doing their regular runs when they find they are being hacked. This leads to an immediate crisis and the group gets separated. Zed and Felix end up stranded on a planet no one knows exists while the rest of the crew tries to find them. The things they find on the planet are shocking and might be the last straw for both guys.

This story was an action ad ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Ariana rated it really liked it

Shelves: alternative-universe, lgbtq, hot-hot-hot, sci-fi-and-metahumans

*4,5 stars*

Zed and Felix are one of the best couples I’ve come across.
The depth of their connection in this final instalment is simply breath-taking.
And the way they back each other up and get each other through the most difficult situations makes for awesome reading. I love what the authors have done here!

Although the overall plot is excellent, there’s maybe a touch too much of ‘recon action’ for me. I also found some developments concerning the Guardians surprising and maybe a bit contradicto ...more

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May 31, 2016 Joyfully Jay rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sue

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

So this is it. Phase Shift represents the last in the Chaos Station series. And I can’t tell you how sad that makes me. I’ve enjoyed these books right from the start and they’ve never lost an ounce of steam. I give the authors real credit for knowing when and how to end their series and they’re definitely going out strong. Zander and Felix make a rare couple whose relationship continues to evolve and grow and never remains stagnant. At the start of Phase Shift, they ...more

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Apr 04, 2016 Christi Snow rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

My Review:

Whew...the last book in the series. Just typing that and the tears start flowing. I've fallen in love with Zed and Flick and I'm still not sure I'm ready to let them go, but the good news is...I can continue to reread their story over and over again. Because I have loved this entire series and this final book did NOT disappoint.

This book started out with an argument...Zed wants to get married. Flick doesn't see the need...he's already fully, completely committed...why do they need som My Review:

Whew...the last book in the series. Just typing that and the tears start flowing. I've fallen in love with Zed and Flick and I'm still not sure I'm ready to let them go, but the good news is...I can continue to reread their story over and over again. Because I have loved this entire series and this final book did NOT disappoint.

This book started out with an argument...Zed wants to get married. Flick doesn't see the need...he's already fully, completely committed...why do they need something more? It's just a piece a paper. But unlike Flick, Zed grew up with ceremony and tradition as a normal thing in his world. He wants to stand up in front of his friends and family and tell them all that he belongs to Flick. They disagree, and then life gets crazy once again when someone hacks into their ship's files...breaking into the Dreamweaver Project files. Anyone messing with that experimental, deadly program that almost killed Zed is dangerous. They can't let them get away without discovering what the hackers are doing with that information. And the adventure begins from there...

This is another dangerous, adrenaline filled adventure that takes the Chaos and its crew to the extremes of their limits. It was so good. There were moments when I laughed (Elias's line, "Yay" was one of the best lines in the ENTIRE series) and of course, I cried...more than once. Zed and Flick never asked to be the saviors of the galaxy, but once again, that becomes their mission. My heart broke for Zed when he's trying to deal with the Guardians, who don't understand the idea of gray areas.

If anyone deserves a break, these two do. But I love with their plan for the future (no spoilers...just know that I love how the authors wrapped everything up so perfectly.)

In this final book, there were a lot of scenes that featured the entire crew and I loved that. I also liked the final moments between Zed and Brennan...who has been one of my favorite characters from his very first scene on the page. While I hate that the series is ending, the authors did an amazing job tying it all up perfectly. The book was romantic and sweet and stress-inducing and emotional. I stretched out reading it over three days just because I wasn't ready to let go. But when I hit the end, I smiled, because I was satisfied with where the characters went with their plans for the future. I love them so much and only want them to be happy...together...with many, many, many more sexy times between them.

When I started this series, I was excited about a male/male science fiction series. While I like reading sci fi, I honestly don't pick it up very often. This series is the exception to that rule. In fact, as the series has grown, this has become one of my top three series loves of all time (for those of you taking note...my other two favorites are Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooter series and Sherilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series). When I started writing this review I went back and looked at all my review for the five books. Not a single one of them rated lower than A...two of them received A+ ratings. That NEVER happens for me to love books across a series that consistently.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Links to my reviews for the entire series:
1. Chaos Station
2. Lonely Shore
3. Skip Trace
4. Inversion Point
5. Phase Shift (you just read this review)

Note: I honestly think this is the first time in my reading history where every single book in the series received an A or A+ rating...all 5-stars. Yes, this series is that outstanding. ...more

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Oct 17, 2015 Diane Dannenfeldt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 200-300_pgs, m-m, multiple-readings, si-fi

First I have to say that I am really saddened that this is the last book in the series. Maybe there might be a novella showing the wedding maybe or them settling down in their new lives together. I still wanted to know more about the Guardians but I guess I never will, but that's okay. I wished they would have told Zed more of what would have happened if they had let them live but I guess that is just the way they are. You do as I say when I say it without any explanations. I do like the fact th ...more

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May 04, 2016 Lisa The Novel Approach rated it it was amazing

This is going to be a difficult review to write because Phase Shift is the last in the Chaos Station series, which I have read and reviewed from the beginning. Over the course of five books I have gotten to know Zed, Flick, and the rest of the Chaos crew as if they were family. I’ve cried with them, laughed with them, and enjoyed reading about their adventures. But, as with all good things, it is time for it to come to an end. So I consider this review to be my send-off to the series, an homage, This is going to be a difficult review to write because Phase Shift is the last in the Chaos Station series, which I have read and reviewed from the beginning. Over the course of five books I have gotten to know Zed, Flick, and the rest of the Chaos crew as if they were family. I’ve cried with them, laughed with them, and enjoyed reading about their adventures. But, as with all good things, it is time for it to come to an end. So I consider this review to be my send-off to the series, an homage, if you will.

Having survived death and near-death experiences together after being reunited when they both thought the other was dead, Zed is ready to pop the questions to Flick. Of course, Flick, being himself, he’s commitment-shy, and this being them, nothing goes off without a hitch. In this case, the Chaos is hacked and important data is stolen. Before Zed can ask Flick to marry him. This sets in motion a series of events that will push the two to their limits and put them in their most dangerous situation since the human-stin war. What’s out there? Well, Preston has managed to duplicate the Dreamweaver project, and more humans can Zone and phase shift like Zed. And that’s problematic. So much so that even the Guardians feel they must step in. What follows is a mission the two must run together, and seemingly alone, where not only their lives but the lives of everyone in the universe—human, stin, ashushk, and resonance alike—are in serious jeopardy.

There really was not a single bad book in this series, and each one builds up the tension to this one. The first reunites Zed and Flick and rekindles their love for each other. The subsequent books show the challenges their love will face if they decide to stay together. This final book puts them on the ultimate test and, as I said, the most dangerous mission. Stuck on Leonis Bb, an uninhabited planet, they must survive all sorts of things—weird tentacle creatures, a sunken ship, and scorching temperatures—with barely anything to survive on. And when they find out they aren’t alone? Well, that’s when all hell breaks loose.

Flick and Zed truly are at their most human in these moments, despite their unique situations. Readers will see more of Flick’s family history and why some things don’t seem as important to him. Likewise, the same can be said of Zed. How is it that two people who seem to be such opposites are drawn to each other?

Of course, the rest of the crew is just as important. Elias, Nessa, and Qek have their own battles to fight, and the three grow as a crew without Zed and Flick with them. Qek, as usual, steals the show between the three, and I adore her even more.

As for the mysterious Guardians, they are the only alien species to show up in this book, which is a little disappointing because I enjoyed learning about the resonance and had hoped for more with them since they only have one book. The Guardians, though… well, readers finally have some answers. Not everything is revealed about them, though, but I was pleasantly surprised by the ending of the book. Maybe I should have expected it, but I didn’t. Neither, it seems, did Zed.

I’m truly going to miss this series and the characters. I would happily read another five books featuring the Chaos and her crew, following them into the next chapter of their lives. I can even think of some fun—and adorable—stories that they could use…ahem. I’m sure they know what I’m talking about.

If you’re interested in this series, you really must read from the beginning. Each book lays the groundwork for the following installments, and the world-building is just phenomenal. If you’re a fan of science fiction, believe me, you will not regret the series. Even if you aren’t a fan but you love romance, you should still read this because Flick and Zed have one of the most wonderful relationships I’ve ever read on a page, and I honestly shed tears over how beautiful their love and trust for each other was.

For now, goodbye to the Chaos and her crew. Even if short stories or spin-offs aren’t produced, I know I’ll be revisiting this series. Thank you to Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen for taking us on such a wonderful ride.

Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co... ...more

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Apr 11, 2016 Gillian rated it it was amazing

https://justloveromance.wordpress.com...

So, I was both looking forward to and dreading reading this fifth and reportedly final installment in the Chaos Station series. Looking forward to it because the other four books have been a helluva ride and I have loved every moment between Zander Anatolius and Felix Ingesson and the rest of the Chaos crew. And dreading it because I wasn’t sure I could handle any more trauma the authors were going to inflict on poor Felix (seriously, that guy has been thr https://justloveromance.wordpress.com...

So, I was both looking forward to and dreading reading this fifth and reportedly final installment in the Chaos Station series. Looking forward to it because the other four books have been a helluva ride and I have loved every moment between Zander Anatolius and Felix Ingesson and the rest of the Chaos crew. And dreading it because I wasn’t sure I could handle any more trauma the authors were going to inflict on poor Felix (seriously, that guy has been through the wringer!). In the end, though, Zed and Flick have always been strong enough to rise above everything that’s been thrown their way and this time was no different.

Phase Shift finds Zander wanting to take his and Felix’s relationship to the next level. Zander is craving a little stability in his life and is dreaming of a future where he and Felix are not only bonded in marriage, but perhaps raising a family of their own. When a planned proposal goes sideways, both men along with the Chaos’ crew, must work to find out who has been hacking into the Chaos’ systems and downloading information about Zander and the top-secret project that turned him into a super soldier. When a reconnaissance mission strands Felix and Zander on a hostile moon, the men must rely on each other to stay alive in order to stop a former enemy from using the super soldier information to create an army that has the potential to destroy the galaxy.

We get lots and lots of Felix and Zed time in Phase Shift, something I think all fans will appreciate seeing as events in previous books have always seemed to conspire to keep them apart. We also get all the trademark humour that has been evident throughout the series, especially in the scenes featuring the other members of the Chaos Crew, captain Elias, ship’s doctor Nessa and the ever delightful Ashushk, Qek. The family-like dynamic between them is always both humorous and heartfelt allowing us to not only see the lighter side of human behaviour and language, thanks to Qek and her continued efforts at mastering english idioms, but also the deeper and emotional side, as evidenced by the crew’s ability to be there and comfort each other when it’s been needed the most. This book also has all the action, danger and excitement we’ve come to expect plus we get another appearance from the mysterious Guardians, who are not intent on being quite so benign this time around, something that causes deep conflict between them, Zed and the other members of the crew.

This book was a great finale to a wonderful series. It captured me from the first paragraph and didn’t let up until the last words. And the ending….*sigh*…let’s just say you’ll be happy even though you’re saying goodbye to some really wonderful characters. 5 stars

**I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review** ...more

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May 07, 2016 Kathleen rated it liked it

Shelves: sci-fi, series

It's me, not you? I don't know. Lately I've been reading/rereading mainstream Sci-fi...Scalzi, Kloos, Hamilton, Webb, Campbell, Heinlein...maybe my expectations were simply too high? The romance was lovely. The sci-fi? Far too tepid and simplistic for this reader. ...more

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Sep 23, 2017 Ulysses Dietz rated it it was amazing

Phase Shift (Chaos Station #5)
Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen
Carina Press, 2016
Five stars

I want this series to end. Not because I don’t love it, but because I want to stop worrying about Felix and Zander. I want them to be happy.

Of course, in their weird twisted way, they have been happy since the moment they met in book one (Chaos Station), and Zed realized that his beloved Flick was not, in fact dead. But it’s been one hell of a romance: flying their rattletrap corvette around the galaxy, delive ...more

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Jan 12, 2018 Elena rated it really liked it

Shelves: action, aliens, established-relationship, ex-military, m-m, series, lgbtqia, mc-age-30-40, 3-and-a-half-stars, sci-fi

3.5 stars

My advice to anyone planning to read this book is this: DO NOT READ THE BLURB.
It gives away basically EVERY major plot point. It even mentions something that happens 85% into the story and it’s also misleading, because it makes it sound like that episode influences the rest of the plot, which isn’t really possible, since the plot at that point is essentially over and resolved.
It colored my reading experience and not in a good way: I kept expecting that something to happen, until it did ...more

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Apr 25, 2018 llv rated it really liked it

Shelves: sci-fi-or-aliens, 2018

Rating: 3.5
While good, I must say this was not my favorite in the series. I still loved all the characters, but I think the story itself just didn’t interest me as much. I think part of the problem was that the whole super soldier scenario has been done to death in both books and movies. So that aspect of the book didn’t really hold my interest. I also felt a little let down by the ending. It was okay and ended on a HEA, but it just didn’t feel satisfying. There was a big question that was left ...more

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Dec 19, 2018 Marianne Boutet rated it liked it

Shelves: mm, series

Nice wrap-up to the series.

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Aug 18, 2020 ElmoVsBibo2.0 added it

I'm done. Sadly not just with this book, but the whole series.
It was great and an absolut recommendation. ...more

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Feb 02, 2016 BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme rated it liked it

Shelves: alt-reality-futuristic, m-m, suspense, aliens, arc, the-romance-reviews, space-opera

Be careful of what you wish for, because you might just get it. In another exciting installment of Chaos Station, Zander and Felix return to fight the good fight. This time, they are horrified to learn a whole new batch of super soldiers are being created like Zander's old team. A terrible blast from the past shows up in the form of the evil doctor bent on using Zander for her experiments again.

This latest book is hard for me. There are parts I really enjoyed and others which frustrated me.

Be careful of what you wish for, because you might just get it. In another exciting installment of Chaos Station, Zander and Felix return to fight the good fight. This time, they are horrified to learn a whole new batch of super soldiers are being created like Zander's old team. A terrible blast from the past shows up in the form of the evil doctor bent on using Zander for her experiments again.

This latest book is hard for me. There are parts I really enjoyed and others which frustrated me. Frustrations will be discussed first as I want to end on a good note. First, I still loath the doctor and I want her to be ripped to shreds. I cannot understand how she keeps getting the upper hand. Second, the Guardians' reaction to this new batch of soldiers may be a bit extreme at first, but what doesn't make sense is Zander's response. I am disappointed with his tantrum. He does not seek to understand. He feels he is in the right and he demands to have things in his way. I think he forgets he is the ambassador, not the king to order the Guardians around. Then when he actually learns why the Guardians are so agitated, he still gives them the cold shoulder and continues his hissy fit. I just lost all respect for Zander.

For the good parts, I enjoyed the action. This book keeps a reader hopping with an adrenaline rush. I liked how Zander and his entire crew had to pull together with the colonist to figure out how to "save the world". Second, the authors inject great humour amidst tense situations.

"The Guardians transported us."

Zed knelt on the ground and held back Nessa's hair as she retched, his stomach clenching in sympathy. The only times he'd been transported by the Guardians, he'd been unconscious. Seemed like something he should be thankful for.

"But why?"

Flick steadied Elias and extended a hand to help Qek get to her feet.

"We said we wanted to help you, so here we are."

Elias looked up at Zed, his eyes dim and bleary. "Yay." (pg. 158)

The comedic timing for this is beautiful. The scene is set up so well and it is clear to see - even down to the "Yay". I can visualize scene and hear the resignation in Elias's tone. Hilarious for me. Other scenes that really amused me were the tentacles coming out of the holes. The way the crew and colonist fear them is totally understandable. But when Qek encounters them, her response freaks everyone out and also leaves them dumbfounded. I love Qek. She is fabulous.

Whilst this is a plot-driven story which I hope set us up for another book in the series, it is really the characters and how they react to situations which makes the book so good for me. Each of the characters are sort of misfits fitting together. They remind me of the crew from Joss Whedon's Firefly, but this crew is better. This world building is more robust and I like the aliens in this one better. I am eagerly anticipating the next book. Recommended for sci-fi space opera readers who enjoy betrayal, angst and fighting for a potential lost cause. ...more

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Apr 10, 2016 Kristin rated it really liked it

Shelves: m-m-romance, gay-book-reviews

Rating - 4.5 stars

Phase Shift hits the ship deck running and doesn’t slow down until the final chapter. Wheee! What a ride!

During what Zed had hoped to be a romantic interlude between him and Felix, the Chaos is hacked along with their homebase asteroid. I did get a small chuckle that even in the far future, people haven’t learned to put sensitive data on external drives and unplug.

Our crew of the Chaos divides to conquer. Qek, Elias and Nessa head off to chase the hackers. Zander and Felix fo ...more

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Apr 27, 2016 Daniel Mitton rated it it was amazing

(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the publisher / author for an honest review. Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.)

All good things must come to an end, correct? That said, I’m sooo going to miss Zander and Felix and the rest of the crew. I’ve found this five book series to be a great read and I’ve enjoyed their exploits, missions, and interactions immensely.

In Book 5, Phase Shift, the crew is back. This time chasing down the hackers that hacked their ship and stole tons (Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews with a copy provided by the publisher / author for an honest review. Rated 4.5 out of 5.0 stars.)

All good things must come to an end, correct? That said, I’m sooo going to miss Zander and Felix and the rest of the crew. I’ve found this five book series to be a great read and I’ve enjoyed their exploits, missions, and interactions immensely.

In Book 5, Phase Shift, the crew is back. This time chasing down the hackers that hacked their ship and stole tons of super-secret information from the ship’s computers about Zander and the program he was in during the Stin War. In my opinion, it is imperative that you read the other books first, so you understand the background of these characters and understand the importance of those documents to the galaxy as a whole. I was actually surprised that they still existed, but even in the far distant future, I guess it is still impossible to truly delete anything!

The crew divides up in this one to solve the hacking issue, with Zander and Felix heading off to a far distant planet where half of the signal was sent after the hack. When they find the program Zander was in, which killed all his fellow soldiers in the program, has apparently been restarted by the same evil doctor who ran it the first time, things will be dicey.

How do two men, alone on a planet, with no way to communicate with the outside universe, actually battle a group of super soldiers? That I will leave up to you to find out when you read it! I can’t tell you much else, because there was an awful lot said in the blurb on this one. But trust me, you will like how it all comes together. I have to tell you that I loved how the series tied up, but honestly I’d keep reading if there were more books. It wrapped up neatly, but as with any characters you’ve come to feel are real, you never really want the story to end!

I very highly recommend this series if you’re a SciFi/SpecFic person. It has a great storyline which flows through the books, and also the interactions of Zander and Felix, friends since childhood, who have grown to be sooo much more. ...more

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Nov 23, 2016 Rynn Yumako rated it liked it

Shelves: mm, sci-fi

This series, man. I'm so incredibly happy I stumbled across these books.

This last book was maybe a bit less intense, and the plot had some pretty big holes this time around, but I still enjoyed the moments we got with Zed and Felix. I liked how things wrapped-up and that ending made me smile like crazy.

This series consumed my life for the past week and a half. I laughed and cried and shouted and hurt with the characters, immersed myself completely in their world. I don't think I mentioned it in ...more

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Nov 07, 2015 Teresa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mm, romances, series, sex-erotic-explicit, own, promo-free-gift, challenge, re-read, sci-fi, prism-review

****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****

4.5 Stars! - As we come to the end of the Chaos Station series, I am happy and sad. Happy because we got a wonderful book that had action, suspense, and danger, yet still managed to have tender moments. I am sad because we have to leave Felix, Zander and the crew of the Chaos behind, and I love these characters. I feel there is so much more they could do and I am not ready to part ways!

Phase Shift has everything I love about a good Sci-Fi novel. Strange p ...more

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Dec 29, 2015 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: t1, sci-fi, novel

Chaos Station is one of my favorite series and I was sad that it was ending, but Phase Shift definitely proved up to the task of concluding the series. It started off with a bang and the ride got wilder from there. Most of the story took place on a far-flung planet and we experience why Felix hates planets. Along with all the action, Felix and Zed's relationship grows and they each go through some tough physical and emotional situations. We even learn a bit more about the Guardians. And meet som ...more

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Jun 03, 2016 Em rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mm

Can't believe it's over! This is by far one of the best series I have ever read. Each book was amazing in its own way. Watching Zed and Flick evolve as people in every book, while also strengthening their relationship, was such a great treat to behold. I can't recommend the Chaos Station series enough. Give it a shot, even if you're not usually a fan of Sci-Fi like me. You'll be blown away! I'm gonna miss the Chaos crew. :') ...more

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Feb 01, 2016 Nancy Wightman rated it it was amazing

The whole series is a great read, the characters are diverse and realistic, and the science fiction reads a lot like the latest war news right now. Bravo, and what a very wonderful HEA!

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