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Taking Shield #4
The Chains of Their Sins
**First Place Winner 2017 Rainbow Awards: Best Gay Sci-fi//Futuristic. **
**Third Place Winner 2017 Rainbow Awards: Best Gay Book.**
Shield Captain Bennet arrives on the Gyrfalcon to take up his final year's posting before returning to the Shield Regiment after his rotation out.
On the Gyrfalcon he faces up to the fallout from Makepeace—ethical, political and above all, personal. Will he be able to accept necessity: that knowing what the Maess are up to outweighs the humanitarian issues surrounding the prisoners he rescued from Makepeace? Can he ride out the political furore that follows the loss of the dreadnought Caliban? How will he cope with an entire year of serving under his father, Caeden? And worst of all, how in the name of every god in the Pantheon can he stand to see Flynn every single day, with the Fraternisation Regs standing between them and keeping them apart?
It will be an interesting year. Bennet can hardly wait for it to be over. Of course, things never really do go to plan...
**Third Place Winner 2017 Rainbow Awards: Best Gay Book.**
Shield Captain Bennet arrives on the Gyrfalcon to take up his final year's posting before returning to the Shield Regiment after his rotation out.
On the Gyrfalcon he faces up to the fallout from Makepeace—ethical, political and above all, personal. Will he be able to accept necessity: that knowing what the Maess are up to outweighs the humanitarian issues surrounding the prisoners he rescued from Makepeace? Can he ride out the political furore that follows the loss of the dreadnought Caliban? How will he cope with an entire year of serving under his father, Caeden? And worst of all, how in the name of every god in the Pantheon can he stand to see Flynn every single day, with the Fraternisation Regs standing between them and keeping them apart?
It will be an interesting year. Bennet can hardly wait for it to be over. Of course, things never really do go to plan...
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2017
5 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 27, 2017
Rating: 5* of five
#ReadingIsResistance to disappearing the love you don't yourownself feel.
My full review of the fourth TAKING SHIELD series of gay-male centered space operas recommends trying and/or giving it for 2017's #Booksgiving.
Yes, yes, yes, I get it, you're tired of Noble Self-Sacrifice and Dutiful Self-Abnegation.
But these are real responses to having your back against the ultimate wall: Extinguishment. Erasure. End as final as it gets. Not your personal death, nothing so small as that; the end of your world and your culture, the death of untold numbers of your friends and family and lovers and all the strangers you can't hope to meet, know, love.
It's that or catatonic dissociation, and there's way too much to do for such self-indulgence.
#ReadingIsResistance to disappearing the love you don't yourownself feel.
My full review of the fourth TAKING SHIELD series of gay-male centered space operas recommends trying and/or giving it for 2017's #Booksgiving.
Yes, yes, yes, I get it, you're tired of Noble Self-Sacrifice and Dutiful Self-Abnegation.
But these are real responses to having your back against the ultimate wall: Extinguishment. Erasure. End as final as it gets. Not your personal death, nothing so small as that; the end of your world and your culture, the death of untold numbers of your friends and family and lovers and all the strangers you can't hope to meet, know, love.
It's that or catatonic dissociation, and there's way too much to do for such self-indulgence.
October 2, 2017
Book 4 in the ongoing series. Here the politics move further onto center stage, as the events from Makepeace cast an ongoing shadow. Bennet, now serving on his father's ship, is on the periphery of the fallout, mostly. He has his own problems - pilot Flynn is now under his command and at his side, and untouchable by regulations regarding fraternization and chain of command. Both men are pretty sure they can't bend the rules just a little bit - if they get together, they are going up in flames. And so they carve out a kind of friendship, balanced on a knife edge of desire that can't be admitted.
Meanwhile, although Bennet shines in his current job, he's counting off the days till he can go back to Shield. Even though it means leaving Flynn behind. There is more of the personal in this book. Bennet and his father, and sister also serving there, are becoming a little easier together, but he still wants out and home. The Maees are holding back, leaving little in the way of action to balance the unrest from colonies and aspiring politicians. Until the moment when they do move.
I had thought this completed the series, (hence my starting to read it) but I was wrong. Again, we come to a small moment of rest, with the unknown ahead of our guys and their worlds. Waiting eagerly for the next one.
Meanwhile, although Bennet shines in his current job, he's counting off the days till he can go back to Shield. Even though it means leaving Flynn behind. There is more of the personal in this book. Bennet and his father, and sister also serving there, are becoming a little easier together, but he still wants out and home. The Maees are holding back, leaving little in the way of action to balance the unrest from colonies and aspiring politicians. Until the moment when they do move.
I had thought this completed the series, (hence my starting to read it) but I was wrong. Again, we come to a small moment of rest, with the unknown ahead of our guys and their worlds. Waiting eagerly for the next one.
February 14, 2017
Warning: Possible Series Spoilers
Before I start the review proper, I must say that if you have not read the first three books in the series, you must go back and read them. Also, if you have not read the third book, Makepeace, then I would stop reading this review now and know that I loved this book. I may let slip information from the third book in order to talk about this book.
Since I started reviewing this series in 2015, with the release of Gyrfalcon, I have made my love for the books clear. At least I hope I have. Bennet and Flynn have become two of my favorite characters of all time, and with this book, Anna Butler has usurped all other authors as my favorite. Never before have I read a book with such detailed characters and relationships. As I’ve said before, these are more than just characters. They are so heartbreakingly real, as are their relationships.
This book follows the events of Makepeace and picks up where it left off. Bennet is once again on the Gyrfalcon, his father’s dreadnought, which is just about the last place in the universe he would rather be, and it’s not just because of his father. No. On the ship he will once again come face to face with Flynn, the man he fell in love with over four years ago, despite not being able to be with him. And just because years have passed since they last saw each other, it’s clear that neither the passion nor the memories have faded.
But there are rules, and Bennet will be damned if he breaks those rules. And Flynn, knowing he wants but cannot have, agrees to the rules. But it’s going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
As the data from Makepeace is analyzed, more horror awaits as Bennet and Felix begin to piece together what the Maess have been doing with their human prisoners. It will throw the entire political world in upheaval, and it brings up even more moral and ethical gray areas that Bennet would rather avoid.
I don’t think I’ve ever cried as often or as much while reading a book as I did with this one. Bennet and Flynn are so fully realized. Anna Butler truly has a gift when it comes to crafting characters and relationships, and other authors would do well to study what she has created.
Even though I cried often, and reading it physically hurt my heart, I appreciated the depth of emotions. Butler avoids so many tropes that, while good on occasion, often leave me wanting more. Too often I’ve read books where the drama and heartbreak between characters is due to some misunderstanding that would be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. And half the time it’s over something simple.
Not so with this book. Bennet and Flynn talk. Oh, do they talk. They lay their emotions and feelings for each other right out on the table from day one, and often throughout the book, and they constantly reassure each other that it will be fine, they’ll be fine. And that right there was what got me. These are two men who know what they want and they cannot have it. The regulations forbid it due to Bennet’s position on the ship. Flynn wants and can’t have. Bennet wants and can’t let himself have. They both know it, are constantly aware of it, and still they are stuck in that position. No amount of talking will solve their problem. And the constant little reminders that they are fine—even when they are not—often had me breaking down.
Knowing this made it more painful to read because there wasn’t a simple resolution. I wanted there to be, god knows I did, but there’s not. Just like in real life, not everything is black and white.
Don’t get me wrong, the focus of this book is not the romance. This is hard science fiction, an epic space opera at its absolute finest, and it just happens to have two male leads who have fallen in love with each other during a war. Two men who should never have even met. The tension is there, it is palpable, and it does surface often, but the book does not completely revolve around it. Bennet has to deal with the fallout from Makepeace and the new ethical problems that arise. Flynn’s problems are a little less severe on the grand scale, but for a man who lived on sex, and who has fallen in love for the first time in his life, this is a major shift for him, and, as he is fond of mentioning, the minute shift of atoms by the universe has completely disoriented him.
There will be another book, and I am counting down the days until it is released. I need to know what happens next. Anna Butler never fails to deliver an outstanding book that is meticulous in its details to science of the world. For fans of the series, this is another wonderful installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, you are seriously missing out.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
Before I start the review proper, I must say that if you have not read the first three books in the series, you must go back and read them. Also, if you have not read the third book, Makepeace, then I would stop reading this review now and know that I loved this book. I may let slip information from the third book in order to talk about this book.
Since I started reviewing this series in 2015, with the release of Gyrfalcon, I have made my love for the books clear. At least I hope I have. Bennet and Flynn have become two of my favorite characters of all time, and with this book, Anna Butler has usurped all other authors as my favorite. Never before have I read a book with such detailed characters and relationships. As I’ve said before, these are more than just characters. They are so heartbreakingly real, as are their relationships.
This book follows the events of Makepeace and picks up where it left off. Bennet is once again on the Gyrfalcon, his father’s dreadnought, which is just about the last place in the universe he would rather be, and it’s not just because of his father. No. On the ship he will once again come face to face with Flynn, the man he fell in love with over four years ago, despite not being able to be with him. And just because years have passed since they last saw each other, it’s clear that neither the passion nor the memories have faded.
But there are rules, and Bennet will be damned if he breaks those rules. And Flynn, knowing he wants but cannot have, agrees to the rules. But it’s going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
As the data from Makepeace is analyzed, more horror awaits as Bennet and Felix begin to piece together what the Maess have been doing with their human prisoners. It will throw the entire political world in upheaval, and it brings up even more moral and ethical gray areas that Bennet would rather avoid.
I don’t think I’ve ever cried as often or as much while reading a book as I did with this one. Bennet and Flynn are so fully realized. Anna Butler truly has a gift when it comes to crafting characters and relationships, and other authors would do well to study what she has created.
Even though I cried often, and reading it physically hurt my heart, I appreciated the depth of emotions. Butler avoids so many tropes that, while good on occasion, often leave me wanting more. Too often I’ve read books where the drama and heartbreak between characters is due to some misunderstanding that would be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. And half the time it’s over something simple.
Not so with this book. Bennet and Flynn talk. Oh, do they talk. They lay their emotions and feelings for each other right out on the table from day one, and often throughout the book, and they constantly reassure each other that it will be fine, they’ll be fine. And that right there was what got me. These are two men who know what they want and they cannot have it. The regulations forbid it due to Bennet’s position on the ship. Flynn wants and can’t have. Bennet wants and can’t let himself have. They both know it, are constantly aware of it, and still they are stuck in that position. No amount of talking will solve their problem. And the constant little reminders that they are fine—even when they are not—often had me breaking down.
Knowing this made it more painful to read because there wasn’t a simple resolution. I wanted there to be, god knows I did, but there’s not. Just like in real life, not everything is black and white.
Don’t get me wrong, the focus of this book is not the romance. This is hard science fiction, an epic space opera at its absolute finest, and it just happens to have two male leads who have fallen in love with each other during a war. Two men who should never have even met. The tension is there, it is palpable, and it does surface often, but the book does not completely revolve around it. Bennet has to deal with the fallout from Makepeace and the new ethical problems that arise. Flynn’s problems are a little less severe on the grand scale, but for a man who lived on sex, and who has fallen in love for the first time in his life, this is a major shift for him, and, as he is fond of mentioning, the minute shift of atoms by the universe has completely disoriented him.
There will be another book, and I am counting down the days until it is released. I need to know what happens next. Anna Butler never fails to deliver an outstanding book that is meticulous in its details to science of the world. For fans of the series, this is another wonderful installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, you are seriously missing out.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
August 19, 2019
4.5 Stars
Oh man, the UST in this one is palpable, but I loved the character development - Bennett really gets fleshed out here. Also, loved seeing Bennett and his dad working so well together!
Oh man, the UST in this one is palpable, but I loved the character development - Bennett really gets fleshed out here. Also, loved seeing Bennett and his dad working so well together!
September 20, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
It would safe to describe The Chains of Their Sins, the fourth in the Taking Shield series, as the calm before the storm. This series must be read in order and picks up directly after the debacle on Makepeace. A political, military, and private disaster, Makepeace seems doomed to haunt Bennet to the grave. And now he is stuck aboard his father’s ship for a year, away from his beloved Shield, and so close to the temptation that is Flynn. It would drive a lesser man mad. In some ways we see Bennet breaking under the strain of it all, though it’s subtle. There are no emotional meltdowns or anything quite so dramatic, but we see his morals tested and old friendships are threatened by the weight of everything that Makepeace represents. Flynn is also cracking under the strain of being near Bennet but unable to touch him or act on his love for the man. It was painful as a reader to see our heroes so close to one another and yet further apart than ever. It feels like Flynn and Bennet will forever be denied their chance at happiness.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
It would safe to describe The Chains of Their Sins, the fourth in the Taking Shield series, as the calm before the storm. This series must be read in order and picks up directly after the debacle on Makepeace. A political, military, and private disaster, Makepeace seems doomed to haunt Bennet to the grave. And now he is stuck aboard his father’s ship for a year, away from his beloved Shield, and so close to the temptation that is Flynn. It would drive a lesser man mad. In some ways we see Bennet breaking under the strain of it all, though it’s subtle. There are no emotional meltdowns or anything quite so dramatic, but we see his morals tested and old friendships are threatened by the weight of everything that Makepeace represents. Flynn is also cracking under the strain of being near Bennet but unable to touch him or act on his love for the man. It was painful as a reader to see our heroes so close to one another and yet further apart than ever. It feels like Flynn and Bennet will forever be denied their chance at happiness.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
November 21, 2017
OMG. To the discoveries regarding the Maess and the things that happen at the end. OMG. /o\
It's really getting creepy with what the Maess are doing (what we know so far) and I have some suspicions who is helping them. It will be interesting to find out if my suspicions are true or not. :P
My heart is aching for Bennet so much. All the things he finds out, the things he has to deal with, his estrangement with Felix and everything that happens at the end - and on top the heartache with Flynn? *hugs him so much*
Also, *hugs Flynn a lot*
I love Cruz! She's awesome!
I've been a bit "Hmmm" with all the political stuff in the book. Yeah, it's necessary in order to get the bigger picture, create tension for our heroes and set things up. But, I'd rather read about life on a spaceship, Flynn & Bennet being idots ;) or something else. :) But, I don't mind it as long as the story doesn't get taken over by the politics (which it didn't so far). :)
All in all - *makes grabby hands for the next part* For which there is no release date yet. ;.;
It's really getting creepy with what the Maess are doing (what we know so far) and I have some suspicions who is helping them. It will be interesting to find out if my suspicions are true or not. :P
My heart is aching for Bennet so much. All the things he finds out, the things he has to deal with, his estrangement with Felix and everything that happens at the end - and on top the heartache with Flynn? *hugs him so much*
Also, *hugs Flynn a lot*
I love Cruz! She's awesome!
I've been a bit "Hmmm" with all the political stuff in the book. Yeah, it's necessary in order to get the bigger picture, create tension for our heroes and set things up. But, I'd rather read about life on a spaceship, Flynn & Bennet being idots ;) or something else. :) But, I don't mind it as long as the story doesn't get taken over by the politics (which it didn't so far). :)
All in all - *makes grabby hands for the next part* For which there is no release date yet. ;.;
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2017
The 4th book in this spectacular series, Chains of Their Sins took the same tone as with Makepeace. The whole book is abuzz with unresolved sexual tension as circumstances leads Bennet to serve on Gyrfalcon as Flynn's superior (and the regs won't allow any fun to be had), but that all takes a back seat to address the loads of implications that arose from Makepeace.
The book gets a little dry sometimes with the dialogue and non-action as there's still apparently lots of groundwork to be laid down, but when the action scenes do come up (short as they are) they are delivered just as well as in the other books.
The characters are all lively and interesting as usual, Bennet's moral dilemmas somehow have yet to get old and while he remains his character, interesting facets of it arises during his dealings with Flynn.
Flynn gets much more stage presence on this book than the last, though somehow he still feels like a backdrop character more than ever as he isn't directly involved in any of Bennet's immediate dilemmas (save one in the romance department), making him somewhat disconnected from the entire plot. Still, his presence in the book is pretty welcome relief in amidst the seriousness.
The romantic subplot with him and Bennet is exactly that, a subplot, though I was hoping for some resolution to it during this book, or for something to happen. Sadly, the whole thing feels exactly like a rollercoaster ride, it got you feeling all sorts of ups and downs but it only took you back to square one, (ie, nowhere). It didn't feel resolved at all, and while I always admired Butler's restraint in giving readers "the reward", reading up until the end the book and finding that nothing had changed somehow feels quite disappointing, especially when the takeaway at the end is that they would be apart indefinitely again, much like in the previous books. I had been expecting a promotion for Flynn, or a transfer, but the status quo was kept alive and it's beginning to get old after the 3 previous books already established this.
The other complaint I would have with this book comes from the fact that this book feels like another stepping stone to set-up. The politics peppered in this book give rise to a lot of speculation, but it feels too obscure at the moment to be worth mulling over too much, like the reader is expected to watch the scenery, absorb it a little and then go on. All in all, it is entirely forgivable given that Butler's prose and storytelling is enough to keep readers turning the pages until the end. Here's hoping though that book 5 would provide some of the answers, or provide more active action (as opposed to reactive circumstances depicted in this book).
All in all worth the wait and read. Definitely recommended for fans of the series, though without much expectations for any resolutions just quite yet, and for new readers to pick up from the first book and catch up!
The book gets a little dry sometimes with the dialogue and non-action as there's still apparently lots of groundwork to be laid down, but when the action scenes do come up (short as they are) they are delivered just as well as in the other books.
The characters are all lively and interesting as usual, Bennet's moral dilemmas somehow have yet to get old and while he remains his character, interesting facets of it arises during his dealings with Flynn.
Flynn gets much more stage presence on this book than the last, though somehow he still feels like a backdrop character more than ever as he isn't directly involved in any of Bennet's immediate dilemmas (save one in the romance department), making him somewhat disconnected from the entire plot. Still, his presence in the book is pretty welcome relief in amidst the seriousness.
The romantic subplot with him and Bennet is exactly that, a subplot, though I was hoping for some resolution to it during this book, or for something to happen. Sadly, the whole thing feels exactly like a rollercoaster ride, it got you feeling all sorts of ups and downs but it only took you back to square one, (ie, nowhere). It didn't feel resolved at all, and while I always admired Butler's restraint in giving readers "the reward", reading up until the end the book and finding that nothing had changed somehow feels quite disappointing, especially when the takeaway at the end is that they would be apart indefinitely again, much like in the previous books. I had been expecting a promotion for Flynn, or a transfer, but the status quo was kept alive and it's beginning to get old after the 3 previous books already established this.
The other complaint I would have with this book comes from the fact that this book feels like another stepping stone to set-up. The politics peppered in this book give rise to a lot of speculation, but it feels too obscure at the moment to be worth mulling over too much, like the reader is expected to watch the scenery, absorb it a little and then go on. All in all, it is entirely forgivable given that Butler's prose and storytelling is enough to keep readers turning the pages until the end. Here's hoping though that book 5 would provide some of the answers, or provide more active action (as opposed to reactive circumstances depicted in this book).
All in all worth the wait and read. Definitely recommended for fans of the series, though without much expectations for any resolutions just quite yet, and for new readers to pick up from the first book and catch up!
March 4, 2017
A solid step forward, but twice as many questions..
The most awkward look-don't-touch military courtship in future history comes to an end in a moment of painful truth, as the Maess war turns hot and personal tragedy strikes from an unexpected direction. Our star-crossed heroes take a step forward in their forbidden relationship, just as their civilization faces a new day in their endless war with a faceless, implacable enemy. The story continues...
The most awkward look-don't-touch military courtship in future history comes to an end in a moment of painful truth, as the Maess war turns hot and personal tragedy strikes from an unexpected direction. Our star-crossed heroes take a step forward in their forbidden relationship, just as their civilization faces a new day in their endless war with a faceless, implacable enemy. The story continues...
April 19, 2020
Okay, so this installment was, thankfully, way better than the last one. There was much more focus on Bennet and Flynn (my shipper heart was pleased!) and the actual plot was less laggy, even though it only started to pick up pace near the end. There was some interesting politics too, which started out kind of boring, but turned out to be important as hell.
This non-fraternization policy made for some great UST between our MCs (I'm not complaining there), even if it made little sense, since on one hand, Bennet and Flynn couldn't be together because Bennet was Flynn's captain, while it was totally a-okay that family members (Bennet and Natalia) served on the same ship as their father, who was the commander of the whole ship... whaaat? And there was even an agreement between Bennet and his father, that while they were on the clock, so to say, Bennet was his subordinate, and while they had their weekly suppers, he was his son. Why wasn't that an option for Bennet and Flynn? I know why, of course, because then there wouldn't be a conflict, but even so, that part should have been explained a little better.
There were parts that were kind of strange, like this whole thing about the Makepeace people, and Bennet's outrage regarding their treatment. I think it was to show how much more humane Bennet was than other people in that place. I get that we should be able to connect with the main character, but sometimes he just came across incredibly naive, for a man of his importance and supposed maturity. But in the end, he might have learned from it, sadly on Felix's expense.
Some reviews mentioned it before, and I wasn't too bothered by it up until now, but it has to be addressed: the world-building is lacking a bit. More specifically, the technology, that's supposed to be way more advanced than ours. It seems like humans figured out how to travel at lightspeed... and that's that people! Nothing to see here, no more technological improvement for you! 7000 years and there are still cars, taxis, keyboards, freaking email, people dying of pneumonia... just off the top of my head. It's uncanny how quickly something like this can pull you out of a story if you pay attention to it, and I don't know how I didn't notice it before (I know, it was the romance, sorry, not sorry). It's not that big of a deal for me, personally, but it's still something to think about.
The ending was a bit fast, but it was pretty damn impactful all the same.
I'm a bit more enthusiastic about the last book now, hopefully it won't disappoint!
This non-fraternization policy made for some great UST between our MCs (I'm not complaining there), even if it made little sense, since on one hand, Bennet and Flynn couldn't be together because Bennet was Flynn's captain, while it was totally a-okay that family members (Bennet and Natalia) served on the same ship as their father, who was the commander of the whole ship... whaaat? And there was even an agreement between Bennet and his father, that while they were on the clock, so to say, Bennet was his subordinate, and while they had their weekly suppers, he was his son. Why wasn't that an option for Bennet and Flynn? I know why, of course, because then there wouldn't be a conflict, but even so, that part should have been explained a little better.
There were parts that were kind of strange, like this whole thing about the Makepeace people, and Bennet's outrage regarding their treatment. I think it was to show how much more humane Bennet was than other people in that place. I get that we should be able to connect with the main character, but sometimes he just came across incredibly naive, for a man of his importance and supposed maturity. But in the end, he might have learned from it, sadly on Felix's expense.
Some reviews mentioned it before, and I wasn't too bothered by it up until now, but it has to be addressed: the world-building is lacking a bit. More specifically, the technology, that's supposed to be way more advanced than ours. It seems like humans figured out how to travel at lightspeed... and that's that people! Nothing to see here, no more technological improvement for you! 7000 years and there are still cars, taxis, keyboards, freaking email, people dying of pneumonia... just off the top of my head. It's uncanny how quickly something like this can pull you out of a story if you pay attention to it, and I don't know how I didn't notice it before (I know, it was the romance, sorry, not sorry). It's not that big of a deal for me, personally, but it's still something to think about.
The ending was a bit fast, but it was pretty damn impactful all the same.
I'm a bit more enthusiastic about the last book now, hopefully it won't disappoint!
September 27, 2018
Start with the first one.
*sigh* so so good.
*sigh* so so good.
April 7, 2020
This novel cannot be read as a stand-alone. Please read ‘Gyrfalcon’, ‘Heart Scarab’, and ‘Makepeace’ first if you haven’t done so already. When ‘Heart Scarab’ ended, I noted in my review I was uneasy. Heart Scarab wasn’t quite a cliff-hanger, but it had me drumming my fingers on the table going “Hmm…” When ‘Makepeace’ started, I was again drumming my fingers on the end of the couch going “Hmm…”, and ended the book with an Arrrgghhhh! ‘The Chains of the Sins’ had me going “Hmm…” and Arrrgghhhh!
The premise of ‘Chains of Their Sin’ is that Captain Bennet is serving his final year of off-Shield rotation on the Gyrfalcon. He’s viewing this assignment with dread: his father is in upper command, his youngest sister Natalia is in engineering, and Flynn…Flynn is untouchable due to fraternization rules. Bennet works out a detente of sorts with his father. He comes to some common ground with his sister. Bennet and Flynn agree that they can only be “friends”, that fraternization in the ranks is one rule Bennet won’t break. Somehow, they’ll make it work.
Not long after taking command of the Hornets on the Gyrfalcon, Bennet is called to Shield duty on the planet Boeotia, where Shield has stashed the rescued civilians from Makepeace. His long-time friend Felix is overseeing the rehabilitation of the civilians while conducting studies to see how the Maess have messed with their minds – literally. Bennet doesn’t like the whole situation, feels the setup is more like a prison, and the experiments too similar to what the Maess were doing and they don’t part on good terms. But there is no good alternative and Bennet, angry at what Felix is doing, washes his hands of the whole mess.
While an interesting read (this is a very solid sci-fi book), ‘The Chains of Their Sins’ is a transition book. This installment really didn’t have the impact in the story and romance arc that the previous books did. Bennet proposes some horrific theories to the system politicians at Albion and is lambasted for it, there is some resolution between father and son, there are some tears at a point I won’t spoil, and, in the end, Flynn and Bennet are no further along than when their story started.
Which is beginning to frustrate the HECK out of me! Come on! Give the two guys a break! Okay – author elicited an emotional response, always a good sign. But still, this is book four and I’m starting to get frustrated.
One unresolved issue that kind of niggled at me: Natalia’s behavior toward Bennet and Flynn was unexplained and a bit odd. Perhaps there is more to come in the next book?
Lastly…ARRRGGHHHH!!!!!! Blast and bother – cliff-hanger alert. I have to wait for the next book, dammit. This officially falls under cruel and unusual punishment.
And it’s SO worth it! I love this series – great worldbuilding, the characters are complex and interesting, the sci-fi is solid. I can’t wait for the next one.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Pride Promotions for the purpose of a review. This review was first published on Gay Book Reviews.
The premise of ‘Chains of Their Sin’ is that Captain Bennet is serving his final year of off-Shield rotation on the Gyrfalcon. He’s viewing this assignment with dread: his father is in upper command, his youngest sister Natalia is in engineering, and Flynn…Flynn is untouchable due to fraternization rules. Bennet works out a detente of sorts with his father. He comes to some common ground with his sister. Bennet and Flynn agree that they can only be “friends”, that fraternization in the ranks is one rule Bennet won’t break. Somehow, they’ll make it work.
Not long after taking command of the Hornets on the Gyrfalcon, Bennet is called to Shield duty on the planet Boeotia, where Shield has stashed the rescued civilians from Makepeace. His long-time friend Felix is overseeing the rehabilitation of the civilians while conducting studies to see how the Maess have messed with their minds – literally. Bennet doesn’t like the whole situation, feels the setup is more like a prison, and the experiments too similar to what the Maess were doing and they don’t part on good terms. But there is no good alternative and Bennet, angry at what Felix is doing, washes his hands of the whole mess.
While an interesting read (this is a very solid sci-fi book), ‘The Chains of Their Sins’ is a transition book. This installment really didn’t have the impact in the story and romance arc that the previous books did. Bennet proposes some horrific theories to the system politicians at Albion and is lambasted for it, there is some resolution between father and son, there are some tears at a point I won’t spoil, and, in the end, Flynn and Bennet are no further along than when their story started.
Which is beginning to frustrate the HECK out of me! Come on! Give the two guys a break! Okay – author elicited an emotional response, always a good sign. But still, this is book four and I’m starting to get frustrated.
One unresolved issue that kind of niggled at me: Natalia’s behavior toward Bennet and Flynn was unexplained and a bit odd. Perhaps there is more to come in the next book?
Lastly…ARRRGGHHHH!!!!!! Blast and bother – cliff-hanger alert. I have to wait for the next book, dammit. This officially falls under cruel and unusual punishment.
And it’s SO worth it! I love this series – great worldbuilding, the characters are complex and interesting, the sci-fi is solid. I can’t wait for the next one.
DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. This book has been provided by Pride Promotions for the purpose of a review. This review was first published on Gay Book Reviews.
February 23, 2017
(Originally reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews.)
After reading and reviewing the first three books in this series, I would have been quite surprised if I didn’t love this one as much as the previous ones. I wasn’t surprised at all. It was fantastic.
We rejoin the story of Shield Captain Bennet and Flynn, just as Bennet is assigned as a Captain on his father’s dreadnought, Gyrfalcon. Those of you who’ve read along will remember the Gyrfalcon, and both Bennet and Flynn. For those of you who haven’t read the previous books, if you’re a science fiction lover, then you’ve missed a good series. Start with book one and work your way through them before the next installment comes out. That’s right, I said next installment. There is a teaser at the end of this one for book five, Day of Wrath. I almost wish there wasn’t because now I’ll be tapping my foot waiting for the next one!
But I digress. Back to book four, The Chains of Their Sins. The interplay between Bennet and Flynn in this one is complex. Flynn is now reporting directly to Bennet, and both have been warned by the ship’s Commander, Bennet’s father, Caeden, about fraternizing with each other. What are two red blooded men to do? One hint, there is a lot of frustration.
Running throughout the book, we also have the continued story of the events that occurred in book three, Makepeace, as well as some incursions by the alien Maess. The remnants of the Makepeace disaster are still very much around, and of course Bennet is still involved, as is his best friend Felix.
No more spoilers. I very highly recommend this one. It might be enough to make me stop growling for more on her last book, Passing Shadows, but I’m not 100% sure just yet!
Pick this book and series up today. You won’t be sorry.
After reading and reviewing the first three books in this series, I would have been quite surprised if I didn’t love this one as much as the previous ones. I wasn’t surprised at all. It was fantastic.
We rejoin the story of Shield Captain Bennet and Flynn, just as Bennet is assigned as a Captain on his father’s dreadnought, Gyrfalcon. Those of you who’ve read along will remember the Gyrfalcon, and both Bennet and Flynn. For those of you who haven’t read the previous books, if you’re a science fiction lover, then you’ve missed a good series. Start with book one and work your way through them before the next installment comes out. That’s right, I said next installment. There is a teaser at the end of this one for book five, Day of Wrath. I almost wish there wasn’t because now I’ll be tapping my foot waiting for the next one!
But I digress. Back to book four, The Chains of Their Sins. The interplay between Bennet and Flynn in this one is complex. Flynn is now reporting directly to Bennet, and both have been warned by the ship’s Commander, Bennet’s father, Caeden, about fraternizing with each other. What are two red blooded men to do? One hint, there is a lot of frustration.
Running throughout the book, we also have the continued story of the events that occurred in book three, Makepeace, as well as some incursions by the alien Maess. The remnants of the Makepeace disaster are still very much around, and of course Bennet is still involved, as is his best friend Felix.
No more spoilers. I very highly recommend this one. It might be enough to make me stop growling for more on her last book, Passing Shadows, but I’m not 100% sure just yet!
Pick this book and series up today. You won’t be sorry.
August 4, 2021
Truthfully, not as good as the first one, not as bad as the second and third - probably because Bennet spends a lot of time around Caeden, Flynn and Cruz, which is where he's the best.
Though, to be fair, Bennet also has a very skewed idea of building a healthy relationship. (I blame Joss. Though to be fair here, as well, I'd blame Joss for the Maess if I could find a reasonable way to do that.)
I am reading this series mostly because I bought all the books, but I have also gotten very curious as to how the Maess are going to be explained because we are no closer to knowing who or what they are than we were in the first book.
Though, to be fair, Bennet also has a very skewed idea of building a healthy relationship. (I blame Joss. Though to be fair here, as well, I'd blame Joss for the Maess if I could find a reasonable way to do that.)
I am reading this series mostly because I bought all the books, but I have also gotten very curious as to how the Maess are going to be explained because we are no closer to knowing who or what they are than we were in the first book.
January 26, 2018
Where’s the next one? You can’t leave it there!
The bulk of the book is slow with little plot development, until right at the end where Butler picks up speed and drives us right of a cliff.
The bulk of the book is slow with little plot development, until right at the end where Butler picks up speed and drives us right of a cliff.
March 21, 2018
I’m already a huge fan of this series. The world building is very detailed, the settings easy to visualise, and I love the characters.
This story picks up two years after the last book, and both men’s nervousness about seeing each other again was very tangible, and awkward, and not just because of the anti-Fraternisation Regs. I really felt for them in this story, and could feel their frustration and pain. It was a difficult read, but that also made the story so so good. I thought the author did a great job showing Bennet trying to, and not coping, with the horror of the each new discovery about the Maess and their plans.
As with the previous books, although Bennet and Flynn’s romance plays a part in the story, this is a solid SF story with a romance, rather than a romance against a backdrop of SF.
The plot is complex, and very engaging. I liked the way it linked back to the previous stories, and built on them. The author doesn’t shy away from the ethics and politics in this story, which adds to what is already a very powerful read. There are a lot of difficult questions asked, and some of the characters come out as definite shades of gray. The politicians have a store of dirty tricks, and are very self-serving in the way they tap into feelings of resentment and powerlessness and use it to their own advantage. I really liked the analogy of a cup on a volcano used to describe the unrest in the other colonies, and the political situation as a whole.
The complex world building is another one of this series’ strengths. I love how a little more of Albion’s history is revealed with each new book, and the Egyptian connection to their culture. I thought the attack flights were very realistic, and easy to visualise. The author writes fabulous action scenes which have me on the edge of my seat.
I already own the first two books in hardcopy, and I will be buying the rest. This series reminds me of why I love SF. I’m hanging out for the final book although I must admit I’m a little worried about what the author has in store for these characters I’ve grown to love.
I’d recommend The Chains of Their Sins to readers who enjoy an edge-of-your-seat political military SF with fabulous characters and world building.
This story picks up two years after the last book, and both men’s nervousness about seeing each other again was very tangible, and awkward, and not just because of the anti-Fraternisation Regs. I really felt for them in this story, and could feel their frustration and pain. It was a difficult read, but that also made the story so so good. I thought the author did a great job showing Bennet trying to, and not coping, with the horror of the each new discovery about the Maess and their plans.
As with the previous books, although Bennet and Flynn’s romance plays a part in the story, this is a solid SF story with a romance, rather than a romance against a backdrop of SF.
The plot is complex, and very engaging. I liked the way it linked back to the previous stories, and built on them. The author doesn’t shy away from the ethics and politics in this story, which adds to what is already a very powerful read. There are a lot of difficult questions asked, and some of the characters come out as definite shades of gray. The politicians have a store of dirty tricks, and are very self-serving in the way they tap into feelings of resentment and powerlessness and use it to their own advantage. I really liked the analogy of a cup on a volcano used to describe the unrest in the other colonies, and the political situation as a whole.
The complex world building is another one of this series’ strengths. I love how a little more of Albion’s history is revealed with each new book, and the Egyptian connection to their culture. I thought the attack flights were very realistic, and easy to visualise. The author writes fabulous action scenes which have me on the edge of my seat.
I already own the first two books in hardcopy, and I will be buying the rest. This series reminds me of why I love SF. I’m hanging out for the final book although I must admit I’m a little worried about what the author has in store for these characters I’ve grown to love.
I’d recommend The Chains of Their Sins to readers who enjoy an edge-of-your-seat political military SF with fabulous characters and world building.
May 30, 2018
Aaaaaaaaah.
Mostly love! Mostly!
My complaint about this one is that there's too much political stuff. Way too much. I do think it's probably important to the story (this one and at least the next one) and some of the story arcs and stuff, yada yada, but I found it hard to care when all I wanted was BENNET AND FLYNN KISSING. I know, I know, too much to ask. And I knowwwwww, this isn't really a romance series—I mean, it IS, but it also isn't, and I'm focusing on the wrong things.
So. I'm not sure where this one falls on the scale. I think maybe my least favorite of the four, just because I didn't care for some of the Albion/meeting/Beatrice/political crap. But the action stuff was good! And there was lots of Flynn! Not nearly enough . Huff. But lots of other stuff I'm happy about.
So, I just read like 400k of space opera in four days. Consequently, GIVE ME BOOK FIVE RIGHT NOW. I hope she figures out a way to give us some post-graduation Liam and...well...I know what I want, but I don't know how we're going to get it, and when authors talk about "slow burn," that is certainly what this series is. I just hope that whenever the end comes, there is an inferno waiting for us!
Mostly love! Mostly!
My complaint about this one is that there's too much political stuff. Way too much. I do think it's probably important to the story (this one and at least the next one) and some of the story arcs and stuff, yada yada, but I found it hard to care when all I wanted was BENNET AND FLYNN KISSING. I know, I know, too much to ask. And I knowwwwww, this isn't really a romance series—I mean, it IS, but it also isn't, and I'm focusing on the wrong things.
So. I'm not sure where this one falls on the scale. I think maybe my least favorite of the four, just because I didn't care for some of the Albion/meeting/Beatrice/political crap. But the action stuff was good! And there was lots of Flynn! Not nearly enough . Huff. But lots of other stuff I'm happy about.
So, I just read like 400k of space opera in four days. Consequently, GIVE ME BOOK FIVE RIGHT NOW. I hope she figures out a way to give us some post-graduation Liam and...well...I know what I want, but I don't know how we're going to get it, and when authors talk about "slow burn," that is certainly what this series is. I just hope that whenever the end comes, there is an inferno waiting for us!
May 3, 2018
Bennet takes his post back on Gyrfalcon. The complicated relationships, his father, sister and Flynn are a minefield he has to navigate carefully.
He know he will never break the fraternization rule with Flynn, but the walls he keeps building continually crumble. To be near Flynn for a year and not be able to touch is gut wrenching.
The Makepeace mission continues to have major fallout. Bennet has to face the reality of the survivors he rescued. He comes to the belief that they never should of been brought back, leaving them to die on Makepeace might of been the kinder solution. Once politicians get involved the situation worsens. The war only getting stranger.
I had really hoped Bennet and Flynn could find a way back together. But since I have put this series into the Sci-Fi soap opera category I knew it wasn't to be. Very nice addition to the series. Don't think I've said it before but they do need to be read in order. This book has no m/m interaction but I would still put it in that category.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
He know he will never break the fraternization rule with Flynn, but the walls he keeps building continually crumble. To be near Flynn for a year and not be able to touch is gut wrenching.
The Makepeace mission continues to have major fallout. Bennet has to face the reality of the survivors he rescued. He comes to the belief that they never should of been brought back, leaving them to die on Makepeace might of been the kinder solution. Once politicians get involved the situation worsens. The war only getting stranger.
I had really hoped Bennet and Flynn could find a way back together. But since I have put this series into the Sci-Fi soap opera category I knew it wasn't to be. Very nice addition to the series. Don't think I've said it before but they do need to be read in order. This book has no m/m interaction but I would still put it in that category.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads.
October 23, 2018
This was my least favorite of the series. I never got into the whole Flynn/Bennett angle of this series, and this book gushes with that story angle I don't get what makes these two so unrepeatable and so in need to be together. I also have to laugh my butt off at the idea of Fleet being family oriented where children can serve under parent but have strict fraternization rules. The politics of the Vines, colonies vs Albion also didn't seem to work well for me. The peace not war thing only makes sense if humans were the aggressor. Obviously the Maess want to exterminate humans. The colonies if they go independent would have an even harder time defending themselves than Albion would by themselves. I can see friction between the colonies and Albion but making it about stopping the war didn't make sense to me.
December 4, 2017
2017 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention: The Chains of Their Sins (Taking Shield #4) Anna Butler
1) The world Anna Butler has created for her characters to interact in is complex and vivid. I was completely immersed in the customs, politics and different locations - superb world building. The plot is intricate, a real page turner with several surprises along the way. I am certainly looking forward to the next instalment.
2) I’m already a huge fan of this series. The world building is very detailed, the settings easy to visualise and the characters....I really felt for Bennet and Flynn in this story, and could feel their frustration and pain. The plot is complex, and very engaging.
1) The world Anna Butler has created for her characters to interact in is complex and vivid. I was completely immersed in the customs, politics and different locations - superb world building. The plot is intricate, a real page turner with several surprises along the way. I am certainly looking forward to the next instalment.
2) I’m already a huge fan of this series. The world building is very detailed, the settings easy to visualise and the characters....I really felt for Bennet and Flynn in this story, and could feel their frustration and pain. The plot is complex, and very engaging.
June 17, 2021
Amazing series! Get the box set and start from the beginning! I absolutely love this series and everything about it. I find myself completely captivated by Anna’s storyline’s and characters these are books I can’t put down. I think this instalment especially was very captivating and had high stakes that I read it all too quickly. I really admire Anna Butlers writing style and hope she brings out another series of similar magnitude .
January 19, 2022
“When I was mad with you and said it was a waste of time? I was lying when I said that. Nothing with you has ever been a waste, Ben. Nothing.”
4.5 stars. This might be my favourite book in the series so far. The action was well done, the emotions believable, the losses gut-punchingly hard. Though I could have used a bit more yearning and pining between our two star crossed lovers, the end helped make up for it.
4.5 stars. This might be my favourite book in the series so far. The action was well done, the emotions believable, the losses gut-punchingly hard. Though I could have used a bit more yearning and pining between our two star crossed lovers, the end helped make up for it.
February 23, 2017
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
Once again I’m blown away by Ms. Butler and the vast world she created. I get lost in Albion and aboard the Gyrfalcon and completely immersed in the people, conflict and the entire story. I was captured from the first page and couldn’t put the book down until I was done.
The politics and games that get played throughout the series, and this book in particular, was ramping up and coming to a head. I truly enjoyed seeing the twists and turns Ms. Butler includes as I read. I know I’m going to realize there are more hints when I read the next book. But the way she has everything woven together to create this massive web never ceases to impress me. All of the minute details of how things are connected and effect each other is such a joy to read.
All of the characters grow in this book. Bennet and Flynn especially, however you can see it in Caeden as well. Bennet is faces with some hard realities from more than one front in this book and he tackles them each as they come but in slightly different manners. Flynn grows into himself far more in this book and gains confidence in his wants and needs being valid. Caeden learns to let go some but manages to do it while still holding tight in a way that is so typically Caeden. I enjoy the scenes from Caeden’s point of view more with each book. They make for a fascinating counterpoint to some of the assumptions Bennet has about him. In Gyrfalcon I kind of didn’t like Caeden. But he has slowly grown on me and I love how he and Bennet are working to have a better relationship after so long of constant fights. My favorite is when Caeden explains exactly what happened from his point of view all those years ago with Joss.
Bennet and Flynn needed the time together where nothing physical can happen. They get to know each other better and learn their motivations. They’re also figuring out how they fit together outside of the very easy sexual side of things. Their ups and downs throughout the story had my heart beating hard and me on the edge of my seat. They’re wonderful together but also manage to ignite each other often enough you idly wonder if they like each other enough to love each other. Clearly they do, but they still have obstacles in their path keeping them from that happily ever after. They’re far closer than they were at the end of Makepeace/beginning of this book, however you can see what’s still left ahead.
I feel like I need to talk about That “Colony” and what was happening there. But I absolutely do not want to spoil that because the emotions brought out in those scenes were strong. My predictions there are still surprises in store and there are larger ramifications that will blow up in spectacular ways in the next book. I will say the dilemma that gets raised out of it, before everything happens at the end, were wonderfully threaded throughout the book and weighed rationally and logically in the context of the story.
I cannot wait for the next book. I love each of the books in this series and always get excited to find out what happens next. So far many of my predictions have been spot on in the series. Others I was way off the mark on. I adore the journey we’re still embarking on and eagerly wait to go further once book five is out.
Four and a half stars!
Once again I’m blown away by Ms. Butler and the vast world she created. I get lost in Albion and aboard the Gyrfalcon and completely immersed in the people, conflict and the entire story. I was captured from the first page and couldn’t put the book down until I was done.
The politics and games that get played throughout the series, and this book in particular, was ramping up and coming to a head. I truly enjoyed seeing the twists and turns Ms. Butler includes as I read. I know I’m going to realize there are more hints when I read the next book. But the way she has everything woven together to create this massive web never ceases to impress me. All of the minute details of how things are connected and effect each other is such a joy to read.
All of the characters grow in this book. Bennet and Flynn especially, however you can see it in Caeden as well. Bennet is faces with some hard realities from more than one front in this book and he tackles them each as they come but in slightly different manners. Flynn grows into himself far more in this book and gains confidence in his wants and needs being valid. Caeden learns to let go some but manages to do it while still holding tight in a way that is so typically Caeden. I enjoy the scenes from Caeden’s point of view more with each book. They make for a fascinating counterpoint to some of the assumptions Bennet has about him. In Gyrfalcon I kind of didn’t like Caeden. But he has slowly grown on me and I love how he and Bennet are working to have a better relationship after so long of constant fights. My favorite is when Caeden explains exactly what happened from his point of view all those years ago with Joss.
Bennet and Flynn needed the time together where nothing physical can happen. They get to know each other better and learn their motivations. They’re also figuring out how they fit together outside of the very easy sexual side of things. Their ups and downs throughout the story had my heart beating hard and me on the edge of my seat. They’re wonderful together but also manage to ignite each other often enough you idly wonder if they like each other enough to love each other. Clearly they do, but they still have obstacles in their path keeping them from that happily ever after. They’re far closer than they were at the end of Makepeace/beginning of this book, however you can see what’s still left ahead.
I feel like I need to talk about That “Colony” and what was happening there. But I absolutely do not want to spoil that because the emotions brought out in those scenes were strong. My predictions there are still surprises in store and there are larger ramifications that will blow up in spectacular ways in the next book. I will say the dilemma that gets raised out of it, before everything happens at the end, were wonderfully threaded throughout the book and weighed rationally and logically in the context of the story.
I cannot wait for the next book. I love each of the books in this series and always get excited to find out what happens next. So far many of my predictions have been spot on in the series. Others I was way off the mark on. I adore the journey we’re still embarking on and eagerly wait to go further once book five is out.
July 14, 2024
This book alone was worth slogging through the earlier three books. Though, why does Bennet have to be a little in love with every bloody best friend he's ever had? I suppose, it can't count as an opera if there's no amore all over the place....
May 10, 2017
A good space opera, supporting a multi-book romance which clearly has enough about it to fill at least four more books. I look forward to reading them!
July 1, 2018
Heart wrenching, but oh so good!
December 14, 2019
That was an excellent penultimate book in the series. But the title! For the love of all the theban gods, please change the title for the next edition...
June 6, 2020
Great series.
April 7, 2022
Well this one got the tears flowing!
December 3, 2022
3.5 stars
March 2, 2017
Amazing. This is the fourth book in Anna Butler's gripping Taking Shield space opera series, and it does not stand alone, so read the others first. I absolutely loved this. Like all the other books, it's intense and gripping and immersive and completely took over my brain. The characters are incredibly well-realised and full of depth and real emotion and humanity. Bennet is one of the most affecting characters I've ever read. The depth and complexity of the emotion in this book is amazing and really packs a punch. This book (like the series) is full of twists and turns and surprises and had me glued to the page. I am tremendously excited for the next book.
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