Killbox (Sirantha Jax, #4) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jul 05, 2010 Katyana rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ass-kicking-women, kleenex-required, favorites, sci-fi

God. God. I just finished, and... I don't even know where to begin. How do I rate this book?

This book left me smoking pissed. Part of me wants to give it a bad rating because of that, just out of spite. But when I think about it, this visceral emotional reaction I am having, it is a reaction to the story. To a well-told story. How can I give that a low rating?

There are a lot of decisions that frustrated me in this book. I honestly found it hard to read, because parts of it were pretty upsetting. God. God. I just finished, and... I don't even know where to begin. How do I rate this book?

This book left me smoking pissed. Part of me wants to give it a bad rating because of that, just out of spite. But when I think about it, this visceral emotional reaction I am having, it is a reaction to the story. To a well-told story. How can I give that a low rating?

There are a lot of decisions that frustrated me in this book. I honestly found it hard to read, because parts of it were pretty upsetting. But isn't that a mark of caring about a character? Being agonized because they are going down a road you don't want to see them travel?

I am angry that March decided to hold himself apart from Jax, that his integrity demanded it (I am deliberately being vague here, to avoid spoiling my friends). And I am angry that Jax agreed to it. But... I can't argue that it is out of character. That decision, that is March, right down to his core. And Jax... the beautiful thing is that the Jax of book 1 WOULDN'T have agreed. But the Jax of book 4, she recognizes that there are things in the world that hold more value than her own personal needs.

Now, I can and will argue that they were both being stupid. That being partners means facing things together, and if the Armada can't handle that, the Armada can suck it.

But I can't argue that it was out of character, or that it in any way undermined these people or this story.

I am angry that Jax was utterly isolated by the end of this book. That one by one, the people she loves were forced away from her. But at the same time, I can see that this is essential, for Jax. That this is part of her growth.

I am livid that both Jax and March CONTINUE to make unilateral decisions - leap forward into their own plan of action without discussing possibilities with each other. I am heartbroken that they have not come, yet, to the stage where they trust each other enough to know that their love for each other won't allow them force the other to be someone who is less... less... just Less than they need to be.

I am terrified of March's devastation when he receives that transmission.

And above all... above all I am HORRIFIED that we have to sit with this cliffhanger for a YEAR.

But are any of those things marks of a poorly written book? Honestly, could the story have made me cry my damn eyes out through the last 50 or so pages if it was not excellent? The book took me on an emotional journey. And sure, it left me Utterly Furious... but I'd guess that's exactly what Aguirre wants me to be feeling right now.

So, 5 stars.

Cheers, y'all. See you in a year. Goddammit. ...more

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Jul 16, 2010 Steph rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sos-games-bsb-r2, author-웃, author-favorite, series-completed, series-i-love, series-ended, year-read-2011, favorites-2011, cliffhangers-suck, favorites-all-years

Killbox , the 4th in Ann Aguirre's Sirantha Jax series, was one of my favorites of the series. One downside ... the wait until September for Aftermath #5 following a cliffhanger. I knew and still I read it, so I only have myself to blame. ;)

This edition finds Sirantha and her merry band of space warriors dealing with slavers, pirates and the continued battle between the Syndicate and the Conglomerate post-Farwan collapse.

Sirantha also finds herself dealing with the fact that she's slowly, bu ...more

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Feb 01, 2010 The Flooze rated it really liked it

Shelves: vanquished_2010, favorites, owned, sci-fi

Ann Aguirre knows how to carry her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. Throughout Killbox, I was tensing up, holding my breath, crying…needless to say, the story gets intense.

In the wake of Farwan’s collapse, humanity is fighting to survive against several threats: raiders, slavers, and Syndicate heavies are all taking advantage of the Conglomerate’s lack of defensive forces. However, nothing can beat the terror the man-eating Morgut horde inspires. The alien race further encroaches up Ann Aguirre knows how to carry her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotion. Throughout Killbox, I was tensing up, holding my breath, crying…needless to say, the story gets intense.

In the wake of Farwan’s collapse, humanity is fighting to survive against several threats: raiders, slavers, and Syndicate heavies are all taking advantage of the Conglomerate’s lack of defensive forces. However, nothing can beat the terror the man-eating Morgut horde inspires. The alien race further encroaches upon humanity’s corner of the galaxy, killing and devouring its way through people and resources.

Sirantha and her cohorts find themselves smack-dab in the middle of the struggle. Not ten pages into the book and they are already involved in a fire-fight, displaying Aguirre’s ability to keep the pace high and the action engaging. This continues as, at Councilor Tarn’s behest, March assembles an armada - beginning with the rag-tag group we’ve come to know and love.

What follows is a story so filled with sacrifice and heartache there’s no mistaking the fact these people are at war. Relationship dynamics change and loved ones are separated out of necessity. Lives are lost in the fray and even though many of the deceased are newly introduced characters, Aguirre once again shows her knack for making every person significant. This author excels at quickly fostering emotional connections, creating bonds that intensify the action as a whole.

Though I dearly love Sirantha and March (the intimacy of their relationship is incredible), the bond between Sirantha and Vel has always fascinated me. Velith is such a strong and sensitive personality that I can’t help caring for him, worrying about him, and wondering what touching and insightful words he will speak next. Although I wish he had more page-time (I always do), Vel’s scenes with Jax are nevertheless some of the most memorable and heart-wrenching of the whole book. Their connection is one built of such deep trust and understanding that I can’t imagine what sort of person Sirantha would be without his influence.

Apart from the emotional aspect, Aguirre is also adept at keeping things real without bogging down the text. My one complaint was the repetition of a few ideas, but overall she does a wonderful job of issuing reminders of past events while still maintaining her stride. She captures the details of building an armada, jumping through grimspace, engaging in hand-to-hand combat, and so many other activities in such a way that I felt present and involved yet never overwhelmed.

Lest my review makes you think Killbox is all doom and gloom, I should point out that Aguirre does include some surprises and advancements that inspire hope. Yes, Jax, March, and co are facing an incredible challenge. Yes, it does seem insurmountable at times. However, they do experience victories - moments where the fight is declared undoubtedly worthwhile. It’s these instances that encourage the characters to battle on, to remain defiant in a time of adversity. It’s those same moments that make me feel they’ll eventually succeed. I’m not sure at what cost, but I’ll be with them the whole way regardless.
...more

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Oct 25, 2010 Rhiannon Frater rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It is going to be a very long wait until the next book. Though I know (despite the cliffhanger) that our Jax will somehow survive, it's not going to be an easy wait to find out how she does that.

I really did like this book quite a lot. The character of Jax is quite complex and she has evolved a lot. I do find her to be fascinating as she evolves from being quite self-centered to caring, and from impulsive and emotional to calculating and wise. She's still not quite done becoming the woman she is ...more

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Nov 11, 2009 DarkHeart "Vehngeance" rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sci-fi-romance, 2010, 2010-best-releases

Ann Aguirre keeps upping the ante in this series, never giving poor Sirantha a chance to catch her breath. Both Jax, and the world in which she lives have evolved so much over the course of the four books that it's difficult to imagine where it will go from here. As I'd been warned, this one was quite heartbreaking on many levels, as Jax faced the loss of those around her in a number of different ways. In the end, she had only herself and her strength to rely on as those she depends upon and lov ...more

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