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Practice Makes Perfect
The now-extinct Brill gifted humankind with the technology of space travel, but the implacable Swarm is determined to wipe all humans from the face of the universe. But the human race won't give in so easily. On board the spaceship Fearless, a team led by Dr. Rhys Aubrey and Major Jim Tanner is tasked with developing technology for the fight and making new allies to trade for whatever edge they can get.
Every day the Fearless ventures forth to new worlds and faces challenges that forge strong bonds of friendship among the crew—and perhaps something more between Rhys and Jim. In a life filled with danger and trouble around every corner, are Rhys and Jim ready to risk their hearts too?
Every day the Fearless ventures forth to new worlds and faces challenges that forge strong bonds of friendship among the crew—and perhaps something more between Rhys and Jim. In a life filled with danger and trouble around every corner, are Rhys and Jim ready to risk their hearts too?
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2011
1 person is currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Madison
441 books292 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 3, 2014
I always have a problem with sci-fi / futuristic or historical stories. Let's just say that I often don't get them, that is why I prefer to stick with contemporary (or at least urban fantasy). But this one is from Sarah Madison, whose works I like previously.
I have to admit I have problems getting into the story. I miss the context, some sort of lifeline to help me understand the world that Rhys, Jim, and the other crews are in. Especially when the book opens straight into that world, and the characters are talking about some kind of sci-fi technology that is just beyond my brain capacity to grasp. Almost 2/3 of the book are about missions that the crew are facing, and not developing the romance. Although, the whole conversation about movies (Roman Holiday, Lords of the Rings, 300 ...) is fun.
The last 1/3 part is more about the intimacy of Rhys and Jim -- as it's just the two of them, on a mission, talking by the fire. Then Rhys saving Jim's life when he falls into a bog (and I love the scene, of Rhys holding Jim from behind -- it's one of my favorite position rather than holding someone from front side). Then continues with the two of them exploring the new take on their relationship (for those looking fo sex, the penetration scene is taken off screen, just so you know :p). It speaks better for me, because it's just the two men having conversation and lovemaking sensual rather than talking about things I don't understand. Which I think is what my ratings are mostly based.
I'm a bit annoyed with the whole name switch of Tanner and Jim (the name IS Jim Tanner), sometimes within one paragraph. Though I can understand that Rhys is thinking Jim when he feels closer because Jim is their leader -- and in the end Rhys uses Jim all the time instead of Tanner. Still, not a very big fan of that.
Anyway, I still like Sarah Madison's writing -- but it just proves to me that sci-fi genre is not really my preference.
I have to admit I have problems getting into the story. I miss the context, some sort of lifeline to help me understand the world that Rhys, Jim, and the other crews are in. Especially when the book opens straight into that world, and the characters are talking about some kind of sci-fi technology that is just beyond my brain capacity to grasp. Almost 2/3 of the book are about missions that the crew are facing, and not developing the romance. Although, the whole conversation about movies (Roman Holiday, Lords of the Rings, 300 ...) is fun.
The last 1/3 part is more about the intimacy of Rhys and Jim -- as it's just the two of them, on a mission, talking by the fire. Then Rhys saving Jim's life when he falls into a bog (and I love the scene, of Rhys holding Jim from behind -- it's one of my favorite position rather than holding someone from front side). Then continues with the two of them exploring the new take on their relationship (for those looking fo sex, the penetration scene is taken off screen, just so you know :p). It speaks better for me, because it's just the two men having conversation and lovemaking sensual rather than talking about things I don't understand. Which I think is what my ratings are mostly based.
I'm a bit annoyed with the whole name switch of Tanner and Jim (the name IS Jim Tanner), sometimes within one paragraph. Though I can understand that Rhys is thinking Jim when he feels closer because Jim is their leader -- and in the end Rhys uses Jim all the time instead of Tanner. Still, not a very big fan of that.
Anyway, I still like Sarah Madison's writing -- but it just proves to me that sci-fi genre is not really my preference.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2011
Three stars for the overall plot and world-building, and between four and five stars for the characters.
I usually don't read science fiction. English is not my native language and therefore it's hard for me to follow some dialogue and concepts that may come naturally to native speakers. I had a bit of a problem with this particular book - the in medias res concept works well but unfortunately there was just too little world-building in the beginning to make the story float. Much of the question we have regarding the Brill and what happened when they arrived come more towards the end of the book. And still, we are left with a couple of questions that are unanswered. Where did Grylis and Marin come from? How were they recruited to board the Fearless? The world Sarah Madison created is captivating, but the lighter touch in regards to actually developing the world is what causes the overall book to fall a bit flat.
Nevertheless, I read the author's book because of her wonderful characters, and Practice Makes Perfect had amazing ones! Rhys is such a complex and well-rounded character, with his strengths and weaknesses. One minute he's outwardly confident with himself, the next he's very self-deprecating within his thoughts. Normally I would've been annoyed and would brush it off as some kind of bipolar character, but in this case the reader does believe that his snarky and confident personality is a defense mechanism that hides his insecurities. Jim is not as realized because we experience everything through the eyes of Rhys, but of course Jim is charismatic and hot (those dog tags!) but with his fears as well. Grylis and Marin, although only secondary characters, play important roles. We get a feel for their personalities and eventually we are shown that they're essential for the team as well. I love Grylis, just saying. But I don't think he'll ever replace Peter from Crying for the Moon in the top spot.
There was once a time when I told Sarah that I'll read her works even if she decides to write about anthropomorphic cheese. She definitely has talent when it comes to writing her characters. I definitely want to read more about this particular world just to provide myself some more background information; I definitely think it would make the reading experience much more enjoyable. The ending is a "happy for now" ending because the dangers of their work is still there. So perhaps a sequel, with the Swarm defeated? I'd love to see Rhys and Jim's relationship grow without the threat of danger.
Overall, another enjoyable book from the author, but not my favorite. (Peter demands that his book should be my favorite, even if said book is not even written yet.)
I usually don't read science fiction. English is not my native language and therefore it's hard for me to follow some dialogue and concepts that may come naturally to native speakers. I had a bit of a problem with this particular book - the in medias res concept works well but unfortunately there was just too little world-building in the beginning to make the story float. Much of the question we have regarding the Brill and what happened when they arrived come more towards the end of the book. And still, we are left with a couple of questions that are unanswered. Where did Grylis and Marin come from? How were they recruited to board the Fearless? The world Sarah Madison created is captivating, but the lighter touch in regards to actually developing the world is what causes the overall book to fall a bit flat.
Nevertheless, I read the author's book because of her wonderful characters, and Practice Makes Perfect had amazing ones! Rhys is such a complex and well-rounded character, with his strengths and weaknesses. One minute he's outwardly confident with himself, the next he's very self-deprecating within his thoughts. Normally I would've been annoyed and would brush it off as some kind of bipolar character, but in this case the reader does believe that his snarky and confident personality is a defense mechanism that hides his insecurities. Jim is not as realized because we experience everything through the eyes of Rhys, but of course Jim is charismatic and hot (those dog tags!) but with his fears as well. Grylis and Marin, although only secondary characters, play important roles. We get a feel for their personalities and eventually we are shown that they're essential for the team as well. I love Grylis, just saying. But I don't think he'll ever replace Peter from Crying for the Moon in the top spot.
There was once a time when I told Sarah that I'll read her works even if she decides to write about anthropomorphic cheese. She definitely has talent when it comes to writing her characters. I definitely want to read more about this particular world just to provide myself some more background information; I definitely think it would make the reading experience much more enjoyable. The ending is a "happy for now" ending because the dangers of their work is still there. So perhaps a sequel, with the Swarm defeated? I'd love to see Rhys and Jim's relationship grow without the threat of danger.
Overall, another enjoyable book from the author, but not my favorite. (Peter demands that his book should be my favorite, even if said book is not even written yet.)
November 9, 2011
The way this plot started in middle of some task, and characters, we didn't know and talking about this task, just didn't give much enjoyment for new starting story. Rhys was interesting character. I liked his weirdness. Jim on other side didn't fit into the picture at all. He was the captain or the leader of his crew, and that was it. We got to see Rhys having hots for Jim, but trying to ignore it because of their friendship, which was understandable. But somehow there was no real connection between them. Or at list I didn't feel it.
Overall the way this plot started just didn't sit well with me. This plotted story could have been better with much more detailed plot. Everything was to rushed and boring, but that's simple from the way this plot was written.
Overall the way this plot started just didn't sit well with me. This plotted story could have been better with much more detailed plot. Everything was to rushed and boring, but that's simple from the way this plot was written.
December 11, 2011
There's good writing and characterisation in this story. I like the interactions between the characters. It became obvious this was part of a series but I didn't feel like I'd missed anything of this story by not reading the other parts first.
April 1, 2012
I enjoyed this one but I wanted more it felt so much like a series it felt unfinished. There is much more for us to learn about this world. It still boggles the mind... aliens come to earth and we still need to keep gay relationships on the down-low.WHAT!
September 1, 2012
Interesting story, but I felt it was a bit too short. It would've been nice to see more of the team working together, exploring different worlds and meeting different types of beings.
November 18, 2014
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews