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Unacceptable Risk
She may learn to live for love…if vengeance doesn’t kill her first.
Plix spends her lonely, gritty life trying to solve the mysteries her father left behind. Armed with a variety of cybernetic enhancements and a talent for getting into places she shouldn’t be, she searches for clues to his murder—and who’s responsible for poisoning her city.
Waking up on a street corner with her brain wiring fried to a crisp, she figures she must have gotten close this time. There’s only one man she trusts to pull her back from the brink: a tuner who can retrieve the evidence hidden deep in the recesses of her mind. A man she dares not let too close to her heart.
When Edison downloads a secret SynDate schematic from Plix’s burnt-out circuitry, he knows with dreadful finality that nothing—not even the fiery kiss he’s been holding back for years—will stop her from pursuing her quest past the point of insanity.
All he can do, as he helps her plan her final mission, is ease her pain, watch her back…and hope one of them doesn’t pay with their lives.
Plix spends her lonely, gritty life trying to solve the mysteries her father left behind. Armed with a variety of cybernetic enhancements and a talent for getting into places she shouldn’t be, she searches for clues to his murder—and who’s responsible for poisoning her city.
Waking up on a street corner with her brain wiring fried to a crisp, she figures she must have gotten close this time. There’s only one man she trusts to pull her back from the brink: a tuner who can retrieve the evidence hidden deep in the recesses of her mind. A man she dares not let too close to her heart.
When Edison downloads a secret SynDate schematic from Plix’s burnt-out circuitry, he knows with dreadful finality that nothing—not even the fiery kiss he’s been holding back for years—will stop her from pursuing her quest past the point of insanity.
All he can do, as he helps her plan her final mission, is ease her pain, watch her back…and hope one of them doesn’t pay with their lives.
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First published December 13, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 14, 2013
No spoilers here.
I loved this dark story, with its gritty world and hardcore woman MC. It took only a few pages for me to completely give in to whatever the author handed me—the voice rang so true, so fast, I bought all the tech and all the world-building at face value, as is, at once. That is quite a feat.
To FINALLY read of a strong woman lead character is for me truly a form of catharsis, to say the least. I love how she had a job to do, but was still woman all the way, without ever falling into the black hole of bitch/silly babe. She was real, a woman you can meet anywhere. A woman who, through circumstances of life, is having to act tougher and harder than most of us ever have to.
And a woman who gets the job done.
Then this author goes on to add a brilliant, brilliant male character, both the techie and the love interest, as it were. And Edison? I think I love him. Seriously. Love him. Someone who stands behind a woman on a mission, hands her all she needs to get back on her crusade, silently prays for her safe return, but NEVER stands in her way or diminishes what she needs to do. As I said in my updates, I find Edison to be the complete and total antidote to all the bullying-asshole-male-stalker-leads that are currently running around scaring chicks in the romance genre. (Scaring chicks I say, but they are really falling like headless hens, go figure).
Edison, you are a sight for sore eyes, a haven for thirsty and strong women. I salute you. And hope to see more of your brethren in the future.
I shall follow this author. Ms Grey has an interesting way with words and she paints a dark and convincing picture. One that is also filled with love.
As I said, quite a feat.
The only thing that bugs me is when a book ends at 89 %, and then the publisher fills the remaining pages with promos for other books from other authors. I thought there was more left of the story, and was really sad when it ended so abruptly.
This book is for men and women alike— and HOW many books can you say that about?
Kudos Ms Grey. This was awesome.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
I loved this dark story, with its gritty world and hardcore woman MC. It took only a few pages for me to completely give in to whatever the author handed me—the voice rang so true, so fast, I bought all the tech and all the world-building at face value, as is, at once. That is quite a feat.
To FINALLY read of a strong woman lead character is for me truly a form of catharsis, to say the least. I love how she had a job to do, but was still woman all the way, without ever falling into the black hole of bitch/silly babe. She was real, a woman you can meet anywhere. A woman who, through circumstances of life, is having to act tougher and harder than most of us ever have to.
And a woman who gets the job done.
Then this author goes on to add a brilliant, brilliant male character, both the techie and the love interest, as it were. And Edison? I think I love him. Seriously. Love him. Someone who stands behind a woman on a mission, hands her all she needs to get back on her crusade, silently prays for her safe return, but NEVER stands in her way or diminishes what she needs to do. As I said in my updates, I find Edison to be the complete and total antidote to all the bullying-asshole-male-stalker-leads that are currently running around scaring chicks in the romance genre. (Scaring chicks I say, but they are really falling like headless hens, go figure).
Edison, you are a sight for sore eyes, a haven for thirsty and strong women. I salute you. And hope to see more of your brethren in the future.
I shall follow this author. Ms Grey has an interesting way with words and she paints a dark and convincing picture. One that is also filled with love.
As I said, quite a feat.
The only thing that bugs me is when a book ends at 89 %, and then the publisher fills the remaining pages with promos for other books from other authors. I thought there was more left of the story, and was really sad when it ended so abruptly.
This book is for men and women alike— and HOW many books can you say that about?
Kudos Ms Grey. This was awesome.
***
I was NOT asked to read this book by anyone, I paid for it with my own money, as I do for all the books I read, all the music I listen to and the movies I watch.
January 3, 2012
Unacceptable Risk opens with a kind of electronic poetry that is reminiscent of William Gibson's Neuromancer. I do not make that comparison lightly. Jeanette Grey grounds this story in a tangible dystopian future world where every aspect of life, even people's bodies, are saturated with technology. Unlike a lot of other sci fi writers Grey allows the reader to experience this futuristic world and new human experience without bogging us down with buckets loads of exposition. Instead she skillful integrates technological terminology into the descriptions of how Plix experiences stimuli in her world and even in her own body. It is subtle, but incredibly effective narrative device that quickly immerses the reader in this world without causing confusion or slowing the pace of the story.
Despite the futuristic setting the heart of this story is the relationship between Plix and Edison. We see this in the very opening of the book, when Plix is at her very worst the first person she goes to is Edison, seeking his help and comfort. In her near unconscious state we get glimpses of Edison's own very telling behavior, in his tenderness while caring for her wounds and frustration with her blind commitment to her mission.
One of the things I love about this story is it takes popular fiction cliches and turns them one their ear. Here we see a gender reversal that is both refreshing and expertly crafted into something entirely new. Plix is the driven hero(ine,) haunted by personal tragedy, on a secret mission to expose a dark conspiracy. Edison is the introverted tech who nurses her back to health and pleads with her to stop her self-destructive mission. In most mainstream sci fi noir stories like this one, the gender roles would be reversed and theses characters wouldn't be half as developed as they are here.
Edison is a compelling in his quiet strength, and determination to keep the woman he loves alive even as she chases her own death. His vulnerability (that is far from weakness) grounds this story in very real emotions. Even though Edison is in a supporting role, to a female lead, he is never reduce to some emasculated stereotype. He is compassionate, earnest and never threatened by Plix. Even when she infuriates him. What I wouldn't give to see more men like Edison in romantic fiction.
In the same right, Plix has been set into a role typically inhabited by men, but never once does the reader forget that she is a woman. Her pain over her past and her struggle to compartmentalize her emotions in order to protect herself and Edison is endearing and heartbreaking to read. She is intelligent, strong, stubborn and extremely endearing in her desperation to do what is right, while protecting Edison.
How very refreshing to see a strong female character that isn't a bitchy cliche or a male character in disguise. THIS is how you write a female protagonist, like a fully fleshed out human being. I wish we had more wonderfully detailed female characters like this in every genre of fiction.
I'm going to be honest, I fell deeply in love with both of these characters, and this story. It kept my heart racing, made her giggle and gasp out loud. I was scared for them and cheered them on every step of the way.
While, it was sad to see the story come to an end, it was a satisfying and believable one. I won't be sad for too long, since I'm sure to reread this book again and again.
I highly recommend this for both readers of science fiction and romance. You get fantastic book or an incredibly reasonable price ($2.66 on Amazon). It is worth every penny and then some.
I would also encourage any reluctant male readers to give this story a chance. It has all the same language and atmosphere of a traditional sci fic novel, AND it features a tech-geek as a romantic lead. Really, geeky guys should be hoisting Jeanette Grey on their shoulders and celebrating her portrayal of a sexy, compassionate, techno-savvy guy.
Despite the futuristic setting the heart of this story is the relationship between Plix and Edison. We see this in the very opening of the book, when Plix is at her very worst the first person she goes to is Edison, seeking his help and comfort. In her near unconscious state we get glimpses of Edison's own very telling behavior, in his tenderness while caring for her wounds and frustration with her blind commitment to her mission.
One of the things I love about this story is it takes popular fiction cliches and turns them one their ear. Here we see a gender reversal that is both refreshing and expertly crafted into something entirely new. Plix is the driven hero(ine,) haunted by personal tragedy, on a secret mission to expose a dark conspiracy. Edison is the introverted tech who nurses her back to health and pleads with her to stop her self-destructive mission. In most mainstream sci fi noir stories like this one, the gender roles would be reversed and theses characters wouldn't be half as developed as they are here.
Edison is a compelling in his quiet strength, and determination to keep the woman he loves alive even as she chases her own death. His vulnerability (that is far from weakness) grounds this story in very real emotions. Even though Edison is in a supporting role, to a female lead, he is never reduce to some emasculated stereotype. He is compassionate, earnest and never threatened by Plix. Even when she infuriates him. What I wouldn't give to see more men like Edison in romantic fiction.
In the same right, Plix has been set into a role typically inhabited by men, but never once does the reader forget that she is a woman. Her pain over her past and her struggle to compartmentalize her emotions in order to protect herself and Edison is endearing and heartbreaking to read. She is intelligent, strong, stubborn and extremely endearing in her desperation to do what is right, while protecting Edison.
How very refreshing to see a strong female character that isn't a bitchy cliche or a male character in disguise. THIS is how you write a female protagonist, like a fully fleshed out human being. I wish we had more wonderfully detailed female characters like this in every genre of fiction.
I'm going to be honest, I fell deeply in love with both of these characters, and this story. It kept my heart racing, made her giggle and gasp out loud. I was scared for them and cheered them on every step of the way.
While, it was sad to see the story come to an end, it was a satisfying and believable one. I won't be sad for too long, since I'm sure to reread this book again and again.
I highly recommend this for both readers of science fiction and romance. You get fantastic book or an incredibly reasonable price ($2.66 on Amazon). It is worth every penny and then some.
I would also encourage any reluctant male readers to give this story a chance. It has all the same language and atmosphere of a traditional sci fic novel, AND it features a tech-geek as a romantic lead. Really, geeky guys should be hoisting Jeanette Grey on their shoulders and celebrating her portrayal of a sexy, compassionate, techno-savvy guy.
January 26, 2012
Intriguing Sci-Fi Romance
In a technologically-advanced, futuristic world where humans can get cybernetic enhancements done to their bodies, Plix is a woman on a mission! Every time she gets injured or damaged while pursuing her mission, she turns to the only person who she trusts to put her back together, Edison. He is also the man she refuses to open her heart to, that is until she pushes herself beyond extreme limits and can no longer deny her feelings for him.
As a science geek who is not too tech savvy, I lost myself in this world as Ms. Grey beautifully describes all what Plix goes through whether it be emotional, physical and technological. The tension between Plix and Edison is pretty obvious from the beginning. As the story line progresses, their romance is slowly built up with very nice tender moments dispersed among all the pain of her recovery. When I reached the end, I was sad to let these characters go. I wanted the story to continue! (shakes fist in the air)
I look forward to reading anything new and old from this new-to-me author. On a final note, after reading this story, I think it would be very cool to have an optical implant like Plix!
In a technologically-advanced, futuristic world where humans can get cybernetic enhancements done to their bodies, Plix is a woman on a mission! Every time she gets injured or damaged while pursuing her mission, she turns to the only person who she trusts to put her back together, Edison. He is also the man she refuses to open her heart to, that is until she pushes herself beyond extreme limits and can no longer deny her feelings for him.
As a science geek who is not too tech savvy, I lost myself in this world as Ms. Grey beautifully describes all what Plix goes through whether it be emotional, physical and technological. The tension between Plix and Edison is pretty obvious from the beginning. As the story line progresses, their romance is slowly built up with very nice tender moments dispersed among all the pain of her recovery. When I reached the end, I was sad to let these characters go. I wanted the story to continue! (shakes fist in the air)
I look forward to reading anything new and old from this new-to-me author. On a final note, after reading this story, I think it would be very cool to have an optical implant like Plix!
December 23, 2011
The first time I saw this cover I was already intrigued- then I read the blurb and I was sold. I have a soft spot for science fiction romance and I couldn’t wait to dive into this world. In Unaccepteable Risk we meet Plix a mysterious woman living a world rather different from ours. In her world humans are able to enhance not only their body but also their mind. There are ways to become stronger, faster or to turn yourself into a living and breathing surveillance system- the latter is what Plix had to do. Plix, our heroine, has a mission and she is singlemindedly trying to reach her goal. She is more than determined and so focused that she has to ignore the other things, or persons, that mean the world to her.
One of those is Edison. He’s her tuner and her secret crush. As a tuner he does the actual enhancements or, as in Plix’ case, repair them after they were damaged. He’s not only caring for the mechanical part of her- over the time they “worked” together she took a piece of his heart and everytime she leaves to put herself in danger yet again his heart is splintering a little more. He wants to keep her safe but he doesn’t know how to get her to listen to him. It’s hard to get through to her.
The tragic of this story is that you do know that they both want each other but the circumstances just don’t permit it. It’s a heartwrenching situation and their feeling felt so real to me I actually felt my heart breaking with theirs.
As you can see this novella really touched me. It’s not often I feel such a deep connection to characters and even less in such a short format. Ms Grey reminds me of Megan Hart and her work- great characterisation and an engaging and facinating world-building hold together by a compelling writing style.
I loved the pace of this book. You jump head first into the story and everything unfolds slowy before your eyes. You learn all the essentials as the story progresses. At first this confusd me a bit but after some pages I was so engrossed that I lost track of time.
As you can see I loved this book. This is one of these rare gems you find. I hoped to like this book but instead I adored it. Unacceptable Risk will draw you in and not let you go. I know I will hunt down Ms Grey‘s backlist and keep her future releases on must buy list.
I give Unacceptable Risk 4.5 out of 5 stars!
One of those is Edison. He’s her tuner and her secret crush. As a tuner he does the actual enhancements or, as in Plix’ case, repair them after they were damaged. He’s not only caring for the mechanical part of her- over the time they “worked” together she took a piece of his heart and everytime she leaves to put herself in danger yet again his heart is splintering a little more. He wants to keep her safe but he doesn’t know how to get her to listen to him. It’s hard to get through to her.
The tragic of this story is that you do know that they both want each other but the circumstances just don’t permit it. It’s a heartwrenching situation and their feeling felt so real to me I actually felt my heart breaking with theirs.
As you can see this novella really touched me. It’s not often I feel such a deep connection to characters and even less in such a short format. Ms Grey reminds me of Megan Hart and her work- great characterisation and an engaging and facinating world-building hold together by a compelling writing style.
I loved the pace of this book. You jump head first into the story and everything unfolds slowy before your eyes. You learn all the essentials as the story progresses. At first this confusd me a bit but after some pages I was so engrossed that I lost track of time.
As you can see I loved this book. This is one of these rare gems you find. I hoped to like this book but instead I adored it. Unacceptable Risk will draw you in and not let you go. I know I will hunt down Ms Grey‘s backlist and keep her future releases on must buy list.
I give Unacceptable Risk 4.5 out of 5 stars!
January 3, 2012
Is it enough of a review to say that I would like to read more of this? Is that enough of a recommendation for you? I would be happy if we got, say, 3-4 more books, perhaps prequels? I would love to hear more about Plix's implants: the way the technology is seamlessly worked into the characters is fascinating. (also I now want an ocular implant. yes.) Shades of Gibson and Stephenson, but with, frankly, a more interesting story. (sorry guys.)
I find myself a SuperFanGirl of Jeanette Grey. I hope I don't startle her with my "ZOMG I lurrrve this"-ness of my reviews, but I do. I love her writing, her characters. They are so strong and flawed and so (eventually) willing to open their hearts to love. Does that sound cheesy? It's not.
I find myself a SuperFanGirl of Jeanette Grey. I hope I don't startle her with my "ZOMG I lurrrve this"-ness of my reviews, but I do. I love her writing, her characters. They are so strong and flawed and so (eventually) willing to open their hearts to love. Does that sound cheesy? It's not.
January 28, 2012
Damn fine novella! This sci-fi story has a kick-ass heroine with a tender hero. Sure the sexuality is PG-13 but the plot is so tight and the heroine so compelling it didn't need to be x-rated to hold my attention. In fact, I could see this as movie. Well done!
January 15, 2012
Unacceptable Risk by Jeanette Grey
Grade: C+
“Maybe it was the feeling that, even though she couldn’t remember how, she’d won and lost, all at once. But still somehow.... someway.... she didn’t feel like she could lose anymore.”
Plix, aka Alice Doyle, has devoted her entire life to finishing her late father’s research and taking down the man and company they believe are responsible for her mother’s death. Plix is so determined to take down Lucien Vicker and his company SynDate that she has gone so far to get cybernetic implants. The implants turn your parts of your body into a computer making you faster, smarter and they store data and evidence. With the help of Edison,the best cybernetic implant tuner in ChiGonE, Plix will do anything to stop Vicker and SynDate and hopefully Edison will be able to pick up the pieces and put her back together.
Unacceptable Risk is a science fiction- romance novella set in a place called ChiGonE in the far distant future. Plix is a human who has had so many cybernetic implants that she is at least half robot to help make sure that she is strong enough to take down SynDate. Edison is one, if not the only person, that Plix trusts and interacts with ever and he is also responsible for putting her back together and retrieving all the data that she has stored in hidden parts of herself. They are friends but there is also an unspoken attraction between the two, one that neither has ever acted on that is until Plix is hurt to the point that he almost can’t put her back together. Now the two must trust each other completely in order to take down Vicker and have the chance to finally have a relationship.
I really enjoyed this novella and the world that Mrs. Grey has created but because it was a novella and so short it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Plix is a very complex character who one minute is a bad ass and then the next a very lonely, angry woman. Her relationship with Edison is even more complex and at times very frustrating. Plix has devoted her entire life to fulfilling her father’s work and she has lost herself in it. She has no friends, no lover, no real life and she has turned herself into more of a machine then a real person. Plix is frustrating and intriguing all at the same time. At times I was so mad at her behavior and then the next I felt so sorry for her which made it difficult to really like her.
The main problem that I had was the lack of information I was given especially in the beginning. We are never told about the world that Plix lives in except it’s called ChiGonE. There is no explanation of what life is like except that people now use cybernetic implants and that the city is connected to a Hub which sends out information to every one in ChiGonE. I just felt very lost in a world that I would have loved to have known more about. I kept wondering how Edison, who has no implants, lives in a world where everyone else seems literally plugged into the city. Little things like that really bothered me and kept bothering me through the entire novella. I really wish that I was given more details because I think I would have been way less confused and enjoyed the novella much more.
Unacceptable Risk was a nice break from the type of romance novels that I usually read and I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. i have too many questions that are still unanswered and such a need to know more about the characters and the world that they live in. I understand this is a novella and very short story but I think that there could have been more details without turning this into a full book. I would like to read more about Plix, Edison and ChiGonE in future books, especially if I can learn more about them and their lives.
Grade: C+
“Maybe it was the feeling that, even though she couldn’t remember how, she’d won and lost, all at once. But still somehow.... someway.... she didn’t feel like she could lose anymore.”
Plix, aka Alice Doyle, has devoted her entire life to finishing her late father’s research and taking down the man and company they believe are responsible for her mother’s death. Plix is so determined to take down Lucien Vicker and his company SynDate that she has gone so far to get cybernetic implants. The implants turn your parts of your body into a computer making you faster, smarter and they store data and evidence. With the help of Edison,the best cybernetic implant tuner in ChiGonE, Plix will do anything to stop Vicker and SynDate and hopefully Edison will be able to pick up the pieces and put her back together.
Unacceptable Risk is a science fiction- romance novella set in a place called ChiGonE in the far distant future. Plix is a human who has had so many cybernetic implants that she is at least half robot to help make sure that she is strong enough to take down SynDate. Edison is one, if not the only person, that Plix trusts and interacts with ever and he is also responsible for putting her back together and retrieving all the data that she has stored in hidden parts of herself. They are friends but there is also an unspoken attraction between the two, one that neither has ever acted on that is until Plix is hurt to the point that he almost can’t put her back together. Now the two must trust each other completely in order to take down Vicker and have the chance to finally have a relationship.
I really enjoyed this novella and the world that Mrs. Grey has created but because it was a novella and so short it left me with a lot of unanswered questions. Plix is a very complex character who one minute is a bad ass and then the next a very lonely, angry woman. Her relationship with Edison is even more complex and at times very frustrating. Plix has devoted her entire life to fulfilling her father’s work and she has lost herself in it. She has no friends, no lover, no real life and she has turned herself into more of a machine then a real person. Plix is frustrating and intriguing all at the same time. At times I was so mad at her behavior and then the next I felt so sorry for her which made it difficult to really like her.
The main problem that I had was the lack of information I was given especially in the beginning. We are never told about the world that Plix lives in except it’s called ChiGonE. There is no explanation of what life is like except that people now use cybernetic implants and that the city is connected to a Hub which sends out information to every one in ChiGonE. I just felt very lost in a world that I would have loved to have known more about. I kept wondering how Edison, who has no implants, lives in a world where everyone else seems literally plugged into the city. Little things like that really bothered me and kept bothering me through the entire novella. I really wish that I was given more details because I think I would have been way less confused and enjoyed the novella much more.
Unacceptable Risk was a nice break from the type of romance novels that I usually read and I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it. i have too many questions that are still unanswered and such a need to know more about the characters and the world that they live in. I understand this is a novella and very short story but I think that there could have been more details without turning this into a full book. I would like to read more about Plix, Edison and ChiGonE in future books, especially if I can learn more about them and their lives.
February 21, 2012
Review originally posted here; http://thebookpushers.com/2012/02/17/...
Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: eARC from author
I’ve long been a fan of science fiction romance, and with the arrival of more cyberpunk stories from Samhain, I was excited to get the chance to read new and interesting worlds that were so different from the ones I already loved.
Plix has one goal in life: continue in her father’s footsteps and find a way to bring down the company SynDate – the ones ultimately responsible for the deaths of both her mother and father. She has been cyber engineered to be faster, smarter and more technologically savvy in order to complete that mission. Thanks to Edison, Plix is closer than anyone ever before in finding out the truth.
Edison fears that every time Plix comes to him broken and beaten down that it’ll be the last time he ever sees her alive. He hates fixing her up and sending her back on her way to get into more trouble. After a passionate kiss and a flirtation with death, Plix might finally be ready to devote more of her life to living instead of vengeance. But she will need Edison’s help for one last mission before she can even think about ever after.
I was so excited to read this book, it sounded like such an adventure with a mix of robotic-like technology thrown in the mix. I was hoping that Grey would do a thorough job of explaining all the tech and world-building, and for me, the world as a whole is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. Much of the first chapter or two is spent with Plix going in and out of consciousness, and I had a difficult time keeping up with both the slang and the tech itself. I wish it would have been explained a little more upfront.
I had a harder time connecting to Plix than I did Edison. I wanted to like Plix, I wanted to cheer for her and be with her every step of her journey. Unfortunately, I found her to be very single-minded in her focus, so much so that she came across as very selfish and a little naive. Her only goal and focus for the majority of the book was to bring down SynDate, and in the process she stepped all over Edison’s heart, time and time again.
I liked that Edison was there for Plix, that he wanted to standby her and support her and yet he never held her back. He was very much a beta hero character, taking a very back-seat role to the kickass Plix. He was the nerdy tech guy who patched her up and loved her from afar. I wanted him to be a bit more aggressive in his dealings with her – especially when it became obvious that Plix was oblivious to his attraction.
Although their romance develops very quickly in the last portion of the book, it was done in a way that seemed genuine. Plix was forced to come to grips with the idea of being in love, being in a relationship. While it happened somewhat quickly, it also made total sense to me, and I loved their few moments of tenderness. I wish we would have gotten to see more of that throughout the book.
All in all I think Grey created an interesting and well developed world that can be expanded and explained so much more in future stories. I would love to see more of Plix and Edison or even other characters help push this world further into change. While the relationship was a little slow in developing, it was tender and sweet in the end. I loved Grey’s voice and will definitely be looking for more in the future.
I give Unacceptable Risk a C+
Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out Now!
How I got this book: eARC from author
I’ve long been a fan of science fiction romance, and with the arrival of more cyberpunk stories from Samhain, I was excited to get the chance to read new and interesting worlds that were so different from the ones I already loved.
Plix has one goal in life: continue in her father’s footsteps and find a way to bring down the company SynDate – the ones ultimately responsible for the deaths of both her mother and father. She has been cyber engineered to be faster, smarter and more technologically savvy in order to complete that mission. Thanks to Edison, Plix is closer than anyone ever before in finding out the truth.
Edison fears that every time Plix comes to him broken and beaten down that it’ll be the last time he ever sees her alive. He hates fixing her up and sending her back on her way to get into more trouble. After a passionate kiss and a flirtation with death, Plix might finally be ready to devote more of her life to living instead of vengeance. But she will need Edison’s help for one last mission before she can even think about ever after.
I was so excited to read this book, it sounded like such an adventure with a mix of robotic-like technology thrown in the mix. I was hoping that Grey would do a thorough job of explaining all the tech and world-building, and for me, the world as a whole is still somewhat shrouded in mystery. Much of the first chapter or two is spent with Plix going in and out of consciousness, and I had a difficult time keeping up with both the slang and the tech itself. I wish it would have been explained a little more upfront.
I had a harder time connecting to Plix than I did Edison. I wanted to like Plix, I wanted to cheer for her and be with her every step of her journey. Unfortunately, I found her to be very single-minded in her focus, so much so that she came across as very selfish and a little naive. Her only goal and focus for the majority of the book was to bring down SynDate, and in the process she stepped all over Edison’s heart, time and time again.
I liked that Edison was there for Plix, that he wanted to standby her and support her and yet he never held her back. He was very much a beta hero character, taking a very back-seat role to the kickass Plix. He was the nerdy tech guy who patched her up and loved her from afar. I wanted him to be a bit more aggressive in his dealings with her – especially when it became obvious that Plix was oblivious to his attraction.
Although their romance develops very quickly in the last portion of the book, it was done in a way that seemed genuine. Plix was forced to come to grips with the idea of being in love, being in a relationship. While it happened somewhat quickly, it also made total sense to me, and I loved their few moments of tenderness. I wish we would have gotten to see more of that throughout the book.
All in all I think Grey created an interesting and well developed world that can be expanded and explained so much more in future stories. I would love to see more of Plix and Edison or even other characters help push this world further into change. While the relationship was a little slow in developing, it was tender and sweet in the end. I loved Grey’s voice and will definitely be looking for more in the future.
I give Unacceptable Risk a C+
February 5, 2012
Unacceptable Risk by Jeanette Grey is a terrific read. It's gritty, dark and almost has an urban fantasy feel to it in some ways, because there's a mystery to be solved. But it's not urban fantasy. Oh no. This is science fiction romance. Oh yes. A little cyberpunk, a little post-apocalypse, and absolutely, positively SFR.
Plix returns to consciousness the way she always does, battered, bruised and broken in an alley, surrounded by the scents of her own blood and burnt circuitry, half-blind with pain and with pieces of her memory wiped. She knows this has happened before. But this time is worse than usual. Her only hope is that whatever she found is worth this much damage.
Plix is mostly flesh and blood, but she has a few added cybernetic features. They've saved her life. They've aided her in her quest. She prays that she stashed whatever it was that she learned into those circuits before SynData found her. But there's only one way to be sure. She has to go to the only person who can "tune", repair and maintain her cybernetic parts and data circuits. His name is Edison. And Plix loves him. Which is why she keeps leaving him behind. Because her secret mission to bring down SynDate is going to get her killed some day. Probably sooner rather than later.
She knows that SynDate killed her father.
But if she doesn't uncover the evidence that she is looking for, the poison that SynDate is spilling into the ecosystem will eventually kill everyone. It will just take longer.
Plix takes a suicide mission, thinking it will be the end, cutting all ties, but leaving one final message of love. He's both angry and heartbroken. Edison loves Plix, and putting her back together only to have her come back broken again and again is killing him. This time he's done.
But when Plix returns, nearly dead, he finds her last message, and they finally have a chance together. He knows all her secrets. Can Plix stop protecting him enough to include her lover in her quest to save humanity?
Escape Rating B+: The story ended and I was not a happy camper. It was too short. I want to know how things got so bad. This world is neat, in a really, really sucky way, as in I seriously would not want to live there, but I want to know more about how it got that way, and how Plix got to be Plix. Edison is a really cool guy, his job is fascinating. How do things work? I like these people, I want to know more. And what happens after? This world has gone so far down, I'm not sure that even getting SynDate out of the way solves a whole lot. I want part 2.
Plix returns to consciousness the way she always does, battered, bruised and broken in an alley, surrounded by the scents of her own blood and burnt circuitry, half-blind with pain and with pieces of her memory wiped. She knows this has happened before. But this time is worse than usual. Her only hope is that whatever she found is worth this much damage.
Plix is mostly flesh and blood, but she has a few added cybernetic features. They've saved her life. They've aided her in her quest. She prays that she stashed whatever it was that she learned into those circuits before SynData found her. But there's only one way to be sure. She has to go to the only person who can "tune", repair and maintain her cybernetic parts and data circuits. His name is Edison. And Plix loves him. Which is why she keeps leaving him behind. Because her secret mission to bring down SynDate is going to get her killed some day. Probably sooner rather than later.
She knows that SynDate killed her father.
But if she doesn't uncover the evidence that she is looking for, the poison that SynDate is spilling into the ecosystem will eventually kill everyone. It will just take longer.
Plix takes a suicide mission, thinking it will be the end, cutting all ties, but leaving one final message of love. He's both angry and heartbroken. Edison loves Plix, and putting her back together only to have her come back broken again and again is killing him. This time he's done.
But when Plix returns, nearly dead, he finds her last message, and they finally have a chance together. He knows all her secrets. Can Plix stop protecting him enough to include her lover in her quest to save humanity?
Escape Rating B+: The story ended and I was not a happy camper. It was too short. I want to know how things got so bad. This world is neat, in a really, really sucky way, as in I seriously would not want to live there, but I want to know more about how it got that way, and how Plix got to be Plix. Edison is a really cool guy, his job is fascinating. How do things work? I like these people, I want to know more. And what happens after? This world has gone so far down, I'm not sure that even getting SynDate out of the way solves a whole lot. I want part 2.
April 13, 2012
Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com
Plix is a woman whose has dedicated her whole life to seeking vengeance, determined to get to the bottom of her father's death. She's had her body upgraded with computer components to enable her to be the best she can be.
Waking up battered in a gutter, she has no memory of how she got there, and she seeks the one person she know can help her - Edison. Edison is a tuner, who specialises in 'tuning' human computer upgrades. He's been patching Plix up for years, but each time gets harder and harder.
This novella is a combination of science fiction mystery and romance. We watch Plix so determined to get to the bottom of her father's death at the expense of everything else in her life. At first the love story is just hinted at as we watch Plix too driven to notice anything else, and Edison's pain as he is unable to stop her suicide mission. But this unrequited love really does capture you as the reader right from the start.
While there was a certain amount of intrigue about the mystery part of the story, I did want to see what had driven Plix to become the woman she was and left her with nothing else in her life. There was not enough time in the book to really develop this theme as much as I would have liked.
I was fascinated by Plix's upgrades and the futuristic setting of the story. I found it hard to picture what Plix looked like in my head. I wanted to know more about this world, how these upgrades worked and how it had changed humanity. This important aspect of the book lacked explanation. But, the possibilities of these human adaptations were really interesting. I really hope that the author is planning to write another book in this world as this novella was sadly just too short to explore some of the clever concepts it created.
I really did however, love the romance. I felt for Edison as he continued to patch Plix up and send her out into the unknown, and as he did the gulf between them painfully widened. It made the romance seem not only genuine, but gave me a smile of satisfaction when it finally did happen.
VERDICT:
An easy read novella set in an intriguing new world, but more importantly, a really fab romance.
RATING: 7/10 - Very good, would definitely recommend
Plix is a woman whose has dedicated her whole life to seeking vengeance, determined to get to the bottom of her father's death. She's had her body upgraded with computer components to enable her to be the best she can be.
Waking up battered in a gutter, she has no memory of how she got there, and she seeks the one person she know can help her - Edison. Edison is a tuner, who specialises in 'tuning' human computer upgrades. He's been patching Plix up for years, but each time gets harder and harder.
This novella is a combination of science fiction mystery and romance. We watch Plix so determined to get to the bottom of her father's death at the expense of everything else in her life. At first the love story is just hinted at as we watch Plix too driven to notice anything else, and Edison's pain as he is unable to stop her suicide mission. But this unrequited love really does capture you as the reader right from the start.
While there was a certain amount of intrigue about the mystery part of the story, I did want to see what had driven Plix to become the woman she was and left her with nothing else in her life. There was not enough time in the book to really develop this theme as much as I would have liked.
I was fascinated by Plix's upgrades and the futuristic setting of the story. I found it hard to picture what Plix looked like in my head. I wanted to know more about this world, how these upgrades worked and how it had changed humanity. This important aspect of the book lacked explanation. But, the possibilities of these human adaptations were really interesting. I really hope that the author is planning to write another book in this world as this novella was sadly just too short to explore some of the clever concepts it created.
I really did however, love the romance. I felt for Edison as he continued to patch Plix up and send her out into the unknown, and as he did the gulf between them painfully widened. It made the romance seem not only genuine, but gave me a smile of satisfaction when it finally did happen.
VERDICT:
An easy read novella set in an intriguing new world, but more importantly, a really fab romance.
RATING: 7/10 - Very good, would definitely recommend
April 27, 2012
The Good:
This is a sad but sweet story, with a dark, gritty edge, that made my heart ache for the two central characters. Plix isn't the usual kick-ass heroine - she's quietly but irrepressibly determined, tolerating huge amounts of pain and grief to fulfil a goal, denying herself anything remotely like a normal life. Edison is geeky but strong, and while Plix's blind stubborness drives him to despair, he still does his best to help her even as it carves out his heart every time. Their struggle to repress their obvious feelings for one another had me in tears.
The Bad:
I struggled to find anything to criticise. There is a slight element of repetition in Plix's two forays for information that made me wonder if the opening was a flashback and now I was seeing the events in real time, but the fact that she gained something new told me it wasn't.
In Sum:
This book absolutely tore my heart out. None of the technology is overdone if that's something you struggle with in reading scifi, and yet it's comprehensive and believeable. There's an equal balance between the romance and the science fiction elements. Loved it and want more.
This is a sad but sweet story, with a dark, gritty edge, that made my heart ache for the two central characters. Plix isn't the usual kick-ass heroine - she's quietly but irrepressibly determined, tolerating huge amounts of pain and grief to fulfil a goal, denying herself anything remotely like a normal life. Edison is geeky but strong, and while Plix's blind stubborness drives him to despair, he still does his best to help her even as it carves out his heart every time. Their struggle to repress their obvious feelings for one another had me in tears.
The Bad:
I struggled to find anything to criticise. There is a slight element of repetition in Plix's two forays for information that made me wonder if the opening was a flashback and now I was seeing the events in real time, but the fact that she gained something new told me it wasn't.
In Sum:
This book absolutely tore my heart out. None of the technology is overdone if that's something you struggle with in reading scifi, and yet it's comprehensive and believeable. There's an equal balance between the romance and the science fiction elements. Loved it and want more.
September 19, 2012
I was totally blown away by Unacceptable Risk.
"So now you know" was the only line I marked, although it wasn't the only line I loved. It was the line that made me turn my ereader off and quietly sob -- in the middle of a flight.
This book is great if you're a geek, but even if you're not, the techno aspects were easily accessible and understandable.
The pacing and tension were built to perfection, and my love for Plix and Edison cannot be over-stated. The two characters are the focus of the book almost the entire time, bringing outside characters in only on the fringe, which made for an exciting and tight read.
I plan to loan this to my husband, who is a bona fide geek, and also a book snob. I have utterly no doubt he will love it, as will anyone that drops themselves into this world for a bit.
"So now you know" was the only line I marked, although it wasn't the only line I loved. It was the line that made me turn my ereader off and quietly sob -- in the middle of a flight.
This book is great if you're a geek, but even if you're not, the techno aspects were easily accessible and understandable.
The pacing and tension were built to perfection, and my love for Plix and Edison cannot be over-stated. The two characters are the focus of the book almost the entire time, bringing outside characters in only on the fringe, which made for an exciting and tight read.
I plan to loan this to my husband, who is a bona fide geek, and also a book snob. I have utterly no doubt he will love it, as will anyone that drops themselves into this world for a bit.
February 28, 2012
Wow this little book was an intense ride that kept me reading way past my bedtime. I could not put it down, it was complex with out being to confusing and was thrilling to the last. The story is told from Plix's point of view and it workes really well. The world painted by the author is vivid but dark but still very believable, I could see Plix's world and felt her pain. Even thou this is a novella there is plenty of depth to the character and i have to admit I there was something very likeable about Plix's and something very sexy about Edison, or maybe I just like geeks. I think that one of the things I liked most about this story, the geek is king and as a little bit of a geek how can I not love that!!
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
April 13, 2012
I initially got this book not really knowing what it was going to be about. As I started reading I realized it was a little more techno that I would normally read. I kept coming back to it though because of the strong characters that Jeanette created in Plix and Edison. I loved seeing their relationship blossom on the page and am left wanting more... Something tells me that Plix is not the type to just walk quietly into the sunset and I am sure that she would find more causes to get behind. Only this time hopefully, she wouldn't have to do it alone....
December 19, 2011
I love Sci-fi and I love romance, so Jeanette Grey’s Unacceptable Risk is a book I looked forward to reading, and I was not disappointed at all. Plix is a young woman who has had a number of cyborg type enhancements made to her body. Everytime she is injured, and it happens a lot, a new augmentation is installed, sometimes surgically, sometimes chemically.
To read Cameron's entire review please visit
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
To read Cameron's entire review please visit
http://www.guiltypleasuresbookreviews...
December 26, 2011
I accept this dangerous assignment
This short futuristic sci-fi novella is the perfect mind mint. We get just enough story as we meet Plix in a very compromising position as she is evaluating her exact position and condition. Delving farther into it you find a spin on the normal romantic entanglement with Edison as Plix unravels a startling government cover-up.
I wished there was more but I did like what I got here.
This short futuristic sci-fi novella is the perfect mind mint. We get just enough story as we meet Plix in a very compromising position as she is evaluating her exact position and condition. Delving farther into it you find a spin on the normal romantic entanglement with Edison as Plix unravels a startling government cover-up.
I wished there was more but I did like what I got here.
Read
January 23, 2012The one thing I would say against this book: it was too short! It seemed like she was forever being fixed up which is all well and good as Edison was awesome too but it seemed like really there wasn't much story going on, it all seemed to just end. I enjoyed it while it lasted though!
August 4, 2017
I liked this.
I admit I skimmed some of the computer/tech stuff - so I'm not sure if it didn't really make sense just because I wasn't reading all of it or whether it was actually a bit sketchy. But, whatever, the story was still good without it!
I admit I skimmed some of the computer/tech stuff - so I'm not sure if it didn't really make sense just because I wasn't reading all of it or whether it was actually a bit sketchy. But, whatever, the story was still good without it!
December 18, 2011
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to fans of science fiction, space romance, and a story of attraction between two people who have to overcome roadblocks to their HEA.
March 27, 2013
I wanna be this bad ass someday. Yes I really do.
August 25, 2013
Wonderful story, but I wish it was more fleshed out. The sparsity fit with the setting, though.
November 23, 2011
Review coming 12/12/11
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