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The Girls from Alcyone #1
The Girls From Alcyone
Sigrid and Suko are two girls from the impoverished and crime-infested streets of 24th century Earth. Sold into slavery to save their families from financial ruin, the girls are forced to live out their lives in service to the Kimura Corporation, a prestigious mercenary clan with a lineage stretching back long before the formation of the Federated Corporations.
Known only to Kimura, the two girls share startling secret—a rare genetic structure not found in tens of millions of other girls.
But when their secret becomes known, Sigrid and Suko quickly find themselves at the center of a struggle for power. Now, hunted by men who would seek to control them, Sigrid and Suko are forced to fight for their own survival, and for the freedom of the girls from Alcyone.
Known only to Kimura, the two girls share startling secret—a rare genetic structure not found in tens of millions of other girls.
But when their secret becomes known, Sigrid and Suko quickly find themselves at the center of a struggle for power. Now, hunted by men who would seek to control them, Sigrid and Suko are forced to fight for their own survival, and for the freedom of the girls from Alcyone.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2011
183 people are currently reading
2224 people want to read
About the author
Cary Caffrey
6 books169 followersCary Caffrey is the author of the bestselling science-fiction trilogy The Girls from Alcyone, The Machines of Bellatrix, and Codename: Night Witch—an indie hit that somehow found readers all over the world—which still feels surreal and wonderful.
After too many years away from writing, Cary sat down in April 2025 and just started typing again. Something new. Something dark. Something romantic. The result: A Woman of Whispers, a dark fantasy where gunpowder and magic collide with the kind of romance that cuts deep.
And while Cary will return to Alcyone—sooner than you think—now it's time for dark fantasy and adventure with a foul-mouthed mercenary named Little Wolf who just might steal your heart.
Because there's more coming. More Little Wolf. More Sigrid and Suko. More stories about women who survive and burn, love fiercely, and always leave marks behind.
After too many years away from writing, Cary sat down in April 2025 and just started typing again. Something new. Something dark. Something romantic. The result: A Woman of Whispers, a dark fantasy where gunpowder and magic collide with the kind of romance that cuts deep.
And while Cary will return to Alcyone—sooner than you think—now it's time for dark fantasy and adventure with a foul-mouthed mercenary named Little Wolf who just might steal your heart.
Because there's more coming. More Little Wolf. More Sigrid and Suko. More stories about women who survive and burn, love fiercely, and always leave marks behind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
February 20, 2017
This story is highly cinematic. I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
We follow the journey of Sigrid, a girl sold by her parents to a private corporation to alleviate their crushing debt. What that corporation plans to do with her and the thirty one other girls they've acquired, trained, and modified over a period of nine years is anyone's guess. Sigrid is the runt of the litter, so to speak, and we get to see her evolve from a bullied, always coming in last, young girl to a strong, capable leader. She's a complete badass in a really likable package.
The science in the book is plausible but not too heavy in a way that weighs down the story, the scenes are always moving, there is a ton of action, great supporting characters, and a strong plot...
'The Girls From Alcyone' is a sci-fi, action packed thrill ride first...that just happens to have a same-sex twist. Sigrid is coupled to her best friend and champion, Suko...and, with all the crazy events going on in the book, Suko is Sigrid's motivation and anchor. You can't beat that.
It's a really well done, fun story. 4.5 stars.
We follow the journey of Sigrid, a girl sold by her parents to a private corporation to alleviate their crushing debt. What that corporation plans to do with her and the thirty one other girls they've acquired, trained, and modified over a period of nine years is anyone's guess. Sigrid is the runt of the litter, so to speak, and we get to see her evolve from a bullied, always coming in last, young girl to a strong, capable leader. She's a complete badass in a really likable package.
The science in the book is plausible but not too heavy in a way that weighs down the story, the scenes are always moving, there is a ton of action, great supporting characters, and a strong plot...
'The Girls From Alcyone' is a sci-fi, action packed thrill ride first...that just happens to have a same-sex twist. Sigrid is coupled to her best friend and champion, Suko...and, with all the crazy events going on in the book, Suko is Sigrid's motivation and anchor. You can't beat that.
It's a really well done, fun story. 4.5 stars.
March 8, 2017
Oooh this is a FANTASTIC book! As a lesfic romance fan, I do wish there might of been more interactions between the MCs...BUT, as a sci-fi fan, I really appreciate the amazing storytelling arc, and, actually, the love interest between the MCs is more believable than nearly any other sci-fi I can remember! The attraction between the MCs is very natural, not contrived. Also, the political and scientific storylines are also very believable.
Really, this book is just amazing! Someone, or perhaps more than one someones, described this as cinematic and very worthy of a movie. I agree! Listening to the audible version really brings this to life! Definitely a 5* adventure, with an emphasis on adventure, and just enough romance to keep me smiling!
Really, this book is just amazing! Someone, or perhaps more than one someones, described this as cinematic and very worthy of a movie. I agree! Listening to the audible version really brings this to life! Definitely a 5* adventure, with an emphasis on adventure, and just enough romance to keep me smiling!
May 7, 2013
If you like sci-fi, action and adventure, this book does not disappoint. It starts when the characters are just pre-teens, and I was afraid it would end up as just another angsty YA story. But once the girls grow up a bit, and the action picks up, its one roller coaster action set piece after another till the very end...would have made a truly awesome movie!
There is some romance, but it takes a backseat to the action and intrigue. There are just too many earth-shaking things going on for the author to give it more space and time. I particularly appreciate the author's attention to the details of his future world...from the logistics of space travel through vast interstellar systems to high speed planet-to-orbit elevators. The plot is also relatively complicated (from teen angst to political intrigue and machinations) compared to a typical genre lesbian romance, but not so that you can't follow it easily.
After I read the book, I checked out amazon for the reviews. FF books normally only get about a dozen reviews. And cheap books like this would be lucky to get 1 single reveiw. This book got 140 reviews and about 110 are 4 or 5-star ratings. Impressive for a first time author. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. Its interesting to note that some people gave it 1-star rating because they were "shocked" by the idea of 2 girls falling in love.
btw, the romance is sweet and very well done even though the author appears to be a man.
There is some romance, but it takes a backseat to the action and intrigue. There are just too many earth-shaking things going on for the author to give it more space and time. I particularly appreciate the author's attention to the details of his future world...from the logistics of space travel through vast interstellar systems to high speed planet-to-orbit elevators. The plot is also relatively complicated (from teen angst to political intrigue and machinations) compared to a typical genre lesbian romance, but not so that you can't follow it easily.
After I read the book, I checked out amazon for the reviews. FF books normally only get about a dozen reviews. And cheap books like this would be lucky to get 1 single reveiw. This book got 140 reviews and about 110 are 4 or 5-star ratings. Impressive for a first time author. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. Its interesting to note that some people gave it 1-star rating because they were "shocked" by the idea of 2 girls falling in love.
btw, the romance is sweet and very well done even though the author appears to be a man.
July 12, 2018
This book is like going through a marathon of Avengers superheroes and Star Trek with the addition of a nice lesbian romance between the main characters.
Pure fun.
Pure fun.
March 27, 2016
This book was recommended to me on GoodReads last year.
This was obviously straight out of an 18 year old fanboy's dream. Hot chicks kicking ass in skin-tight unitards, women described with anime-style "realism," lesbianism, giggling, weeping, cosplay, the word "whoops" was used by the same women who lopped off a person's head with a katana and launched grenades.
Bleh.
This was obviously straight out of an 18 year old fanboy's dream. Hot chicks kicking ass in skin-tight unitards, women described with anime-style "realism," lesbianism, giggling, weeping, cosplay, the word "whoops" was used by the same women who lopped off a person's head with a katana and launched grenades.
Bleh.
March 14, 2017
I really like the concept of this one. Girls who are trained to become mercenaries. Girl who kick ass. IN SPACE. Definitely appealed to me. My problem was that I knew that this was written by a man before even checking the author (I'll never make that mistake again).
There were many scenarios where the authors spent, in my opinion, too much time going over what the character was wearing and how said articles of clothing fit her body and what was accentuated. I just...it wasn't necessary. It made me uncomfortable, especially since the girls were eighteen years old. I don't quite recall but if you wait to state that your characters are eighteen years old just to describe their sexual appeal...that's predatory behaviour. It's creepy.
Additionally, I just did not connect to the characters and the story like I had wished to. The only good thing for me was that it was action packed and fast-paced.
Would I recommend this? I'm not too sure.
There were many scenarios where the authors spent, in my opinion, too much time going over what the character was wearing and how said articles of clothing fit her body and what was accentuated. I just...it wasn't necessary. It made me uncomfortable, especially since the girls were eighteen years old. I don't quite recall but if you wait to state that your characters are eighteen years old just to describe their sexual appeal...that's predatory behaviour. It's creepy.
Additionally, I just did not connect to the characters and the story like I had wished to. The only good thing for me was that it was action packed and fast-paced.
Would I recommend this? I'm not too sure.
June 28, 2017
Yup, It's official. I loved this book. Another reviewer called it "cinematic" and I completely agree. It is fast paced and fun, set in a sci-fi future time when humans inhabit many planets. And to top it off, there are lesbian leads! A little romance thrown in but without the usual angst. I'm already reading the second book now!
January 3, 2013
A bit frustrating, because the storyline had much more potential than just three stars. However the author made too many poor decisions, in my opinion, to warrant more than that.
I liked the overall story and the direction the author chose to go. It was plausible, yet far reaching enough to engage my imagination.
What I didn't particularly care for were the seemingly random insertion of expletives and sexual scenes in the book. I'm not a prude and don't have a problem with adult themes, but they didn't fit the story and actually weakened it in my opinion. It appears to me as if they were simply put in to make the story more "grown-up" as they didn't add anything. Such a shame, too. Without these, this would have been an excellent young-adult/tween book that I would have readily recommended. With them, I'll have a harder time doing so.
I liked the overall story and the direction the author chose to go. It was plausible, yet far reaching enough to engage my imagination.
What I didn't particularly care for were the seemingly random insertion of expletives and sexual scenes in the book. I'm not a prude and don't have a problem with adult themes, but they didn't fit the story and actually weakened it in my opinion. It appears to me as if they were simply put in to make the story more "grown-up" as they didn't add anything. Such a shame, too. Without these, this would have been an excellent young-adult/tween book that I would have readily recommended. With them, I'll have a harder time doing so.
December 10, 2015
Very impressive military sci-fi book with lesbian leading characters.
Not terribly deep and meaningful, but very entertaining and fast paced.
Not terribly deep and meaningful, but very entertaining and fast paced.
August 13, 2017
So the idea in this story is pretty epic!
Girls genetically modified to be kick ass mercenaries. Getting the opportunity that millions of others don't get, growing up on Alcyone (a veritable paradise!) then some cool space travel and general mayhem and badassery. Sounds great doesn't it?!
I thought we'd get cool space-yness.
Alas, we got little more than a glimpse at the space travel, more time was spent covering the clothes and bodies of the female cast. I think Cary was going for something like Black Widow out of The Avengers...
but instead ended up with something more in line with Sailor moon and various other Anime movies/shows. Where the women are overtly sexualised and while some can manage to handle themselves, they often come across as too stupid to live (TSTL). Sigrid does dispel that TSTL title through out the book - just sayin' :)
Now, there were some very good scenes in this book, a lot of great character building and relationships happening amongst all the crazy. I quite enjoyed Suko and Sigrid's relationship, it felt natural and happened at a good pace. YAY for interacial and LGBTI relationships!
Overall though, I thought the idea was great, some of the characters were really good, but the story needed a bit more grounding, a bit more time before we got into the crazy inter-planetary war. I'm sure some of the things left unanswered will come across in later books in this series, and I probably will read them at some point, but I'm not chomping at the bit to get my hands on them.
My hat is off to Cary for trying to cram such an awesome idea into a story only a few hundred pages long, great effort, but not quite there yet.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
Girls genetically modified to be kick ass mercenaries. Getting the opportunity that millions of others don't get, growing up on Alcyone (a veritable paradise!) then some cool space travel and general mayhem and badassery. Sounds great doesn't it?!
I thought we'd get cool space-yness.
Alas, we got little more than a glimpse at the space travel, more time was spent covering the clothes and bodies of the female cast. I think Cary was going for something like Black Widow out of The Avengers...
but instead ended up with something more in line with Sailor moon and various other Anime movies/shows. Where the women are overtly sexualised and while some can manage to handle themselves, they often come across as too stupid to live (TSTL). Sigrid does dispel that TSTL title through out the book - just sayin' :)
Now, there were some very good scenes in this book, a lot of great character building and relationships happening amongst all the crazy. I quite enjoyed Suko and Sigrid's relationship, it felt natural and happened at a good pace. YAY for interacial and LGBTI relationships!
Overall though, I thought the idea was great, some of the characters were really good, but the story needed a bit more grounding, a bit more time before we got into the crazy inter-planetary war. I'm sure some of the things left unanswered will come across in later books in this series, and I probably will read them at some point, but I'm not chomping at the bit to get my hands on them.
My hat is off to Cary for trying to cram such an awesome idea into a story only a few hundred pages long, great effort, but not quite there yet.
**Note: I received an electronic copy of this book in return for an honest review**
October 10, 2014
Well, in light of my review of The Machines of Bellatrix where I wasn't really happy with the ending, I gave this one another re-read and upped my rating to 5 stars from 4.
This is such a great story. The worldbuilding is fantastic, what with all the politics and organizations. There is so much room for delicious intrigue, and the tech is top-notch, without having to rely on too fancy stuff.
What I really do like, is the weaponry. While it's sci-fi in every way, the fact it still relies on conventional weapons. Sort of like in the movie Aliens. No laser bullshit and convenient shields to protect ships. Just brute force. Awesome.
The first 1/4 of the book details Sigrids and the other girls' training and education. It spans 9 years, but it is very well done. We see the girls growing up and get better and better, with a little help from bionics, genetic manipulation and nano technology. The manipulation is done in a way that does not imply latent superpowers or anything. They are just tools to help the girls out in their missions. They stay in charge of themselves and it all just seems natural.
The book really kicks off when Sigrid gets assigned to the CEO of the company that "made" them. It then becomes a rollercoaster of action where a once timid girl really steps up to the plate and wreaks havoc all over the galaxy.
There's little romance, just 2 bff's falling in love with eachother. It is not the primary aspect of this book, just something that happens naturally along the way.
Recommended.
This is such a great story. The worldbuilding is fantastic, what with all the politics and organizations. There is so much room for delicious intrigue, and the tech is top-notch, without having to rely on too fancy stuff.
What I really do like, is the weaponry. While it's sci-fi in every way, the fact it still relies on conventional weapons. Sort of like in the movie Aliens. No laser bullshit and convenient shields to protect ships. Just brute force. Awesome.
The first 1/4 of the book details Sigrids and the other girls' training and education. It spans 9 years, but it is very well done. We see the girls growing up and get better and better, with a little help from bionics, genetic manipulation and nano technology. The manipulation is done in a way that does not imply latent superpowers or anything. They are just tools to help the girls out in their missions. They stay in charge of themselves and it all just seems natural.
The book really kicks off when Sigrid gets assigned to the CEO of the company that "made" them. It then becomes a rollercoaster of action where a once timid girl really steps up to the plate and wreaks havoc all over the galaxy.
There's little romance, just 2 bff's falling in love with eachother. It is not the primary aspect of this book, just something that happens naturally along the way.
Recommended.
September 16, 2016
Karen nudged her, offering the dress. "Here—I know you'll be a knockout in it."When the story begins, it's the year 2039 when Sigrid is nine years old and about to leave Earth to go to the planet Alcyone, more specifically to the Kimura Corporation, an academy that trains girls to become lethal warriors - also performing genetic modifications on them to accomplish it. But they're not just 'students', they're practically slaves sold by their debt-ridden families to Kimura. From there we follow Sigrid and the other girls' training over the years, watching them grow and become stronger, which will come in handy when they find themselves fighting for their lives and freedom.
Sigrid knew forty-eight ways to knock someone out, but none of them involved wearing a dress."
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it - the world-building was fantastic, the plot was very entertaining and fast-paced, the characters were great, and there was also some romance between Sigrid and her best friend which I really liked and added a little more to the story. I'm still not sure about the rating I want to give it... I think this is 4.5 stars for me, I might round it up to 5 later.
"Birth-debts were the increasingly popular practice that allowed debt-ridden families to defer their burdens to their unborn children."And well, isn't that just great? Haha.
November 14, 2016
One thing I like about "The Girls from Alcyone" is the fact that the main characters are, indeed, girls - not like in "Gone Girl", where the character in question is, in fact, a woman.
In the not-so-far future in which people land themselves in deeper and deeper debts and give away their kids to corporations, Sigrid is removed from her family (and Earth) and taken to Alcyone, a planet owned by the Kimura corporation. Having the right genes, she and several other 8-9 year-old girls can be experimented on so they can be enhanced biologically and turned into super-fighters.
Don't let this part of the summary fool you, though: "The Girls from Alcyone" is a fast-paced, light sci-fi novel, with a dash of lesbian sexuality thrown in for good measure. Some of the science is very unlikely (giant elevators going 400 km up from earth, where space ships can pick passengers up from, asteroids where there seems to be an atmosphere despite the low gravity), but the action is fun. Some of the plot twists were a bit unlikely and some of the characters a bit cliched, but I'll still be reading the sequels... eventually.
In the not-so-far future in which people land themselves in deeper and deeper debts and give away their kids to corporations, Sigrid is removed from her family (and Earth) and taken to Alcyone, a planet owned by the Kimura corporation. Having the right genes, she and several other 8-9 year-old girls can be experimented on so they can be enhanced biologically and turned into super-fighters.
Don't let this part of the summary fool you, though: "The Girls from Alcyone" is a fast-paced, light sci-fi novel, with a dash of lesbian sexuality thrown in for good measure. Some of the science is very unlikely (giant elevators going 400 km up from earth, where space ships can pick passengers up from, asteroids where there seems to be an atmosphere despite the low gravity), but the action is fun. Some of the plot twists were a bit unlikely and some of the characters a bit cliched, but I'll still be reading the sequels... eventually.
June 13, 2015
rating: 3/5
The novel started slow, Sigrid is sold by her family to the Kimura Corporation where she becomes one of many girls in one of their secret experiments. This is the typical girl taken from her home and gets genetically and technologically modified to be one cool kick-ass fighter. It takes about half the novel to get there and it was okay. The pace was sedate (with a few action-y moments in between) and, to be honest, the childhood friendship/budding romance with Suko boring.
And then midway through the book Sigrid grew up, was assigned on a mission of Alcyone and the drama began. This is where I started to love the story. Yes, the characters are one-dimensional, but the action and political intrigue turn it into a fast-paced space romp. Skin-tight suit wearing, gun and sword toting lesbians included. Yay!
However, the writing was simple, some wording a bit awkward, and the world building came from the Insert Typical Space Setting Manual.
But in the end I couldn't help but enjoy the ride. I think it was the sexy lesbians in space bit; it was plain fun.
The novel started slow, Sigrid is sold by her family to the Kimura Corporation where she becomes one of many girls in one of their secret experiments. This is the typical girl taken from her home and gets genetically and technologically modified to be one cool kick-ass fighter. It takes about half the novel to get there and it was okay. The pace was sedate (with a few action-y moments in between) and, to be honest, the childhood friendship/budding romance with Suko boring.
And then midway through the book Sigrid grew up, was assigned on a mission of Alcyone and the drama began. This is where I started to love the story. Yes, the characters are one-dimensional, but the action and political intrigue turn it into a fast-paced space romp. Skin-tight suit wearing, gun and sword toting lesbians included. Yay!
However, the writing was simple, some wording a bit awkward, and the world building came from the Insert Typical Space Setting Manual.
But in the end I couldn't help but enjoy the ride. I think it was the sexy lesbians in space bit; it was plain fun.
December 29, 2011
This is one of those books you discover and wonder where it's been all this time. Possibly hibernating and waiting for the right moment to present itself. Fast-paced, action-packed, character-driven, and with the right amount of tech-talk to keep the story convincing and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cary Caffrey's debut SF novel. The Girls from Alcyone follows the lives of Sigrid Novak and the other girls from a specially trained facility that "dabbles" in genetic manipulation. The outcome, some sexy, kick-ass, ninja-styled fighting girls. That's just asking for trouble!! Looking forward to reading the sequel.
November 29, 2012
There were so many things wrong with this book that I am baffled as to why it didn't end up on my started-didn't-bother-to-finish shelf. A few times I was confused by the author's word choices and the characters, plot, and world-building were one-dimensional. Where was the editor? I was left with the distinct impression it was written by an adolescent. I can't put my finger on why, despite everything, I finished it but I gave it two stars because I did (finish it).
I read that the author is a hugh fan of Joss Whedon. Therefore, I am more disappointed than I can say that he continues to call Sigrid, Suko, et. al., girls after they have clearly grown up and become women. Grrr...
I read that the author is a hugh fan of Joss Whedon. Therefore, I am more disappointed than I can say that he continues to call Sigrid, Suko, et. al., girls after they have clearly grown up and become women. Grrr...
October 21, 2015
2.5 stars. Includes spoilers.
I am conflicted in my opinion of this book. When it started out it reminded me of Ender's Game - space, military, academy, children being trained to be the best. While the action was good, the larger background and character development was flat. Everything goes perfect for the main character. There are no big hurdles that aren't easily overcome. I found the lesbian elements distracting and not useful to the plot.
The real give away for how I felt about this book is about 2/3 of the way through I almost put it down and didn't come back to it, and I have no desire to read the sequels. There are much better options out there to spend your time on.
I am conflicted in my opinion of this book. When it started out it reminded me of Ender's Game - space, military, academy, children being trained to be the best. While the action was good, the larger background and character development was flat. Everything goes perfect for the main character. There are no big hurdles that aren't easily overcome. I found the lesbian elements distracting and not useful to the plot.
The real give away for how I felt about this book is about 2/3 of the way through I almost put it down and didn't come back to it, and I have no desire to read the sequels. There are much better options out there to spend your time on.
June 5, 2016
That beautiful cover got my attention, and I'm glad it did. I would call this a sci-fi book, but it was more than that. These girls with a rare genetic make up were taken to an academy, and trained to be asassins. They are changed with a technological "upgrade" to their bodies, making them even more bad ass. Our main character Sigrid goes through quite a transformation from the first time she is introduced. One thing I love about this story is the relationship between Sigrid and Suko. The two girls are in a gay relationship, however that is not the focus, but more of a secondary part of the story. I like that the author included this relationship without any notice to the fact that they are gay. There is no struggle between the girls about it, or with anyone else. It is just a relationship, which is how the world should always be. There is so much action happening, and the pace is kept up throughout the whole book. At times it is hard to tell who exactly is on the good side of things, which made the story even more exciting for me. Kristin James was the narrator of the audiobook. She did a great job with each of the voices, and several characters had accents. It was easy to tell which character was speaking which always makes an audiobook easier to follow. I really enjoyed this audiobook, and I hope to get the next one in the series soon!
**This book was provided in exchange for an honest review
**This book was provided in exchange for an honest review
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December 25, 2022
Sigrid's life debt was bought by Kimuran Corporation when she was only 9 years old. Her life is theirs now. She belongs to them along with 31 other girls.
Unknown to them, the girls all have something in common; their genetics. They have a rare genetic makeup that means they are compatible with Kimuran's advances.
Over the course of a decade, the girls are modified and trained into a deadly force to be reckoned with. We mostly follow the trials of Sigrid through this time, watching as she struggles to survive as the underdog until the day she finally snaps and stands up for herself, but mostly for her best friend, Suko. She becomes a powerful young woman and great leader along with the other girls.
With their training complete, the girls are hired out as mercenaries, what they were always meant to be. Sigrid is under contract to her mistress, Lady Hitomi Kimura, whereas Suko stays behind to help train the next batch of girls.
The training side is only half of this book, and the second half is where the plot thickens by bringing in a political war and ramping up the action. There are people out there who are after the girls; either to use them for their own gain or to eliminate them for the great threat they pose. It will take everything the girls from Alcyone have to survive the coming storm.
As a whole, and looking back, I liked the world, the plot, the characters, everything. It was an interesting concept with science that wasn't far fetched to the point it was unbelievable. Attention was paid to how a future world would function with things such as the Warp Relay's for interstellar travel.
I liked the FF aspect with Sigrid and Suko and it was clear how much they relied on eachother. Suko had been Sigrid's anchor from the start, and they were always there to pull eachother up. The book had action all the way through, starting slow and small with the girls training and ramping up and getting more dangerous as the girls aged.
BUT there was just something about it. It felt like it dragged. I just wasn't that excited to pick up and read it.
This was a reread, and maybe I liked it more origionally, but honestly I can't remember. It was a good book, but there is just something I can't put my finger on that was missng for me.
Unknown to them, the girls all have something in common; their genetics. They have a rare genetic makeup that means they are compatible with Kimuran's advances.
Over the course of a decade, the girls are modified and trained into a deadly force to be reckoned with. We mostly follow the trials of Sigrid through this time, watching as she struggles to survive as the underdog until the day she finally snaps and stands up for herself, but mostly for her best friend, Suko. She becomes a powerful young woman and great leader along with the other girls.
With their training complete, the girls are hired out as mercenaries, what they were always meant to be. Sigrid is under contract to her mistress, Lady Hitomi Kimura, whereas Suko stays behind to help train the next batch of girls.
The training side is only half of this book, and the second half is where the plot thickens by bringing in a political war and ramping up the action. There are people out there who are after the girls; either to use them for their own gain or to eliminate them for the great threat they pose. It will take everything the girls from Alcyone have to survive the coming storm.
As a whole, and looking back, I liked the world, the plot, the characters, everything. It was an interesting concept with science that wasn't far fetched to the point it was unbelievable. Attention was paid to how a future world would function with things such as the Warp Relay's for interstellar travel.
I liked the FF aspect with Sigrid and Suko and it was clear how much they relied on eachother. Suko had been Sigrid's anchor from the start, and they were always there to pull eachother up. The book had action all the way through, starting slow and small with the girls training and ramping up and getting more dangerous as the girls aged.
BUT there was just something about it. It felt like it dragged. I just wasn't that excited to pick up and read it.
This was a reread, and maybe I liked it more origionally, but honestly I can't remember. It was a good book, but there is just something I can't put my finger on that was missng for me.
May 15, 2016
By the end of the book, it was exactly what I wanted from my space operas. I am curious to see if the next book keeps up the pace that this book ended on.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.
Sigrid's parents sell her to Kimura due to the debt they own. Kimura has found Sigrid has a rare genetic code, and it's perfect for their program. Sigrid grows up in the academy, taught to take care of herself and becomes stronger mentally and physically. Sigrid and the other girls don't realize they are a secret experiment. But when the secret gets out, Sigrid will have to fight to save herself, her love, and those she's grown to see as her sisters. Finding out who's behind the attacks will be harder than Sigrid expected, and safe harbor is needed for all the girls like her.
I do love listening to Kristin's voice(s). Each character truly feels as though they have their own voice and personality as I listen to her bring the characters to life in voice. Oh the music leading in at the title, wow. Seems to fit the image of the cover. I really liked it! There are a few accents in the story as the girls are from different places, a Kiwi one for Suko and Kristin voices it true. The little extras that are added to voice effects is a bonus for me. Kristin does this like when in water and water muffles talking as it covers a characters mouth.
There are many young girls brought together at Alcyone at a young age of 8-9. We see the girls grow closer as they are trained and suffer from the abuse of other girls bullying them. I found the beginning slow with this growing of the girls. The beginning is all about Sigrid and Suko at the academy and how others were cruel to Sigrid and how Suko came to her rescue. Other than Sigrid not wanting to be at the academy, I don't know what the direction of the story was. I guess that they are growing into and trained to be mercenaries?
Then things pick up. When the girls find trouble during a training exercise, men trying to take the girls, that's when the story started to pick up, which was in chapter 6, 2 hours into the 10 hour book. Then it calms again. When things go sideways for Sigrid and others like her, that's when the story became more interesting for me. There is a good bit of action in trying to take Sigrid and others along with how they react to stay free. This is the last third of the book. It feels as we get a lot of growing up and friendship and enemy bonds made in much of this book. For me, it's a bit slow in moving for all of this even though it's showing the world as a vast place and setting it up for the troubles that will come. I found the book moved better after the halfway point of the story.
Most of the book is Sigrid's POV. Then we start getting POV's from Carl, Suko, Selene, and a few others to see the different sides of the story. We also get views from the scientific side of the researcher through Dr. Lisa Garrett's journal entries. This tells us what they are doing to the girls to make them stronger, faster, and more enhanced. We also see how the enhancements work with the girls through Sigrid's story. It seems all done to the girls doesn't harm them, which is what they were looking for in the genetics so that none are harmed.
I found the book a space opera with the direction of Sigrid living a life. It was a soft story as everything Sigrid comes across in troubles, she easily dominates and works through it. Things seem to be easy for her, like the bully in school and how she just disappears. Then taking over a small vessel that was trying to capture her. Sigrid is powerful, but it doesn't seem like there is a challenge out there for you. I didn't have the worry of danger going into these scenes and for that didn't feel invested with Sigrid.
At the beginning I could have seen this story being a wonderful YA sci fi opera story except for the sex scenes that are present. Then as Sigrid and the girls grew up and ventured out on their own, the story aged too. They experience things and we start to see the conspiracies forming.
Oh, about the book description. It mentions that Sigrid and Suko are two special girls with a rare genetic structure. It's true, they are. But they are not the only two. The girls at Alcyone are all found to have the rare genetic coding. So there are more than these two, it's just that we see these two more closely in the story. Also, I took the fighting done by these two as they were a team together. Not always. Most of it is actually Sigrid and Suko's not aware of what's happening out in the universe as Sigrid is learning all the information.
By the end of the book, it was exactly what I wanted from my space operas. I am curious to see if the next book keeps up the pace that this book ended on.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested to review a copy of this audiobook for an honest review from the author or narrator.
Sigrid's parents sell her to Kimura due to the debt they own. Kimura has found Sigrid has a rare genetic code, and it's perfect for their program. Sigrid grows up in the academy, taught to take care of herself and becomes stronger mentally and physically. Sigrid and the other girls don't realize they are a secret experiment. But when the secret gets out, Sigrid will have to fight to save herself, her love, and those she's grown to see as her sisters. Finding out who's behind the attacks will be harder than Sigrid expected, and safe harbor is needed for all the girls like her.
I do love listening to Kristin's voice(s). Each character truly feels as though they have their own voice and personality as I listen to her bring the characters to life in voice. Oh the music leading in at the title, wow. Seems to fit the image of the cover. I really liked it! There are a few accents in the story as the girls are from different places, a Kiwi one for Suko and Kristin voices it true. The little extras that are added to voice effects is a bonus for me. Kristin does this like when in water and water muffles talking as it covers a characters mouth.
There are many young girls brought together at Alcyone at a young age of 8-9. We see the girls grow closer as they are trained and suffer from the abuse of other girls bullying them. I found the beginning slow with this growing of the girls. The beginning is all about Sigrid and Suko at the academy and how others were cruel to Sigrid and how Suko came to her rescue. Other than Sigrid not wanting to be at the academy, I don't know what the direction of the story was. I guess that they are growing into and trained to be mercenaries?
Then things pick up. When the girls find trouble during a training exercise, men trying to take the girls, that's when the story started to pick up, which was in chapter 6, 2 hours into the 10 hour book. Then it calms again. When things go sideways for Sigrid and others like her, that's when the story became more interesting for me. There is a good bit of action in trying to take Sigrid and others along with how they react to stay free. This is the last third of the book. It feels as we get a lot of growing up and friendship and enemy bonds made in much of this book. For me, it's a bit slow in moving for all of this even though it's showing the world as a vast place and setting it up for the troubles that will come. I found the book moved better after the halfway point of the story.
Most of the book is Sigrid's POV. Then we start getting POV's from Carl, Suko, Selene, and a few others to see the different sides of the story. We also get views from the scientific side of the researcher through Dr. Lisa Garrett's journal entries. This tells us what they are doing to the girls to make them stronger, faster, and more enhanced. We also see how the enhancements work with the girls through Sigrid's story. It seems all done to the girls doesn't harm them, which is what they were looking for in the genetics so that none are harmed.
I found the book a space opera with the direction of Sigrid living a life. It was a soft story as everything Sigrid comes across in troubles, she easily dominates and works through it. Things seem to be easy for her, like the bully in school and how she just disappears. Then taking over a small vessel that was trying to capture her. Sigrid is powerful, but it doesn't seem like there is a challenge out there for you. I didn't have the worry of danger going into these scenes and for that didn't feel invested with Sigrid.
At the beginning I could have seen this story being a wonderful YA sci fi opera story except for the sex scenes that are present. Then as Sigrid and the girls grew up and ventured out on their own, the story aged too. They experience things and we start to see the conspiracies forming.
Oh, about the book description. It mentions that Sigrid and Suko are two special girls with a rare genetic structure. It's true, they are. But they are not the only two. The girls at Alcyone are all found to have the rare genetic coding. So there are more than these two, it's just that we see these two more closely in the story. Also, I took the fighting done by these two as they were a team together. Not always. Most of it is actually Sigrid and Suko's not aware of what's happening out in the universe as Sigrid is learning all the information.
By the end of the book, it was exactly what I wanted from my space operas. I am curious to see if the next book keeps up the pace that this book ended on.
June 6, 2016
The Girls from Alycone is a book for the sci-fi adventure lovers out there who want a story with pretty awesome tech and kick ass main characters to delve into.
The story spans a pretty decent sized time-frame and covers from when the girls are first taken in by the Kimura Corporation to when they are adults and fully functioning mercenaries, and while the book moves a decent clip it doesn’t feel rushed or glossed over. We get a good idea of the tactics used to make these somewhat unassuming girls into women with tech built in and a knack for handling trouble single-handily. Our focus though is mostly on Sigrid and Suko as they grow up, grow closer, and deal with the on coming storm of in fighting within the mercenary guilds. Sigrid’s slow transformation into the sure and steady woman she becomes is quite awesome. She starts out rather slowly, always trailing behind the other girls in most of their lessons, but she thinks differently and she knows what she’s good at…and soon she becomes a focus for both Kimura and those who want them gone. She becomes a badass, in fact…this book is full of female badasses even the ones on the other side of the conflict are pretty epic. The relationship that forms between Sigrid and Suko, while not the overall focus of the novel, is just the right little push to make this one hit home. I might be a little partial but best friends slowly falling for each other kind of gets me every time.
I really loved the world-building as well, and while it is a sci-fi story with some pretty cool advancements and space travel it still held on to somethings like weapon technology, and think it gave it a little flair. I get kind of tired of seeing laser weapons and the like, so to see grenades and bullets is a plus. I’m really pleased with the amount of things GfA explores in this like: indentured servitude, birth debts, space travel tech (relays!), privatized “non-bias” companies in charge of major functions, and merc guilds functioning within laws and are recognized by the powers that be.
I think at this point it’s safe to call me a Kristen James fangirl. This is my 6th audiobook that she has narrated, and I seriously can’t wait to listen to more. I actually bought another audio simply because she’s the one reading it. I think Girls from Alcyone is some of her best work, simply because of the amount of voices she uses with different inflections and accents is pretty high…and of course she’s great at putting just the right amount of emotion into every word.
I’m super excited for book two, because the ending of this one puts the girls in a rather interesting place and with the fight far from over I definitely can’t wait to see how Sigrid handles it.
The story spans a pretty decent sized time-frame and covers from when the girls are first taken in by the Kimura Corporation to when they are adults and fully functioning mercenaries, and while the book moves a decent clip it doesn’t feel rushed or glossed over. We get a good idea of the tactics used to make these somewhat unassuming girls into women with tech built in and a knack for handling trouble single-handily. Our focus though is mostly on Sigrid and Suko as they grow up, grow closer, and deal with the on coming storm of in fighting within the mercenary guilds. Sigrid’s slow transformation into the sure and steady woman she becomes is quite awesome. She starts out rather slowly, always trailing behind the other girls in most of their lessons, but she thinks differently and she knows what she’s good at…and soon she becomes a focus for both Kimura and those who want them gone. She becomes a badass, in fact…this book is full of female badasses even the ones on the other side of the conflict are pretty epic. The relationship that forms between Sigrid and Suko, while not the overall focus of the novel, is just the right little push to make this one hit home. I might be a little partial but best friends slowly falling for each other kind of gets me every time.
I really loved the world-building as well, and while it is a sci-fi story with some pretty cool advancements and space travel it still held on to somethings like weapon technology, and think it gave it a little flair. I get kind of tired of seeing laser weapons and the like, so to see grenades and bullets is a plus. I’m really pleased with the amount of things GfA explores in this like: indentured servitude, birth debts, space travel tech (relays!), privatized “non-bias” companies in charge of major functions, and merc guilds functioning within laws and are recognized by the powers that be.
I think at this point it’s safe to call me a Kristen James fangirl. This is my 6th audiobook that she has narrated, and I seriously can’t wait to listen to more. I actually bought another audio simply because she’s the one reading it. I think Girls from Alcyone is some of her best work, simply because of the amount of voices she uses with different inflections and accents is pretty high…and of course she’s great at putting just the right amount of emotion into every word.
I’m super excited for book two, because the ending of this one puts the girls in a rather interesting place and with the fight far from over I definitely can’t wait to see how Sigrid handles it.
July 25, 2016
My original The Girls from Alcyone audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
The Girls from Alcyone by Cary Caffrey is the first novel in the series by the same name. In the 24th century on Earth, the world is controlled by corporations. Trying to escape financial ruin, many sell their children to mercenary companies, such as the Kimura Corporation. Sigrid is one such child. Her parents sold Sigrid to the Kimura Corporation for the money, but little do they know that Kimura sought Sigrid out because of her genetic make-up. This genetic make-up will allow them to alter her into an enhanced killing machine. Sigrid comes to Kimura scared and the runt of the group, leading to a lot of bullying. But as the girls at Alcyone develop and grow, they begin to realize that they are pawns in a greater war amongst the corporations. Sigrid and her friends must figure out a way to live as free women untethered to and unsought by any corporations.
This was an action filled story that followed the girls at Alcyone, the Kimura research facility, from the time they are girls to adulthood. Caffrey does a good job adding in parts throughout to highlight the relationships between the girls as they grow older. I especially liked the later parts of the story when Sigrid is on her own acting as a mercenary. That is the time that she is the most strong and smart and becomes her own self and a leader. There is a nice mix of getting to know more about the characters and action. However, even though the story had all the elements that I love in a story, somehow I didn’t love the character of Sigrid, I felt like there was still distance between the characters and the reader, and that I wasn’t completely engrossed in their lives. This might be because of how much time the novel covers. Additionally, the science aspect was glossed over considerably. Overall, there were a lot of twists and turns to the story and filled with adventure.
The narration by Kristin James was good. She was able to consistently capture the voices of the characters. There were some accents that I didn’t like, in that they felt a little off, but overall the characters were distinguishable and consistent. The production quality was good as well. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes stories about rebelling against the controlling population and a story full of powerful women.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
The Girls from Alcyone by Cary Caffrey is the first novel in the series by the same name. In the 24th century on Earth, the world is controlled by corporations. Trying to escape financial ruin, many sell their children to mercenary companies, such as the Kimura Corporation. Sigrid is one such child. Her parents sold Sigrid to the Kimura Corporation for the money, but little do they know that Kimura sought Sigrid out because of her genetic make-up. This genetic make-up will allow them to alter her into an enhanced killing machine. Sigrid comes to Kimura scared and the runt of the group, leading to a lot of bullying. But as the girls at Alcyone develop and grow, they begin to realize that they are pawns in a greater war amongst the corporations. Sigrid and her friends must figure out a way to live as free women untethered to and unsought by any corporations.
This was an action filled story that followed the girls at Alcyone, the Kimura research facility, from the time they are girls to adulthood. Caffrey does a good job adding in parts throughout to highlight the relationships between the girls as they grow older. I especially liked the later parts of the story when Sigrid is on her own acting as a mercenary. That is the time that she is the most strong and smart and becomes her own self and a leader. There is a nice mix of getting to know more about the characters and action. However, even though the story had all the elements that I love in a story, somehow I didn’t love the character of Sigrid, I felt like there was still distance between the characters and the reader, and that I wasn’t completely engrossed in their lives. This might be because of how much time the novel covers. Additionally, the science aspect was glossed over considerably. Overall, there were a lot of twists and turns to the story and filled with adventure.
The narration by Kristin James was good. She was able to consistently capture the voices of the characters. There were some accents that I didn’t like, in that they felt a little off, but overall the characters were distinguishable and consistent. The production quality was good as well. I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes stories about rebelling against the controlling population and a story full of powerful women.
Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.
September 15, 2016
Audiobook review.
I have to admit that there was a point (about 3 hours from the end) where I got to a scene and just wanted to stop listening. Once I got past that initial introduction to this plot point, the action picked up, and it was a rush to the end. I ended up really enjoying the book, and have picked up the other two in the series. I'm interested in seeing where the Girls from Alcyone end up.
I have to admit that there was a point (about 3 hours from the end) where I got to a scene and just wanted to stop listening. Once I got past that initial introduction to this plot point, the action picked up, and it was a rush to the end. I ended up really enjoying the book, and have picked up the other two in the series. I'm interested in seeing where the Girls from Alcyone end up.
December 6, 2013
This is a very enjoyable space opera with space battles, combat between mechanically enhanced humans, space elevators, corporation-controlled wormholes, and so on. There are some blatant political messages too about the inhuman greed of politicians, the use of propaganda, the destruction of Earth's environment, and the idea that little girls should be afraid of the big, bad man. This last in particular - it's not a clear-cut female-male good-evil opposition, but that's the sense of it.
The story follows Sigrid's early life, starting with her being taken from Earth to Alcyone as a young girl, where she and thirty-odd other girls are trained to be elite special-ops warriors by the Kimura mercenary organisation; they are also modified genetically and cybernetically. Reminds me sometimes of Dark Angel (the series with Jessica Alba) and Naked Weapon (with Maggie Q - great film if you like female assassins). There are the usual themes of adversity, friendship, bullying, and eventually love. That's the first half of the book. The second half is Sigrid's grand space adventure, the race to rescue the girls of Alcyone from the evil forces that would destroy them one way or another. It's imaginative, scientifically clever, and generally a very tense read - I stayed up until four in the morning to finish it.
I do have some minor complaints. The repeated use of 'Oh my' makes me wince. Sigrid's capabilities seem a little extreme and without negative consequences, so that it creeps into the realm of fantasy character; occasional unnecessary repetition of how amazing the girls are adds to this impression.
But I really enjoyed this and I will be reading the next in the series.
The story follows Sigrid's early life, starting with her being taken from Earth to Alcyone as a young girl, where she and thirty-odd other girls are trained to be elite special-ops warriors by the Kimura mercenary organisation; they are also modified genetically and cybernetically. Reminds me sometimes of Dark Angel (the series with Jessica Alba) and Naked Weapon (with Maggie Q - great film if you like female assassins). There are the usual themes of adversity, friendship, bullying, and eventually love. That's the first half of the book. The second half is Sigrid's grand space adventure, the race to rescue the girls of Alcyone from the evil forces that would destroy them one way or another. It's imaginative, scientifically clever, and generally a very tense read - I stayed up until four in the morning to finish it.
I do have some minor complaints. The repeated use of 'Oh my' makes me wince. Sigrid's capabilities seem a little extreme and without negative consequences, so that it creeps into the realm of fantasy character; occasional unnecessary repetition of how amazing the girls are adds to this impression.
But I really enjoyed this and I will be reading the next in the series.
May 13, 2012
Sigrid is a child bought by the Kimura foundation to become one of the Girls of Alcyone, trained killers who might also just be the next step of human evolution. Unfortunately they also might just be the spark that sets alight a volatile universe.
Honestly, if I read this ten years ago I might have liked it better. Sigrid is sold by her parents, is taught to kill from a young age in a brutal, bullying form of training, graduates that to start to earn off her indentured servitude, and does so cheerfully without any hint of reflection on the injustice of it, or any scars. But she can have hot lesbian sex, looks dynamite, can kill just about everyone, and can be an intergalatic space ninja ship captain. There's just no tension in her: it makes the book too straightforwards and somewhat wish fulfillment.
Also, the enemies kind of have a point. The Girls are not some neutral kind of people, but incredibly deadly killing machines that are being semi-mass produced for a private corporation. The enemies actually realize this, and say things that Sigrid herself should at least have considered. If there was a little more recognition of the moral ambiguity, I definitely would have liked it better.
Plus, the misandry is a little annoying. Not too much; consider this book the flip image of a James Bond. Some readers might roll their eyes or not like it. The ending is probably the worst example of this.
The thing is though, I admit it's not bad otherwise. I just wish it weren't so much wish fulfillment and so shallow. It's a nice read if you want a sexy action packed adventure though.
Honestly, if I read this ten years ago I might have liked it better. Sigrid is sold by her parents, is taught to kill from a young age in a brutal, bullying form of training, graduates that to start to earn off her indentured servitude, and does so cheerfully without any hint of reflection on the injustice of it, or any scars. But she can have hot lesbian sex, looks dynamite, can kill just about everyone, and can be an intergalatic space ninja ship captain. There's just no tension in her: it makes the book too straightforwards and somewhat wish fulfillment.
Also, the enemies kind of have a point. The Girls are not some neutral kind of people, but incredibly deadly killing machines that are being semi-mass produced for a private corporation. The enemies actually realize this, and say things that Sigrid herself should at least have considered. If there was a little more recognition of the moral ambiguity, I definitely would have liked it better.
Plus, the misandry is a little annoying. Not too much; consider this book the flip image of a James Bond. Some readers might roll their eyes or not like it. The ending is probably the worst example of this.
The thing is though, I admit it's not bad otherwise. I just wish it weren't so much wish fulfillment and so shallow. It's a nice read if you want a sexy action packed adventure though.
March 13, 2012
Genetically advanced, the girls from Alcyone are trained to be mercenaries by Kimura. Not only that; they are effectively an experiment in bionic engineering, the result of which is that their abilities far exceed those of normal human beings. Sigrid is eventually chosen for a special task, and as that happens, the entire project comes under threat from an unknown source. Sigrid needs to find out what is happening - as well as to protect her fellow girls from the forces that move against them. But who can she trust?
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Cary creates a very complex universe in TGfA, yet manages to illustrate it in a believable manner that does not result in huge chunks of background information. I can honestly say that this is a page turner as one follows the lives of Sigrid and Suko, the two main characters, through the events that unfold around them.
In TGfA, Cary has taken science fiction by the scruff of the neck and turned it inside out, bringing a refreshing commentary on politics and gender dynamics to our bookshelves/kindles. And inoffensively so. I would gladly recommend this book to all scifi lovers out there - trust me, it's worth it!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Cary creates a very complex universe in TGfA, yet manages to illustrate it in a believable manner that does not result in huge chunks of background information. I can honestly say that this is a page turner as one follows the lives of Sigrid and Suko, the two main characters, through the events that unfold around them.
In TGfA, Cary has taken science fiction by the scruff of the neck and turned it inside out, bringing a refreshing commentary on politics and gender dynamics to our bookshelves/kindles. And inoffensively so. I would gladly recommend this book to all scifi lovers out there - trust me, it's worth it!
February 20, 2012
The good:
Despite the number of years this story is set over at the beginning, it's fast paced but full-bodied. The characters are enthralling, the technology intriguing and detailed without being overbearing and slowing the story down, and the descriptions vivid. It's also a lot of fun, with some wonderful humour amongst the action. The romance in it is sweet and touching, even in the bedroom scenes. You can't help but empathize with the two main characters, and while the story is complete in its own way, there are threads left hanging for a sequel (which I'm now awaiting impatiently!).
The bad:
About the only flaw in this for me was a couple of instances of head-hopping (something that drives me insane despite the fact I've been guilty of it myself) but not enough that it pulled me out of the story - it just niggled a fraction.
In sum:
This is an exciting, action-packed, well-thought out scifi story with a sweet romance at its heart. Hurry up with the sequel!
Despite the number of years this story is set over at the beginning, it's fast paced but full-bodied. The characters are enthralling, the technology intriguing and detailed without being overbearing and slowing the story down, and the descriptions vivid. It's also a lot of fun, with some wonderful humour amongst the action. The romance in it is sweet and touching, even in the bedroom scenes. You can't help but empathize with the two main characters, and while the story is complete in its own way, there are threads left hanging for a sequel (which I'm now awaiting impatiently!).
The bad:
About the only flaw in this for me was a couple of instances of head-hopping (something that drives me insane despite the fact I've been guilty of it myself) but not enough that it pulled me out of the story - it just niggled a fraction.
In sum:
This is an exciting, action-packed, well-thought out scifi story with a sweet romance at its heart. Hurry up with the sequel!
February 20, 2012
The good:
Despite the number of years this story is set over at the beginning, it's fast paced but full-bodied. The characters are enthralling, the technology intriguing and detailed without being overbearing and slowing the story down, and the descriptions vivid. It's also a lot of fun, with some wonderful humour amongst the action. The romance in it is sweet and touching, even in the bedroom scenes. You can't help but empathize with the two main characters, and while the story is complete in its own way, there are threads left hanging for a sequel (which I'm now awaiting impatiently!).
The bad:
About the only flaw in this for me was a couple of instances of head-hopping (something that drives me insane despite the fact I've been guilty of it myself) but not enough that it pulled me out of the story - it just niggled a fraction.
In sum:
This is an exciting, action-packed, well-thought out scifi story with a sweet romance at its heart. Hurry up with the sequel!
Despite the number of years this story is set over at the beginning, it's fast paced but full-bodied. The characters are enthralling, the technology intriguing and detailed without being overbearing and slowing the story down, and the descriptions vivid. It's also a lot of fun, with some wonderful humour amongst the action. The romance in it is sweet and touching, even in the bedroom scenes. You can't help but empathize with the two main characters, and while the story is complete in its own way, there are threads left hanging for a sequel (which I'm now awaiting impatiently!).
The bad:
About the only flaw in this for me was a couple of instances of head-hopping (something that drives me insane despite the fact I've been guilty of it myself) but not enough that it pulled me out of the story - it just niggled a fraction.
In sum:
This is an exciting, action-packed, well-thought out scifi story with a sweet romance at its heart. Hurry up with the sequel!
March 27, 2013
At first, I thought this book would be a lot like the Ender series by Orson Scott Card, especially that portion when Ender is sent to Battle School. Turns out that's the only similarity. Once our heroine Sigrid leaves training school, the book goes in an entirely different direction. By training and by surgery, Sigrid and her "schoolmates" are made into the ultimate fighting machines, farmed out by contract by whichever corporation wants them. The story follows Sigrid and her adventures as a contract mercenary and bodyguard to the head of the Kimura Corporation, the corporation who sponsored her training and mechanized enhancements.
I don't claim to have read every science fiction book published, but this is one of the few I've read that features an openly gay relationship between two women. Kudos to the author for that. It earns an extra star from me.
I don't claim to have read every science fiction book published, but this is one of the few I've read that features an openly gay relationship between two women. Kudos to the author for that. It earns an extra star from me.
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