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Future Tales #1
Jaq's Harp
In a world of floating islands and bio-engineered beans, the bad guys are taken down by agents of the MOTHER organization—agents like Jacqueline “Jaq��� Robinson. Instead of accepting her next routine assignment, she sets out on a mission of her to destroy Giant Corp, the company responsible for her sister's wasting illness. Jaq must steal her cure from Giant's headquarters high above the city... even though she'll be brought face-to-face with Harper English, the man who left her to go deep undercover at Giant.
For Harp, Jaq had been a distraction the mercenary thought he couldn't afford. But once he sees her again, Harp knows he's made a mistake. Even though she vowed he won't have her again, it's clear they still have a powerful attraction. Harp's determined to get a second chance with Jaq—if they can escape Giant Corp and get back to solid ground in one piece....
For Harp, Jaq had been a distraction the mercenary thought he couldn't afford. But once he sees her again, Harp knows he's made a mistake. Even though she vowed he won't have her again, it's clear they still have a powerful attraction. Harp's determined to get a second chance with Jaq—if they can escape Giant Corp and get back to solid ground in one piece....
Audible Audio
First published January 21, 2011
171 people want to read
About the author
Ella Drake
43 books106 followersAs a child Ella read books under the covers with a flashlight. There she found a special love of elves, dragons, and knights. Now that she's found her own knight in shining armor and happily ever after, she loves to write tales of fantasy, hot enough to scorch the sheets. No flashlight needed.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 3, 2011
Jaq's Harp is a sci-fi romance that pays hommage to the old tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, adding a little twist to make things more interesting. Jack and the Beanstalk has never been one of my favorite children's tales, but that didn't affect my take on this story.
Agent Jacqueline Robinson is on a mission - and this time, it's personal. Jaq's sister is severely ill and Giant Corp, the company responsible for her wasting illness, holds the cure hostage. So Jaq plans to infiltrate the company's headquarters to steal the cure, even though she's wary of running into Harper English, a fellow agent and, most importantly, the man who's left her to go deep undercover at Giant.
Harp thought he was doing the right thing when he left Jaq, but he realizes his mistake as soon as he sees her again. He wants her back, this time for good, but she doesn't trust him anymore. Now, if only danger wasn't all around them and they could escape Giant Corp safely, he would have time to win her heart again. Or would he?
This is a short story and, as expected, character development and world building were a bit overlooked at times, but the overall result was satisfying. I cared for Jaq and Harp, even though the TSTL moment he had (*) made me want to slap him and tell him to snap out of it, I believed they loved each other, which is always a must in a romance book, and I liked the action scenes. Jaq could kick some serious ass! *cheers*
(*) Harp's timing was oh-so-bad... Thank the gods Jaq put a stop to his nonsense.
All in all, this was a quick, nice read. I wish it was longer, and that's a good thing because I'm only happy with the short length of a novella when I don't like the story.
Note: I received this eARC from Carina Press via NetGalley. That had no influence on my review/rating.
Agent Jacqueline Robinson is on a mission - and this time, it's personal. Jaq's sister is severely ill and Giant Corp, the company responsible for her wasting illness, holds the cure hostage. So Jaq plans to infiltrate the company's headquarters to steal the cure, even though she's wary of running into Harper English, a fellow agent and, most importantly, the man who's left her to go deep undercover at Giant.
Harp thought he was doing the right thing when he left Jaq, but he realizes his mistake as soon as he sees her again. He wants her back, this time for good, but she doesn't trust him anymore. Now, if only danger wasn't all around them and they could escape Giant Corp safely, he would have time to win her heart again. Or would he?
This is a short story and, as expected, character development and world building were a bit overlooked at times, but the overall result was satisfying. I cared for Jaq and Harp, even though the TSTL moment he had (*) made me want to slap him and tell him to snap out of it, I believed they loved each other, which is always a must in a romance book, and I liked the action scenes. Jaq could kick some serious ass! *cheers*
(*) Harp's timing was oh-so-bad... Thank the gods Jaq put a stop to his nonsense.
All in all, this was a quick, nice read. I wish it was longer, and that's a good thing because I'm only happy with the short length of a novella when I don't like the story.
Note: I received this eARC from Carina Press via NetGalley. That had no influence on my review/rating.
February 25, 2011
Reviewed at The Romance-a-holic
--
As you may be able to tell from the cover, Jaq’s Harp is a futuristic twist on the fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk. I really enjoyed the not-so-subtle nods to the original story, such as the “magic” bio-engineered beans, Monsieur Bovine, a reference to “the blood of an Englishman”, and more.
What worked for me:
* The cover art is simply gorgeous.
* I’m not normally a fan of stories where the main protagonists had a previous relationship, but I heartily approve of this device in shorter works, because it certainly helps to get the action moving. The circumstances around their initial separation helped to add an extra layer of angst to the story, as well as adding sweetness to the resolution.
* There was an abundance of action as Jaq and Harp tried to escape from the compound, and the pacing was perfect.
* The single love scene was well done, and since I typically don’t care for stories where the main couple consummates their relationship before other issues are resolved, I felt that its timing fit well within the storyline.
* I enjoyed the slight glimpse into Harp’s childhood, though I wish that there’d been time to expand upon it. Thus is the way of novellas, however, and it was an acceptable sacrifice in my mind.
What didn’t work for me:
* I didn’t really care for Harp as a character. At one point in the story, both of their lives are in great danger, and he apparently thinks it prudent to strip down to his skin and pretty much tell her to “hop on”, despite the fact that there’s been absolutely no resolution between them. I understand that he was supposedly overwhelmed with lust at seeing Jaq again after they’d been separated for a year, but his timing did nothing to endear him to me.
* I wish that Ella Drake had played up Harp’s reliance on the dice a bit more. References as to how he always carried them, and his occasional use of them to make a decision made me think that he would’ve been much more intriguing had he relied on them a bit more heavily to make decisions in life, a la Harvey “Two-Face” Kent from the Batman franchise.
Overall, this was a quick, entertaining read. Sci-fi fans will enjoy both the technology and social structure, and fans of the original fairy tale will enjoy picking out tiny twists and references sprinkled throughout the story.
4/5 Stars
--
As you may be able to tell from the cover, Jaq’s Harp is a futuristic twist on the fairytale of Jack and the Beanstalk. I really enjoyed the not-so-subtle nods to the original story, such as the “magic” bio-engineered beans, Monsieur Bovine, a reference to “the blood of an Englishman”, and more.
What worked for me:
* The cover art is simply gorgeous.
* I’m not normally a fan of stories where the main protagonists had a previous relationship, but I heartily approve of this device in shorter works, because it certainly helps to get the action moving. The circumstances around their initial separation helped to add an extra layer of angst to the story, as well as adding sweetness to the resolution.
* There was an abundance of action as Jaq and Harp tried to escape from the compound, and the pacing was perfect.
* The single love scene was well done, and since I typically don’t care for stories where the main couple consummates their relationship before other issues are resolved, I felt that its timing fit well within the storyline.
* I enjoyed the slight glimpse into Harp’s childhood, though I wish that there’d been time to expand upon it. Thus is the way of novellas, however, and it was an acceptable sacrifice in my mind.
What didn’t work for me:
* I didn’t really care for Harp as a character. At one point in the story, both of their lives are in great danger, and he apparently thinks it prudent to strip down to his skin and pretty much tell her to “hop on”, despite the fact that there’s been absolutely no resolution between them. I understand that he was supposedly overwhelmed with lust at seeing Jaq again after they’d been separated for a year, but his timing did nothing to endear him to me.
* I wish that Ella Drake had played up Harp’s reliance on the dice a bit more. References as to how he always carried them, and his occasional use of them to make a decision made me think that he would’ve been much more intriguing had he relied on them a bit more heavily to make decisions in life, a la Harvey “Two-Face” Kent from the Batman franchise.
Overall, this was a quick, entertaining read. Sci-fi fans will enjoy both the technology and social structure, and fans of the original fairy tale will enjoy picking out tiny twists and references sprinkled throughout the story.
4/5 Stars
January 17, 2011
Jaq's Harp by Ella Drake:
This was an ARC....will be released by Carina Press in February. The premise for this story is fantastic. It's a futuristic sci fi take on the legend of Jack and the Beanstalk. I adore funky new twists on fairy tales and legends. Drake calls this book a "twisted fairytale, biopunk romance." What I liked....the sci fi details are awesome. Drake does a tremendous job with her world-building. The bio-engineered beanstalk, the floating "islands," the hovercrafts, the dark, gritty, and desperate feel to life for the poor schmucks left on the surface of the earth, all make for a stunning vision of a world gone awry with technology. I also liked the heroine, Jaq, a lot...she is the quintessential kick-ass heroine, complete with roundhouse kicks, etc etc. The storyline was solid (with bitchy villainess and a-hole villain), had lots of action and suspense, and was extremely well written. Which may have worked against Drake in the end...I wanted more to this story. It was too short for me. The sci fi part worked great, but I wanted more about the characters and their relationship. I tend to gravitate to character-driven stories, not plot-centered stories, but even so....I still was fully engaged in this one.
Grade: B+
This was an ARC....will be released by Carina Press in February. The premise for this story is fantastic. It's a futuristic sci fi take on the legend of Jack and the Beanstalk. I adore funky new twists on fairy tales and legends. Drake calls this book a "twisted fairytale, biopunk romance." What I liked....the sci fi details are awesome. Drake does a tremendous job with her world-building. The bio-engineered beanstalk, the floating "islands," the hovercrafts, the dark, gritty, and desperate feel to life for the poor schmucks left on the surface of the earth, all make for a stunning vision of a world gone awry with technology. I also liked the heroine, Jaq, a lot...she is the quintessential kick-ass heroine, complete with roundhouse kicks, etc etc. The storyline was solid (with bitchy villainess and a-hole villain), had lots of action and suspense, and was extremely well written. Which may have worked against Drake in the end...I wanted more to this story. It was too short for me. The sci fi part worked great, but I wanted more about the characters and their relationship. I tend to gravitate to character-driven stories, not plot-centered stories, but even so....I still was fully engaged in this one.
Grade: B+
February 4, 2011
Disappointing. The world building works in some areas, but overall the tension and action fell flat.
When the hero is undercover and the villain is waiting for him, it's not a good thing for the hero to lie on his bed, get naked and tell the heroine (who is upset at him already) to climb aboard and ride him for a quickie before they try and take down the evil corporation.
When the hero is undercover and the villain is waiting for him, it's not a good thing for the hero to lie on his bed, get naked and tell the heroine (who is upset at him already) to climb aboard and ride him for a quickie before they try and take down the evil corporation.
February 13, 2011
My Rating: 4/5 stars
I usually don’t like short stories and/or novellas because I always seem to be left pretty unsatisfied in the end. So I tend to stay away from the shorter side of the story-telling world. However, something drew me to Jaq’s Harp, and having never read anything by Ella Drake, I can’t really tell you what made me want to read and review it. Jaq’s Harp is a unique re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk that involves floating islands, secret agents, and new-age technology. Add in a little sprinkle of steamy sexual tension between ex-lovers and you got yourself a fun time!
Jaq is one of the many agents that belong to the Mother organization, a secret part of the government GOoSE (Global Organization of Strategic Equity), bent on keeping all of the Megacorps floating above New Castle in line. But Jaq has her own agenda in mind when she goes after Giant Corp. Giant is responsible for her younger sister’s fatal illness. The only way to save Merry is for Jaq to find a way up to Giant’s headquarters and steal the cure from the medical labs. But guards and getting caught isn’t the only thing Jaq has to worry about dealing with at Giant. Harper English is deep undercover working to track down evidence to bring Giant down as well. He’s on the very mission that caused him to break Jaq’s heart when he left her a year ago.
Harp finally realizes the mistake he made with Jaq and wants nothing more than another chance to prove himself. But he’ll have to escape Giant first, and make sure Jaq is safely on the ground with him when the corporation comes crumbling down.
So I give major kudos to Ella Drake for writing a really great and satisfying novella. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a full-length novel about Jaq, Harper, and the world of New Castle but I’m not being picky. Jaq’s Harp was very balanced, well-paced, and it wrapped up nicely in the end.
I enjoyed both Jaq and Harp. They were developed enough for me to get a good sense of their personalities and the background story of their relationship. Jaq is definitely a heroine that can take care of herself. And even though she’s been hurt by Harp, she still cares about him deeply. Deeply enough to risk her life going after him when he needs help! And Harp isn’t the tough, macho, secret-spy he claims to be, even though it does take almost losing Jaq for him to realize what he wants in life. Men just need a little extra time some days…
The world-building was pretty excellent in my opinion! The reader gets a gritty dose of the dark life as a Lander; the working-class people left to live life on the ground, while the rich and privileged are far above the dirt and grime. I also really loved all the subtle cracks and pokes at the original Jack and the Beanstalk, they were very clever and felt like small inside jokes that added a lot of fun to the story.
I’ll definitely be reading more by Ella (especially her twisted fairy tales) and I’ll be giving shorter stories and novellas more of a chance in the future. I think anybody who loves re-tellings of fairy tales, futuristic romance, or just a nicely-paced kick-ass read will want to get a copy of Jaq’s Harp.
I usually don’t like short stories and/or novellas because I always seem to be left pretty unsatisfied in the end. So I tend to stay away from the shorter side of the story-telling world. However, something drew me to Jaq’s Harp, and having never read anything by Ella Drake, I can’t really tell you what made me want to read and review it. Jaq’s Harp is a unique re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk that involves floating islands, secret agents, and new-age technology. Add in a little sprinkle of steamy sexual tension between ex-lovers and you got yourself a fun time!
Jaq is one of the many agents that belong to the Mother organization, a secret part of the government GOoSE (Global Organization of Strategic Equity), bent on keeping all of the Megacorps floating above New Castle in line. But Jaq has her own agenda in mind when she goes after Giant Corp. Giant is responsible for her younger sister’s fatal illness. The only way to save Merry is for Jaq to find a way up to Giant’s headquarters and steal the cure from the medical labs. But guards and getting caught isn’t the only thing Jaq has to worry about dealing with at Giant. Harper English is deep undercover working to track down evidence to bring Giant down as well. He’s on the very mission that caused him to break Jaq’s heart when he left her a year ago.
Harp finally realizes the mistake he made with Jaq and wants nothing more than another chance to prove himself. But he’ll have to escape Giant first, and make sure Jaq is safely on the ground with him when the corporation comes crumbling down.
So I give major kudos to Ella Drake for writing a really great and satisfying novella. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a full-length novel about Jaq, Harper, and the world of New Castle but I’m not being picky. Jaq’s Harp was very balanced, well-paced, and it wrapped up nicely in the end.
I enjoyed both Jaq and Harp. They were developed enough for me to get a good sense of their personalities and the background story of their relationship. Jaq is definitely a heroine that can take care of herself. And even though she’s been hurt by Harp, she still cares about him deeply. Deeply enough to risk her life going after him when he needs help! And Harp isn’t the tough, macho, secret-spy he claims to be, even though it does take almost losing Jaq for him to realize what he wants in life. Men just need a little extra time some days…
The world-building was pretty excellent in my opinion! The reader gets a gritty dose of the dark life as a Lander; the working-class people left to live life on the ground, while the rich and privileged are far above the dirt and grime. I also really loved all the subtle cracks and pokes at the original Jack and the Beanstalk, they were very clever and felt like small inside jokes that added a lot of fun to the story.
I’ll definitely be reading more by Ella (especially her twisted fairy tales) and I’ll be giving shorter stories and novellas more of a chance in the future. I think anybody who loves re-tellings of fairy tales, futuristic romance, or just a nicely-paced kick-ass read will want to get a copy of Jaq’s Harp.
March 8, 2011
Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:
Jaq's Harp by Ella Drake is an imaginative, futuristic twist on the well known children's classic Jack and the Beanstalk. While this may be an extremely short novella, coming in with under seventy-five pages, this is still a romantically charged, action packed story that was interesting and enjoyable.
With many subtle and not so subtle references toward the original fairy tale, this novella grips the classic and drags it into the next millennium with bio-engineered bean stalks and evil giants in the form of corrupt medical corporations with an underlying story of true love. While the world building might be a bit forced given the confines in which it had to be developed, what I saw showed great potential as there was a nicely defined difference between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' illustrating the hierarchy in which the world exists. The futuristic attributes created an interesting environment for the story to take place in. All in all I loved the bleak world of the 'Landers' compared to the pristine and opulent existence of the 'Islanders' above. It creates a great contrast and an obvious segregation between good and evil...or should I say the just and the corrupt that I really enjoyed.
The character are likewise interesting and I instantly like Jaq's fiery persona. She's a bit of a free spirit, with a vulnerable and caring nature underneath a veneer of sarcasm. Brave and heroic, she is willing to go to any length to protect her sister and I found that to be quite admirable. Harp was just as interesting as he wears his heart on his sleeve and is no less noble in his actions. His love of Jaq is never once questionable, though he feels that he looses himself in that love, mainly because she isn't brave enough to open up as freely to him about her own emotions. While there could have been a lot more development in both character, I don't think that the quick introduction in to them or the brief over view of their past together hindered my enjoyment of the story in any way. In fact, I instantly recognized the spark between them and liked their gruff, lust riddled mannerisms. In truth, the only thing that would have made me like this story more was further exploration into their relationship. Especially as both are willing to undergo extreme pain, even death, to save the other. I mean, who wouldn't want to know more about that type of a connection? One other thing I would have liked to see more developed and further explored is Jaq's sister, Merry. Because we have only minimal dealings with her, I couldn't find myself to actually care about her illness. In fact, the relationship between Harp and Jaq far out shadowed the more familial aspect casting Merry into the background, despite the fact that it is because of her the Jaq undertakes this heroic and dangerous mission.
Also, on this topic I would have liked to know more about the sinister plot to infect the masses with this mysterious sickness in the guise of a cure. I think this was a wonderful aspect that was under played. The threat that Giant Corp presented just seemed to fall flat. Also, some of the character's actions at times can be a little odd. I mean the scene in which Harp strips and expects a quickie before making an escape when Jaq was evidently mad at him was a bit ill timed and ludicrous given the situation. There are a couple more instances when you have to simply scratch your head and wonder what is going on in the character's minds. But, there's quite a bit of action within this short story that did make sense and that kept the pace moving. However, like with some of the action, there were times when the action sequences could become a bit muddled and confusing, which threw off the pace at times as well.
Overall, there were parts of this story that really worked well and a few that didn't, but as whole it was still enjoyable. The unique, futuristic spin on this story was fun and I definitely loved the way the author brought the tale to life. In the end, if you enjoy the re-telling of the classic fairy tales or futuristic plots then this tale is for you!
Jaq's Harp by Ella Drake is an imaginative, futuristic twist on the well known children's classic Jack and the Beanstalk. While this may be an extremely short novella, coming in with under seventy-five pages, this is still a romantically charged, action packed story that was interesting and enjoyable.
With many subtle and not so subtle references toward the original fairy tale, this novella grips the classic and drags it into the next millennium with bio-engineered bean stalks and evil giants in the form of corrupt medical corporations with an underlying story of true love. While the world building might be a bit forced given the confines in which it had to be developed, what I saw showed great potential as there was a nicely defined difference between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' illustrating the hierarchy in which the world exists. The futuristic attributes created an interesting environment for the story to take place in. All in all I loved the bleak world of the 'Landers' compared to the pristine and opulent existence of the 'Islanders' above. It creates a great contrast and an obvious segregation between good and evil...or should I say the just and the corrupt that I really enjoyed.
The character are likewise interesting and I instantly like Jaq's fiery persona. She's a bit of a free spirit, with a vulnerable and caring nature underneath a veneer of sarcasm. Brave and heroic, she is willing to go to any length to protect her sister and I found that to be quite admirable. Harp was just as interesting as he wears his heart on his sleeve and is no less noble in his actions. His love of Jaq is never once questionable, though he feels that he looses himself in that love, mainly because she isn't brave enough to open up as freely to him about her own emotions. While there could have been a lot more development in both character, I don't think that the quick introduction in to them or the brief over view of their past together hindered my enjoyment of the story in any way. In fact, I instantly recognized the spark between them and liked their gruff, lust riddled mannerisms. In truth, the only thing that would have made me like this story more was further exploration into their relationship. Especially as both are willing to undergo extreme pain, even death, to save the other. I mean, who wouldn't want to know more about that type of a connection? One other thing I would have liked to see more developed and further explored is Jaq's sister, Merry. Because we have only minimal dealings with her, I couldn't find myself to actually care about her illness. In fact, the relationship between Harp and Jaq far out shadowed the more familial aspect casting Merry into the background, despite the fact that it is because of her the Jaq undertakes this heroic and dangerous mission.
Also, on this topic I would have liked to know more about the sinister plot to infect the masses with this mysterious sickness in the guise of a cure. I think this was a wonderful aspect that was under played. The threat that Giant Corp presented just seemed to fall flat. Also, some of the character's actions at times can be a little odd. I mean the scene in which Harp strips and expects a quickie before making an escape when Jaq was evidently mad at him was a bit ill timed and ludicrous given the situation. There are a couple more instances when you have to simply scratch your head and wonder what is going on in the character's minds. But, there's quite a bit of action within this short story that did make sense and that kept the pace moving. However, like with some of the action, there were times when the action sequences could become a bit muddled and confusing, which threw off the pace at times as well.
Overall, there were parts of this story that really worked well and a few that didn't, but as whole it was still enjoyable. The unique, futuristic spin on this story was fun and I definitely loved the way the author brought the tale to life. In the end, if you enjoy the re-telling of the classic fairy tales or futuristic plots then this tale is for you!
February 22, 2011
Reviewed by Mishel at RexRobotReviews.com
I usually don’t like short stories and/or novellas because I always seem to be left pretty unsatisfied in the end. So I tend to stay away from the shorter side of the story-telling world. However, something drew me to Jaq’s Harp, and having never read anything by Ella Drake, I can’t really tell you what made me want to read and review it. Jaq’s Harp is a unique re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk that involves floating islands, secret agents, and new-age technology. Add in a little sprinkle of steamy sexual tension between ex-lovers and you got yourself a fun time!
Jaq is one of the many agents that belong to the Mother organization, a secret part of the government GOoSE (Global Organization of Strategic Equity), bent on keeping all of the Megacorps floating above New Castle in line. But Jaq has her own agenda in mind when she goes after Giant Corp. Giant is responsible for her younger sister’s fatal illness. The only way to save Merry is for Jaq to find a way up to Giant’s headquarters and steal the cure from the medical labs. But guards and getting caught isn’t the only thing Jaq has to worry about dealing with at Giant. Harper English is deep undercover working to track down evidence to bring Giant down as well. He’s on the very mission that caused him to break Jaq’s heart when he left her a year ago.
Harp finally realizes the mistake he made with Jaq and wants nothing more than another chance to prove himself. But he’ll have to escape Giant first, and make sure Jaq is safely on the ground with him when the corporation comes crumbling down.
So I give major kudos to Ella Drake for writing a really great and satisfying novella. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a full-length novel about Jaq, Harper, and the world of New Castle but I’m not being picky. Jaq’s Harp was very balanced, well-paced, and it wrapped up nicely in the end.
I enjoyed both Jaq and Harp. They were developed enough for me to get a good sense of their personalities and the background story of their relationship. Jaq is definitely a heroine that can take care of herself. And even though she’s been hurt by Harp, she still cares about him deeply. Deeply enough to risk her life going after him when he needs help! And Harp isn’t the tough, macho, secret-spy he claims to be, even though it does take almost losing Jaq for him to realize what he wants in life. Men just need a little extra time some days…
The world-building was pretty excellent in my opinion! The reader gets a gritty dose of the dark life as a Lander; the working-class people left to live life on the ground, while the rich and privileged are far above the dirt and grime. I also really loved all the subtle cracks and pokes at the original Jack and the Beanstalk, they were very clever and felt like small inside jokes that added a lot of fun to the story.
I’ll definitely be reading more by Ella (especially her twisted fairy tales) and I’ll be giving shorter stories and novellas more of a chance in the future. I think anybody who loves re-tellings of fairy tales, futuristic romance, or just a nicely-paced kick-ass read will want to get a copy of Jaq’s Harp.
I usually don’t like short stories and/or novellas because I always seem to be left pretty unsatisfied in the end. So I tend to stay away from the shorter side of the story-telling world. However, something drew me to Jaq’s Harp, and having never read anything by Ella Drake, I can’t really tell you what made me want to read and review it. Jaq’s Harp is a unique re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk that involves floating islands, secret agents, and new-age technology. Add in a little sprinkle of steamy sexual tension between ex-lovers and you got yourself a fun time!
Jaq is one of the many agents that belong to the Mother organization, a secret part of the government GOoSE (Global Organization of Strategic Equity), bent on keeping all of the Megacorps floating above New Castle in line. But Jaq has her own agenda in mind when she goes after Giant Corp. Giant is responsible for her younger sister’s fatal illness. The only way to save Merry is for Jaq to find a way up to Giant’s headquarters and steal the cure from the medical labs. But guards and getting caught isn’t the only thing Jaq has to worry about dealing with at Giant. Harper English is deep undercover working to track down evidence to bring Giant down as well. He’s on the very mission that caused him to break Jaq’s heart when he left her a year ago.
Harp finally realizes the mistake he made with Jaq and wants nothing more than another chance to prove himself. But he’ll have to escape Giant first, and make sure Jaq is safely on the ground with him when the corporation comes crumbling down.
So I give major kudos to Ella Drake for writing a really great and satisfying novella. Of course, I wouldn’t mind a full-length novel about Jaq, Harper, and the world of New Castle but I’m not being picky. Jaq’s Harp was very balanced, well-paced, and it wrapped up nicely in the end.
I enjoyed both Jaq and Harp. They were developed enough for me to get a good sense of their personalities and the background story of their relationship. Jaq is definitely a heroine that can take care of herself. And even though she’s been hurt by Harp, she still cares about him deeply. Deeply enough to risk her life going after him when he needs help! And Harp isn’t the tough, macho, secret-spy he claims to be, even though it does take almost losing Jaq for him to realize what he wants in life. Men just need a little extra time some days…
The world-building was pretty excellent in my opinion! The reader gets a gritty dose of the dark life as a Lander; the working-class people left to live life on the ground, while the rich and privileged are far above the dirt and grime. I also really loved all the subtle cracks and pokes at the original Jack and the Beanstalk, they were very clever and felt like small inside jokes that added a lot of fun to the story.
I’ll definitely be reading more by Ella (especially her twisted fairy tales) and I’ll be giving shorter stories and novellas more of a chance in the future. I think anybody who loves re-tellings of fairy tales, futuristic romance, or just a nicely-paced kick-ass read will want to get a copy of Jaq’s Harp.
July 26, 2016
This is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk... in space! With added gender reversals and a good old evil corporation. Which, of course, led me to say "yessss, I am in!"
With that sort of premise, you expect a fun and creative retelling of the original fairy tale, but to my disappointment, the author played it as close as possible. Apparently the gender reversal and turning the giant into a big evil corporation is quite enough variation, because that's about all we get. On page 10 Monsieur Bovine gives Jaq some beans, and I go really? Really? You live in a world with nanotech and lasers, but your best way of infiltrating this big shot corporation is by planting a bean and climbing up a real beanstalk? Come on, you have this awesome futuristic setting with techy bits everywhere! There are all sorts of creative solutions we could come up with to incorporate a beanstalk in here, but no, we're gonna fall back on the old leafy greens. And the DEALER is MISTER COW? My, we really are trying to cram every little detail in there, aren't we?
Ok, I might have found Mister Cow endearing if we'd gone for a little more originality in the rest of the story. As it stands, though, the whole things just smacks of trying too hard to cling to the fairy tale, dressing up the story in a sci-fi disguise and letting it run the way it always has.
The chemistry between Jaq and Harp (yes, her ex is the harp, The Giant's musician) is good, the tension between them believable. The romance was the best part of the story, certainly the part paid the most attention to. It's difficult to put together a full and believable romance in the short space of a novella, but by the end of the story it seemed natural that Jaq and Harper would end up back together, the shared adventure enough to get them both to face emotions they'd tried to hide from before.
Individually, Harper was a likeable enough character, competent with the things he'd been given and believably reluctant to see someone he cared about get caught up in his dangerous mission, even if seeing her makes his pants happy. I couldn't quite make up my mind on Jaq herself, though. She's cold and distant through most of it, until her final thaw. That can work, but her intro isn't exactly set up to endear her to readers. A prickly, difficult to like heroine is one thing, especially when she reserves most of her prickliness for the man who broke her heart, but Jaq was difficult to get to know, even with the reader inside her head, and her snipping was pretty clearly something she wasn't too afraid to spread around, even to an apparently beloved sister she was determined to protect.
The sci fi elements were mostly window dressing, much to my disappointment, whooshing doors and the occasional passcard to give a bit of colour, but adding nothing to plot or characterization. These characters could have lived anywhere, at any time, and while timeless is good, you'd think these people would have been affected at least a little by their environment.
With that sort of premise, you expect a fun and creative retelling of the original fairy tale, but to my disappointment, the author played it as close as possible. Apparently the gender reversal and turning the giant into a big evil corporation is quite enough variation, because that's about all we get. On page 10 Monsieur Bovine gives Jaq some beans, and I go really? Really? You live in a world with nanotech and lasers, but your best way of infiltrating this big shot corporation is by planting a bean and climbing up a real beanstalk? Come on, you have this awesome futuristic setting with techy bits everywhere! There are all sorts of creative solutions we could come up with to incorporate a beanstalk in here, but no, we're gonna fall back on the old leafy greens. And the DEALER is MISTER COW? My, we really are trying to cram every little detail in there, aren't we?
Ok, I might have found Mister Cow endearing if we'd gone for a little more originality in the rest of the story. As it stands, though, the whole things just smacks of trying too hard to cling to the fairy tale, dressing up the story in a sci-fi disguise and letting it run the way it always has.
The chemistry between Jaq and Harp (yes, her ex is the harp, The Giant's musician) is good, the tension between them believable. The romance was the best part of the story, certainly the part paid the most attention to. It's difficult to put together a full and believable romance in the short space of a novella, but by the end of the story it seemed natural that Jaq and Harper would end up back together, the shared adventure enough to get them both to face emotions they'd tried to hide from before.
Individually, Harper was a likeable enough character, competent with the things he'd been given and believably reluctant to see someone he cared about get caught up in his dangerous mission, even if seeing her makes his pants happy. I couldn't quite make up my mind on Jaq herself, though. She's cold and distant through most of it, until her final thaw. That can work, but her intro isn't exactly set up to endear her to readers. A prickly, difficult to like heroine is one thing, especially when she reserves most of her prickliness for the man who broke her heart, but Jaq was difficult to get to know, even with the reader inside her head, and her snipping was pretty clearly something she wasn't too afraid to spread around, even to an apparently beloved sister she was determined to protect.
The sci fi elements were mostly window dressing, much to my disappointment, whooshing doors and the occasional passcard to give a bit of colour, but adding nothing to plot or characterization. These characters could have lived anywhere, at any time, and while timeless is good, you'd think these people would have been affected at least a little by their environment.
April 3, 2011
Too Short to Do This Premise Justice
I have to say that I really can't offer a summary of the story that is any different from the blurb provided. The concept for this one was really brilliant. A sort-of fairy tale retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with an adult science fiction twist. Unfortunately the story is quite short and thus not enough character development or backstory is provided.
Without the character development both Harp and Jaq felt flat and their romance lacked any real spark. There were hints of potential, tiny snippets of their personalities shining through but their past and the supposed passion of it is told and not shown enough for my tastes. The storyline itself feels very rushed but not in the natural way it should. Yes, there's a limited timeframe for their escape but the pacing itself didn't lend an urgency to the action which might have made it flow better. I anticipated this to be more erotic and found it didn't deliver in that department either.
Ultimately, Drake has a gift for creating a great concept and she did try to make this entertaining. I love fairy tale retellings and her idea here was really well conceived. There's a lot packed into this short story as far as potential goes but there simply was not enough word-power happening here. It needed to be longer and more detailed to really stand up as a strong read. While it was only an okay read for me I fully intend to read more from this author, her imaginative world building really got me excited and this one was just probably not the one to sell me as a devoted fan.
***Received Review Copy via NetGalley.
I have to say that I really can't offer a summary of the story that is any different from the blurb provided. The concept for this one was really brilliant. A sort-of fairy tale retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk with an adult science fiction twist. Unfortunately the story is quite short and thus not enough character development or backstory is provided.
Without the character development both Harp and Jaq felt flat and their romance lacked any real spark. There were hints of potential, tiny snippets of their personalities shining through but their past and the supposed passion of it is told and not shown enough for my tastes. The storyline itself feels very rushed but not in the natural way it should. Yes, there's a limited timeframe for their escape but the pacing itself didn't lend an urgency to the action which might have made it flow better. I anticipated this to be more erotic and found it didn't deliver in that department either.
Ultimately, Drake has a gift for creating a great concept and she did try to make this entertaining. I love fairy tale retellings and her idea here was really well conceived. There's a lot packed into this short story as far as potential goes but there simply was not enough word-power happening here. It needed to be longer and more detailed to really stand up as a strong read. While it was only an okay read for me I fully intend to read more from this author, her imaginative world building really got me excited and this one was just probably not the one to sell me as a devoted fan.
***Received Review Copy via NetGalley.
April 2, 2011
Every time I see a cover that just stands out from all the others it makes me want to read the story. It does often happen that I come home with books that I haven’t even heard of, but the cover made the book more interesting than the story so I bought it. Jaq’s Harps cover is just amazing. The city, the Beanstalk, the whole mystery feeling I get from it makes me want to read it. So I’m glad I got this for review from Carina Press.
Jaq is a young woman who is strong, caring and very protective of her sister. No matter what the costs are she wants to find the cure that will make her sister better and she doesn’t care about her own well being. Even without not knowing the depth of this character, she really stands out and as a reader I wanted her to succeed. The other main character in this story is Harp. From what I can tell in this short plot is that he is charming, kind and maybe in his younger years reserved. He really loves Jaq and isn’t afraid to let her know that.
The plot is great. There is action and romance, which I quite enjoyed. And I do love the world building. Right at the beginning it’s like I was in another world and it made everything more believable. I loved the idea of the beanstalk in the story, such fun.
I’m looking forward reading more from this author, because this short novella was such a delight. Jaq’s Harp is a short, futuristic romantic story that I def. recommend.
Jaq is a young woman who is strong, caring and very protective of her sister. No matter what the costs are she wants to find the cure that will make her sister better and she doesn’t care about her own well being. Even without not knowing the depth of this character, she really stands out and as a reader I wanted her to succeed. The other main character in this story is Harp. From what I can tell in this short plot is that he is charming, kind and maybe in his younger years reserved. He really loves Jaq and isn’t afraid to let her know that.
The plot is great. There is action and romance, which I quite enjoyed. And I do love the world building. Right at the beginning it’s like I was in another world and it made everything more believable. I loved the idea of the beanstalk in the story, such fun.
I’m looking forward reading more from this author, because this short novella was such a delight. Jaq’s Harp is a short, futuristic romantic story that I def. recommend.
April 17, 2011
Very clever! I liked it. I admit, when I started reading it I knew only that this story was Science Fiction Romance and nothing else. So, the play on the story of Jack and the Beanstalk surprised me. I thought it was well done.
I liked Jaq, liked Mr. Bovine (he was funny) and I enjoyed the thorough worldbuilding. The SF was nicely blended with the Romance and there seemed to be equal parts of each. I liked the tech. It had a bit of a James Bond feel. I liked the way a couple of innocuous things near the beginning came back to help in the end. I liked Harp, for the most part. This is one I think I'll read again.
Really, the only thing I didn't like was the scene in which, minutes after Jaq reunites with Harper, he feels like if he strips naked she'll be compelled to jump his bones without hesitation. Uh? No. Didn't work for me. Jaq was still mad at him for things he'd done. The villainess was presumably searching for him because he was late and could show up at any second. They each had life and death things to do... and he expects a quickie? To me it almost felt like the author was told to toss in a bit of nudity and it didn't fit at that spot. Someone else might have thought it was fine, but not me.
But, the rest of the story rocked! I read it in a day, since it was really short, and found myself wishing it had been longer. I love the world, the tech and many of the characters. I love the author's voice and succinctness so I'll be looking up more of her work.
I liked Jaq, liked Mr. Bovine (he was funny) and I enjoyed the thorough worldbuilding. The SF was nicely blended with the Romance and there seemed to be equal parts of each. I liked the tech. It had a bit of a James Bond feel. I liked the way a couple of innocuous things near the beginning came back to help in the end. I liked Harp, for the most part. This is one I think I'll read again.
Really, the only thing I didn't like was the scene in which, minutes after Jaq reunites with Harper, he feels like if he strips naked she'll be compelled to jump his bones without hesitation. Uh? No. Didn't work for me. Jaq was still mad at him for things he'd done. The villainess was presumably searching for him because he was late and could show up at any second. They each had life and death things to do... and he expects a quickie? To me it almost felt like the author was told to toss in a bit of nudity and it didn't fit at that spot. Someone else might have thought it was fine, but not me.
But, the rest of the story rocked! I read it in a day, since it was really short, and found myself wishing it had been longer. I love the world, the tech and many of the characters. I love the author's voice and succinctness so I'll be looking up more of her work.
February 17, 2012
The good: I loved the play on Jack and the Beanstalk with a good dose of a dystopian world, advanced technologies and the contrasting privileged lifestyles of those in the floating cities. There's a real sense of the desperation of the landers. My heart ached throughout for Jaq, and I was desperate for her to get her HEA. I wanted this book to be longer so I could enjoy more of the world building and great descriptions throughout.
The bad: I felt there was too much back story crammed in between the dialogue at the start of the story, which slowed things down and made it harder to get into. I also couldn't understand Harper's initial reaction to Jaq. Considering these are both supposed to be professionals in a high-risk job, and both in very real and serious dangers with more than their own lives at stake, he just came across as a complete jerk in his behaviour. However I did warm back to him later. The ending also didn't quite do it for me although I can't quite pin down why.
In sum: I would read this one again, and look for other works by the same author. A good novella for fans of science fiction romance, and recommended for those who may not have read the genre before and want a taster.
The bad: I felt there was too much back story crammed in between the dialogue at the start of the story, which slowed things down and made it harder to get into. I also couldn't understand Harper's initial reaction to Jaq. Considering these are both supposed to be professionals in a high-risk job, and both in very real and serious dangers with more than their own lives at stake, he just came across as a complete jerk in his behaviour. However I did warm back to him later. The ending also didn't quite do it for me although I can't quite pin down why.
In sum: I would read this one again, and look for other works by the same author. A good novella for fans of science fiction romance, and recommended for those who may not have read the genre before and want a taster.
March 3, 2011
Jaq's sister is dying. And if she doesn't steal a cure for her, there is no hope. So Jaq sneaks her way onto the floating island that the Giant corporation calls home. There, she runs into her ex-fiance, Harp, who is on an undercover mission to take down the company and its corrupt owner. And of course, the heat between them ignites all over again.
This is a short story, only 67 pages. So there's not a lot of room for anything too deep. Basically, you've got two questions that play out: Can Jaq & Harp escape with the antidote and evidence they need? And can they get over the issues that drove them apart to find their way back together? It's not too much of a leap to figure out what the answers will be, but it's a fun enough ride to get from Point A to Point B. It's just hard to care much for the characters when we have so little time to get invested in them. (And Ella Drake adds her signature fairy tale twist, with a brief nod to Jack & the Beanstalk by incorporating magic beans and a "Giant" into the novella... but it does little to add or detract from the story when all is said and done.) 3 1/2 stars.
This is a short story, only 67 pages. So there's not a lot of room for anything too deep. Basically, you've got two questions that play out: Can Jaq & Harp escape with the antidote and evidence they need? And can they get over the issues that drove them apart to find their way back together? It's not too much of a leap to figure out what the answers will be, but it's a fun enough ride to get from Point A to Point B. It's just hard to care much for the characters when we have so little time to get invested in them. (And Ella Drake adds her signature fairy tale twist, with a brief nod to Jack & the Beanstalk by incorporating magic beans and a "Giant" into the novella... but it does little to add or detract from the story when all is said and done.) 3 1/2 stars.
January 15, 2012
The story is fast-paced, the characters are fascinating and the story world is amazing! Ms Drake did a great job of making these characters come fully alive in a short time. I was sorry when the story ended because the story world was so fascinating I wanted to know more about it. The tension builds from the first page and never lets up until the end. I felt sorry for Jaq as she seemed so lonely plus she never really understood why Harp left her. Happily he realizes his departure was a mistake, but there are serious dangers confronting them before they can have a second chance at happiness. A story well worth your time!
September 22, 2013
It did have some good elements that could be expanded. I liked the winks to the original story.
I think part of my low rating was because the reader could have been better with her voices. The main male henchman sounds so very female. When his character was speaking, it wasn't nearly threatening enough.
I think part of my low rating was because the reader could have been better with her voices. The main male henchman sounds so very female. When his character was speaking, it wasn't nearly threatening enough.
February 28, 2011
Fast-paced inventive new take on a children's story.
I am not much into science fiction, but I loved the world Ella Drake created.
This was a great read!
I am not much into science fiction, but I loved the world Ella Drake created.
This was a great read!
April 22, 2011
review to come
September 6, 2016
Fun read with a unique, futuristic twist on the old fairy tale.
February 15, 2013
I liked this twist on the Fairy Tale Jack and the beanstalk!
Want to read
December 31, 2016Loved this book so fascinating
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