Alliances

Razia #2

by S. Usher Evans

Lyssa Peate has found a tenuous balance between her double lives - the planet-discovering scientist and space pirate bounty hunter named Razia. No longer on probation, Razia still struggles to be thought of as more than a chocolate-fetching joke, and Lyssa can’t be truthful to those closest to her. But both lives are turned upside-down when feisty government investigator Lizbeth Carter shows up to capture the same pirate Razia is after.

Lizbeth’s not interested in taking Razia’s thunder; rather, she convinces the caustic bounty hunter to help solve a mystery. Somebody’s hiring pirates to target government ships, and there’s a money trail that doesn’t make any sense. From the desert planet of D-882 to the capital city on S-864, the investigation leads them deeper into a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels of the Universal Government - and to one of the most painful chapters in Lyssa’s past.

Alliances is the highly anticipated sequel to Double Life, Book 1 in the Razia Series.

Genres: Science Fiction, Adult, Young Adult

Paperback

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a "real job" as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit.

Reviews

[Christina McMullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of Alliances for review. Lucky because after reading Double Life, I absolutely fell in love with Razia. The world needs more spitfire female protagonists like this one.
If anything, the second book in the series is even better than the last. Razia has matured... somewhat. She's still just as feisty as ever, and just as stubbornly independent, but open at least to the idea of teaming up when it counts. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to make of Lizbeth at first, but she grew on me. I will say that there is one rather amusing scene involving tweezers that me spitting my drink. Other scenes, that I refuse to spoil, nearly made me cry.
I absolutely recommend this to anyone who has read Double Life and to those who haven't: Go read it right now!

[Caroline Greyling · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Screw them," she said to herself. "I'm going to make them respect me whether they like it or not."

Razia is fighting her way up the ladder in the male dominated world of universal piracy. It’s a tough job and frustrating when nobody seems to take her seriously, despite the fact that she regularly outdoes the competition.
It’s tougher still when she has to juggle her second identity as Dr Lyssa Peate. Dr Peate may be more respectable than Razia in the eyes of the law, but she has more than her share of family issues.
When Lyssa gets winds of a secret pirate meeting, she’s not surprised. Her male counterparts are always trying to exclude her. But there’s more to the secret meeting than meets the eye. Razia teams up with sassy agent Lizbeth to uncover a massive plot that will have serious personal and career implications for both of her identities.

Oh, how I love Razia! She is feminist power personified and yet, in this installment of the Razia series, we get a deeper glimpse into the real Razia beneath the pirate facade. She’s vulnerable, a little tender-hearted and has a sense of humor to boot.
Usher has stepped it up in a big way in Alliances. This one has it all: the thrill of a dangerous investigation; the perfect amount of arrogance and sexual tension between Teon and Razia (when is she going to get it together?); a large amount of very realistic familial strife; the fantastical workings of a politically complete universe and; most notably, a fresh, funny and real friendship between Razia and Lizbeth.
The story is well paced and Lyssa’s character development is heartwarming as she finally comes to the realization that life it not all about her, and it’s okay to lean on someone every now and then.

This one is not to be missed!

[aLena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book via GR first-reads. I have to admit, this is a solid book. First book of the Razia series called “Double Life” is confusing in the beginning and has a lot of unnecessary details, but when you catch everything up, this second book is pretty fun. They're both action-oriented, so if you don't like slow pace - this is gonna be your thing. Plus, it has everything: space, pirates, good vs. evil, humor, a love story...

The protagonist, young planet-discovering scientist Lyssandra Peate, is humble, whiny and insecure. She had a sucky childhood and sucky life. Everybody has considered her worthless her entire life. She's now trying to gain some confidence with her alter-ego, “badass” bounty-hunter Razia, a woman trying to make a name in male-dominated pirate and bounty-hunting world. The character development is good, most of them are nicely done. I especially like the new character in the second book, Lizbeth, and her friendship and patience with stubborn Razia. It's Razia whom I want to slap at least once on every page of the book. I understand that the author tried to make her strong and a feminist, complete opposite of weak Lyssa, but the stubbornness and fake confidence are just so damn annoying.

I'm into more serious stuff in this moment and this is a bit immature for my taste and age, but I would totally recommend it to all SF-hungry teens/young adults. I just couldn't relate to such an immature character, teens probably will. It's under 200 pages so it's something you can read on a rainy afternoon. I want to know what happens with Lyssa/Razia, so I'll probably read the last part of the series when published.

[Michelle Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading Alliances book 2 of the Razia series by S. Usher Evans....OMG! The story of Dr. Lyssa Peate by day and Razia bounty hunter by night is a must read for every sci-fi fan. I have to say Evans has outdone herself on this one! The action is grittier, the humor is funnier and the story is amazing(ier?):)
You are pulled in from the first page. Imagine a story about a feisty space pirate, mix it with a political thriller and spice it with a dash of romance and you have the base for this great read.
I really enjoyed the new character of Lizbeth. She was a great secondary character and really enhanced the normally solitary and isolated Razia and I enjoyed watching their friendship develop. It was nice to see her softer side. And the developing love story with Sage! Can't wait to see what happens there.
The world building is fantastic. Evans leaves no stone unturned, everything is explained beautifully and just falls into place. The plot is amazingly strong. As I said it a story about bounty hunting but Razia also finds herself drawn into the world of smuggling, pay offs and a political assassination. What is not to love?
If you are looking for a book with great characters, tight story lines and scenes to make you laugh out loud then give this book a read! 5 out of 5 stars for me! Thank you Ms. Evans for giving me the opportunity to read your wonderful work :)

[Sky · Rating 4 out of 5]

REALLY?! THAT'S HOW YOU END IT?! I CAN'T EVEN.

[Chels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second books are often diagnosed with second book blues. For some reason they have a hard time living up to the expectations of the first book. I'm happy to report that Alliances did not fall victim of this horrible disease! I'm actually surprised at how much I loved this book. I've never been a big sci-fi person and bounty hunting has never interested me before. Somehow, in Alliances, it just all makes sense to me and I think it was a lot of fun to read about.

In Alliances we get introduced to a new character, Lizbeth. I didn't like her at first but the more we got to see her the more I fell in love. She was the perfect character to have interacting with Razia because she's not afraid to give her a slap in the face sometimes when she deserves it. Even though she becomes Razia's best friend she has no trouble taking other people sides when she knows Razia is being ridiculous (which is fairly often). I love Razia but she can be stubborn most of the time so it was nice to have someone who counteracted all that. We're also seeing more of Sage in this book (yes please) and even some more characters that were mentioned in Double Life. I love the direction these characters are going in and I love that we get to meet them all.

The plot in Alliances was just as good (if not better) than Double Life. I love that this investigation that is happening always manages to bring up Lyssa's family. I love the dramatic relationships there and I'm happy we get to see more of it. It was fast paced but still full of enough detail to keep me satisfied. Definitely a win for Alliances!

[Amanda Shelley-Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review

Amazing Book! Evans is a incredible author and I couldn't put the book down for a second! I loved this one even more then the first as this one had even more action and even more laughs as Razia kicks everyone's butts! I got a big kick out of her and liz and all their antics up and down the universe taking out all the guys. I think it would be totally kick butt for Razia to start to own all girl Pirate team!

I think my favourite scenes in this one were when she had to wear the short mini to sneak into the bar for the pirate meeting, and when she used her feminine whiles to get info out of Relleck! I laughed and laughed! I really like sage teon though and I hope that he and Razia end up together.

I couldn't believe the ending though total surprise had no idea it was going to go down like that! Evens is a genius writer and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! this series is the bomb! and if you haven't read it then WHAT are you waiting for! got out and get your copy today!

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of Alliances in a drawing by the author, and I have never been happier with a drawing prize! The plot is intense, complex, and extremely compelling. I love the combination of sci-fi motifs and the conspiracy and adventure elements. The characters are fantastic! Razia is developing beautifully as a character, building on the first book in the series in an organic and fun to read way. She's just as spunky and stubborn and badass, but now she's showing a bit of empathy and humility at times, too. Her relationship with Lizbeth is wonderful; they bring out the best in each other, as good friendships must. The relationships she has with family and with Sage Teon also take interesting turns...I hate spoilers so I won't say more... I look forward to seeing where the series goes next, and finding out more about Leveman's Vortex!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much I want to say about this but I do not want to be a spoiler. However I will say that Razia has come to better terms of being Lyssa and the usefulness that brings. And of course, she learns a valuable lesson in not hating others as much as she has felt hated. There is a maturity that grows inside her with the help of a new friend while they uncover one of the biggest political scandals in decades. And all this because of a stolen heritance. Happy puzzle solving intrigue in the continuation of universal living.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychocat Reads Review of ALLIANCES by S. Usher Evans.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

If you read my review of DOUBLE LIFE (Razia Book 1), you might recall that I was rather nervous about starting the book, and how things would end when I reviewed it. If you haven’t read the review or the book, go check them out. Suffice it to say, I’m reviewing Razia Book 2, so book 1 didn’t kill me ;)

Now let’s find out what happened when Psychocat and I settled in with ALLIANCES.

The Characters: Lyssa (aka Razia) remains the central character in this book, though this time there’s a new female character, Lizbeth, in the mix. This addition actually let the author delve a bit deeper into Lyssa’s personality and issues, and the results were priceless. Lyssa hasn’t lost any of her snark and sass, nor has she suddenly outgrown her tendency to shut people out and at times be a total pain in the ass. I love Lyssa for all of this. She’s not perfect, and she’s damn sure not going to apologize for it.

Lizbeth is, in many ways, Lyssa’s opposite, and yet the two also have some similarities that make the pair a force to be reckoned with. I loved the balance that she brought to Lyssa’s character, but I also thought she was a pretty bad ass character in her own right. I definitely hope we see more of her sass in future books.

There are also several others return characters, both on the pirate side and from Lyssa’s family. Vel (brother) and Sage (I’m not sure how to classify him exactly) are still running favorites in my book. I was happy to see them both back for the second book. Jukin (another brother) was still being Jukin, and I still kinda want a chance to give him a swift kick in the pants.

The point is that Ms. Evans has given us a bevy of diverse and interesting characters. She’s making great use of the ones she already established, and adding to the cast in ways that add spectacular flavor to the books.

The Relationships: Just like the first book, this is NOT a romance, but relationships matter. Hands down, my favorite part of this book is the Lyssa and Lizbeth pairing. The back and forth between the two of them is often hilarious, and at times packed full of things that one or the other doesn’t really want to hear but needs to. (If you missed S. Usher Evans’s guest post yesterday there are some interesting insights on this topic there.)

The second relationship worth noting is the Lyssa/Razia and Sage Teon one. Not much has changed there since the first book, and I still love it. These two bicker and push each other, and leave us all waiting to see if Lyssa will ever get a bloody clue (or even a non-bloody one).

The final relationship dynamic I’ll mention is Lyssa her family. This could best be described as a hot fucking mess. I seriously think they could keep even the best therapist busy for years. I can only hope that we’ll continue to see things evolving there in future books. I love that the author isn’t just waving a magic wand and making it all better. Issues that deep just don’t resolve over night, but they do make for some incredible reading.

This Book as Part of a Series: The Razia books have become something of a love story for me. By which I mean me with the books, not a love story within the books. A love story within the books would require Lyssa to get her head out of her ass and be open to that kind of shit, but that’s entirely different conversation.

Reading the second book in a series that starts off really strong is both an exciting and somewhat fear inducing feat. I’ll be honest, I expected a lot out of ALLIANCES based on what I got in DOUBLE LIFE. In the end I believe this book more than lived up to my expectations. It is actually even stronger than the first. As a second book in the series it managed to deliver a self-contained story while also building on the characters and world we met in the first. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Jen's Final Rating: 5 STARS! My least favorite part of this is that it ended (though I laughed so freakin’ hard at the ending) and I don’t have book three yet. WHY?!?!?!? Don’t let the sci-fi classification of this series scare you. Yes it takes place in space, and there are lots of planets, and all that jazz, but this is a character driven story with a fun element of intrigue that will have you trying to solve the mystery right along with the characters.

Psychocat's Final Rating: 5 CLAWS! Psychocat is giving serious thought to what her pirate name should be, because having two identities just isn’t enough for her.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

We catch up with Razia about a year after the ending of Double Life. No longer on pirate probation, she's been doing a commendable job bounty-hunting, but getting none of the commendations. She is just as stubborn and unwilling to hear anyone out when they are saying anything she doesn't want to hear. When another female shows up in her territory, it's ON! Despite the unlikelihood of Razia joining forces with anyone, her and Lizbeth begin uncovering an operation much larger than either of them expected, and what they find will send them for a loop.

Pros:
-Duo of strong women characters with their own set of strengths and weaknesses, as well as readily-equipped with witty banter.
-Idea that being feminine doesn't equal being a whore. (Evans talks about this on her blog, too.)
-Along those same lines, it's nice to have a story whose main character is female and her main interest/concern/motivation is not romance.
-It's a fun/tense adventure!
-Said fun/tense adventure is not without an emotional journey of self-discovery and brutal truth-slaps.
-Nice comic relief.
-I like that we get the results of Razia's searches in tables, it makes it more immersive (probably even more effective when not read on a phone...).

Faux-Cons:
-I don't think I'm going to make it until October to read Book 3...
-There are times you want to reach out and slap Razia and tell her to listen.
-(Putting this here until I can test out my theory that this is device-specific) some of the tables used so that we can see what Razia sees were too wide for the page, not really a con, and not enough to really affect the experience.

Cons:
-There was nothing that was really a con for me, although that doesn't mean it will be the same for everyone.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Razia’s back, and she’s still also Lyssa Peate. And she’s still trying to get the male-dominated pirate web to show her some respect and treat her seriously, which suddenly becomes a lot harder when she meets Lizbeth Carter, a government agent with whom she actually has a lot in common. Lizbeth’s trying to get to the bottom of a government conspiracy; Razia’s trying to figure out what her fellow pirates are getting involved in without her. Obviously, they’re a great team.

A great team when they aren’t fighting or belittling each other, at least. Razia might have finally met her match in sarcasm and stubbornness.

The second book in the Razia series captured my heart more than the first. There’s lots more adventure, lots more mystery, and a government conspiracy that not only involves Razia and the rest of the pirate web, but Lyssa Peate and her own family. Where Razia/Lyssa’s temper and unwillingness to back down from a fight continued to make me love her, Lizbeth’s character enhances what was already a funny, truthful, and fantastic commentary on the unequal treatment of men versus women in various careers, and this time actually touches a bit on the consequences. On top of that, Evans’s writing is crisp, clear, and funny, and ALLIANCES proves to be a quick but satisfying read for anyone who loves adventure.

[Katie Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Lyssa Peate, a.k.a. bounty hunter Razia, had finally come to peace with having two identities, but that doesn't mean she's got her life figured out. Lyssa is still something of a loner and has trouble opening up to people, Razia is still considered a bit of a joke in the pirate world, and in both identities she has trouble trusting anyone. After Razia has several run-ins with government worker Lizbeth Carter, who is investigating illegal pirate shipments, Razia is embroiled in the mystery and may have even found a friend in Lizbeth. But the feisty bounty hunter and the determined investigator may not make it out of this one alive.

ALLIANCES, S. Usher Evans' second book in the Razia series, gave the reader the same old frustratingly stubborn Razia, albeit a slightly more mature one. It was great to see the back and forth of her relationship with Lizbeth, who proved to be a good match for Razia. The pirate world was even richer in this second installment, and the pace of the story was quick and kept hold of me. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book. I picked it up right after finishing Double Life (and unfortunately had to put it down several times because of work) and fell in love with it, and I'm not going to say too much about it. It has all the action of the last book with a more political-ish thriller feel to it, plus a tease at the romance that is sure to come soon.
Not only does Alliances continue the stories of all the amazing characters from DL but it also introduces us to more, one being Lizbeth who is a pretty badass agent who also has to face being the only female in a male dominated area and also isn't afraid to call Lyssa/Razia on her bull.
Also, Lyssa is still a piece of work, but she learns lessons in this book that I feel will stick with her.

[Allen Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. Usher Evans takes us back to the world of Razia/Lysaa and it is like we never left. We jump right back into the story and it is such a smooth transition from one book to the next. This time Razia is faced/forced with helping a Government Agent track down why the Government needs Pirates to hijack their shipments and just like everything dealing with the Government is never as straight forward as it seems. We also see Razia faced with someone that won't take her bullshit like the rest seem ready to do and who has no problem calling Razia on it when she see it.

[Kristin Wallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved watching this story develop and the addition of Lizbeth in this second installment of series definitely shakes things up. It's nice to see Lyssa interacting with another woman--who is not a member of her family--and having to do some growing up.

All of the characters in this series hold their own and continue to be fleshed out by the author. The reader definitely has a lot to look forward to with the action and trouble that Lyssa gets herself and her friends in and out of. After all, the girl has brains, but sometimes cannot see what is right in front of her.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

HERE FOR THIS. Okay not gonna lie, sci-fi isn’t really my jam. So while I do find the intrigue and space stuff cool, I’m really hooked on the characters. Lyssa is the SHIT. I love how horrible and flawed she is. Reminds me of me when I’m at my most stubborn and unwilling to apologize. We have sooo much in common. I’m loving seeing all the obstacles and growing pains she has to go through and how she is slowly finding her core group around her. Bring on the next book! And hopefully a little more kissy time with Relleck before she gets hooked on Sage haha

[Grace Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have gotten into this series. I will admit this one was a little harder to read because of all the twists and turns. But I loved the partnership between Razia and Liz. The, at first rival turns into friendly bantering between the two was fun. Highly love this series!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Alliances more than the first book in the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Razie series.

[Alice (Alice's Book Vault) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride! I have really enjoyed this series so far and cannot wait to read book 3! S. Usher Evans really has a way with words. Highly recommend all her series.

[Michael Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Adventure/Mystery Space Opera

RECOMMENDED AS: GOOD MYSTERY/SPACE OPERA...WITH COMEDIC OVERTONES ...ENJOYABLE READ

This the second volume in the "Razia" series, and, while I liked the first novel better, it is a good, fun space opera. The plot is byzantine, more strange correlated events than I could count. Since the byzantine plots give the novel much of it's flavor, I won't include spoilers in my review. However, the deadpan, black humour really made it fun to read.

[Liz Meldon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, Razia was definitely a busy little beaver in this book, and I thought it was great! For me, Alliances was a big step up from the first book. Not to say that the first book was bad. I genuinely enjoyed it, but the second book delved a lot deeper into Razia/Lyssa as a person, exposing her flaws in a way that was very refreshing. Plus Lizbeth is officially one of my new faves in the series, and I enjoyed pretty much every single scene with her. Alliances is a fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi read, and there were really strong moments throughout. The space jump in particular, the whole scene right up to their escape, was perfection. Utter perfection. Favourite moment in the whole book.

Some issues I had were consistent with my concerns from the first book. I'm still not a fan of capslock being used to express a character shouting or squealing or crying out. I also wish I'd reread the first book before reading this one, because for the first little bit, I was kind of lost. The planet names with all the numbers are difficult for me to keep track of, and I find myself going back a lot to try to remember which planet is which. Also names. And aliases. There are a lot of them, and it was kind of tough for me personally to keep everybody straight. I'm really glad Razia had that "explain the whole plot" moment at the end of the book, because I was a little confused about what the Big Bads were up to.

But all the scenes with Razia/Lyssa interacting with someone, whether she wanted to or not, were really enjoyable. She felt more mature as a character in this book, and the chemistry with Sage was all the more exciting. I hope her and Lizbeth are pals 5EVER. I hope Vel comes back in a big way. I kind of hope Razia and Relleck bang like bunnies. I want Razia/Sage angst.

Clearly for me, it was the characters who dragged me in to this series, and it will be their progression forward that will keep me reading Razia's story on into the next book. Huzzah!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally seen on
Emily Reads Everything

Alliances is the continuation of Razia’s story and it picks up right after Double Life. When this book starts out, she is struggling with the events that happened at the end of Double Life. She got a glimpse at the person she should or could be and she is really struggling with it. Vel is back at school. He left her all alone, just like everyone else has. Razia is bounty hunting left and right but she still can’t manage to get anyone to notice her. She’s still battling with Sage Teon and never admitting when he gets the better of her. It’s business as usual in Razia’s life.

Enter awesomeness.

Razia has met her match with Lizbeth Carter. Lizbeth is just as confident, ambitious and stubborn as Razia is while maintaining her patience and social tact, skills that Razia lacks. They say opposites attract, and that’s the case here. Except, in classic Razia style, she insists that she neither needs nor likes Lizbeth often and loudly. Lizbeth is the perfect foil for Razia because she is not only forgiving and composed during Razia’s rages; she’s also willing to wear a dress.

Have I mentioned how much I love Sage Teon? This fellow pirate is indulgent of Razia’s every move. It’s clear as day to anyone that Sage and Razia belong together, but the two of them are too wrapped up in themselves to see it. S Usher Evans is a master of that just kiss already romantic tension. She takes it to the ultimate extreme. At this point I would melt if Razia didn’t outright insult Sage on sight.

In my last review, I said that the only problem with Razia is that she is immature. I really wanted to see personal growth. I wanted her to be a better person. I saw a little of it in this book. However, what growth I didn’t see was offset by Lizbeth continually pointing out when Razia was wrong. That made Razia’s one quirk infinitely easier for me to handle.

This series is a must read. I can’t wait to find out what happens.

[Nina Lux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of two women tough as nails, of an epic friendship and of courage to pursue the path on which your heart is set, irrespective of other people’s opinions. And it’s a story of empowerment. All set in space, mind. With pirates – PIRATES. IN SPACE!

All right, let’s get down to it. Razia the bounty hunter is on a mission to capture a pirate and when a government official turns up for that very same mission, she’s not having it. So, being Razia, she fights tooth and nail for her right to pursue this pirate on her own.

Two strong women become even stronger as one to unravel a conspiracy and, in the meantime, discover new and important things about themselves. Beyond the action and humour, it’s an important vision of breaking out of your comfort zone and allowing a listening ear, even when you think you know it all (I’m looking at you, Razia).

Alliances is yet another kick-ass girlpower story from S. Usher Evans, with complex and engaging characters, a superb Universe and an empowering message underlying the action without ever compromising the plot or organic feel. It’s there, as a natural part, as a crucial part even, and I applaud the author for weaving such an intricate and brilliant net of it.

Add high pace, always urging its reader to turn to the next page. PLUS you never know what’s coming around the next bend. If I could live in a book universe for one day, I’d like it to be the Razia world!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot better than the first book in the series. This book may have served as a better introduction as the first one felt kind of rushed. This review talks about some details in the story but de-contextualized so you shouldn't find it too spoilery.

I really like that the protagonist had another woman in the cast to interact with; I found the idea that there was literally only one female pirate in the universe to be a ridiculous setup for conflict, and fed too much into silly ideas about Exceptional Woman syndrome. I'm all for female protags in sci-fi, but if they are the only lady who is likeable I sort of side-eye that a bit.

Now if only we can meet one of Lyssa's numerous sisters who isn't set up as a fat breeding cow stereotype (come on, really?) then we might really be getting somewhere. We have one brother who's not a jerk, statistically speaking...

The storytelling in general improved, and having there be one major mystery as the conflict with subplots that fed into that helped a lot compared to the quick resolution of every conflict in the first book.

This still feels VERY young adult (so if you're looking for more mature sci-fi this might not be your cuppa) which isn't bad as much as something I wish I'd known going into the series. 19 year old me would have found Lyssa to be the most amazing person ever; 30 year old me wishes Lizbeth was the protagonist.

Solid effort, is keeping me in the series. Hope the next book is more like this one!

[Meradeth Houston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, heartily enjoyed the first book in this series, DOUBLE LIFE, and the second book in the series did not disappoint. Razia, as headstrong and difficult as she is, is portrayed very well and we get a good sense of why she is the way she is (holy mother of all family backgrounds, that's for sure!). There were still a few times I wanted to reach into the pages and shake her by the shirtfront, but she is definitely growing throughout the books, which is something I really appreciate seeing. Lizabeth is an interesting character, and she had a great deal of chemistry with Razia (of the platonic sort...though I did wonder a few times ;). There were a few times when the details of all they were doing kind of bogged down the storyline, even if they were necessary to seeing what they were doing, but I just ended up skimming them. Anyhow, their exploits and undertakings kept me glued to the pages and I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Razia is my favorite space pirate/bounty hunter! She struggles to get the recognition for doing the same thing that the guys do (and usually better), Whether she is Lyssa or Razia, the struggle is the same! I love her strength and her "I don't need anyone" attitude! We get to see some cracks in this facade as she slowly becomes friends with Lizbeth (I love the interaction between these 2 women!) and we get a bit more info about her family....and then there's Sage - we need more Sage!
The action is non-stop in this book and I stayed up way too late to finish this book!
Can't wait to read the 3rd book!

[Kristin Wallin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character that we grew to love (and be frustrated with) in the first book is back with more excitement, adventures, and self-discovery. Life is full of choices to be made, but how do we deal with the repercussions? Fans will be glad to see Vel and Sage back again. Read and see what Razia is up to this time...

[Stacy Moll]

The second book in The Madion War Trilogy, kept me glued to the pages, as with the first, I finished this book in one day. Galvan and Theo go through a lot to help their countries and to be together, but it sounds like their work is only beginning and so much more is being asked of them. Well worth the time, this trilogy should be added to you reading list.

[lfthndofdrknss · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as part of a giveaway and really enjoyed this book! It's a lot of fun and Razia shows signs of becoming less of a whiner. I look forward to the next one and plan on reading the shorts as well.