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Chaos Station #2
Lonely Shore
Book two of Chaos Station
All they can do is live day to day…
Felix Ingesson has returned to his duties as the Chaos's engineer with Zander Anatolius, his ex-boyfriend-turned-broken-super-soldier, at his side. Hope means something again. But there's nothing Felix can do to battle the alien poison flowing through Zander's veins, or his imminent mental decline. With each passing day, the side effects of Zander's experimental training are becoming more difficult to ignore.
When the ruthless Agrius Cartel seeks their revenge—including an ambush and an attempt to kidnap the Chaos's crew—Zander is pushed over the edge. He can no longer hide his symptoms, nor does he want to. But hurting Felix when he's not in control of himself is Zander's worst nightmare—when it nearly happens, he agrees to seek help. Even if that means trusting the unknown.As Zander places his life in alien hands, Felix appoints himself his lover's keeper. And though he tries to be strong, he can't ignore the fact that he might lose Zander…forever this time.
Don't miss the start of the series—Chaos Station is available now!
67,000 words
All they can do is live day to day…
Felix Ingesson has returned to his duties as the Chaos's engineer with Zander Anatolius, his ex-boyfriend-turned-broken-super-soldier, at his side. Hope means something again. But there's nothing Felix can do to battle the alien poison flowing through Zander's veins, or his imminent mental decline. With each passing day, the side effects of Zander's experimental training are becoming more difficult to ignore.
When the ruthless Agrius Cartel seeks their revenge—including an ambush and an attempt to kidnap the Chaos's crew—Zander is pushed over the edge. He can no longer hide his symptoms, nor does he want to. But hurting Felix when he's not in control of himself is Zander's worst nightmare—when it nearly happens, he agrees to seek help. Even if that means trusting the unknown.As Zander places his life in alien hands, Felix appoints himself his lover's keeper. And though he tries to be strong, he can't ignore the fact that he might lose Zander…forever this time.
Don't miss the start of the series—Chaos Station is available now!
67,000 words
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2015
39 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Burke
30 books527 followersJenn Burke has loved out-of-this-world romance since she was a preteen reading about heroes and heroines kicking butt and falling in love. Now that she’s an author, she couldn’t be happier to bring adventure, romance, and sexy times to her readers.
Jenn is the author of a number of paranormal and science fiction romance titles, including the critically acclaimed Chaos Station science fiction romance series (authored with Kelly Jensen) and her newest series, Ashes & Dust, a spin-off of her fan-favorite Not Dead Yet series.
She’s been called a pocket-sized and puntastic Canadian on social media, and she’ll happily own that label. Jenn lives just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and two kids, plus two dogs named after video game characters…because her geekiness knows no bounds.
Jenn is represented by Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency.
Jenn is the author of a number of paranormal and science fiction romance titles, including the critically acclaimed Chaos Station science fiction romance series (authored with Kelly Jensen) and her newest series, Ashes & Dust, a spin-off of her fan-favorite Not Dead Yet series.
She’s been called a pocket-sized and puntastic Canadian on social media, and she’ll happily own that label. Jenn lives just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and two kids, plus two dogs named after video game characters…because her geekiness knows no bounds.
Jenn is represented by Deidre Knight of the Knight Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 16, 2017
Rating: 4* of five
Burke & Jensen slayed me. They made every choice inevitable and each response inescapable. And, in the end, ma'at is preserved.
There is more to say but I can't find the words or the coordination to type them just now.
*******THE NEXT DAY********
The Publisher Says: Book two of Chaos Station
All they can do is live day to day...
Felix Ingesson has returned to his duties as the Chaos's engineer with Zander Anatolius, his ex-boyfriend-turned-broken-super-soldier, at his side. Hope means something again. But there's nothing Felix can do to battle the alien poison flowing through Zander's veins, or his imminent mental decline. With each passing day, the side effects of Zander’s experimental training are becoming more difficult to ignore.
When the ruthless Agrius Cartel seeks their revenge—including an ambush and an attempt to kidnap the Chaos’s crew—Zander is pushed over the edge. He can no longer hide his symptoms, nor does he want to. But hurting Felix when he’s not in control of himself is Zander’s worst nightmare—when it nearly happens, he agrees to seek help. Even if that means trusting the unknown.
As Zander places his life in alien hands, Felix appoints himself his lover’s keeper. And though he tries to be strong, he can’t ignore the fact that he might lose Zander…forever this time.
My Review: This is going to be one of those "why this book made me feel thus-and-such" reviews. If those personal-reflection reader response reviews piss you off, and gawd knows there are plenty who feel that way about them, scroll on.
For most people, falling in love doesn't fix things, it fucks them up. Falling in love with someone whose background is the diametric opposite of your own is exciting, and challenging, and well within the definition of "a really crappy idea." Felix the station rat and Zander the rich kid...inherent inequality in the relationship's power structure and all the resentment that breeds on both sides...none of that is delved into very deeply because the current story arc is very much about survival. Zed's survival as a living being and Flick's survival as an emotional being.
The titanic tsunami heading for the men is the physiological modifications that Zed, hollowed out by the incalculable and unfixable loss of Flick to the stin, volunteered to undergo. His transformation into a part-stin superwarrior, done in a last-ditch effort to stem the tide of losses to the stin, was a success in that Zed can replicate the stin warriors' greatest advantage over humans: the ability to phase shift, or locate themselves physically in a dimension just enough different from 4D spacetime to prevent humans from touching (therefore killing) them, but still close enough to allow those in it to see and interact with targets trapped within 4D spacetime.
In a universe with 11 dimensions as M theory requires, that's plausible to me, as is the existence of j-space, the hyperdimension that allows interstellar travel without breaking the cosmic speed limit c . Scientists are eyerolling, wincing, and generally scoffing I'm sure. Plausible is all I myownself require of fiction, not strict scientific rigor. I want writers of SF to allow me room to suspend my disbelief, not require me to fling my admittedly meager scientific knowledge out the proverbial airlock.
Back to Zed...his abilities helped win the war (sort of) for humanity because he disobeyed direct orders and saved a group of civilians even though it ran the very real risk of revealing his and his team's megasuperdouble secret modifications. His act was publicly revealed without his knowledge and this fictional universe's superpower, called the Guardians because no one knows what they call themselves, step in with their superpowers and call a halt to the stins' effort to eradicate humanity. Then Zed and his fellow modificatees are...abandoned. Cut loose. Left to twist because supporting them would mean acknowledging them and that would have horrendous political consequences.
Support them? What, pray tell, is the problem with that? Don't we always support our veterans? Hmm? Don't we always take care of the men and women who are damaged and the families who are destroyed by the will of the politicians in pursuit of the Greater Good?
/enraged sarcasm
Zed and his team are losing themselves. Losing their minds, literally, as in the depredations of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and disease...kuru for one nightmare-inducing example. Flick is trapped in hell with the man he loves vanishing before his eyes. Zed will be there, fully himself one moment and the next he's simply gone. Unresponsive at best, inappropriately responsive at worst, defaulting to his military training in managing phase shifts to respond to threats. Who happen to be his friends aboard the Chaos and his true love. When Zed comes back from one such moment while throttling the life from Flick, everyone knows the end of Zed's life is coming closer by the moment. It's impossible he'd want to kill Flick.
The desperate hail-mary play of taking Zed to Qek (the ashushk) pilot's home world to seek treatment for the incurable and rapidly progressing condition that induced stin-state abilities have gifted Zed with is, ultimately, unsuccessful and Zed dies during the last-ditch treatment. The Guardians swoop in, take Zed's body, and fix him; during his time being fixed by them, Zed learns he has a higher purpose in the Guardians' plans for the galaxy and they want him to remain among them. The pull of his all-pervasive love for Flick leads him to decline the opportunity to fully be whatever they plan for him to be, and with great sadness the Guardians return Zed to his true love, his dear friends, and his family.
Now comes that personal stuff. Flick's grief on losing Zed again (remembering that they were separated by war for a decade) is so accurately and harrowingly rendered that I was left a sobbing wreck. I've experienced a lot more grief than most people have because I was a young gay man during the AIDS epidemic. Loss was common. Grief was pervasive. And then I went and fell in love with a man who had full-blown AIDS.
Three years of good days, bad days, worse days, hospitalizations, spending nights in bedside chairs, doing small practical things like sponge baths and, later, diaper changes, holding Bland's hand when he was only bodily present and crying as quietly as I could hoping against hope he'd come back and then hating myself for wishing it on him as he came back in horrible pain. Two friends of ours, Joe and Domingo, would come and get me every so often and take me to some restaurant near Columbia Presbyterian and feed me something. I'd usually break down and sob somewhere along the line, and I still can't quite believe that they kept doing it for me, for Bland, subjecting themselves to public embarrassment like that. I was well beyond caring about suchlike nonsense at that point.
Then came the day that, looking at Bland lying helpless and hooked to a ventilator, a morphine drip, IVs of useless drugs trying to combat the cytomegalovirus killing him exquisitely painfully and slowly, and the fog of my wretchedness lifted for the first time in what felt like forever. I went home to compose myself and, for the first time in what felt like forever, didn't cry the entire subway ride from St. Luke's-Roosevelt to my home in Battery Park City.
My stocky Bajan wrestler was dead and he was never coming back. His body was there, and once in a while he'd try to come back to me sitting there holding his hand by squeezing it and focusing for a brief second or two on me before the fog came back. I was holding him inside this hell because I loved him and he loved me and I couldn't let go.
So the next morning I went, as always, to the hospital. Walking into the ward in a clear, in fact crystalline and brittle, bubble of purpose. I found Bland's younger sister sitting with him, a deeply religious young woman of the finest kind. She loved the sinner and, if she hated the sin, she kept it to herself, for which I was and am grateful. I sat down next to my true love, took his other hand, and said, "I love you too much to see you suffer this way. It's time to let go. Let go and go home, my love." I repeated this for hours as he tried to...I don't know what, speak or communicate...in brief spurts between vacancies. His sister held his other hand and, when I couldn't speak, said the same thing to him.
We left together. She drove me home, I thanked her for the ride, and she said, "no one could ever hope for a better friend than you are to my brother. Thank you."
That night Bland died. He was 34. I was 31.
It was two years before I could sleep in our bed. It was six years before I could climb out of the bottle and coke vial to decide to live again. (A terrifying heart arrhythmia made the choice stark.)
And, this past May, it was twenty-five years since Bland Jentry Carr and I died. I put together a face to wear while I did the whole existing thing, but I was gone and not for the first time in my life. Whoever I am now is not the man I was or would have been if I'd kept hold of my Bland. I suppose it's one reason I attract young men as lovers...in a funny way this old crippled-up man is really just 25. I'm not sure how I got here, to be honest, and there are days when I'm not sure I'm all that happy to be here, but here is where I am. Like Flick, I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other until I do what needs doing.
But I won't get Flick's miracle. Reading about it, however, satisfied something very, very deep inside me. That something that says "yes" to the bass thrum of loving another being so completely that their happiness and your own are completely entwined.
I still talk to Bland every morning as I shower and move through my routine. I don't believe in a god, I don't believe in a heaven, but I do believe that the huge energy of a human life leaves some mark, some dent in the fabric of spacetime, and I address myself to that. It is enough for me to express my love for all the men I've lost over the horrible plague years to those dents in spacetime. Reality is unforgiving, but fiction kisses it better.
Read this series. It kisses your hurts better (after inflicting them, that is).
Burke & Jensen slayed me. They made every choice inevitable and each response inescapable. And, in the end, ma'at is preserved.
There is more to say but I can't find the words or the coordination to type them just now.
*******THE NEXT DAY********
The Publisher Says: Book two of Chaos Station
All they can do is live day to day...
Felix Ingesson has returned to his duties as the Chaos's engineer with Zander Anatolius, his ex-boyfriend-turned-broken-super-soldier, at his side. Hope means something again. But there's nothing Felix can do to battle the alien poison flowing through Zander's veins, or his imminent mental decline. With each passing day, the side effects of Zander’s experimental training are becoming more difficult to ignore.
When the ruthless Agrius Cartel seeks their revenge—including an ambush and an attempt to kidnap the Chaos’s crew—Zander is pushed over the edge. He can no longer hide his symptoms, nor does he want to. But hurting Felix when he’s not in control of himself is Zander’s worst nightmare—when it nearly happens, he agrees to seek help. Even if that means trusting the unknown.
As Zander places his life in alien hands, Felix appoints himself his lover’s keeper. And though he tries to be strong, he can’t ignore the fact that he might lose Zander…forever this time.
My Review: This is going to be one of those "why this book made me feel thus-and-such" reviews. If those personal-reflection reader response reviews piss you off, and gawd knows there are plenty who feel that way about them, scroll on.
For most people, falling in love doesn't fix things, it fucks them up. Falling in love with someone whose background is the diametric opposite of your own is exciting, and challenging, and well within the definition of "a really crappy idea." Felix the station rat and Zander the rich kid...inherent inequality in the relationship's power structure and all the resentment that breeds on both sides...none of that is delved into very deeply because the current story arc is very much about survival. Zed's survival as a living being and Flick's survival as an emotional being.
The titanic tsunami heading for the men is the physiological modifications that Zed, hollowed out by the incalculable and unfixable loss of Flick to the stin, volunteered to undergo. His transformation into a part-stin superwarrior, done in a last-ditch effort to stem the tide of losses to the stin, was a success in that Zed can replicate the stin warriors' greatest advantage over humans: the ability to phase shift, or locate themselves physically in a dimension just enough different from 4D spacetime to prevent humans from touching (therefore killing) them, but still close enough to allow those in it to see and interact with targets trapped within 4D spacetime.
In a universe with 11 dimensions as M theory requires, that's plausible to me, as is the existence of j-space, the hyperdimension that allows interstellar travel without breaking the cosmic speed limit c . Scientists are eyerolling, wincing, and generally scoffing I'm sure. Plausible is all I myownself require of fiction, not strict scientific rigor. I want writers of SF to allow me room to suspend my disbelief, not require me to fling my admittedly meager scientific knowledge out the proverbial airlock.
Back to Zed...his abilities helped win the war (sort of) for humanity because he disobeyed direct orders and saved a group of civilians even though it ran the very real risk of revealing his and his team's megasuperdouble secret modifications. His act was publicly revealed without his knowledge and this fictional universe's superpower, called the Guardians because no one knows what they call themselves, step in with their superpowers and call a halt to the stins' effort to eradicate humanity. Then Zed and his fellow modificatees are...abandoned. Cut loose. Left to twist because supporting them would mean acknowledging them and that would have horrendous political consequences.
Support them? What, pray tell, is the problem with that? Don't we always support our veterans? Hmm? Don't we always take care of the men and women who are damaged and the families who are destroyed by the will of the politicians in pursuit of the Greater Good?
/enraged sarcasm
Zed and his team are losing themselves. Losing their minds, literally, as in the depredations of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia and disease...kuru for one nightmare-inducing example. Flick is trapped in hell with the man he loves vanishing before his eyes. Zed will be there, fully himself one moment and the next he's simply gone. Unresponsive at best, inappropriately responsive at worst, defaulting to his military training in managing phase shifts to respond to threats. Who happen to be his friends aboard the Chaos and his true love. When Zed comes back from one such moment while throttling the life from Flick, everyone knows the end of Zed's life is coming closer by the moment. It's impossible he'd want to kill Flick.
The desperate hail-mary play of taking Zed to Qek (the ashushk) pilot's home world to seek treatment for the incurable and rapidly progressing condition that induced stin-state abilities have gifted Zed with is, ultimately, unsuccessful and Zed dies during the last-ditch treatment. The Guardians swoop in, take Zed's body, and fix him; during his time being fixed by them, Zed learns he has a higher purpose in the Guardians' plans for the galaxy and they want him to remain among them. The pull of his all-pervasive love for Flick leads him to decline the opportunity to fully be whatever they plan for him to be, and with great sadness the Guardians return Zed to his true love, his dear friends, and his family.
Now comes that personal stuff. Flick's grief on losing Zed again (remembering that they were separated by war for a decade) is so accurately and harrowingly rendered that I was left a sobbing wreck. I've experienced a lot more grief than most people have because I was a young gay man during the AIDS epidemic. Loss was common. Grief was pervasive. And then I went and fell in love with a man who had full-blown AIDS.
Three years of good days, bad days, worse days, hospitalizations, spending nights in bedside chairs, doing small practical things like sponge baths and, later, diaper changes, holding Bland's hand when he was only bodily present and crying as quietly as I could hoping against hope he'd come back and then hating myself for wishing it on him as he came back in horrible pain. Two friends of ours, Joe and Domingo, would come and get me every so often and take me to some restaurant near Columbia Presbyterian and feed me something. I'd usually break down and sob somewhere along the line, and I still can't quite believe that they kept doing it for me, for Bland, subjecting themselves to public embarrassment like that. I was well beyond caring about suchlike nonsense at that point.
Then came the day that, looking at Bland lying helpless and hooked to a ventilator, a morphine drip, IVs of useless drugs trying to combat the cytomegalovirus killing him exquisitely painfully and slowly, and the fog of my wretchedness lifted for the first time in what felt like forever. I went home to compose myself and, for the first time in what felt like forever, didn't cry the entire subway ride from St. Luke's-Roosevelt to my home in Battery Park City.
My stocky Bajan wrestler was dead and he was never coming back. His body was there, and once in a while he'd try to come back to me sitting there holding his hand by squeezing it and focusing for a brief second or two on me before the fog came back. I was holding him inside this hell because I loved him and he loved me and I couldn't let go.
So the next morning I went, as always, to the hospital. Walking into the ward in a clear, in fact crystalline and brittle, bubble of purpose. I found Bland's younger sister sitting with him, a deeply religious young woman of the finest kind. She loved the sinner and, if she hated the sin, she kept it to herself, for which I was and am grateful. I sat down next to my true love, took his other hand, and said, "I love you too much to see you suffer this way. It's time to let go. Let go and go home, my love." I repeated this for hours as he tried to...I don't know what, speak or communicate...in brief spurts between vacancies. His sister held his other hand and, when I couldn't speak, said the same thing to him.
We left together. She drove me home, I thanked her for the ride, and she said, "no one could ever hope for a better friend than you are to my brother. Thank you."
That night Bland died. He was 34. I was 31.
It was two years before I could sleep in our bed. It was six years before I could climb out of the bottle and coke vial to decide to live again. (A terrifying heart arrhythmia made the choice stark.)
And, this past May, it was twenty-five years since Bland Jentry Carr and I died. I put together a face to wear while I did the whole existing thing, but I was gone and not for the first time in my life. Whoever I am now is not the man I was or would have been if I'd kept hold of my Bland. I suppose it's one reason I attract young men as lovers...in a funny way this old crippled-up man is really just 25. I'm not sure how I got here, to be honest, and there are days when I'm not sure I'm all that happy to be here, but here is where I am. Like Flick, I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other until I do what needs doing.
But I won't get Flick's miracle. Reading about it, however, satisfied something very, very deep inside me. That something that says "yes" to the bass thrum of loving another being so completely that their happiness and your own are completely entwined.
I still talk to Bland every morning as I shower and move through my routine. I don't believe in a god, I don't believe in a heaven, but I do believe that the huge energy of a human life leaves some mark, some dent in the fabric of spacetime, and I address myself to that. It is enough for me to express my love for all the men I've lost over the horrible plague years to those dents in spacetime. Reality is unforgiving, but fiction kisses it better.
Read this series. It kisses your hurts better (after inflicting them, that is).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2022
4 Stars
The second installment did not disappoint!
Top notch sci-fi, plenty of high stakes action, and a race against time to save one man on the brink of death from serving his government who has all but abandoned him.
Be reassured that this is not only a space adventure full of battling human and alien cultures/agendas, but at its core, the epic love between Felix and Zander remains front and center.
Consistently good stuff, and I expect nothing less from the next book!!
The second installment did not disappoint!
Top notch sci-fi, plenty of high stakes action, and a race against time to save one man on the brink of death from serving his government who has all but abandoned him.
Be reassured that this is not only a space adventure full of battling human and alien cultures/agendas, but at its core, the epic love between Felix and Zander remains front and center.
Consistently good stuff, and I expect nothing less from the next book!!
April 14, 2018
4 Stars
Review:
*This review might contain mild spoilers for Book 1. I wouldn't consider them spoilers as they don't reveal anything about the plot, but they do reveal certain bits of info that aren't given right away in Book 1.*
This book was definitely more emotional than the first, and, in a kind of ironic, contradictory, masochistic way, that made me happy. Whereas the first book was about the figurative distance between Zander and Felix and the two of them trying to figure out what their new relationship was, this one was all about the effects of the stin poison on Zander's brain and how it was killing him.
So first there was poor Zander, Zoning without meaning to or even realizing it, finding gaps in his memories, having constant headaches, and generally just being really confused and exhausted and scared about what was happening to him. The scenes from his POV were probably the most heart-tugging ones. Then there was Felix, despondent and unable to handle the fact that he was losing the man he loved but trying to be the strong one for Zander. Then there was the rest of the crew, who may not have been as close to Zander but still cared about him and Felix and were affected by all of this too. There was also Zander's family, who didn't even know what was going on but clearly loved Zander so much. I mean, Zander hadn't even talked to his family in years, I don't think, because of the war. Then he didn't contact them even after the war ended. Then he completely avoided Brennan, his brother, when Brennan found out he was on one of their stations and flew all the way there just to see him. When he finally called, well, I'll let you read the touching moment for yourself, but I will say that Brennan's response nearly brought tears to my eyes because it showed how much Zander had pushed his family away and avoided them but how much they didn't care about any of that and just wanted to help him and have him back.
Also, to backtrack a little bit, when I was about 20% into the book, I kinda stopped and suddenly realized that the characters in this book, the crew of the Chaos, already felt so familiar and comfortable to me. And, well, that's always a good sign because it means they felt real and I liked them.
The only thing I didn't like was that there was one thing in the book that was very deus ex machina. Oh, and I still had trouble remembering whose POV I was in sometimes. But I enjoyed the book enough to let those things slide.
And that's about it for my review. This book was a quick read but a good one. The plot was focused on relationships and helping Zander rather than a ton of action, but it was never slow or boring, the characters were lovable, and overall I enjoyed the book!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen's Chaos Station Series. Anyone who likes M/M romance, angsty/struggle-filled relationships, books set in space, realistically flawed characters, and imperfect but sweet relationships among lovers, friends, and family.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---
Initial Thoughts:
I am really liking this series so far! Lovable characters and lots of emotional situations. Full review soon!
Review:
*This review might contain mild spoilers for Book 1. I wouldn't consider them spoilers as they don't reveal anything about the plot, but they do reveal certain bits of info that aren't given right away in Book 1.*
This book was definitely more emotional than the first, and, in a kind of ironic, contradictory, masochistic way, that made me happy. Whereas the first book was about the figurative distance between Zander and Felix and the two of them trying to figure out what their new relationship was, this one was all about the effects of the stin poison on Zander's brain and how it was killing him.
So first there was poor Zander, Zoning without meaning to or even realizing it, finding gaps in his memories, having constant headaches, and generally just being really confused and exhausted and scared about what was happening to him. The scenes from his POV were probably the most heart-tugging ones. Then there was Felix, despondent and unable to handle the fact that he was losing the man he loved but trying to be the strong one for Zander. Then there was the rest of the crew, who may not have been as close to Zander but still cared about him and Felix and were affected by all of this too. There was also Zander's family, who didn't even know what was going on but clearly loved Zander so much. I mean, Zander hadn't even talked to his family in years, I don't think, because of the war. Then he didn't contact them even after the war ended. Then he completely avoided Brennan, his brother, when Brennan found out he was on one of their stations and flew all the way there just to see him. When he finally called, well, I'll let you read the touching moment for yourself, but I will say that Brennan's response nearly brought tears to my eyes because it showed how much Zander had pushed his family away and avoided them but how much they didn't care about any of that and just wanted to help him and have him back.
Also, to backtrack a little bit, when I was about 20% into the book, I kinda stopped and suddenly realized that the characters in this book, the crew of the Chaos, already felt so familiar and comfortable to me. And, well, that's always a good sign because it means they felt real and I liked them.
The only thing I didn't like was that there was one thing in the book that was very deus ex machina. Oh, and I still had trouble remembering whose POV I was in sometimes. But I enjoyed the book enough to let those things slide.
And that's about it for my review. This book was a quick read but a good one. The plot was focused on relationships and helping Zander rather than a ton of action, but it was never slow or boring, the characters were lovable, and overall I enjoyed the book!
Recommended For:
Fans of Book 1 in Jenn Burke & Kelly Jensen's Chaos Station Series. Anyone who likes M/M romance, angsty/struggle-filled relationships, books set in space, realistically flawed characters, and imperfect but sweet relationships among lovers, friends, and family.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---
Initial Thoughts:
I am really liking this series so far! Lovable characters and lots of emotional situations. Full review soon!
October 11, 2016
The continuation of Felix and Zander's story as they travel with the crew of the Chaos.
Zander's health is the prime focus of this book. How his previous military service and physiological alterations to ensure humans survival in the war against the Stin has let him with a slow death sentence. This is emotional and not gonna lie, I cried. The reader gets put through the ringer with Felix and Zander.
The secondary issue of the the crew's conflict with the Agrius cartel comes to a head and the fallout is catastrophic. Cat and mouse across the galaxy is going to end up with them face to face. How that plays out is a bit of a surprise.
The development of the secondary characters as we watch Felix and Zander's love story is good. We get a greater understanding of the various species and the Chaos crew members. It will interesting to see where they go from here. I'm up for the third in the series.
Zander's health is the prime focus of this book. How his previous military service and physiological alterations to ensure humans survival in the war against the Stin has let him with a slow death sentence. This is emotional and not gonna lie, I cried. The reader gets put through the ringer with Felix and Zander.
My heart is yours, always has been, always will be.
The secondary issue of the the crew's conflict with the Agrius cartel comes to a head and the fallout is catastrophic. Cat and mouse across the galaxy is going to end up with them face to face. How that plays out is a bit of a surprise.
The development of the secondary characters as we watch Felix and Zander's love story is good. We get a greater understanding of the various species and the Chaos crew members. It will interesting to see where they go from here. I'm up for the third in the series.
August 2, 2016
This second book in the series goes deeper into the emotional mess of our two guys and their relationship, barely resumed after the separation of 9 years stolen from them by the war. Felix and Zander have to deal with the advance of Zander's condition, as the alien toxin he was given takes a greater and greater toll, not just physically but in the slow degredation of his mind. Zander at first wants to hide how bad it's getting, even as he zones out more and more, but the threat of the Agrius Cartel demands that he use his abilities and push himself past the brink. When he's terrified he might hurt Felix without being aware of it, he agrees to a desperate gamble in search of help. Meanwhile Felix is put in the difficult position of being more and more a caretaker to the man who is his lover, and should be his equal.
Tensions run high, not just between the two men but among the whole crew who have to judge risks and loyalties. Felix is their longtime friend, while Zander is a newer and unknown quantity. But his need is palpable, and his pain is clearly also Felix's. An emotional, wrenching, and rewarding second installment. The ending is solid, but with lots of room for more to come.
Tensions run high, not just between the two men but among the whole crew who have to judge risks and loyalties. Felix is their longtime friend, while Zander is a newer and unknown quantity. But his need is palpable, and his pain is clearly also Felix's. An emotional, wrenching, and rewarding second installment. The ending is solid, but with lots of room for more to come.
November 21, 2024
The first scene in this had me laughing out loud whilst reading but then the story really intensified after the build up in book one and damn I was INVESTED! I felt so attached to this straggly little space crew and thoroughly enjoyed all the interactions with Qek, Nessa and Elias. This book had an emotional impact that felt very well written and sucked me in completely- I cried over these two! Thankfully the pain in this wasn’t dragged out and I found the ratio of humour/angst/action/romance worked nicely for me, even if some things were more simply solved than I expected. Will be jumping into book 3 shortly because I need answers, some Brennan time and more space crew found family vibes.
Also definitely recommend reading the short stories included at the end of these; they give some nice insight into these characters important early interactions.
These are newly on KU with updated covers.
Also definitely recommend reading the short stories included at the end of these; they give some nice insight into these characters important early interactions.
These are newly on KU with updated covers.
July 19, 2016
First Love, last love.
What if your days were numbered and time is running like sand through your fingers?
What if you were steadily losing parts of your memory? Memories of things you have done recently. Memories of what you just said a few moments ago. Memories of time spent with someone you love.
It would kill you, in the truest sense of the word. And the love of your life is right beside you, unable to do anything about it. Feeling helpless, hopeless, powerless.
This is exactly what happened in the second book of the Chaos Station Series to Zander (Zed) and Felix (Flick) and it almost broke my heart.
Zed, now newest crew member of the Chaos, is helping Flick and the other crew members as a security guard. The Crew has to deal with the Agrius, a drug cartel they pissed off in the first book by snatching a delivery from under their nose. Zed killing a few members in the process did not help the situation either. The cartel is hot on their heels and shows up unexpectedly at every turn, trying to get hold of the crew by setting a trap for them. Since the instances occure more and more often, Zane is equally frequent forced to get into the Zone, the state of mind, where he is able to evolve his superpowers, where he feels no pain. But every time it happens, the alien poison used in the secret government project to make him a super soldier, destroys slowly but surely Zed’s brain, because his body is trying to fight it off.
Zed tries with all his might to protect his lover, to shield him from the knowledge what is happening to him. Telling him what his condition really means would feel real... final. Flick is not ready to hear it either, not ready to say goodbye.
Felix folded himself in against Zed’s chest and hugged him tight. A part of him railed against his apparent uselessness, at the fact he could do nothing but just hold the blank body beneath him. Another part thanked all the stars Zed hadn’t flipped into combat mode.
A third part, which seeped into the other two like some pervasive germ, flopped and flailed. Or maybe that was his heart.
“Don’t go yet… please? Come back. I’m not ready.”
He hadn’t been ready a week ago and he wasn’t now. He’d never be ready. Ever.
But denial won’t get them anywhere and when Zed nearly hurt Flick while being in the Zone, he can’t ignore his fate any longer and is forced to seek somebody's help.
To say I had to cry when I read Lonely Shore would be a monumental understatement, so – sorry for the rude expression - but the most fitting term would be I cried my ass off. Multiple times. God, I suffered with them, I almost felt the physical and emotional pain, the exhaustion and I had to lay my Kindle aside a few times, because it almost overwhelmed me. I won't spoil the ending of this book, but you can be rest assured that I loved it.
Some people might be put off by the Sci-fi element, but this series is first and foremost a heartbreaking love story and I cannot recommend it high enough.
March 11, 2016
Jesus flipping Christ-rip my freakin' heart out and watch me bleed.
This sequel to Chaos Station really delves into Zed's problems and his and Flick's relationship. There was a lot less adventuring for the crew of the Chaos, and much more focus on the relationships between all of them. I spent a large majority of the time trying to choke back tears, and the rest of the time filled with happiness. For a sci-fi book, this story was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute.
This sequel to Chaos Station really delves into Zed's problems and his and Flick's relationship. There was a lot less adventuring for the crew of the Chaos, and much more focus on the relationships between all of them. I spent a large majority of the time trying to choke back tears, and the rest of the time filled with happiness. For a sci-fi book, this story was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every minute.
February 27, 2017
4.5 stars, and possibly some spoilerish-type things for the first book, so proceed with caution.
This is an absurdly good sci-fi series. It's been a very long time since I read the first book and yet the characters and world were so memorable that I was able to slip right back into that world as if I'd never left it.
This book was has so much more angst and emotion than the first, because here Fixer and Zed are a couple, there's no questioning what they are or how much they mean to each other, and Zed is now fully crew and just as important to the others as he is to Fix.
Only the work done on Zed during the last war to make him a super soldier is now starting to cause his system to deteriorate and if they don't find some way to stop it, they'll lose Zed.
Great story, great writing, the pacing never flags and the emotion in this one is quite wrenching at times. I love the clear bond between all the crew, Captain Elias, Nessa, Qek, Fixer and Zed and how they will go to the wall for each other. I'm really looking forward to the next one, and I'll make sure it's not as long this time!
This was a wonderful gift from the 2015 Gift Exchange. I didn't do so well then with keeping up with who gave what, but whoever this was from, you are much appreciated! xx
This is an absurdly good sci-fi series. It's been a very long time since I read the first book and yet the characters and world were so memorable that I was able to slip right back into that world as if I'd never left it.
This book was has so much more angst and emotion than the first, because here Fixer and Zed are a couple, there's no questioning what they are or how much they mean to each other, and Zed is now fully crew and just as important to the others as he is to Fix.
Only the work done on Zed during the last war to make him a super soldier is now starting to cause his system to deteriorate and if they don't find some way to stop it, they'll lose Zed.
Great story, great writing, the pacing never flags and the emotion in this one is quite wrenching at times. I love the clear bond between all the crew, Captain Elias, Nessa, Qek, Fixer and Zed and how they will go to the wall for each other. I'm really looking forward to the next one, and I'll make sure it's not as long this time!
This was a wonderful gift from the 2015 Gift Exchange. I didn't do so well then with keeping up with who gave what, but whoever this was from, you are much appreciated! xx
August 18, 2016
Slow, depressing start. It felt dark, heavy, hopeless...and it was hard to read. Things picked up, but it was still so sad. My heart hurt. A lot. Tears fell.
Even with all the sadness, I loved spending more time with these characters and the interesting world they lived in. The story itself felt more like a vehicle for the characters to interact, and some of it was a bit anticlimactic, but I didn't care, as long as I got more of Felix and Zander.
Even with all the sadness, I loved spending more time with these characters and the interesting world they lived in. The story itself felt more like a vehicle for the characters to interact, and some of it was a bit anticlimactic, but I didn't care, as long as I got more of Felix and Zander.
July 22, 2016
4.5 stars
Around the 20% mark, it occurred to me that this series could easily become my new book obsession. After finishing 'Lonely Shore', I know for a fact that Zed and Felix are going to be my new book obsession. I'm stoked!
Possible spoilers for book 1, Chaos Station, below.
Book 2 in the Chaos Station series picks up four weeks after where book 1 ended. Zed's health is deteriorating due to the aftereffects of the military's experimentation, and Felix can do nothing but watch. To top it off, the Agrius Cartel is hunting the Chaos in order to exact revenge for the events of the previous book. Tensions are running high, and there's an almost claustrophobic feel to the story.
I think what I loved most was that though 'Lonely Shore' is sci-fi, it is first and foremost a romance. No matters the spaceships, alien races, or exotic planets, this was Zed and Felix's love story. And it was a surprisingly gut-wrenching love story too. Because the two spent most of their time very cautiously (and very slowly) reconnecting in book 1, I didn't get a full understanding of what they felt for each other.
I can say that by the first quarter of 'Lonely Shore', I had no more confusions or questions. Zed and Felix are broken. They were broken by the war and by their forced seperations. What they feel for one another is a raw need, and a desire to fix each other. It was heartbreaking to read, but oh so worth it.
I really enjoyed the sci-fi aspect of the book as well. We're introduced to new planets, and get a better understanding of how this futuristic multi-species universe functions. Hanging out with the crew of the Chaos was also a lot of fun. They're a bunch of jokers, but I think that's needed for their line of work. It probably isn't easy to spend most of your time drifting in a black void.
Overall, I really enjoyed the second instalment, and I'm looking forward to book 3, Skip Trace! I'd highly recommend this series for fans of MM sci-fi.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
Around the 20% mark, it occurred to me that this series could easily become my new book obsession. After finishing 'Lonely Shore', I know for a fact that Zed and Felix are going to be my new book obsession. I'm stoked!
Possible spoilers for book 1, Chaos Station, below.
Book 2 in the Chaos Station series picks up four weeks after where book 1 ended. Zed's health is deteriorating due to the aftereffects of the military's experimentation, and Felix can do nothing but watch. To top it off, the Agrius Cartel is hunting the Chaos in order to exact revenge for the events of the previous book. Tensions are running high, and there's an almost claustrophobic feel to the story.
I think what I loved most was that though 'Lonely Shore' is sci-fi, it is first and foremost a romance. No matters the spaceships, alien races, or exotic planets, this was Zed and Felix's love story. And it was a surprisingly gut-wrenching love story too. Because the two spent most of their time very cautiously (and very slowly) reconnecting in book 1, I didn't get a full understanding of what they felt for each other.
I can say that by the first quarter of 'Lonely Shore', I had no more confusions or questions. Zed and Felix are broken. They were broken by the war and by their forced seperations. What they feel for one another is a raw need, and a desire to fix each other. It was heartbreaking to read, but oh so worth it.
I really enjoyed the sci-fi aspect of the book as well. We're introduced to new planets, and get a better understanding of how this futuristic multi-species universe functions. Hanging out with the crew of the Chaos was also a lot of fun. They're a bunch of jokers, but I think that's needed for their line of work. It probably isn't easy to spend most of your time drifting in a black void.
Overall, I really enjoyed the second instalment, and I'm looking forward to book 3, Skip Trace! I'd highly recommend this series for fans of MM sci-fi.
ARC provided through NetGalley.
January 28, 2020
*ALL THE STARS*
Heart-rending. Agonizing. Painful.
And so, so brilliant!
I really liked book 1, but THIS?
It blew me away. It ripped my heart out. It made me feel, so much!
Felix and Zed are put through the worst. With Zed’s mental and physical health deteriorating with the speed of light, both men are near breaking point. And break they do, in one way or another.
Tbh, I was glad I ‘cheated’ and read the blurb for the next book, so it made the impact of what happens a little bit easier to bear, but it still made me cry. These authors know what grief feels like. Because the way they describe it hits you right in the guts and the heart, and then they do it all over again and again. It felt utterly real.
If this sounds grim and sad, well, yes, it is. When the love of your life can’t it is more than harrowing. Particularly when you have your own demons to face.
Both MCs are deeply complex, flawed and utterly human. I really wanted to shake Felix at times for his behavior and as for Zed … darn … that man is a hero all the way through.
So, is this the ultimate angst-fest?
I would be lying if I said this isn’t angsty, but it is so brilliantly done! There is also so much love and hope and goodness going around, it does help and soothe the pain a little.
The love between Zed and Felix, although it’s inevitably heavily burdened by anguish and sadness.
The love and friendship between all the crew members who I’ve come to adore.
The wonderful ashushk and their compassion.
The mysterious Guardians.
Qek is my favourite secondary character here. I love that little blue genderless alien to bits. ‘Her’ (that’s her chosen gender) funny earth-idioms are adorable and her innate kindness is so touching, things that provide balm to the soul.
Fantastic writing all the way and now I’m hooked!
Off to the far end of the galaxy to start book 3!
Heart-rending. Agonizing. Painful.
And so, so brilliant!
I really liked book 1, but THIS?
It blew me away. It ripped my heart out. It made me feel, so much!
Felix and Zed are put through the worst. With Zed’s mental and physical health deteriorating with the speed of light, both men are near breaking point. And break they do, in one way or another.
Tbh, I was glad I ‘cheated’ and read the blurb for the next book, so it made the impact of what happens a little bit easier to bear, but it still made me cry. These authors know what grief feels like. Because the way they describe it hits you right in the guts and the heart, and then they do it all over again and again. It felt utterly real.
If this sounds grim and sad, well, yes, it is. When the love of your life can’t it is more than harrowing. Particularly when you have your own demons to face.
Both MCs are deeply complex, flawed and utterly human. I really wanted to shake Felix at times for his behavior and as for Zed … darn … that man is a hero all the way through.
So, is this the ultimate angst-fest?
I would be lying if I said this isn’t angsty, but it is so brilliantly done! There is also so much love and hope and goodness going around, it does help and soothe the pain a little.
The love between Zed and Felix, although it’s inevitably heavily burdened by anguish and sadness.
The love and friendship between all the crew members who I’ve come to adore.
The wonderful ashushk and their compassion.
The mysterious Guardians.
Qek is my favourite secondary character here. I love that little blue genderless alien to bits. ‘Her’ (that’s her chosen gender) funny earth-idioms are adorable and her innate kindness is so touching, things that provide balm to the soul.
Fantastic writing all the way and now I’m hooked!
Off to the far end of the galaxy to start book 3!
November 18, 2024
This was so good! Love all the characters. This one was so sad and such a good depiction of grief. So hard to put down. I’m excited to see what happens next in this series.
July 12, 2015
What i love about this series so far is that it leaves me wanting more adventures from the Chaos crew. Thank you author for not ending it in a cliffhanger and also for making me tear up on that intense scene. Im looking forward to the next book, i want some of my questions answered.. :) 4.5
Thanks Netgalley :)
Thanks Netgalley :)
September 6, 2024
This reread was a bit difficult in spots. Not because the story held any less appeal, but because watching Zed lose himself was just so hard. A little too real.
Still, I'm enjoying rereading this series.
Still, I'm enjoying rereading this series.
May 26, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Wow what a gut puncher Lonely Shore was. More than once I had to wipe away a tear or two, so readers, be ready for an emotional roller-coaster. I should start by saying this book is a direct sequel to Chaos Station and you really have to read that book before you start Lonely Shore as the plot carries over in multiple ways.
Lonely Shore is more about Felix and Zed’s emotional journey than being a huge sci-fi action piece, but what a journey! The horrific aspects of Zed’s descent into madness are shown with a stark honesty that really cut to the core of me. As he begins to loose time, memories, and even his own sense of self, his desperation comes through as agonizingly real to the reader. There is a scene where Zed temporarily forgets Felix’s name and Zed’s absolute panic is truly visceral. I would give a heads up to anyone who has a trigger regarding Alzheimer’s because while Zed’s disease moves rapidly, many of his experiences echo aspects of that disease, or at least they did for me. Zed tries to keep his worsening episodes a secret from the rest of the crew and some of the best scenes show how everyone struggles to deal with his poorly constructed lies and the reality of the situation. Felix is just as tough as Zed, but his emotions are less muted and more volatile and as a result they often spill out as a jumbled mix that seems powerful and brutally painful. The authors have done a masterful job of capturing the depth of human grief and the powerless we feel when confronted by that over which we have no control.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Wow what a gut puncher Lonely Shore was. More than once I had to wipe away a tear or two, so readers, be ready for an emotional roller-coaster. I should start by saying this book is a direct sequel to Chaos Station and you really have to read that book before you start Lonely Shore as the plot carries over in multiple ways.
Lonely Shore is more about Felix and Zed’s emotional journey than being a huge sci-fi action piece, but what a journey! The horrific aspects of Zed’s descent into madness are shown with a stark honesty that really cut to the core of me. As he begins to loose time, memories, and even his own sense of self, his desperation comes through as agonizingly real to the reader. There is a scene where Zed temporarily forgets Felix’s name and Zed’s absolute panic is truly visceral. I would give a heads up to anyone who has a trigger regarding Alzheimer’s because while Zed’s disease moves rapidly, many of his experiences echo aspects of that disease, or at least they did for me. Zed tries to keep his worsening episodes a secret from the rest of the crew and some of the best scenes show how everyone struggles to deal with his poorly constructed lies and the reality of the situation. Felix is just as tough as Zed, but his emotions are less muted and more volatile and as a result they often spill out as a jumbled mix that seems powerful and brutally painful. The authors have done a masterful job of capturing the depth of human grief and the powerless we feel when confronted by that over which we have no control.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
December 3, 2016
In this second book Zed is getting sicker and while Felix is desperate to help him things just keep getting worse. They get so bad that I spend at least 20% of the book with tears in my eyes. This book is full of feelz. The first book was a lot of hurt/comfort. This one was plain ole' hurt.
The writing was super good in this series. The author's did a great job of making you feel both of the guy's grief and pain. The overall plot line was entertaining and I couldn't put it down. As usual the side characters add a lot to the story and this little crew is a wonderful family to each other.
This series has been a surprise for me because I'm not a giant fan of sci fi but I just love it. I can't wait to move on to the next book in the series.
The writing was super good in this series. The author's did a great job of making you feel both of the guy's grief and pain. The overall plot line was entertaining and I couldn't put it down. As usual the side characters add a lot to the story and this little crew is a wonderful family to each other.
This series has been a surprise for me because I'm not a giant fan of sci fi but I just love it. I can't wait to move on to the next book in the series.
May 25, 2015
My Review:
When a book moves me to tears, that's always a sign that it's a really good book. And while I do cry every once in a while in books, there are only a handful that I can say reduced me to a sobbing, ugly crying mess. This is one of those books.
This is the second book in a series of five. The first book was, Chaos Station. While I think you could read these books as stand-alones, I don't think you should. The series follows the lives of one couple...Zed and Felix. Both of these guys are very broken characters. They were lovers 9 years before, but then the war separated them and Zed thought Felix had died. He states it very clearly in this book...he lost his heart at that point. *sob* But now they've found their way back to one another and have a second chance, EXCEPT...
While as a soldier, Zed agreed to a last ditch experimental technique to turn him to a super-soldier. Humans were about to lose the war, so he and his team did what they had to and saved humanity from the evil Stin. But now that Stin poison is killing him. His brain is slowly deteriorating and he's literally dying. But it's a slow thing and so freaking painful...for him, for Felix, and for the crew which are all watching him deteriorate...entirely too quickly.
This book is so painful. These two guys have lost out on the last NINE years together. To have this debilitating blow so soon after finding one another is soul-crushing. It's so not fair. And the thing is Zed isn't sick. He just disappears becoming virtually catatonic for longer and longer periods, which is then followed by a horrible migraine. I can't imagine anything more painful than watching your lover decline like this.
There is a continuing sub-story with the Agrius cartel that began in the first book, but that story definitely is just playing out in the background as the crew focus on Zed's issues.
Huge, HUGE kudos to these two authors for the writing in this book. It was brilliant the way they showed both Zed and Felix's pain and trauma over it all. Everything about the book is so real and you are right there with the characters going through their emotional trauma with them. I definitely felt like I'd gone through the wringer after I finished reading it. A book hangover is guaranteed with this one.
And the emotions don't stop with just Zed and Felix. The Chaos space ship carries a crew of five and they are all amazing characters. I continue to adore Qek and her really interesting and creative alien culture. I also continue to be fascinated by Zed's brother Brennan....I want more of him on the page...SOON!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Note...here is the list of other books that have left me a sobbing mess:
1. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
2. Night Blade by J.C. Daniels
3. This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak
4. The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
And now this one...
5. Lonely Shore by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen
When a book moves me to tears, that's always a sign that it's a really good book. And while I do cry every once in a while in books, there are only a handful that I can say reduced me to a sobbing, ugly crying mess. This is one of those books.
This is the second book in a series of five. The first book was, Chaos Station. While I think you could read these books as stand-alones, I don't think you should. The series follows the lives of one couple...Zed and Felix. Both of these guys are very broken characters. They were lovers 9 years before, but then the war separated them and Zed thought Felix had died. He states it very clearly in this book...he lost his heart at that point. *sob* But now they've found their way back to one another and have a second chance, EXCEPT...
While as a soldier, Zed agreed to a last ditch experimental technique to turn him to a super-soldier. Humans were about to lose the war, so he and his team did what they had to and saved humanity from the evil Stin. But now that Stin poison is killing him. His brain is slowly deteriorating and he's literally dying. But it's a slow thing and so freaking painful...for him, for Felix, and for the crew which are all watching him deteriorate...entirely too quickly.
This book is so painful. These two guys have lost out on the last NINE years together. To have this debilitating blow so soon after finding one another is soul-crushing. It's so not fair. And the thing is Zed isn't sick. He just disappears becoming virtually catatonic for longer and longer periods, which is then followed by a horrible migraine. I can't imagine anything more painful than watching your lover decline like this.
There is a continuing sub-story with the Agrius cartel that began in the first book, but that story definitely is just playing out in the background as the crew focus on Zed's issues.
Huge, HUGE kudos to these two authors for the writing in this book. It was brilliant the way they showed both Zed and Felix's pain and trauma over it all. Everything about the book is so real and you are right there with the characters going through their emotional trauma with them. I definitely felt like I'd gone through the wringer after I finished reading it. A book hangover is guaranteed with this one.
And the emotions don't stop with just Zed and Felix. The Chaos space ship carries a crew of five and they are all amazing characters. I continue to adore Qek and her really interesting and creative alien culture. I also continue to be fascinated by Zed's brother Brennan....I want more of him on the page...SOON!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Note...here is the list of other books that have left me a sobbing mess:
1. Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
2. Night Blade by J.C. Daniels
3. This Heart of Mine by Brenda Novak
4. The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski
And now this one...
5. Lonely Shore by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen
October 10, 2016
This book didn't have all the heart pounding action that book 1 had, but it more than made up for it with emotional gut punches.
In book 2, Zander and Flick are finally back together, but now they have to deal with the fact that Zander is losing himself to the stin poison that was used to make him a supersoldier. Every day, a little bit more drifts away, until he finds himself "zoning" even during their most intimate moments. Both guys are terrified to talk about what's happening, because talking about it makes it real, but finally, an event happens that means they can no longer ignore it.
My heart just broke for both of the guys here, and I think I cried through a full quarter of the book, maybe more. Every time Zed zoned, every time he forgot something, it was so gutwrenching.
Fortunately, this book DOES finally find it's way around to happiness, but you know there's more stress coming in the next book. Everything still felt quite fragile to me at the end, so I'm anxious to get going on book 3.
In book 2, Zander and Flick are finally back together, but now they have to deal with the fact that Zander is losing himself to the stin poison that was used to make him a supersoldier. Every day, a little bit more drifts away, until he finds himself "zoning" even during their most intimate moments. Both guys are terrified to talk about what's happening, because talking about it makes it real, but finally, an event happens that means they can no longer ignore it.
My heart just broke for both of the guys here, and I think I cried through a full quarter of the book, maybe more. Every time Zed zoned, every time he forgot something, it was so gutwrenching.
Fortunately, this book DOES finally find it's way around to happiness, but you know there's more stress coming in the next book. Everything still felt quite fragile to me at the end, so I'm anxious to get going on book 3.
January 1, 2018
The second book of the series is focused (almost) entirely on Zed’s condition and its consequences.
The Chaos crew faces a difficult time and I really liked the dynamic between all the characters. The only one I’ve yet to warm up to is Felix and I think that’s the reason I’m not feeling really invested in the romance between him and Zed so far.
Felix is prickly and basically a mess, emotionally speaking. He obviously feels, but he doesn’t handle his emotions easily or in a completely healthy way.
I usually adore these kind of characters, but they’re difficult to balance and so far Felix isn’t working 100% for me. It might sound absurd, given what happens in this book and his reaction to it, but he feels too detached.
I think most of it is due to the fact that he doesn’t seem to have dealt with the psychological aftermaths of his imprisonment during the war and I hope it’ll be addressed later in the series.
Despite that, I’m really enjoying this series so far, the world building is still amazing and I can’t wait for
The Chaos crew faces a difficult time and I really liked the dynamic between all the characters. The only one I’ve yet to warm up to is Felix and I think that’s the reason I’m not feeling really invested in the romance between him and Zed so far.
Felix is prickly and basically a mess, emotionally speaking. He obviously feels, but he doesn’t handle his emotions easily or in a completely healthy way.
I usually adore these kind of characters, but they’re difficult to balance and so far Felix isn’t working 100% for me. It might sound absurd, given what happens in this book and his reaction to it, but he feels too detached.
I think most of it is due to the fact that he doesn’t seem to have dealt with the psychological aftermaths of his imprisonment during the war and I hope it’ll be addressed later in the series.
Despite that, I’m really enjoying this series so far, the world building is still amazing and I can’t wait for
September 1, 2016
Oh my god I think this book was trying to kill me. Zander and Flick may have just broke my tear ducts. This book was so good! All the necessary elements for a wonderful space opera are here. Zander's issues are only getting worse. He's zoning more and more often now and his mental capacities are deteriorating. Yet he doesn't want to tell Flick and worry him more. Add in the bad guys tracking you around the galaxy and life isn't coming up sunshine and roses for the Chaos crew at the moment.
I loved all of the interplay between this crew in this story. Getting to see more of Qek's home world and their society was lovely. You really see how much caring she's developed for her crew. Watching Flick fall apart was crushing. Even though something had to happen I still wasn't prepared for it.
I'm in love with these characters and the strength of the bond between Zander and Flick is just so incredibly brilliant and strong. So good!
I loved all of the interplay between this crew in this story. Getting to see more of Qek's home world and their society was lovely. You really see how much caring she's developed for her crew. Watching Flick fall apart was crushing. Even though something had to happen I still wasn't prepared for it.
I'm in love with these characters and the strength of the bond between Zander and Flick is just so incredibly brilliant and strong. So good!
January 3, 2016
I was gutted and sobbing in the middle! 4.5 stars. Reviewed at Dear Author: http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
July 14, 2016
Even reading this a second time i still cried, just so emotional, even when i know what happens
I brawled my eyes out reading this, absolutely awesome, looking forward to what book 3 will bring
I brawled my eyes out reading this, absolutely awesome, looking forward to what book 3 will bring
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2024
(4/5)
It was a little hard to get into the story at first, but once there was a plan, there was a plot.
The plot was heartbreaking though. There were times when I found it very difficult to read along with the pain of the characters.
Of course, it was absolutely fabulous to witness the emotions on that level, but it hurt like hell.
The ending was both a relief and incredibly confusing. I really don't feel like I know anything about this world and what comes next. But I'm still looking forward to it.
It was a little hard to get into the story at first, but once there was a plan, there was a plot.
The plot was heartbreaking though. There were times when I found it very difficult to read along with the pain of the characters.
Of course, it was absolutely fabulous to witness the emotions on that level, but it hurt like hell.
“I’m not ready,” he admitted softly. Not ready to be done. Not ready to give up Flick. Not ready for whatever came next.
The ending was both a relief and incredibly confusing. I really don't feel like I know anything about this world and what comes next. But I'm still looking forward to it.
April 2, 2016
I loved this story! Following on the heels of Chaos Station, book 1 in the series, this one continues the romance started in book 1 (though each story has a clearly defined ending with no cliffhangers). While I highly recommend Chaos Station as well, you can easily jump into the series with this one. The story follows the crew of the ship Chaos, with Felix and Zander being the couple of interest, and the captain Elias, the medical officer Ness and the pilot Qek rounding out the cast of colourful and interesting characters.
The world building is precise and clearly defined, explained in simple terms yet complex enough to make it clear that 'we ain't in Kansas anymore'. The human connection keeps the reader grounded but there is no doubt that this is science fiction (and I'd say that fans of any Star Trek TV shows would definitely find comfort here, especially Voyager and Deep Space Nine ones, like me). The alien races of interest - the Ashushk to which Qek the pilot belongs, the Stin who we don't see directly except as a consequence of the war, the elusive and mysterious Guardians who seem to control everything yet generally stay in the background observing and not interfering, and other species make the story lively and interesting. There are good guys, bad guys and everything in between, just on an intergalactic scale. The different worlds and space stations that the Chaos ship travels to are well written and colourful. Yet at the same time, it's the age old story of boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, just with a little alien Mafia type characters thrown into the mix.
While you've got the action and suspense plot going on, Flick and Zed hold our attention. They've had a rough go of it, having finally reunited after several years apart in book 1 and still getting used to being together. Only Zed's health is failing, both mentally and physically. I confess that there were parts of the story that almost had me in tears (okay, more than almost) as the emotional upheaval and turmoil being felt by both twisted my heart. There is no denying that they love each other, even if they don't want to use the words and the chemistry between them, even after so many years apart is just as strong and undeniable as it was in the beginning. And the scenes between them get pretty steamy.
The story is told predominantly in Zed and Flick's points of view, with the occasional chapter coming from Elias, the ship's captain who is trying to protect his crew and find a solution to Zed's increasingly dangerous and undeniable deterioration. I loved seeing the story from all three angles. They have a tight knit crew, and Zed's health concerns them all, resulting in decisions that will affect the future course of the ship and the story. It was a captivating read, with lighthearted and funny moments interspersed between the more serious ones. The story ended very satisfactorily, with a hint of what's to come next. I can't wait to take the next step in the journey! 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the authors for review.
Note 2: a copy of this review is posted at http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
The world building is precise and clearly defined, explained in simple terms yet complex enough to make it clear that 'we ain't in Kansas anymore'. The human connection keeps the reader grounded but there is no doubt that this is science fiction (and I'd say that fans of any Star Trek TV shows would definitely find comfort here, especially Voyager and Deep Space Nine ones, like me). The alien races of interest - the Ashushk to which Qek the pilot belongs, the Stin who we don't see directly except as a consequence of the war, the elusive and mysterious Guardians who seem to control everything yet generally stay in the background observing and not interfering, and other species make the story lively and interesting. There are good guys, bad guys and everything in between, just on an intergalactic scale. The different worlds and space stations that the Chaos ship travels to are well written and colourful. Yet at the same time, it's the age old story of boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, just with a little alien Mafia type characters thrown into the mix.
While you've got the action and suspense plot going on, Flick and Zed hold our attention. They've had a rough go of it, having finally reunited after several years apart in book 1 and still getting used to being together. Only Zed's health is failing, both mentally and physically. I confess that there were parts of the story that almost had me in tears (okay, more than almost) as the emotional upheaval and turmoil being felt by both twisted my heart. There is no denying that they love each other, even if they don't want to use the words and the chemistry between them, even after so many years apart is just as strong and undeniable as it was in the beginning. And the scenes between them get pretty steamy.
The story is told predominantly in Zed and Flick's points of view, with the occasional chapter coming from Elias, the ship's captain who is trying to protect his crew and find a solution to Zed's increasingly dangerous and undeniable deterioration. I loved seeing the story from all three angles. They have a tight knit crew, and Zed's health concerns them all, resulting in decisions that will affect the future course of the ship and the story. It was a captivating read, with lighthearted and funny moments interspersed between the more serious ones. The story ended very satisfactorily, with a hint of what's to come next. I can't wait to take the next step in the journey! 5 stars.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the authors for review.
Note 2: a copy of this review is posted at http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...
March 22, 2017
Lonely Shore (Chaos Station 2)
Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen
Carina Press, 2015
Five stars
This series, called Chaos Station after the shabby little space corvette in which our crew of five plies the galaxy, is very, very good. “Lonely Shore” is taken from Lord Byron’s epic poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” and itself should suggest the care with which this marvelous space adventure romance has been crafted.
The love between Felix Ingesson (known as Flick or Fixer) and Major Zander Anatolius (known as Zed) is completely at the core of this book’s narrative; but it is not the plot. We are in the years after a galactic war between two of the four races in the Milky Way: a cataclysmic battle between the insect-like stin and the Earth-based humans, that was brought to an end by the mysterious god-like race known only as the Guardians. Both Felix and Zander are products of that war. Friends since teen years, Flick was a prisoner in a stin prison-mine for four years; while Zander was part of a top-secret human military program known as Dreamweaver. Felix was tortured by the stin, and Zander had stin venom purposely fed into his system to transform him into a super soldier. Both men mourned each other before finding themselves together on the Chaos. Zander has helped heal Felix’s heart and soul, but Zander himself cannot be healed by human means. The whole book is a race against time to save Zed from the poison in his brain, put there by his own people.
Burke and Kelly do fantastic world-building, making this book a real adventure in a strange, new cosmos. It’s the kind of thing that had my generation watching “Star Trek” in the sixties and “Star Wars” in the seventies, and it is every bit as good as either of those, both in the content and in the quality of the prose. The particular joy in this second volume is getting to know the ashushk race and their home planet, Ashushk Prime. Qek, the gender-less pilot of the Chaos, is ashushk, and the tender, sensitive exploration of Qek’s relationship with the human crewmembers of the Chaos is one of the loveliest sci-fi plotlines I’ve ever read.
For me, the importance of Flick and Zed’s centrality can’t be overstated: it is the reason I read books like this. Science fiction has not generally been an overly friendly place for gay characters, and this brave new world of same-sex sci-fi is important and necessary. But it only works if it’s good, and this is everything it should be.
I will read all five of these books, even though the end of “Lonely Shore” is satisfying and doesn’t compel you to go get the next volume. I’m hooked on these guys as much as I was hooked on Kirk and Spock as a kid.
Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen
Carina Press, 2015
Five stars
This series, called Chaos Station after the shabby little space corvette in which our crew of five plies the galaxy, is very, very good. “Lonely Shore” is taken from Lord Byron’s epic poem “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,” and itself should suggest the care with which this marvelous space adventure romance has been crafted.
The love between Felix Ingesson (known as Flick or Fixer) and Major Zander Anatolius (known as Zed) is completely at the core of this book’s narrative; but it is not the plot. We are in the years after a galactic war between two of the four races in the Milky Way: a cataclysmic battle between the insect-like stin and the Earth-based humans, that was brought to an end by the mysterious god-like race known only as the Guardians. Both Felix and Zander are products of that war. Friends since teen years, Flick was a prisoner in a stin prison-mine for four years; while Zander was part of a top-secret human military program known as Dreamweaver. Felix was tortured by the stin, and Zander had stin venom purposely fed into his system to transform him into a super soldier. Both men mourned each other before finding themselves together on the Chaos. Zander has helped heal Felix’s heart and soul, but Zander himself cannot be healed by human means. The whole book is a race against time to save Zed from the poison in his brain, put there by his own people.
Burke and Kelly do fantastic world-building, making this book a real adventure in a strange, new cosmos. It’s the kind of thing that had my generation watching “Star Trek” in the sixties and “Star Wars” in the seventies, and it is every bit as good as either of those, both in the content and in the quality of the prose. The particular joy in this second volume is getting to know the ashushk race and their home planet, Ashushk Prime. Qek, the gender-less pilot of the Chaos, is ashushk, and the tender, sensitive exploration of Qek’s relationship with the human crewmembers of the Chaos is one of the loveliest sci-fi plotlines I’ve ever read.
For me, the importance of Flick and Zed’s centrality can’t be overstated: it is the reason I read books like this. Science fiction has not generally been an overly friendly place for gay characters, and this brave new world of same-sex sci-fi is important and necessary. But it only works if it’s good, and this is everything it should be.
I will read all five of these books, even though the end of “Lonely Shore” is satisfying and doesn’t compel you to go get the next volume. I’m hooked on these guys as much as I was hooked on Kirk and Spock as a kid.
July 30, 2016
This book was even better than the first one. Poor Zed trying to hold on to his sanity and all the horror he went through broke my heart. And poor Felix all that he went through trying to hold it together and being strong for Zed really saddened me and I just wanted to take him in my arms and comfort him. I loved the description of Qeks world. I could actually picture it and was overwhelmed by the beauty. I love Qek and the sacrifice "she" went through by going there and risking Gendering. I still want to know more about the Guardians, especially what they look like and what they are really up to. And what is up with the bracelet? What is that really for? Are they going to help the others that were "altered"? Why did they really want him to stay with them? There is more going on with them. I can't wait to see what happens with them in the upcoming books.
My only issues (and they were small ones) was that Felix didn't tell him he that he loved him after he came back; especially since he told him he would after the treatment.
Also, I'm a little confused with Flex's hand, is it mangled or is it completely gone? I know he was working on a new glove and it didn't seem as if he actually finished it. There were times that he seemed as if he was able to use both his hands, especially when he was taking out his anger/ on stuff. We did get to see a little more on what happened to him when he was held captive and hopefully we will get even more.
I so look forward to the next book and hope that we don't have to wait a long time for it. Okay yes I am not a very patient person and want the next book NOW :) Keep up the great work Ms. Burke & Ms. Jenson you guys rock!
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
My only issues (and they were small ones) was that Felix didn't tell him he that he loved him after he came back; especially since he told him he would after the treatment.
Also, I'm a little confused with Flex's hand, is it mangled or is it completely gone? I know he was working on a new glove and it didn't seem as if he actually finished it. There were times that he seemed as if he was able to use both his hands, especially when he was taking out his anger/ on stuff. We did get to see a little more on what happened to him when he was held captive and hopefully we will get even more.
I so look forward to the next book and hope that we don't have to wait a long time for it. Okay yes I am not a very patient person and want the next book NOW :) Keep up the great work Ms. Burke & Ms. Jenson you guys rock!
I was given a copy by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
May 6, 2015
Okay - so I suck at reviews. When I love a book, my review is mostly filled with SHOUTY CAPS of GAH and UNF and OMG, YOU DID NOT JUST GO THERE in addition to tons of ???? and !!!! to fully emphasize my emotional reaction to the book. These (and many others) were my reactions to reading Lonely Shore, Book Two of the Chaos Station Series by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen.
I fell in love with Zed and Felix initially in Book One, and continued to fall for them in Lonely Shore. They are both stubborn and ornery and broken and absolutely perfect for each other. In Chaos Station, I felt like I got to know Felix more than Zed, but in Lonely Shore, I discovered more about Zed and fell head over heels in love with him. I have a bad habit of live tweeting my author friends while I’m reading (sorry to anyone who’s been on the receiving end of my #AmReading tweets), and I have to be honest - the majority of my tweets to these two authors was about how much bodily harm I was going to inflict on them if they put Zed and Felix through any more pain. The sad part is, the authors are sadists, and enjoy tormenting my poor boys. The pain Zed and Felix go through in this book will rip your heart out, then put it back together right at the moment you want to throw your ereader across the room.
More than my complete adoration of Flick and Zed, though, was how much I fell in love with Qek, their fellow crewmate, in this book. She comes into her own in this book and steals your heart, just when you least expect it. Love, love, love her.
The only downside of reading this book is that now I have to wait months (MONTHS) to read the next one. Have I mentioned how sadistic the authors are? Even with that, I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves MM novels, sci-fi stories, action/adventure tales, or just a really damn good book.
I fell in love with Zed and Felix initially in Book One, and continued to fall for them in Lonely Shore. They are both stubborn and ornery and broken and absolutely perfect for each other. In Chaos Station, I felt like I got to know Felix more than Zed, but in Lonely Shore, I discovered more about Zed and fell head over heels in love with him. I have a bad habit of live tweeting my author friends while I’m reading (sorry to anyone who’s been on the receiving end of my #AmReading tweets), and I have to be honest - the majority of my tweets to these two authors was about how much bodily harm I was going to inflict on them if they put Zed and Felix through any more pain. The sad part is, the authors are sadists, and enjoy tormenting my poor boys. The pain Zed and Felix go through in this book will rip your heart out, then put it back together right at the moment you want to throw your ereader across the room.
More than my complete adoration of Flick and Zed, though, was how much I fell in love with Qek, their fellow crewmate, in this book. She comes into her own in this book and steals your heart, just when you least expect it. Love, love, love her.
The only downside of reading this book is that now I have to wait months (MONTHS) to read the next one. Have I mentioned how sadistic the authors are? Even with that, I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves MM novels, sci-fi stories, action/adventure tales, or just a really damn good book.
April 28, 2015
Jenn and Kelly have written an emotional ride with this installment of the Chaos Station series. Lonely Shore opens with Felix and Zander having a normal (for them) life aboard the Chaos. They are giving their relationship a shot. It’s something they’ve both wanted but war and would be death has always made it seem impossible. They both know it won’t be easy, as it is something new for both of them. The stin poison that is running through Zander’s veins is the biggest obstacle for them to tackle.
The crew of the Chaos is still dealing with the Agrius cartel and the aftermath of what happened in the first book. They are still seeking vengeance and will apparently stop at nothing to see it happen. The crew is even receiving emails from the Grand Moth of Agrius, he is seeking a face to face meeting with Elias.
Oddly I could have cared less about the Agrius and the mess they bring to the book. Yes it is exciting and brings some tension to the pages but the stin poison in Zander and those ramifications is what kept me from putting this book down. I was all about Zander and what was happening to him. Oh readers, grab that jumbo box of tissues once the Chaos takes its crew to Ashushsk Prime. That’s all I’m going to say about that. That whole ordeal was INTENSE!
Other than the crew heading off to Earth I honestly have no clue where the series is going. I do know that I’m looking forward to the next one. I’m sure Zander will experience some new things all things considered. I’m still left wanting to know more about the Guardians. I was given just enough page time with them again that I’m still left wanting more.
The crew of the Chaos is still dealing with the Agrius cartel and the aftermath of what happened in the first book. They are still seeking vengeance and will apparently stop at nothing to see it happen. The crew is even receiving emails from the Grand Moth of Agrius, he is seeking a face to face meeting with Elias.
Oddly I could have cared less about the Agrius and the mess they bring to the book. Yes it is exciting and brings some tension to the pages but the stin poison in Zander and those ramifications is what kept me from putting this book down. I was all about Zander and what was happening to him. Oh readers, grab that jumbo box of tissues once the Chaos takes its crew to Ashushsk Prime. That’s all I’m going to say about that. That whole ordeal was INTENSE!
Other than the crew heading off to Earth I honestly have no clue where the series is going. I do know that I’m looking forward to the next one. I’m sure Zander will experience some new things all things considered. I’m still left wanting to know more about the Guardians. I was given just enough page time with them again that I’m still left wanting more.
February 29, 2020
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
4.75 Stars -
Lonely Shore continues where Chaos Station left off. Zander’s headaches are getting worse and he has started to Zone out unintentionally. Added to this, the Agrius cartel are still after them for what happened on Chloris.
We again have adventure and suspense as every good space book should. We also have new worlds, powerful aliens, and loss. This book made me cry! However, it made me smile again too. I loved the family that is the crew of the Chaos.
I loved the quote in the beginning of the book from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage by George Gordon Byron. It set the tone of the book and made Zander’s realizations in the end all the more poignant.
If you love sci-fi and space operas, you need to read this series! Looking forward to book three!
4.75 Stars -
Lonely Shore continues where Chaos Station left off. Zander’s headaches are getting worse and he has started to Zone out unintentionally. Added to this, the Agrius cartel are still after them for what happened on Chloris.
We again have adventure and suspense as every good space book should. We also have new worlds, powerful aliens, and loss. This book made me cry! However, it made me smile again too. I loved the family that is the crew of the Chaos.
I loved the quote in the beginning of the book from Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage by George Gordon Byron. It set the tone of the book and made Zander’s realizations in the end all the more poignant.
If you love sci-fi and space operas, you need to read this series! Looking forward to book three!
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