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On Deception's Edge #1
Depths of Blue
For Torrin Ivanov, life is a bargaining table. Every planet is a new business opportunity. Legality is optional and supplying one side in a local civil war always adds up to profit.
Jak Stowell is at war within a war. A woman hidden in the heart of a male-only army, her brother’s murder has left her desperate for vengeance. Her skill as a sniper gives her both the disguise she needs and paves the way ever closer to her real goal. She kills efficiently, without remorse. Putting down an off-world smuggler will be no different.
A moment’s hesitation. A flicker of doubt. Two women on a collision course set off a chain reaction of intergalactic intrigue—and awaken a dangerous passion that could cost them their lives.
Jak Stowell is at war within a war. A woman hidden in the heart of a male-only army, her brother’s murder has left her desperate for vengeance. Her skill as a sniper gives her both the disguise she needs and paves the way ever closer to her real goal. She kills efficiently, without remorse. Putting down an off-world smuggler will be no different.
A moment’s hesitation. A flicker of doubt. Two women on a collision course set off a chain reaction of intergalactic intrigue—and awaken a dangerous passion that could cost them their lives.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
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817 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 6, 2015
Torrin Ivanov fancies herself a "technology dealer", though the other side thinks "smuggler" is a more accurate term. Acting on a tip from a shady information peddler, she lands on a planet on the outer fringes of the galaxy hoping to strike up some lucrative deals. Used to using her feminine assets to help things along, she dresses up for the part. What she doesn't realize is that it just might get her in big trouble.
Jak Stowell is a killing machine. Her reputation as an incredibly efficient sniper has allowed her to get away with a surly attitude and disguising as a man. Unpopular with her boss, she is the first choice for the worst missions with the lowest chances of survival. And of course, she gets assigned to take out that off-world smuggler in the heart of the enemy territory.
As a tale of adventure/survival drama, this book is great. And most of it is due to the poignant and very realistic portrayal of Jak--as a soldier torn between duty and compassion, as a grieving sister, and as a woman confused by her attraction to another woman. Torrin is also very well-drawn. Her ethics, such as it is, supposedly preclude her from killing in cold blood. But having to go back and forth through enemy territory does tend to blur those lines. :) Will she be able to accept Jak the killer? Will she have to pull the trigger herself? Moments like these add remarkable depth to the characters.
Outstanding pacing, tight plotting and plentiful thrills and drama all add up to a fast page turner. The romance is well developed and the sex is hot. The worldbuilding is adequate (read: won't bore non-scifi fans) and the technospeak isn't overwhelming. What maybe more of a concern is the level and frequency of killings. There is, after all, a war going on. And the lead character is a sniper. The violence is graphic (e.g. head shots), but it is in character and not gratuitous. There are occasional lapses in the plotting but the author got so many details right it was easier to overlook.
Favorite quote:
"Birds called back and forth while insects buzzed from stalk to stalk in the surrounding grasses. The grasslands around them buzzed with life, but none of it touched the stillness of the void that yawned within her."
4.75 stars
Jak Stowell is a killing machine. Her reputation as an incredibly efficient sniper has allowed her to get away with a surly attitude and disguising as a man. Unpopular with her boss, she is the first choice for the worst missions with the lowest chances of survival. And of course, she gets assigned to take out that off-world smuggler in the heart of the enemy territory.
As a tale of adventure/survival drama, this book is great. And most of it is due to the poignant and very realistic portrayal of Jak--as a soldier torn between duty and compassion, as a grieving sister, and as a woman confused by her attraction to another woman. Torrin is also very well-drawn. Her ethics, such as it is, supposedly preclude her from killing in cold blood. But having to go back and forth through enemy territory does tend to blur those lines. :) Will she be able to accept Jak the killer? Will she have to pull the trigger herself? Moments like these add remarkable depth to the characters.
Outstanding pacing, tight plotting and plentiful thrills and drama all add up to a fast page turner. The romance is well developed and the sex is hot. The worldbuilding is adequate (read: won't bore non-scifi fans) and the technospeak isn't overwhelming. What maybe more of a concern is the level and frequency of killings. There is, after all, a war going on. And the lead character is a sniper. The violence is graphic (e.g. head shots), but it is in character and not gratuitous. There are occasional lapses in the plotting but the author got so many details right it was easier to overlook.
Favorite quote:
"Birds called back and forth while insects buzzed from stalk to stalk in the surrounding grasses. The grasslands around them buzzed with life, but none of it touched the stillness of the void that yawned within her."
4.75 stars
October 17, 2016
This is a really fun lesbian military sci-fi book that's heavy on the action and adventure and light on the romance (but with enough romance that it should be satisfying for any lesfic reader). It's the first in a trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading the rest!
Listen to Brooklyn and I talk about it on the Les Do Books podcast here: https://thelesbiantalkshow.podbean.co...
Listen to Brooklyn and I talk about it on the Les Do Books podcast here: https://thelesbiantalkshow.podbean.co...
June 22, 2021
Action packed adventure! A good fast moving sci-fi!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters. Jak, a sniper soldier hiding her gender in this patriarchal army and world. Who is also dealing with the loss of her brother 2 years previous.
Torrin is an interplanetary smuggler and merchant. Lured to the fringe planet under the guise of a deal with a lot of money involved. Only she doesn't realize she has ended up in the midst of a civil war, and siding with the worst of the really bad guys!
Torrin is rescued by sniper Jak, after a mission behind enemy lines goes awry at the presence of the attractive woman. Thus starts their survival adventure and tentative relationship blooming. Torrin considers herself a lesbian, and has no interest in men. So finds herself perplexed at the attraction to Jak, who acts and appears male. Jak is also attracted to Torrin, but the worlds political beliefs is still quite backward, despite being the slightly "better" side. Meaning she feels guilt and shame for her feelings, due to homosexuality being abhorrent there.
It was great to see them tough it out against the elements and the politics of this world. Plus feeling that attraction sizzling. It's wonderful to see two badass ladies kicking ass and taking names. Being so competent and sure - yet soft and lovely in each others emotions, once we do get there.
The ending has me excited for the next installment, there's so much room for growth and more adventure of course. So I really look forward to it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the characters. Jak, a sniper soldier hiding her gender in this patriarchal army and world. Who is also dealing with the loss of her brother 2 years previous.
Torrin is an interplanetary smuggler and merchant. Lured to the fringe planet under the guise of a deal with a lot of money involved. Only she doesn't realize she has ended up in the midst of a civil war, and siding with the worst of the really bad guys!
Torrin is rescued by sniper Jak, after a mission behind enemy lines goes awry at the presence of the attractive woman. Thus starts their survival adventure and tentative relationship blooming. Torrin considers herself a lesbian, and has no interest in men. So finds herself perplexed at the attraction to Jak, who acts and appears male. Jak is also attracted to Torrin, but the worlds political beliefs is still quite backward, despite being the slightly "better" side. Meaning she feels guilt and shame for her feelings, due to homosexuality being abhorrent there.
It was great to see them tough it out against the elements and the politics of this world. Plus feeling that attraction sizzling. It's wonderful to see two badass ladies kicking ass and taking names. Being so competent and sure - yet soft and lovely in each others emotions, once we do get there.
The ending has me excited for the next installment, there's so much room for growth and more adventure of course. So I really look forward to it.
December 19, 2015
Excellent, exciting and impressive first novel. Military Sci-if is hard to do well, but this succeeded hands down.
Off to buy the next in the series.
Off to buy the next in the series.
September 22, 2016
This book is quite a ride. A wild, exciting, dangerous ride that makes you immediately put the book down at the end, and wonder how soon you can pick up book two. I have to admit, I couldn't quite sustain the picture of this world in my head. All the flora is a shade of blue, but when they were in the forest, I kept defaulting to the greens and browns of forest giants here. The story starts a little slowly for me, and I think that's just because I was impatient for Jak and Torrin to go ahead and meet already! When they finally did... more frustration was heaped upon me. See, Jak has been passing for a man for around 10 years. Long enough for the mannerisms and speech patterns to become instinctive. So for most of the book, Torrin doesn't understand her inexplicable attraction to this man, Jak, who saved her from the Orthodoxans, and from other perils on the way out of enemy territory. So we have a lot of attraction and unspoken yearning, but no action on that front for a very long time. And truthfully, a dangerous trek through the woods in unsafe territory really isn't the place for it anyway, so kudos to MacTague for her restraint on not having her characters get nekkid where the buckshot could end up in some tender places. Although the place that they finally do get together is almost as dangerous. I'm a bit surprised that they weren't caught. But I will say, the scene when Torrin figures it out? H.O.T.
So, this book ends with some pressing questions and unresolved issues that I'm hoping will start to get addressed in book two. And let's face it, that's the mark of a master storyteller, to make you ask questions that you simply must continue reading to find out. This book was very enjoyable, and since I love sci-fi, I'm very happy recommending it to all my fellow sci-fi geeks. Just be prepared, because at the end, you WILL want to pick up book two.
So, this book ends with some pressing questions and unresolved issues that I'm hoping will start to get addressed in book two. And let's face it, that's the mark of a master storyteller, to make you ask questions that you simply must continue reading to find out. This book was very enjoyable, and since I love sci-fi, I'm very happy recommending it to all my fellow sci-fi geeks. Just be prepared, because at the end, you WILL want to pick up book two.
November 26, 2019
Very nicely done friends to lovers romance in a setting that reminded me of the wild west with a little high tech thrown in.
December 31, 2019
It’s a good, tense, action-packed book. But... I struggle to find enjoyment immersed in this dystopian, violently sexist
world.
Still I’ll likely be back for parts 2 and 3.
Oddly I seem to have started 2019 with a Lise MacTague book and finished it with one, too. This is pleasingly symmetric. And makes me happier than it probably should...
world.
Still I’ll likely be back for parts 2 and 3.
Oddly I seem to have started 2019 with a Lise MacTague book and finished it with one, too. This is pleasingly symmetric. And makes me happier than it probably should...
June 1, 2015
I am always happy to see a new release in science fiction featuring lesbian charatcers. I usually am disappointed too, unfortunatly, because well, most of what is being released isn't very good.
Depths of Blue, while it has some flaws, is thankfully pretty good.
The setting is pretty basic: mankind has set out towards the stars and some 6 centuries later we are introduced to a Fringe planet locked up in Civil War. Fringe planets were the frist to be colonized and basically left to their own devices, because they are not really that much of interest to the "core worlds".
The majority of the story is more or less a survival trip through lush jungles, because for both our heroines their mission does not go to plan. Torrin finds herself at the mercy of a relentlessly mysogistic society thanks to faulty intel, and Jak, sent to kill the offworld smuggler has a last minute crisis of conscience and rescues Torrin. Thing is, Jak's scociety is barely any better when it comes to women and their place in it.
The major issue I have with the story is that there some weird disconnects regarding society and technology. Both parties seem to be locked in what seems to be World War 1 trench warfare and resort to behind the lines black ops. The planet does not have access to space, there are no satelites (those were the first to go at the start of the war), they don't even have radio. Weaponry is similar to current 21st century earth. (which I think is a big plus; I'm not too fond of laser cannons and plasma rifle or phasers set to stun)
And yet, they have access to detailed weather forecasts. They have force fields. The most baffling thing is that this backwater planet with religious governments is at the forefront of cybernetics and implants. They use fossil fuels. At some point, an officer orders someone to get a superior "on the phone". Keep in mind: the story takes place six centuries from now.
The story has some twists and turns and one highlight comes when Torrin is forced to participate in the war when they have to cross a checkpoint. While she has no qualms supplying some party with lethal weaponry for a profit, it becomes another thing entirely when she has to do the shooting herself.
The ending is a bit rushed and messy. I won't spoil it, but there were some things that did not make sense to me. And, Ms. MacTague, if your reading this: nebulas absolutly don't work that way.
And I agree with Jak: what's being done to Torrin's hair is a crying shame :)
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. 4,5 stars.
Depths of Blue, while it has some flaws, is thankfully pretty good.
The setting is pretty basic: mankind has set out towards the stars and some 6 centuries later we are introduced to a Fringe planet locked up in Civil War. Fringe planets were the frist to be colonized and basically left to their own devices, because they are not really that much of interest to the "core worlds".
The majority of the story is more or less a survival trip through lush jungles, because for both our heroines their mission does not go to plan. Torrin finds herself at the mercy of a relentlessly mysogistic society thanks to faulty intel, and Jak, sent to kill the offworld smuggler has a last minute crisis of conscience and rescues Torrin. Thing is, Jak's scociety is barely any better when it comes to women and their place in it.
The major issue I have with the story is that there some weird disconnects regarding society and technology. Both parties seem to be locked in what seems to be World War 1 trench warfare and resort to behind the lines black ops. The planet does not have access to space, there are no satelites (those were the first to go at the start of the war), they don't even have radio. Weaponry is similar to current 21st century earth. (which I think is a big plus; I'm not too fond of laser cannons and plasma rifle or phasers set to stun)
And yet, they have access to detailed weather forecasts. They have force fields. The most baffling thing is that this backwater planet with religious governments is at the forefront of cybernetics and implants. They use fossil fuels. At some point, an officer orders someone to get a superior "on the phone". Keep in mind: the story takes place six centuries from now.
The story has some twists and turns and one highlight comes when Torrin is forced to participate in the war when they have to cross a checkpoint. While she has no qualms supplying some party with lethal weaponry for a profit, it becomes another thing entirely when she has to do the shooting herself.
The ending is a bit rushed and messy. I won't spoil it, but there were some things that did not make sense to me. And, Ms. MacTague, if your reading this: nebulas absolutly don't work that way.
And I agree with Jak: what's being done to Torrin's hair is a crying shame :)
I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel. 4,5 stars.
December 3, 2020
*Warning, this review contains vulgar language*
Balance. Light and dark. Good and evil. Love and hate. Masculine and feminine.
This was a kickass story. A constant adrenaline rush throughout. And it wasn't all action. Sometimes it was a lot of talk, the kind of talk that had you wondering where the story was going to lead us next. None of the dialogue was just idle chit-chat to pass the time or to get us to the next scene or chapter. Everything had a purpose in this book. This tale showed us the immense power a woman can wield, and how certain species are too blind to see from their testosterone soaked brains and blind faith toward archaic religious beliefs. Not hating on men, but the author depicted men as weak swine when it came to two things; tits and a hairy snatch. How can I not have feelings toward that?
Jak captured my attention from the get-go. I adore characters who are forced to hide who they are and still manage to get up everyday and face the adversity thrust at them. Jak was a badass and she had every right to show off, but that wasn't in her nature to do so. She was a quiet soldier who thrived on completing missions alone. A big part of that was the fact that she was a woman disguised as a man. Jak also had a lot of heartache and sorrow weighing her down from the loss of her brother and I believe it added more mystery to who she was to others looking in. At times she was stern and closed off. Hyper-focused on her job so much that she was the best sniper in the business. As we trudged along with Jak on her mission to kill, only to find out she had a softer side after realizing her kill was a woman, we started to learn a lot about the quiet, small butch. Jak may have been a highly skilled, professional, killing machine, but at times, she came across as a novice when it came to any kind of relationships other than the ones she made with fellow male soldiers, and those weren't really relationships. Jak was adorable at times as she slowly learned of her own attraction toward the woman she rescued. Confliction was a big part of Jak's side of the story because she had been raised to think that same-sex attraction was wrong, but she fought those backwards thoughts when she reflected on her life coming to realize she never found men attractive. Jak was the kind of character I wanted to tuck away in my pocket and cherish forever. Hard, and I do mean hard, on the outside, but a gooey, sweet centre.
Torrin caught my attention early on as well, but for different reasons. She was a voluptuous, beautiful, yet lethal woman when need be. She was the kind of woman who relied on her curves and face to get through doors and get what she wanted. And that's fine and all, but when you are oblivious to the dangers around you, then that whole seduction game comes off tarty and quite annoying. When Jak rescued her from becoming a playground and baby-maker, I was constantly shaking my head at the woman. Torrin had intelligence, and I know she stated a few different times to Jak that she wasn't accustomed to trekking through the woods in stealth mode, but I swear, the woman gave me an ulcer. I wondered how Jak didn't put her out of her misery right then and there. I liked Torrin, but I also found her to be vain and bit of a baby at times. It was not attractive. Further into the story, we see a different side to her when the plot took on a more serious tone. She buttoned up and became more aware of herself as well as others. She totally redeemed herself with me near the end when she hauled ass and got Jak to safety for medical help. P.S. I hope her hair grows out in the sequel ;)
Jak and Torrin's relationship started off rocky and rushed. They had no time to get to know one another since they were on the run. Over time and after spending time with each other, including sleeping next to one another, they both started to see each other in a different light. It was fun to watch Torrin squirm uneasily whenever she lusted after Jak because she thought Jak was a man, a small man, but a man nonetheless, and that confused her because she only slept with women. It's fun as a reader to know a secret the characters don't. Jak had an endearing quality to her whenever she caught herself ogling Torrin or imagining making love to her. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Jak had discovered her mind had wandered so deep she found her hand inside her pants. Once the big reveal was made, which always happens in a story with a character hiding their gender, things heated up rather fast. The sex was hot yet tender. I loved how they explored one another and I also loved that neither one of them went running for the hills afterward. They stayed together even in the middle of all chaos and tough obstacles they faced being in an all male military with closed-minded beliefs.
MacTague ended this on a great note, not leaving us too hanging, but just enough to want us to come back for more. Five-effing-stars!
Balance. Light and dark. Good and evil. Love and hate. Masculine and feminine.
This was a kickass story. A constant adrenaline rush throughout. And it wasn't all action. Sometimes it was a lot of talk, the kind of talk that had you wondering where the story was going to lead us next. None of the dialogue was just idle chit-chat to pass the time or to get us to the next scene or chapter. Everything had a purpose in this book. This tale showed us the immense power a woman can wield, and how certain species are too blind to see from their testosterone soaked brains and blind faith toward archaic religious beliefs. Not hating on men, but the author depicted men as weak swine when it came to two things; tits and a hairy snatch. How can I not have feelings toward that?
Jak captured my attention from the get-go. I adore characters who are forced to hide who they are and still manage to get up everyday and face the adversity thrust at them. Jak was a badass and she had every right to show off, but that wasn't in her nature to do so. She was a quiet soldier who thrived on completing missions alone. A big part of that was the fact that she was a woman disguised as a man. Jak also had a lot of heartache and sorrow weighing her down from the loss of her brother and I believe it added more mystery to who she was to others looking in. At times she was stern and closed off. Hyper-focused on her job so much that she was the best sniper in the business. As we trudged along with Jak on her mission to kill, only to find out she had a softer side after realizing her kill was a woman, we started to learn a lot about the quiet, small butch. Jak may have been a highly skilled, professional, killing machine, but at times, she came across as a novice when it came to any kind of relationships other than the ones she made with fellow male soldiers, and those weren't really relationships. Jak was adorable at times as she slowly learned of her own attraction toward the woman she rescued. Confliction was a big part of Jak's side of the story because she had been raised to think that same-sex attraction was wrong, but she fought those backwards thoughts when she reflected on her life coming to realize she never found men attractive. Jak was the kind of character I wanted to tuck away in my pocket and cherish forever. Hard, and I do mean hard, on the outside, but a gooey, sweet centre.
Torrin caught my attention early on as well, but for different reasons. She was a voluptuous, beautiful, yet lethal woman when need be. She was the kind of woman who relied on her curves and face to get through doors and get what she wanted. And that's fine and all, but when you are oblivious to the dangers around you, then that whole seduction game comes off tarty and quite annoying. When Jak rescued her from becoming a playground and baby-maker, I was constantly shaking my head at the woman. Torrin had intelligence, and I know she stated a few different times to Jak that she wasn't accustomed to trekking through the woods in stealth mode, but I swear, the woman gave me an ulcer. I wondered how Jak didn't put her out of her misery right then and there. I liked Torrin, but I also found her to be vain and bit of a baby at times. It was not attractive. Further into the story, we see a different side to her when the plot took on a more serious tone. She buttoned up and became more aware of herself as well as others. She totally redeemed herself with me near the end when she hauled ass and got Jak to safety for medical help. P.S. I hope her hair grows out in the sequel ;)
Jak and Torrin's relationship started off rocky and rushed. They had no time to get to know one another since they were on the run. Over time and after spending time with each other, including sleeping next to one another, they both started to see each other in a different light. It was fun to watch Torrin squirm uneasily whenever she lusted after Jak because she thought Jak was a man, a small man, but a man nonetheless, and that confused her because she only slept with women. It's fun as a reader to know a secret the characters don't. Jak had an endearing quality to her whenever she caught herself ogling Torrin or imagining making love to her. I couldn't help but laugh out loud when Jak had discovered her mind had wandered so deep she found her hand inside her pants. Once the big reveal was made, which always happens in a story with a character hiding their gender, things heated up rather fast. The sex was hot yet tender. I loved how they explored one another and I also loved that neither one of them went running for the hills afterward. They stayed together even in the middle of all chaos and tough obstacles they faced being in an all male military with closed-minded beliefs.
MacTague ended this on a great note, not leaving us too hanging, but just enough to want us to come back for more. Five-effing-stars!
May 31, 2017
DNF 27%. This is one of those books where most men are scum and both heroines' cultures include ample portions of rape. There's enough misogyny IRL that I don't need to read about it for entertainment, in particular in SF which I turn to in part to see gender roles played outside our current western norms.
Also, all four of the parents of the heroines are dead at remarkably young ages. I'm fed the f up with dead parents as a nearly inevitable plot point currently.
So, over and out.
Also, all four of the parents of the heroines are dead at remarkably young ages. I'm fed the f up with dead parents as a nearly inevitable plot point currently.
So, over and out.
May 22, 2021
I really liked both Jak and Torrin and the story was a curious blend of sci-fi and bodyguard style action-adventure. I wasn't sure how would those two mesh, but the end result is really, really good. Can definitely recommend
July 30, 2016
Depths of Blue by Lise MacTague (book one in the Deception’s Edge series) belongs to a few genres I don’t normally read: military science fiction, and romance. So I honestly wasn’t quite sure how much I would like this novel when I picked it up having been generously sent it by the Winnipeg-born, US-residing author (whose other talents as described in her bio, I might add, include being a librarian and hockey player). I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Depths of Blue: while it never did anything totally unexpected, I rather enjoyed going along on its smooth, well-trod road full of tropes like: mistaken identities, space opera-ish drama, mounting sexual tension, women passing as men in the army, big patriarchal bad guys, and that-thin-line-between-love-and-hate. Oh, and some pretty steamy sex scenes.
Check out the rest of my review here.
Check out the rest of my review here.
July 7, 2021
This was better then I espected. Found it in the library and quickly put it in my bag as I don't often see books similar to it. It was action packed and exciting. I hadn't realised it was a lesbian romance when I read the blurb but it was a great and happy surprise that made it even better. Don't think I saw the rear of the series so I will do a little search to see if it's on my book app
January 29, 2020
Huh, hmm, not my cup of tea. Worst world building ever and character's inconsistencies kept poping up. For example, one of the main is supposed to be an intergalactic smuggler .
So you imagined bad ass woman. She does appears so at first, she certainly has a full opinion of herself... but nothing computes.
She let herself be stranded, with none of her superior tech, no back up, no knowledge of the absurdly misogynistic f**ed-up world she goes to for business... her breast are disqualifying her! She believes every bullshit and though annoyed, has a "can't help it" attitude that annoys me like hell. Where is her backbone? She is helpless in almost every situation and get rescued multiple times... she's almost raped, almost killed, almost drown.... and she complains about the state of her hair ?!
So you imagined bad ass woman. She does appears so at first, she certainly has a full opinion of herself... but nothing computes.
She let herself be stranded, with none of her superior tech, no back up, no knowledge of the absurdly misogynistic f**ed-up world she goes to for business... her breast are disqualifying her! She believes every bullshit and though annoyed, has a "can't help it" attitude that annoys me like hell. Where is her backbone? She is helpless in almost every situation and get rescued multiple times... she's almost raped, almost killed, almost drown.... and she complains about the state of her hair ?!
September 26, 2016
Quick read. Keeps reader on the edge of her seat. Interesting characters, good descriptions, and a nice off-world universe (and not hard to believe). There's no half a star rating, this would have gotten 4.5 stars, .5 taken off for cliffhanger.
February 26, 2024
Alright but at present not considered great for 4 stars. It is a series, so hopefully down the line upcoming stories impress on me better.
This story is about a sniper decision to not kill her mark making her a subject of a different kind of love.
This story is about a sniper decision to not kill her mark making her a subject of a different kind of love.
June 12, 2015
Great blend of sci-fi and lesbian romance. I'll definitely be back for the next book.
October 31, 2020
A pair of strong lesbian protagonists sharing a wondrous, romping sci-fi space adventure on a war torn planet and author Lise MacTague has a kick-ass scifi hit with Depths of Blue.
I don’t enjoy military stories which is why there was the teensiest bit of a slow start. But then the story took off and I was immersed in a sci-fi world with Torrin and Jak who are on the run for their lives. Theirs wasn’t a ‘cute meet’ it was a near deadly encounter.
Sgt. Jak Stowell is a troubled soldier in an all-male army on the planet Haefen. Because she must keep her gender a secret, she is a loner, and haunted by her brothers death as well. On a mission, Jak encounters Torrin Ivanov who is a weapons smuggler and selling illegal weapons to Jak’s enemy in a civil war.
Their romantic and adventure arcs twine nicely together throughout like a graceful helix. I love the author makes us care about these different woman. She brings us along with their moral dilemmas involved with planet-wide misogyny, war and murder.
Lise deftly crafts words and storyline. The pace is a steady gallop into the next scene, and the next, and next. More than once I found myself with eyebrows popped up and eyes wide in surprised response to the twists and turns of events. It is well worth the read!
I don’t enjoy military stories which is why there was the teensiest bit of a slow start. But then the story took off and I was immersed in a sci-fi world with Torrin and Jak who are on the run for their lives. Theirs wasn’t a ‘cute meet’ it was a near deadly encounter.
Sgt. Jak Stowell is a troubled soldier in an all-male army on the planet Haefen. Because she must keep her gender a secret, she is a loner, and haunted by her brothers death as well. On a mission, Jak encounters Torrin Ivanov who is a weapons smuggler and selling illegal weapons to Jak’s enemy in a civil war.
Their romantic and adventure arcs twine nicely together throughout like a graceful helix. I love the author makes us care about these different woman. She brings us along with their moral dilemmas involved with planet-wide misogyny, war and murder.
Lise deftly crafts words and storyline. The pace is a steady gallop into the next scene, and the next, and next. More than once I found myself with eyebrows popped up and eyes wide in surprised response to the twists and turns of events. It is well worth the read!
October 21, 2019
This was my first lesbian sci-fi book and I have mixed feelings on it. I thought it was well written with a pretty good plot, even if it was a bit on the long side. The thing I had trouble with was picturing the main character as a woman....the narrative always said she but the descriptions and interactions with others really made it hard for me not to just picture her as a guy, especially since she doesn’t think of herself as attracted to women. Maybe it’s just my lack of imagination but when she finally ‘comes out’ it was hard to picture. And after so long a story I wanted a happy ending only to find there are two more books!
January 13, 2019
This book started me on my Lise MacTague fangirl journey. I read the entire series in a couple of days. I love Jak and Torrin and voraciously devoured the progression of their relationship as they navigated through social constructs, personal baggage and stressful situations. The trilogy has great pacing and plenty of action with some steamy sex scenes. I enjoyed the way the author portrayed the inner struggles of the MCs as they relate to gender, autonomy and identity. I can't say enough good things about this book or the rest of the series for that matter!
July 31, 2019
3.5 stars. Enjoyable plot with sniper, Jak, masquerading as a male, going behind enemy lines to assassinate a threat. However when she discovers the target, Torrin, is a woman she decides to take her hostage and return back to base. There are the requisite baddies on both sides but I felt they were more like cartoon villains than evil threats. I also found the attraction between the two main characters too fast and a bit unbelievable. Otherwise, a fun read for lovers of sci-fi or F/F adventure romance.
May 17, 2018
I picked up the whole trilogy based on a review on The Lesbian Review and I do not regret it! Book 1 here is an amazing romp through the wilderness and I've fallen in love with Lise MacTague's prose thanks to it. This trilogy is probably near the top of what I've read and it's easily in a top spot of my favorite books. Even if Lesfic isn't your thing seriously check this series out. Do yourself the credit and service.
June 10, 2021
This was an enjoyable enough story, though with a couple obvious flaws. While the characters were sympathetic and somewhat compelling, the Elizabethan Era plot device made it too predictable, at least as far as the romantic element of the story goes. The author pulls it off, however, by having the predicted ending come in the middle and sending the plot in a new direction. I'm hoping the next book will be less predictable.
July 22, 2020
I really enjoy military sci-fi, but, usually, the action takes precedence over the character development. However, that is not the case with this book; while the pacing is brisk, the main characters are layered and interesting and the chemistry between them is unmistakable. I loved this book and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.
October 29, 2017
I liked the premise, and the execution of the book. The characters weren't perfect. I like that in books. But they were likable. If you like sci-fi this is a good book to read, with some interesting twists and turns. Also, both main characters are strong women, another plus!
July 15, 2021
Couldn't get past the rape-y world building -- which is too bad because the premise for a lesbian sci-fi romance was decent. There wasn't a good reason to make the warring planet a bunch of strict patriarchal rapists.
September 27, 2021
Oh my goodness. Started reading at 11pm and now I'm staring at a clock saying it's 4am Monday morning and I have two hours before I need to be up for work and I don't care- Jak and Torrin are in my life (and more novels by my new favorite author Lise!)
December 23, 2023
The series is borderline radfem and gets real, real problematic in the second book. My rating for Depths of Blue is to reflect that; the initial entry is fine, as far as it goes, but I would not recommend it.
March 16, 2025
4 and a half. I really loved this book. The story is a good one. There is action, and a war and culture clashes. It's also a trilogy so you can read them in order. It's also not too Sci-fi technical, easy to read.
February 20, 2019
Fun times in space! Such a nice break from my course material 😍😍😍
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