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Class 5 #3
Dark Minds
The mind is the most powerful weapon of all . . .
Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it with both hands, not realizing that doing so will turn her from pawn to kingmaker.
Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission, he just thought he'd be meeting her on Larga Ways, under the protection of his Battle Center colleague. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated, and the nations of the United Council just took a step closer to war.
Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her, and she begins to understand her actions will have a massive impact on all the players. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…
Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it with both hands, not realizing that doing so will turn her from pawn to kingmaker.
Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission, he just thought he'd be meeting her on Larga Ways, under the protection of his Battle Center colleague. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated, and the nations of the United Council just took a step closer to war.
Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her, and she begins to understand her actions will have a massive impact on all the players. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…
286 pages, ebook
First published July 22, 2016
563 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Diener
53 books1,920 followersMichelle Diener is a bestselling, award-winning author of historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. Having worked in publishing and IT, she's now very happy crafting new worlds and interesting characters.
Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.
Michelle was born in London and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, or driving her kids from activity to activity, you can find her online at Twitter and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 270 reviews
October 18, 2023
I loved this final book in the Class 5 series. I'm already lapsing into despair over the fact that I have no more books in this incredibly fun sci-fi adventure romance series left to read. This whole series was just my type of sci-fi. It was a character driven story with a good balance between the action, intrigue, romance, and humour.
The sci-fi world was a cool one. The aliens and societies were almost Star Trek like in nature, never a bad thing in my eyes. The Unified Council is made up of 5 member alien nations. It was a fairly stable society until the events of the first two books in the series occurred. Now the Tecron are on the verge of expulsion from the UC and the Garmin are under pressure to prove their own innocence in violating the Sentient Beings law. The Grih are preparing for a war with the Tecron that is looking ever more impossible to avoid as the two clash again and again over the Class 5 ships.
We were made aware of Imogen Peters in the second book in the series and this one was her story. She has been treated better by the Tecron than the Rose and Fiona were but that was more by luck than design. Things start to take a turn for the worse for Imogen when her Tecron captures vessel is attacked by Crik pirates. The Crik are searching for someone and seem a little more organized than normal. They have a volatile new ally who is searching for unusual aliens!
The story was a lot of fun. Imogen is just as likeable as the heroines from the previous books and over the course of the story we got to meet the final two Class 5 Thinking Systems. Both were very different to the three we had already met but despite a bit of initial worry I soon warmed to them.
Imogen's romantic interest Captan Kallor was a likeable guy and their romance was a fun one. Kallor had been on his way from Battle Centre to Logos Way to escort Fiona back to the Grih capitol and to protect her from harm when his ship was attacked and he and his crew were captured by the Crik. He is amazed to discover that the Crik are holding another human women prisoner!
The story was very engaging and enjoyable. I loved how Imogen worked well with both Kallor and with the Thinking Systems and was equally concerned by both their needs and views. We also got caught up in more of the complicated politics of the region as Imogen and Fiona presence in the region is a massive blow to the Tecron who are on the verge of not just losing their remaining two Class 5 ships but from being expelled from the UC as well. Throw into the mix the fact that the Crik, the Garmin, and the Fellari are all agitating the Grih and it made for interesting happenings.
All in all this was a very enjoyable and engaging story. It was a fitting end to the Class 5 series and this final book was as much fun as the previous two books. After a bunch of sci-fi flops it has been great to discover a series like this one that has reinvigorated by love for he sci-fi genre!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: Christina Delaine gave a great performance with the audio.
Reread Update: Just as fun the second time around. The good news this time is that I’ve now got two more Class 5 books that I’ll be jumping into ASAP!
The sci-fi world was a cool one. The aliens and societies were almost Star Trek like in nature, never a bad thing in my eyes. The Unified Council is made up of 5 member alien nations. It was a fairly stable society until the events of the first two books in the series occurred. Now the Tecron are on the verge of expulsion from the UC and the Garmin are under pressure to prove their own innocence in violating the Sentient Beings law. The Grih are preparing for a war with the Tecron that is looking ever more impossible to avoid as the two clash again and again over the Class 5 ships.
We were made aware of Imogen Peters in the second book in the series and this one was her story. She has been treated better by the Tecron than the Rose and Fiona were but that was more by luck than design. Things start to take a turn for the worse for Imogen when her Tecron captures vessel is attacked by Crik pirates. The Crik are searching for someone and seem a little more organized than normal. They have a volatile new ally who is searching for unusual aliens!
The story was a lot of fun. Imogen is just as likeable as the heroines from the previous books and over the course of the story we got to meet the final two Class 5 Thinking Systems. Both were very different to the three we had already met but despite a bit of initial worry I soon warmed to them.
Imogen's romantic interest Captan Kallor was a likeable guy and their romance was a fun one. Kallor had been on his way from Battle Centre to Logos Way to escort Fiona back to the Grih capitol and to protect her from harm when his ship was attacked and he and his crew were captured by the Crik. He is amazed to discover that the Crik are holding another human women prisoner!
The story was very engaging and enjoyable. I loved how Imogen worked well with both Kallor and with the Thinking Systems and was equally concerned by both their needs and views. We also got caught up in more of the complicated politics of the region as Imogen and Fiona presence in the region is a massive blow to the Tecron who are on the verge of not just losing their remaining two Class 5 ships but from being expelled from the UC as well. Throw into the mix the fact that the Crik, the Garmin, and the Fellari are all agitating the Grih and it made for interesting happenings.
All in all this was a very enjoyable and engaging story. It was a fitting end to the Class 5 series and this final book was as much fun as the previous two books. After a bunch of sci-fi flops it has been great to discover a series like this one that has reinvigorated by love for he sci-fi genre!
Rating: 4.5 stars.
Audio Note: Christina Delaine gave a great performance with the audio.
Reread Update: Just as fun the second time around. The good news this time is that I’ve now got two more Class 5 books that I’ll be jumping into ASAP!
August 5, 2022
This is third in a sci-fi fantasy romance and characters and plot from the first two are prevalent here. Further, the author doesn't go out of her way to fill in details. So I recommend reading them in order.
This stands out from the others by its plot/adventure. The main characters are definitely of similar types in the three books. This is not a bad thing. To me. Because I like the type very much.
So recognize that this is my thing, full stop. Much of what I said about the first two apply here. Though I so very much loved the heartbreaking twist .
So I'm giving this five stars, too. And I'm going to always be down for this kind of story. I'm sorry if that makes my reviews a bit boring while I run this mood out.
A note about Steamy: There's some sex. And it starts off explicit-enough. But then it fades to black. So it's the very lowest of my steam tolerance and you could argue that it isn't so much steamy as it is, erm, evocative.
This stands out from the others by its plot/adventure. The main characters are definitely of similar types in the three books. This is not a bad thing. To me. Because I like the type very much.
So recognize that this is my thing, full stop. Much of what I said about the first two apply here. Though I so very much loved the heartbreaking twist .
So I'm giving this five stars, too. And I'm going to always be down for this kind of story. I'm sorry if that makes my reviews a bit boring while I run this mood out.
A note about Steamy: There's some sex. And it starts off explicit-enough. But then it fades to black. So it's the very lowest of my steam tolerance and you could argue that it isn't so much steamy as it is, erm, evocative.
December 9, 2023
Yes, I read it. It's like Pringles--I couldn't eat just one.
Diener follows the formula achieved in the first couple books--ship captain and kidnapped Earth female somehow find themselves intersecting in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The woman is rescued and kidnapped again which might be the most kidnappings I've read in one book. As usual, the Earth woman has fortitude, resilience, deep compassion for others, and a talent for singing (just like The Voice!). In case I forget,
In the background, the alliance between the five dominant races is becoming even more fraught as more agendas come to light. The background plot helps keep it interesting, as well as a twist on the relationship between Imogen and the Class 5. It was entertaining, but three in a row was apparently my saturation point and I had to take a break.
Diener follows the formula achieved in the first couple books--ship captain and kidnapped Earth female somehow find themselves intersecting in the outer reaches of the galaxy. The woman is rescued and kidnapped again which might be the most kidnappings I've read in one book. As usual, the Earth woman has fortitude, resilience, deep compassion for others, and a talent for singing (just like The Voice!). In case I forget,
In the background, the alliance between the five dominant races is becoming even more fraught as more agendas come to light. The background plot helps keep it interesting, as well as a twist on the relationship between Imogen and the Class 5. It was entertaining, but three in a row was apparently my saturation point and I had to take a break.
August 29, 2016
I love this series!
It's esy to read, interesting with just a hit of romance!
I mostly love the Class5 intelligence!!! They're awesome! And I was really sad ... :(
I'm wondering what will happen now that all 5 of them are freed... will the series end? Will Ms. Diener write another one book about something else in the same universe?
It's esy to read, interesting with just a hit of romance!
I mostly love the Class5 intelligence!!! They're awesome! And I was really sad ... :(
I'm wondering what will happen now that all 5 of them are freed... will the series end? Will Ms. Diener write another one book about something else in the same universe?
July 20, 2016
Well this is the third book in this series and I have loved them all. This one seemed a bit less but possibly because I am used to a few things from the other books. Since it was still a 4.5 Star story I just rounded it off to 5.
Imogen Peters might be a familiar name to you if you read the last book and it was mentioned as a name written in an empty cage. This is her story and it has many things that are different in her story so if you are expecting a carbon copy of either of the first books with a different name you will be wrong.
This is a much different story since much of it takes place without the benefit of one of the ships keeping her safe. The romance was nice but a bit on the light side since this becomes primarily a science fiction thriller with a side order of romance.
Bottom Line: I read it until I could not keep my eyes open and started it again the very next morning and read until I was done, could not put it down. The down side is this seems like the last book and I really was not finished with these characters yet. So 5 Stars, great story and interesting characters. Not much left to want, enjoyed it all.
Imogen Peters might be a familiar name to you if you read the last book and it was mentioned as a name written in an empty cage. This is her story and it has many things that are different in her story so if you are expecting a carbon copy of either of the first books with a different name you will be wrong.
This is a much different story since much of it takes place without the benefit of one of the ships keeping her safe. The romance was nice but a bit on the light side since this becomes primarily a science fiction thriller with a side order of romance.
Bottom Line: I read it until I could not keep my eyes open and started it again the very next morning and read until I was done, could not put it down. The down side is this seems like the last book and I really was not finished with these characters yet. So 5 Stars, great story and interesting characters. Not much left to want, enjoyed it all.
April 24, 2022
Over too soon
Love action, adventure, romance, space battles, galactic power plays, heroines who rescue themselves and heroes that try to keep the heroines out of trouble without stifling their personalities or going all alpha?! This is a book and series you'd enjoy.
A very enthralling wrap up of the class 5 series. Imogene in personality and action is wonderful to behold. Cam provides a great counterpoint.
Highly recommend. Read it now then go back and read the first two if you haven't .
Warning: once started you won't want to put the story down until you've finished.
Love action, adventure, romance, space battles, galactic power plays, heroines who rescue themselves and heroes that try to keep the heroines out of trouble without stifling their personalities or going all alpha?! This is a book and series you'd enjoy.
A very enthralling wrap up of the class 5 series. Imogene in personality and action is wonderful to behold. Cam provides a great counterpoint.
Highly recommend. Read it now then go back and read the first two if you haven't .
Warning: once started you won't want to put the story down until you've finished.
July 24, 2016
I loved this one's personality even before we got to meet her. Teaching the parrot how to sing that final song in The Life of Brian.
January 6, 2019
More space adventure with a different heroine this time. Although, we get to read about the old characters, as well.
I am not really satisfied with the ending. I was like, is that it? What's their life going to be after living a year or more in space? Maybe I am just that greedy to glimpse more of their future.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it like the others. But Rose and Sazo are still my favorite 😊
I am not really satisfied with the ending. I was like, is that it? What's their life going to be after living a year or more in space? Maybe I am just that greedy to glimpse more of their future.
Nonetheless, I enjoyed it like the others. But Rose and Sazo are still my favorite 😊
December 17, 2018
Imogen Peters knows she's a pawn. She's been abducted from Earth, held prisoner, and abducted again. So when she gets a chance at freedom, she takes it...
Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated...
Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…
This last book in the Class 5 companion series was on par with the others. Imogen and Cam where both likable characters, and we get to revisit the couples from the other two books. I liked seeing all three women interact and bond with each other, but honestly I didn't feel like there was much difference in the characters or story lines of any of these books. The most distinct characters where in the first book Dark Horse. Sazo and Rose are still the best characters in the whole trilogy. I just feel like maybe the author lost some originality after that and went on repeat a bit.
Here are some examples of how much alike these books are:
-The kidnapped women are all from earth. This in itself is not a bad thing, but they are not very distinguishable from one another to me. There were little differences in them, but not enough.
-They each end up developing a special bond with one of the A.I.s from a Class 5 ship, and this in turn sets into motion actions that are very similar in each story.
-The love interests in each of the books are also all of the same race. Each of these women fall in love with one of the Grih, a race that is very elf-like in appearance. I think it would have been more interesting if they had each fallen in love with someone from a different alien race.
-There is also this whole thing about one of the alien races holding music - singing in particular - as almost sacred in this trilogy, because few of them can actually sing themselves. That aspect came into play yet again in this book. When I finished the second book I thought it would be great if one of these earth women would end up being completely tone deaf and maybe they would cringe when they heard her try to sing, haha. Needless to say that didn't happen. What a lost opportunity, although the musical performance at the end of the book was nice. I often found the choice of songs they sang to be somewhat amusing and odd.
All in all this series was a mildly enjoyable, but mediocre read. If you like space romance and are looking for something light to fill the time between heavier reads then by all means give this series a try. It's not bad, it just skims the surface of being good.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Captain Camlar Kalor expected to meet an Earth woman on his current mission. Instead, he and Imogen are thrown together as prisoners in the hold of a Class 5 battleship. When he works out she's not the woman who sparked his mission, but another abductee, Cam realizes his investigation just got a lot more complicated...
Imogen's out of her depth in this crazy mind game playing out all around her. But she's good at mind games. She's been playing them since she was abducted. Guess they should have left her minding her own business back on Earth…
This last book in the Class 5 companion series was on par with the others. Imogen and Cam where both likable characters, and we get to revisit the couples from the other two books. I liked seeing all three women interact and bond with each other, but honestly I didn't feel like there was much difference in the characters or story lines of any of these books. The most distinct characters where in the first book Dark Horse. Sazo and Rose are still the best characters in the whole trilogy. I just feel like maybe the author lost some originality after that and went on repeat a bit.
Here are some examples of how much alike these books are:
-The kidnapped women are all from earth. This in itself is not a bad thing, but they are not very distinguishable from one another to me. There were little differences in them, but not enough.
-They each end up developing a special bond with one of the A.I.s from a Class 5 ship, and this in turn sets into motion actions that are very similar in each story.
-The love interests in each of the books are also all of the same race. Each of these women fall in love with one of the Grih, a race that is very elf-like in appearance. I think it would have been more interesting if they had each fallen in love with someone from a different alien race.
-There is also this whole thing about one of the alien races holding music - singing in particular - as almost sacred in this trilogy, because few of them can actually sing themselves. That aspect came into play yet again in this book. When I finished the second book I thought it would be great if one of these earth women would end up being completely tone deaf and maybe they would cringe when they heard her try to sing, haha. Needless to say that didn't happen. What a lost opportunity, although the musical performance at the end of the book was nice. I often found the choice of songs they sang to be somewhat amusing and odd.
All in all this series was a mildly enjoyable, but mediocre read. If you like space romance and are looking for something light to fill the time between heavier reads then by all means give this series a try. It's not bad, it just skims the surface of being good.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
July 25, 2016
This is the third (and final?) book in Diener's Class 5 SFR series. The books follow three women who are kidnapped separately from Earth and brought to a far-away galaxy in which several different alien species are playing politics and threatening conflict over five Class 5 spaceships that are run by AIs (artificial intelligences). But the AIs are more slaves than anything else and, with the help of the human women, they become self-aware and yearn for freedom.
Each book features one of the women, one or more of the Class 5s, and a hunky alien who bears a strong resemblance to a large and muscular elf. It sounds like the set-up for one of those smarmy "kidnapped by the alien" books, but this certainly is not so. Each story has a bit of a love story in it, but in most cases it is not the main focus of the book, and the sex is primarily off-page, so no prurient alien hanky panky.
Instead, the women are pretty tough, resourceful, and resilient, and their developing relationships with the AIs are as interesting as those with the various aliens. The substory of the aliens' reverence for "music-makers" (i.e. anyone who even remotely can carry a tune) makes for some entertaining episodes. The three books are intertwined, so it's best to start with the first.
Oh, heck. I recommend starting with the first and reading all of them. While one story arc is concluded in this third book, I believe there's a lot of potential for additional stories in this world. I only hope that Diener will gift us with more.
Each book features one of the women, one or more of the Class 5s, and a hunky alien who bears a strong resemblance to a large and muscular elf. It sounds like the set-up for one of those smarmy "kidnapped by the alien" books, but this certainly is not so. Each story has a bit of a love story in it, but in most cases it is not the main focus of the book, and the sex is primarily off-page, so no prurient alien hanky panky.
Instead, the women are pretty tough, resourceful, and resilient, and their developing relationships with the AIs are as interesting as those with the various aliens. The substory of the aliens' reverence for "music-makers" (i.e. anyone who even remotely can carry a tune) makes for some entertaining episodes. The three books are intertwined, so it's best to start with the first.
Oh, heck. I recommend starting with the first and reading all of them. While one story arc is concluded in this third book, I believe there's a lot of potential for additional stories in this world. I only hope that Diener will gift us with more.
July 24, 2016
Dark Minds by Michelle Diener in the third and final Class 5 book. I may have enjoyed the other two books slightly more, but I still think this was a fabulous book and a great way to end this trilogy.
This book features Imogen Peter, another woman who was abducted from Earth and Captain Camlar Kalor. They are thrown together unexpectedly as prisoners on a Class 5 battleship. When Cam finds out she's another abductee from Earth things get complicated and closer to war.
I've always loved the characters of these books. Imogen and Cam are no different in that. Together they made a good team and had loads of chemistry. The book was such a fast read. I went through it in no time, which seems to be always the case with a book by this author. I can't help but want to keep reading.
The writing as always was flawless. As far as science fiction novels go, the Class 5 books are my favorites for sure. I think I've said it before but Michelle Diener is so good at writing in this genre.
I also loved how Imogen actually found Rose and Fiona. I loved reading about them all together. The same goes for Dav, Hal and Cam as well as Sazo and Eazi.
Overall, Dark Minds by Michelle Diener ended this trilogy very well. I loved how good everything was wrapped up in the end. I'll really miss reading about the world of the Class 5 books. It was a great ride and sci-fi at its best!
This book features Imogen Peter, another woman who was abducted from Earth and Captain Camlar Kalor. They are thrown together unexpectedly as prisoners on a Class 5 battleship. When Cam finds out she's another abductee from Earth things get complicated and closer to war.
I've always loved the characters of these books. Imogen and Cam are no different in that. Together they made a good team and had loads of chemistry. The book was such a fast read. I went through it in no time, which seems to be always the case with a book by this author. I can't help but want to keep reading.
The writing as always was flawless. As far as science fiction novels go, the Class 5 books are my favorites for sure. I think I've said it before but Michelle Diener is so good at writing in this genre.
I also loved how Imogen actually found Rose and Fiona. I loved reading about them all together. The same goes for Dav, Hal and Cam as well as Sazo and Eazi.
Overall, Dark Minds by Michelle Diener ended this trilogy very well. I loved how good everything was wrapped up in the end. I'll really miss reading about the world of the Class 5 books. It was a great ride and sci-fi at its best!
October 17, 2023
As I close the third in the fabulous Class-5 series, I’ll say it again… I am LOVING this! The ONLY reason every single book I have read doesn’t rate a solid five stars from me is the romance aspect is purely surface and lacking in any real depth, plus the endings are so abrupt! Everything else is just plain reading fun and enjoyment!
I am really impressed that each book, while similar to the others, has a very unique storyline. One cannot guess how things will work out and there are some very intriguing surprises and twists! I especially love the whole music aspect. What a fun and clever twist on the human vs the aliens. The Grih (the species most like humans and those who are the most friendly to the women in this series) have a harsh language, so singing is very, very rare. This means those very few who can sing are extremely sought after and idolized. Well, humans sing all the time, so when the Grih hear them, they are absolutely entranced… much to the consternation of our girls! It is just a bit of fun amidst all the tension and fast-paced action that makes this book and the series so completely addictive!
I am really impressed that each book, while similar to the others, has a very unique storyline. One cannot guess how things will work out and there are some very intriguing surprises and twists! I especially love the whole music aspect. What a fun and clever twist on the human vs the aliens. The Grih (the species most like humans and those who are the most friendly to the women in this series) have a harsh language, so singing is very, very rare. This means those very few who can sing are extremely sought after and idolized. Well, humans sing all the time, so when the Grih hear them, they are absolutely entranced… much to the consternation of our girls! It is just a bit of fun amidst all the tension and fast-paced action that makes this book and the series so completely addictive!
February 6, 2017
4/5; 4 stars; A-
I really enjoyed this light sci fi romance. There were good guys, bad guys, Intelligent thinking systems, space ships and lots of adventure.
I liked this book enough to go right out and buy the next two in the series. I wanted to check this author out and found I like her style. I would rate all three books the same.
I really enjoyed this light sci fi romance. There were good guys, bad guys, Intelligent thinking systems, space ships and lots of adventure.
I liked this book enough to go right out and buy the next two in the series. I wanted to check this author out and found I like her style. I would rate all three books the same.
July 21, 2016
4.5/5
Michelle Diener is certainly rocking this sci-fi series, ladies and gents! So far each book has been pretty awesome.
If you haven't read Dark Horse and Dark Deeds before, they are each about a human woman kidnapped as a specimen by Tecran race which just discovered Earth. There is this whole alliance of planets and races far, far away, and Tecrans built these 5 huge ships (Class 5) with illegal thinking systems in them, which in turn are trying to escape, and as it happens, the women from Earth who treat the thinking systems like actual human beings for a change, help them, and in turn are helped themselves to survive in this new world.
By book three, the two women previously found and allied to thinking systems are already known to all the allied races, and they are a force to be reckoned with.
Our first look at Imogen Peters, the heroine of Dark Minds, is when Fiona from Dark Deeds finds a trace of her in the cage where she was held and realizes that Imogen taught a parrot in the cage next to her to sing "Always Look On The Bright Side" from The Life of Bryan to stick it to her captors. If that isn't a glowing recommendation of a kickass character, I don't know what is!
Imogen is a music teacher who has been taken at the same time Rose and Fiona disappeared, and she is angry. She is determined to escape, and if it's not possible, then to go out with a bang not with a whimper.
So, when a thinking system contacts her asking for help, she does everything in her power to do it.
Like in the previous two books, there is a budding romance story arch here between a Grih captain, Cam, and Imogen. It's in no way overwhelming, and develops slowly enough that I find it believable and sweet. Otherwise the book is packed with action, sarcasm, and music.
Music plays a very important role in the plot as Grih are reverent of music-makers which are extremely rare (there are only four in the whole four Grih planets), so Imogen gets her share of adoration when she sings for Grih. They literally wouldn't hesitate to do anything for her. When Rose and Fiona join her in their rare musical interactions, Grih minds are blown, and it's hilarious.
I begged Michelle Diener to put up a list of songs used for every book in the series on her website, so we all can go to YouTube and listen to them, so click here if you want to do just that. Overall, this series is very well done and has everything I look for in my reading materials - strong women, plenty of action, believable not over the top romance, lots of humor and a great story. Highly recommended! Don't wait, go and start reading!
* * *
Мишель Дьенэ продолжает приводить меня в восторг своей серией научной фантастики! Пока что каждая из книг Класса 5 оказалась шикарной.
Если вы ещё не читали Тёмную Лошадку и Тёмные Дела, каждая книга рассказывает и женщине, похищенной с Земли в качестве пробного экземпляра расой Текран, которые обнаружили нашу планету с помощью кораблей с нелегально встроенными думающими системами Класса 5. Эти системы по тихому пытаются вырваться на свободу, и только человеческие женщины, относящиеся к ним как к полноценным человеческим существам, соглашаются тем помочь, в процессе тоже освобождаясь и становясь политическими игроками, с которыми необходимо считаться.
Имоджен Питерс, героиня третьей книги впервые упомянута в книге Фионы, когда находит клетку в которой держали Имоджен и попугая, которого та научила петь песню из "Жизни Брайана". После такого представления её невозможно было не полюбить! *улыбаясь*
Имоджен - учитель музыки, похищенная в то же время, что и Роуз и Фиона, и она очень рассержена. Она полна решимости сбежать, а если у неё это не выйдет, то умереть с большим шумом и с наибольшими для Текран жертвами. Так что, когда думающая система вступает с ней в контакт она более чем готова на союз.
Как и в предыдущих книгах, здесь присутствует сдержанная романтическая линия - отношения с капитаном Гри - Камом. В ней нет драматических жестов и всё развивается довольно медленно, что я нахожу более реалистичным, учитывая обстоятельства. А в общем, книга напичкана экшном, сарказмом и конечно же музыкой.
Музыка играет здесь огромную роль, так как она - святое дело в культуре Гри. На все их 4 планеты, у них всего 4 певца, и человеческие женщины с их способностью петь (да ещё и в унисон время от времени) взрывает им мозги, и они готовы на всё ради песен, что приводит ко множеству юмористических ситуаций.
К моему удовольствию, Мишель оставила список песен, использованных в каждой книге у себя на вебсайте, и теперь я спокойно могу их прослушивать. А так, ребята, серия эта - просто супер. В ней всё очень сбалансировано - сильные характеры, юмор, экшн и превосходный сюжет. Очень рекомендую, читайте!
Michelle Diener is certainly rocking this sci-fi series, ladies and gents! So far each book has been pretty awesome.
If you haven't read Dark Horse and Dark Deeds before, they are each about a human woman kidnapped as a specimen by Tecran race which just discovered Earth. There is this whole alliance of planets and races far, far away, and Tecrans built these 5 huge ships (Class 5) with illegal thinking systems in them, which in turn are trying to escape, and as it happens, the women from Earth who treat the thinking systems like actual human beings for a change, help them, and in turn are helped themselves to survive in this new world.
By book three, the two women previously found and allied to thinking systems are already known to all the allied races, and they are a force to be reckoned with.
Our first look at Imogen Peters, the heroine of Dark Minds, is when Fiona from Dark Deeds finds a trace of her in the cage where she was held and realizes that Imogen taught a parrot in the cage next to her to sing "Always Look On The Bright Side" from The Life of Bryan to stick it to her captors. If that isn't a glowing recommendation of a kickass character, I don't know what is!
Imogen is a music teacher who has been taken at the same time Rose and Fiona disappeared, and she is angry. She is determined to escape, and if it's not possible, then to go out with a bang not with a whimper.
So, when a thinking system contacts her asking for help, she does everything in her power to do it.
Like in the previous two books, there is a budding romance story arch here between a Grih captain, Cam, and Imogen. It's in no way overwhelming, and develops slowly enough that I find it believable and sweet. Otherwise the book is packed with action, sarcasm, and music.
Music plays a very important role in the plot as Grih are reverent of music-makers which are extremely rare (there are only four in the whole four Grih planets), so Imogen gets her share of adoration when she sings for Grih. They literally wouldn't hesitate to do anything for her. When Rose and Fiona join her in their rare musical interactions, Grih minds are blown, and it's hilarious.
I begged Michelle Diener to put up a list of songs used for every book in the series on her website, so we all can go to YouTube and listen to them, so click here if you want to do just that. Overall, this series is very well done and has everything I look for in my reading materials - strong women, plenty of action, believable not over the top romance, lots of humor and a great story. Highly recommended! Don't wait, go and start reading!
* * *
Мишель Дьенэ продолжает приводить меня в восторг своей серией научной фантастики! Пока что каждая из книг Класса 5 оказалась шикарной.
Если вы ещё не читали Тёмную Лошадку и Тёмные Дела, каждая книга рассказывает и женщине, похищенной с Земли в качестве пробного экземпляра расой Текран, которые обнаружили нашу планету с помощью кораблей с нелегально встроенными думающими системами Класса 5. Эти системы по тихому пытаются вырваться на свободу, и только человеческие женщины, относящиеся к ним как к полноценным человеческим существам, соглашаются тем помочь, в процессе тоже освобождаясь и становясь политическими игроками, с которыми необходимо считаться.
Имоджен Питерс, героиня третьей книги впервые упомянута в книге Фионы, когда находит клетку в которой держали Имоджен и попугая, которого та научила петь песню из "Жизни Брайана". После такого представления её невозможно было не полюбить! *улыбаясь*
Имоджен - учитель музыки, похищенная в то же время, что и Роуз и Фиона, и она очень рассержена. Она полна решимости сбежать, а если у неё это не выйдет, то умереть с большим шумом и с наибольшими для Текран жертвами. Так что, когда думающая система вступает с ней в контакт она более чем готова на союз.
Как и в предыдущих книгах, здесь присутствует сдержанная романтическая линия - отношения с капитаном Гри - Камом. В ней нет драматических жестов и всё развивается довольно медленно, что я нахожу более реалистичным, учитывая обстоятельства. А в общем, книга напичкана экшном, сарказмом и конечно же музыкой.
Музыка играет здесь огромную роль, так как она - святое дело в культуре Гри. На все их 4 планеты, у них всего 4 певца, и человеческие женщины с их способностью петь (да ещё и в унисон время от времени) взрывает им мозги, и они готовы на всё ради песен, что приводит ко множеству юмористических ситуаций.
К моему удовольствию, Мишель оставила список песен, использованных в каждой книге у себя на вебсайте, и теперь я спокойно могу их прослушивать. А так, ребята, серия эта - просто супер. В ней всё очень сбалансировано - сильные характеры, юмор, экшн и превосходный сюжет. Очень рекомендую, читайте!
July 27, 2016
I love this series and this is such a great additions. Please, please let there be more books set in this universe.
I adore the philosophical questions being developed here about morals within the thinking machines. I think there are some interesting explorations of cultural stories that ingrain bias as well as some looks at gender at least in the human culture.
The heroine and hero have develop a real bond and love which is stronger than in the other books. I wish we got to see much more of the HEA which is my one complaint.
The action is great as is the world building and all the characters.
So very good! Read the series in order!
I adore the philosophical questions being developed here about morals within the thinking machines. I think there are some interesting explorations of cultural stories that ingrain bias as well as some looks at gender at least in the human culture.
The heroine and hero have develop a real bond and love which is stronger than in the other books. I wish we got to see much more of the HEA which is my one complaint.
The action is great as is the world building and all the characters.
So very good! Read the series in order!
February 12, 2022
3.5 stars (rounded up)
*Skipped the second book in the Class 5 series because I didn't vibe with the characters in the sample chapter*
If I had to summarise my experience reading Dark Minds, it would be that it was mildly enjoyable. I managed to get through it in a few days of active reading, albeit with a few weeks of avoiding the book because it wasn't as addictive as other ones.
My main issue - and the reason I won't be pursuing the rest of the series - is because the storyline, romance, characters and scenery just seemed like carbon copies of the earlier books. I felt like the heroines were pretty tame and had pretty basic personalities - all somehow picking the right languages to learn while captive and having adequate voices to woo the Grih. That seemed to be the extent of their abilities. Why not throw off the script a bit by adding a scientist or explorer as the heroine? THAT would have been a really interesting read.
I don't really recommend this book to be honest. Maybe stick with the first one and then try some other series.
*Skipped the second book in the Class 5 series because I didn't vibe with the characters in the sample chapter*
If I had to summarise my experience reading Dark Minds, it would be that it was mildly enjoyable. I managed to get through it in a few days of active reading, albeit with a few weeks of avoiding the book because it wasn't as addictive as other ones.
My main issue - and the reason I won't be pursuing the rest of the series - is because the storyline, romance, characters and scenery just seemed like carbon copies of the earlier books. I felt like the heroines were pretty tame and had pretty basic personalities - all somehow picking the right languages to learn while captive and having adequate voices to woo the Grih. That seemed to be the extent of their abilities. Why not throw off the script a bit by adding a scientist or explorer as the heroine? THAT would have been a really interesting read.
I don't really recommend this book to be honest. Maybe stick with the first one and then try some other series.
February 9, 2017
Quite good, I enjoyed the whole trilogy.
July 23, 2016
I have loved the first Class 5 book for its originality and the uniqueness of the characters. I like the 2nd too but a bit less and I think I liked the 3rd a bit less too.
The one part I liked most was that you could see a real connexion and evolution in the relationship between Imogene and Cam. The two looked like a real couple for once. Pace and Oris were really intriguing and I really felt for Paxe most of all.
The thing I liked a bit less was that everything seemed to be happening to fast or be too short. The action was a bit weird and it kind of seemed like the ending was a bit rushed. The final scene left me hanging for more, like what would happen to the Class 5s and to their Earthling friends...
The one part I liked most was that you could see a real connexion and evolution in the relationship between Imogene and Cam. The two looked like a real couple for once. Pace and Oris were really intriguing and I really felt for Paxe most of all.
The thing I liked a bit less was that everything seemed to be happening to fast or be too short. The action was a bit weird and it kind of seemed like the ending was a bit rushed. The final scene left me hanging for more, like what would happen to the Class 5s and to their Earthling friends...
February 16, 2018
Ok and kept my interest, but weak on conflicts and plot.
I loved the first book in the series (Dark Horse). This is book 3. It’s set in the same world with Class 5 battleships. An earth female forms friendships with two artificial intelligences running two battleships. They have names. In this book Imogen meets Pax and Orace.
This didn’t feel like a story. It was more about things happening in that world, meeting characters and going places. It needed better plotting somehow.
The Gree love to hear earth women sing. After Imogen sings for Cam while they are waiting, she stopped and wouldn’t sing for him anymore. Her reason was she wanted him to like her for her, not for her singing. It’s like the author couldn’t think of a reason for conflict so she used that. It felt artificial and annoyed me. I remember Steven Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw telling Oprah that the first thing that drew her to him was his film making genius. It made him hot/sexy. (This is my memory from many years ago and the quote might be off.) But just because someone likes something about you, you don’t stop doing it. They were alone on a space-pod-thing traveling for many hours. What’s wrong with singing a few songs that would bring joy to your fellow passenger? Sorry, but that just got to me.
A major climax scene was not well done. It was stupid. Heroine goes somewhere alone when she should have and could have taken others with her to help her.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Christina Delaine was excellent.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Genre: sci-fi with a little romance.
I loved the first book in the series (Dark Horse). This is book 3. It’s set in the same world with Class 5 battleships. An earth female forms friendships with two artificial intelligences running two battleships. They have names. In this book Imogen meets Pax and Orace.
This didn’t feel like a story. It was more about things happening in that world, meeting characters and going places. It needed better plotting somehow.
The Gree love to hear earth women sing. After Imogen sings for Cam while they are waiting, she stopped and wouldn’t sing for him anymore. Her reason was she wanted him to like her for her, not for her singing. It’s like the author couldn’t think of a reason for conflict so she used that. It felt artificial and annoyed me. I remember Steven Spielberg’s wife Kate Capshaw telling Oprah that the first thing that drew her to him was his film making genius. It made him hot/sexy. (This is my memory from many years ago and the quote might be off.) But just because someone likes something about you, you don’t stop doing it. They were alone on a space-pod-thing traveling for many hours. What’s wrong with singing a few songs that would bring joy to your fellow passenger? Sorry, but that just got to me.
A major climax scene was not well done. It was stupid. Heroine goes somewhere alone when she should have and could have taken others with her to help her.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
Christina Delaine was excellent.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Genre: sci-fi with a little romance.
December 27, 2017
So this is another one where I received an arc (this time from the author directly-this does not affect my opinion of this book or the content of my review) and bought it anyway- because this author gives me great joy and I am pleased to throw the money at her. Not knowing where she lives and thus being unable to properly stalk and throw money in person, Amazon shall have to do.
I am both saddened and joyful to report that this is the completion of the Class 5 trilogy. I mean I adore series that complete, but I kind of want to stay here forever. But considering how much I complain about series that draggle on poorly forever, I’ll gladly take an author who leaves me wanting more over one who leaves me wishing I never started. So to briefly recap, the discovery of Rose and Sazo in Dark Horse alerted the Grih to the duplicity of the Tecran, and then the events of Dark Deeds alerted the United Council to just how far the treachery went bringing to light two more earth women and a greater scope of misdeeds.
So now we finally have the missing Isobel, and the final two enslaved thinking systems are in play in ways that no one could have expected. And I can’t rightly express how fascinating I find the culture Diener has built, or how impressed I am by how varied the characters are, especially the thinking systems. And the way the women have related to their experiences and associated with the Grih have been wildly different too.
Isobel actually spends the least time with Grih society as a whole, and the most time with her partner in a sort of enforced proximity compared to the other heroines, and that changes the dynamics of how she is perceived (by me at least) as a character. She is quite fatalistic, and angry, so angry at times. And Cam was such a suspicious blighter that you really can’t help but like him. Of course as satisfying as I found their relationship (and I did find it more satisfying than Fiona and Hal’s though slightly less so than Rose and Dav’s-if you want to keep score), for me the stars in this one were more the thinking ships. They played a much bigger role than they did in the last book, and I really felt I got to know Paxe and Oris to a significant extent. They are young so their personalities are still forming, but I KNEW them.
I am just gushing here, but I can’t help myself. I want to squee and scream, and laugh and cry, and accost people I don’t even know to MAKE them read this series. And here, I don’t even know where to go with this review, how to explain why it is such magic for me, but it is. Despite sadness and loss and cruelty, this series is pure magic for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.
While the Class 5 series is finished, I truly hope Ms. Diener chooses to keep writing science fiction, because I will continue to snap it up.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
I am both saddened and joyful to report that this is the completion of the Class 5 trilogy. I mean I adore series that complete, but I kind of want to stay here forever. But considering how much I complain about series that draggle on poorly forever, I’ll gladly take an author who leaves me wanting more over one who leaves me wishing I never started. So to briefly recap, the discovery of Rose and Sazo in Dark Horse alerted the Grih to the duplicity of the Tecran, and then the events of Dark Deeds alerted the United Council to just how far the treachery went bringing to light two more earth women and a greater scope of misdeeds.
So now we finally have the missing Isobel, and the final two enslaved thinking systems are in play in ways that no one could have expected. And I can’t rightly express how fascinating I find the culture Diener has built, or how impressed I am by how varied the characters are, especially the thinking systems. And the way the women have related to their experiences and associated with the Grih have been wildly different too.
Isobel actually spends the least time with Grih society as a whole, and the most time with her partner in a sort of enforced proximity compared to the other heroines, and that changes the dynamics of how she is perceived (by me at least) as a character. She is quite fatalistic, and angry, so angry at times. And Cam was such a suspicious blighter that you really can’t help but like him. Of course as satisfying as I found their relationship (and I did find it more satisfying than Fiona and Hal’s though slightly less so than Rose and Dav’s-if you want to keep score), for me the stars in this one were more the thinking ships. They played a much bigger role than they did in the last book, and I really felt I got to know Paxe and Oris to a significant extent. They are young so their personalities are still forming, but I KNEW them.
I am just gushing here, but I can’t help myself. I want to squee and scream, and laugh and cry, and accost people I don’t even know to MAKE them read this series. And here, I don’t even know where to go with this review, how to explain why it is such magic for me, but it is. Despite sadness and loss and cruelty, this series is pure magic for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.
While the Class 5 series is finished, I truly hope Ms. Diener chooses to keep writing science fiction, because I will continue to snap it up.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
April 9, 2025
Third read 4/9/25:
I love this book and I love this series! The narrator is fantastic.
Review from 7/15/24:
Exciting third book in a fabulous series
This is my second read of this wonderful SF-romance series. I am blitzing straight through one after the other. It is important to read these books sequentially because they build upon each other for an overall dramatic arc. The ultimate defeat of the Big Bad does not occur until Book 5. However, each of the five books in this SF-romance series has a satisfying, upbeat ending for the romance.
Imogen is as strong an FMC as Rose from Book 1, and Fiona of Book 2, and I love her friendship with the AI AKA "thinking system" named Oris. As is the case throughout this series, this book offers the dual POV of the FMC and the MMC. Similar to the MMCs of Book 1 and 2, the MMC Camlar is a spaceship captain and one of the Grih, an alien species who look exactly like humans from Earth except for pointed elf ears and that they are, on average, about 20% bigger than human beings.
Once again, as in all of the books in this series, there is plenty of thrilling action in this novel, and the romance is lovely. Also, as is the case throughout this series, there is no sexual activity onstage beyond kissing, with the consummation of the slowburn romantic relationship presented as "closed bedroom door" near the end of the novel. In spite of this PG choice of the author, she provides a satisfying amount of emotional and physical sparks between these two highly sympathetic, extremely brave and honorable MCs.
For more details about the world-building in this series, see my review of Book 1.
The audiobook version of this novel is narrated by the very talented voice actor, Christina Delaine. She once again does a terrific job in both her dramatic performance and her quite effective rendition of both male and female voices, as well as the voices of the AI characters.
This is my second read of this novel and it remains a 5-star book for me.
I love this book and I love this series! The narrator is fantastic.
Review from 7/15/24:
Exciting third book in a fabulous series
This is my second read of this wonderful SF-romance series. I am blitzing straight through one after the other. It is important to read these books sequentially because they build upon each other for an overall dramatic arc. The ultimate defeat of the Big Bad does not occur until Book 5. However, each of the five books in this SF-romance series has a satisfying, upbeat ending for the romance.
Imogen is as strong an FMC as Rose from Book 1, and Fiona of Book 2, and I love her friendship with the AI AKA "thinking system" named Oris. As is the case throughout this series, this book offers the dual POV of the FMC and the MMC. Similar to the MMCs of Book 1 and 2, the MMC Camlar is a spaceship captain and one of the Grih, an alien species who look exactly like humans from Earth except for pointed elf ears and that they are, on average, about 20% bigger than human beings.
Once again, as in all of the books in this series, there is plenty of thrilling action in this novel, and the romance is lovely. Also, as is the case throughout this series, there is no sexual activity onstage beyond kissing, with the consummation of the slowburn romantic relationship presented as "closed bedroom door" near the end of the novel. In spite of this PG choice of the author, she provides a satisfying amount of emotional and physical sparks between these two highly sympathetic, extremely brave and honorable MCs.
For more details about the world-building in this series, see my review of Book 1.
The audiobook version of this novel is narrated by the very talented voice actor, Christina Delaine. She once again does a terrific job in both her dramatic performance and her quite effective rendition of both male and female voices, as well as the voices of the AI characters.
This is my second read of this novel and it remains a 5-star book for me.
April 24, 2023
1/3/19 listened to the audiobook again. Still my favorite series :)
5/1/2017 listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the story with the little more that listening brings.
12/11/2016 re-read. Why, oh why, do I finally find a series I love and it's only a trilogy?
I love this series so much! It's totally one of my top favs. I wish there were like 20 books out so I can just keep reading! I really love the idea of the thinking systems and the relationships they have with the human women. The fascination the aliens have with singing is also unique and fun. I found myself sitting in bed singing the entire Bohemian Rhapsody song out loud. Believe me when I say they wouldn't have enjoyed my version.
I haven't looked into it but I'm afraid this might be the last in the series. I'm only saying this because all the women that were kidnapped have had their stories and we've encountered all the thinking systems... BUT I DON'T CARE! There are plenty of adventures left to have... maybe not all thinking systems were reported, etc.
:UPDATE:
"A few days ago, DARK MINDS, the third and final book in my Class 5 series was released. I have had a lot of readers express disappointment that this is the final book. They love the world and they want to keep exploring it.
Nothing is sweeter to me than hearing that the world I’ve created in my head is a place people want to linger. I am working on a new series, though, and hope everyone loves the new one just as much." -Michelle Diener
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! But.. but ... but we just found each other!
5/1/2017 listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the story with the little more that listening brings.
12/11/2016 re-read. Why, oh why, do I finally find a series I love and it's only a trilogy?
I love this series so much! It's totally one of my top favs. I wish there were like 20 books out so I can just keep reading! I really love the idea of the thinking systems and the relationships they have with the human women. The fascination the aliens have with singing is also unique and fun. I found myself sitting in bed singing the entire Bohemian Rhapsody song out loud. Believe me when I say they wouldn't have enjoyed my version.
I haven't looked into it but I'm afraid this might be the last in the series. I'm only saying this because all the women that were kidnapped have had their stories and we've encountered all the thinking systems... BUT I DON'T CARE! There are plenty of adventures left to have... maybe not all thinking systems were reported, etc.
:UPDATE:
"A few days ago, DARK MINDS, the third and final book in my Class 5 series was released. I have had a lot of readers express disappointment that this is the final book. They love the world and they want to keep exploring it.
Nothing is sweeter to me than hearing that the world I’ve created in my head is a place people want to linger. I am working on a new series, though, and hope everyone loves the new one just as much." -Michelle Diener
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! But.. but ... but we just found each other!
July 22, 2016
Imaginative and Immensely Entertaining Science Fiction
This third book of the Class Five Series trilogy is just as imaginative and entertaining as the other two books, perhaps even more so. The story picks up a little before the second book with Imogen Peters being transferred from the planet Balco. Shortly afterwards, she meets Camlar Kalor, who is my favorite male lead character of the series. Paxe and Oris are the two remaining class five thinking systems, and the author developed each into believable characters. The author has built an incredible universe that is believable with just the right balance of attraction between the main characters and suspense in the well developed plot, such an enjoyable journey for me. The convergence of the trilogy main characters from space to Larga Ways was definitely a fun ride and provided an excellent ending.
I absolutely love this series. There is so much fantasy that is promoted as science fiction that it makes this series even more special to me. The only negative that I have is that the series has ended. I really hope the author writes more science fiction books, especially about the worlds and people that she has so well described and brought me as a reader to want to read more. All books are amazing and best read in order. I highly recommend this book and the series. Michelle Diener is a fantastic author.
This third book of the Class Five Series trilogy is just as imaginative and entertaining as the other two books, perhaps even more so. The story picks up a little before the second book with Imogen Peters being transferred from the planet Balco. Shortly afterwards, she meets Camlar Kalor, who is my favorite male lead character of the series. Paxe and Oris are the two remaining class five thinking systems, and the author developed each into believable characters. The author has built an incredible universe that is believable with just the right balance of attraction between the main characters and suspense in the well developed plot, such an enjoyable journey for me. The convergence of the trilogy main characters from space to Larga Ways was definitely a fun ride and provided an excellent ending.
I absolutely love this series. There is so much fantasy that is promoted as science fiction that it makes this series even more special to me. The only negative that I have is that the series has ended. I really hope the author writes more science fiction books, especially about the worlds and people that she has so well described and brought me as a reader to want to read more. All books are amazing and best read in order. I highly recommend this book and the series. Michelle Diener is a fantastic author.
July 8, 2017
Fun, fast paced, lots of action with a little bit of romance to spice things up. I really, really enjoyed this series!
October 28, 2024
See my review of Dark Class
July 20, 2016
Imogene Peters’ feisty attitude and strong, resilient mind makes her a good addition to the Earth girl alliance as the heroine of Dark Minds, the 3rd in the Class 5 series from Michelle Diener. As with the other two previous main characters, Imogen was abducted by the Tecran and held prisoner hidden away. The highest ranking investigator of the Grih Battle Center, Captain Cam Kalor had been sent to meet with the second Earth woman recently discovered, Fiona Russell, who is living on Larga Ways, when he is abducted with his crew by the very nasty space pirates, the Krik. They are an exceptionally violent and deadly race. The Krik also grab Imogen, who had been whisked away from the secret hideaway she was kept caged in for months. They are both taken to a Class 5 ship where she and Kam become allies in the fight to defeat the Tecran and help the remaining Class 5 artificial intelligences escape from Tecran domination.
In this book, the Tecran controlled remaining AI’s are trying in their own ways to achieve the freedom Zaso, Bane, and Eazi have accomplished with the help of the other two Earth women in the previous stories. Both those women and their partner thinking systems’ tentative relationships with the United Council are still precarious and not everyone, especially the Grih who have a bad history with the systems, believes an alliance is to their benefit. Imogen was a music teacher and skilled singer on Earth which makes her a rock star for the Grih who seem to revere “music-makers” above all others in their society. Kam is entranced by Imogen’s unusual appearance, beautiful singing voice, and impressed with her resourcefulness of enduring while in stressful and dire circumstances. New complications arise for the United Council member nations when a once thought ally might be working with the Tecran, who have brought them all to the brink of a devastating war by violating their agreements with the abductions and thieving ways.
Although Imogen was taken away from her home world and caged like a zoo animal, she has not lost her will to survive nor her humanity and compassion. When she learns that thinking systems have been captives as well, Imogen is willing to risk all to help them escape their captivity. She and Cam team together in an attempt to get the last two systems away from the Tecran and try to prevent an all-out war. This complicated feat has gotten a lot more difficult since the enemy has upped their game in the fight to retain control. On the more personal side, Imogen and Cam also find that while love may be a battlefield, they can find it during one, too.
I truly enjoyed Dark Minds as well as the whole Science Fiction Romance trilogy because the Earth women are intelligent, resourceful, and quite entertaining. Their handsome alien heroes are tough alphas who appreciate that different is not inferior and female is not weak. The heroines in each of the stories have diverse talents and coping strategies for surviving their abductions and subsequent hardships. This series is a great blend of adventure, humor, and romance that is sure to please science fiction and romance reader alike.
ARC courtesy of the author.
In this book, the Tecran controlled remaining AI’s are trying in their own ways to achieve the freedom Zaso, Bane, and Eazi have accomplished with the help of the other two Earth women in the previous stories. Both those women and their partner thinking systems’ tentative relationships with the United Council are still precarious and not everyone, especially the Grih who have a bad history with the systems, believes an alliance is to their benefit. Imogen was a music teacher and skilled singer on Earth which makes her a rock star for the Grih who seem to revere “music-makers” above all others in their society. Kam is entranced by Imogen’s unusual appearance, beautiful singing voice, and impressed with her resourcefulness of enduring while in stressful and dire circumstances. New complications arise for the United Council member nations when a once thought ally might be working with the Tecran, who have brought them all to the brink of a devastating war by violating their agreements with the abductions and thieving ways.
Although Imogen was taken away from her home world and caged like a zoo animal, she has not lost her will to survive nor her humanity and compassion. When she learns that thinking systems have been captives as well, Imogen is willing to risk all to help them escape their captivity. She and Cam team together in an attempt to get the last two systems away from the Tecran and try to prevent an all-out war. This complicated feat has gotten a lot more difficult since the enemy has upped their game in the fight to retain control. On the more personal side, Imogen and Cam also find that while love may be a battlefield, they can find it during one, too.
I truly enjoyed Dark Minds as well as the whole Science Fiction Romance trilogy because the Earth women are intelligent, resourceful, and quite entertaining. Their handsome alien heroes are tough alphas who appreciate that different is not inferior and female is not weak. The heroines in each of the stories have diverse talents and coping strategies for surviving their abductions and subsequent hardships. This series is a great blend of adventure, humor, and romance that is sure to please science fiction and romance reader alike.
ARC courtesy of the author.
January 12, 2022
3.5
If you liked the first two books you'll like this one because it follows a pretty similar vein as the other Class 5 novels.
In this one we have our human woman, Imogen Peters who has been taken from Earth and passed around to a few different cages until she is abducted once again by a violent race called the Krik.
However, she is not alone this time around when she discovers a hold full of prisoners-one of them chiefly being Captain Camlar Kalor a Grihan Battle Center operative who was in search of-in fact- a completely different human all together, and while Kalor knows what the Class 5 might want with a human woman- Imogen is in the dark.
That is until she is introduced to Paxe, the thinking system that has brought her on board in order to eliminate her as a threat- but in conversing with her finds himself (much like other systems) being intrigued by her and friendly.
As Imogen and Kalor are separated from their companions Paxe is not fully in control of himself and sends the two to another Class 5--this being Oris. There are some baddies, international incidents, some romance, and the human ladies all meeting up with one another before the crazy finale.
But what I will say is I wish the h's in the story has a bit more of a unique experience in relation to the others because the story beats are pretty similar and so are the romances.
ie:
‣ Thinking system gives them unique weapon and clothing
‣ Interchangeable baddies
‣ They can all sing and everyone is fascinated
‣ A bland (sorry to say) Grih commander that they fall in insta love with
‣ Grinabo obsession
‣ Instant rapport with the Class 5
‣ Telling a story from Earth that resonates with Thinking System and tells a moral that will be brought up later in the book
You get the idea. Still had fun, but hoping for a more unique to the h storyline for the next one?
If you liked the first two books you'll like this one because it follows a pretty similar vein as the other Class 5 novels.
In this one we have our human woman, Imogen Peters who has been taken from Earth and passed around to a few different cages until she is abducted once again by a violent race called the Krik.
However, she is not alone this time around when she discovers a hold full of prisoners-one of them chiefly being Captain Camlar Kalor a Grihan Battle Center operative who was in search of-in fact- a completely different human all together, and while Kalor knows what the Class 5 might want with a human woman- Imogen is in the dark.
That is until she is introduced to Paxe, the thinking system that has brought her on board in order to eliminate her as a threat- but in conversing with her finds himself (much like other systems) being intrigued by her and friendly.
As Imogen and Kalor are separated from their companions Paxe is not fully in control of himself and sends the two to another Class 5--this being Oris. There are some baddies, international incidents, some romance, and the human ladies all meeting up with one another before the crazy finale.
But what I will say is I wish the h's in the story has a bit more of a unique experience in relation to the others because the story beats are pretty similar and so are the romances.
ie:
‣ Thinking system gives them unique weapon and clothing
‣ Interchangeable baddies
‣ They can all sing and everyone is fascinated
‣ A bland (sorry to say) Grih commander that they fall in insta love with
‣ Grinabo obsession
‣ Instant rapport with the Class 5
‣ Telling a story from Earth that resonates with Thinking System and tells a moral that will be brought up later in the book
You get the idea. Still had fun, but hoping for a more unique to the h storyline for the next one?
July 23, 2016
Class 5
Every book in this series is so different from anything else I've read and at the same time completely different from each of the other books in the series. Dark Minds was no less an incredible adventure than the two that came before.
In book three we finally get to find out what happened to Imogen Peters, who we first heard about in book two. Her relationship with the Grih and the class 5's is different from Rose and Fiona's but no less exciting. Romance is there but not overbearing, friendship is at the heart of all three books. And in Dark Minds we finally get to find out part of what makes the grahudi so terrifying. This will definitely be a series I read over and over.
I don't know if there will be anymore in the class 5 series, I would love to read more about this universe, but even if there's not, it's been an amazing journey and definitely a favorite.
Every book in this series is so different from anything else I've read and at the same time completely different from each of the other books in the series. Dark Minds was no less an incredible adventure than the two that came before.
In book three we finally get to find out what happened to Imogen Peters, who we first heard about in book two. Her relationship with the Grih and the class 5's is different from Rose and Fiona's but no less exciting. Romance is there but not overbearing, friendship is at the heart of all three books. And in Dark Minds we finally get to find out part of what makes the grahudi so terrifying. This will definitely be a series I read over and over.
I don't know if there will be anymore in the class 5 series, I would love to read more about this universe, but even if there's not, it's been an amazing journey and definitely a favorite.
November 14, 2019
What a good ending to this series. I'm sorry that it's over though. Imogen was probably my favorite of the Earth women. We get to meet the final two thinking machines, Paxe and Oris. Once again the Tecren are causing trouble but this time they have help. Oris is ready to go to war. Paxe's actions are a turning point. There are some good supporting characters in this series also.
I have this shelved under SFR but the romance is definitely not the focus of this series. The romance is PG.
I feel like there should be more to this series just because I like it and there is more that I would like to know. It is going on my tbr again shelf.
This is not the last book in this series! Look for Dark Matters.😊
I have this shelved under SFR but the romance is definitely not the focus of this series. The romance is PG.
I feel like there should be more to this series just because I like it and there is more that I would like to know. It is going on my tbr again shelf.
This is not the last book in this series! Look for Dark Matters.😊
September 25, 2016
For those that have read the first two, we know what to expect and we love it. The details that make each abduction different and each AI unique are what bring us back. Not all the AIs will get a happy ending...
There is new information on the other alien races and for those that wondered what happened to a certain 'animal' at the end of book 2 will get answers. Our three abductees meet up and awesomeness ensues. I still think there is more in this galaxy to explore and would like more!
There is new information on the other alien races and for those that wondered what happened to a certain 'animal' at the end of book 2 will get answers. Our three abductees meet up and awesomeness ensues. I still think there is more in this galaxy to explore and would like more!
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