Events for Audra Andrews and her family continue with a heated discussion of Jasmine's request. At Bluebell's urging, Audra capitalizes on the opportunity to achieve something she didn't even know she wanted. This novel of 95,000 words is the 5th in the Selected series.
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
This is fifth in a really weird sci-fi series. You definitely want to read others before this one. I leave it to you which ones...
This one is a complete departure from the others. For one, it's maybe half the size. For another, the protagonist isn't intended to romance aliens. She has advanced ALS which means she can't really move. And, for a change, the aliens can't magically change her. You'll have to read it to see what they can do and what she can accept.
Muriel is a tough protagonist to attach to. Her situation is beyond dire and she has something of an attitude from the despair and anger for her situation. All of which is understandable and heartbreaking but maybe a bit heavy? Perhaps I should admit that I liked it just fine and was delighted to see Muriel find a place for herself in Jasmine's organization. I particularly liked how she bonded with Bay for things he could do because that poor guy is so abused by everybody else for his diabolical creative genius.
And I'll leave it there, I think. It's a good four stars, though it's confusing why Roseau decided to include it in the series. There's no alien mating games, no challenges, no skimpy running around. But then, it's a good story and very interesting and I'm very certain that Muriel will show up in the rest of the stories.
A note about Chaste/Steamy: Muriel is beyond being able to do sexy times. Her libido is still intact so she's forward and a bit crude. But her body isn't up to those kinds of activities. There's enough conversation, and a little play time, that it's not chaste. But there's no real steam here, either.
Audra’s story for the first half of the book. I like Audra and I believe she is a good little sister to Skye. She makes Skye, Skye. We didn’t get to know Posey a whole lot, even though this was partly Audra’s story. Posey was mostly a backdrop. I continued to learn more about Bluebell Beamer and like her more and more. She is a wonderfully, sensitive dominant matriarch of her family.
We also learn even more about Jasmine Brighteyes. It is nice to get more glimpses into what makes her tick. She is always brilliant and crafty. We didn’t find out all that much about Andie in this book. She is there, of course, but it really isn’t about her. It is about Jasmine, Bluebell, Audra and then Muriel Moore.
We met a couple people in Audra’s story. We met Yvette D’Altrea. We got quite a bit of a story about her, then she was gone. I believe she may be back at some point. There was quite a lot of time spent on her. And I still wonder if what Bluebell said was true. She knows how to read the room and she is uncannily perspicacious. I don’t think this thread is finished. Why did Audra talk too much AFTER she had just been given that whole briefing about her new job? I mean, it gave me pause that she was sharing so much and opening up to a virtual stranger right after that. Sigh.
I also want to know why Amabassador Amaryllis is so taken with Skye. I get what she said, but WHY Skye of all people? What is that she sees in Skye. It is almost as if she is taken with Skye. She likes both sisters, but Skye in particular, there seems to be a bit of an obsession. What does the President Singleton want? Who is she? What’s the deal with this religious group? Will there be more?
One thing that bothered about the book, was the writing mistakes. CEDAR is is LORIS. She is married to Bay, a fellow Loris. Clover is a Catseye. She is married to Peony, a fellow Catseye. I am not sure how the author renamed her character. It wasn’t once, it was the whole book. There are times when the author in her books have called them by the wrong names for other characters, but never for the whole book. Sigh. It was bothersome and I had a hard time ignoring it.
We meet Muriel. I am not sure the purpose of her besides for diversity or showing more AT (alien technology) when there is no cure. It was touching. But it was not my favorite parts of the book. It was just too much on top of already too much happening. I do like diversity. But that was a lot. Being a nurse…didn’t really want it here. But oh well.
Muriel is in love with Audra, and it makes sense. But Jasmine is on a whole other level. And who is this Galatea? And who else is in love with Jasmine Brighteyes? And where is Andie? We spent so much time with her in the last book, we should have more time with her and Jasmine in this one? Is there a reason for it? Is something about to go wrong? I hope there is not some polyamorous situation afoot. Gawd, I hope not.
Oh my goodness! Muriel's character was well written. I saw her through the author's words. I saw her, experienced her, and felt her. Audra's life is expanding and she seems more mature than her sister, Skye. Part 1 exposed me to Audra's introduction into what her life could/may be. Part 2 exposed me to Muriel, a human with an incurable illness. Aliens are not gods. Well written and as with all books prior to this one, it was like watching a film as I read. I couldn't put it down and now I'm on to the next one. I've stopped doing all other things so I can just read these books.
🌈EDITING🌈 Wow did really like reading the book! BUT! And it too me was a big BUT! During the telling of the story. You introduce Bays wife Cedar. Then you for whatever reason start using the name Clover when speaking about or to Bays wife. For me it was aggravating!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Invest in this book! You won't be able to put it down. A little strange in that it is two stories at once but both are well worth reading. Can't wait for the next!
I found this book interesting in that we had two different perspectives, Audra and Muriel. I found both interesting for different reasons but both were quite good.
I absolutely LOVE this series and can't wait for more books. This one almost felt strained or pushed. I understand why the author structured it how she did and I don't see any other way to do anything. I just didn't feel as connected to the characters as normal.
The first half had too many tickling scenes which felt so unnecessary. The second part with the recruits was somewhat better. Overall not as good as the previous book.