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tessisreading2's review
2.0
This book is approximately okay. It’s science fiction romance with a heavy emphasis on the science fiction - it has a science fiction plot and backstory that wouldn’t be out of place on TV, if that makes sense. No aliens, lots of evil corporations, plenty of action. Part of the problem with all the action, though, is that we’re switching venues - and moreover, switching “modes” - way too frequently. It starts out as a procedural mystery with shadowy corporations and two leads with Hidden Pasts and/or Trauma, and then shifts into a spaceship adventure, with a couple of other shifts in between. The relationship development felt kind of insta-love which isn’t generally my thing.
The reason I’m taking it down a star, though, is because of some secondary characters. There are too many of them, for one thing. Female characters, particularly unsympathetic female characters, are described as “beefy” weirdly frequently. And I’ll preface this last with I’m also an introvert, but there is a sexually active extroverted female character who is presented really, really meanly. She’s a flirty, outgoing space pilot. From her perspective, the FMC is incredibly unfriendly (she literally just blanks questions she doesn’t want to answer, which the author seems to think is a reasonable response? Just total silence for upwards of ten minutes straight after being asked a direct and totally reasonable friendly question?), has demonstrated knowledge which indicates she’s a former space hijacker (i.e. caused the deaths of pilots and spacers), and, oh yeah, is fucking the mission boss on a mysterious mission where (a) our Bad Girl has no clue what is going on, (b) the other pilot got murdered by virus-ware halfway through, (c) another crew-member has died and the Bad Girl and others barely survived, and (d) they had to crash-land on a planet that isn’t supposed to be able to support life.
But any friendliness, questions, or curiosity are treated by the MCs and the narrative as though the Bad Girl is being whiny, demanding, or unreasonable. She’s slutty and needy, “peevish,” “obnoxious,” and when she showers (presumably using whatever supplies are available) she makes the smell “like a cheap perfumery.” Towards the end, after surviving unimaginable odds, the Bad Girl interrupts the main couple macking on each other to say that they’re being approached by hostile forces and someone needs to come man the guns, at which point the MMC tells the FMC “If we live through this, I swear I’m going to pop that woman.” I mean… she could have let you guys continue the makeout session and let the ship get shot and/or boarded? I don’t find it endearing when the FMC and MMC treat every action or interaction from this woman as infringements on their personal space and romance. You’re professionals running for your lives, several of your (her) crew are already dead, you need to stop with the sex and start paying attention to the world around you for a minute or two - and she’s not wrong for demanding that. This take from the MCs - and the author - make it difficult to buy them as super-special super-smart well-trained super-awesome space investigators; they’re acting like whining thirteen-year-olds who have just discovered hormones. When the Bad Girl calls them out on it, another secondary character tells her she’s acting like a five-year-old. She’s basically the equivalent of a poorly-written Other Woman character in a bad shifter romance,turned into a villain at the last minute with no real foreshadowing to make extra sure the reader hates her , and those always feel like sloppy writing.
I had this on my TBR for a while but I’ll just say, I’m glad I was able to get ahold of it for free. I probably would read more of the author’s work if my library has it, but it doesn’t, so I probably won’t.
The reason I’m taking it down a star, though, is because of some secondary characters. There are too many of them, for one thing. Female characters, particularly unsympathetic female characters, are described as “beefy” weirdly frequently. And I’ll preface this last with I’m also an introvert, but there is a sexually active extroverted female character who is presented really, really meanly. She’s a flirty, outgoing space pilot. From her perspective, the FMC is incredibly unfriendly (she literally just blanks questions she doesn’t want to answer, which the author seems to think is a reasonable response? Just total silence for upwards of ten minutes straight after being asked a direct and totally reasonable friendly question?), has demonstrated knowledge which indicates she’s a former space hijacker (i.e. caused the deaths of pilots and spacers), and, oh yeah, is fucking the mission boss on a mysterious mission where (a) our Bad Girl has no clue what is going on, (b) the other pilot got murdered by virus-ware halfway through, (c) another crew-member has died and the Bad Girl and others barely survived, and (d) they had to crash-land on a planet that isn’t supposed to be able to support life.
But any friendliness, questions, or curiosity are treated by the MCs and the narrative as though the Bad Girl is being whiny, demanding, or unreasonable. She’s slutty and needy, “peevish,” “obnoxious,” and when she showers (presumably using whatever supplies are available) she makes the smell “like a cheap perfumery.” Towards the end, after surviving unimaginable odds, the Bad Girl interrupts the main couple macking on each other to say that they’re being approached by hostile forces and someone needs to come man the guns, at which point the MMC tells the FMC “If we live through this, I swear I’m going to pop that woman.” I mean… she could have let you guys continue the makeout session and let the ship get shot and/or boarded? I don’t find it endearing when the FMC and MMC treat every action or interaction from this woman as infringements on their personal space and romance. You’re professionals running for your lives, several of your (her) crew are already dead, you need to stop with the sex and start paying attention to the world around you for a minute or two - and she’s not wrong for demanding that. This take from the MCs - and the author - make it difficult to buy them as super-special super-smart well-trained super-awesome space investigators; they’re acting like whining thirteen-year-olds who have just discovered hormones. When the Bad Girl calls them out on it, another secondary character tells her she’s acting like a five-year-old. She’s basically the equivalent of a poorly-written Other Woman character in a bad shifter romance,
I had this on my TBR for a while but I’ll just say, I’m glad I was able to get ahold of it for free. I probably would read more of the author’s work if my library has it, but it doesn’t, so I probably won’t.
squids_can_read's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mairwen is a night shift security guard. It's a job that she has specifically chosen in order to keep a low profile. No one needs to know about her past, not when she's still running from it. But when the reconstruction specialist Luka needs a guard to investigate a break in, Mairwen's carefully planned life begins to fall apart. Luka has trauma of his own making it difficult to figure out exactly what is happening especially without all of the pieces. When a double murder throws Mairwen and Luka together they have to work fast in order to solve this mystery and maybe fall in love along the way.
The writing of this book was okay. It wasn't anything too spectacular and was really very simple. It was dual point of view with some additional points of view here and there. This did make knowing who was speaking a little bit difficult especially when the change in point of view wasn't identified to the reader. Other than that the writing style was okay but simple.
The world building is where I think this book really starts to fall apart. The only people that are in this universe are humans. Despite all of the exploration that has happened humans are still the only intelligent life they have found. That just seems a bit of a weird choice. Additionally there is a CPS in this book but they are almost an evil type of entity which is think might have been an unintentional critique of Child Protective Services. There were also things called hybrid planets that I didn't really understand how they worked. It was just kind of lazy world building especially because there were lots of names of companies that were thrown around without a lot of connection between them and the rest of the world.
Finally, I'll talk about the characters. The main two characters of this book are Luka and Mairwen. Luka was actually a really good main character. He seemed like an extremely in depth character with really interesting motivations. Mairwen actually was my least favorite character in the book. She did change and her growth was really interesting and I really liked it. However, Mairwen kept comparing her body to others and the way that she talked about being attracted to Luka was just really weird. It just made me uncomfortable every time that I read her point of view.
This is book is the first of a series but the first book left off on a satisfying ending to me. I have no real interest in reading the rest of the series although I would be interesting in seeing what the plot is. Overall, it was alright but nothing special.
The writing of this book was okay. It wasn't anything too spectacular and was really very simple. It was dual point of view with some additional points of view here and there. This did make knowing who was speaking a little bit difficult especially when the change in point of view wasn't identified to the reader. Other than that the writing style was okay but simple.
The world building is where I think this book really starts to fall apart. The only people that are in this universe are humans. Despite all of the exploration that has happened humans are still the only intelligent life they have found. That just seems a bit of a weird choice. Additionally there is a CPS in this book but they are almost an evil type of entity which is think might have been an unintentional critique of Child Protective Services. There were also things called hybrid planets that I didn't really understand how they worked. It was just kind of lazy world building especially because there were lots of names of companies that were thrown around without a lot of connection between them and the rest of the world.
Finally, I'll talk about the characters. The main two characters of this book are Luka and Mairwen. Luka was actually a really good main character. He seemed like an extremely in depth character with really interesting motivations. Mairwen actually was my least favorite character in the book. She did change and her growth was really interesting and I really liked it. However, Mairwen kept comparing her body to others and the way that she talked about being attracted to Luka was just really weird. It just made me uncomfortable every time that I read her point of view.
This is book is the first of a series but the first book left off on a satisfying ending to me. I have no real interest in reading the rest of the series although I would be interesting in seeing what the plot is. Overall, it was alright but nothing special.
sophiarose1816's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After being utterly riveted to the prequel, I was revved to dive into Overload Flux for more of the CGC world of suspense and intrigue in the future among the stars along with the sensational narration work of Nicole Poole.
Overload Flux introduced its main characters over a grisly murder scene. Neither are exactly what they seem with their psychic abilities that must be hidden particularly Mairwen Morganthur's. She can't be discovered, but the longer she acts as the clever and tenacious Luka Foxe's security, she is in danger of him figuring out her secrets long before he figures out who is behind the killing of his friends and what they knew that got them killed.
Luka's minder talent is a wild thing that he can barely control, but he has to if he is to function and figure out the truth. With Mairwen at his back and helping him control his psychic talent, even the dangers of a deadly conspiracy, won't get him off the trail.
Slowly, the pair make discoveries about the case and about each other even as someone races to stop them from discovering the truth.
This couldn't have been any more up my alley than it was. Psychic gifts, a futuristic setting, murder mysteries, actions and a slow burn romance. I was so into the story that I barely shut it off to go about my needed business.
Luka and Mairwen were amazing characters. He is vulnerable because his minder gift is messed up, but he is dedicated and intelligent. He's focused, but also kind. He is struck by Mairwen from the beginning when others overlook her. Once he knows the truth, he is not intimidated and completely respects her along with desperately hoping he can find a way to keep her with him. On the other side, Mairwen is keeping a dreadful secret. She is an augmented human with lethal abilities that are off the charts. She was taken and forced to become a secret government trained killer (or hunter as they are called). She got herself out of that by faking her death and taking on a new personal. She's hidden in the background terrified to draw attention to herself. Luka is like a colorful and bright star in her life and she can't resist him even though she fears he'll find out about her. Protecting him as he does his work tracking down the truth becomes more than a duty to her. He's showing her how to live and she never wants to lose him.
There were some wonderful action scenes and I loved those tight spots moments. There were some good twists. The futuristic setting and world were well drawn. All the elements of the book really worked for me and I love how it ended and the way the rest of the series seems to be laid out for the future stories.
As I said, Nicole Poole did the narration work and I loved her fabulous talent bringing not just the main characters to life, but giving the secondary characters their own sparkle so that I felt no disengagement from the story. Pacing, tone, emotions, accents, genders- all were amazing.
All in all, this was a sci-fi romance winner that I can whole-heartedly push at anyone who loves the genre particularly if you like a mystery and intrigue tossed in for good measure.
Overload Flux introduced its main characters over a grisly murder scene. Neither are exactly what they seem with their psychic abilities that must be hidden particularly Mairwen Morganthur's. She can't be discovered, but the longer she acts as the clever and tenacious Luka Foxe's security, she is in danger of him figuring out her secrets long before he figures out who is behind the killing of his friends and what they knew that got them killed.
Luka's minder talent is a wild thing that he can barely control, but he has to if he is to function and figure out the truth. With Mairwen at his back and helping him control his psychic talent, even the dangers of a deadly conspiracy, won't get him off the trail.
Slowly, the pair make discoveries about the case and about each other even as someone races to stop them from discovering the truth.
This couldn't have been any more up my alley than it was. Psychic gifts, a futuristic setting, murder mysteries, actions and a slow burn romance. I was so into the story that I barely shut it off to go about my needed business.
Luka and Mairwen were amazing characters. He is vulnerable because his minder gift is messed up, but he is dedicated and intelligent. He's focused, but also kind. He is struck by Mairwen from the beginning when others overlook her. Once he knows the truth, he is not intimidated and completely respects her along with desperately hoping he can find a way to keep her with him. On the other side, Mairwen is keeping a dreadful secret. She is an augmented human with lethal abilities that are off the charts. She was taken and forced to become a secret government trained killer (or hunter as they are called). She got herself out of that by faking her death and taking on a new personal. She's hidden in the background terrified to draw attention to herself. Luka is like a colorful and bright star in her life and she can't resist him even though she fears he'll find out about her. Protecting him as he does his work tracking down the truth becomes more than a duty to her. He's showing her how to live and she never wants to lose him.
There were some wonderful action scenes and I loved those tight spots moments. There were some good twists. The futuristic setting and world were well drawn. All the elements of the book really worked for me and I love how it ended and the way the rest of the series seems to be laid out for the future stories.
As I said, Nicole Poole did the narration work and I loved her fabulous talent bringing not just the main characters to life, but giving the secondary characters their own sparkle so that I felt no disengagement from the story. Pacing, tone, emotions, accents, genders- all were amazing.
All in all, this was a sci-fi romance winner that I can whole-heartedly push at anyone who loves the genre particularly if you like a mystery and intrigue tossed in for good measure.
lifeinthebooklane's review
5.0
Oh that epilogue! All those hints, clues and teasers! That was a great move to have me needing to read the rest of the series as soon as I possibly can Ms Van Natta.
Overload Flux is a well paced, action packed mystery tied up in a space opera bow. The story had so much depth, complex interwoven strands that together formed a wonderful whole. The world building was excellent, exposition guaranteeing that the prose flowed evenly, whilst understanding of the complex world and it's inhabitants was always maintained. I adored Luka and Mairwen these were two immensely likeable protagonists, each with their own secrets, who somehow managed to be perfect for one another. The way Luka managed to draw Mairwen out of her shell, to show her how to live, how to laugh and how to love, was simply wonderful.
This was also a story of how it can be the little things that truly make for a great love story. From the noticing of expressions, to food choices and grounding one another, it was never difficult to believe in the depth of feeling between Mairwen and Luka. There are adventures to partake in, puzzles to solve, danger to avoid and friends to be found in this delightful book that will definitely be one I will read again.
Overload Flux is a well paced, action packed mystery tied up in a space opera bow. The story had so much depth, complex interwoven strands that together formed a wonderful whole. The world building was excellent, exposition guaranteeing that the prose flowed evenly, whilst understanding of the complex world and it's inhabitants was always maintained. I adored Luka and Mairwen these were two immensely likeable protagonists, each with their own secrets, who somehow managed to be perfect for one another. The way Luka managed to draw Mairwen out of her shell, to show her how to live, how to laugh and how to love, was simply wonderful.
This was also a story of how it can be the little things that truly make for a great love story. From the noticing of expressions, to food choices and grounding one another, it was never difficult to believe in the depth of feeling between Mairwen and Luka. There are adventures to partake in, puzzles to solve, danger to avoid and friends to be found in this delightful book that will definitely be one I will read again.
eg_m's review
5.0
This book has been on my TBR for awhile and I don't know why I waited so long to read it. I love the author's Ice Age Shifter books, and her sci-fi contributions to the annual Pets In Space anthologies. Characteristic of her style, Overload Flux combines sci-fi action/adventure with believable romance. The books would be great without the romance, but the romance adds that extra dimension to the characters that makes the story zip.
lolasreviews's review
5.0
Overload Flux was such a great read with the perfect mix of romance, complex characters, a solid story and an awesome sci-fi world that came alive. I first heard of Carol Van Natta when I read Pets Trade in the Pets in Space 2 anthology. Ever since I've been meaning to check out more of her books and I finally decided to buy the box set containing the first 3 books in this series. Before I finished Overload Flux I had bought the rest of the series available at the moment as that's how good this book was.
When Overload Flux starts we get introduced to night shift guard Mairwen, quickly it's obvious there is more to her than meets the eye. What seemed like just another normal job for her turns into much more than she anticipated. While at first it was a bit hard to get into the story and world, it's the type of world building I like where there is no info dumps, but you just kinda have to figure out what is going on from what is said and happens. The author handled that very well in this book and I loved discovering more about this world.
Overload Flux is told from dual point of views or both Mairwen and Luka, with a few chapters from other point of views. Mairwen and Luka are such an awesome couple and great characters. Mairwen is very capable, but where she excels in a lot of skills, social skills are a bit more challenging for her. Luka is very smart and intuitive and has a physic-like skill that allows him to analyze people and analyze crime scenes. But he now struggles to control his talent after the latest case where he pushed it hard. I loved how both these characters had their struggles, flaws and strengths and they felt very realistically and I loved reading about them. I also liked how they both change throughout the course of the book and get a handle on some of the things they struggle with.
The story was intriguing and well written. I liked the almost suspense like plot thread about what was going on with this pharmaceutical company and why Luka's colleagues got killed. It almost read like a romantic suspense book set in a sci-fi world at times. One of the few small niggles I can mention about this book is that I would've liked to know what happened to the pharmacy company after the things came to light and would've liked few things tied back to that a bit more. As at times I had a bit of trouble remembering everything that was going on and how it tied together.
One of the few things that's so rare to find is a book that manages to strike the perfect balance for me between the sci-fi and romance elements. But this book totally did. I loved how the romance never overshadowed the plot line or the world building, but at the same time the romance was a very essential part of the book as well and get enough attention as well. It was wonderful to find a book that balanced all the different aspects so well.
Speaking of romance, I loved Luka and Mairwen together. How there was already a connection/ interest when they first met, but their romance builds slowly throughout the book. They start working closer together and grow closer and I loved seeing them open up to each other and how they are there and help each other. They were such a great couple and I am glad there is another novella about them as well and I hope we get to see them sometimes in the future books as I just want more of them.
I loved how the author handled the world building. It's one of those book were you piece things together piece by piece, but it's very well done. And most things you can easily gauge from the conversation or context what's going on or what certain words mean. Most of this book takes place on two planets and a few space ships, but we get a feel of how there is a whole galaxy around this and how things work in this world. And at the same time I just want to know even more about this world. I am excited to see how this series continues.
Another thing that I noticed about this book was how some of the plot progressed in a slightly unusual fashion, which is great. Most books have a certain build-up with a big event at the end and then a quick wrap up. I liked how this book pacing felt slightly different and how there is a slightly longer wrap up part at the end. I also liked how the epilogue hinted at things to come in the rest of the series. And in a sense this book only feels like the start of a much larger plot line.
To summarize: I really enjoyed Overload Flux. This book had the perfect balance between story, sci-fi elements and romance. The story read a bit like a romantic suspense in space at times, with a mystery like set-up with how they're trying to uncover more about what's going on after two colleagues of Luka are found dead. The only niggle I had was that it could be a bit hard to remember all the details about what was going on at times. I really liked both main characters with how they had their flaws, strengths and struggles, they felt like realistic characters. I loved seeing them change throughout the book and grow closer. The romance was so well done, I loved these two together and how well they worked and fit together. I liked how the romance plot line nicely wove throughout the story and I loved seeing them grow closer and closer as the book progressed. All in all this was a fantastic start to this series and I am excited to read book 2.
When Overload Flux starts we get introduced to night shift guard Mairwen, quickly it's obvious there is more to her than meets the eye. What seemed like just another normal job for her turns into much more than she anticipated. While at first it was a bit hard to get into the story and world, it's the type of world building I like where there is no info dumps, but you just kinda have to figure out what is going on from what is said and happens. The author handled that very well in this book and I loved discovering more about this world.
Overload Flux is told from dual point of views or both Mairwen and Luka, with a few chapters from other point of views. Mairwen and Luka are such an awesome couple and great characters. Mairwen is very capable, but where she excels in a lot of skills, social skills are a bit more challenging for her. Luka is very smart and intuitive and has a physic-like skill that allows him to analyze people and analyze crime scenes. But he now struggles to control his talent after the latest case where he pushed it hard. I loved how both these characters had their struggles, flaws and strengths and they felt very realistically and I loved reading about them. I also liked how they both change throughout the course of the book and get a handle on some of the things they struggle with.
The story was intriguing and well written. I liked the almost suspense like plot thread about what was going on with this pharmaceutical company and why Luka's colleagues got killed. It almost read like a romantic suspense book set in a sci-fi world at times. One of the few small niggles I can mention about this book is that I would've liked to know what happened to the pharmacy company after the things came to light and would've liked few things tied back to that a bit more. As at times I had a bit of trouble remembering everything that was going on and how it tied together.
One of the few things that's so rare to find is a book that manages to strike the perfect balance for me between the sci-fi and romance elements. But this book totally did. I loved how the romance never overshadowed the plot line or the world building, but at the same time the romance was a very essential part of the book as well and get enough attention as well. It was wonderful to find a book that balanced all the different aspects so well.
Speaking of romance, I loved Luka and Mairwen together. How there was already a connection/ interest when they first met, but their romance builds slowly throughout the book. They start working closer together and grow closer and I loved seeing them open up to each other and how they are there and help each other. They were such a great couple and I am glad there is another novella about them as well and I hope we get to see them sometimes in the future books as I just want more of them.
I loved how the author handled the world building. It's one of those book were you piece things together piece by piece, but it's very well done. And most things you can easily gauge from the conversation or context what's going on or what certain words mean. Most of this book takes place on two planets and a few space ships, but we get a feel of how there is a whole galaxy around this and how things work in this world. And at the same time I just want to know even more about this world. I am excited to see how this series continues.
Another thing that I noticed about this book was how some of the plot progressed in a slightly unusual fashion, which is great. Most books have a certain build-up with a big event at the end and then a quick wrap up. I liked how this book pacing felt slightly different and how there is a slightly longer wrap up part at the end. I also liked how the epilogue hinted at things to come in the rest of the series. And in a sense this book only feels like the start of a much larger plot line.
To summarize: I really enjoyed Overload Flux. This book had the perfect balance between story, sci-fi elements and romance. The story read a bit like a romantic suspense in space at times, with a mystery like set-up with how they're trying to uncover more about what's going on after two colleagues of Luka are found dead. The only niggle I had was that it could be a bit hard to remember all the details about what was going on at times. I really liked both main characters with how they had their flaws, strengths and struggles, they felt like realistic characters. I loved seeing them change throughout the book and grow closer. The romance was so well done, I loved these two together and how well they worked and fit together. I liked how the romance plot line nicely wove throughout the story and I loved seeing them grow closer and closer as the book progressed. All in all this was a fantastic start to this series and I am excited to read book 2.