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edebell's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this - it’s a sci-fi military story in space with action, mystery, and some rather extreme characters that manage to work very well, individually and with each other.
The plot reveal does have a horror element to it, but for some reason it didn’t bother me. (I am the wimpiest person ever.) Some of the plot details get a little lost, but it really doesn’t matter because the story is interesting and fast-paced.
I am excited to read the rest of the series.
The plot reveal does have a horror element to it, but for some reason it didn’t bother me. (I am the wimpiest person ever.) Some of the plot details get a little lost, but it really doesn’t matter because the story is interesting and fast-paced.
I am excited to read the rest of the series.
brittanisavery's review
4.0
Dakiti (Ziva Payvan #1) is a cool combination of science fiction, military hierarchy, and political intrigue. The world of Haphez had a great set up by Fisch. The races are vividly described, including physical and cultural differences from the humans of the universe. The main characters of Aroska Tarbic and Ziva Payvan had a very interesting dynamic due to their shared history and their forced cooperation by assignment. Each of the side characters were also given personalities and purposes that continued to fill out the world. The plot allowed for small character movements between both side and main characters, showing the different interactions and how certain characters were viewed by others. For example, Ziva is highly respected by some and vehemently hated by others for the exact same quality of brutality.
I will admit that the beginning seemed a little slow to me, mainly that the plot took a bit of time to get going. To be honest, I didn’t care too much about the overall plot until about 30-40% into the book. Things picked up quite a bit then and the last half of the book is packed with action. I enjoyed the ending and how pretty much everything was resolved for a solid finish to this book but, there was still an opening for more adventures in the future.
Overall, I liked it, the world and the action especially. Despite the strong science fiction themes, it was easy to read and get invested in it.
I will admit that the beginning seemed a little slow to me, mainly that the plot took a bit of time to get going. To be honest, I didn’t care too much about the overall plot until about 30-40% into the book. Things picked up quite a bit then and the last half of the book is packed with action. I enjoyed the ending and how pretty much everything was resolved for a solid finish to this book but, there was still an opening for more adventures in the future.
Overall, I liked it, the world and the action especially. Despite the strong science fiction themes, it was easy to read and get invested in it.
betsychadwell's review
3.0
This was an enjoyable space opera. Engrossing, suspenseful. Interesting characters. However, it seemed to lack depth. No world building to speak of, no history or back story to explain what was going on in that universe. That's why it's only three stars for me. I will read the next in the series, but I may not bother to read this one again. It just doesn't have the kind of complex fabric that would bring me back again and again.
rhodered's review
2.0
DNF on page 152. By this point, approx 44% through book, I should be feeling some connection to something. The world, one of the characters, the plot, the language used to describe them... Something should be hooking me in. But nothing is.
It's competently written. I do like how the author has given her different humanoid races different shapes, sizes and colors of hair. We've gotten some background that should make for a tension-filled plot.
I dunno. In some cases there's some TSTL going on, for example: why would you think your house using government security is safe when government buildings are not safe? And, how could a member of the Royalty's young step daughter run away from home and not be found for 13+ years? Lastly, does no one have fingerprints on this planet, because they keep handing around evidence without bagging it!
Otherwise, I also can't get all snugly in one main character's head because the author keeps changing perspective. I'm not even sure who the main character really is. Usually for story telling purposes, there's one big main one and then others who can be secondary. In this case, everyone feels secondary.
Lastly the plot and people remind me of TV shows. It feels written by an author who is heavily influenced by the visuals, team acting, and the common plot points in TV shows. I'm not saying this copies any particular show, but rather it just has a TV feel to it. This bothers me because so many TV plots are common tropes now. We know how the mismatched partners will ultimately get along with each other. We know instinctively much of the action that will occur next.
And that bores me. I avoid watching tv because I get bored by it, don't need that in my books.
It's competently written. I do like how the author has given her different humanoid races different shapes, sizes and colors of hair. We've gotten some background that should make for a tension-filled plot.
I dunno. In some cases there's some TSTL going on, for example: why would you think your house using government security is safe when government buildings are not safe? And, how could a member of the Royalty's young step daughter run away from home and not be found for 13+ years? Lastly, does no one have fingerprints on this planet, because they keep handing around evidence without bagging it!
Otherwise, I also can't get all snugly in one main character's head because the author keeps changing perspective. I'm not even sure who the main character really is. Usually for story telling purposes, there's one big main one and then others who can be secondary. In this case, everyone feels secondary.
Lastly the plot and people remind me of TV shows. It feels written by an author who is heavily influenced by the visuals, team acting, and the common plot points in TV shows. I'm not saying this copies any particular show, but rather it just has a TV feel to it. This bothers me because so many TV plots are common tropes now. We know how the mismatched partners will ultimately get along with each other. We know instinctively much of the action that will occur next.
And that bores me. I avoid watching tv because I get bored by it, don't need that in my books.
xephtastic's review
5.0
Dakiti was an exciting read. As a long-time fan of science fiction, it did not disappoint with its exotic species, foreign planets and unique plant life. The little details were weaved in with exceptional skill, I especially liked how the characters would use Haphezian words now and then - it made them feel alien. But their "alien-ness" (not a word, I know) didn't interfere with my ability to relate and sympathise with the characters. The overall plot was well-written and did contain some twists and turns that I wasn't expecting, though a few reveals were predicted. I don't think that's a bad thing, however, as it is important for books to drop hints and lead readers to the answers - and it is satisfying when you can get to a plot twist in the book and shout "I knew it!"
It didn't take long for me to warm up to the characters. They each have distinct personalities and characteristics that I came to like, and their interactions with one another expanded upon them further. I definitely enjoyed seeing how their relationships developed and changed over the story's course, and look forward to continuing the series. I wasn't let down by this book. It was a brilliant mixture of fun, serious moments, tension and character accomplishments and failures. It took me on a journey, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
It didn't take long for me to warm up to the characters. They each have distinct personalities and characteristics that I came to like, and their interactions with one another expanded upon them further. I definitely enjoyed seeing how their relationships developed and changed over the story's course, and look forward to continuing the series. I wasn't let down by this book. It was a brilliant mixture of fun, serious moments, tension and character accomplishments and failures. It took me on a journey, and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
kcrosswriting's review
4.0
I stumbled into this book on referral from a friend, and was pleasantly surprised by what I found.
I'm really not all that experienced with science fiction/space exploration genres, but I didn't struggle reading this book at all as an "outsider" to this type of story. The science was sufficient without being overexplained, nor underexplained.
What I worried about at the beginning was a "budding romance" story that comes to the MC's out of nowhere, but was really excited that didn't happen, and the author really stayed true to the characters.
Overall, the story happens very quickly, so it kept me intrigued, but there is very little exposition. A lot of the little details kind of escaped me through the story, but the basic/main plot line was clear the entire time, so I didn't really care as much about that. For writing characters with intense personalities and personality traits, I think the author did a really good job making them believable. There was no real "happy ending", which is good, because the story wouldn't have called for one. Everything is resolved, however.
I'm going to buy the second book today.
I'm really not all that experienced with science fiction/space exploration genres, but I didn't struggle reading this book at all as an "outsider" to this type of story. The science was sufficient without being overexplained, nor underexplained.
What I worried about at the beginning was a "budding romance" story that comes to the MC's out of nowhere, but was really excited that didn't happen, and the author really stayed true to the characters.
Overall, the story happens very quickly, so it kept me intrigued, but there is very little exposition. A lot of the little details kind of escaped me through the story, but the basic/main plot line was clear the entire time, so I didn't really care as much about that. For writing characters with intense personalities and personality traits, I think the author did a really good job making them believable. There was no real "happy ending", which is good, because the story wouldn't have called for one. Everything is resolved, however.
I'm going to buy the second book today.
tahernandez's review
5.0
Set in a vivid world in a distant galaxy, Dakiti's is a suspenseful sci-fi adventure that will keep you at the edge of your seat. The world and the races that inhabit it are intriguing. The story is fast-paced and action-packed, but the thing that makes this book really great are the complex characters and the relationships between them. This is especially true for the two main characters, who are sure to provide us with even more interesting material in books to come. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves science fiction or just good stories in general.
margaretadelle's review
4.0
I'm a huge fan of sci-fi in general, especially space operas and military sci-fi, so when the author offered me this book for review, I was more than happy to read it.
I loved the premise immediately, with two people who had every reason to hate each other forced to work together. Admittedly, I wish it had been slightly more emphasized in the first part. For example, if Aroska had talked about what his brother was like or the crime he was accused of. But I did appreciate the sexual tension and how Ziva's strength wasn't an issue for Aroska. He accepted her abilities as fact, even as much as he hated her, and it made for a strange mix of hate and respect that I liked.
Zinni and Skeet were also characters I hadn't expected to love, but I loved the portions of the story that featured them on their own. I was a little annoyed at Skeet basically explaining Ziva to Aroska (and therefore the reader) but it wasn't any more than the usual amount of exposition. And the pair's parts together in the second half of the story were always exciting.
The biggest struggle I had for the book, and the reasons I knocked off a star, was how the plot seemed to lurch ahead. The newly formed team really only had one true mission together (aside from impromptu bits of action) so it feels like they jump to the big mission at the end. The time spent at the titular facility made up nearly a third of the page time. I didn't mind it's length, it was properly dramatic and explosive, as all fights in military sci-fi should be. But I couldn't help but feel there should have been a smaller mission leading up to it, like a test run for the newly formed team.
Other than that, it's a great book. I would definitely put it more in military sci-fi, so someone looking for a pure space opera probably won't get what they're looking for. But if you like shoot-outs with plasma rifles, it's a good pick.
I loved the premise immediately, with two people who had every reason to hate each other forced to work together. Admittedly, I wish it had been slightly more emphasized in the first part. For example, if Aroska had talked about what his brother was like or the crime he was accused of. But I did appreciate the sexual tension and how Ziva's strength wasn't an issue for Aroska. He accepted her abilities as fact, even as much as he hated her, and it made for a strange mix of hate and respect that I liked.
Zinni and Skeet were also characters I hadn't expected to love, but I loved the portions of the story that featured them on their own. I was a little annoyed at Skeet basically explaining Ziva to Aroska (and therefore the reader) but it wasn't any more than the usual amount of exposition. And the pair's parts together in the second half of the story were always exciting.
The biggest struggle I had for the book, and the reasons I knocked off a star, was how the plot seemed to lurch ahead. The newly formed team really only had one true mission together (aside from impromptu bits of action) so it feels like they jump to the big mission at the end. The time spent at the titular facility made up nearly a third of the page time. I didn't mind it's length, it was properly dramatic and explosive, as all fights in military sci-fi should be. But I couldn't help but feel there should have been a smaller mission leading up to it, like a test run for the newly formed team.
Other than that, it's a great book. I would definitely put it more in military sci-fi, so someone looking for a pure space opera probably won't get what they're looking for. But if you like shoot-outs with plasma rifles, it's a good pick.
gs_jennsen's review
5.0
Dakiti is an expansive yet personal sci-fi adventure. It takes place in a vivid setting of multiple species and worlds, feuding factions, diplomatic shenanigans, and the looming threat of renewed war. The fast-paced yet detailed ground and space action scenes send the plot careening forward.
Yet Dakiti is at its heart a story about the two main characters. Ziva is a bundle of contradictions sure to provide juicy material for many more books. She's a cold, hardened soldier who is willing to give her life to save others; a revered, respected legend who hides a mysterious past and a deadly secret. Aroska is in many ways even more interesting, as the conflict between his personal demons (real and imagined) and his sense of honor and duty come to a head when everything he thought he knew to be true is turned upside down.
EJ Fisch is a fresh, exciting new voice in sci-fi, and I look forward to more books in the series!
Yet Dakiti is at its heart a story about the two main characters. Ziva is a bundle of contradictions sure to provide juicy material for many more books. She's a cold, hardened soldier who is willing to give her life to save others; a revered, respected legend who hides a mysterious past and a deadly secret. Aroska is in many ways even more interesting, as the conflict between his personal demons (real and imagined) and his sense of honor and duty come to a head when everything he thought he knew to be true is turned upside down.
EJ Fisch is a fresh, exciting new voice in sci-fi, and I look forward to more books in the series!
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