christycorr's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
kbusse2's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
alisonalisonalison's review
5.0
Amazing. This is the fourth book in Anna Butler's gripping Taking Shield space opera series, and it does not stand alone, so read the others first. I absolutely loved this. Like all the other books, it's intense and gripping and immersive and completely took over my brain. The characters are incredibly well-realised and full of depth and real emotion and humanity. Bennet is one of the most affecting characters I've ever read. The depth and complexity of the emotion in this book is amazing and really packs a punch. This book (like the series) is full of twists and turns and surprises and had me glued to the page. I am tremendously excited for the next book.
kaje_harper's review
4.0
Book 4 in the ongoing series. Here the politics move further onto center stage, as the events from Makepeace cast an ongoing shadow. Bennet, now serving on his father's ship, is on the periphery of the fallout, mostly. He has his own problems - pilot Flynn is now under his command and at his side, and untouchable by regulations regarding fraternization and chain of command. Both men are pretty sure they can't bend the rules just a little bit - if they get together, they are going up in flames. And so they carve out a kind of friendship, balanced on a knife edge of desire that can't be admitted.
Meanwhile, although Bennet shines in his current job, he's counting off the days till he can go back to Shield. Even though it means leaving Flynn behind. There is more of the personal in this book. Bennet and his father, and sister also serving there, are becoming a little easier together, but he still wants out and home. The Maees are holding back, leaving little in the way of action to balance the unrest from colonies and aspiring politicians. Until the moment when they do move.
I had thought this completed the series, (hence my starting to read it) but I was wrong. Again, we come to a small moment of rest, with the unknown ahead of our guys and their worlds. Waiting eagerly for the next one.
Meanwhile, although Bennet shines in his current job, he's counting off the days till he can go back to Shield. Even though it means leaving Flynn behind. There is more of the personal in this book. Bennet and his father, and sister also serving there, are becoming a little easier together, but he still wants out and home. The Maees are holding back, leaving little in the way of action to balance the unrest from colonies and aspiring politicians. Until the moment when they do move.
I had thought this completed the series, (hence my starting to read it) but I was wrong. Again, we come to a small moment of rest, with the unknown ahead of our guys and their worlds. Waiting eagerly for the next one.
the_novel_approach's review
5.0
Warning: Possible Series Spoilers
Before I start the review proper, I must say that if you have not read the first three books in the series, you must go back and read them. Also, if you have not read the third book, Makepeace, then I would stop reading this review now and know that I loved this book. I may let slip information from the third book in order to talk about this book.
Since I started reviewing this series in 2015, with the release of Gyrfalcon, I have made my love for the books clear. At least I hope I have. Bennet and Flynn have become two of my favorite characters of all time, and with this book, Anna Butler has usurped all other authors as my favorite. Never before have I read a book with such detailed characters and relationships. As I’ve said before, these are more than just characters. They are so heartbreakingly real, as are their relationships.
This book follows the events of Makepeace and picks up where it left off. Bennet is once again on the Gyrfalcon, his father’s dreadnought, which is just about the last place in the universe he would rather be, and it’s not just because of his father. No. On the ship he will once again come face to face with Flynn, the man he fell in love with over four years ago, despite not being able to be with him. And just because years have passed since they last saw each other, it’s clear that neither the passion nor the memories have faded.
But there are rules, and Bennet will be damned if he breaks those rules. And Flynn, knowing he wants but cannot have, agrees to the rules. But it’s going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
As the data from Makepeace is analyzed, more horror awaits as Bennet and Felix begin to piece together what the Maess have been doing with their human prisoners. It will throw the entire political world in upheaval, and it brings up even more moral and ethical gray areas that Bennet would rather avoid.
I don’t think I’ve ever cried as often or as much while reading a book as I did with this one. Bennet and Flynn are so fully realized. Anna Butler truly has a gift when it comes to crafting characters and relationships, and other authors would do well to study what she has created.
Even though I cried often, and reading it physically hurt my heart, I appreciated the depth of emotions. Butler avoids so many tropes that, while good on occasion, often leave me wanting more. Too often I’ve read books where the drama and heartbreak between characters is due to some misunderstanding that would be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. And half the time it’s over something simple.
Not so with this book. Bennet and Flynn talk. Oh, do they talk. They lay their emotions and feelings for each other right out on the table from day one, and often throughout the book, and they constantly reassure each other that it will be fine, they’ll be fine. And that right there was what got me. These are two men who know what they want and they cannot have it. The regulations forbid it due to Bennet’s position on the ship. Flynn wants and can’t have. Bennet wants and can’t let himself have. They both know it, are constantly aware of it, and still they are stuck in that position. No amount of talking will solve their problem. And the constant little reminders that they are fine—even when they are not—often had me breaking down.
Knowing this made it more painful to read because there wasn’t a simple resolution. I wanted there to be, god knows I did, but there’s not. Just like in real life, not everything is black and white.
Don’t get me wrong, the focus of this book is not the romance. This is hard science fiction, an epic space opera at its absolute finest, and it just happens to have two male leads who have fallen in love with each other during a war. Two men who should never have even met. The tension is there, it is palpable, and it does surface often, but the book does not completely revolve around it. Bennet has to deal with the fallout from Makepeace and the new ethical problems that arise. Flynn’s problems are a little less severe on the grand scale, but for a man who lived on sex, and who has fallen in love for the first time in his life, this is a major shift for him, and, as he is fond of mentioning, the minute shift of atoms by the universe has completely disoriented him.
There will be another book, and I am counting down the days until it is released. I need to know what happens next. Anna Butler never fails to deliver an outstanding book that is meticulous in its details to science of the world. For fans of the series, this is another wonderful installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, you are seriously missing out.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
Before I start the review proper, I must say that if you have not read the first three books in the series, you must go back and read them. Also, if you have not read the third book, Makepeace, then I would stop reading this review now and know that I loved this book. I may let slip information from the third book in order to talk about this book.
Since I started reviewing this series in 2015, with the release of Gyrfalcon, I have made my love for the books clear. At least I hope I have. Bennet and Flynn have become two of my favorite characters of all time, and with this book, Anna Butler has usurped all other authors as my favorite. Never before have I read a book with such detailed characters and relationships. As I’ve said before, these are more than just characters. They are so heartbreakingly real, as are their relationships.
This book follows the events of Makepeace and picks up where it left off. Bennet is once again on the Gyrfalcon, his father’s dreadnought, which is just about the last place in the universe he would rather be, and it’s not just because of his father. No. On the ship he will once again come face to face with Flynn, the man he fell in love with over four years ago, despite not being able to be with him. And just because years have passed since they last saw each other, it’s clear that neither the passion nor the memories have faded.
But there are rules, and Bennet will be damned if he breaks those rules. And Flynn, knowing he wants but cannot have, agrees to the rules. But it’s going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done.
As the data from Makepeace is analyzed, more horror awaits as Bennet and Felix begin to piece together what the Maess have been doing with their human prisoners. It will throw the entire political world in upheaval, and it brings up even more moral and ethical gray areas that Bennet would rather avoid.
I don’t think I’ve ever cried as often or as much while reading a book as I did with this one. Bennet and Flynn are so fully realized. Anna Butler truly has a gift when it comes to crafting characters and relationships, and other authors would do well to study what she has created.
Even though I cried often, and reading it physically hurt my heart, I appreciated the depth of emotions. Butler avoids so many tropes that, while good on occasion, often leave me wanting more. Too often I’ve read books where the drama and heartbreak between characters is due to some misunderstanding that would be cleared up if the characters would just talk to each other. And half the time it’s over something simple.
Not so with this book. Bennet and Flynn talk. Oh, do they talk. They lay their emotions and feelings for each other right out on the table from day one, and often throughout the book, and they constantly reassure each other that it will be fine, they’ll be fine. And that right there was what got me. These are two men who know what they want and they cannot have it. The regulations forbid it due to Bennet’s position on the ship. Flynn wants and can’t have. Bennet wants and can’t let himself have. They both know it, are constantly aware of it, and still they are stuck in that position. No amount of talking will solve their problem. And the constant little reminders that they are fine—even when they are not—often had me breaking down.
Knowing this made it more painful to read because there wasn’t a simple resolution. I wanted there to be, god knows I did, but there’s not. Just like in real life, not everything is black and white.
Don’t get me wrong, the focus of this book is not the romance. This is hard science fiction, an epic space opera at its absolute finest, and it just happens to have two male leads who have fallen in love with each other during a war. Two men who should never have even met. The tension is there, it is palpable, and it does surface often, but the book does not completely revolve around it. Bennet has to deal with the fallout from Makepeace and the new ethical problems that arise. Flynn’s problems are a little less severe on the grand scale, but for a man who lived on sex, and who has fallen in love for the first time in his life, this is a major shift for him, and, as he is fond of mentioning, the minute shift of atoms by the universe has completely disoriented him.
There will be another book, and I am counting down the days until it is released. I need to know what happens next. Anna Butler never fails to deliver an outstanding book that is meticulous in its details to science of the world. For fans of the series, this is another wonderful installment. If you haven’t read the first book yet, you are seriously missing out.
Reviewed by Jennifer for The Novel Approach Reviews
saphirablue's review
4.0
OMG. To the discoveries regarding the Maess and the things that happen at the end. OMG. /o\
It's really getting creepy with what the Maess are doing (what we know so far) and I have some suspicions who is helping them. It will be interesting to find out if my suspicions are true or not. :P
My heart is aching for Bennet so much. All the things he finds out, the things he has to deal with, his estrangement with Felix and everything that happens at the end - and on top the heartache with Flynn? *hugs him so much*
Also, *hugs Flynn a lot*
I love Cruz! She's awesome!
I've been a bit "Hmmm" with all the political stuff in the book. Yeah, it's necessary in order to get the bigger picture, create tension for our heroes and set things up. But, I'd rather read about life on a spaceship, Flynn & Bennet being idots ;) or something else. :) But, I don't mind it as long as the story doesn't get taken over by the politics (which it didn't so far). :)
All in all - *makes grabby hands for the next part* For which there is no release date yet. ;.;
It's really getting creepy with what the Maess are doing (what we know so far) and I have some suspicions who is helping them. It will be interesting to find out if my suspicions are true or not. :P
My heart is aching for Bennet so much. All the things he finds out, the things he has to deal with, his estrangement with Felix and everything that happens at the end - and on top the heartache with Flynn? *hugs him so much*
Also, *hugs Flynn a lot*
I love Cruz! She's awesome!
I've been a bit "Hmmm" with all the political stuff in the book. Yeah, it's necessary in order to get the bigger picture, create tension for our heroes and set things up. But, I'd rather read about life on a spaceship, Flynn & Bennet being idots ;) or something else. :) But, I don't mind it as long as the story doesn't get taken over by the politics (which it didn't so far). :)
All in all - *makes grabby hands for the next part* For which there is no release date yet. ;.;
expendablemudge's review
5.0
Rating: 5* of five
#ReadingIsResistance to disappearing the love you don't yourownself feel.
My full review of the fourth TAKING SHIELD series of gay-male centered space operas recommends trying and/or giving it for 2017's #Booksgiving.
Yes, yes, yes, I get it, you're tired of Noble Self-Sacrifice and Dutiful Self-Abnegation.
But these are real responses to having your back against the ultimate wall: Extinguishment. Erasure. End as final as it gets. Not your personal death, nothing so small as that; the end of your world and your culture, the death of untold numbers of your friends and family and lovers and all the strangers you can't hope to meet, know, love.
It's that or catatonic dissociation, and there's way too much to do for such self-indulgence.
#ReadingIsResistance to disappearing the love you don't yourownself feel.
My full review of the fourth TAKING SHIELD series of gay-male centered space operas recommends trying and/or giving it for 2017's #Booksgiving.
Yes, yes, yes, I get it, you're tired of Noble Self-Sacrifice and Dutiful Self-Abnegation.
But these are real responses to having your back against the ultimate wall: Extinguishment. Erasure. End as final as it gets. Not your personal death, nothing so small as that; the end of your world and your culture, the death of untold numbers of your friends and family and lovers and all the strangers you can't hope to meet, know, love.
It's that or catatonic dissociation, and there's way too much to do for such self-indulgence.
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