hpstrangelove's review against another edition
5.0
(Audiobook review. Narrator: Jack LeFleur) I loved this book, and Jack LeFleur's narration was spot on. I loved his reading of Sergei, but he did great with everyone. He put the perfect amount of emotion into the story to pull the reader in, never over emphasizing dialog or action scenes. And he really made the sex scenes scorching.
Along with the wonderful narration, the story was compelling. The slow development of the main characters' feelings for each other was believable, which made the betrayal that much more devastating in the end. The world building was also well done. It's easy to have a story fall into 'telling not showing' when it comes to describing a world different from ours, but that didn't happen here. All the supporting characters were as well developed as the two main ones. The only problem I had was with the relationship between two of the supporting characters which never seemed fully explained to me. Maybe that was the intent but it felt like a loose end.
This story is dark, with dub-con sex and torture, so it's not for everyone. I like a plot which, although somewhat predictable, is more than the same old m/m romance found everywhere these days.
Along with the wonderful narration, the story was compelling. The slow development of the main characters' feelings for each other was believable, which made the betrayal that much more devastating in the end. The world building was also well done. It's easy to have a story fall into 'telling not showing' when it comes to describing a world different from ours, but that didn't happen here. All the supporting characters were as well developed as the two main ones. The only problem I had was with the relationship between two of the supporting characters which never seemed fully explained to me. Maybe that was the intent but it felt like a loose end.
This story is dark, with dub-con sex and torture, so it's not for everyone. I like a plot which, although somewhat predictable, is more than the same old m/m romance found everywhere these days.
kira_dance's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
leahkarge's review against another edition
4.0
Dark Edge of Honor tells the story of soldiers on opposing sides: Mike, of Alliance CovOps, and Sergei, of the Doctrine. Mike is tasked with finding out whatever he can about Doctrine movements on the planet of Cirokkan, and that involves getting close to Sergei. Unexpectedly, though, Mike begins to actually care for Sergei, and duty and emotions get irrevocably tangled. After a disastrous mission in the mountain and a couple bouts of torture, secrets finally come out. Eventually, after saving Sergei from an undesirable fate, the two manage to get away together and start planning for a life.
After trying several times to come up with something that sounds really intelligent, and coming up with nothing, all I can say is that this book was really good. Better than I was expecting. Mike and Sergei were both easy to connect to and fall in love with. The plot as a whole was engaging and I was never bored; there were even times when I clutched my Kindle hard, waiting to see what was going to happen next (especially during the torture scenes). Aleksandr Voinov and Rhi Etzweiler have produced a wonderful story.
After trying several times to come up with something that sounds really intelligent, and coming up with nothing, all I can say is that this book was really good. Better than I was expecting. Mike and Sergei were both easy to connect to and fall in love with. The plot as a whole was engaging and I was never bored; there were even times when I clutched my Kindle hard, waiting to see what was going to happen next (especially during the torture scenes). Aleksandr Voinov and Rhi Etzweiler have produced a wonderful story.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. This is a military-setting Sci-Fi with some dark moments in it, as invader and resistance fighter meet, have sex, and then find something more developing between them.
Sergei is a man who has always taken to heart the tenets of the Coalition which he serves as an officer. The focus and discipline ground him, and he truly believes in the philosophy. He sees their invasion as bringing the virtues of the Coalition, with its focus on the group over the individual, to the backward world which his forces are trying to subdue.
Mike is a spy for the Alliance. He dislikes the Coalition's motives and methods, and has a healthy respect for the rights and powers of the individual. Given the opportunity to seduce Sergei, and thereby get close to the aide of a Coalition General, he does so. As an opportunity to spy, it's a success, but Mike doesn't expect to find himself falling for the enemy.
Sergei's lack of any kind of romantic or sexual experience beyond anonymous or forced sex, means that his time with Mike feels like a revelation. He falls for Mike fast. But his basic decency, and his open eagerness to give himself to Mike, has Mike also becoming emotionally involved.
Aleks Voinov does really good enemies-to-lovers books. This one is a bit of a twist on that, because at first only one of the two men knows that they are actually on opposite sides of a smoldering war. And yet he falls in love just as fast as his oblivious counterpart. That gives the book an interesting dynamic, with shifts in the power relationship between the MCs occurring several times as the plot developed.
The first chapter was a bit dry and confusing - I didn't feel like I had a handle on the characters or the political and military situation until a couple of chapters in. But by about the first third, this book had grabbed me and I was fully engaged with both the main characters and the world-building. The story is dark, but the relationship is satisfying. There is an understated sweetness in and between these men that keeps showing in glimpses beneath the horrors of war, of prejudice, of military blind obedience and violence. Sergei in particular is an amazing character.
Sergei is a man who has always taken to heart the tenets of the Coalition which he serves as an officer. The focus and discipline ground him, and he truly believes in the philosophy. He sees their invasion as bringing the virtues of the Coalition, with its focus on the group over the individual, to the backward world which his forces are trying to subdue.
Mike is a spy for the Alliance. He dislikes the Coalition's motives and methods, and has a healthy respect for the rights and powers of the individual. Given the opportunity to seduce Sergei, and thereby get close to the aide of a Coalition General, he does so. As an opportunity to spy, it's a success, but Mike doesn't expect to find himself falling for the enemy.
Sergei's lack of any kind of romantic or sexual experience beyond anonymous or forced sex, means that his time with Mike feels like a revelation. He falls for Mike fast. But his basic decency, and his open eagerness to give himself to Mike, has Mike also becoming emotionally involved.
Aleks Voinov does really good enemies-to-lovers books. This one is a bit of a twist on that, because at first only one of the two men knows that they are actually on opposite sides of a smoldering war. And yet he falls in love just as fast as his oblivious counterpart. That gives the book an interesting dynamic, with shifts in the power relationship between the MCs occurring several times as the plot developed.
The first chapter was a bit dry and confusing - I didn't feel like I had a handle on the characters or the political and military situation until a couple of chapters in. But by about the first third, this book had grabbed me and I was fully engaged with both the main characters and the world-building. The story is dark, but the relationship is satisfying. There is an understated sweetness in and between these men that keeps showing in glimpses beneath the horrors of war, of prejudice, of military blind obedience and violence. Sergei in particular is an amazing character.
mrella's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. The story itself, loved it. At the same time I can't stop bitching about annoying things in the book, either. Just go through my updates, some of it is there.
What I disliked the most is uneven writing, perfectly clear picture one moment and the next is like looking through a dusty window and needing a description. But I don't want actions and emotions described to me. I want to experience them with the characters. Here is an example. Sergei finds out about Mike. What do we get from him? Something along the lines "Well, goddamit. Who could he ...and how could I. I should probably feel bad about it." "And he did," adds the author. The whole two paragraphs and a few scattered sentences. It was a disappointment.
That's not to say the rest of the book was the same way. There are absolutely brilliant parts in it. Never a dull moment.
3.5 stars on BookLikes and Leafmarks, rounding up to 4 here, on GR.
*
Ребяты! В книге присутствует побратим Ульянов! :D
What I disliked the most is uneven writing, perfectly clear picture one moment and the next is like looking through a dusty window and needing a description. But I don't want actions and emotions described to me. I want to experience them with the characters. Here is an example. Sergei finds out about Mike. What do we get from him? Something along the lines "Well, goddamit. Who could he ...and how could I. I should probably feel bad about it." "And he did," adds the author. The whole two paragraphs and a few scattered sentences. It was a disappointment.
That's not to say the rest of the book was the same way. There are absolutely brilliant parts in it. Never a dull moment.
3.5 stars on BookLikes and Leafmarks, rounding up to 4 here, on GR.
*
Ребяты! В книге присутствует побратим Ульянов! :D
ld2's review
5.0
I did not expect my heart to be ripped from my chest when I first picked up this book. Science fiction, military novels can be a bit cheesy at times, but Dark Edge of Honor blew me away. The romance, the world building, the characters…all of it was truly spectacular. I am in awe of the authors’ ability to infuse so many intricate details into an action-packed, steamy, military romance. Plus, the writing style was wonderful. And yes, there is a happy ever after that fits the story perfectly.
The audiobook narration was extremely well-done. I loved the accents the narrator did and the energy he infused into the performance.
The audiobook narration was extremely well-done. I loved the accents the narrator did and the energy he infused into the performance.
poultrymunitions's review
3.0
FUCKYEAH SPACEDRAGONS.
Cunning plot.
Almost gorgeous in its symmetry and opportunity for satisfying conflict, which could easily have powered even more delicious tension for another hundred pages.
The voice in the prose was more playful than what I've seen of Mr. Voinov's catalogue before, and while I haven't yet read any of Ms. Etzweiler's work before this, I assume it is a product of their collaboration. While I prefer and very much admire Voinov's typical efficiency—as my own early work suffered from an unfortunate enthusiasm for extravagance in both tone and style—I find I have an enduring fascination for what the happens to Voinov's razor-sharp and ecumenical prose when passed through the prism of another writer's own distinctions.
But never mind my nerdery—this thing was fun.
Also? FUCKYEAH! DRAGONS! IN SPACE!
Cunning plot.
Almost gorgeous in its symmetry and opportunity for satisfying conflict, which could easily have powered even more delicious tension for another hundred pages.
The voice in the prose was more playful than what I've seen of Mr. Voinov's catalogue before, and while I haven't yet read any of Ms. Etzweiler's work before this, I assume it is a product of their collaboration. While I prefer and very much admire Voinov's typical efficiency—as my own early work suffered from an unfortunate enthusiasm for extravagance in both tone and style—I find I have an enduring fascination for what the happens to Voinov's razor-sharp and ecumenical prose when passed through the prism of another writer's own distinctions.
But never mind my nerdery—this thing was fun.
Also? FUCKYEAH! DRAGONS! IN SPACE!