redhairedashreads's review
3.0
3 stars - I liked it
Captain Leigh Alphin is the captain of the Fighter Force of the battleship Valiant Knox and is known as a hardass. He is an honorable and straightforward man who finds himself falling for one of his new recruits. While he tries to keep his distance, circumstances keep pulling them closer and he can’t resist Mia.
I expected Leigh to be a stuffy military captain and he was, but he was also surprisingly sweet and open with his feelings towards Mia. He tries to resist Mia but when he realizes he can’t he goes all in with his feelings and is willing to give up everything for her, which was very sweet. Mia was an extremely smart woman who I liked. I liked that she tries to set boundaries and keep them to protect Leigh and her jobs and reputations, even if it doesn’t work in the end.
My only real complaints about this book are that I think it was a little too easy for Mia to access systems on the Vaillant Knox. While it kept the story moving, I did have a few moments where I questioned how easily she accessed sensitive information and messed with cameras and systems. Also, while I did enjoy Mia and Leigh’s relationship, it still bothered me that this is a commanding officer falling for a new recruit who is only 21. This kind of trope bothers me a little because I know how easy it is for this to be abused, but I think Leigh was an honorable man who wasn’t abusing his situation. I just know I was a little put off by this in the beginning when their relationship was still being worked out.
This book also finally provides us with the history of this war and why it started. I know after finishing the first book I was left with a lot of questions about why this all was happening and now most of those have been resolved. The CSS definitely should not win but their recent changes in attacking has definitely made it harder for the UEF to stop them. This has definitely made this whole war very tense and makes me very interested in seeing what will happen in the next book.
Trigger Warnings: on page attempted rape; PTSD; violence and injuries
heabooknerd's review
4.0
DAMAGE CONTROL answers several questions I had about the war and how it started. I liked all the subterfuge the CSS is now using to fight. I obviously don’t want the CSS to win but I like that their advancing warfare is creating new elements to the fighting and ramping up the tension of the story. I can’t wait to see what comes in the next book.
I really liked Leigh in this one, even when he was being a stuffy military Captain. Though he wanted to resist Mia once he realized he couldn’t, he went all in on his feelings. They were a little bit of insta-love but this has never bothered me so I didn’t mind it here. I loved how much Leigh cared for Mia and how he wanted to protect and defend her whenever possible. Plus, let’s be honest, isn’t it always a fantasy that the man who loves you will give up anything and everything to be with you? Leigh does this with little reservation even knowing how drastic the consequences could be. This isn’t a criticism per se, just personal opinion. I’m just not a fan of all the military rules and regulations that control every aspect of a person’s life. This book is military sci-fi romance so there’s nothing I can do there, I did know what I was getting into.
Some things seemed a little too easy for Mia to access and it makes me wonder how safe the Valiant Knox really is. Maybe she’s just that amazing of a hacker but I would expect some top level security on a battleship at the front lines. Also I would have assumed there would be cameras everywhere but maybe this is just a misconception I have about spaceships. Though it’s mentioned a few times that Mia or Leigh have turned cameras off or hacked into systems I just figured a military space ship would be one place where it’s really hard to keep something secret. I wasn’t overly bothered by this but the thoughts did cross my mind a few times.
Content Warning: Mia is attacked by a secondary character who attempts to rape her
I really liked Leigh in this one, even when he was being a stuffy military Captain. Though he wanted to resist Mia once he realized he couldn’t, he went all in on his feelings. They were a little bit of insta-love but this has never bothered me so I didn’t mind it here. I loved how much Leigh cared for Mia and how he wanted to protect and defend her whenever possible. Plus, let’s be honest, isn’t it always a fantasy that the man who loves you will give up anything and everything to be with you? Leigh does this with little reservation even knowing how drastic the consequences could be. This isn’t a criticism per se, just personal opinion. I’m just not a fan of all the military rules and regulations that control every aspect of a person’s life. This book is military sci-fi romance so there’s nothing I can do there, I did know what I was getting into.
Some things seemed a little too easy for Mia to access and it makes me wonder how safe the Valiant Knox really is. Maybe she’s just that amazing of a hacker but I would expect some top level security on a battleship at the front lines. Also I would have assumed there would be cameras everywhere but maybe this is just a misconception I have about spaceships. Though it’s mentioned a few times that Mia or Leigh have turned cameras off or hacked into systems I just figured a military space ship would be one place where it’s really hard to keep something secret. I wasn’t overly bothered by this but the thoughts did cross my mind a few times.
Content Warning: Mia is attacked by a secondary character who attempts to rape her
saschadarlington's review against another edition
4.0
Directly preceding [bc:Cover Fire|32929881|Cover Fire (Valiant Knox #3)|Jess Anastasi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496160460s/32929881.jpg|53547624]Cover Fire, a novel by Jess Anastasi I reviewed back in June (you can read the review here) is the novel Damage Control, which I am reviewing today. And, yes, I read them out of order, which you probably shouldn’t do. However, if you’re a fan of Laura Griffin or Suzanne Brockman and like the idea of a little sci-fi thrown in, I recommend that you give the Valiant Knox series a try—but, in order. 😉
I enjoyed Damage Control almost as much as I enjoyed Cover Fire. There is a lot of action and a good mystery, although because I had read Cover Fire, I already knew who the spy was. Still it was interesting to watch it all unfold.
read more here: https://saschadarlington.me/2017/09/11/review-of-damage-control-valiant-knox-2/
I enjoyed Damage Control almost as much as I enjoyed Cover Fire. There is a lot of action and a good mystery, although because I had read Cover Fire, I already knew who the spy was. Still it was interesting to watch it all unfold.
read more here: https://saschadarlington.me/2017/09/11/review-of-damage-control-valiant-knox-2/
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Back into the action with the crew of the Valiant Knox. Kai is still adjusting to being back in control of his ship and impending fatherhood! So now it is up to the aptly named Alpha to save the day.
Leigh Alphin is at the top of his game. Designated as CAFF he is in charge of an elite wing of pilots.
But when a shuttle carrying recruits is targeted by the CSS, he gets onboard and saves a new recruit, Mia and her friend. But he seems to take way much more interest in her than he knows is healthy. And when she becomes a necessary aide in his mission to rout out the moles on board, they steadily grow closer.
Mia knows it is a BAD idea to mess around with her instructor. But he is everything she ever wanted in a man. They both know they have to be careful and that nothing can really come of their relationship. So why can't either of them keep away?!?!? Mia may be young but she is incredibly smart and a pretty awesome hacker! She manages to scrape up some good leads...all whilst fending off the odious Steve and his cronies AND trying to pass the flight exams.
There is a real slow burn to the passion, given the characters age gap and kinda taboo nature of their relationship. But Mia is no princess and she can give as good as she gets and surprises everyone on board, not just Alpha. My favourite scene between the two of them occurs in a jet and well... lets just say cramped quarters does wonders for the passion rating!!
We see a bit more of the CSS in this and I'm dying to know what happens next?? Who is next to fall in love - Brenn, Seb or maybe Cam????
Leigh Alphin is at the top of his game. Designated as CAFF he is in charge of an elite wing of pilots.
But when a shuttle carrying recruits is targeted by the CSS, he gets onboard and saves a new recruit, Mia and her friend. But he seems to take way much more interest in her than he knows is healthy. And when she becomes a necessary aide in his mission to rout out the moles on board, they steadily grow closer.
Mia knows it is a BAD idea to mess around with her instructor. But he is everything she ever wanted in a man. They both know they have to be careful and that nothing can really come of their relationship. So why can't either of them keep away?!?!? Mia may be young but she is incredibly smart and a pretty awesome hacker! She manages to scrape up some good leads...all whilst fending off the odious Steve and his cronies AND trying to pass the flight exams.
There is a real slow burn to the passion, given the characters age gap and kinda taboo nature of their relationship. But Mia is no princess and she can give as good as she gets and surprises everyone on board, not just Alpha. My favourite scene between the two of them occurs in a jet and well... lets just say cramped quarters does wonders for the passion rating!!
We see a bit more of the CSS in this and I'm dying to know what happens next?? Who is next to fall in love - Brenn, Seb or maybe Cam????
marie_thereadingotter's review
4.0
Review:
http://pagestoexplore.blogspot.com/2015/10/review-damage-control-by-jess-anastasi.html
http://pagestoexplore.blogspot.com/2015/10/review-damage-control-by-jess-anastasi.html
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