Customer Reviews

Killbox (Jax, Book 4)

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I forget between the many months that pass between Sirantha Jax books how much I absolutely love them. Ann Aguirre blows me away in each book, and Killbox may be her best yet.

War is coming. The Morguts, flesh eating monsters, that have a 97% kill rate against - everyone - are decimating the universe. Chancellor Tarn, the head of the Conglomerate has asked March, Jax's lover and pilot extraordinaire to become a commander. To build an Armada to fight off the Morgut. Both Jax and March are tired, and beaten but they have that adventurous spirit and the need and the want to help out those in need. Along with their crew, they make a call for anyone and everyone to join up for training, preparation and eventual battle. The odds are against them, and many know this will be their last mission, but camaraderie and perseverance holds strong.

Killbox is a heavy book. There is no light at the tunnel. The world is a dark, bleak place and despair hangs heavy on everyone. Yet, Ann Aguirre writes with such rich emotion that pulls you into these characters and gives you such a strong connection to them. Her characters are so real. Although written in Jax's point of view, I feel like I know them each so intimately. They aren't pretty, they are exhausted, injured, and they look like Hell. They get cranky, and scared. And they are some of my favorite characters to read.

Jax so selfless, and although knows she is a top class jumper among many talents, she has this humble vibe to her - much in part to her lover March. March has taught her love, devotion, and loyalty - or at least has reawakened these attributes in her. They share such private moments in this book, such quiet, hushed, longing embraces, that make the emotion swell out of you. Also, because March can hear Jax's thoughts, we get the intimate not-spoken moments. This book is filled with Morgut slime and guts, spaceship fighting, and gore. But Ann Aguirre somehow weaves in these amazing relationships with prose that takes my breath away.

March is not the only one who gets attention. Vel, Jax's best friend has wonderful page time in this book. He is her rock, who may understand her even more than March. He is such a gentlemen, and is one of the best supporting characters out there. Rounding out the crew are Dina and Hit, who add just a touch of sarcastic humor to the book.

But like I said, this book is gloomy - it's amazing, but war sucks, and Ann Aguirre holds nothing back in showing the face of battle. I don't read a lot of sci-fi but the world, and all the odd phrases and words read very easy and I am able to keep track of everything without difficulty. This series must be read in order. So much has happened in the previous three books to bring us to where we stand with Killbox. And with two books left in the series, I am nervous and excited to reach the end of this journey.

Originally posted at Wicked Lil Pixie Reviews.

One of the reasons that I prefer Urban Fantasy, and now Science Fiction Romance, series to stand-alone novels is because if they are done correctly, you get to experience and enjoy the growth of the heroine throughout the duration of the novels. The Sirantha Jax series is a spectacular example of this! It has become one of my most favorite series to look forward to.

Killbox is the fourth book in the "Jax" series and boy, did this book deliver. We find our heroine Sirantha "Jax" through with her gig as an ambassador for the Conglomerate Ithiss Torr, and she's ready to get back to her roots: jumping in grimspace and overall kicking ass. But along with her new position of power, March has been made a new commander of the Conglomerate Armada. He and Jax must now recruit pirate ships and whomever else they can get to fight on the side of the Conglomerate against the horrifying flesh-eating Morgut. The war has begun between the two forces, and the Conglomerate are desperately outnumbered.

I have to say that while I love Jax and March together as the heroine/hero, my favorite character in the series is actually a secondary character, Vel. What I found most compelling in the last book, and even more so in Killbox, is the connection that Jax and Vel have. He is so heroic and loyal and noble... he and Jax have such an intense relationship that you wonder if Vel is not giving March a run for his money in the romantic relationship area. What is crazy for my sick little mind to wrap around, and I know I'm not alone in this, is that Vel is a Bug. Yes, he is a Bug who wears a human facade to make others more comfortable. Ms. Aguirre drops several hints that even Jax herself is confused by their deep connection; it is undeniable. This is science fiction romance at its best, people!

In this fourth book we see a much more mature and selfless Jax. The first three books in the series have focused more on her point of vies, but with this book even though it is still from her POV she really gets a good grasp on her place in the future of the Conglomerate. To have started out as such a frustratingly selfish character in the first book, Grimspace, she has become a truly selfless character. She places herself right smack in front of danger to save those she has become loyal to and doesn't ever second guess her actions. As with the previous books, this story is dark. War is going on, and the outlook through the book is grim. I sat on the edge of my seat biting my nails through the entire book, no exaggeration. Death and emotional loss are very real components of this war for the universe.

I will warn readers ahead of time that this book ends in a major cliffhanger. One that will make you crazy. It is no surprise, then, that I am chomping at the bit for fifth installment, Aftermath, not out until September, 2011. A year from now! I'm dying! If you have not started this series, get on it. This series cannot be read out of order, so be sure to start with Grimspace (previously reviewed in September).

Grimspace

Wanderlust

Doubleblind

Killbox

Aftermath - 9.2011

Endgame - 9.2012

I was just roaming the sci-fi section in a book two years ago for something different to read. That is when I came across the first book in the Sirantha Jax series(Grimspace)and I've been hooked ever since. Killbox is just as good as Grimspace and will capture you from the beginning to the end. This book leaves you wanting more and looking forward to the next book in this series.

***I highly recommend you read the previous books in this series before reading this book.

Killbox is the fourth installment(after Grimspace, Wanderlust, and Doubleblind) in the series about grimspace "jumper", Sirantha Jax. Jax has quit her ambassador position and taken up arms with her friends to fight with the Conglomerate to protect the galaxy from the flesh eating Morgut. Interwoven among the great battle sequences is her romance with March, and the bonds she has with her friends and comrades. This book has it all! Ann Aguirre has built a fascinating world with Sirantha Jax and company and will leave you breathless for the next book! If you haven't yet discovered this series, you're in for a treat!

I am copying my Goodreads review over here because I wish to see this series get as much advancement as it can!

It is going to be impossible to endure another year after this newest amazing installment in Jax's world. Each book has been more unbelievable than the last. Killbox has left me breathless in its wake with equal amounts of excitement, love and pain. Everyone has grown immensely, many who we never thought possible. The battles are their most extreme and where most would turn tail and hide, Jax and her friends find themselves surrounded by a maturing band of brothers who are all willing to give entirely.

I find it hard not to get emotional just thinking about everything that has happened in this book. And even more so, in what may come to pass. My mind is still reeling. When will the heartache and loss end? What new extremes must they implore beat the odds? How will they overcome without losing themselves in the process?

I do have the uttermost faith that Jax and March will reap the rewards in the end. Their love has grown beyond measure, impossible to even name. You feel everything with them and you just know, no matter what they must endure, they have become the undeniable one and only for each other. Their friendships have solidified as well, making every potential loss that much more fierce. It's scary to think about how they all began, but you experience the greatest pleasure seeing the tight-knit family they have become.

I absolutely cannot recommend this series enough. One of my top favorites, always.

Sirantha Jax, March and their crew struggle with ending the death and destruction of jumpers in Grimspace. However as the peril from the man-eating Morgut expands, the Conglomerate has need of March. They want March to train an Armada whose missions will be to take the war to the deadly pirates and the Morgut.

Jax considers a perilous trek jumping through Grimspace without the use of beacons. Hesitating she wonders if her new nanotechnology will enable her to do the jump or kill her. However, while she vacillates, Jax also knows time is running out.

The fourth Jax science fiction (see Doubleblind, Wanderlust and Grimspace) continues the outer space escapes of the heroine and somewhat less March in the dark (sort of like leaping in grimspace without a beacon) bleak Aguirre universe. The story line is faster than the speed of light as Jax goes from one thrilling adventure to another though she is much more mature but still her philosophy remains shoot first or be killed; questions are irrelevant if you are dead. Fans of the saga will need to set aside time as Killbox is a terrific taut thriller, which sets up book five; newcomers can jump right in and appreciate this entry, but will relish it much more with the reading backlist.

Harriet Klausner

Wow, just...wow. Because I love this series, I was definitely expecting a great story, but what I did not expect was for it to be as emotionally wrenching as it was. Ms. Aguirre's skill with world building is once again showcased, but she really outdid herself in terms of both storytelling and character developement in this one. My one critism would be for the cliffhanger ending, and I suppose I have to confess to throwing the book across the room at that point, right? Needless to say, I cannot wait to read the next installment.

I keep reading this author's books because she writes good characters and stories. Its a struggle though, every time she mentions 'galaxies' when she clearly means a star system or a star cluster at most. Its like saying 'continent' when you mean 'city block' or 'beach' when you mean a clump of dirt.

That aside, the books and the story are enjoyable. A few scenes in Killbox annoyed me, as when much has been made of the difficulty of boarding derelict alien ships, then the hero's team just cuts a hole in the hull. I read it and just found myself thinking, 'Really? The expert salvage teams so far never thought to just cut a hole in the side? And the heroes, who rummage about turning various systems on, THEY don't trigger the self-destruct systems that have plagued other teams?'

Just, you know, wow. Or when an enormous ship out of legend is destroyed in orbit and just no follow up ... really? Ancient nearly mythic ship type by an ancient race and ... oh hey, look, let's go take some shore leave! I won't even go into the ease of how its taken out, after building up in the story how invulnerable it is.

Ugh. Really cringe-worthy moments.

But these sorts of things aside, enjoyable reading. At least its not pervasive typos, like we're seeing with some authors.

Jax is with March and crew jumping again, leaving Ithiss-Tor. She quits her job as ambassador and they are heading back to Emry Station where Surge and Kora have taken charge. Jax agrees to train her first apprentice jumper. The Conglomerate now needs to work on creating policing ships to help protect the space and different worlds from pirates, slavers , the Syndicate, and other troubles lurking. Chancellor Tarn has asked for March's help... Jax learns she is an all new type of jumper... and she just might be able to help save them all...

I like how this book pulls from the last 2 books to work them together. Emry Station and technology. Angus who we learned in Doubleblind has J-gene, and the dream of March's and others from Lachion to create a new academy for jumpers. Jax starts down this path with new methods, ideas, and technology.

Jax seems to be at the top of the game here. She has become the hero type from the influence of March and the crew. And March gets a glimpse of how it feels to be on the other side watching those you love risk their own life for others. Jax has learned a lot about herself in the previous book and in this book it just accelerates. I know I say this with each book, but Jax has come a long way since the nav star she was way back before the series started and she does remind herself off and on. Jax takes on some new technology and things to improve herself, which comes greatly handy. She even shares her DNA to make jumpers better. But the information she gathers to help with the drives and even a few other pieces is what leads us to the ending of this book. Jax has become wonderful at thinking outside the box, which Farwan didn't want jumpers to do. Jax puzzles the pieces together to come up with a wonderful yet heart wrenching idea. War is in full swing, and Jax has an idea to at least slow the Morguts down.

We have a new mysterious, yet key character that shows up here. We only get a small feel for this person through letters passed between this person and Chancellor Tarn. I'm not even sure who or what this character is yet. Or if we have ever met him prior. I don't think so, but don't really know.

I think this book has become my favorite out of the series thus far. There is much that happens here. Jax has to learn to let go of what she is holding so close, what she never had until she met March and the crew. The crew has become a family and close friends. The crew does have to separate here as they need to spreed the knowledge they share with others to defeat the Murgot's and the army they have created with the war starting. A whole new species comes back to life here. Jax and March are even tested to their limits to try to think of the bigger result other than just their love for each other.

As much as I loved broken March, I really liked Commander March too. Oh, I was mad with him at first but who can stay mad at March? Not I or even Jax. Vel isn't as prominent in this book, but the few scenes he and Jax share; Jax pulls at the heart strings regarding her close friend. Who would have thought I could love a bug so... We do see Jax's mother again, surprise surprise, and in a new light as well.

I think this book is the best book of the series yet! Full of action and information. We do get more details here with some technological upgrades, but they are not overly bearing to take over the story. In this book we focus more on the war at hand and the battles that must be won.

The end left me thinking they forgot to attach pages and my jaw hanging open, stuttering. Jax, Hit,... March? The Morguts! Now What!?! Leaves you WANTING Aftermath, which is now available. I CAN'T WAIT to get it on my doorstep here soon. Yes, I ordered my copy already.

Killbox is the fourth book in the Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre.

This book starts where we left in Doubleblind. After leaving Ithiss-Tor Jax contacts Chancellor Tarn and resigns at her post as ambassador. After all the events in Ithiss-Tor they are in need of some time off and decided to head to Emry Station where they are reunited with Surge and Kora. While in Emry Station Chancellor Tarn contacts them again, but this time he is asking for March help. He wants him to be the Commander and organizer of the new Conglomerate's Armada. This Armada would have as a focus to fight the pirates, slavers and the biggest threat of all, the human-eating Morgut. With the lack of available ships March reach to smugglers, pirates and similar and offers them amnesty in exchange for their services. Many accept the dead and beging their training in the new facilities at Emry Station. March thinks he shouldn't be involve with Jax while he is the Commander of the Armada because it won't look good to others and temporally ends the relationship with Jax until after the war is over.

The situation in the universe is worst than expected, Morgut's attacks are increasing and they start to have a pattern. Also Jax realizes Morgut's attacks are almost impossible to anticipate because they do not need to use the beacons to flight through grimspace.

In these dire circumstances extreme measures need to be taken and sacrifices need to be done, without knowing if it will ever be enough.

In this book we see all the characters we love and others we thought lost are brought back to enrich its pages.

The Jax of this book is not the same from book one (Grimspace); she has come a long way and grown immensely. She is more mature and more conscious. Now she is thinking of the consequences before acting, and when she acts is always thinking in others first. Jax has become a selfless woman willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good, without playing the victim role.

Jax is also having a difficult time, the end of her relationship with March is been very hard on her, also her closest friend Vel is sent back to Ithiss-Tor to help the new ambassador. Vel's departure is even tougher on her than March situation. In the course of the events there are more loses for her, making her feel more lonely and isolated.

March is still March. I like him sometimes, I don't like him others. I know Jax is a new and better person in part to him, but still some of his actions don't let me accept him completely. March is in many pages in this book, but I didn't feel his presence as a strong as in previous books. Also I didn't understand his need to end things with Jax, I think he could have handled things better, they were a stable and a known couple. What would have happened if they had been married?

One of the characters I love the most is Vel. He is the noblest being ever. The relationship between him and Jax confuse me. I wish Jax was with him and not with March. I know he is a different kind and nothing less than a bug, but he is the best. I don't even know how to explain it but he complements Jax so perfectly, he is her support and anchor and had always been there for her. Their scenes together were so emotional that they had me in tears. I really hope for something else for them.

In this book Dina let us see her without her hard façade and what she show us made her more real and approachable. Dina and Hit's is relationship is tested as was many others. But even though hearts were hardened or broken, the friendships intensified and bloomed.

Killbox is written from Jax's point of view, but Mrs. Aguirre narrative is so rich and detailed that you know what the other characters are feeling and thinking, almost as much as with Jax.

The world building is superb and innovative. And it's done with such elaboration that sometimes I was wishing I could experience for real what they were experiencing. For example the description of grimspace and the passion Jax feels for it makes me wish I could experience grimspace for myself. That's how talented Mrs. Aguirre is.

Killbox is a roller coaster of emotions that will take you from the highest point to the lowest in a turn of a page. It will have you smiling, crying and wishing for more pages. I take my hat off to Mrs. Aguirre.

I cannot recommend enough this book and this series. Sirantha Jax series must be read in order, and let me tell you the other books are as good as this one. So when you get them prepare yourself for a "Jax marathon" because you won't be able to put them down.