Customer Reviews

Shades of Dark

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This sequel to Gabriel's Ghost was great! I loved every minute of Chaz & Sully's journey. Very emotional and romantic read with a bit of "dark" tones. The ending kind of left me hanging - what will happen to them? Does Gabriel go free? or will he be condemned for his "talent" or did he lose his talent? The author does not say & I hope the next book will, hopefully, answer these questions. Highly recommend to all science fiction romance readers!

*If you're reading this before Gabriel's Ghost, stop, turn around and go get Gabriel's Ghost first. Then come back and read this one. Seriously, folks.

In retrospect, after everything Sully and Chaz go through, Shades of Dark is the perfect descriptor for the evolution their relationship endures. It's been three months since they infiltrated the jukor-breeding lab on the Marker space station. Now it's time to go after the big guns, the brains and monetary brawn behind it all and the mobile ship lab coasting across the universe, breeding even more jukors. The continued kidnapping of Takan females to use as breeding machines is quickly escalating a desperate situation towards open war.

Sully and Chaz are adamant as ever in their resolve to stop the bloodthirsty creatures from getting loose as well as annihilating those behind it. Their mission has never been in question. What is though is their relationship. Sully's powers grow stronger everyday, yet do not become easier to bear. Chaz is his firm support, however he needs it, but when a new crew member comes aboard, another with powers like Sully's, their love will undergo the ultimate test of wills and survival. No one ever said saving the universe was easy, but no one ever warned them it would demand - and take - so much of them personally either.

Sully and Chaz are one of the most passionate couples I've ever had the pleasure of reading - and this isn't even a romance! We learn a lot more about the two in terms of how they came to be a couple. I thought I was already as invested in their relationship as I could get. Wrong, I was so wrong in that regard. This may not be a romance, but a lot of other romance couples could learn a thing or two from Chaz and Sully. The conflict between these two was HUGE! Again, Sully's powers are a major contender for foremost villain. But it was stepped up quite a few notches in this sequel to Gabriel's Ghost, where it seemed as though they'd at least come to an understanding, a compromise in terms of Sully's powers effecting them as a couple. Wrong again - at least somewhat. Sully, despite a willing and wonderful partner, still feels very much alone as he struggles to control the darker instincts of his Kyi-Ragkiril nature. He's not had the benefit of growing up learning and adapting to his skills and therefore perfecting them into something usable and at his whim rather than him at the power's whim. It was heart wrenching at times to read, the uncertainty and self-doubt he goes through.

The third that steps in, takes the scales that are trying to balance and throws them into the outer reaches of space is another Kyi-Ragkiril, one Cordell Delkavra, Captain Regarth - or Del, as he is preferably called. it is hard to talk too much about him without giving everything away. He is the core of it all, the igniter to not only Sully and Chaz's relationship, but the main plot as well. At first, it's very hard to ascertain his motives and I wanted to know them right away, very much. Something about him fascinated me from the get go, but also a thread of unease crept in and refused to go away. He definitely makes the book more interesting. It had lagged a bit in pace till he shows up. But when he does show up, hold on to whatever you can because he is the engine, the creator behind the roller coaster that engages the moment he steps into the picture.

And then we have Admiral Phillip Guthrie, who will be getting his own book in the future, titled Hope's Folly (Feb.24, 2009). He becomes a valuable asset, as well as a solid friend, to Chaz. There were moments where I had to chuckle or sigh, when he and Chaz clearly show they've come to an understanding and forgiven where they ended up with each other. Phillip's sporting major whispers of hero duds and I can't wait to see how he handles his own full length story.

This book had me by the throat and more times than I could count, my heart leaped up there too to join in. I really needed time after finishing to come down from the cliff it put me on. A somewhat sad thing for me is I still feel like I'm on that cliff, hoping, heart pounding and dread escalating. But to me, this also speaks powerfully of how well the story engaged me. With Gabriel's Ghost, I became so enamored of Chaz and Sully and their slightly awkward, painfully wonderful love story and in Shades, I'm so torn for them, literally aching at some points and in tears others. But there were also truly beautiful moments, flickers of romance and passion that could make any reader feel their connection. I was reserved by the ending and wished for a bit longer resolution, but not sad in the least for having read the book. I enjoyed it, I was moved by it and I feel as if I have read something realistic in terms of the situations, complications and the hopes, needs and longings of these characters. Ms. Sinclair definitely gives them their due in a powerful way and I came, ultimately, to respect how far she is willing to take her characters. Four and a half stars, almost a perfect read. Based on an Advanced Review Copy.

Captain Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren is no longer the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she is a fugitive from the corrupted Empire. She is captain of the Boru Karn, the ghost ship belonging to Gabriel Ross Sullivan "Sully". Sullivan, the man, is the most confusing being Chaz has ever met. He is one of the extremely rare human Kyi-Ragkiril. It is as though he is two men in one and sharing a mind link with Chaz, his wife. Chaz loves the entire package of Sully/Gabriel and has learned to call him by the name of whatever aura (for lack of a better word) he has around him. "Sully" is the warm human man, often cocky, and always available to help with the needs and concerns of Chaz and the crew. "Gabriel" is the wild human, domineering most times, hardly in control, and possessive of his wife. As one entire package, Sullivan is a mercenary who is slowly learning to control his Kyi-Ragkiril powers. Fleet and normal humans hate/fear the six-fingered, blue-skinned Stolorths who are Ragkiril. The instant they learn what Sullivan is, they cast him into the same hate filled category, a Soul-stealer.

Chaz and Sully are hunting a ship breeding monsters before those monsters are released and started hunting them, so their hands are already kept busy. But when Chaz hacks into an Imperial drone for news, she learns that her brother, Thad, has been stripped of command and is being held for questioning (about her and Sullivan) before he is executed for treason. They know it is a ploy, by Sully's cousin Hayden Burke, to draw them out of hiding, but it still works.

They must locate and join forces with Admiral Philip Guthrie (Chaz's ex-husband) and Del (a full powered Kyi-Ragkiril too attracted to Chaz) if the fractured Empire is to have any chance of surviving.

***** This story has long been in the making and I had high expectations of it. I am happy to say that am not disappointed in the least. There are a few times the story got slow, but these sections are filled with much needed information. Such as in life, not everything is nice and tidy. The author can decide to end the tale right here, right now, or publish another novel and continue this amazing adventure. I sincerely hope to see these characters again.

The character of Sully/Gabriel can sound confusing while reading the synopsis; however, readers need not fear becoming confused. The story is crystal clear and flows smoother than silk. Author Linnea Sinclair is a natural when it comes to giving her characters multiple major problems while keeping her story easy to understand and hard to pull away from. Fantastic! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

This is Ms Sinclair's best book yet, but as someone said before don't read it if you have not read Gabriel's Ghost. If you are not a Romance reader don't let the overly Romance-ish cover keep you away from this book.
Shades of Dark is romantic, but it's also definitely the second book in a Science Fiction series. Things are evolving and in this book. Chaz and Sully's relationship, Sully's relationship with his crew and his mission, Sully's relationship with his mental powers, Chaz's relationship with her ex-husband and the political structure of the universe where the story takes place all change over the course of the action. Not all those changes are finished at the end, and that might be unsettling to readers looking for a quick Romance fix, but seen as part of a larger story arc this book works, and works well.

I really like that the lovers in this book are both experienced adults, not sweet young things. They have quirks and warts and baggage, and love each other anyway. Even today and on-gong love story about more than two dimensional adults is a rare thing. I also really like that you could take out all the sex in the book and it would still work as a ripping good SF adventure. All too often in Science Fiction Romance the Science Fiction part of the plot is an afterthought. Linnea Sinclair is leading the pack of new writers who are working to change that.

I was disappointed in this book. Linnea Sinclair has been purchased and read for her type of book. Fascinating worlds, in depth main characters and great storylines. Gabriel's Ghost followed all these standards. Shades of dark keep in depth characters, but how they react is very disturbing. I don't like the characters anymore and I certainly do not like the story or how they act in the story. Also, that is all the story is. Them and their emotional trials and tribulations. Boring! The other books by this author I will continue to re-read because I have enjoyed them so much. This book and it looks like the next book, I will not even look at.

Just finished reading and I need to vent! I really wanted to like this book. I loved the previous one, Gabriel's Ghost, so I was looking forward to more Chaz and Sully. Unfortunately two things really bothered me about this book....

****************Spoiler alert****************

My main issue here is the ending, it's totally incomplete. Does Sully get his sight back? How many and what powers does he have left? Can and will he re-establish the Ky'saran link with Chaz? How do they resolve the issues that came up when Del was around??? Did they kill all the jukors? What happens to Hayden and his money? Is there another Chaz/Sully book coming out or are we left hanging?

The other thing that bugged me is Thad. Was he truly forced to tell what he knew about Sully? Was it zragkor or did he just sell out? I was glad he and chaz had become friends in the previous book. He really cared about his sister and then all of a sudden he's cut out of the story. Harsh. I was hoping he wasn't really dead but escasped or something....the product description led me to believe this would be a bigger part of the story but it was almost a side issue. :(

Definitely darker (hence the title I'm sure)than the previous story. Had a few good one-liners. Del was truly creepy most of the time, I wish he hadn't been.

I'm not giving up on this author yet....but right now I'm dissapointed.

I can't say anymore than what the others who have reviewed this wonderful novel have said, except, please let there be a third book. Yes I know Admiral Philip Guthrie is getting his own book called Hope's Folly in Spring 09 (which I'm dying to read), but please let us have more of Captain Chasidah "Chaz" Bergren and Gabriel Ross Sullivan. What a fantastic relationship. I want to see more as it grows.

Shades of Dark is very well written, but plodding. Where Ghost was a non-stop roller coaster ride, this story didn't start to show any of that same spark until the last 75 pages. And when that last section of the book hit, it was great.

I was hoping for more Ren, since he's such a neat character.

Philip Guthrie, turned out to be the gem of this story. He's gone from being a stuffy-type to a truly interesting person the reader feels for. I'm interested in where his life takes him, now that Fleet and the Empire are out to get him.

Linnea Sinclair's Shades of Dark, which is destined to be a sci-fi romance classic that I urge you to pick up as fast as you can. You will not be disappointed in the least!

Shades of Dark takes place three months after Gabriel's Ghost ends. Sully, Chaz and their crew are fugitives, trying to stop Sully's cousin and his partner in crime by taking over the galaxy. These villains are able to re-create mutant beasts called Jukors that were used by the Empire. Because these things were so dangerous and hard to control, the Empire stopped all creation of them. Sully and Chaz's self determined mission is to fine these illegal labs where the Jukors are being made and try and stop these horrendous clones before it is too late.

Things are a bit touch and go, especially because Sully is a rare human breed called a Kyi Ragkiril who has telepathic and telekinetic abilities. His kind are so feared that he would be killed right on the spot. Sully is slowly losing his identity as a human because he is not sure he can control his powers. His only hope is Chaz, who is his ky'sara. As his ky'sara, Chaz can feel all of Sully thoughts and emotions, and the same goes for Sully. They are soul mates in the literal sense and when Sully makes love to Chaz, she does literally see stars! Sully likes to show Chaz the stars a lot! Yup, much more intimate moments going on between Sully and Chaz here! :D

Even though Sully and Chaz are happy to be together, they are never safe, especially when her brother is arrested for treason. Now more than ever they must find these labs and through some rumors and inside information from associates, they may have the perfect man to aid them. His name is Regarth Serian Cordell Delkavra otherwise known as Captain "Del" Regarth who is also a Stolorth and a Kyi. He is willing to help for a price and seems to take an interest in Chaz.

As Del joins Sully and Chaz, Del helps train Sully to control his kyi abilities. But Chaz doesn't like the way Del works. Del is a sleazy yet seductive character who not only wants to have a special relationship with Sully but wants to be a part of what Chaz and Sully have together! Yup, an intergalactic Kyi ménage. Now before you all become shocked and think, why, is Linnea going to go where none of her stories have gone before, Del's "blackmail" shall we say, is very subtle. Chaz makes the assumption and Del doesn't deny or agree.

Chaz is in between a rock and hard place. Her brother may end up dead, Sully is loosing himself more and more as a Kyi and Del keeps giving her the dirty eye that makes her want to shower. And then her ex-husband Philip shows up and that is when the real fun begins!

Shades of Dark is a masterpiece of science fiction fantasy. This is everything I was looking for in a book from a stellar love story, some of the most excellent written characters that I have read in such a long time and some twists that made me shout out loud. I am not one to shout as I read, but Linnea's books tend to do that to me. For an author to bring such emotion from myself is truly a master. Shades of Dark is one of these books that is a work of art.

Katiebabs
Gabriel's Ghost

When we last left Chasidah Bergren, former pride of the Sixth Fleet, and Gabriel Sullivan, a rare human Kyi-Ragkiril, in GABRIEL'S GHOST they had just destroyed an illegal jukor lab on Marker and had barely escaped with their lives, thanks largely to Chaz's ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and her estranged brother Thad. Both men now knew Sully's secret, a secret that could jeopardize both of their lives. They had also learned that the political corruption went all to the top of the Imperial government, with First Barrister Darius Tage who they had trusted unquestionably with the most sensitive information pulling the strings along with Sully's cousin, Hayden Burke, who had been endowed with the Sullivan fortune and intended to keep it. Power corrupts and it will affect the heroes as well as the villains in their next incredible adventure, SHADES OF DARK.

When we pick up their story, the Boru Karn is on a mission to destroy a second, space bound, jukor lab but they are not exactly sure where to locate it. Guardian Drogue, an Englarian Monk and Sully's former mentor, had arranged for them to meet with an informant known only as Dell on Narfial. When Chaz taps into a news beacon, her largest concern is that information regarding Sully's feared and abhorred talents had been broadcast across the galaxy. If that were the case, their connections would rapidly dry up and Sully would face unbearable rejection from every one whose respect he had earned or whose trust he had carefully cultivated, including his crew. The news is not good. Although there is no mention of Sully's genetic aberration, Chaz learns that her brother has been imprisoned, and knows that Tage and Burke will stop at nothing to get the information they want from him. Should Thad resist, a Stolorth Ragkiril would glean his knowledge the hard way. Either way Thad was dead man. Although Chaz is torn with the strong need to rescue her brother, her Fleet training kicks in, and she knows that the needs of the many supercedes the needs of the one. They must get to Del ASAP before the damning information is revealed.

Sully agrees, but more trouble soon follows. When they are intercepted by a Farosian Infiltrator, it becomes painfully obvious that a trusted member of his own crew had betrayed their trust. Painful as it may be, Sully knows he must break his hard and fast rule about probing his friends' minds and discovers the culprit.

Sully's fears regarding the confrontation are justifiable. Kyi-Ragkirils are highly motivated by strong emotions, both pleasure and pain. His relationship with Chaz, his bondmate, has strengthened his power radically and he doesn't know what's happening to him or how to control it. It frightens him. Predictably he loses control during the interrogation and Chaz is forced to take drastic action.

With the conspirator confined, the Karn proceeds to the rendezvous point. Another surprise awaits them in Del, one who will test Sully beyond anything he could ever have imagined, putting both his personal ethics and his relationship with Chaz into question. The Kyi is seductive and Sully's new mentor is not endowed with human morality. What price will these lovers pay for his assistance?

I have read books that I couldn't put down before, but nothing has compared to the experience of reading SHADES OF DARK. I found myself hurtling through space, experiencing every twist, every emotion, every betrayal and every victory. There were moments (many) in which Del made my flesh crawl, as his culture and will collided with Chaz and Sully's. Yet in the end he was honorable in his own way. Chaz's self control astounded me, while her compassion left me completely in awe. Sully, what can I say, this is a trial by fire for him and he emerges sadder but wiser. Granted he makes grave errors on the way to finding himself but there is nothing he will not do in order to redeem himself. The love he and Chaz share is inspirational.

All I can say is wow, this book should win every literary award on the planet, and then some. If you read one SF romance this year, make it SHADES OF DARK. And if you haven't yet read GABRIEL'S GHOST run, don't walk, to the nearest bookstore and read it first. BTW fans of this series - get excited! Ms. Sinclair is currently working on a story for Admiral Philip Guthrie, which she is calling HOPE'S FOLLY. I personally cannot wait. ~ Reviewed for PNR Reviews "Staff Top Pick"