2 stars for Nightchaser (Endeavor Trilogy book 1) by Amanda Bouchet.
It has been a long time coming since I read a science fiction romance. It is not for lack of trying but the limited pool of space opera novels good enough to make my heart flutter and sweep me off my feet keeps me away from my favourite genre. Frankly, I am hesitant to start another series and a trilogy at that after my last book by this same author, book 2 of Kingmaker Trilogy. But if experience teaches me anything where reading is concerned, it is that there is nothing to lose - save my time - and everything to gain by giving authors a second chance.
A couple of chapters into the story sees me smiling from ear to ear for taking the odds with this author. The writing is remarkable. The plot seems credible. The world building is good going. I tell myself perhaps this is really the one - the epitome of space opera. There is the science in the fiction what with outer space, space travel, space warfare, spacecraft, spacewalk, hyperspace, melodramatic adventure, risk-taking, sophisticated technology and then some. And then, there is the science in the, well, science. There is black hole, wormhole, discoveries of vaccines, hypotheses, experiments, scientists, biological warfare and more.
I will say everything is almost perfect, that is, until the author ruins it by introducing a male character who has the X factor. There is actually nothing wrong with this leading character except that everything about him screams tall, dark and hot to the point of unbelievably unbelievable. In a single exchange within twenty-four hours of meeting the female protagonist, Tess Bailey, X factor cares for pretty much nothing except to get into her hot pants. And the best part? It goes both ways. I am appalled at the sudden change in story direction; from the moment X factor makes his appearance, what is supposedly a science fiction romance is turning into a science fiction erotica. There is absolutely zero romance. How does romance even fit in when there is no passage of time for two people to fall in love and develop into something that lasts for this very reason? Instead, there is craving, hunger and biological urge. Even though the author tries to justify their behaviour with explanations, I still cringe every time the two protagonists come together only to be ruled by a passion which is that of carnal love. Perhaps I am wrong, but somehow, I feel that the author tries to remedy the lust at first sight situation with romance later. But the damage is done. And it becomes terribly obvious from the instant X factor materialises that everything about this story is building towards concluding their game of hide the salami.
Then, there is the issue of foul language. There is just way too many expletives used for my liking. They are in every chapter and everywhere. Ok, maybe I exaggerate some but it seems to me, cuss words are scattered all over the place. A good story does not need that many four-letter words to bring its point across. No, scratch that. A good story does not need any profanity to make it good. Period.
Nightchaser has all the potential to make it as a great science fiction novel, one of its kind. I enjoy this story where elements of science fiction is concerned, but sadly, the same cannot be said for the so-called romance portion. In my opinion, the story can do very well on its own sans an alliance that has nothing to do with love and romance but everything to do with desire and libido that goes into overdrive more times than I can count. As it is, Nightchaser makes a wrong move to chase after the wrong goal somewhere along the line and comes away as a science fiction erotica masquerading as science fiction romance. This is definitely not what I have in mind when I first set out to read this book.
If experience teaches me anything where reading is concerned, it is that it is time to let go of this author.
Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Large Print edition
Publication date: 28 Feb 2019
*** Favourite quote 1 ***
The artwork on the cover jumped right off the page, looking like something straight out of a fairy tale.
*** Favourite quote 2 ***
I heard about their unjust imprisonment and liberated them from an unappreciative source.
~ Nightchaser
Amanda Bouchet
@}--->>--->>-----
Captain Tess Bailey and her crew of Robin Hood-like thieves are desperate and on the run. Pursued by a vicious military general who wants them dead or alive, Tess has to decide if she can trust Shade Ganavan, a tall, dark and arrogant stranger with ambiguous motivations.
What Tess and Shade don't know about each other might get them killed... unless they can set aside their differences and learn to trust each other - while ignoring their off-the-charts chemistry.
Shade swallowed the bad taste in his mouth. Two hundred million. He could buy back his birthright and live like a king forever on that.
Captain T. Bailey.
Beautiful. Ballsy. And Brave.
A wanted criminal.
Indecision clawed at his chest. He knew where she was.
The easiest nab and grab of his life was waiting for him. He could land two hundred million in his account. Double that if she still had the goods.
*Blurb from Goodreads*
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