Aftermath (Sirantha Jax Novel) [Mass Market Paperback]

I've probably said this in every Sirantha Jax review I've written, but I'll say it again. I don't read a lot of Sci-Fi. The thought of Sci-Fi just doesn't appeal to me. It's like one step too far past paranormal and I don't have interest. But long ago, someone recommended Grimspace by Ann Aguirre, and I picked it up. And I loved it. I can't help but to compare Sirantha Jax to Kate Daniels (from Ilona Andrews series). They are both so unselfish, honorable, loyal to their friends individuals. They get crap handed to them, and they keep persevering. At one point in Aftermath, Jax is in a pretty dire situation. But she won't use the word "if". It is only "when" she can find her way home. She never gives up on herself, nor the ones she cares about, and for that you can't help but admire her character.

At the end of Killbox, Jax made a big decision. A decision she made on her own, To save the masses, she jumps into grimspace to change the beacons, hoping she can put the ever evil Morgut off track so they can't continue to eradicate species in the universe and take planets for their own. When Jax changes the beacons, the Morgut can't navigate. But neither can the Conglomerate.

As a result of her actions, she saves many (the Morgut lose many of their ships), but kills 600 soldiers. She knows deep down what she did was best for the universe, but those death weigh heavy on her. And the Conglomerate can't let her go unpunished for her actions since she acted on her own. With riots demanding her death, Jax goes to trial for her actions.

This only covers a very small portion of the book but I just don't want to give anything away. I had NO idea how this trial would turn out and there is so much more to this book. The journey we go on, stunned me. Aftermath starts out so emotional. Jax has no idea where March is, or if he is even alive. She is dealing with the guilt of 600 deaths. She is decompressing from this huge decision she had to make, only to be thrown in jail having no idea what her future holds. From page one, the emotional impact of this book is huge. And I thought to myself that this level of intensity can't endure throughout the book. And while it doesn't necessarily, what happens after the trial, just blew me away. And by the end of the book, we reach an entire new emotional high.

For a lot of this book, March and Jax are separated. March is desperate to find his long, lost nephew and having no idea how much time Jax's trial will last, he takes off to another land to start his search. Through a series of letters that Ann Aguirre includes, Jax and March stay in contact. But Vel - oh Vel. Solid, dependable Vel who has become so close to Jax is the one there for her. What we learn about Vel is so good. How did this bug, this non-human with side-set eyes and a cool, hard chitin body become one of my most favorite characters?

Why do I love this series so much? Ann Aguirre is an amazing story teller. She started with this crazy sci-fi world but what she really has given us are unforgettable characters. She doesn't give Jax an easy way out, but she stays true to her characters. She gives us characters that are flawed. That don't know if they are making good decisions but that is okay because the consequences are so fascinating to read about. Most importantly, she makes you realize there are different types of love, and a happily ever after doesn't have to fit into a box. And no matter how dark it gets, Sirantha Jax never gives up on the ones she loves. I have no idea where she will take us in the final book, Endgame, but I. Can't. Wait.

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
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The Sirantha Jax series feels like it's changed so much from those first, frenetic, action-packed books, but I know that's not wholly accurate . Jax's world is as messy and political and fraught with peril as ever, but my relationship with the characters has deepened to the point where they are almost all I see anymore. Though not in an urban fantasy setting, fans will find the species and technologies in this world are written as accessibly as any magic, and the romance and action portrayed definitely fit the kick-butt heroine bill. AFTERMATH, more than any other book in the series, has the flavors of an epistolary novel. Not in the sense that current events are shown only through letters, but the characters that I've grown to love so much pour their hearts out to each other through the emptiness of space in letters and stories and memories.

Those letters are necessary, as political strife and responsibilities separate lovers Jax and March again and again. Nothing brings home the inexorable movement of life than March searching for his nephew on a far away planet while Jax is on trial for her life. That turns out to be the first of many necessary separations for these two over the course of the book. Of course, while March is physically absent, that doesn't mean Jax is alone. Vel is there for her, endlessly loyal and supportive and undemanding. Jax and Vel, each so different from others of their own species, have joined together in a singular tribe of two. Aguirre writes the most human of relationships, without ever glossing over the truly alien differences between them. Aguirre has not created anything so common as a love triangle between Jax and March and Vel. Rather, she has written two distinct futures for our heroine, in which Jax's dreams take on distinctly different, though beautiful, forms.

Maturity feels like too light a word for the transformation Jax has been going through over the last few books. Perhaps Vel has given me a chitinous frame of mind, but I can see Jax breaking free from a brightly colored chrysalis. AFTERMATH is the book where she begins to dry her wings, pulling free of the bonds that have kept her to earth for so long. I would definitely recommend readers start at the beginning for the entire, glorious ride. As for me, my heart is in my throat at the thought of reading the last of this series, ENDGAME. Part of me can't wait for Aguirre to continue weaving her spell, but the rest of me will always remember Jax at the end of AFTERMATH: poised between the poles of two such beautiful destinies, limitless possibilities laid out at her feet.

Sexual Content: References to and descriptions of sex, sex scenes.

Things have been tough for Jax. After altering the navigational beacons in space to avoid widespread attack by the vicious Morgut,she's lauded for her bravery by those that know her,and condemned for the many lives lost as a result. No matter that many more lives would have been lost if she had done differently. Problem is,Jax acted on her own,and it cost her. It's cost the lives of some she loves,and possibly the respect of the man she loves,March. So,the Conglomerate decides that she must stand trial,and charged with desertion,dereliction,mass murder,and high treason,Jax will have to gather her wits,and her friends around her,in order to survive.

Aftermath is the 5th novel in the Sirantha Jax series,and it's just brilliant. The author really puts Jax through the emotional and physical ringer in this one,and while Jax is no stranger to strife,she's also not the same fun-loving party girl she was in Grimspace. Older,wiser,and in many ways deeply wounded,Jax is a complete woman,in nearly every way,though her struggle to balance her love for March (and his new reason to settle down) and her need to jump is a constant stressor. However,one of my favorite parts of this series is her relationship with Vel,the Ithtorian bounty hunter that Jax forges a bond with early on in the series. Yes,Jax's relationship with March is passionate and fraught with uncertainty and danger,but what she has with Vel is steady and pure,and I'll admit,I've always rooted for them. Vel is a insectoid being from a world as far apart from ours as you can imagine,but he's very different from his own kind,as is Jax,and this is part of why their relationship is so enduring,and their bond so strong. Their relationship is tender (no,I'm not talking about sex),enduring,complicated,and at times heart wrenching. It's also one of the things that has brought me back to this series again and again. In Aftermath,Jax goes on trial,is thrust into another world with Vel that may reveal new secrets about the Makers,and learns new things about herself that will change her life forever. Don't like sci-fi? Doesn't matter. I didn't think I liked it either,then I discovered Jax,and a whole new world opened up for me. Ms. Aguirre has struck gold with this series. The writing is superb,the pacing is flawless,and Jax's world is nothing short of fascinating. Jax will delight you,break your heart over and over,and keep you coming back for more. I urge you to give this series a try,and will hope you'll fall in love with Jax,just like I did.