Gabriel's Ghost

Sumptuous Sci-Fi I picked up this book in an effort to be a be

Sumptuous Sci-Fi

I picked up this book in an effort to be a better member in the Vaginal Fantasy online book club/hangout. Not really familiar with the whole reading-with-others thing, this was a branching-out of sorts for me. The first book recommendation that I had not already read from this group (That I could get a copy of) I decided to give it a go...and discovered a remarkable story that left me in places both awed and enthused by the many twists that our intrepid heroes navigated both in and out of space.

Sci-fi is not really my genre of choice...not that I dislike space in any particular way, but sci-fi books tend to be a bit more heavy-handed on the science speak than I enjoy. It was a bit of a stretch for me to decide to give this title a go, but once I picked it up and began reading a supposedly difficult decision become zen simple. I was drawn in from the first, a magnetism that never really let up. This book both surprised and impressed me with the author’s skill at taking a setting that usually leaves me cold and turning it into an intriguing playground.

The simple yet twisting plot of this book struck me as a fairly standard device. The goal was introduced in the beginning chapters and working toward said goal while obstacles keep being set in their path composed the plot arch that moved the characters forward. Not a reinvention of the wheel, but very well done for what it was. The world-building that was revealed through the plot’s progression was, I felt, the compelling momentum that kept the story from being predictable or stale feeling. The tensions between different groups, and the prejudices behind them, were a living dynamic that propelled the characters forward as much, if not more, than the end goal. It is with these characters that I felt this book truly shined. By illuminating both strengths weaknesses Ms. Sinclair was able to create a human character with faults and insecurities along with all the gifts, talents and confidence that make a strong and compelling character. Gabriel's Ghost is truly a humanistic tale...even—and in some cases especially—when dealing with characters that are not completely human.

Shades of Dark, The follow-up book in this series, is most definitely going on my buy list. I want to know what happens to Chaz and our intrepid Gabriel as they continue the journey they have begun. This book gave me the impetus to continue to broaden my horizons, now knowing it can mean being introduced to wonderful works and worlds. I give this book a strong four stars.

This Book Is Like Crack!

(Originally posted http://book-addicts.com/blog/2010/08/review-gabriels-ghost-by-linnea-sinclair/)

I read this book because one of my partners in crime, who will remain anonymous, mentioned Sci Fi romance. Sci Fi romance? Who ever heard of such a thing? So when Suzan lent me her copy of Gabriel's Ghost I found out first-hand that yes, Sci Fi romance does exist!

The story begins with Captain Chasidah (or Chaz) finding herself wrongfully imprisoned on a very harsh planet where no one is expected to survive long. Not only does this book begin with the right amount of action, tension, and suspense, they are carried throughout its four hundred eighty eight pages consistently and skillfully.

The adventure and romance between Chaz and Sully from the moment they reunite causes sparks to fly and danger to come at them from every corner. There's even a nice subtle blend of political intrigue thrown in to enhance the depth of the plot as it comes to its very fulfilling and deeply satisfying end.

What I liked the most about Chaz was she kept her own throughout the story. There was a lot that was thrown at her that tested and even sometimes went against her faith and what she had been trained to believe. Her morals were solid and she fell back on them often in order to do what she felt was right.

Sully was every bit the beguiling and flirtatious rogue who, like an onion, ended up having even more deeper layers than first glance. Not only was he a great romantic interest for Chaz with sizzling tension, but his story was just as deep as Chaz's and the combination of both was like a root beer to ice-cream: Delicious!

I recommend this book to all readers who are interested in escaping to a distant galaxy where humans coexist with other alien races and fight to keep the delicate peace. It's a thrilling tale that tests the boundaries of acceptance, tolerance and staying true to oneself no matter what the cost.

I should also mention this book has earned several awards: Romance Writers of America RITA Award for Best Paranormal Romance (2006), Sapphire Award, P.E.A.R.L. (Paranormal Excellence Award for Romantic Literature), and the PRISM Award. All well deserved!

I was so impressed by this book!

I picked this on a whim, because I am a fan of both science fiction and romance. Ms. Sinclair gets the highest marks from me in both genres. She has crafted a believable, complex and exciting world of the future and inhabited it with fascinating and fully realized characters. The story was fast-paced, and the plot complex and exciting. The relationships between the characters were particularly well drawn for science fiction, which sometimes tends to rely too much on plot and "world building" and too little on character. The romance aspect of the story was interwoven believably with the action and never seemed to be extraneous or slow the pace of the plot.

Jennifer Wardrip - Personal Read

Linnea Sinclair got me hooked on romantic sci-fi with her last Bantam Dell release, FINDERS KEEPERS. Now, with GABRIEL'S GHOST, she's outdone herself once again, perfectly balancing the love story of her two main characters with her vivid descriptions of world-building that you're not soon to forget.

Pilot Chasidah Bergren was the one-time darling of the Imperial Sixth Fleet, a woman who could take the interstellar patrol ship she commanded in and out of places that no one else would ever dare. She's a strong woman with an independent nature, and her rough childhood had shown her that the only person she could truly depend on was herself. Now, though, it's going to take a lot more than luck and good piloting skills to save her from the situation she's in. Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Chas has been court-martialed, found guilty, and sent to the prison planet of Moabar to serve her sentence. Not only is she an innocent woman forced to interact with hardened criminals, the harsh climate of the planet alone is almost enough to kill her-if the guards don't do it first. And as if things weren't already bad enough, one moment of danger turns into Chas killing a guard in self-defense-and suddenly she is guilty of a crime, with nowhere to run to or hide.

Who should show up just when she needs him except for Gabriel "Sully" Sullivan, a ghost from Chas's past that she'd never thought to see again. Actually, all indications pointed to Sully being dead, but the legendary mercenary, smuggler, and all around baddie is alive and well-and intent on rescuing Chas from the dangers of Moabar. Rescue her? Sully? Sure, he'd been known to show up at the strangest times, but it's pretty darn weird for him to arrive on the prison planet just when she needs him the most-and Sully knows it. Sully, though, has his own agenda, mainly getting Chas off of Moabar and coercing her to agree to help him with his plans-without her finding out the secret he's been hiding for years.

As sparks fly, like they always have, between these two head-strong individuals, they must avoid the guards of Moabar who set chase, the Imperial Sixth Fleet officers who set Chas up for her fall from grace, and the people behind the breeding jukors, the deadly creatures that Sully is on a mission to destroy. As their feelings go from deep-seated aversion to warm-hearted attraction, Chas and Sully must stay alive long enough to clear Chas's good name and reputation, and for Sully to complete his mission.

Ms. Sinclair does a perfect job of blending sci-fi, technology, world-building, and romance in GABRIEL'S GHOST. For all lovers of science fiction romance, this book is not one to be missed. If you're like me, when you're finished you'll be eagerly anticipating her next release, AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS.

Originally Posted on Romance Junkies

Linnea Sinclair got me hooked on romantic sci-fi with her last Bantam Dell release, FINDERS KEEPERS. Now, with GABRIEL'S GHOST, she's outdone herself once again, perfectly balancing the love story of her two main characters with her vivid descriptions of world-building that you're not soon to forget. Pilot Chasidah Bergren was the one-time darling of the Imperial Sixth Fleet, a woman who could take the interstellar patrol ship she commanded in and out of places that no one else would ever dare. She's a strong woman with an independent nature, and her rough childhood had shown her that the only person she could truly depend on was herself. Now, though, it's going to take a lot more than luck and good piloting skills to save her from the situation she's in. Accused of a crime she didn't commit, Chas has been court-martialed, found guilty, and sent to the prison planet of Moabar to serve her sentence. Not only is she an innocent woman forced to interact with hardened criminals, the harsh climate of the planet alone is almost enough to kill her-if the guards don't do it first. And as if things weren't already bad enough, one moment of danger turns into Chas killing a guard in self-defense-and suddenly she is guilty of a crime, with nowhere to run to or hide. Who should show up just when she needs him except for Gabriel 'Sully' Sullivan, a ghost from Chas's past that she'd never thought to see again. Actually, all indications pointed to Sully being dead, but the legendary mercenary, smuggler, and all around baddie is alive and well-and intent on rescuing Chas from the dangers of Moabar. Rescue her? Sully? Sure, he'd been known to show up at the strangest times, but it's pretty darn weird for him to arrive on the prison planet just when she needs him the most-and Sully knows it. Sully, though, has his own agenda, mainly getting Chas off of Moabar and coercing her to agree to help him with his plans-without her finding out the secret he's been hiding for years. As sparks fly, like they always have, between these two head-strong individuals, they must avoid the guards of Moabar who set chase, the Imperial Sixth Fleet officers who set Chas up for her fall from grace, and the people behind the breeding jukors, the deadly creatures that Sully is on a mission to destroy. As their feelings go from deep-seated aversion to warm-hearted attraction, Chas and Sully must stay alive long enough to clear Chas's good name and reputation, and for Sully to complete his mission. Ms. Sinclair does a perfect job of blending sci-fi, technology, world-building, and romance in GABRIEL'S GHOST. For all lovers of science fiction romance, this book is not one to be missed. If you're like me, when you're finished you'll be eagerly anticipating her next release, AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS, which is set to be released on December 27th.

I loved, loved, loved this book!!!!!

Gabriel¿s Ghost is a fantastic book!!! It¿s a puzzle of compelling pieces set into a beautifully finished, futuristic landscape--one you can¿t wait to finish. The tale enthralled me with its constant action, adventure, and a gripping love story. Linnea Sinclair has mastered the difficult skill of weaving a futuristic world with a detailed science fiction setting that can¿t be topped¿ all of this¿ balanced with an equally captivating story. Don¿t miss Linnea Sinclair¿s Gabriel¿s Ghost!!!

a winning SF romance

Her innocence doesn't seem to make any difference. Trumped up evidence was enough to get Captain Chasidah Bergren, former pride of the sixth fleet, court-martialed and sent to Moabar, the prison planet where life expectancy for humans is nearly nil. She's survived for three and a half weeks when she has to kill a Takan guard in self-defense. Rescue comes for her just in time. Her rescuers? A ghost, a monk, and a blind Stolorth, member of a humanoid aquatic race universally feared -- and hated -- for their telepathic powers. Gabriel 'Sully' Sullivan, mercenary and smuggler, is supposed to be dead. During her ten years on interstellar patrol, Chaz played cat to Sully's mouse, but he always got away. Yet she was sorry to hear of his death, and is more than thankful he's alive to smuggle her off Moabar. Sully says he needs her and her knowledge to help put a stop to an evil that appears to have Imperial sanction. Genetic labs are breeding a horror, and one of the labs is on Marker, a cluster of starports where Chaz grew up. In GABRIEL'S GHOST's well-constructed future world, much has changed humans jump through space and co-exist with other species, but human nature seems to have remained the same. Intolerance still exists, and some men are still greedy for wealth and power, and power can still corrupt. Fortunately, good can sometimes prevail over evil, and the human heart remains capable of love. Chaz comes from a long line of military notables and was fortunate enough to have a mother who took a personal hand in her raising, something unusual in this time. She has a family, though only her elder brother Thaddeus takes part in the action of this story. GABRIEL'S GHOST is told in first person by Chaz. Gabriel (Sully) became an adventurer after being estranged from his wealthy and powerful family. The fact that we never see from his point of view bothered me a bit until I realized something. There are things about him that we discover along with Chaz that, if we knew right away, would spoil the suspense -- and the fun. For Gabriel is much more than he seems. GABRIEL'S GHOST has a gritty side, a plot full of conflict, and a hero and heroine with a varied -- and interesting -- team of allies who must stop a horrendous evil. Yet it has a softer side, as well, with friendships that develop across species and a highly emotional love story. Truly, GABRIEL'S GHOST is both an exciting sci-fi adventure and a warm romance, with deep characterization and meaningful relationships. Highly recommended.

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