Review: Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach

May 19, 2014 5 stars, Book Review, Science Fiction 22 ★★★★★

Review: Heaven’s Queen by Rachel BachHeaven's Queen by Rachel Bach
Series: Paradox #3
Published by Orbit Books on April 22, 2014
Genres: Adult SFF, Romance, Science fiction
Pages: 400
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
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My Reviews in this series: Fortune's Pawn

From the moment she took a job on Captain Caldswell's doomed ship, Devi Morris' life has been one disaster after another: government conspiracies, two alien races out for her blood, an incurable virus that's eating her alive.

Now, with the captain missing and everyone -- even her own government -- determined to hunt her down, things are going from bad to impossible. The sensible plan would be to hide and wait for things to blow over, but Devi's never been one to shy from a fight, and she's getting mighty sick of running.

It's time to put this crisis on her terms and do what she knows is right. But with all human life hanging on her actions, the price of taking a stand might be more than she can pay.

five-stars

The first blast knocked me down,
The second ripped out my heart,
The finale? Hell just cue the gosh damn applause if you will

Heaven’s Queen for me was an entirely different creature than the first two books in the trilogy. It was still action packed and ran high with tension but I think it also felt more comfortable. I know the characters now, I’m invested, emotionally attached, alright lets face it I’m a Paradox junkie at this point – so as I picked it up and started reading I was already all in –  you know what I mean? But lets compare my attachment to these books/characters to the gradations of a newfound relationship.

Book 1: Fortune’s Pawn = Infatuation – hardcore, action packed, hot and heavy, everything’s a mystery, bright and new and shiny…isn’t it just so shiny…
Book 2: Honor’s Knight = The Honeymoon Phase & Reflection – The shine is still on but vacationing takes a lot out of you. Did you have those what if moments? Of course you did *wink* we all do. There are some bumps and you realize Mr. Perfect doesn’t always put the seat down. But he’s still got one hellavu a sweet ass. (Oh Rupert…)
Book 3: Heaven’s Queen = Coming Home – You love them despite or maybe even because of all those things things about them that you totally can’t change. You’re solid, you’re a team and the kid gloves have come off because it’s til death do you part.

Ok so you get my point? If you can’t tell I loved this series. Hell I rated each of the books 5 stars and would give them more if I could. Everything just worked for me every step of the way. When I tried to come up with nit picky things I couldn’t really because things that would normally stand out to me to be nitpicked all just faded into the background of how much fun I was having the entire time.

These books were action packed just the way I liked them but still had the necessary downtime you’d need to properly attach to and get to know the characters. Deviana Morris is a heroine that other heroines should freaking aspire to be. Stubborn, willful, bullheaded, an adrenaline junkie with an unshakeable morality for what was right and what was just unacceptable – but beyond that someone willing to stand up and be the lone voice of dissent even if it costs her everything.

A horse of a different color
Devi has been through a lot up til this point and the punches don’t stop coming. What I love is how resilient and adaptable she is. But in this final book we see her undergo some major character development in regards to how she sees herself and her willingness to be close to others. I think this is the aspect that the romance fans of these books will key in on the most. What I really loved was seeing how she reacted under the pressure of having someone she really cares about and then feeling like she she wasn’t going to get to be with said person. Torment of the sweetest kind.

But you want to know what to expect?
I am of the firm opinion that this series would be a good science fiction intro book to any reader that normally prefers urban fantasy. Many friends I know stick to urban fantasy and are hesitant to try science fiction because they think it will either be too much for them, too un-relatable or just over their heads techy wise. These books were nothing of the sort. Place these characters in an urban setting and sub fantasy species instead of alien species and I think you would essentially have the same feel. A kick ass heroine, a shifter type species, various other species, some magical type powers (mind reading, levitation, astral projection)…here they are just explained a smidge more scientifically, lots of cool weapons – if you’ve read some of those UF with heroes that load up on gear and weapons then you will love the ones here, and a great romantic love interest. In addition to that though instead of keeping it on one planet you get to see it on a universal scale. But in no way does the author make this feel TOO big such that it would overwhelm you. Because of the hyperspace jump technology it feels more like each planet or colony is more of another city or town. I’ve heard these books called popcorn reads, and if that means you’re going to devour it like a delicious bowl of popcorn – then I highly concur!

I’m a sucker for an ending and oh boy what an ending Heaven’s Queen gave me! I think I read so many series books that I feel like I never get any closure, because there is always another one running. Seeing as Heaven’s Queen is supposedly the last book in a trilogy it gave me some excellent and much needed closure. I was able to set the book down when finished with the biggest shit eating, cat that got the cream grin on my face. Knots tied up, major plot points resolved and me just imagining would could happen in the future, but knowing that if I didn’t get anymore that would be fine because it left off right where it needed to. (FYI, I hear there will be more in this universe featuring other characters.)  I highly recommend this series so science fiction, space adventure lovers – and even if you aren’t, take a chance these books are worth it.

Come back tomorrow for my interview with the author, Rachel Bach! (aka Rachel Aaron)
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Tabitha (Pabkins)

When I'm in the zone I can flip book pages faster than the eye can see - screaming "More Input!" I'm a book, yarn, & art supply hoarding goblin who loves to draw, make toys and craft all sorts of creepy cute things. My current habit is to listen to audio books while I'm arting it up!
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22 Responses to “Review: Heaven’s Queen by Rachel Bach”

  3. Jessica @ Rabid Reads

    Okay . . . faith restored. I’ve been putting off reading this, b/c I wasn’t sure I liked where the series seemed to be heading, but if you say it’s a hell of an ending, then it it’s a hell of an ending 😉

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      Well if you weren’t enthused by the second book I just don’t know what you’ll make of the third. I seriously have loved each of the books tremendously so hmmm hard to tell. Some things we are very similar in tastes on and others I think we have different nit picky items we latch onto. Curious to see what you’d think though. You can’t leave it unfinished!
      Tabitha (Pabkins) recently posted…Review: Heaven’s Queen by Rachel BachMy Profile

  8. kimberlybuggie

    Such a raving review! I really want to read this series now. I will have to find it on goodreads. I’m glad you like the ending as well. Sometimes a series will lose momentum or I just don’t like how it all wraps up. I love it when everything is awesome! 🙂
    kimberlybuggie recently posted…Bout of Books! – Wrap Up PostMy Profile

  9. Melliane

    Wow I didn’t know that book 3 was out. I keep hearing amazing things about this series and I know I need to try it even if I’m not a lot into Sci-fi. It sounds so good and it’s nice to know the third book is as amazing. Thanks for the review.

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      It totally is so sci-fi! haha Personally I’m not a fan of the covers – I wish they would have made her suit look more sleek and less bulky.

      I haven’t watched Gravity …and doubt I will oddly it doesn’t look appealing to me lol.

      These are sooo worth reading though!
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  11. BookaholicCat

    I liked this book, but at times I thought it was a bit heavy on the romance department. Sometimes I felt Devi was behaving like a sick-love-puppy and not the kickass heroine I loved from previous books. Still, I enjoyed it a lot and was satisfied with the end.
    BookaholicCat recently posted…CATS-ilicious ThursdaysMy Profile

    • Tabitha (Pabkins)

      Really you thought too much romance? I really loved the romance part because I felt like she’d fought it so much up til then so I liked that they were finally together for this one. Haha I still thought she was just as kick ass! Glad you still liked the ending though.
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