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[/amazon_link]Title : Honor’s Knight (Paradox #2)
Author : Rachel Aaron/Bach
Genre : Sci-Fi
Publisher : Orbit Books
Publish Date : February 25th 2014
Pages : 384
Source : Netgalley/Publisher ARC
Rating : 4/5
Bach continues her story from where she left off in the 1st book of the trilogy, Fortune’s Pawn. Devi has now almost recovered from the massive battle but doesn’t remember much of it. But she is still feeling the after effects – hallucinations featuring mysterious “bugs” and a dark skin stain which appears and disappears mysteriously and which she is trying valiantly to hide from the ship’s doctor Hyrek. The ship functions as before with the same crew. Even Ren, the captain’s mysteriously zoned out daughter is just the same. But Devi feels something amiss; even though Captain Brian Caldswell commands fierce loyalty from his longstanding crew, everything doesn’t seem to be on the up and up.
This is a good sequel to Fortune’s Pawn because it is just as action-packed and fast-paced. Devi delves deeper into the mystery of the ghostly creatures she is seeing, and Bach draws her with as much intelligence, courage and bluster as a gun-packing, slightly-reckless heroine needs. She is still a top-notch mercenary with orders to protect the Glorious Fool and its motley crew, and she takes that responsibility seriously, never mind the risk to her life. Aiding her this time is the new merc, Rashid, who has been hired to replace Cotter.
The romance angle that was started in the first book is a little stilted here with Devi’s revulsion towards the cook Rupert Charkov, and the missing pieces of her memory. Devi feels a connection to Rupert but cannot get beyond the instant dislike that springs up when he is near. His character is a little grey here too, with some light being shed on his inner conflicts, and his past dark deeds.
In this book, Bach introduces new characters and concepts to add to the plot of the story. I did like the fact that she brings philosophical questions into the story about the crimes that justify (if they do) the greater good.
I will say here that I found the space creatures almost bordering on the fantastical, a little too flighty for me. And now that I have read the second book, Devi’s character feels a little young, but then her impulsive, head-strong nature is part of her charm. Bach maintains Devi’s core of goodness and selflessness, and that combined with her advanced degree in badassery, is enough to remind us why we like her so much.
Another fun romp of a space-opera, Honor’s Knight is a fitting sequel to Fortune’s Pawn. The final book in the trilogy, Heaven’s Queen, will be published later this month.
