GRIMSPACE by Ann Aguirre (Ace)

SYNOPSIS:  Sirantha is a jumper, an individual with a rare gene that allows her to access GRIMSPACE and therefore speed up space travel. She is now trapped in a psych unit cell, accused of somehow killing the entire crew of her last assigned ship.  Everyone includes her pilot, lover, and friend, Kai.  The bond between pilot and jumper is sacrosanct and Sirantha can't fathom how or why she would have caused such a crash.  Unfortunately, she can't remember what went wrong.  A man named March enters her cell and offers her rescue.  But what does he want in return?  What will be the costs of this rescue?

MY THOUGHTS:  Sirantha Jax is a great leading character.  Her heart and motivations are fully bared for the reader to see her, faults and all.  Who can't help but love her prickly attitude, her unwillingness to give up even when all common sense says it's over?  Only a woman like Sirantha Jax could have survived that initial crash and it is a pleasure to read about such a strong female heroine.

Ann Aguirre tells the entire story in present tense.  I had thought this would be distracting but instead it drew me further into the story.  It was as if I was right there in the moment as each event occurred.  Bravo, Ms. Aguirre for such a daring move!

And let's not forget the world building.  Ann Aguirre does a phenomenal job at this, creating several different worlds as Sirantha and March jump through GRIMSPACE.  GRIMSPACE itself is well described but I must admit that the storyline involving the Teras remains my favorite (although Baby Z ran a close second). 

GRIMSPACE is a fantastic entry into the science fiction genre.  Ann Aguirre captures the nobleness of sacrifice beautifully on several occasions.  GRIMSPACE is highly recommended, even for those who aren't as thrilled by the genre as Ann Aguirre writes a story that the emotional impact transcends the genre.  Highly recommended!

The D2K Paranormal Junkies 2008 Challenge