Synopsis:
The universe isn’t what it used to
be. With the new Alliance between the Triad and the United Coalition, Captain
Tasha “Sass” Sebastian finds herself serving under her former nemesis, biocybe
Admiral Branden Kel-Paten–and doing her best to hide a deadly past. But when an
injured mercenary winds up in their ship’s sick bay–and in the hands of her
best friend, Dr. Eden Fynn–Sass’s efforts may be wasted.
Wanted rebel Jace Serafino has information that could expose all of Sass’s secrets, tear the fragile Alliance apart–and end Sass’s career if Kel-Paten discovers them. But the biocybe has something to hide as well, something once thought impossible for his kind to possess: feelings . . . for Sass. Soon it’s clear that their prisoner could bring down everything they once believed was worth dying for–and everything they now have to live for.
Wanted rebel Jace Serafino has information that could expose all of Sass’s secrets, tear the fragile Alliance apart–and end Sass’s career if Kel-Paten discovers them. But the biocybe has something to hide as well, something once thought impossible for his kind to possess: feelings . . . for Sass. Soon it’s clear that their prisoner could bring down everything they once believed was worth dying for–and everything they now have to live for.
Review:
I love Linnea Sinclair's books - all
of them - but this is one of my very favorites.
It's one I have to keep getting new copies of because I keep giving mine
away to friends, acquaintances, perfect strangers [well, not really PERFECT strangers]. But when you have a book you love you just
want to share...
Our heroine is Tasha Sebastian who
lives in interesting times. She is
currently the captain of a U-Cee huntership and a veteran of the recent war
between the United Coalition and the Triad.
But before that she had other names and other lives...
Our hero is Admiral Branden
Kel-Paten, brilliant strategist, military leader and a human who has been
altered physically, mentally and most of all cybernetically. He can interface directly with his ship and
there are those who say "Tin Soldier" is more 'cybe than human. But they're wrong...
As part of the treaty, 'mixed' ships
are being established and Kel-Paten has specifically requested Tasha for his
first officer. Thus begin the games of
command; why did he ask for her, what does he want?
Enter a second plot starring the
empathic best friend of Tasha, Doctor Eden Fynn, and Jace Serafino, renegade
Nasyry priest, telepath, and all round rogue.
Kel-Paten would like to squeeze every drop of information out of
Serafino personally.
And then there are the furzels, Tank
and Reilly. They are rather cat-like in
nature with some VERY special abilities.
Even more special than their humans, Tasha and Eden, know because they
can identify the truly evil creatures which they simply call 'Bad Things'. They know the Bad Things are watching their
people and resolve to protect them...
Her world building is consistently
outstanding and the world of Games of Command is no exception. The poignancy of Kel-Paten's love and the
utter wrongness of what was done to him grab your heart. Tight, page-turning
plot, great characters [and her aliens are outstanding] and dialog that grabs
you - it is a must read.
Associated short stories:
Seven Months of Forever from The
Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance
Mission: Nam Selan from Tales From
the SFR Brigade
