The lovably flawed crew of La Sirena Negra and their psychic cats return in this fast-paced and outrageously fun science-fiction novel, in which they confront past failures and face new threats in the far reaches of space from the author of the critically acclaimed Chilling Effect.Captain Eva Innocente and the crew of La Sirena Negra find themselves once again on the fringe of populated space—and … themselves once again on the fringe of populated space—and at the center of a raging covert war. When Eva’s sister asks for help locating a missing scientist, promises of a big paycheck and a noble cause convince Eva to take the job despite lingering trust issues.
With reluctant assistance from her estranged mother, Eva and her crew follow the missing scientist’s trail across the universe, from the costume-filled halls of a never-ending convention to a dangerous bot-fighting arena. They ultimately find themselves at the last place Eva wants to see again—Garilia—where she experienced her most shameful and haunting failure.
To complete her mission and get paid, Eva must navigate a paradise embroiled in a rebellion, where massive forests and pristine beaches hide psychic creatures and pervasive surveillance technology. Can she find her quarry while avoiding the oppressive local regime, or will she be doomed to repeat past mistakes when her dark deeds come to light?
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This review may have some mild spoilers for book one so… read at your own risk. Or better yet, read book one and then come back.
Valarie Valdez has given reader the tongue-in-cheek space opera series we didn’t know we needed and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Funny, thought-provoking, and all the geeky nods and references that I could hope for. Readers are treated to hints of favorites like Mass Effect, Firefly, Gundam, Pokemon, Cowboy Bebop, and no doubt more that I didn’t catch on the first read through.
Quick paced and filled with action and dry humor, Prime Deceptions felt much smoother. Partly owed to already being familiar with the crew, but it also felt like the author not only knew her characters but also found a way to share that with readers. I love that we have the chance to see the impressive range of Eva’s personality. Strong, a bit haunted, and incredibly funny, Captain Innocente is a force to be reckoned with. Both romances were adorable and a fun little aside from the main plot. Each member of the crew is vibrant and so easy to love and root for! I could happily read this series over and over again.
My favorite part? This had all the psychic cats I was missing in Chilling Effect! Mala was a great sidekick serving up plenty of typical feline antics while Eva’s begrudging acceptance of her tagging along is a battle we all knew Mala would win.
Clearly, I adored this book and I am desperately awaiting the next installment. It didn’t necessarily end with a cliff hanger but that was one hell of a carrot dangling that had me wishing I could immediately dive into the next! Absolutely recommend! More exclamation points!!!
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
For the past six months, Captain Eva Innocente and her crew on La Sirena Negra, have worked hard to continue thwarting the evil crime syndicate The Fridge. When Eva’s sister comes to her with an opportunity to earn a lot of money by finding a missing scientist, Eva sees it as a perfect opportunity for a big payday for good honest work. Even when she’s not ultimately sure about the end goal.
Their search will take Eva and crew across the galaxy embroiling them in bot fights, never-ending fan conventions, and put them smack dab in the middle of planetary unrest on a planet that has ties to Eva’s past. A past she’s never reckoned with and one in which she’s ashamed. Does she sit on the sidelines this time around, or does she continue to fight for what’s right?
Prime Deceptions continues what Valerie Valdes started in the first book, but kind of ups the ante when it comes to introspection of why we fight the battles we fight, why we choose to get involved where we do. Eva wants to continue to stick it to the Fridge, but at what cost? Having trust issues with her sister, who also works under a cloak of secrecy, means that she’s not sure their mission is on the complete up and up. This time around Eva, and by extension her crew, have to decide which side they’re going to fight on knowing that, depending on perspective, they may not be everyone’s savior. There are always two sides to every story and two sides to history. Learning of Eva’s past and seeing her past brought into the present really highlights this idea.
This time around, though, Eva is not as isolated as she was in the first book. By committing to bringing the rest of the crew in on decisions she also opens herself up to the people around her and builds upon those relationships which is something I was hoping for after reading the first book and which Valerie Valdes really delivers on here. The found family dynamic is strengthened especially when we see it compared to the relationship between Eva and her sister and even Eva and her mother.
The standouts of course are Eva’s Co-Captain/oldest friend Pink who has known Eva for so many years she’s immune to all her tricks. Pink is a steadfast, grounding force in Eva’s life and we would all be so lucky to have friends like her. Also, of course Vakar and Eva are probably one of my most favorite fictional relationships right now. I liked the sweet moments when she’s interpreting his scent and his overly-literal exposition.
I loved the direction that this book took towards the end. We get a little more of a glimpse of the Proarkhe technology—the mysterious species behind the gate travel systems—that has now become my new thing I want explored in the next book. Overall, with Prime Deceptions Valerie Valdes gives readers another fast-paced, exciting read with a Captain who is learning what it means to lead.