Repeat Offence

I would rate this 3.75 stars.

Some of the ideas in this novella seem similar to the Dornost series by the same author. This starts with Taz’s first person POV after his death when he learns of his penance for dying before his and Hiro’s assigned time. I am using he/him even though I am not sure of Taz’s gender. They have to live out their lives apart–one as Human, the other as Guardian–until they can figure out how to be together at the moment of death. This is told through a series of vignettes that describe many of their deaths in heart wrenching detail. They learn what they are allowed and not allowed to do through trail and error. Hundreds of years of life changes them, but they find ways to keep each other from falling into despair. Hiro becomes more involved with each life, while Taz finds he prefers when he is the Guardian. I am still not sure in theirs is a romantic or platonic love. Life, even afterlife, is what happens while you are making other plans. The entire story is entertaining, focused solely on the two men. The hiccup, for me, was at the end. While I enjoyed this…I saw nothing of the Judges to make me believe this ending was plausible.

After ten years of warfare, Taz and Hiro, protectors of their world have both died in battle. In risking their lives they broke the law when they died before their planned time. The Judge has decided their penance will be to protect the veil on different planes: one as living, one as watching and when one dies they will switch places. Taz and Hiro live for centuries, without any physical contact but always present when the others life has ended.

As centuries pass they get to see the world evolve. Hiro finds a way to communicate with Taz by dreamweed. Eventually, Taz becomes a chemist with Seldex that has him securing all diseases and weapons of mass destruction in an underground vault. If the vault is ever breeched it would cause major devastation throughout the world. When the vault is threatened by terrorists, Taz and Hiro have a final plan that could end their lives, no matter what the Judge’s penance entailed.

Jackie Keswick has brought to light a beautiful written love story with overwhelming emotions about Taz and Hiros’ growing feelings about each other. They spend centuries apart never having any physical contact, but always trying to find a way to escape the penance so that their souls could be together.

Although the story is mainly told by Taz the emotion is just heart wrenching. With each chapter I cheered these two wonderful characters on to find a way to each other. Along with the rollercoaster ride of emotions, Jackie Keswick also brought danger and suspense to the story as both Taz and Hiro make a last plan for their souls to be together.

There’s very vivid descriptions of the future and world building as the two MC’s live for hundreds of years and watch technology grow and change.

This was a top-notch, page-turner for me and I highly recommend this for anyone who loves fantasy or just an amazing story! I can’t go without praise for the cover art it’s absolutely beautiful and really reflects the story!