While this was another action packed Sirantha Jax novel, I feel like the narrative is a little more in the pocket. It isn't quite as frenetic as the others. However, splitting the team multiple times (especially when it is Jax and Vel) was heartbreaking. It is bad enough to have to say those good byes once, but to do it again was a little ridiculous. The relationship between Vel and Jax is more exciting and precious to me than the one between March and Jax. I am intrigued to see where it goes from here. I'm anxiously awaiting my hold on Aftermath to be delivered to my library. ( )

Killbox pushed the envelope even further than the previous books, the build-up of the galactic-scale situation coming to a furious explosion that threatens to destroy everything in its path – and not just figuratively speaking.

Aguirre manages to mix drama and romance and dry humor in a well-balanced whole, keeping her readers interested in the story and invested in the characters: this series is getting better with each new book.

Well done indeed…
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As an author Ann Aguirre is as brilliant as she is unique. I can't say that up to so far have met a character like Sirantha Jax or a good series like this. It's very, very, very hard to find stuff that is similar and equally good.

The only thing i would touch up in the way Aguirre writes are the sex scenes. They are generally bland, and leave everything to be desired. Lucky for us there is plenty of other good stuff to focus on.

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This review is also published at http://thebookaholiccat.com

Killbox is the fourth book in the Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre.

This book starts where we left in Doubleblind. After leaving Ithiss-Tor Jax contacts Chancellor Tarn and resigns at her post as ambassador. After all the events in Ithiss-Tor they are in need of some time off and decided to head to Emry Station where they are reunited with Surge and Kora. While in Emry Station Chancellor Tarn contacts them again, but this time he is asking for March help. He wants him to be the Commander and organizer of the new Conglomerate’s Armada. This Armada would have as a focus to fight the pirates, slavers and the biggest threat of all, the human-eating Morgut. With the lack of available ships March reach to smugglers, pirates and similar and offers them amnesty in exchange for their services. Many accept the dead and beging their training in the new facilities at Emry Station. March thinks he shouldn’t be involve with Jax while he is the Commander of the Armada because it won’t look good to others and temporally ends the relationship with Jax until after the war is over.
The situation in the universe is worst than expected, Morgut’s attacks are increasing and they start to have a pattern. Also Jax realizes Morgut’s attacks are almost impossible to anticipate because they do not need to use the beacons to flight through grimspace.
In these dire circumstances extreme measures need to be taken and sacrifices need to be done, without knowing if it will ever be enough.

In this book we see all the characters we love and others we thought lost are brought back to enrich its pages.

The Jax of this book is not the same from book one (Grimspace); she has come a long way and grown immensely. She is more mature and more conscious. Now she is thinking of the consequences before acting, and when she acts is always thinking in others first. Jax has become a selfless woman willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good, without playing the victim role.
Jax is also having a difficult time, the end of her relationship with March is been very hard on her, also her closest friend Vel is sent back to Ithiss-Tor to help the new ambassador. Vel’s departure is even tougher on her than March situation. In the course of the events there are more loses for her, making her feel more lonely and isolated.

March is still March. I like him sometimes, I don’t like him others. I know Jax is a new and better person in part to him, but still some of his actions don’t let me accept him completely. March is in many pages in this book, but I didn’t feel his presence as a strong as in previous books. Also I didn’t understand his need to end things with Jax, I think he could have handled things better, they were a stable and a known couple. What would have happened if they had been married?

One of the characters I love the most is Vel. He is the noblest being ever. The relationship between him and Jax confuse me. I wish Jax was with him and not with March. I know he is a different kind and nothing less than a bug, but he is the best. I don’t even know how to explain it but he complements Jax so perfectly, he is her support and anchor and had always been there for her. Their scenes together were so emotional that they had me in tears. I really hope for something else for them.

In this book Dina let us see her without her hard façade and what she show us made her more real and approachable. Dina and Hit’s is relationship is tested as was many others. But even though hearts were hardened or broken, the friendships intensified and bloomed.

Killbox is written from Jax’s point of view, but Mrs. Aguirre narrative is so rich and detailed that you know what the other characters are feeling and thinking, almost as much as with Jax.
The world building is superb and innovative. And it’s done with such elaboration that sometimes I was wishing I could experience for real what they were experiencing. For example the description of grimspace and the passion Jax feels for it makes me wish I could experience grimspace for myself. That’s how talented Mrs. Aguirre is.

Killbox is a roller coaster of emotions that will take you from the highest point to the lowest in a turn of a page. It will have you smiling, crying and wishing for more pages. I take my hat off to Mrs. Aguirre.

I cannot recommend enough this book and this series. Sirantha Jaxseries must be read in order, and let me tell you the other books are as good as this one. So when you get them prepare yourself for a “Jax marathon” because you won’t be able to put them down. ( )

**No spoils.

Oh yes. Yes, yes, a million times yes. Thank Mother Mary of Anabolic Grace that this series is back on track. I was worried after Doubleblind, but Jax is back. In this book, the gang is no longer dirtside, but back in the stars as they should be. I felt like a giddy little kid in anticipation of what was to come and Killbox did not disappoint. It was full of action, suspense, and even creepy-crawlies that made for some nail-biting situations.

My biggest gripe continues to be the relationship between Jax and March. Yah, the mofo got his shit together kinda, but he’s still behaving stupidly and creating barriers between them. It’s getting old. The whole there-must-be-angst-between-the-main-couple thing is tedious now in this fourth installment. There’s something to be said for an author who can do that for a bit and then continue to keep the audience interested even after the couple finally gets together. I wonder if Aguirre is avoiding this purposefully. I wish she wouldn’t. I really like March of Grimspace. He and Jax were cute together, despite how quickly they fell for each other. Now they’re constantly at odds and it seems as if Aguirre is always cooking up a new way to keep them separated. Blah. I no longer root for March..

I’m so Team Vel. I love him long time. Give me his shiny carapace any day over stick-in-the-mud, wishy-washy March. I love to see Vel and Jax’s relationship grow. I live for their interactions and I can’t get enough of them. I’ve come to depend on Vel for so much in these books. When there’s danger, my first thought is, “Vel will come. White wave will save brown bird.” Ha. He’s just so awesome.

The book does end on an epic cliffhanger, but thankfully, I didn’t have to wait for the next book, so I can’t complain. This time. =)

I’m now completely invested in this series and in Jax’s world. I hate that it’s closer to the end than it is to the beginning at this point… sadness. Anywho, if you were on the fence after book #3, fear not. This book = sweet redemption.
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