Book Review - Saving Askara (Saving Askara #1) by J.M. Link
Victoria's day starts out like any other aboard the transorbital ship, Phoenix. Such is the life of an emergency medicine specialist in the age of "post-discovery". Sure, she had always dreamed of interacting with intelligent extraterrestrial life- the real thing, not those microbes on distant moons. Who wouldn't? She was still happy with her career, however mundane and demanding it might be. That's what it took to run a ship the size of a small city smoothly. Monotony. But all that changes one morning, and suddenly she's not so sure she didn't stick her foot in it...
Be careful what you wish for.
***
Escape had been their only drive, and even death was preferable to the alternative. But they never thought their flight for freedom would put them in an uncharted system. Forced to interact with an isolated world and its inferior, albeit curious people. When it affords them an unforseen and unprecedented opportunity to take back their world from those who seek to destroy them, however, Aderus begins to wonder if it wasn't fate. Earth's proposal is shocking and uncomfortable for a fierce, independent race that relishes in their solitude. But the more he learns of humans, the more he comes to admire and respect them. One, in particular.
I’ve only recently started exploring the non-human x human sci-fi romance / erotica genre, and I enjoyed this one more than others I’ve read so far. It’s perfect for readers who want their romance to have more substance instead of diving straight into the smut. The relationship between the characters develops gradually rather than instantly, which makes the connection feel more natural.
The Askari and humans are very different, both physically and culturally, so Aderus and Tori must work together to better understand each other. This slow-burn approach might feel drawn out for some readers, but it gives the romance more depth and emotional payoff.
As for the sci-fi aspect, it isn’t heavily emphasized, but there’s enough detail to create a vague picture of their universe. I imagine this will be developed further in book two. Readers who prefer something highly realistic and meticulously detailed might not enjoy this as much.
At times, I felt tempted to be nitpicky—like when Tori sticks out her hand for a handshake. I get that she was nervous when meeting the aliens for the first time, but personally, I wouldn’t have done that at all. And if I had, I would have quickly put my hand down, explained what it meant, and asked if they had their own way of greeting. After all, they are aliens. You’d need to explain every little reaction, mannerism, and social norm (things that are second nature to humans) to prevent misunderstandings. For all you know, smiling at them—especially with teeth—or staring into their eyes for too long could be considered a challenge or an insult.
You wouldn’t know unless you asked a lot of questions, but that’s difficult when the Askari aren’t talkative. Tori herself might be bothersome to some readers, as she often makes these kinds of mistakes and expects Aderus to act like a human would. Personally, I don’t mind it too much, and as long as you suspend disbelief and remember this isn’t meant to be realistic science fiction, it works. Still, I doubt they would have chosen someone like Tori—a space doctor with no training in first alien contact. And if she does have training, it certainly doesn’t show here. But I digress.
This ends on a cliffhanger, but I’m glad I don’t have to wait since I can start the next book right away to find out what happens. Overall, it was fun to read, or rather to listen to.
The characters were really fantastic, and their progress with one another was fascinating to watch unfold, and I have to say, the world building was seriously on point for this first book. Loved that we got to know the characters first as individuals, then as partners trying to work with each other, and then towards the end, lovers. Truly great and the fact that the aliens were really quite alien was—again so good. (lol no other word really to describe how—fun this book was to read)
Victoria’s day starts out like any other aboard the transorbital ship, Phoenix. Such is the life of an emergency medicine specialist in the age of “post-discovery”. Sure, she had always dreamed of interacting with intelligent extraterrestrial life- the real thing, not those microbes on distant moons. Who wouldn’t? She was still happy with her career, however mundane and demanding it might be. That’s what it took to run a ship the size of a small city smoothly. Monotony. But all that changes one morning, and suddenly she’s not so sure she didn’t stick her foot in it…
Be careful what you wish for.
Escape had been their only drive, and even death was preferable to the alternative. But they never thought their flight for freedom would put them in an uncharted system. Forced to interact with an isolated world and its inferior, albeit curious people. When it affords them an un forseen and unprecedented opportunity to take back their world from those who seek to destroy them, however, Aderus begins to wonder if it wasn’t fate. Earth’s proposal is shocking and uncomfortable for a fierce, independent race that relishes in their solitude. But the more he learns of humans, the more he comes to admire and respect them. One, in particular.
*Saving Askara is a Part I of II* Book II coming Summer 2018
WARNING: Not intended for readers under 18.
Contains explicit sexual content.
