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Dred Chronicles #1
Perdition
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Science Fiction (2013)WELCOME TO HELL
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.
Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.
Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…
337 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 27, 2013
About the author
Ann Aguirre
90 books6,634 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews
February 1, 2013
Back when Perdition was first mentioned, pitched as Prison Break in space (I kid you not), I immediately knew it would be a dream come true. Because seriously, violence and mayhem, Ann Aguirre style? In space?! Give me that, and then give me some more! So when it finally found its way into my greedy little hands, I was basically in ecstasy. And I remained in an absolute state of bliss throughout.
While this trilogy may be a Jax series spin-off, readers who aren’t familiar with Jax won’t be at a loss at all. It is entirely possible to read (and fully enjoy) this separately. Details that were previously known about Jael get reintroduced pretty quickly in Perdition so that everyone is at the same place. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t find the time to read Jax – you should – but it’s not a prerequisite.
Space station known as Perdition houses only the most hardened of criminals. The people imprisoned there are no small-time thieves, rapists or murderers. It takes a truly heinous crime (or hundreds of them) to get someone a one-way ticket to Perdition from the Conglomerate. ‘Innocent’ is not a word that gets thrown around often, not even for our heroine, Dresdemona “Dred” Devos.
Taking the reader on a space station where not a single redeemable character lives may seem like a simple thing, but believe you me, it’s an enormous challenge. We are all, each of us in a slightly different way, emotional readers, and we love to feel sympathy for our characters, but it takes a brilliant author to make us feel sympathy for mercenaries and mass murderers.
In some ways, Perdition is the darkest Ann Aguirre book yet – not because it’s the most violent (although it’s certainly at the very top) – but because there isn’t a single ray of light anywhere on that ship. It is a place where end always justifies the means, and survival is the only thing that counts.
For me, the magic of Aguirre’s writing comes from two sources: the first is her excellent understanding of human nature and psychology, and the second her incredible gift for metaphors. If Ann’s elegant, no-nonsense writing style is the body of this story, the few well-placed, hard-hitting metaphors are its very soul. With no more than a few words, Aguirre unfailingly manages to both bring forth the desired emotional response and leave her readers in awe of her writing skills.
The more I tried to choose and point out my favorite thing about this book, the more I realized that such a feat was next to impossible. I was just about ready to put Dred and Jael’s relationship on the pedestal, only to remember, among other things, certain bloody battles that took my breath away. With each new book she writes, Ann Aguirre has to live up to some pretty high standards, and she achieves it so effortlessly every single time.
Perdition will give you no time to breathe, but it will make you appreciate your freedom, the roast beef sandwich you had for lunch, and that extra bar of soap in your bathroom. It will also make you care for its characters despite their awful and violent histories. My recommendation? Get out of that chair and go grab a copy now!
While this trilogy may be a Jax series spin-off, readers who aren’t familiar with Jax won’t be at a loss at all. It is entirely possible to read (and fully enjoy) this separately. Details that were previously known about Jael get reintroduced pretty quickly in Perdition so that everyone is at the same place. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t find the time to read Jax – you should – but it’s not a prerequisite.
Space station known as Perdition houses only the most hardened of criminals. The people imprisoned there are no small-time thieves, rapists or murderers. It takes a truly heinous crime (or hundreds of them) to get someone a one-way ticket to Perdition from the Conglomerate. ‘Innocent’ is not a word that gets thrown around often, not even for our heroine, Dresdemona “Dred” Devos.
Taking the reader on a space station where not a single redeemable character lives may seem like a simple thing, but believe you me, it’s an enormous challenge. We are all, each of us in a slightly different way, emotional readers, and we love to feel sympathy for our characters, but it takes a brilliant author to make us feel sympathy for mercenaries and mass murderers.
In some ways, Perdition is the darkest Ann Aguirre book yet – not because it’s the most violent (although it’s certainly at the very top) – but because there isn’t a single ray of light anywhere on that ship. It is a place where end always justifies the means, and survival is the only thing that counts.
For me, the magic of Aguirre’s writing comes from two sources: the first is her excellent understanding of human nature and psychology, and the second her incredible gift for metaphors. If Ann’s elegant, no-nonsense writing style is the body of this story, the few well-placed, hard-hitting metaphors are its very soul. With no more than a few words, Aguirre unfailingly manages to both bring forth the desired emotional response and leave her readers in awe of her writing skills.
The more I tried to choose and point out my favorite thing about this book, the more I realized that such a feat was next to impossible. I was just about ready to put Dred and Jael’s relationship on the pedestal, only to remember, among other things, certain bloody battles that took my breath away. With each new book she writes, Ann Aguirre has to live up to some pretty high standards, and she achieves it so effortlessly every single time.
Perdition will give you no time to breathe, but it will make you appreciate your freedom, the roast beef sandwich you had for lunch, and that extra bar of soap in your bathroom. It will also make you care for its characters despite their awful and violent histories. My recommendation? Get out of that chair and go grab a copy now!
Read
October 7, 2013Well I'm a big fan of this author's other Sci-Fi series, Sirantha Jax, so I was very excited to see this new series that is kind of a spin-off, it has the world and a character in common. And on the surface of it, this is a really pulpy fun concept: Prison that has no supervision, territory wars, no hope, badass woman lead, etc. And it did fulfill several of the things I really loved about the concept. I really liked them main character, I believed MOSTLY that she could keep a group of bloodthirsty horrible criminals in a group under her, I loved the spymaster character, the different factions were really interesting too. The plot is fairly predictable based on the concept: Prison wars for territory. But is executed really well, with the idea of some interesting things happening in the future.
SLIGHT SPOILERS:
I guess the only thing I didn't enjoy was that I kind of started skimming in the last half because the prison was a BIT claustrophobic. I wish we had had more interactions with the other factions. And the lead male character was cool (he was from the Jax series) but he was a BIT TOO perfect in how GOOD he was at everything. Yes, totally justified by the logic built up, but then his perfection almost made the lead character seem weaker, somehow? Very small criticisms though, and I really REALLY hope the series continues and opens up even OUTSIDE the prison later. Very much looking forward to #2!
SLIGHT SPOILERS:
I guess the only thing I didn't enjoy was that I kind of started skimming in the last half because the prison was a BIT claustrophobic. I wish we had had more interactions with the other factions. And the lead male character was cool (he was from the Jax series) but he was a BIT TOO perfect in how GOOD he was at everything. Yes, totally justified by the logic built up, but then his perfection almost made the lead character seem weaker, somehow? Very small criticisms though, and I really REALLY hope the series continues and opens up even OUTSIDE the prison later. Very much looking forward to #2!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 13, 2015I definitely have this on my kindle ready to go after Sirantha Jax.
Ann Aguirre binge read commence.
Update: I just read the synopsis for this one and missed something crucial.
DNF 89%
While I'm DNFing things.... you're out too.
I'm disappointed in you Ann Aguirre.
Ann Aguirre binge read commence.
Update: I just read the synopsis for this one and missed something crucial.
DNF 89%
While I'm DNFing things.... you're out too.
I'm disappointed in you Ann Aguirre.
July 14, 2016
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed slipping back into the world of Sirantha Jax. Sirantha, herself, maybe be absent, but all of the great character development and world building is in full force. In short order, I grew to love Dred, Jael, and the men and women of Perdition as much as I loved Sirantha and her crew. Ann Aguirre is such a talented storyteller. I didn’t want to put this down for a minute.
It’s been decades since the events of Endgame. And this entire time Jael has been in that prison in Ithiss-Tor. If you’re not familiar with the Sirantha books, don’t worry. This holds up fine as a standalone. It may even make you want to read the origin series.
Anyway, Jael has been moved from one prison to another. Now, he has a life sentence on the prison ship Perdition, and he is quickly plucked to join the faction run by the so-called Dread Queen. Dred is smart and charismatic, and she is also a little Psi. She sees potential in Jael –and his strength and cunning quickly bring him into her inner circle.
There is such a wonderful cast of characters, from Jael who is damaged and nearly dead inside, while perfect and essentially unkillable on the outside… to Dred who transforms from a manufactured leader to a true queen to her people. She is strong, yet smart enough to surround herself with others who help her succeed. And the relationship between the two of him hit all the right notes. The supporting players reeled me in too, especially Einar, the giant lieutenant who serves Dred, and Tam, who serves his own interests.
There’s plenty of action: battles, bloodshed, and betrayal. It’s unpredictable and smart. And dark. There is so much hopelessness and destruction of humanity. The other factions of Perdition are almost like something out of a horror movie. Like Silence, Death’s Handmaiden… or the fanatical Priest. This is home to the worst of the worst criminals, after all. And Aguirre never lets us forget it. Yet rays of hope manage to peek through.
I’m so excited to see where the story goes next. The stage is set for a major shakeup. I would definitely recommend this book to sci-fi fans or anyone looking to try something new.
It’s been decades since the events of Endgame. And this entire time Jael has been in that prison in Ithiss-Tor. If you’re not familiar with the Sirantha books, don’t worry. This holds up fine as a standalone. It may even make you want to read the origin series.
Anyway, Jael has been moved from one prison to another. Now, he has a life sentence on the prison ship Perdition, and he is quickly plucked to join the faction run by the so-called Dread Queen. Dred is smart and charismatic, and she is also a little Psi. She sees potential in Jael –and his strength and cunning quickly bring him into her inner circle.
There is such a wonderful cast of characters, from Jael who is damaged and nearly dead inside, while perfect and essentially unkillable on the outside… to Dred who transforms from a manufactured leader to a true queen to her people. She is strong, yet smart enough to surround herself with others who help her succeed. And the relationship between the two of him hit all the right notes. The supporting players reeled me in too, especially Einar, the giant lieutenant who serves Dred, and Tam, who serves his own interests.
There’s plenty of action: battles, bloodshed, and betrayal. It’s unpredictable and smart. And dark. There is so much hopelessness and destruction of humanity. The other factions of Perdition are almost like something out of a horror movie. Like Silence, Death’s Handmaiden… or the fanatical Priest. This is home to the worst of the worst criminals, after all. And Aguirre never lets us forget it. Yet rays of hope manage to peek through.
I’m so excited to see where the story goes next. The stage is set for a major shakeup. I would definitely recommend this book to sci-fi fans or anyone looking to try something new.
December 3, 2015
I didn't expect this book to be so .... plodding, dull, amateurish, and uninteresting. This is sort of the run down of the book: they go here, they go there, they fight fight fight! Fight detail fight detail, scheme, side eye, feelings she has, feelings she once had, she feels this way because she felt that way, but she's never felt like this! Fight detail fight detail!! Will she still feel the way she felt? Smooch feels! Blood! Fight!
September 15, 2013
I'm a fan of Ann Aguirre and I've read several of her previous novels and found myself very satisfied. On the surface this was a book I couldn't NOT enjoy!
But something didn't work for me. The dialogue felt flat and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't summon up an ounce of feeling for the characters.
They had all the trappings of fantastic characters, a powerful female lead and a tortured male love interest but it just wasn't enough to get past the cliches in the dialogue. The storyline kept a decent pace, but without the emotional attachment I found it unengaged.
Overall, a sound concept for a novel but it just didn't work for me.
September 7, 2015
When the Sirantha Jax series came to an end, I knew that I wanted to read the spin-off series. Ann Aguirre excels at writing Science Fiction and although I haven’t read much in the genre, I know a good book when I see one. First off, just from the premise alone, you know this is going to be a good book. I don’t know how Aguirre comes up with her ideas but a prison ship locating in the air? Who thinks of this stuff?
When Perdition becomes under attack, Dred must protect herself and her friends. Again, it’s a story that packs quite a punch. It’s filled with world politics, action and suspense but as well, there’s also quite a few layers to Aguirre’s characterization as well and this might actually be my favorite thing about this new series.
Amongst all the science fiction details and the action, Ann Aguirre creates amazingly unique characters. I wondered how Dred would compare to Sirantha and although I see many differences in both, Dred also has that core strength that makes her more than just the strong chick in the novel. Her emotional ups and downs mimic the struggles they go through and Aguirre’s underlining thread of humanity does play a part in this book as well.
If you’re a fan of the TV show, Prison Break then you’ll undoubtedly see some similarities here. It paves the way for a lot of interesting fight scenes and intelligent plotting from the author. The more I read the book, the more of a bigger fan I became of Ann Aguirre.
As much as I love the writing and world, there is another thing that makes me fall head over heels in love with this book and it’s Jael. OH MY! Where have you been all my life? After reading countless books this year, I haven’t come across many new heroes who have caught my eye like Jael has. Reading him with Dred just makes me SO HAPPY and I don’t even know why. He just oozes this charisma that makes me adore him. He’s lethal side is what most people fear but if I was a character living in that world, I would watch out for when he smiles because man oh man, I’ve never come across a hero recently that was so compelling the first moment he walks into a scene.
So yeah, if you can’t already tell, I’m claiming Jael. I just know he’s going to be amazing in this series.
June 11, 2017
Set in the same world as Ann Aguirre's Sirantha Jax series Perdition takes place on a prison space ship that is the dumping ground for the galaxy's most dangerous criminals. Everyone sent to Perdition has been given a death sentence and the ship has been set up with is no chance of escape so the authorities don't even bother to provide guards to keep the prisoners under control. With limited resources and full of the most violent and terrifying prisoners the ship isn't exactly a safe place to be, separated into territories and run by different gangs its a constant battle to protect what is yours and even within the sectors you have to be careful not to end up with a knife in your back.
Dred is the leader of one of the six territories inside of Perdition and its a role she takes very seriously. She has to constantly be on her guard and must never show any sign of weakness because there are always people looking to steal her crown and take the reins. With the latest influx of new prisoners Dred ends up recruiting mercenary Jael to her gang, he's an incredible fighter who can heal from practically any wound so he's the perfect person to have on her team but can she trust him not to betray her?
I absolutely loved Jael when he was first introduced to the Sirantha Jax series but understandably went off him after certain events in Doubleblind so I was wary of his character going into this. I'm actually glad he's being given the chance to redeem himself though and I really enjoyed getting to see some of the story from his point of view. Getting inside his head helped put previous events in a different light, it doesn't excuse Jael's actions but it makes it easier to understand where he was coming from and why he chose to do what he did. Because we get Jael's point of view we see see a softer more vulnerable side to him which made him easier to connect to, he's still his badass self though and there is plenty of his jokey banter to add a bit of levity to what is essentially quite a dark story.
Dred is a brilliant character too, as the one in charge she can never show even a hint of weakness or she'd be eaten alive by the people around her. No matter how respected she is these are hardened criminals and there is a reason they all ended up on Perdition in the first place. Dred is as ruthless as she needs to be and she can certainly hold her own in a fight but when she's alone with Jael she is able to show a side of herself that she has to keep hidden around everyone else. I'm totally shipping them as a couple but what remains to be seen is how they can build a better life for themselves in such a toxic environment.
Ann Aguirre writes about life on the ship brilliantly, she shows just how desperate people are thanks to the lack of resources and she's definitely captured the sense of hopelessness that everyone feels knowing they're stuck there. The only one who still has hope is Jael because he is determined to find a way to escape but everyone who has been there longer knows its an impossible dream. This book is dark, life on board is ruthless and nobody is safe so be prepared to have your heart ripped into tiny little pieces, life is dangerous and not everyone is going to survive in such a horrific environment. This was a great introduction to the series and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else Dred and Jael can achieve working together, I may end up enjoying this even more than Sirantha's series!
Dred is the leader of one of the six territories inside of Perdition and its a role she takes very seriously. She has to constantly be on her guard and must never show any sign of weakness because there are always people looking to steal her crown and take the reins. With the latest influx of new prisoners Dred ends up recruiting mercenary Jael to her gang, he's an incredible fighter who can heal from practically any wound so he's the perfect person to have on her team but can she trust him not to betray her?
I absolutely loved Jael when he was first introduced to the Sirantha Jax series but understandably went off him after certain events in Doubleblind so I was wary of his character going into this. I'm actually glad he's being given the chance to redeem himself though and I really enjoyed getting to see some of the story from his point of view. Getting inside his head helped put previous events in a different light, it doesn't excuse Jael's actions but it makes it easier to understand where he was coming from and why he chose to do what he did. Because we get Jael's point of view we see see a softer more vulnerable side to him which made him easier to connect to, he's still his badass self though and there is plenty of his jokey banter to add a bit of levity to what is essentially quite a dark story.
Dred is a brilliant character too, as the one in charge she can never show even a hint of weakness or she'd be eaten alive by the people around her. No matter how respected she is these are hardened criminals and there is a reason they all ended up on Perdition in the first place. Dred is as ruthless as she needs to be and she can certainly hold her own in a fight but when she's alone with Jael she is able to show a side of herself that she has to keep hidden around everyone else. I'm totally shipping them as a couple but what remains to be seen is how they can build a better life for themselves in such a toxic environment.
Ann Aguirre writes about life on the ship brilliantly, she shows just how desperate people are thanks to the lack of resources and she's definitely captured the sense of hopelessness that everyone feels knowing they're stuck there. The only one who still has hope is Jael because he is determined to find a way to escape but everyone who has been there longer knows its an impossible dream. This book is dark, life on board is ruthless and nobody is safe so be prepared to have your heart ripped into tiny little pieces, life is dangerous and not everyone is going to survive in such a horrific environment. This was a great introduction to the series and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what else Dred and Jael can achieve working together, I may end up enjoying this even more than Sirantha's series!
September 6, 2020
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.
I have no idea how to write a review for this fantastic book.
Pain was a flower.
It began with crimson petals, threaded white, and ended with a black, black heart. Like mine.
Perdition is a floating prison ship where all the worst criminals are sent. A prison divided into six territories, 4 ruled by would-be "kings" and 2 by "queens". And of these queens are Dresdemona “Dred” Devos, the Dread Queen. Declared as one of the worst female serial killers of her time, she is used to having to constantly guard her section from the other rulers, who is always eager to claim more territory. Violence and lying is constant among criminals, and Dred has learned to trust very few, and never completely. When a new batch of prisoners arrives, only one is good enough to join Dred’s men.
This woman was incandescent in her fearlessness—and her absolute lack of regard for her own safety spoke to him.
The mysterious Jael, is definitely deadly and would be a great addition to her team. But there is more to Jael than meets the eye, and Dred is not sure if he can be trusted. Most criminals aren’t. But when two kings band together to take Dred’s territory, Dred will need all the help she can get, and she and Jael will have to prove to each other whether they can be trusted.
She had become what she despised most . . . and she belonged here.
I am the Dread Queen.
Dred was freaking amazing!! I just loved this kick-ass convict with her chains, how brutal she could be, but also her unfailing strength to survive the darkness of her gift and her past. How she was the only ruler who actually cared about her territory and about the men who served her.
“Do you think you could fix me, queenie?”
“No,” she said. “I can’t fix anything. I can only break it. Or kill it. But you’re welcome to come sleep in my boneyard.”
“Now there’s an offer I can’t refuse.”
And I loved the very intriguing Jael, who is so used to being seen as a monster, a freak. Only to find that among violent convicts what he was didn’t matter, only who he was and whether he would fight with them.
“It doesn’t matter where you started,” she said. “Or what you’ve been through. That shit just means you’re strong. In here, if you’re tough enough, you dub yourself whatever you want. You think anybody called me Dread Queen before? I made that happen. So can you . . . because from where I’m sitting, you look pretty damn special, and not because of the fast healing.”
At her words, the warmth turned into longing too fierce to deny. So he kissed her.
I love the potential of a romance between Dred and Jael. Both are unused to trusting anyone, and it was fun seeing them circle each other, trying to figure the other one out. I really can’t wait to see what is going to happen next between them, whether they will realise that they finally found the one person they can just be themselves with.
There were a great cast of secondary characters, and I really liked the men in Dred’s inner circle, all with their mysterious pasts, which I can’t wait to learn more of. Of course I knew that one of my favorite characters were going to die, and it just broke my heart :-(
The plot was magnificently done, with the power struggles between the six territories, the violent battles, and trying to discover who the traitor was. The story line kept me rooted to the pages from start to finish. And I can’t wait to find out what will happen next after that final battle. Will Dred and Jael ever be able to escape the prison that is impregnable?
This is sci-fi romance at its best. And a must read for all who enjoys a kickass sci-fi with convicts, violence, war and the fight for victory.
October 27, 2014
Incredible! There is so much badassery in this I can't handle it.
Violence, Deadly criminals, Aliens, Floating prison city, IN SPACE. The concept is what got to me. How awesome does that sound right? I mean the first thing I read in the blurb was...
WELCOME TO HELL
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
And so I went and bought it straight away.
The characters were so enticing to read, I fell in love with all of them.
But mostly, DREAD. Oh my god. Dread is definitely one of the kick-assest female leads I've ever read, I'm still in awe.
This is one of those books where you simply enjoy reading the prose. Ann Aguirre has perfected the art of unpredictability. (<---YES, I thought it was going to go red-squiggly-line on me but it's actually a word!) There is always the possibility of major events occurring anytime, which kept me on edge throughout the whole book.
I really wish I picked this up sooner! Can't wait to read the next one.
Violence, Deadly criminals, Aliens, Floating prison city, IN SPACE. The concept is what got to me. How awesome does that sound right? I mean the first thing I read in the blurb was...
WELCOME TO HELL
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
And so I went and bought it straight away.
The characters were so enticing to read, I fell in love with all of them.
But mostly, DREAD. Oh my god. Dread is definitely one of the kick-assest female leads I've ever read, I'm still in awe.
This is one of those books where you simply enjoy reading the prose. Ann Aguirre has perfected the art of unpredictability. (<---YES, I thought it was going to go red-squiggly-line on me but it's actually a word!) There is always the possibility of major events occurring anytime, which kept me on edge throughout the whole book.
I really wish I picked this up sooner! Can't wait to read the next one.
March 5, 2022
4.5 Stars
Perdition is an action-packed start to the Dred Chronicles sci-fi series with an intriguing premise and some fantastic characters.
The Conglomerate sends their most dangerous criminals to Perdition, a prison ship orbiting a barren asteroid. Divided into six territories, life inside Perdition is ruthless with inmates locked in a constant battle for survival. Dresdemona “Dred” Devos rules Queensland with an iron fist, always on the lookout for attacks from either side of her territory. With a constant need for men to replace the fallen, Dred scouts at the drop-offs for any convicts worth her attention. And when she spots Jael in the most recent batch of arrivals, she instantly recognizes how deadly he is and that his skills could mean the difference between winning or losing the battle for Queensland.
Perdition is the start of a spin-off series of the Sirantha Jax series however it works well as a standalone series. Having not read the previous series, the only information I felt was missing was some background on Jael which we ultimately get throughout the books. I’m sure if you read the previous series you would also have a better idea of how this world functions, but I felt I got enough in this series to not feel like I was missing out.
The setting for this book is incredibly interesting and I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a prison ship full of society’s worst criminals. The six territories within Perdition are all vastly different from one another to the point it was hard to believe they were right next to each other. From cannibals, to crazy religious folk, to silent deadly assassins, each territory has its own unique set up. Queensland, the main territory we see, is definitely the most tame of the six. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still quite deadly with a lot of violence, but there are actually rules and basic niceties that make it the best choice of the six.
This book is very much one where there are no innocent or good people. There are characters you’ll ultimately root for, but in the end no one is a good guy. Our main character Dred for instance is considered one of the most prolific serial killers in this world. Granted her motive and method of choosing victims have a way of making you want to be on her side, she’s still just as guilty as the others in Perdition. Jael is an interesting character and one I definitely want to learn more about. His background is quite unique and some of the things he’s able to do are extraordinary. Jael and Dred’s dynamics are fantastic and it definitely takes a while for the pair to trust one another. Trust in their situation isn’t easy which makes it all the better when the two finally do reach a place of understanding.
The plot of this book centers around Dred facing an attack from both of the territories that border hers. It’s a fast paced action-packed ride from start to finish full of violence and death. The fights against the other territories are brutal and there were definitely moments I wasn’t sure the characters would survive. Ultimately not all of the characters we meet do survive. The fact that the entire book is set on a spaceship only adds to the suspense as the characters constantly have to worry about how far they take any damage as one explosion in the wrong place and everyone aboard is dead.
Overall Perdition was an enjoyable read from start to finish and I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Havoc, soon.
Perdition is an action-packed start to the Dred Chronicles sci-fi series with an intriguing premise and some fantastic characters.
The Conglomerate sends their most dangerous criminals to Perdition, a prison ship orbiting a barren asteroid. Divided into six territories, life inside Perdition is ruthless with inmates locked in a constant battle for survival. Dresdemona “Dred” Devos rules Queensland with an iron fist, always on the lookout for attacks from either side of her territory. With a constant need for men to replace the fallen, Dred scouts at the drop-offs for any convicts worth her attention. And when she spots Jael in the most recent batch of arrivals, she instantly recognizes how deadly he is and that his skills could mean the difference between winning or losing the battle for Queensland.
Perdition is the start of a spin-off series of the Sirantha Jax series however it works well as a standalone series. Having not read the previous series, the only information I felt was missing was some background on Jael which we ultimately get throughout the books. I’m sure if you read the previous series you would also have a better idea of how this world functions, but I felt I got enough in this series to not feel like I was missing out.
The setting for this book is incredibly interesting and I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a prison ship full of society’s worst criminals. The six territories within Perdition are all vastly different from one another to the point it was hard to believe they were right next to each other. From cannibals, to crazy religious folk, to silent deadly assassins, each territory has its own unique set up. Queensland, the main territory we see, is definitely the most tame of the six. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still quite deadly with a lot of violence, but there are actually rules and basic niceties that make it the best choice of the six.
This book is very much one where there are no innocent or good people. There are characters you’ll ultimately root for, but in the end no one is a good guy. Our main character Dred for instance is considered one of the most prolific serial killers in this world. Granted her motive and method of choosing victims have a way of making you want to be on her side, she’s still just as guilty as the others in Perdition. Jael is an interesting character and one I definitely want to learn more about. His background is quite unique and some of the things he’s able to do are extraordinary. Jael and Dred’s dynamics are fantastic and it definitely takes a while for the pair to trust one another. Trust in their situation isn’t easy which makes it all the better when the two finally do reach a place of understanding.
The plot of this book centers around Dred facing an attack from both of the territories that border hers. It’s a fast paced action-packed ride from start to finish full of violence and death. The fights against the other territories are brutal and there were definitely moments I wasn’t sure the characters would survive. Ultimately not all of the characters we meet do survive. The fact that the entire book is set on a spaceship only adds to the suspense as the characters constantly have to worry about how far they take any damage as one explosion in the wrong place and everyone aboard is dead.
Overall Perdition was an enjoyable read from start to finish and I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Havoc, soon.
November 4, 2013
If you are a fan of Aguirre's Sirantha Jax series, don't expect this story to be something along the same lines - you will be disappointed.There are similarities -- it takes place in the same universe, though at a later date; there's a strong female lead character with a tough outer skin hiding a more vulnerable side; a strong but flawed male lead character who did appear in the Jax series; and, of course, Aquirre's impeccable writing skills. But the similarities end there.
This is a dark tale of murder, betrayal and political intrigue set in a world where the entire cast consists of prisoners who have killed on a grand scale. Yet as unlikely as it seems, Aguirre's deft writing draws the reader in and makes it impossible not to grow attached to the characters, as she highlights both their humanity as well as their inhumanity as they struggle to make their way in a world where only the strongest and harshest survive. Amidst the darkness, there is just the merest glimmer of hope, and I think it is this glimmer that keeps the reader hooked to the end -- and hope the next book won't be to long in coming.
This is a dark tale of murder, betrayal and political intrigue set in a world where the entire cast consists of prisoners who have killed on a grand scale. Yet as unlikely as it seems, Aguirre's deft writing draws the reader in and makes it impossible not to grow attached to the characters, as she highlights both their humanity as well as their inhumanity as they struggle to make their way in a world where only the strongest and harshest survive. Amidst the darkness, there is just the merest glimmer of hope, and I think it is this glimmer that keeps the reader hooked to the end -- and hope the next book won't be to long in coming.
September 3, 2014
This was different in a lot of ways from the Sirantha Jax series. There was no space travel or travel at all, but I'm hoping there will be further on in the series. The characters are serving life sentences on a prison ship for terrible crimes, and the ship is pretty much falling apart.
Jael from the Sirantha series is one of the characters who just arrived after serving 30 turns in an alien prison. It took me awhile to remember him. There's several gangs, and Jael is chosen by Dred to join her gang. There's constant fighting over space and resources, and everything described sounded pretty disgusting to me. None of the characters are nice people, but I did find myself rooting for some of them toward the end. Interesting start to the series.
Jael from the Sirantha series is one of the characters who just arrived after serving 30 turns in an alien prison. It took me awhile to remember him. There's several gangs, and Jael is chosen by Dred to join her gang. There's constant fighting over space and resources, and everything described sounded pretty disgusting to me. None of the characters are nice people, but I did find myself rooting for some of them toward the end. Interesting start to the series.
December 29, 2015
I was fond of this one. I'll read more, depends on how long she's going to keep them on Perdition.
January 27, 2014
Synopsis:
WELCOME TO HELL
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.
Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…
My Thoughts:
I found myself seriously enjoying this book. I knew I wanted to read it after reading my first Sirantha Jax book last year and realizing that there's just something about Ann Aguirre's style that appeals to me. It only took me a few days to come back to this after I put it down the first time because I'd had to go to sleep, but I hadn't intended to leave it to the wayside for so long. Once I picked it back up, I got sucked right in and stayed up too late to finish it because well, I was almost done, anyway and needed to know the ending.
Right away, I knew that I was going to love Dred. She's bad ass. Even though so much of what she does is persona, there's still Dresdomona underneath the Dread Queen facade. She just can't allow for that to really be seen. Dred is a force to be reckoned with, though. I sure wouldn't cross her. And for all that at her core, she isn't an awful person, she's done some awful shit in her life. Dred is a killer, but senseless death isn't something she cares for. She's pretty tired of all of the killing required in order to keep surviving in Perdition as well. She can't allow herself to be soft because she's likely end up raped and dead faster than a speeding bullet. The woman has serious charisma, though. The Psi abilities help with that, but a lot of it is just her. Seriously, I'm totally crushing on Dred. She opens up a little once Jael comes along. I liked seeing that side of her. Dred has killed a lot of men in and out of Perdition, but her humanity isn't gone. I admire that about her. Somehow, Ann Aguirre has me completely wanting happiness for a damned hardened woman. The road won't be easy for Dred, but damn do I want her to get there.
Jael has me utterly hooked on him. If you've read the Sirantha Jax books (I haven't finished the series, but his name seems familiar), then you may recall him. It's been a looooonnnggggg time since the events of that series, but Jael hasn't forgotten. I don't think Jael has forgotten anything ever. The man remembers every betrayal and he protects himself from future betrayals by betraying those he's fighting for or working with first. He was pretty sure he was going to do the same to Dred, but he fell completely under her spell. I don't blame him for that in any way. Once you see just how the majority of the inmates in Dred's Queensland territory follow her, it's a damned hard thing not to join the status quo. Even if Jael knew just how much of what she was doing was a persona. He let her in and she did the same with him. That went a long way to curtailing any betrayals on his part. He was just shocked that someone seemed to actually give a fuck about what happened to him. That she would fight on his behalf astonished him and he fought with an equal fervor for her. I think our Jael--strange as it seems and strange as he is--is falling in love.
This isn't quite a romance, not yet, but I think it can evolve into one. At least, as much of one as two fucked up people as Dred and Jael can manage.
The plot is pretty action-oriented and gory what with all of the killing, Queensland defending itself against attackers or Queensland taking the fight to would-be attackers. There isn't much by the way of down-time as the time spent not fighting was spent planning. When you're living in a prison ship in space, it's not like you have time to have down-time. Especially when you're the leader of a section of said ship that needs to be defended on two fronts. Not long after Dred brings Jael into Queensland, she's warned that "he will destroy everything." It made Dred suspicious for a while, but it doesn't take Jael long to prove himself. The traitor came from a very unexpected source. I probably should have seen that coming, but I so didn't. I'm glad that asshole got what he had coming.
Right now, Dred is pretty on top, but there are other enemies on the ship and it likely won't be long before they come sniffing along. Silence may be out of commission for now, but she's a devious, crazy bitch, so I expect her to try something. Then there's Mungo. I'm not looking forward to meeting that guy. And of course, there's Jael's plans to escape somehow and take Dred with him. I'm very much looking forward to the next book. I'm very interested in seeing where this goes and if Dred and Jael can have an actual romance despite the odds.
WELCOME TO HELL
The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.
Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.
Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…
My Thoughts:
I found myself seriously enjoying this book. I knew I wanted to read it after reading my first Sirantha Jax book last year and realizing that there's just something about Ann Aguirre's style that appeals to me. It only took me a few days to come back to this after I put it down the first time because I'd had to go to sleep, but I hadn't intended to leave it to the wayside for so long. Once I picked it back up, I got sucked right in and stayed up too late to finish it because well, I was almost done, anyway and needed to know the ending.
Right away, I knew that I was going to love Dred. She's bad ass. Even though so much of what she does is persona, there's still Dresdomona underneath the Dread Queen facade. She just can't allow for that to really be seen. Dred is a force to be reckoned with, though. I sure wouldn't cross her. And for all that at her core, she isn't an awful person, she's done some awful shit in her life. Dred is a killer, but senseless death isn't something she cares for. She's pretty tired of all of the killing required in order to keep surviving in Perdition as well. She can't allow herself to be soft because she's likely end up raped and dead faster than a speeding bullet. The woman has serious charisma, though. The Psi abilities help with that, but a lot of it is just her. Seriously, I'm totally crushing on Dred. She opens up a little once Jael comes along. I liked seeing that side of her. Dred has killed a lot of men in and out of Perdition, but her humanity isn't gone. I admire that about her. Somehow, Ann Aguirre has me completely wanting happiness for a damned hardened woman. The road won't be easy for Dred, but damn do I want her to get there.
Jael has me utterly hooked on him. If you've read the Sirantha Jax books (I haven't finished the series, but his name seems familiar), then you may recall him. It's been a looooonnnggggg time since the events of that series, but Jael hasn't forgotten. I don't think Jael has forgotten anything ever. The man remembers every betrayal and he protects himself from future betrayals by betraying those he's fighting for or working with first. He was pretty sure he was going to do the same to Dred, but he fell completely under her spell. I don't blame him for that in any way. Once you see just how the majority of the inmates in Dred's Queensland territory follow her, it's a damned hard thing not to join the status quo. Even if Jael knew just how much of what she was doing was a persona. He let her in and she did the same with him. That went a long way to curtailing any betrayals on his part. He was just shocked that someone seemed to actually give a fuck about what happened to him. That she would fight on his behalf astonished him and he fought with an equal fervor for her. I think our Jael--strange as it seems and strange as he is--is falling in love.
This isn't quite a romance, not yet, but I think it can evolve into one. At least, as much of one as two fucked up people as Dred and Jael can manage.
The plot is pretty action-oriented and gory what with all of the killing, Queensland defending itself against attackers or Queensland taking the fight to would-be attackers. There isn't much by the way of down-time as the time spent not fighting was spent planning. When you're living in a prison ship in space, it's not like you have time to have down-time. Especially when you're the leader of a section of said ship that needs to be defended on two fronts. Not long after Dred brings Jael into Queensland, she's warned that "he will destroy everything." It made Dred suspicious for a while, but it doesn't take Jael long to prove himself. The traitor came from a very unexpected source. I probably should have seen that coming, but I so didn't. I'm glad that asshole got what he had coming.
Right now, Dred is pretty on top, but there are other enemies on the ship and it likely won't be long before they come sniffing along. Silence may be out of commission for now, but she's a devious, crazy bitch, so I expect her to try something. Then there's Mungo. I'm not looking forward to meeting that guy. And of course, there's Jael's plans to escape somehow and take Dred with him. I'm very much looking forward to the next book. I'm very interested in seeing where this goes and if Dred and Jael can have an actual romance despite the odds.
November 5, 2015
When the Sirantha Jax series came to an end, I knew that I wanted to read the spin-off series. Ann Aguirre excels at writing Science Fiction and although I haven’t read much in the genre, I know a good book when I see one. First off, just from the premise alone, you know this is going to be a good book. I don’t know how Aguirre comes up with her ideas but a prison ship locating in the air? Who thinks of this stuff?
When Perdition becomes under attack, Dred must protect herself and her friends. Again, it’s a story that packs quite a punch. It’s filled with world politics, action and suspense but as well, there’s also quite a few layers to Aguirre’s characterization as well and this might actually be my favorite thing about this new series.
Amongst all the science fiction details and the action, Ann Aguirre creates amazingly unique characters. I wondered how Dred would compare to Sirantha and although I see many differences in both, Dred also has that core strength that makes her more than just the strong chick in the novel. Her emotional ups and downs mimic the struggles they go through and Aguirre’s underlining thread of humanity does play a part in this book as well.
If you’re a fan of the TV show, Prison Break then you’ll undoubtedly see some similarities here. It paves the way for a lot of interesting fight scenes and intelligent plotting from the author. The more I read the book, the more of a bigger fan I became of Ann Aguirre.
As much as I love the writing and world, there is another thing that makes me fall head over heels in love with this book and it’s Jael. OH MY! Where have you been all my life? After reading countless books this year, I haven’t come across many new heroes who have caught my eye like Jael has. Reading him with Dred just makes me SO HAPPY and I don’t even know why. He just oozes this charisma that makes me adore him. He’s lethal side is what most people fear but if I was a character living in that world, I would watch out for when he smiles because man oh man, I’ve never come across a hero recently that was so compelling the first moment he walks into a scene.
So yeah, if you can’t already tell, I’m claiming Jael. I just know he’s going to be amazing in this series.
Reviewed by Ann
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August 27, 2015
I wanted to love this book, I really did but sadly it failed to live up to my expectations. And maybe that's part of the problem. It seems that I enjoy books more when I go in with no preconceived notions about how awesome it's going to be. In any event, the writing in this book just didn't seem to live up to other works by this author, other works that I have mostly enjoyed. This time around though the dialogue seemed stilted and/or cheesy by turns and the relationships felt superficial and unearned. It probably didn't help matters that I never felt any real connection with either of the male or female leads despite this being told in third person. A primary character, the "hero", is Jael, who was a secondary character from the author's Sirantha Jax series (this series being set about 40-50 years after the conclusion of that one). As I never found Jael all that intriguing in that series I found him equally as uninteresting in this one. The female lead, Dred, fared little better. I was actually more interested in and liked some of the secondary characters better, namely Dred's two lieutenants. As for the story itself, I wasn't invested in the various battles for turf on a prison ship going nowhere. I might give the second book a shot to see if things get more interesting but it definitely won't be a must-read-it-on-release-day event for me.
January 24, 2020
Well, a pretty good read. I'm going 4 stars on it. There are a few false notes but all-in-all not bad at..."all". (get it all-in-all and then all??? huh, huh, get it???? Okay I'll shut up.)
The story here is of another totally horrible prison where the guards are gone and the inmates run the asylum. Tribes of homicidal killers (most of whom are insane) these are the worst of the worst sent here for the rest of their lives. Once here you don't leave...ever.
The story here revolves around the Dred Queen and her newest champion. Lot's of blood, lots of carnage, politics, betrayal, etc., etc.,etc.
I was drawn into the book and followed the story but the one thing that bugged me was that our deadly, cold, Dred Queen manages to...wait that would be a spoiler so
So, I can recommend it. Try it yourself.
The story here is of another totally horrible prison where the guards are gone and the inmates run the asylum. Tribes of homicidal killers (most of whom are insane) these are the worst of the worst sent here for the rest of their lives. Once here you don't leave...ever.
The story here revolves around the Dred Queen and her newest champion. Lot's of blood, lots of carnage, politics, betrayal, etc., etc.,etc.
I was drawn into the book and followed the story but the one thing that bugged me was that our deadly, cold, Dred Queen manages to...wait that would be a spoiler so
So, I can recommend it. Try it yourself.
November 4, 2014
It took two months for me to finish this book, and it's revealing in itself. I'm pretty bulimic in my reading habits. I gobble down books as a Guinness-breaking man would gobble down hamburgers.
To get you a nicer pictures, this book is like some modern piece of arts. They tell you it's art, that it has a great value, but it leaves you totally cold.
This is Perdition for me. It really did nothing for me, I couldn't engage with any characters, death, betrayals, they had no value. I could have been reading a shopping list for the shock I got. Characters sounded flat, and honestly boring. The superhero hero was so over the top to be flatter than a tire in the August sun. And after 100 plus years there's no excuse in his history anymore, you expect him to have way more depth. Superficial, that's the word, everything seemed superficial. No depth to plot or characters.
I put it down at 30% and read a dozen books. Then, today I decided it was time to end this relationship. So I kept reading (and skimming the battle scenes) until the bittersweet end.
Glad I've shelved it.
To get you a nicer pictures, this book is like some modern piece of arts. They tell you it's art, that it has a great value, but it leaves you totally cold.
This is Perdition for me. It really did nothing for me, I couldn't engage with any characters, death, betrayals, they had no value. I could have been reading a shopping list for the shock I got. Characters sounded flat, and honestly boring. The superhero hero was so over the top to be flatter than a tire in the August sun. And after 100 plus years there's no excuse in his history anymore, you expect him to have way more depth. Superficial, that's the word, everything seemed superficial. No depth to plot or characters.
I put it down at 30% and read a dozen books. Then, today I decided it was time to end this relationship. So I kept reading (and skimming the battle scenes) until the bittersweet end.
Glad I've shelved it.
September 17, 2013
I am soooo happy to be back in an Ann Aguirre Sci-Fi world!! I had high expectations for this Sirantha Jax spin-off series, my expectations were totally met. I glommed this story. This book was awesome, and I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series.
August 26, 2013
Wow. After the last Sirantha Jax book covering turns of political and social upheaval with sparse and decimating action, this book comes roaring out of the gate. After scant chapters to set up the location and characters, the plot takes a death grip and doesn't let go. When I hear phrases like 'non-stop action', I immediately become skeptical, but Perdition's plot is constantly moving, barely offering time to rest between fights. There is even a large scale massacre within the last chapter, in the last four pages. I've never been offered that much action that late in a story without a horrifying cliffhanger. Ms. Aguirre doesn't leave us hanging, crafting it in such a way that I want to pick the next book up, but I'm not full of hatred over a cliffhanger.
Perdition takes place turns and turns after Sirantha Jax's story. It's set in the same world, mentioning events from the other series. Compared to the scope of Sirantha Jax's tale, this book is set on a singular ship in a rotating orbit. It's the most maximum security of prisons with no escape and no guards. Prisoners join a variety of gangs depending on their personalities and murderous ideals. Each gang controls part of the ship. There is plenty of infighting in the gangs as well as territorial skirmishes.
As for characters who inhabit this ship, they are varied and interesting. The mercenary, Jael, last seen in Ithiss-Tor, returns as one of the main protagonists in this series. He is pretty much the same, though it seems time on the bug planet has given him time to think over what a jerk he was. While he still harbors the notion that everyone is out to get him, he is less inclined to act upon it and quicker to apologize on the rare occasions when he does. Being what he is, he hasn't visibly aged, which is good, because he'd be very rickety and not all that great at combat.
The new protagonist, Dresdemona Davos, the Dread Queen, recently took over the territory in which she lives. Her rule is hanging by a tight thread. Her borders are threatened on both sides by two different gangs and there is dissension in her ranks. She has to navigate through an alliance with the crazy Silence, who's disillusions involve plenty of mute fighters and lots of death, in order to have the numbers in order to defeat the encroaching gangs. She also has to deal with a coup to throw her out of power in the most permanent way.
The other point of view belongs to Dresdmona's right hand man, Tam, a former political spy. While I am unsure as to what his motives or endgame is, he is both helpful and demanding. The Dread Queen is a character of his own design and he pulls most of the strings.
The other characters are just as colorful. There is a soothsaying mechanic, an innocent old man, and a huge cheerful berserker. There are more, and they cover just about every creed and vice you can consider.
The romance, while hinted at being a possible love triangle or tetrahedron, turned out being not so complicated. It had it's ups and downs, but for being in a war on a prison ship, it was both sexy and sweet.
Overall, I really loved this book. It's dark, exciting, sexy and full of interesting twists and turns. I didn't want it to end. I savored it until the last possible moment and I can't wait to read the next one!
Perdition takes place turns and turns after Sirantha Jax's story. It's set in the same world, mentioning events from the other series. Compared to the scope of Sirantha Jax's tale, this book is set on a singular ship in a rotating orbit. It's the most maximum security of prisons with no escape and no guards. Prisoners join a variety of gangs depending on their personalities and murderous ideals. Each gang controls part of the ship. There is plenty of infighting in the gangs as well as territorial skirmishes.
As for characters who inhabit this ship, they are varied and interesting. The mercenary, Jael, last seen in Ithiss-Tor, returns as one of the main protagonists in this series. He is pretty much the same, though it seems time on the bug planet has given him time to think over what a jerk he was. While he still harbors the notion that everyone is out to get him, he is less inclined to act upon it and quicker to apologize on the rare occasions when he does. Being what he is, he hasn't visibly aged, which is good, because he'd be very rickety and not all that great at combat.
The new protagonist, Dresdemona Davos, the Dread Queen, recently took over the territory in which she lives. Her rule is hanging by a tight thread. Her borders are threatened on both sides by two different gangs and there is dissension in her ranks. She has to navigate through an alliance with the crazy Silence, who's disillusions involve plenty of mute fighters and lots of death, in order to have the numbers in order to defeat the encroaching gangs. She also has to deal with a coup to throw her out of power in the most permanent way.
The other point of view belongs to Dresdmona's right hand man, Tam, a former political spy. While I am unsure as to what his motives or endgame is, he is both helpful and demanding. The Dread Queen is a character of his own design and he pulls most of the strings.
The other characters are just as colorful. There is a soothsaying mechanic, an innocent old man, and a huge cheerful berserker. There are more, and they cover just about every creed and vice you can consider.
The romance, while hinted at being a possible love triangle or tetrahedron, turned out being not so complicated. It had it's ups and downs, but for being in a war on a prison ship, it was both sexy and sweet.
Overall, I really loved this book. It's dark, exciting, sexy and full of interesting twists and turns. I didn't want it to end. I savored it until the last possible moment and I can't wait to read the next one!
January 30, 2014
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com
All I have to say is, Ann Aguirre has definitely become one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers highly entertaining books, Perdition being no exception. I have now made my way through at least one book of her four different series and it amazes me how different they are from one another. She just knows how to tell a good story, whether it’s about an orphan living in underground ruins (Enclave) to a psychically gifted space traveler (Sirantha Jax), she makes everything fresh, exciting, and highly entertaining!
The Jax series has become one of my all-time favorites, so you can understand why I was especially excited to read a spinoff from the same universe. With its amazing characters and an awesome storyline, Perdition takes place exclusively on a giant, unguarded prison. It reminds me of that one Stargate episode where the team ends up on a planet that’s been similarly converted to a orbiting prison. You know, the one were they meet that crazy lady… Anyway I love the concept of that episode, and Aguirre presented her twist on that idea in a way that was interesting and new (figuratively speaking, of course… it is a prison after all).
In my mind, there is a difference between atmosphere and setting. I have had minor issues with this author’s settings in the past, but have always loved the mood and feel she gives us with what she does describe. In this novel she did a great job balancing the two which made the world-building my favorite element of the story.
This was followed very closely by how much I enjoyed the characters, especially the main protagonist, Dred. She was one badass chick. I loved her because she had to find and maintain an inner strength well beyond what normal human beings have to endure, and only seemed to get stronger from it. The side characters were all just as memorable, with that hint of mystery surrounding them promising fun discoveries in the future. I’ve always said I love how Aguirre creates relationships, and not just the one surrounding the love story. She manages to form a deep connection between characters every time, which makes me care for them that much more. That is the one consistency in all her works that I most love and appreciate.
Overall, this was an excellent first novel to a new series, and I sincerely hope it develops into a five-star one like the Jax series did once it gained momentum.
Recommended Reading: of course I’m going to geek out about this one to anybody who has already read Sirantha Jax, but I would also feel comfortable pitching it as a standalone series. I would mention it to anybody who enjoys either urban fantasies or space operas (doubly so for those who like both). Readers of her Enclave series would probably like these too, provided they don’t mind a little more, shall we say “adult” content.
All I have to say is, Ann Aguirre has definitely become one of my favorite authors. She consistently delivers highly entertaining books, Perdition being no exception. I have now made my way through at least one book of her four different series and it amazes me how different they are from one another. She just knows how to tell a good story, whether it’s about an orphan living in underground ruins (Enclave) to a psychically gifted space traveler (Sirantha Jax), she makes everything fresh, exciting, and highly entertaining!
The Jax series has become one of my all-time favorites, so you can understand why I was especially excited to read a spinoff from the same universe. With its amazing characters and an awesome storyline, Perdition takes place exclusively on a giant, unguarded prison. It reminds me of that one Stargate episode where the team ends up on a planet that’s been similarly converted to a orbiting prison. You know, the one were they meet that crazy lady… Anyway I love the concept of that episode, and Aguirre presented her twist on that idea in a way that was interesting and new (figuratively speaking, of course… it is a prison after all).
In my mind, there is a difference between atmosphere and setting. I have had minor issues with this author’s settings in the past, but have always loved the mood and feel she gives us with what she does describe. In this novel she did a great job balancing the two which made the world-building my favorite element of the story.
This was followed very closely by how much I enjoyed the characters, especially the main protagonist, Dred. She was one badass chick. I loved her because she had to find and maintain an inner strength well beyond what normal human beings have to endure, and only seemed to get stronger from it. The side characters were all just as memorable, with that hint of mystery surrounding them promising fun discoveries in the future. I’ve always said I love how Aguirre creates relationships, and not just the one surrounding the love story. She manages to form a deep connection between characters every time, which makes me care for them that much more. That is the one consistency in all her works that I most love and appreciate.
Overall, this was an excellent first novel to a new series, and I sincerely hope it develops into a five-star one like the Jax series did once it gained momentum.
Recommended Reading: of course I’m going to geek out about this one to anybody who has already read Sirantha Jax, but I would also feel comfortable pitching it as a standalone series. I would mention it to anybody who enjoys either urban fantasies or space operas (doubly so for those who like both). Readers of her Enclave series would probably like these too, provided they don’t mind a little more, shall we say “adult” content.
Shelved as 'abandoned'
September 11, 2019I normally cross the store to avoid this badass chick stuff, but I guess I thought this one would be different. Maybe it was because I had been to three Barnes & Noble stores and still hadn't found anything I was interested in, so when all else fails, get the book with the pretty woman on the cover. (Hey it's worked for centuries.) You know how it is when you've got a gift card burning a hole in your pocket.
Dresdemona Devos, a.k.a. Dred isn't a vampire or P.I., she's a prisoner on an orbiting facility full of hardened criminals. A wretched hive of scum and villainy etc. etc. As such, I thought it'd be a lot grittier and even sexier than it was, but it's very tame, bland. We find out very early on that Dred is just a big softy deep down, and all her posturing is for show, so it was hard for me to buy her as the "Dread Queen" of Queensland (the name for the section of the ship she happens to rule.) She isn't even a criminal. Well, technically she is, but she was a vigilante hunting down worse ones. And I thought this book was going to challenge me to sympathize with someone unlikable.
Character development is a good thing, of course, but what is here is often repetitive and formulaic and it slows the story down to a crawl. There's an obvious budding romance between Dred and a "new fish" who has joined her faction. Maybe it'll have a surprise later, but at 99 pages in none of it is holding my attention yet so it's time to let it go and move on.
Dresdemona Devos, a.k.a. Dred isn't a vampire or P.I., she's a prisoner on an orbiting facility full of hardened criminals. A wretched hive of scum and villainy etc. etc. As such, I thought it'd be a lot grittier and even sexier than it was, but it's very tame, bland. We find out very early on that Dred is just a big softy deep down, and all her posturing is for show, so it was hard for me to buy her as the "Dread Queen" of Queensland (the name for the section of the ship she happens to rule.) She isn't even a criminal. Well, technically she is, but she was a vigilante hunting down worse ones. And I thought this book was going to challenge me to sympathize with someone unlikable.
Character development is a good thing, of course, but what is here is often repetitive and formulaic and it slows the story down to a crawl. There's an obvious budding romance between Dred and a "new fish" who has joined her faction. Maybe it'll have a surprise later, but at 99 pages in none of it is holding my attention yet so it's time to let it go and move on.
November 8, 2013
Did anyone watch the movie Escape from L.A?
Well the basic premise is that L.A is an island and is used as an inescapable, unguarded prison for the worst offenders. There is no control only the chaos, the prisoners are left to their own devices to live or die. That is also the premise of this book except instead of the prison being on an island it is in a huge space ship.
So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you are a fan of sub-par 90’s movies you would not find this plot very original!
The ship is divided up into various different “Kingdoms” and this story centres around the Dread Queen. Who joins forces with a new inmate who is “not quite human” to fight a turf war with the other leaders. He however seems more concerned with escape and getting into the queens pants.
This book started off a little rocky but it did get better as it went along. I enjoyed the “court politics” and the fact that the author was not afraid to go to some dark and gruesome places. But I did have a problem with certain aspects of the writing. There were MANY fight scenes and I found most of them disorganised and hard to follow. Also (And this is just my personal preference.) I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and a lot more world building.
Well the basic premise is that L.A is an island and is used as an inescapable, unguarded prison for the worst offenders. There is no control only the chaos, the prisoners are left to their own devices to live or die. That is also the premise of this book except instead of the prison being on an island it is in a huge space ship.
So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you are a fan of sub-par 90’s movies you would not find this plot very original!
The ship is divided up into various different “Kingdoms” and this story centres around the Dread Queen. Who joins forces with a new inmate who is “not quite human” to fight a turf war with the other leaders. He however seems more concerned with escape and getting into the queens pants.
This book started off a little rocky but it did get better as it went along. I enjoyed the “court politics” and the fact that the author was not afraid to go to some dark and gruesome places. But I did have a problem with certain aspects of the writing. There were MANY fight scenes and I found most of them disorganised and hard to follow. Also (And this is just my personal preference.) I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and a lot more world building.
February 8, 2014
Awesome! A bit like Max Max in space. I can't wait for the next one!
August 24, 2013
LOVED this book! Jael and Dred are AWESOME! Only problem, now have to wait for Havoc #2 to find out what they get up to next :-D
October 20, 2013
Perdition is a dark book full of violence. You would think that would be a turn off but for me it was not. I enjoyed Perdition and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Back Story: That can be summed up in a few words. This is an old mining ship converted to a prison where the worst criminals are sent for life. There are no guards, little outside support and the convicts run the place. If the back story for any of the characters is revealed it is in conversation as part of the action and does not interfere with the flow of the story.
Plot: Very simple. The ship is divided into territories headed by strong leaders. The Dread Queen’s territory is under attack from two other territories. All action stems from that attack. In a place with no hope you see people still trying to survive.
Characters: Don’t look for anyone who is a good person. Do look for characters who are interesting. Dred is the strong female backed by Tam (a spymaster with a hidden agenda) and Einar who is very strong and very loyal. Jael is the new male in the story and he is not what he looks like. There are other strong side characters. The character building in Perdition is outstanding. It takes great writing to make bad people appealing and Ann Aguirre does just that.
Writing: The story, plot, and characters are all well written. There was not a place where the action bogged down or where anyone acted out of characters. Nothing stopped the action in the story.
Perdition is a tension filled book that was hard to put down. There are hooks for future action but they are just hints that there is more to some of the characters than expected. Some problems are solved in Perdition and it functions well as a stand-alone. I did not feel that I was dropped off in the middle of a story. There was a very satisfying conclusion to the book even though I left me ready for the next story in The Dred Chronicles.
Back Story: That can be summed up in a few words. This is an old mining ship converted to a prison where the worst criminals are sent for life. There are no guards, little outside support and the convicts run the place. If the back story for any of the characters is revealed it is in conversation as part of the action and does not interfere with the flow of the story.
Plot: Very simple. The ship is divided into territories headed by strong leaders. The Dread Queen’s territory is under attack from two other territories. All action stems from that attack. In a place with no hope you see people still trying to survive.
Characters: Don’t look for anyone who is a good person. Do look for characters who are interesting. Dred is the strong female backed by Tam (a spymaster with a hidden agenda) and Einar who is very strong and very loyal. Jael is the new male in the story and he is not what he looks like. There are other strong side characters. The character building in Perdition is outstanding. It takes great writing to make bad people appealing and Ann Aguirre does just that.
Writing: The story, plot, and characters are all well written. There was not a place where the action bogged down or where anyone acted out of characters. Nothing stopped the action in the story.
Perdition is a tension filled book that was hard to put down. There are hooks for future action but they are just hints that there is more to some of the characters than expected. Some problems are solved in Perdition and it functions well as a stand-alone. I did not feel that I was dropped off in the middle of a story. There was a very satisfying conclusion to the book even though I left me ready for the next story in The Dred Chronicles.
May 13, 2022
Dread Queen, a badass heroine. She is tired of killing, but can survive on the prison ship only because she is smarter and colder than everyone else. Then along comes Jael. He desperately craves acceptance and wants to be treated like a human, but knows only deceit and betrayal. You'd think he'd end up in the last place where his desires would be fulfilled, but he didn't do the math with Dred.
In between all the fighting, blood and corpses, the two grow closer and find in each other what they thought was impossible.
There is so much action in this, all happening within mere moments constantly on the fine line between life and death. And then such sentences flow in so seemingly effortlessly:
“‘Hope is a waking dream,’” Jael quoted softly. “And it’s the last thing to go. It torments you like a bird killing itself slowly against the glass.”
That's why this story is one of my favorites. And there is even a bit of romance at the end:
…this was a different sort of kiss, less about lips and tongues and more about everything else. There was a raw honesty to it, an emotional hunger that he hadn’t offered before. Her stony heart cracked.
Perfect 😍😍😍
In between all the fighting, blood and corpses, the two grow closer and find in each other what they thought was impossible.
There is so much action in this, all happening within mere moments constantly on the fine line between life and death. And then such sentences flow in so seemingly effortlessly:
“‘Hope is a waking dream,’” Jael quoted softly. “And it’s the last thing to go. It torments you like a bird killing itself slowly against the glass.”
That's why this story is one of my favorites. And there is even a bit of romance at the end:
…this was a different sort of kiss, less about lips and tongues and more about everything else. There was a raw honesty to it, an emotional hunger that he hadn’t offered before. Her stony heart cracked.
Perfect 😍😍😍
September 3, 2013
I really enjoyed this book from a new series which takes place on a penal colony in space, based in Sirantha Jax's world.
Dred is "queen" of one of six factions living on the colony. When Jael arrives (some 30-40 years after the events that take place in Doubleblind), she senses his value and promptly grabs him to join her faction.
The factions are constantly fighting each other, and Jael proves his usefulness through his inhuman abilities. His emotional integration with Dred's group is a little slower to evolve based on trust issues on both sides. But I'm glad I read Doubleblind so long ago because I couldn't remember why I was supposed to dislike him. ;)
The cast of characters are well fleshed out, and they make this an intricate and richly detailed world. I not only liked Dred and Jael, but many others, including Tam, Einar, and Ike.
The pacing was fast and held my interest. This series is as good as Aguirre's Enclave series, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
Dred is "queen" of one of six factions living on the colony. When Jael arrives (some 30-40 years after the events that take place in Doubleblind), she senses his value and promptly grabs him to join her faction.
The factions are constantly fighting each other, and Jael proves his usefulness through his inhuman abilities. His emotional integration with Dred's group is a little slower to evolve based on trust issues on both sides. But I'm glad I read Doubleblind so long ago because I couldn't remember why I was supposed to dislike him. ;)
The cast of characters are well fleshed out, and they make this an intricate and richly detailed world. I not only liked Dred and Jael, but many others, including Tam, Einar, and Ike.
The pacing was fast and held my interest. This series is as good as Aguirre's Enclave series, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
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