I liked the first part of the story well enough, but the second, with its mangled twist on hate-2-love, didn't do a thing for me.

This didn't work for me. Theo, the master and the ship owner, was too dull, too slow for a successful smuggler and unnecessary brutal. And horny. Like all the time. Leon did all the work getting Theo out of trouble, and turned from I hate you to can't live without you in a span of an hour (tho based on what, I am not sure. Maybe his brain got fried too much.) I am that one spoilsport, sorry, but I can't give the story more than 1.5 stars. I am not sure yet if I want to round it up or down. Gonna sleep on it.

This was neither a full blown sci-fi nor a romance.

Wait though!!!! I didn't mean it in a discouraging way.

This book is an in-between stage, a suspension if you will.

The story starts with the history of Bennett and Joss.
It's very sweet and I do feel for Joss in the end, even if he turns out to be stuck in his ways just like one of his beloved mummies - dead to the change. His rituals, his sacrifice, which I found heartbreaking and endearing at the same time, reflects vividly on his character and the state of his affairs with Bennett. He is done, he just won't admit it to himself and the world.

The middle of the book is a state of suspension.
Bennett is in between the worlds physically and metaphorically; between life and death, stuck on a planet run over by hostiles.
Bennett knows that Joss belongs in his past, but he's yet to do something about it when and if he gets back. His relationship with Flynn is uncertain, at best.
This part, tho, is where all the exciting sci-fi is. Not enough to please the majority of the genre fans (it seems), because it's not this book's true focus, but very satisfying at the same time.

There is no romance in the third part of the story either, despite all the feels between Flynn and Bennett. Bennett is still in transition. His old life is no more. His future, that depends on his health, is unpredictable at this point.
Flynn, however much in love, is too independent, with a very strong sense of purpose. His life is not his own, he will not resign and compromise his integrity. I love that about him. About both characters.

I don't think I am risking a spoiler: there is no HEA here, not even a HFN, the boys simply cannot be together at this stage of their lives. I hope very much that book three will tie everything together ...or book four. I am not picky :D Looking forward to it.

Maddening writing skills :)

There will be more! =)

4.5 stars.
Despite an "it was dark and stormy night" opening which surprised a wtf moment out of me, yet amused Shax, the book is just as good as the previous ones.

A new character is introduced to motley crew of Brimstone: Maximilian (my favorite name!), a brave tiny bugger (quite literally) and a singer. He saves another stormy night the day and all of Brimstone crew with Heck's help. AND, I hope I am not mistaken here, becomes Leopold's partner and Shax's son-in-law. Tho for the life of me I can't figure out how things can work between a hedgehog and a millipede @.@

This installment is an opening to many more grand and not so grand, but, I am sure, just as humorous adventures. Do not miss it :D