Adulthood Rites by Octavia E. Butler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can see the conflict in their genes-the new intelligence put at the service of ancient hierarchical tendencies.

Damn, she's done it again. I know that when I pick up an Octavia Butler novel, she's going to pull me in and take me on a ride that is strangely foreign yet uncomfortably familiar all at once. A master at submerging the reader in her universe, she skillfully puts on display the best and worst of human behavior. Adulthood Rites, the second installment of the Xenogenesis trilogy, was for me even more impactful than the first. Through the eyes of the protagonist Akin (son of Lilith from Dawn) we are taken through a number of experiences that force him (and us) to face the question: Can the human race be saved? Or is it forever doomed to destroy itself?

As a half human/half Oankali construct, the only male of his kind, Akin serves as a bridge between the human and alien worlds. He quite literally has the weight of humanity on his shoulders, and while he's given every reason to give up on the idea of humanity altogether, he's still somehow able to see enough good to want to save it. I truly loved Akin's character. His empathy, his youthful, almost naïve optimism, and his ability to see the best of humanity while it is at its worst is truly superhuman.

This story is intriguing and gripping in the best of ways. I could feel everything Akin felt - his confusion, his despair, his fear, his longing. I was equally rapt by his expressions of pure love, and tantalized by his joyous moments of discovery. I'm even more attached to Akin's character than I was to his mother in the previous novel, and I'm so eager to see how his story develops in the final installment.

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Me + Somebody's Son: A Heights Story by Christina C. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story was closer to a 3.5 for me. It was very cute - a fun, flirty, quick read about two old college friends reconnecting in a way they'd always wanted to but never could. What this little novella has going for it is that it delivers an abundance of laughter. There were some seriously hilarious moments that really endeared me to the characters. I did feel a bit dissatisfied with the ending though. It felt somewhat abrupt, which kind of makes sense considering the size of the book, but I felt like things ended right as I was becoming really wrapped up in the blossoming romance of the two main characters. I would really love to know more about how their relationship develops. That being said, this was another solid work from Christina C. Jones. If you're looking for a warm-hearted, romantic pick-me-up and some sincere belly laughs, this novella delivers.

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Maybe Next Time by Christina C. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

To be honest, I tend to have low expectations for novellas, especially romance novellas. There's often not enough space and time to flesh out a story that is meaningful beyond the romantic or erotic nature of the tale. This was not at all the case here. This story had impact, beyond just the lusty stuff. This was a story of a marriage pushed to its limits by grief, anger, and a serious lack of communication.

I was apprehensive at first. The introduction to Denver's character had me seriously taken aback - like who the hell is this guy and what is his problem? But as the story unfolded, the two main characters, Denver and Kensa, took on depths that I genuinely did not expect. When they finally got down to the root of all of their problems, everything made so much more sense. Anyone who has ever been married or in a serious, long-term committed relationship can understand the overwhelming, sometimes uncontrollable waves of emotion that can arise once the union is tested by the things in life that we have no control over.

This was a rollercoaster ride. Short, but chock full of emotional lows and highs. The pain felt by both characters was palpable, and I found myself choked up once the story hit its climax. But this was also a story about redemption, and how even through life's toughest moments, love can prevail.

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Anonymous Acts by Christina C. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel is a wild and sexy ride with lots of twists and turns to keep you wanting to come back for more. The plot was quite engaging, though I felt myself having to suspend my disbelief a bit towards the end. I've never come across a character quite as oblivious as Monica, and found it hard to believe that she really didn't see the people around her for who they were at all. By the end I was somewhat exhausted by her perpetual confusion. However, I found Wick's character to be quite intriguing and I'd love to read more of his back story. Overall I really enjoyed the novel. The erotica was tastefully done, and the plot was strong enough to hold its own without it. This is the fifth or so novel that I've read from CCJ, and she never fails to wrap me up in her stories. I always find myself wanting to read more.

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