My review of Gamma Raids II

Our fave Gamma Raiders are back in the sequel to the beloved flirty space academia adventure by R. Lynn Hanks, and you are not ready for all that ensues. Read my 4-star review below:

This sequel feels like a direct continuation of its predecessor in the best way possible. I respect that the events of book one had an effect on the maturity of our beloved found family. It's good to be in our main characters' heads once more. The author successfully manages to sustain a balance again, between musings and gifting us with all-enveloping imagery that evoke a full sense-driven experience of what is happening in general. Her morsels of descriptive embellishments are always captivating.

I don't know how the author manages to make me feel cozylicious and ready to bounce up and down from excitement at the same time. A sense of impending doom due to their actions chases our heroes as they mull over awakened feelings, future endeavors and the state of the galaxy. Bursting with squeal-worthy, steamy acting-on-their-impulses tension, experiencing how Kat perceives Lee and vice versa always warms my insides. I must emphasize anew, Lee's total swoon-worthy, green flag status. This man is husband material. And Kat still has a heart too big to contain, mischievousness always simmering in her, truth and justice forever ready to be unleashed. The Star Trek Starfleet Academy vibes chime in tune with our heroes' growing pains.

There is a lot of academia goodness: gossip, collegial dynamics, awesome games like wind tunnel surfing (you shall see how), plus other types of fun and always the cool gadgets and thingamajigies.

It would have served this sequel if there had been less repetitiveness in the what we went through, how do we deal with it department. Too often we were told that the characters were having trouble with past incidents. Personally, I needed the narrative to be tighter, for the intrigue to pass the stage of sparking and reach ignition sooner.

The secrecy and manipulation of events from higher-ups continue, getting oh so juicy, as they try to unravel the mystery. Agendas are on their way to being revealed, sticking out their ugly heads. I have had a sneaky suspicion since the events at the end of book one. As we journey towards the crescendo, a tremendous inner gasp grows exponentially while my heart was in my throat for those last pages, and yes, I felt like screaming and crying and jumping to the heavens with those last words...

This book is about consequences and dealing with them, as we realize that fair has nothing to do with it. It is about following your conscience wherever it may lead, even if it blows up your well-laid plans. About not waiting for but seeking out your future.

I will finish this review with one of the author's many gorgeous sentences, which in my opinion sums up the essence of this sequel: "Maybe if they loved each other hard enough, and deep enough, it would carry a ripple beyond the two of them, with enough to change the fates of the galaxy."