Heaven's Queen (Paradox Book 3)

I feel like the first book should have began like “This is a book about a baddie”. This has been by far one of the most enjoyable sci-fi trilogies I have read. Each book got crazier and stakes got higher.I would love to spend a day in Rachel Bach’s brain. The universe, species, characters, villains and heroes she created here are so complex. Add on a great question on morality as well. The daughters in exchange for the entire universe and all the lives in it. I can’t say I blame the eyes for their choices but I love that Devi was constantly questioning everything. She’s so strong, stubborn and was determined to find another way. It was incredibly endearing.I’d love a bonus chapter that’s purely a slice of live or Devi and Rupert. By the way, I never thought I’d have the hots for a man named Rupert. Learn something new everyday

The first blast knocked me down,The second ripped out my heart,The finale? Hell just cue the gosh dang applause if you willHeaven’s Queen for me was an entirely different creature than the first two books in the trilogy. It was still action packed and ran high with tension but I think it also felt more comfortable. I know the characters now, I’m invested, emotionally attached, alright lets face it I’m a Paradox junkie at this point – so as I picked it up and started reading I was already all in - you know what I mean? But lets compare my attachment to these books/characters to the gradations of a newfound relationship.Book 1: Fortune’s Pawn = Infatuation – hardcore, action packed, hot and heavy, everything’s a mystery, bright and new and shiny…isn’t it just so shiny…Book 2: Honor’s Knight = The Honeymoon Phase & Reflection – The shine is still on but vacationing takes a lot out of you. Did you have those what if moments? Of course you did *wink* we all do. There are some bumps and you realize Mr. Perfect doesn’t always put the seat down. But he’s still got one hellavu a sweet *** (Oh Rupert…)Book 3: Heaven’s Queen = Coming Home – You love them despite or maybe even because of all those things things about them that you totally can’t change. You’re solid, you’re a team and the kid gloves have come off because it’s til death do you part.Ok so you get my point? If you can’t tell I loved this series. Hell I rated each of the books 5 stars and would give them more if I could. Everything just worked for me every step of the way. When I tried to come up with nit picky things I couldn’t really because things that would normally stand out to me to be nitpicked all just faded into the background of how much fun I was having the entire time.These books were action packed just the way I liked them but still had the necessary downtime you’d need to properly attach to and get to know the characters. Deviana Morris is a heroine that other heroines should freaking aspire to be. Stubborn, willful, bullheaded, an adrenaline junkie with an unshakeable morality for what was right and what was just unacceptable – but beyond that someone willing to stand up and be the lone voice of dissent even if it costs her everything.A horse of a different colorDevi has been through a lot up til this point and the punches don’t stop coming. What I love is how resilient and adaptable she is. But in this final book we see her undergo some major character development in regards to how she sees herself and her willingness to be close to others. I think this is the aspect that the romance fans of these books will key in on the most. What I really loved was seeing how she reacted under the pressure of having someone she really cares about and then feeling like she she wasn’t going to get to be with said person. Torment of the sweetest kind.But you want to know what to expect?I am of the firm opinion that this series would be a good science fiction intro book to any reader that normally prefers urban fantasy. Many friends I know stick to urban fantasy and are hesitant to try science fiction because they think it will either be too much for them, too un-relatable or just over their heads techy wise. These books were nothing of the sort. Place these characters in an urban setting and sub fantasy species instead of alien species and I think you would essentially have the same feel. A kickbutt heroine, a shifter type species, various other species, some magical type powers (mind reading, levitation, astral projection)…here they are just explained a smidge more scientifically, lots of cool weapons – if you’ve read some of those UF with heroes that load up on gear and weapons then you will love the ones here, and a great romantic love interest. In addition to that though instead of keeping it on one planet you get to see it on a universal scale. But in no way does the author make this feel TOO big such that it would overwhelm you. Because of the hyperspace jump technology it feels more like each planet or colony is more of another city or town. I’ve heard these books called popcorn reads, and if that means you’re going to devour it like a delicious bowl of popcorn – then I highly concur!I’m a sucker for an ending and oh boy what an ending Heaven’s Queen gave me! I think I read so many series books that I feel like I never get any closure, because there is always another one running. Seeing as Heaven’s Queen is supposedly the last book in a trilogy it gave me some excellent and much needed closure. I was able to set the book down when finished with the biggest **** eating, cat that got the cream grin on my face. Knots tied up, major plot points resolved and me just imagining would could happen in the future, but knowing that if I didn’t get anymore that would be fine because it left off right where it needed to. (FYI, I hear there will be more in this universe featuring other characters.) I highly recommend this series so science fiction, space adventure lovers – and even if you aren’t, take a chance these books are worth it.

These three books aren't really discrete. Honestly, they should only be read as one experience.Which is excellent. Very happy. Much enjoy.

This was an amazing end to this series. I'm so glad Rachel Bach took three parts to tell this story because the plot would have had much, much less impact if it had only been one book, but if she had gone into a fourth book I think the action would have gotten repetitious. The writing is really good and the plot, Devi's narration, and the fighting strategies all make sense and flow beautifully.Devi is now firmly set on her mission to free the daughters and Maat. Rupert went through fundamental emotional changes in the last book and has dedicated himself to following her on her path. He argues and offers options to her plans, but in the end Devi decides what to do. She is determined to do the right thing no matter the cost to herself.Most of the authority figures still firmly believe that the ends justify the means and are willing to sacrifice anyone to their plan for saving the universe. The others just don't want to get involved. All the characters are soldiers like Devi and she understands, but does not agree, with their actions. Since this book is written in first person, we are able to understand them through her explanations. There are great passages of dialogue in which Devi is arguing with whoever about what she's done and what she's prepared to do. Everyone has a justification for their actions that they feel passionate about.Devi remains strong, intelligent, funny, introspective, passionate, possessive and violent. Her many years of experience as a soldier then a mercenary shine through the first person narrative. Rupert is by her side and continues to be intense, passionate, focused and violent. We learn more about who he's been and what he's done.I love that Devi believes in the Paradoxian religion completely. We are never given reason to think that the King is anything other than sainted despite the fact that no one outside Paradox believes it. I hate when authors can't leave well enough alone and feel that they need to explain everything. I'm an atheist, but in books I like some mysteries left mysterious.

I just finished reading all three of the Paradox stories by Rachel Bach, the pen name for SFR stories by author Rachel Aaron. This is something I’ve long planned to do, as I’ve read - and totally adored - all of her fantasy stories (which I cannot recommend highly enough). I held off a bit as the price per book was way past my normal budget line but finally couldn’t resist doing it. I’m really happy I did as I thought all three of them were absolutely fantastic, starring just the sort of kick-a** heroine I adore and with fantastic Galaxy-building and superb plots (and overarching story arc) that’s perfectly written. I can’t really recommend these books highly enough. I only just hope that the author will be publishing more Rachel Bach stories and, more specifically, further tales for Devi (now that she’s a Knight and Devastator) and Rupert or the gang from the Fool.

Reading enjoyment

Wow, all the action you could ever want and I don't think I am giving anything away if I say that it has the requisite happy ending in more ways than one. Devi powers though all the obstacles that get in her way aided by the cavalry arriving at the last minute, so to speak, in miraculous ways their wonders to perform.If you want hard core SciFi that is scientifically accurate and plausible to the nth degree, then this trilogy won't be for you, after all, it deals with many aliens and happenings that our best brains could only call magic and have been crafted by the imagination of the author for your entertainment. But if you are looking for a great, but not too demanding, read that grips you and draws you in from one exciting scenario to the next and has time for quite a bit of romance on the side, then this is definitely worth purchasing.Just give yourself a few days for the whole trilogy though, as once started, you may well find it hard to put down!

I continue to enjoy Rachel Bach's style and the way she weaves a story-line that twists all over the place and keeps you guessing as to how things will turn out. The two main characters continue to grow and become more human with time despite their weird and extreme circumstances. I also appreciate that the author has wrapped up her story, as I don't like endless series where they keep adding new twists so you never really get to a conclusion. The last major one of the latter I followed just petered out in the end, whereas here we get to a proper ending.

Anyone who has read the first two books in the Paradox series (Fortune's Pawn and Honour's Knight) will know that Devi is a badass merc up to her neck in trouble. Anyone who has read this far will be chomping at the bit to find out what happens next. And rightly so. The only thing disappointing about this book is that it's the end of the most rolicking, action-packed space romance you're likely to read!

The blurb advertising this set of three is considerably better written than the books.They should have it all - invisible psychic beasties that eat worlds - heavily armoured mercenaries - a king with strange powers - conspiracy theories that turn out to be correct.Instead, like so many of Anne McCaffrey's books - no tension.

Imaginative world building. Realistic characterization.Love stories bound up with loyalty and heroism.Just sad that this is the end of the tale.