Linnea Sinclair
Hope’s Folly (Dock 5 #3)
Bantam
ISBN-10: 0553592181
ISBN-13: 978-0553592184
Science fiction
February 24, 2009
*Very slight spoilers for previous books, but still, beware.
The blurb, from Amazon:
Admiral Philip Guthrie is in an unprecedented position: on the wrong end of the law, leading a ragtag band of rebels against the oppressive Imperial forces. Or would be if he can get his command ship—the derelict cruiser called Hope’s Folly—functioning. Not much can rattle Philip’s legendary cool—but the woman who helps him foil an assassination attempt on Kirro Station will. She’s the daughter of his best friend and first commander—a man who died while under Philip’s command and whose death is on Philip’s conscience.
Rya Bennton has been in love with Philip Guthrie since she was a girl. But can her childhood fantasies survive an encounter with the hardened man, and newly minted rebel leader, once she learns the truth about her father’s death? Or will her passion for revenge put not only their hearts but their lives at risk? It’s an impossible mission: A man who feels he can’t love. A woman who believes she’s unlovable. And an enemy who will stop at nothing to crush them both.
February has got to be one of the best months this year for really great books; on my list leastwise. I didn’t anticipate getting to read Sinclair’s latest early either, but oh, what a treat it was when the opportunity arose! Hope’s Folly is the third in the Dock 5 world and even though it’s that far in, it stands rather superbly on its own. It’s not necessary to have read Gabriel’s Ghost and Shades of Dark first, though you will gain a deeper understanding of the hero in Hope’s Folly by doing so. Plus, you’d be reading two other really phenomenal books. To read their reviews click here and then here.
Diving into one of Sinclair’s scifi books is a true pleasure, one I’m glad to say just gets better and better with each book. I read this series’ previous two books last year and felt blown away by the depth of emotion in them. Those characters, Chaz and Sully, really put me through the wringer and made me feel something for them beyond anything I ever expected. Waiting in the wings though was Admiral Philip Guthrie, and I knew this man would make a phenomenal hero. I was right.
At this point in the series, war is now in the beginning stages. People like our hero, Philip Guthrie, and the people he cares about – Chaz and Sully – are now rebels and fighting for the good side, the Alliance. As the one of the Alliance’s top ranking officials, Guthrie is about to take command of a ragtag ship, one of the few in their pitiful arsenal, and he’s doing so on a barely functioning leg. Time is of the essence though, there’s not a moment to lose. Things don’t go as planned and it’s danger from the get-go when he meets some of his new crew at a space station. Chief amongst them is Rya Bennton, daughter of one of his closest friends…and far too young and lovely for an old timer like him. She’s sharp, efficient and deadly though, a good addition to his crew. There’s something about the strong woman, a vulnerable and very female side that appeals to him on a level he should never have entertained at all. So the question is, as spies attempt to foil their plans and time is running out to make some important moves in the war, how can he resist the forbidden temptation that is his lovely security officer?
Rya Bennton didn’t recognize him at first, but the attractive older man carried himself with authority and deadly determination, intriguing her on more than one level. Then it hits her, and she’s rocked as the years come back to haunt her. The strong, yet damaged man from the space port is none other than her childhood hero and crush. As a child, she earned the nickname Rya the Rebel from him due to her incessant questions about weapons and general bratty attitude. Now she’s going to be working under him and takes on the role of self-appointed bodyguard to the handicapped Admiral. Their attraction might be palpable, but it’ll have to be kept under wraps, no matter how much she’s always wanted him.
Sinclair’s work has always included a smattering of romance, stronger in some cases than others, and this is one of the stronger ones. I loved the first few chapters of the book, when we get a feel for the timing in the series and are introduced to Philip and Rya, and their instant sizzling attraction as well. I’ve always been a fan of outer space romances, and I love older heroes and younger heroines, or vice versa. In addition to the romance though, we really are getting the whole cake here. We’ve got mystery, intrigue, spies, war, difficulties right and left and plenty of interesting characters to keep the elements moving in a well-paced manner. The ship they have to man, Hope’s Folly, is a character unto itself with all its mechanical problems, yet it’s a clear symbol of perseverance that underlies and reinforces everything that Guthrie and those loyal to the Alliance are trying to do. Too, there’s just a wonderful, heart wrenching story behind the ship’s and book’s name, but I won’t spoil it. It’s simply another way Sinclair captured my heart and made this book real for me.
Character-wise, I just loved Philip and Rya, more so I think than any other couple of Sinclair’s that I’ve read to date. There is a marked difference in the tone of this book from the previous two, which I felt were intensely dark at times. Nothing wrong with that, but I definitely found myself more able to relate to Phillip and Rya’s dilemma, both the romantic and the more plot-driven one. Both are intense charaters, like the ones from previous books, but to me they just felt more real. I think it was because their problems are ones that can exist today. I loved too that the book rotates for the most part around their romance. There is also a rather awesome mystery of who exactly can they trust onboard the ship, but it always comes back to Philip and Rya. Score – I loved that aspect.
Philip himself is damaged, both physically and emotionally. He was injured pretty badly trying to help Chaz and Sully at the end of Shades of Dark, and his leg is still recovering as a result. Since his attraction to the much younger Rya, he has doubts not only about himself, as he’s already in his forties, but he questions his sanity as well for even entertaining lusty thoughts of his beautiful young security official. Not only that, but the weight of this war and the Alliance’s position in it rests on his shoulders. He’s honor and duty-bound to put that above anything else, so he struggles a lot internally with his attraction to Rya. He’s also coming off the heels of the realization that he wasn’t ever there for his ex-wife, Chaz, as much as he could have been. He wasn’t fair to her, wasn’t there for her emotionally, and he wonders how he could ever make any relationship with a woman work.
I felt so much sympathy for Guthrie, and it had a lot to do with seeing him through Rya’s eyes. She’s an amazing character full of wit, an admirable resolve and self-assurance beyond her years. She’s damaged a bit too after having lost her father recently, and she’s determined to do him proud, and maybe look for a little vengeance against the one responsible for his death while she’s at it. The question is, can she focus on doing her duty to the Alliance, or will she put a personal vendetta above everything? She didn’t count on seeing Philip again, and her feelings are only getting stronger as the two have to work closely. There’s danger lurking around every corner, and she’s determined to protect the admiral with all she has.
I found her determination to protect Philip to be an ingenious turn of traditional male and female roles in romances. Instead of the traditionally weaker female and strong, over protective male, Philip and Rya have changed places and while both are quite capable, Rya does an excellent job as coming off as the strong female, yet not so much as to emasculate Philip (and I found it rather endearing that she watched so closely over the injured admiral). Actually, in terms of inner strength, I’d say they’re equal. It was just nice to see a female character that could thoroughly kick butt and never once really needed a man to stick up for her. I think that’s why, when in a few cases he does take charge, their attraction is all the more potent, heartfelt and intensely sexy and hot.
The secondary cast of characters is what adds a very good suspense and mystery to the plot. Who can Philip actually trust on his ship, because due to the war, it’s pretty certain that spies could be anywhere – or anyone. Rya herself isn’t above suspicion and time or two. Because Hope’s Folly isn’t actually a war ship, and constantly malfunctioning, it’s the perfect stage for this intergalactic play-off of who exactly is betraying the new and understaffed Alliance from the inside. I thought Sinclair did an excellent job of not revealing anything till the appropriate time. There’s a reason I don’t usually read strict mysteries; I’m not very strong at figuring out who the killer or bad person is, but it’s a big bone of contention for me when it’s too easily given away in books like this. I was glad to see that Sinclair masks the so-called villain perfectly up till the right moment. I was constantly questioning who it could be and I loved that.
I think I’ve already established how well Sinclair sets up her scifi worlds and elements, but since I’m re-reading one of her other books right now, Games of Command, it’s even more apparent to me how well she does this. In each stand-alone book or series I’ve read of hers so far she manages to create all these new terms and locations, unique names that never become too much to decipher. Their meanings and uses are always clear, always unique. It’ was amazing to me that nothing is ever reused or regurgitated. Through efficient use of such unique terminology and rich descriptions, it’s very easy to picture her scifi worlds and once again I was drawn into this one. It was great too to read an expansion of the Dock 5 world and I loved how exploring Philip’s story helped me understand more about the world it’s all housed in. So, as always, I bow with deep respect for Sinclair’s scifi skills.
If you’re a fan of science fiction and romance, this book does both equally well and in spades. Due to it standing well on its own, I would even say it’s a great book to start off a first encounter with her work, and most definitely the perfect way for more seasoned Sinclair readers to continue. This is classic Sinclair; evidence that the author knows no bounds and readily takes us readers on one imaginative and thrilling ride after another. Truly an excellent book.
The Dock 5 series will continue with more from the Guthrie side of the family, one Devin Guthrie, whom we don’t see in this book, yet I cannot wait to meet. Stay tuned to Sinclair’s site for more information.
Rating: Five Scoops
February 21, 2012
May 1, 2012
May 1, 2012
February 28, 2012
April 3, 2012
April 3, 2012
May 8, 2012
February 28,2012
May 1,2012
July 3,2012
*sighs* wasn’t Philip just such a great hero?
I loved what you say here:
“I found her determination to protect Philip to be an ingenious turn of traditional male and female roles in romances.”
and I agree! Great review Kmont!
Hey, Ana! I totally forgot to mention in the review too that Rya is going on my 2009 race for Best Heroine. So far it’s her and Elena from Angel’s Blood – both such great characters!
And yes, I’m sighing with you. Philip was wonderful!!
I was so set not to like Philip, but after reading Hope’s Folly, I am on the Philip train.
*choo choo*
It was so adorable to see Philip’s thoughts of her subbie and rebel.
But Sully will always be first in my heart
Gaah, Katie, I don’t know , I was so irked by Sully in Shades….Philip can come and have his way with me to get my mind out of things…*wink*
zooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmg
^
11 years old.
*pats Ana’s head* more Sully for me! Even though I wouldn’t mind Philip every so often.
LOL, you two crack me up, but I’m on Ana’s side with this one. Sully is an awesome character but I wanted to knock him upside the noggin’ sometimes. Philip is the Sinclair hero for me!!
And No, Katie – you no can has!
Oh wow, 5 Scoops! You KNOW I only skimmed the review, since I decided to read this book — but 5 SCOOPS! I’ll be back to read it in full once I finish this book… now I’m excited… 5 SCOOPS!
Hils, HF is probably going to become my favorite Sinclair book yet. I’m re-reading Games of Command right now, which was my fave, but I think I’ll have to replace my passionate longing for Kel-Paten with one for Philip now! Hope you enjoy HF!!
Tracy, which Sinclair book have you read? I need to catch up on a couple of her older titles myself. GG was very goo tho, hope you like it!
I really liked the 1 (yes, just 1) book that I read of Sinclair’s last year. I certainly need to catch up in my sci-fi reading and after reading your great review of HF I’m even more tempted to read GG. :)
With all the raves about this series, looks like I have a new author to add to my list. Will definitely be checking out this series.
Oh, boy. Kel-Paten is by far my favorite Sinclair hero. Sounds like Philip may give him a run for the money. Hm…I need to get my hands on this one. I need to read Shades of Dark first, though! *heads off to rearrange TBR stack*
Wow, oh, wow. I am humbled. And so thrilled you loved Philip as much as I do. Yeah, I have a thing for May-Decembers and Philip turned out to be just so…yummy.
But yunno, Rya doesn’t think of herself as beautiful and if you really read my descrips of her…she’s likely not. But to Philip, she is. And ain’t that all that matters?
THANKS so much! I’ve forwarded your review to my editor and my agent and with a little luck it might make the front matter of Devin’s (yet to be named) book.
I hope you’ll like Devin too. He’s another interesting, grows-on-you kind of guy. Different than Philip other than being very honorable. I’m getting to like writing GOOD guys rather than the bad and mysterious all the time. ;-)
Not that I don’t like bad and mysterious. But there’s something about an honest, honorable guy who FALLS HARD that just makes me all a-quiver.
I mean, I have been married to one of those for nigh on thirty years… ;-) ~Linnea
I read Games of Command. So good!
I can hardly wait, I keep hoping someone will invent time travel, so we can get the book early. Way to go Linnea… Love all of her books.
Cathy, I hope you enjoy her books! Lots to love.
Angie, it’s such a close race between Kel-Paten and Philip. Both are wonderful!
Linnea, thanks so much for stopping by! Rya was so beautiful to Philip that I just knew she was. So yes, I agree – that’s what matters! And I cannot wait for Devin! Three books into this series and I am a believer!
Tracy, I’m loving re-reading it ATM. Ummmm, Kel-Paten.
MAry, wouldn’t that just make our day? No more waiting lol.