Short & Sweet Review: Rose Point by M.C.A. Hogarth

Rose Point by M.C.A. Hogarth
Series: Her Instruments #2
Publisher: Studio MCAH (October 7, 2013)
Memorable Quote: “Human steel had always trumped faerie magic. Reese set her face and marched in.”

TL; DR Review:

Tiara’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars. OMG, I loved this series. Space elves. *cries*

Short & Sweet Review:

I finished this book and the 3rd book in one night. In 2015, I reviewed a book called Earthrise by this author that featured a female protagonist of color named Theresa “Reese” Eddings, a human cargo ship captain that hauled cargo across the galaxy for various employers along with a misfit crew of creatures such as bipedal feline twins, a ninja phoenix, and a science nerd centaur-like creature. In Earthrise, Reese was contacted by a very important client some years after their initial contact to retrieve some very special cargo. Rose Point follows the aftermath of that story as the crew becomes accustomed to having an Eldritch (the reclusive space elves/fairies sort of) aboard their ship, but their Eldritch is starting to have issues with the psi-abilities that are somewhat common among his people. His are starting to manifest in him in unique ways. There’s only one place he can receive help. Home.

Actual Hirianthial

I enjoyed Earthrise a great deal, even with my complaints. With this book, I feel like she toned down the excess on things that didn’t seem as pivotal, such as focusing so much on the twins’ libertine lifestyle, and told more of the story. I love that this is such a role reversal. Even though Hirianthial (the Eldritch) is more than capable, Reese, who can barely fire a gun, often runs off to rescue the “lord in distress,” and she often has to use her own wits rather than physical strength. There’s a wealth of character growth in this story for Reese and Hirianthial as they navigate their feelings for one another and their personal fears/beliefs/wounds as their relationship causes a mutual transformation between them. They make each other better, even if they seem slow to realize it. Reese, who in the beginning of this trilogy fetishized Hirianthial’s people, comes to learn much about them, their troubles, and why Hirianthial left. Hirianthial comes to learn more about species and people who are much more short-lived than his own, groups that show a strength of will and just plain stubbornness when faced with the seemingly impossible–a trait that seems absent in most of his people. AND THAT ENDING. I loved this book so much that I immediately read the next book after this one. I didn’t go to bed until the wee hours of the morning thanks to these books.

Yays!
– Diverse characters including human and non-humanoid races with a protagonist of color
– Slow burn romance that doesn’t overwhelm the story and has just the right amount of tension
– A little bit planetary romance, a little bit space opera, a lot bit good

Nays!
– May seem a bit uncomplicated in execution even when the characters are facing some dire situations
– On that note, things seem to work out a little too well at times in these same situations where you’d expect more pressure and difficulty
– Has some scenes that may be triggering for abuse/rape survivors, but these scenes are not gratuitous, insensitive, or graphic

Other Reviews of This Series: Earthrise