This was the 4th book in the series and it was my least favorite - by quite a margin, actually. It almost feels like it was a different author. I guess sometimes characters should just be left alone after a couple revisits...

The plot was weak and the character motivations are not really very strong. I think if you hadn't read any of the other books and picked this one up, you'd be like... how did he even get into this situation - the choices he makes are not believable. I kept wondering if a rational person would make the same decisions, and decided they probably wouldn't.

And the rehashing/repeating of his past as an addict was tiresome. I assume it was continually mentioned because it was supposed to be the source of the motivation for the choices he made? Anyway, it didn't work... his "addiction" doesn't ring true, so any decisions he makes because of it also don't ring true. ( )

Not bad, especially toward the end, but it felt like the author was wasting or marking time with Alex being so whiny throughout (I want my drug, I want my cigarettes, I want Cherabino [his cop not-quite girlfriend]). I'm not a big fan of lots of angst and that I finished this book is surprising.

Alex was desperately in need of a boot up the backside in this book and there was no one to offer it to him. I do think him getting away from other people was probably a good thing for him since he finally had to accept that he could survive without all of those things he uses as a crutch, which is a good thing for the character. It just got old, very fast with his constant whining. ( )

96 points/100 (5/5 stars!)

When Adam and Cherabino are on a date, they end up in a fight where the other participant later ends up dead. Now, Cherabino is the number one suspect - and her job is on the line because of it. Since Adam will only hurt her case, he takes a job in Savannah with the FBI to protect a little boy - a little boy he has previously seen in a vision.

I really liked the book. If you've read The Dresden Files, Vacant was Mindspace Investigations' Changes. This was the book where the series starts to take a new direction. Things started moving that direction in Marked, and this just continues that trajectory. It was really good.

Adam's working with the Feds is just plain good. He does almost everything right and the way he is supposed to. He isn't given situations he had no business being in in the first place. When the scenario was tough, Adam is realistic about his abilities, he tells his superiors about his limitations, and he confirms they understand. I really, really liked the way this entire story played out.

The best part of the book was that people are respecting Adam. The hardest thing in the previous three books was how much people take out of Adam every single day. Sure, they are thinking less than courteous things about him, but people can't help what they think. The problem is, is that they have been working with him for years now, and they still hate him just for what he is. So, with this change of scenery, we find that not everyone hates Adam because of what he is. and that is so, so nice. I never want to go back, honestly.

This book was the most Adam and Cherabino have been have been apart, before. And, it is during one of the hardest parts of Cherabino's life. This was probably why I liked this book so much. Their relationship is just awful, for the both of them. Adam needs someone who likes him for him, and that is not Cherabino. The amount of complaining she has over who Adam is completely killing any enjoyment I have out of their relationship.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a lot of fun, and it left me craving more, even though I know it may still be a while yet before the next book is released. Please, more. I crave.

To read more reviews in this series and others, check out keikii eats books! ( )

The Mindspace series has evolved and deepened in a way that feels natural. Vacant picks up where the last left off, with the characters feeling with the consequences of their recent decisions.

SPOILER ALERT!

Adam is forced to handle things on his own this time, and he learns things about himself and his limitations. He also keeps getting thrown off by people believing him, accepting his word, and generally being treated as one of them. He's not used being treated respectfully. It's a whole new feeling. Which is kind of sad but nice to see. Perhaps it'll boost his confidence in the end.

Though Cherabino isn't there, he misses her, and his constant thinking of her managed to keep her as a real part of the story throughout instead of just at the beginning and end.

His motivation throughout the story is to save Tommy, but much of his motivation comes from his guilt, which he has in abundance. Adam needs to find a healthier motivation to really move on from where he is. Where he is now is so fragile, if too much goes wrong that he can blame himself for, his guilt will eat him alive. I'm sure Swartz can help him out with that. And I hope Swartz sticks around for a while!

Seeing him turn away from the vial of Satin - wow. Powerful moment. But heartwrenching. He's getting a better grip on his addiction, but it really will be with him for the rest of his life.

Adam's relationship with Cherabino is sometimes so frustrating, but I think it might be because it's so realistic. I was looking forward to their reunion at the end of the story, but instead I got all their emotional baggage -- Cherabino's turmoil from all she'd gone through and having gone through it alone, and Adam's roller coaster ride he'd just gotten off, and then recovering from his injuries. I just wanted him to point to his sling and his bandages and say, "Hey! I just got out of the hospital! Sorry it took me so long to get here!" But as much as I wanted Cherabino to understand Adam's intentions, her emotions and reactions really rang true -- even when she contradicted herself. She wanted Adam with her, even when she said it was okay for him to work. She knew the child had to take precedence, she just didn't have to like it. Well, neither did I! It sucked monkey balls. I just want them to have one happy moment. Instead, torture, heartbreak, and Adam on the couch.

Yeah... It was so awesome. The end was an emotional roller coaster and I enjoyed every minute of it. There. I said it. *sigh* I must have a drama queen hidden inside me somewhere.

I really see a war coming between the normals and the Abled. That would be worse than the Tech Wars. But so awesome. Can't wait for the next one! ( )