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thisistaylort's review
adventurous
3.0
We, the readers, really had to work for that payoff though. Thankfully, the torture scenes weren't too vivid or long, but it still hard to read. Pike is one sick fuck. And I feel even more sorry for Sicarius than before.
I've always had to suspend disbelief a little in these books, but there’s just no way possible Amaranthe would be running around in the swamp after enduring torture for days!!! At least we got to see Sicarius admit his feelings at the end of it.
The bright spot for me was Maldynado. I was really looking forward to his POV, and it’s just as delightful as I thought it would be. I hated it for him that everyone was questioning his loyalty, but I also loved the dynamic between him and Yara. I already miss being in his head.
One of the highlights of this book was Sicarius making a joke and everyone's reaction to it.
Can’t wait to see the interactions between Sicarius and Sespian and Sicarius' relationship develop with Amaranthe.
lisaliest's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
As always a good time!
annkniggendorf's review against another edition
5.0
The fifth installment of [a:Lindsay Buroker|4512224|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1292869920p2/4512224.jpg]'s [b:The Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327954140s/10031259.jpg|14926833] novel series is as fast-paced, action-filled and character driven as the previous ones. [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] sees a good deal of character development and a holds several crucial moments for the plot, notably a cathartic experience for the main couple and a critical step with the Imperial family conundrum (Note: Amaranthe and Sicarius-shippers do not want to miss any of this!).
However, be warned that some serious dark matters, including violent interrogation, only ever hinted at in previous books are put into the spotlight in this one. Ms. Buroker certainly pulls no punch here. The aftereffects, while shown, are less prominent than I would have liked, given the severity of the experiences described before, making me wonder if they are going to spill over into book 6.
Luckily, [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] does not end with a cliffhanger like the previous book [b:Conspiracy|106646|Doomsday Conspiracy|Sidney Sheldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180837027s/106646.jpg|102794], but it will certainly keep me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what comes next!
However, be warned that some serious dark matters, including violent interrogation, only ever hinted at in previous books are put into the spotlight in this one. Ms. Buroker certainly pulls no punch here. The aftereffects, while shown, are less prominent than I would have liked, given the severity of the experiences described before, making me wonder if they are going to spill over into book 6.
Luckily, [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] does not end with a cliffhanger like the previous book [b:Conspiracy|106646|Doomsday Conspiracy|Sidney Sheldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180837027s/106646.jpg|102794], but it will certainly keep me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what comes next!
loonytoons's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So good
lunaty's review against another edition
4.0
Maldynado's perspective..
I was looking forward to reading his side of the adventure. I think I may have had my hopes raised a bit to high so when I didnt exactly get what I was hoping for I was slightly disappointed, however looking back it was still a great read.
He is probably my fave characters in the group and I adore his sense of humor and the fact he takes it all in his stride.
The hostility toward him though was not something I had expected. I am glad that more then a mild annoyance didnt overcome him because of it. I would have been a waste of the story if Maldynado ended up being really put down.
I also had hoped to a little deeper insight into the way he is and even though we do get a a little of that, it still left me waiting for a bit of a eye opener which only got filled with mindless banter between him and Yara.
Yeah, I am not a big fan of Yara.. to me she is a Amaranthe clone with more male tendencies and a foul mood 80% of the time. Ok so the pairing can be seen a mile away so there was no surprise there but I would have liked to see him actually get a lady he deserves and she just.. mehh... didnt wow me..
That being said, the adventure was awesome. The action was good and there is a whole new plot that opens up! And better yet, the next 2 will be in Sicarius's shared POV :D
I was looking forward to reading his side of the adventure. I think I may have had my hopes raised a bit to high so when I didnt exactly get what I was hoping for I was slightly disappointed, however looking back it was still a great read.
He is probably my fave characters in the group and I adore his sense of humor and the fact he takes it all in his stride.
The hostility toward him though was not something I had expected. I am glad that more then a mild annoyance didnt overcome him because of it. I would have been a waste of the story if Maldynado ended up being really put down.
I also had hoped to a little deeper insight into the way he is and even though we do get a a little of that, it still left me waiting for a bit of a eye opener which only got filled with mindless banter between him and Yara.
Yeah, I am not a big fan of Yara.. to me she is a Amaranthe clone with more male tendencies and a foul mood 80% of the time. Ok so the pairing can be seen a mile away so there was no surprise there but I would have liked to see him actually get a lady he deserves and she just.. mehh... didnt wow me..
That being said, the adventure was awesome. The action was good and there is a whole new plot that opens up! And better yet, the next 2 will be in Sicarius's shared POV :D
exeidur's review against another edition
5.0
Could have used a bit more romance near the end, though sadly I see there wasn't really room for it. Loved this and am very excited to see where the story goes next.
_persephone_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paradoxically's review against another edition
2.0
I am kind of absurdly fond of Maldynado, which is why I went into this book with anticipating of enjoying it greatly, and I did, but less than the others. Most of that is because the group is split and Amaranthe spends a lot of her time being imprisoned and tortured. It's not so much fun when Amaranthe is tied (literally) to one place and not allowed to go gallivanting off to her adventures. I've always enjoyed the books best when everyone is together and Amaranthe is making crazy plans and people are making faces but going along with her anyway.
There's less of that here, ergo I enjoyed the book less.
That and there's so much suspicion surrounding Maldynado that I found it absurd. Yes, it's kind of expected for Sespian to view Maldynado with suspicion, but the rest of his team? After all they have gone through? It's just pretty sad.
Amaranthe's situation was also... well. While I acknowledge the fact that she's a strong person, considering the torture she had to endure every day and still keeping her mouth completely shut... Well, for that matter, I expected magic to be used from the getgo, or at least some sort of truth serum, though that would have made the torture sessions a lot shorter, I suppose. Also, magic salve. For some reason the thought that magic salve bringing Amaranthe back from the brink of death every day kind of tips over my believability scale (which is hilarious considering I was mostly okay with what happened in the past).
I just didn't enjoy this book as much. Even when the group got together again it felt a bit too little too late. Sespian frustrated me, I wasn't so fond of Maldynado's relationship with Yara, so on and so forth. 2 stars.
There's less of that here, ergo I enjoyed the book less.
That and there's so much suspicion surrounding Maldynado that I found it absurd. Yes, it's kind of expected for Sespian to view Maldynado with suspicion, but the rest of his team? After all they have gone through? It's just pretty sad.
Amaranthe's situation was also... well. While I acknowledge the fact that she's a strong person, considering the torture she had to endure every day and still keeping her mouth completely shut... Well, for that matter, I expected magic to be used from the getgo, or at least some sort of truth serum, though that would have made the torture sessions a lot shorter, I suppose. Also, magic salve. For some reason the thought that magic salve bringing Amaranthe back from the brink of death every day kind of tips over my believability scale (which is hilarious considering I was mostly okay with what happened in the past).
I just didn't enjoy this book as much. Even when the group got together again it felt a bit too little too late. Sespian frustrated me, I wasn't so fond of Maldynado's relationship with Yara, so on and so forth. 2 stars.
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
This series is akin to modern version of old-school pulp. Plot, more plot, barely believable twists and turns of plot, heroes and heroines who are amazing fighters, seldom needing to eat or sleep yet always managing to come out triumphant, thrusting themselves into the heart of danger while riding upon waves and waves of luck that always gets them out of desperate trouble. The heroine gets tortured for days, yet seems to survive this ordeal with general health and personality intact. Amazing.
The plot is clever, and the characters are pleasant, with personalities that are unique spin on classic tropes. The goody-two-shoes heroine, the superhuman deadly assassin, the scholar, the dumb jock swordsman, the thief slash wizard.
I am going through this entire series -- 7 books in 7 days. It's an enjoyable ride. Uncomplicated, simplistic, even, and not much aftertaste or savor. Nevertheless, recommended.
The plot is clever, and the characters are pleasant, with personalities that are unique spin on classic tropes. The goody-two-shoes heroine, the superhuman deadly assassin, the scholar, the dumb jock swordsman, the thief slash wizard.
I am going through this entire series -- 7 books in 7 days. It's an enjoyable ride. Uncomplicated, simplistic, even, and not much aftertaste or savor. Nevertheless, recommended.