Reviews

Blood and Betrayal by Lindsay Buroker

talknerdybookblog's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Representation: Supporting character is unable to speak and uses sign language

Mature Themes:

• Sex discussed
• Sexual content doesn't surpass kissing
• Swearing
• Alcohol consumption

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Torture
• Discussion of past r@pe of supporting character 
• Gun violence
• Knife violence 
• Attempted murder
• Murder
• Abduction
• Imprisonment

Ending:

HFN

small_alex's review against another edition

This was... disappointing :(

I was SO excited for this like yes gimme the torture gimme the angst but mannn I just didn;t like a lot of the decisions that were made.

First of all, it was such a slap in the face to have her resist the torture just for that girl to put a rock on her face and find the secret like... wtf... Second, we found out all the awful stuff Sicarius went through, literally molested as a little kid, and she STILL pressured him and guilted him into being physical with her like????? Ew?? I never want them to hook up now. The whole thing feels so gross.

So yeah that pissed me off to the point where I now can't stand the FMC. 

The other POV was Maldynado, which I actually enjoyed quite a bit, but the misogyny got so old so fast. Like it was over the top. I get that he's oversexualized so her sexualizes everyone, but his character development being him falling for the 'manly woman' instead of his usual bimbo was honestly so insulting to Yara... especially since the author made her insecure about her looks like??? Idk. I want to ship them, and I do absolutely love Yara (and enemies to lovers), but I did not love a lot of the things he said to her and about her. Honestly I did want to keep reading to see how their relationship development goes, but I'm too frustrated by the FMC to keep going. Sorry Yara. I also feel like she's settling sorry.

unicorn's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

cobrasys's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

iselenamethod22's review against another edition

3.0

I seem to remember a lot of amazing Amaranthe & Sicarius moments here. And I LIVE for such moments.

Also, I get that Maldynado is kind of a player, he seems stupidly arrogant about himself sometimes... but the guy's really goodhearted and he means well like 80% of the time.

[possible spoiler]







I did NOT like the way that Sespian newly came into the group and almost immediately turned suspicious of Maldynado, turned a few of the original members suspicious, and acted like he had the right to protect Amaranthe from Maldynado and guide the team.

I mean, come on. Amaranthe has known Maldynado way longer than you Sespian and she's not friggin stupid.

Anywho.

Rant over. (I don't hate Sespian... I just didn't like that aspect of him)

ashleethurman's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted slow-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? Yes

3.5

kdf_333's review against another edition

3.0

mini review: great series - read them all. they are all fun. :-)

and now just my thoughts.

if you read my review for books 1-3 you will understand the following. so i am cheap but yay for birthdays! i got some gift cards. they were visa gift cards but i spent them on getting almost the entire Lindsay Buroker (i can never spell her name right form memory) collection.
i have purchased every single ebook or ebook collection that has to do with the world of empire's edge.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.

this wasn't one birthday it was 2 birthdays and 2 Christmases. cuz i am cheap. i mean, i cannot even lend these books to folks. oh yeah, i guess i could figure out the kindle loan thingee but whateves. i'll tell them to buy them. i read fiction books once maybe twice if it's a series and i need a refresher.

i love this world and Sicarious and Aramanthe and Sespian and Maldynadoand aeverybody else in these books. (i only checked the spelling on Maldynado's name.) so i enjoyed every short story and every full novel. a few things might be unbelievable or repeated scenarios but whatevs. i loved them all.

the author says in some book (don't ask me which. i have read them alllll!) what her influences are. the tv shows she names are ones i watched and loved and you can feel their influence in her characters and plots. a-team, macgyver, buck rogers, star trek, stargate sg-1, etc.
i do love her books becasue they do remind me of these shows which i loved as a child.

ocie's review against another edition

5.0

2013: A great read! This is the fifth book in the Emperor's Edge chronicles. Oh, It's a great book! The author filled it with suspense, humor, and action. It really kept my attention. I highly recommend it.

2018: General thoughts as I read this book
1. Maldynado has always held a soft spot in my heart, but getting to know him better (again) has been absolutely wonderful.
2. SPELUNKING in her CAVE????????
3. Yaldynado
4. I understand Sespian’s frustration, confusion, even hatred, but was that really necessary???????????
5. Amaranthe, you’re the gum that sticks this team together. Love you.
6. You to, Sicarius. You’re doing amazing, sweetie.
7. Sicarius never lets any emotion show, but I’m 100% sure he was being ripped apart inside during that last scene.
8. WHY COULDN’T SHE JUST WRITE IN SOME UNDERSTANDING????

This series is amazing. Please read it.

see_sadie_read's review against another edition

5.0

4.5

mangomari's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite of this series so far. I stayed up so late reading because I had to find out what happened next.