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anissa_clendinen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
threerings's review against another edition
5.0
The second book in the Dragon Blood Series is Deathmaker. It introduces both a new female protagonist, Lt. Casin Ahn, a dragon flier pilot who was captured in enemy territory. While imprisoned, she meets Tolemek, also known as "The Deathmaker", an airship pirate and scientist famous for making deadly poisons used to slaughter entire cities. The two are forced to cooperate to escape their captors.
This book was thoroughly enjoyable for me. It really is much more steampunk than the first, since we get to see lots of pirates and airships and aerial battles. I also really like these two new characters and their relatioship.
The book eventually gets around to checking in on the two protagonists of the first book, but really this is Tolemek and Ahn's book.
This book was thoroughly enjoyable for me. It really is much more steampunk than the first, since we get to see lots of pirates and airships and aerial battles. I also really like these two new characters and their relatioship.
The book eventually gets around to checking in on the two protagonists of the first book, but really this is Tolemek and Ahn's book.
abookwanderer's review against another edition
5.0
Pirates and fighter pilots in a steampunk fantasy?? I'm not sure it gets much better than that. Buroker has seamlessly continued the intriguing world she created in Balanced on the Blade's Edge with this second installment, even though it primarily focuses on new characters. I might even say I enjoyed Tolemek and Cas's story more than Ridge's and Sardelle's. But, admittedly, I do tend to favor characters with questionable pasts and much to prove. I look forward to the next book set in this world, and more Tolemek and Cas, please.
kjharrowick's review against another edition
5.0
Why I picked up this book:
After reading Balanced on the Blade’s Edge and utterly falling in love with the story and characters, there was only one option: keep going. No faster had I gotten the first book’s review done and I was already diving into this book. It came as part of an initial trilogy package, but there are many more books in this series.
This review may contain spoilers.
What I loved:
Cas is a fantastic character. Trained by her father to be a sniper, and pulled into Wolf Squadron at a young age, she’s the type of complex character that’s seen too much for her young age and sometimes forgets she’s human, too. I loved her sass and her loyalty to her squadron even in the face of danger.
The entire story was really engaging. It was hard to step away from Ridge and Sardelle’s characters after the first story, but Buroker wove subtle hints about them through the narrative to keep readers connected. But even without the hints, once Cas is deep in pirate territory, it’s tough to step away from this action-packed tale.
Areas needing a touch of refinement:
I think I would have liked a hint more of an emotional struggle from Cas when it comes to Tolemek. While she’s tough and dedicated to her duty, and she’s repressed her emotions from an early age, the first hint of an attraction comes in the middle of the story, so when she kisses Tolemek, it’s a bit of a leap.
When the truth serum forces Cas to speak all truth, there’s a lot of information that gets clumped together. Same with the captain. It’s interesting, but some of it could have been dished out a touch earlier to avoid an info dump.
Sardelle’s bit role in this book felt like the all-knowing wizard trope. She was always in the right place at the right time to either have the necessary knowledge, or help someone in need.
Overall:
I loved this book, just as much as I loved the first one. Cas and Tolemek are both great characters, and seeing more from the pirates’ perspective opened up another hunk of the map in the Iskandian world. At the time of this review, I’ve read the third book in the series and should have the review up in a few weeks.
hellvis's review against another edition
5.0
Deathmaker takes place in the same world as Balanced on the Blade's Edge, slightly after the events of the first book.
Take sky pirates, steam powered airships and marvelously deadly flying machines, add a mad scientist on a mission, a sharp shooting gunslinger, some deadpan wit and the old saying 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', and Deathmaker is the result.
Packed with nail biting action, daring escapes, forbidden magic, goo, and Buroker's trademark smart-mouthed spunky female heroine, Deathmaker is a must have addition to your bookshelf.
Take sky pirates, steam powered airships and marvelously deadly flying machines, add a mad scientist on a mission, a sharp shooting gunslinger, some deadpan wit and the old saying 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend', and Deathmaker is the result.
Packed with nail biting action, daring escapes, forbidden magic, goo, and Buroker's trademark smart-mouthed spunky female heroine, Deathmaker is a must have addition to your bookshelf.
jjwilbourne's review against another edition
4.0
Lindsay Buroker's second installment in the Dragon Blood series shifts gears and pivots towards another set of characters in this fantasy-steampunk-romance mashup.
After Cas, an Iskandian pilot, is shot down and captured by the enemy, she soon runs in to Tolemek: the "Deathmaker." Known for his wildly dangerous concoctions, the Deathmaker is the very last person Cas would want to be stuck with.
Like Balanced on the Blade's Edge, the two are swept up in adventure and unlikely, forbidden romance. While I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cas and Tolemek develop, I found myself longing to get back to Sardelle and Zirkander from the previous volume.
Buroker progressed and wrapped up the novel in a way that satisfied me. Cas was clever, fun, and distinct from our previous heroine. Tolemek was sympathetic despite his crimes.
If you're looking for some steampunk with action, romance, and a sharp sense of humor, Buroker's Dragon Blood series is a great place to start.
After Cas, an Iskandian pilot, is shot down and captured by the enemy, she soon runs in to Tolemek: the "Deathmaker." Known for his wildly dangerous concoctions, the Deathmaker is the very last person Cas would want to be stuck with.
Like Balanced on the Blade's Edge, the two are swept up in adventure and unlikely, forbidden romance. While I enjoyed watching the relationship between Cas and Tolemek develop, I found myself longing to get back to Sardelle and Zirkander from the previous volume.
Buroker progressed and wrapped up the novel in a way that satisfied me. Cas was clever, fun, and distinct from our previous heroine. Tolemek was sympathetic despite his crimes.
If you're looking for some steampunk with action, romance, and a sharp sense of humor, Buroker's Dragon Blood series is a great place to start.
sarah42783's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 2 ½
I can’t say I was overly enthusiastic about Balanced on the Blade’s Edge (too much insta-romance for me there) but I love Buroker and the world she came up with in this new series so I decided to give Deathmaker a try.
The first part of the book I actually enjoyed a lot more than Balanced on the Blade’s Edge. I love Buroker’s writing and she is one of the very few authors that manage to alternate POVs flawlessly. I enjoyed the setting and the characters are better developed here. Besides, there is much more chemistry between Ahn & Tolomek than between Sardelle and Ridge. Still, it all falls a bit flat after a while and there are some very silly romance elements that made it hard for me to actually enjoy this instalment.
Not a bad book but not engaging enough to convince me to keep reading this series.
I can’t say I was overly enthusiastic about Balanced on the Blade’s Edge (too much insta-romance for me there) but I love Buroker and the world she came up with in this new series so I decided to give Deathmaker a try.
The first part of the book I actually enjoyed a lot more than Balanced on the Blade’s Edge. I love Buroker’s writing and she is one of the very few authors that manage to alternate POVs flawlessly. I enjoyed the setting and the characters are better developed here. Besides, there is much more chemistry between Ahn & Tolomek than between Sardelle and Ridge. Still, it all falls a bit flat after a while and there are some very silly romance elements that made it hard for me to actually enjoy this instalment.
Not a bad book but not engaging enough to convince me to keep reading this series.
aimee70807's review against another edition
5.0
Book two is often disappointing. But in this case, the sequel was even better than the original...which is saying something since I loved the first book in this series!
If I had to pigeonhole the genre, I think I'd call it a mashup of space opera and steampunk. There's no actual space travel, but the feel is there. On the other hand, there's the typical world-building of steampunk (plus magic), so lots of interest in that direction as well.
What I like best, though, is the level of romance/heat in this series. The books are very character driven and each one is about a new couple finding each other. But the adventures take center stage and there's no open-door sex. Just lots of road blocks thrown in the way to make it tough for the protagonists to get along.
The price is also right. Three full-length books for 99 cents if you buy them in the box set. Even at my speedy reading rates, that's a little bit cheaper than Kindle Unlimited, and for top-notch titles!
If I had to pigeonhole the genre, I think I'd call it a mashup of space opera and steampunk. There's no actual space travel, but the feel is there. On the other hand, there's the typical world-building of steampunk (plus magic), so lots of interest in that direction as well.
What I like best, though, is the level of romance/heat in this series. The books are very character driven and each one is about a new couple finding each other. But the adventures take center stage and there's no open-door sex. Just lots of road blocks thrown in the way to make it tough for the protagonists to get along.
The price is also right. Three full-length books for 99 cents if you buy them in the box set. Even at my speedy reading rates, that's a little bit cheaper than Kindle Unlimited, and for top-notch titles!
rhodered's review against another edition
3.0
It was fun fluff with lots of action and a strong heroine. I do wish though that the author hadn't made the hero look so much like a Johnny Depp pirate knock off. I just don't find dreads with a goatee remotely attractive. And the epilogue devolved into kitten-soft cuteness that did not fit the rest of the book.
I prefer my adventure with a bit more grit to it.
I prefer my adventure with a bit more grit to it.
threadpanda's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really loving the world building of this entire series. I think they could be "meatier" and go even broader but they're so much fun.
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