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A review by annkniggendorf
Dark Currents by Lindsay Buroker
5.0
I've read [b:Dark Currents|11672438|Dark Currents (The Emperor's Edge #2)|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hrgEN9L%2BL._SL75_.jpg|16617961] together with its direct prequel [b:The Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jpNjpFc%2BL._SL75_.jpg|14926833] and a related short story collection [b:Ice Cracker II|10184854|Ice Cracker II (The Emperor's Edge #2.5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1297478986s/10184854.jpg|15083889] in one go this weekend. This series is a fast-paced, character-driven page-turner one shouldn't start reading with major deadlines within the next three days, because it will grab you and not let go until you drop off its (hopefully current) end.
The imaginative - and neatly anal-retentive - female (former) police officer Amaranthe and the taciturn, mono-if not no-syllabic (not-quite-former) assassin Sicarius (yes, the one from [b:Encrypted|10218438|Encrypted|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qhA-qntaL._SL75_.jpg|15118057], but as a grown man now!) are an irresistible composition.
The setting is a refreshing genre mix with elements of steampunk, cop story, military and fantasy rolled into one to form an utterly compelling, self-carrying world that reminds as much of 19th Century London as of 19th Century Moscow.
Language and the style of the story-telling remind me of [a:Lois McMaster-Bujold|16094|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1298076542p2/16094.jpg]'s early [b:Barrayar|61905|Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170597854s/61905.jpg|3036422] books (most notably [b:Shards of Honor|6249462|Test of Honor (Omnibus Shards of Honor \ The Warrior's Apprentice) (Vorkosigan Saga)|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304092378s/6249462.jpg|6432279]), but the dry wit & humor shown by the well-defined characters are utterly unique and not to be missed.
I hope this series continues soon (though I would love seeing [b:Encrypted|10218438|Encrypted|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qhA-qntaL._SL75_.jpg|15118057], playing in the same universe but 20 years before the events in [b:Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jpNjpFc%2BL._SL75_.jpg|14926833], continued as well).
The imaginative - and neatly anal-retentive - female (former) police officer Amaranthe and the taciturn, mono-if not no-syllabic (not-quite-former) assassin Sicarius (yes, the one from [b:Encrypted|10218438|Encrypted|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qhA-qntaL._SL75_.jpg|15118057], but as a grown man now!) are an irresistible composition.
The setting is a refreshing genre mix with elements of steampunk, cop story, military and fantasy rolled into one to form an utterly compelling, self-carrying world that reminds as much of 19th Century London as of 19th Century Moscow.
Language and the style of the story-telling remind me of [a:Lois McMaster-Bujold|16094|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1298076542p2/16094.jpg]'s early [b:Barrayar|61905|Barrayar (Vorkosigan Saga, #2)|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170597854s/61905.jpg|3036422] books (most notably [b:Shards of Honor|6249462|Test of Honor (Omnibus Shards of Honor \ The Warrior's Apprentice) (Vorkosigan Saga)|Lois McMaster Bujold|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304092378s/6249462.jpg|6432279]), but the dry wit & humor shown by the well-defined characters are utterly unique and not to be missed.
I hope this series continues soon (though I would love seeing [b:Encrypted|10218438|Encrypted|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qhA-qntaL._SL75_.jpg|15118057], playing in the same universe but 20 years before the events in [b:Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51jpNjpFc%2BL._SL75_.jpg|14926833], continued as well).