A review by bea__reads
Forged in Blood II by Lindsay Buroker

5.0

This was....everything I wanted from the final book in such an amazing & unforgettable series. As always, I had a hard time putting this book down. The pacing was wonderful. The emotional scenes in this book, which has a few longer ones than is typical for this series, were well mixed with the action-packed plot scenes. Everything is pulled together beautifully.

Amaranthe is going to stay with me for a very long time. Her growth as a character was so natural that I can't help but be completely taken with her. She's talked her way into my heart and that's where she's going to stay. Forever. (With Sicarius obviously. He had to squirm a little to fit himself in there beside her, but they'll manage. I'm told they like each other quite a lot. ;D If I could just have a whole book of those two being adorable and awkward and in love...well I would pay good money for that. Also children. If there could be those children that Amaranthe may have mentioned possibly wanting to have...I would also accept a novella.)

I'm certain I'll be back to read this series again some day soon. Stepping into the Emperor's Edge universe has always been a mood lifter for me. Opening up one of these books and reading for a few hours takes me away from reality like nothing else. It's so easy to get absorbed into such an exciting story, so much so that the characters really feel like my friends. It hurts to see their story end and I hope Lindsay Buroker will continue to write in this universe.

SpoilerAs a side note, I seriously dig the overlaps between this and the Encrypted series, even though I haven't finished the latest book in that series yet. I think reading it will feel a bit different now that I've made such a strong connection between the two time frames. I enjoyed the part Tikaya and Rias played in the conclusion of this entire series. I recommend that anyone who has yet to read Encrypted do so now, especially if you found the appearance of Fleet Admiral Starcrest and Tikaya a little odd. It adds a little something to the meaning and power of parts of this book when you know & love all the important characters.