Forged in Blood I (The Emperor’s Edge, Book 6)
The emperor has been ousted from the throne, his bloodline in question, and war is descending on the capital. Forge, the nefarious business coalition that has been manipulating the political situation from the beginning, has the ultimate weapon at its disposal.
If it was difficult for a small team of outlaws—or, as Amaranthe has decided they should now be called, rebels—to make a difference before, it’s a monumental task now. If she’s to return idealistic young Sespian to the throne, earn the exoneration she’s sought for so long, and help her closest ally win the respect of the son who detests him, she’ll have to employ an unprecedented new scheme… preferably without destroying the city—or herself—in the process.
*Sigh*,
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|An outstanding penultimate to the Emperor’s Edge series,
Within four weeks I’ve read everything this woman has written (I think!). Sixteen books… and this has to be the best of all – so far.
The Emperor’s Edge series is not heavy steampunk but a nice hybrid between fantasy/steam and a little sci-fi to top it off. The overarching plot revolves loosely around the sides people take when cultures and politics clash. Some cultures are science/magic based and other’s firmly entrenched in industrial/warrior caste societies.
Each book takes you deeper into those societies, introducing two sets of core characters with loosely linked timeline,aspirations and goals, who come together and stay together as their loyalties and fealties meld. You need to have read all of the books to become fully immersed and to ‘get’ a lot of inside references and puns. However, Forged in Blood I is still a ripping adventure. In itself, it is probably the most tense of all to date and could be read as a stand alone if you want to get a flavour for Ms Buroker’s writing – sharp, wry humour laced with plenty of double-entendre one-liners!
This is a penultimate and it does end on a heart thumping cliffhanger. But it’s worth every penny and I’m desperately awaiting FiB II. In fact, I’ll probably re-read the whole series again it’s so good.
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|Finally!,
If you have followed the series so far then this is where everything starts coming to a head. Forge has put all of its pieces on the board and the final game has now begun. Amongst it our heroes are fighting to stop the civil war erupting, to protect one another and to enjoy the peacful lives they want.
However powerful allies of enemies are hunting them, which ends with one of the most heartbreaking scenes i have ever had to read in a book. However as Lindsay knows we’d never forgive her if she killed anyone off, then there has to be a happy ending. Or else.
This story rips along, all of it echoing with both Amaranthe’s and Sicarius’ thoughts and feelings. As in every other book Lindsay has written each character beautifully and distinctly. The world view expands as players are introduced, setting up future stories that the author has promised. Yara strarts to play a stronger presence in the team, as does Sespian who finally starts to grow up and stop his whining.
All in all this is possibly the best book in the series so far, and Lindsay is already 70000+ words into Book 2, so hopefully that August deadline will be met.
And right at the end a taster of book 6.2 and the arrival of a very Big Player.
The only downside is a few typos here and there the Beta’s and editor didn’t pick up. Otherwise this is just a breathtaking emotional and exciting ride.
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