The Edge of the Blade

Jeffe Kennedy — 2016

A HAWK S PLEDGE "The Twelve Kingdoms rest uneasy under their new High Queen, reeling from civil war and unchecked magics. Few remember that other powers once tested their borders until a troop of foreign warriors emerges with a challenge . . ." Jepp has been the heart of the queen s elite guard, her Hawks, since long before war split her homeland. But the ease and grace that come to her naturally in fighting leathers disappears when battles turn to politics. When a scouting party arrives from far-away Dasnaria, bearing veiled threats and subtle bluffs, Jepp is happy to let her queen puzzle them out while she samples the pleasures of their prince s bed. But the cultural norms allow that a Dasnarian woman may be wife or bed-slave, never her own leader and Jepp s light use of Prince Kral has sparked a diplomatic crisis. Banished from court, she soon becomes the only envoy to Kral s strange and dangerous country, with little to rely on but her wits, her knives and the smolder of anger and attraction that burns between her and him . . . Praise for "The Mark of the Tala" Magnificent a richly detailed fantasy world. "RT Book Reviews," 41/2 stars, Top Pick Well written and swooningly romantic. "Library Journal," starred review"

Reviews

Lover of Romance @addictedtoromance

Mar 12, 2023

The Edge of the Blade is the 2nd book in the "Uncharted Realms" series. In this story it does get a bit intermixed with the plot happenings of book one "The Pages of the Mind" but it deals with the POV of Jepp and Prince Kral. Prince Kral and Jepp don't get along too well unless they are in bed together, then the chemistry just flames between them. But now Jepp will have to act the ambassador to the thirteen kingdom for Prince Kral's King and the unknown land. It soon becomes apparent that any future between Kral and Jepp will be forbidden. Kral is already married, and even though she is a virgin bride, there is no way for them to find a way together.

The Edge of the Blade was a interesting story, and to be honest, I am not sure if it was just my mood or if I just wasn't connecting with the characters, but this one didn't work that well for me. I am SUPER picky about the kick ass heroines, and I just didn't click with Jepp, there was nothing really relatable about her character and not just her fighting skills. But she rarely showed any tenderness toward Kral or any vulnerability at all. She just kicks ass and really comes off as being unfeeling most of the story and I just felt like we see so much more of Kral making an effort to keep them together and Jepp just being like, well the sex is good so I guess I love you? Like okay. Yeah it just doesn't click for me at all.

The world building of the story was superb, but the romance was sorely lacking for me, so I think I was generous in my 3.5 rating considering how much the romantic elements play a part in my rating. I feel so bad for giving this book such a rating, since I have loved this author, but sometimes her books if there is a certain character element, just doesn't work for me. Don't get me wrong I am loving this world and I can't wait to read more books in the series. But this one just didn't quite do it for me.