Lindsay Buroker

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. The Emperor's Edge Series Reading Order: The Emperor's Edge (Book 1) Dark Currents (Book 2) Deadly Games (Book 3) Conspiracy (Book 4) Blood and Betrayal (Book 5) Forged in Blood I (Book 6) Forged in Blood II (Book 7)

The Emperor's Edge Series, Book 6

Forged in Blood I

Sarah Escorsa

Previous rating: 3 stars. Ah, to be young and slightly stupid innocent.
New rating: 4 stars. Ah, to be a little more ancient mature and exceptionally not wiser.

➽ And the moral of this reread is: bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, that ending! 



➽ And the other moral of this reread is: breeding instincts so remarkable that even rabbits feel embarrassed + BOOM (obviously) + snakes in gardens (not the snakes you think or the gardens you have in mind) + benighted vandals + lighting people's underwear on fire + outlaws vs. revolutionaries + “One doesn’t incarcerate perfect proportions” (indeed, one does not) + playing blanket hornpipe vs. furniture moving + irritating villains who don't enunciate clearly when discussing dastardly plans + hahahahahahahahaha + harbinger-of-trouble faces = why this series is so underrated is and forever shall be one of the greatest mysteries of the universe, if you ask me. 

👋 To be continued and stuff.

· Book 1: The Emperor’s Edge ★★★★
· Book 2: Dark Currents ★★★★
· Book 3: Deadly Games ★★★★
· Book 4: Conspiracy ★★★★
· Book 5: Blood and Betrayal ★★★★
· Book 5.5: Beneath the Surface ★★★★
· Book 7: Forged in Blood II ★★★★★
· Book 8: Republic ★★★★
· Book 9: Diplomats and Fugitives ★★★★



[April 2014]

So this is the beginning of the end for the Emperor’s Edge… Well I have to say that this was not my favorite book in the series. I loved the idea of finally getting into Sicarius’ head in this instalment but it was all a bit slow, which is a first in this series. It also lacked the humor of the other books. There are some funny moments and dialogues but they weren’t just as laugh-out-loud funny. I guess things are going so terribly wrong in the Empire that it called for more seriousness! 

Still, this is a very entertaining read and it certainly builds up the anticipation for the grand series finale. There is even more more action here than in the other books (imagine that!), Amaranthe is scheming like crazy and things are being blown up, fun! 

It was nice to see Sicarius try to form a bond with Sespian. Buroker is such a great writer in terms of character development that she makes this completely believable. Sicarius (as the rest of the group) has grown a lot and what would have been absolutely out of character for him in earlier instalments of this series now seems almost natural. 

Overall, Forged in Blood I was a bit too uneventful for me despite the non-stop action. It was still a fun read but not nearly as exciting as the other books in the series. I really hope Buroker doesn’t let us down with Forget in Blood II. I would hate the very last instalment in this series to be a disappointment!

Amaranthe Lokdon survives her reckless plan to destroy the enemy’s weapon-filled super aircraft only to learn that thousands of people perished when it crash landed. Half of her team is missing… or dead. Meanwhile, the fighting in the capital has escalated, the Imperial Barracks have been taken by a pretender, and a deadly new danger threatens the populace. Amaranthe’s hopes of returning Emperor Sespian to the throne and bringing peace to the empire are dwindling by the hour. To make matters worse, her strongest ally—and closest friend—has been captured and is under a powerful wizard’s control. If she can’t figure out a way to free Sicarius, he may kill them all when next they meet… The Emperor's Edge Series Reading Order: The Emperor's Edge (Book 1) Dark Currents (Book 2) Deadly Games (Book 3) Conspiracy (Book 4) Blood and Betrayal (Book 5) Forged in Blood I (Book 6) Forged in Blood II (Final Book)

The Emperor's Edge Series, Book 7

Forged in Blood II

Previous rating: 4 stars (view spoiler)[🙄 (hide spoiler)]. 
New rating: 5 stars (view spoiler)[😎 (hide spoiler)]. 

➽ And the moral of this reread is: Why aren’t more people reading this series? WHY? Admittedly, puny humans are renowned for their Despicable Book Taste (DBT™), but that alone simply cannot account for their most revolting disregard towards this Most Scrumptious Series. I mean, it has everything! One of the most deliciously insane engaging ensemble casts ever (poof gone harem and stuff), amazing characterization, crazy scheming galore, an ingenious use of frozen corpses, explosions aplenty, some of the mostest hilariousest dialogues and banter in the history of mostest hilariousest dialogues and banter, non-stop action, wonderfully nail-biting stuff, riotously enthusiastic adverbs (pretty cool that), diabolically magnificently heart-breaking stuff—only that I don't have a heart, ergo it wasn't horribly crushed by said heart-breaking stuff (view spoiler)[😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]—and a slooooooowwwwwww-burning romance that redefines the concept of slooooooowwwwwww-burning romance. What more do you bloody shrimping want, that's what I'd like to know!



P.S. I could threaten to unleash my murderous children on you if you don't read this series, but I'm not like that, so I won't. You are quite welcome.(view spoiler)[
  

  

  
 (hide spoiler)]

P.P.S. This installment is one of the most satisfying series ending in the history of most satisfying series endings. Well, it was until Lindsay Buroker decided to write two more books in the series (view spoiler)[
  

  

  
 (hide spoiler)]. So now it's not anymore. Only that it still is. And forever shall be. Because I said so and stuff.

👋 To be continued and stuff.

• Book 1: The Emperor’s Edge ★★★★
• Book 2: Dark Currents ★★★★
• Book 3: Deadly Games ★★★★
• Book 4: Conspiracy ★★★★
• Book 5: Blood and Betrayal ★★★★
• Book 5.5: Beneath the Surface ★★★★
• Book 6: Forged in Blood I ★★★★ 
• Book 8: Republic ★★★★
• Book 9: Diplomats and Fugitives ★★★★



[April 2014]

So this is the end! Why oh why? I love this series so much I can’t bear the thought of this being the very last instalment. I’m not ready to let the characters go just yet, they are too much fun to read about!

The first two books in the series weren’t entirely convincing but I kept reading because I wanted to know what happened to Amaranthe and her team. I’m really glad I didn’t give up because the series is very well crafted and completely addictive. It’s exciting, fun, funny, has a fantastic cast of characters and Amaranthe is one of my favorite butt-kicking heroines ever! 
The strength of this series is definitely character development. Buroker has done a fantastic job with each and every character 

This last instalment is yet another crazy ride with the team trying to defeat Forge in the hopes of returning Sespian to the throne. Non-stop action, wacky schemes, armies, wizards, things being blown up, aliens, friendship, love, loss, humour, trains, planes, lorries, submarines and assassins… One grand finale this is! Yes, it is a bit unrealistic and over the top at times but I just do not care as this is one of the most entertaining series I have read in a long time.

I still can’t believe this is the end of it all and I will miss Amaranthe & her dysfunctional family a lot. Now off to read everything else Buroker has written to try & fill the void!

Forged in Blood I The Emperor's Edge Series, Book 6

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