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Dragon Blood #1
Tanz am Abgrund
Vom ersten Moment an fühlt Colonel Grat Zirkander eine magische Anziehung zur geheimnisvollen Ardelle. Doch er ist ihr Aufseher – und sie seine Gefangene. Kann er ihr trauen, wenn die Zukunft seines Landes auf dem Spiel steht?
Colonel Grat Zirkander ist nicht gerade ein Musterbeispiel an militärischer Professionalität – er sagt, was er denkt, und in seiner Akte sind genug Verweise, um damit den Ballon eines Luftschiffs zu tapezieren –, aber als bester Kampfpilot ist er Nachsicht von seinen Vorgesetzten gewöhnt. Bis er dem falschen Diplomaten die Nase bricht und strafversetzt wird: Er soll in einer abgelegenen Mine in den Bergen Gefangene überwachen. Grat ist alles andere als begeistert. Bis unter den Gefangenen die geheimnisvolle, schöne Ardelle auftaucht ...
Ardelle Terushan, eine angesehene Magierin, erwacht nach einem Angriff auf ihre Heimatstadt in einem verschütteten Berg und muss feststellen, dass ihr magischer Schlaf drei Jahrhunderte gewährt hat. Alle, die Ardelle je kannte, sind tot, und Jaxi, ihr treues sprechendes Schwert, liegt tief in den Trümmern begraben. Wo einst die stolze Hochburg der Magier stand, ist heute ein Bergwerk voller Sträflinge, befehligt von den Nachkommen jener Krieger, die ihr Volk vernichtet haben.
Ardelle braucht Hilfe, um ihr Schwert zu bergen. Ihre einzige Hoffnung besteht darin, sich als Gefangene auszugeben und zu versuchen, das Vertrauen des Kommandanten zu gewinnen. Aber Lügen ist nicht ihre Spezialität, vor allem, wenn der Kommandant ein so charmanter und attraktiver Mann ist wie Grat Zirkander ...
Colonel Grat Zirkander ist nicht gerade ein Musterbeispiel an militärischer Professionalität – er sagt, was er denkt, und in seiner Akte sind genug Verweise, um damit den Ballon eines Luftschiffs zu tapezieren –, aber als bester Kampfpilot ist er Nachsicht von seinen Vorgesetzten gewöhnt. Bis er dem falschen Diplomaten die Nase bricht und strafversetzt wird: Er soll in einer abgelegenen Mine in den Bergen Gefangene überwachen. Grat ist alles andere als begeistert. Bis unter den Gefangenen die geheimnisvolle, schöne Ardelle auftaucht ...
Ardelle Terushan, eine angesehene Magierin, erwacht nach einem Angriff auf ihre Heimatstadt in einem verschütteten Berg und muss feststellen, dass ihr magischer Schlaf drei Jahrhunderte gewährt hat. Alle, die Ardelle je kannte, sind tot, und Jaxi, ihr treues sprechendes Schwert, liegt tief in den Trümmern begraben. Wo einst die stolze Hochburg der Magier stand, ist heute ein Bergwerk voller Sträflinge, befehligt von den Nachkommen jener Krieger, die ihr Volk vernichtet haben.
Ardelle braucht Hilfe, um ihr Schwert zu bergen. Ihre einzige Hoffnung besteht darin, sich als Gefangene auszugeben und zu versuchen, das Vertrauen des Kommandanten zu gewinnen. Aber Lügen ist nicht ihre Spezialität, vor allem, wenn der Kommandant ein so charmanter und attraktiver Mann ist wie Grat Zirkander ...
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2014
1274 people are currently reading
5810 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
199 books6,257 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 781 reviews
July 30, 2017
Sardelle!?
*cringes*
Dear Lindsay, I’m loving your Emperor’s Edge series. And I’ve forgiven you for an assassin called Assassin.
(Sicarius > sicario , that translates literally as "hit man")
Will I be able to forgive you for a heroine called Sardelle?
(Sardelle > plurale of sardella , that translates as anchovy)
I just wish for authors to stop randomly picking words from latin dictionaries. People who speak latin-based languages (Spanish, French, Italian, etc.) DO read english books, and these names sound ridiculous.
I think for me it all began with Voldemort, that I read as Vol-de-mort > volo di morte > flight of death. Uh.
*cringes*
Dear Lindsay, I’m loving your Emperor’s Edge series. And I’ve forgiven you for an assassin called Assassin.
(Sicarius > sicario , that translates literally as "hit man")
Will I be able to forgive you for a heroine called Sardelle?
(Sardelle > plurale of sardella , that translates as anchovy)
I just wish for authors to stop randomly picking words from latin dictionaries. People who speak latin-based languages (Spanish, French, Italian, etc.) DO read english books, and these names sound ridiculous.
I think for me it all began with Voldemort, that I read as Vol-de-mort > volo di morte > flight of death. Uh.
January 2, 2025
3.5* rounded up
Taking Lisa’s advice to getting rid of outstanding reviews. As such, I will only write a few words.
I love Lindsay Buroker's Emperor Edge steampunk light fantasy series. So much that I do not want to finish it. To prolong my reading experience, I decided to start another fantasy series written by her at about the same time. It is still steampunk but with more romance, which is not something a really wanted. And almost insta-love, which I hate. The characters are fun, the banter is there and the world building and fighting senes are top notch, just like the previous series. I know that her series are getting better as they progress so I decided to continue. I now read 3 and I was right. The romance also dies down after the 2nd volume.
Taking Lisa’s advice to getting rid of outstanding reviews. As such, I will only write a few words.
I love Lindsay Buroker's Emperor Edge steampunk light fantasy series. So much that I do not want to finish it. To prolong my reading experience, I decided to start another fantasy series written by her at about the same time. It is still steampunk but with more romance, which is not something a really wanted. And almost insta-love, which I hate. The characters are fun, the banter is there and the world building and fighting senes are top notch, just like the previous series. I know that her series are getting better as they progress so I decided to continue. I now read 3 and I was right. The romance also dies down after the 2nd volume.
October 8, 2021
I really wanted less insta-love and more dragons but not a total drag. It was still more entertaining than I expected.
I enjoyed the writing, and the audio was a big plus for me. It was interesting and lively and I think things that I would have rolled my eyes at on the page came across as more humourous when spoken out loud.
The plot seemed a little weak, since it's predominantly about Sardelle trying to get her soulblade back and I honestly thought that would happen pretty quick. But there's also the handsome new commander mixing things up in this slave colony and he's taking an interest in this strange, beautiful slave girl who is clearly hiding something.
Honestly, they're a cute couple but I just was not convinced by how quickly they fell in love. It was disappointing. I wanted more banter and tension and storytelling to bring them together. Instead, it read more like the story was contrived specifically to bring them together. Things that should have been badass and really progressed the story instead fizzled in the aftermath that brings the couple back together. I was a bit disappointed.
Also I think I really wanted more mythology and info about this race that's now been gone for 300 years. Even just some mention of people Sardelle knew, as opposed to the generic 'all the people I once knew'. I wanted to get to know some of the people she'd lost so I could grieve with her. But she was way too busy flirting with the commander to really mourn at all.
There were also, like, NO DRAGONS. Not in the conventional sense, anyway.
I didn't mind the story because it still moved along quickly and had some interesting moments, and I've got the audio for the trilogy so I'll keep going. But I do really hope there's more action and less love-sickness in the next one.
I enjoyed the writing, and the audio was a big plus for me. It was interesting and lively and I think things that I would have rolled my eyes at on the page came across as more humourous when spoken out loud.
The plot seemed a little weak, since it's predominantly about Sardelle trying to get her soulblade back and I honestly thought that would happen pretty quick. But there's also the handsome new commander mixing things up in this slave colony and he's taking an interest in this strange, beautiful slave girl who is clearly hiding something.
Honestly, they're a cute couple but I just was not convinced by how quickly they fell in love. It was disappointing. I wanted more banter and tension and storytelling to bring them together. Instead, it read more like the story was contrived specifically to bring them together. Things that should have been badass and really progressed the story instead fizzled in the aftermath that brings the couple back together. I was a bit disappointed.
Also I think I really wanted more mythology and info about this race that's now been gone for 300 years. Even just some mention of people Sardelle knew, as opposed to the generic 'all the people I once knew'. I wanted to get to know some of the people she'd lost so I could grieve with her. But she was way too busy flirting with the commander to really mourn at all.
There were also, like, NO DRAGONS. Not in the conventional sense, anyway.
I didn't mind the story because it still moved along quickly and had some interesting moments, and I've got the audio for the trilogy so I'll keep going. But I do really hope there's more action and less love-sickness in the next one.
July 25, 2021
Obviously one of the author's earlier work, so not as good as I have come to expect from her, but not terrible either. The insta-love-lust thing always bothers me, and I didn't feel much chemistry between the characters. Also, the plot was quite thin and she has not yet developed the typical for her banter the readers have come to adore. Either way, I plan on continuing with the series and hope it gets better 🙂
Want to read
May 16, 2017Kindle freebies, May 16, 2017, for the first three books in this fantasy series. They sound interesting. I have no idea when I'll actually read them, but into the Kindle freebie black hole they go.
https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Blood-C...
https://www.amazon.com/Dragon-Blood-C...
March 31, 2014
This book is a gem!
I'll mention in advance that I may be biased, but not because I received a copy of BotBE for reviews from the author. Lindsay Buroker is one of my favorite steampunk romance author, and I have bought 4 of her previous books in the Emperor's Edge+Encrypted series and borrowed all the earlier ones in the series. I'm confident that if she didn't offer this review copy, I would have bought the book anyway.
What I love the most about Lindsay's stories are her fantasy world, her characters, and her sense of humor. She is brilliant at keeping a cast of unique, interesting, and borderline eccentric characters whose personalities should have clashed and building a relationship (in romance and friendship) between them. She's done this again in Balance on the Blade's Edge. True to Buroker-type of romance, acceptance is a central issue in Sardelle and Ridge's relationship. I love how grounded their romance developed. You could feel that they are supporting and accepting without overtly trying to shove themselves into each other's life, which made them at ease in their partners' presence.
Not quite the full-fledged epic hi-fantasy story which focused more on the plot and world building, but unlike many Romantic Fantasy that focused hard on the characters, I find that Balance on the Blade's Edge is just the right blend of the two. At times I felt like she could have done so much more with this characters and this world, but that would made the story a long series instead of just one book. (read: I want more)
BotBE's world reminded me to the EE's world that mix magic with steam machines with technology and cultural conflicts going about. What makes the world even more special is that, the characters actually feels like they belong to that world, instead of just being thrown in the mix to get some plot going. For example, Ridge's lighthearted childhood that was cleverly woven into the story and his bias for magic.
Verdict:
A steampunk romance with sensible characters and grounded relationship development.
I'll mention in advance that I may be biased, but not because I received a copy of BotBE for reviews from the author. Lindsay Buroker is one of my favorite steampunk romance author, and I have bought 4 of her previous books in the Emperor's Edge+Encrypted series and borrowed all the earlier ones in the series. I'm confident that if she didn't offer this review copy, I would have bought the book anyway.
What I love the most about Lindsay's stories are her fantasy world, her characters, and her sense of humor. She is brilliant at keeping a cast of unique, interesting, and borderline eccentric characters whose personalities should have clashed and building a relationship (in romance and friendship) between them. She's done this again in Balance on the Blade's Edge. True to Buroker-type of romance, acceptance is a central issue in Sardelle and Ridge's relationship. I love how grounded their romance developed. You could feel that they are supporting and accepting without overtly trying to shove themselves into each other's life, which made them at ease in their partners' presence.
Not quite the full-fledged epic hi-fantasy story which focused more on the plot and world building, but unlike many Romantic Fantasy that focused hard on the characters, I find that Balance on the Blade's Edge is just the right blend of the two. At times I felt like she could have done so much more with this characters and this world, but that would made the story a long series instead of just one book. (read: I want more)
BotBE's world reminded me to the EE's world that mix magic with steam machines with technology and cultural conflicts going about. What makes the world even more special is that, the characters actually feels like they belong to that world, instead of just being thrown in the mix to get some plot going. For example, Ridge's lighthearted childhood that was cleverly woven into the story and his bias for magic.
Verdict:
A steampunk romance with sensible characters and grounded relationship development.
August 29, 2019
This is fun!
I fell in love with this author after reading the Emperor's Edge series and was really curious if she could do it again, if she has another series just as good or better.
Guess what! She did.
The characters are fun and engaging, the world is amazing, and the plot is really interesting, making you curious about what's next.
It's definitely a series I'd recommend to anyone who likes fantasy (although yeah, this is more steam-punk fantasy than High Fantasy, but it's definitely worth it).
I fell in love with this author after reading the Emperor's Edge series and was really curious if she could do it again, if she has another series just as good or better.
Guess what! She did.
The characters are fun and engaging, the world is amazing, and the plot is really interesting, making you curious about what's next.
It's definitely a series I'd recommend to anyone who likes fantasy (although yeah, this is more steam-punk fantasy than High Fantasy, but it's definitely worth it).
September 27, 2015
I discovered Lindsay Buroker with the Emperor’s Edge series (one of my favourite series ever) and am trying to get my hands on everything else she has written so far. I thought the premise of the book was really interesting but unfortunately the rest of the book was a bit disappointing. It was entertaining enough but the biggest turn off for me was the romance aspect of the story. I was expecting something in the Emperor’s Edge vein (lots of action with a hint of romance as the series develops) but it’s quite the contrary in Balance on the Blade’s Edge. And the insta-love aspect of the plot annoyed me to no end!
The book felt like a really light read and the writing isn’t up to Buroker’s usual standard. The novella is structured in two parts and the three-week time lapse between the parts is a bit unsettling. I don’t mind the idea of the time-lapse in itself, it’s just that it feels awkward here. It almost feels like Buroker lacked the inspiration to go from one point of the plot to the next and just decided to skip it all, eating up three weeks in the process. This wasn’t handled very smoothly. Added to the fact that the second part of the novella wasn’t as entertaining as the first… I don’t know, this wasn’t really satisfying.
The characters I did like here. I like Sardelle, I like Ridge and the addition of the talking soulblade was a great idea as it gave the book some much-needed humour.
I’m having a hard time rating this book but I think I’ll settle for three stars. Balance on the Blade’s Edge has many flaws but I still think the story has great potential. I’m curious to find out what Buroker has in store for the next instalment in this series and I’m willing to give it a try when it is published. Here’s hoping this won’t turn into yet another corny-mushy steampunk romance series!
The book felt like a really light read and the writing isn’t up to Buroker’s usual standard. The novella is structured in two parts and the three-week time lapse between the parts is a bit unsettling. I don’t mind the idea of the time-lapse in itself, it’s just that it feels awkward here. It almost feels like Buroker lacked the inspiration to go from one point of the plot to the next and just decided to skip it all, eating up three weeks in the process. This wasn’t handled very smoothly. Added to the fact that the second part of the novella wasn’t as entertaining as the first… I don’t know, this wasn’t really satisfying.
The characters I did like here. I like Sardelle, I like Ridge and the addition of the talking soulblade was a great idea as it gave the book some much-needed humour.
I’m having a hard time rating this book but I think I’ll settle for three stars. Balance on the Blade’s Edge has many flaws but I still think the story has great potential. I’m curious to find out what Buroker has in store for the next instalment in this series and I’m willing to give it a try when it is published. Here’s hoping this won’t turn into yet another corny-mushy steampunk romance series!
April 16, 2014
Unlike some people, I do my best to support independent authors as much as I can. Independent authors offer a fresh perspective as compared to the cookie-cutter traditional publishing house "best sellers" some of which don't deserve the best seller accolade.
Many of Ms. Buroker's books deserve that praise. Including this one.
That said, Balanced on the Blade's Edge is yet another engaging, exciting adventure from Ms. Buroker. The characters are enchanting (Jaxi particularly is amusing), the situation is imaginative and creative. I would hope to not only read a sequel to this novel, but I also long for a prequel. (At the rate at which Ms. Buroker writes I expect to see both in no time).
This (along with The Emperor's Edge series) would make a fantastic movie! (Hollywood, are you paying attention?)
Keep writing, Ms. Buroker and I'll keep reading.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and lose themselves in the escapism.
Many of Ms. Buroker's books deserve that praise. Including this one.
That said, Balanced on the Blade's Edge is yet another engaging, exciting adventure from Ms. Buroker. The characters are enchanting (Jaxi particularly is amusing), the situation is imaginative and creative. I would hope to not only read a sequel to this novel, but I also long for a prequel. (At the rate at which Ms. Buroker writes I expect to see both in no time).
This (along with The Emperor's Edge series) would make a fantastic movie! (Hollywood, are you paying attention?)
Keep writing, Ms. Buroker and I'll keep reading.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and lose themselves in the escapism.
February 12, 2016
***3.5 Stars***
It seems that most of the books I've read lately fall into the "better than 'meh' but still not great" category. This is no exception. It's quick and really easy to read. Like very readable. I was drawn in to the story pretty easily and stayed fairly engaged throughout, though I will admit I got a little bored there towards the end.
My biggest hangup, aside from the instalove factor (which I almost expect from a fairly short novel with a romantic interest), was with the magic "system". Sardelle could literally do almost anything, just on the fly. No sacrifice. No give and take. No preparation. She just thinks it and it happens. There's no explanation and no depth to it. That bothers me. However, I did find Jaxi, her bound soulblade, really fun and a great addition to the story and Ridge was a decent, non-assholey leading guy. Still, at the end I was just "Eh. Okay."
If you're looking for something quick to read with a touch of action, magic, and romance then this may be worth a shot.
It seems that most of the books I've read lately fall into the "better than 'meh' but still not great" category. This is no exception. It's quick and really easy to read. Like very readable. I was drawn in to the story pretty easily and stayed fairly engaged throughout, though I will admit I got a little bored there towards the end.
My biggest hangup, aside from the instalove factor (which I almost expect from a fairly short novel with a romantic interest), was with the magic "system". Sardelle could literally do almost anything, just on the fly. No sacrifice. No give and take. No preparation. She just thinks it and it happens. There's no explanation and no depth to it. That bothers me. However, I did find Jaxi, her bound soulblade, really fun and a great addition to the story and Ridge was a decent, non-assholey leading guy. Still, at the end I was just "Eh. Okay."
If you're looking for something quick to read with a touch of action, magic, and romance then this may be worth a shot.
May 24, 2020
3.5
Finally got around to finishing this one.
Finally got around to finishing this one.
May 11, 2015
I've written the review for the first 4 book bere:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 23, 2023
Interesting set-up and premise. Great story. There were some small holes that could have been worked out better, For instance, I am a bit confused at the world building. It reads kinda like a sci-fi, kinda like a steampunk, and kinda like a mash of both in a fantasy world. Haven’t figured that out even yet. Overall, though, this story is an awfully lot of fun!
October 9, 2023
Not my favorite book. The fact I’m not rating it 5 stars means a lot. I still would like to own a copy but not a favorite book!
Read
August 13, 2025nothing will quite match up to the emperor's edge, but this was a lot of fun
October 21, 2018
2nd Read: Started Oct. 3, 2018 Finished: October 17, 2018
*********************
1st Read/Review (Aug 6, 2016)
I really enjoyed this book! You never know what you're getting when you download a freebie, but this time I scored! Balanced on the Blade's Edge is the first book in the Dragon Blood series and it's definitely worth checking out! The author writes a fun mashup of science fiction fantasy, steampunk and romance that doesn't skimp on character development or creativity. The dialogue is rich in humor and never boring. The plot isn't extremely complex, but I prefer this "show as we go" approach to world building over the dull narrative of info dump any day!
The characters are unique and very easy to like and/or despise. Of course, I immediately liked Ridge's humor and easy-going attitude. Sardelle's situation was very fascinating to me and added an interesting twist to her growing relationship with Ridge. I had a feeling their romance would be something special. I'm curious to see what will happen between them in the future.
I should also mention that the writing flowed easily and painted vivid pictures in my mind, especially during the battle scenes with the Cofah. My heart beat faster and I was glued to my e-reader all through the second half of the book! This author has a wonderful imagination and a true gift for storytelling. I can't wait to move on to book two!
*********************
1st Read/Review (Aug 6, 2016)
I really enjoyed this book! You never know what you're getting when you download a freebie, but this time I scored! Balanced on the Blade's Edge is the first book in the Dragon Blood series and it's definitely worth checking out! The author writes a fun mashup of science fiction fantasy, steampunk and romance that doesn't skimp on character development or creativity. The dialogue is rich in humor and never boring. The plot isn't extremely complex, but I prefer this "show as we go" approach to world building over the dull narrative of info dump any day!
The characters are unique and very easy to like and/or despise. Of course, I immediately liked Ridge's humor and easy-going attitude. Sardelle's situation was very fascinating to me and added an interesting twist to her growing relationship with Ridge. I had a feeling their romance would be something special. I'm curious to see what will happen between them in the future.
I should also mention that the writing flowed easily and painted vivid pictures in my mind, especially during the battle scenes with the Cofah. My heart beat faster and I was glued to my e-reader all through the second half of the book! This author has a wonderful imagination and a true gift for storytelling. I can't wait to move on to book two!
March 28, 2016
I'm a Buroker fan and I enjoyed this almost as much as the The Emperor's Edge series. I liked the characters (especially the fact that they were in their 30s and 40s) and thought the world an interesting one. There was humor and a little bit of romance. Unfortunately, I didn't think it was quite as meticulously written as past books and there was a little too much he felt drawn to her but didn't know why sort of hand waving. It made the whole thing feel a bit rushed. But despite that I'd be happy to read more of series.
September 10, 2014
Lindsay Buroker is an expert in writing charming heroes and heroines, witty and funny dialogue and break-neck adventure. Balanced on the Blade's Edge is a perfect example.
The world building and character depth here is much lighter compared to The Emperor's Edge series but it has the same type of fast action and suspense. It overrides one's sensibilities to keep turning the pages and find out what happens next. A light escapist fast, fun read.
If you are a fan of Buroker, I highly recommend this!
The world building and character depth here is much lighter compared to The Emperor's Edge series but it has the same type of fast action and suspense. It overrides one's sensibilities to keep turning the pages and find out what happens next. A light escapist fast, fun read.
If you are a fan of Buroker, I highly recommend this!
December 30, 2014
Seems an astonishingly quick romance (or whatever) for those who've read all of the Emperor's Edge books, but still a lot of fun. Interesting premise too, and good characters.
August 12, 2022
3.5 stars
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book and read it in a day - but I still felt like it could have just been so much more. You got glimpses of Sardelle's power but I felt like we never really got to see her full potential - it was just hinted at. The world-building was also a bit mediocre and I would have been interested for the characters to explore more of the underground city somehow. The side characters were also pretty poorly developed - I don't think we were ever really introduced to any of the prisoner women that Sardelle was housed with for her time in the camp. It was definitely a missed opportunity and would have helped with character development overall. The plot was fine, it trotted along and drew the H and h together. It was a bit abrupt at the end though and I feel like we never really got a true resolution on the situation. Overall, it was okay and I enjoyed reading it.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book and read it in a day - but I still felt like it could have just been so much more. You got glimpses of Sardelle's power but I felt like we never really got to see her full potential - it was just hinted at. The world-building was also a bit mediocre and I would have been interested for the characters to explore more of the underground city somehow. The side characters were also pretty poorly developed - I don't think we were ever really introduced to any of the prisoner women that Sardelle was housed with for her time in the camp. It was definitely a missed opportunity and would have helped with character development overall. The plot was fine, it trotted along and drew the H and h together. It was a bit abrupt at the end though and I feel like we never really got a true resolution on the situation. Overall, it was okay and I enjoyed reading it.
March 5, 2015
It was...it was pretty great. Balanced on a Blade's Edgethoroughly captured my interest throughout, and instead of being some sappy forbidden love story, it was actually driven by a plot and characters that I enjoyed. That being said... I have a thing or two to say about the romance. I actually just bought this trilogy on amazon because it looked interesting and it was on sale... so I didn't go into it expecting any actual romance. So I was surprised when I was reading and then BOOM there was sex scene all of a sudden, in the most unlikely of places. Oh, would you look at that!
I still wanted to keep reading because I have trouble leaving a story unfinished, aaaand in the end I didn't regret reading it all! After the aforementioned one, there weren't any more scenes like that, and it really just focused on the antagonist vs. protagonist plot. I was rooting for both Ridge and Sardelle individually since they were first introduced, and then I was rooting for them to stay together. This was a nice quick read, and I'll give it an actual rating of 3.5 stars.
I still wanted to keep reading because I have trouble leaving a story unfinished, aaaand in the end I didn't regret reading it all! After the aforementioned one, there weren't any more scenes like that, and it really just focused on the antagonist vs. protagonist plot. I was rooting for both Ridge and Sardelle individually since they were first introduced, and then I was rooting for them to stay together. This was a nice quick read, and I'll give it an actual rating of 3.5 stars.
June 12, 2015
Great fantasy novel - with a very engaging romance I did like a few of her other novels, though they had a too slow slow burn...
Here, it had delicious tension and a very sweet love story. World-building was solid, story gripping enough.
It felt more like an epic fantasy than a steampunk novel, but I don't care, I like epic fantasy.
It reminded me a bit of "An Accidental Goddess" - the long sleep, the powers, the set-up.
Since AAG was one of my favourite books, nothing wrong with that, since it is not a cheap rip-off, just a slight resemblance.
Off to the next installment!
Here, it had delicious tension and a very sweet love story. World-building was solid, story gripping enough.
It felt more like an epic fantasy than a steampunk novel, but I don't care, I like epic fantasy.
It reminded me a bit of "An Accidental Goddess" - the long sleep, the powers, the set-up.
Since AAG was one of my favourite books, nothing wrong with that, since it is not a cheap rip-off, just a slight resemblance.
Off to the next installment!
June 25, 2018
I enjoy fantasy, steampunk and romance so this book was right up my alley. I really liked both Ridge and Sardelle and Jaxi was a hoot. I particularly liked that they weren't teenie boppers but adults in their 30s and 40s. It's rather refreshing to see grown-ups in fantasy novels. Being 50, it gets kind of old dealing with teenage angst and stupid love triangles.
This is my first Lindsay Buroker book but it definitely won't be my last. I'll be back to this series soon to see where it heads next.
This is my first Lindsay Buroker book but it definitely won't be my last. I'll be back to this series soon to see where it heads next.
August 28, 2016
I'm too tired to write a review.
Was good book. Me like. You maybe read?
Was good book. Me like. You maybe read?
April 2, 2023
This is a great story. Love the characters.
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October 27, 2024
i read this when i was 11 and i didn’t even realize there was a sex scene
this is how it went
✈️(the scene)
🧍♀️(my head)
this is how it went
✈️(the scene)
🧍♀️(my head)
June 15, 2017
This one was actually pretty good :) Read it for a challenge, and it was much better than my last read, but I still didn't find it as intriguing as other books. I liked the idea of as I haven't really read anything like it before. I also liked the way the and how it wasn't a cringe read. The occasional multiple POV was also really cool. Not sure what'll happen in the next book, or whether it's from someone else's POV.
August 9, 2019
I've read the book as part of three-book deal on Amazon. I din't expect much from it, thinking it was just another in endless row of steampunk/fantasy/romance hybrids that seem to be breeding faster that tribbles for the last several years.
I must say I was pleasantly surprised. True, there is no deep character development, no earth-shattering answers to the meaning of life, universe and everything, but...
It was fun. It was excellently written with much more show than tell, well paced, and with just enough background to explain the plot of the book, without smothering the reader with encyclopedic details.
Overall, it was fun and relaxing summer read, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
3.5 stars
I must say I was pleasantly surprised. True, there is no deep character development, no earth-shattering answers to the meaning of life, universe and everything, but...
It was fun. It was excellently written with much more show than tell, well paced, and with just enough background to explain the plot of the book, without smothering the reader with encyclopedic details.
Overall, it was fun and relaxing summer read, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
3.5 stars
March 23, 2019
A delightful fantasy romance! I loved both the hero and heroine, and the magic sword. Terrific worldbuilding and magic system. I would've liked to see the romance developed with a bit more conflict, but it was also fun to have two people who genuinely like each other overcome external conflicts. I fully expect the stories and world to deepen and am eagerly embarking on book 2. I think anyone who enjoys my books will gobble this one up - go grab it!
July 20, 2020
Enjoyable and not challenging
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