All Kaylina ever longed to do was open her own meadery and prove her worth to her family. She didn’t want to develop feelings for the haughty royal ranger, Lord Vlerion, and she definitely didn’t want to be accused of trying to poison the queen.
But a conniving competitor has framed her, and now the Kingdom Guard is hunting her down.
Vlerion wants to help, but a rebel faction has learned that he’s cursed to turn into a deadly beast when his emotions are aroused. They’re blaming numerous murders on him and demanding his death.
Caught in a city far more dangerous and chaotic than she expected, Kaylina must avoid capture while finding evidence to clear her name. If she can’t, she may lose Vlerion—and her own life.
I have waited several years and multiple book series for this. What is this?, you ask? A series to rival The Emperor's Edge.
One with the same vibe. The same proportion of wit, banter, seriousness, whimsy, character building, and a level of creative world-building I've only ever seen Buroker create. While her skill as an author is apparent in all of her books, every new series I started after EE just didn't deliver the same thing for me.
It was like eating homemade cookie dough in ice cream, and then never being satisfied with the little chunks of it that are in the store bought stuff. I've had perfection and I've been ruined by it.
But she did it. She fucking did it. And I'm freaking here for it.
“Like I said, Vlerion already checked the inn. That’s where he got the vial. I don’t know what else we’d find.” “I’m an expert researcher. I might find things a simple pugilist missed. Such as drawers full of incriminating evidence.”
From Frayvar's banter and utter lack of physical abilities, to Kaylina's wildly egotistical view of her mead, to Vlerion's murderous beast, I am here for all of it.
This is book 2 of Lindsay Buroker's newest series, "The Curse and the Crown,"just released yesterday for her Patreon followers, It is a strong continuation and deepening of the multiple mysteries presented in the first book, intermixed with intense adventure and danger accompanying the characters she has already tied you to emotionally!
If you like swashbuckling adventure, truly amazing beings of multiple species, and a bit of romance to spice up the few quieter scenes, this is the book for you! I'm totally enamored with this series and unlike my 'normal behavior' of reading a good book then waiting at least a month or so to re-read it again, I have read book one six times waiting for book 2. Then, on its second day of release, I am reading book 2 for the second time! If that doesn't say a "Goodread" I don't know what does!
Not as good as first quite wordy…pages of same conversation going in circles…it’s either to get a higher word count or LB trying for witty banter but it has fallen flat for me.
I'm really glad I stumbled across this series and author! (I think I saw the first one from a Facebook ad of all places.) It's the first series I've read from her, but at this rate, certainly won't be the last.
I am still really enjoying these. They are fun and easy to read with a lot of snarky banter. (I highlighted some of my favorite examples, but there are many, many more.) There's a great balance of action/fight scenes, worldbuilding, and romance/sexual tension. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter from notable people were a neat touch as well.
When I first started, I didn't realize that druids and magical plants would play such a large role in the story, but that's always a theme I enjoy. I am intrigued by the overarching mystery of the "sentinel" plant in the cursed castle.
The one main issue I had, and this is probably more of a personal preference than anything else, is that the conflict with the Kar'ruk felt like we only got one side of the story. After playing Horde on World of Warcraft for years, I became much more interested and sympathetic to orc-like races that are seen as "savage", and they definitely do seem to have at least some legitimate claim to the land. I would be interested in reading more from their point of view of things. I was also interested to read about the investigation to clear Kaylina's name, but that mostly happened off-page.
I loved the Taybarri, they were cute and endearing, though occasionally felt a bit too convenient with leading Kaylina to plot-relevant locations/items.
It's not normal for me to read a story following the establishment trying to squash a rebellion rather than being from the perspective of the rebels. I think the author works hard to make sure the Virts aren't too sympathetic because of their extreme methods/terrorism, but I am not sure that it entirely works all the time. I felt kind of uncomfortable with the ranger's mission of destroying their press, for instance, even if they weren't printing the full truth.
I don't have the first book anymore from KU to double check but I think a character's name changed in this one (from Milzy to Mitzy).
There were a few things that I wanted more follow-up on, also.
Kaylina just wants her (possibly haunted) inn to be successful enough to support her and her brother, so they don't have to crawl back home in disgrace. She also might want sexy and enigmatic ranger Vlerion to kiss her. What she doesn't want is for everyone to believe she tried to poison the queen. It's a pity how things turned out, in that respect.
It's also a pity that invaders are coming, and they can turn themselves invisible with powdered magical cactus. Suddenly, Kaylina has more to worry about than making the best mead in the city. A lot more...
This is the second book in this fresh, fun fantasy series. The characters are snarky and interesting, and the taybarri - an intelligent race of tiger-ish beings - are adorable as well as ferocious warriors.
The plot paces itself nicely, with some resolutions but also more questions to be answered in the next book - what does the sinister sentient plant actually want? Why are all animals drawn to Kaylina? Will Vlerion's curse ever be broken, allowing for long-awaited bedroom frolicking? I can't wait to find out.
This second book deftly reviews the first book in the series so that readers can enjoy the story, even if time has passed between books. The plot is brisk, almost unrelenting, and filled with lots of action. There are lots of killings of peripheral characters and creatures, some blood, some wounds, but nothing too graphic.
The attraction between the protagonists heats up to sizzling, but they are kept “apart” by lots of interruptions and conflicts.
The writing is wonderful and without errors. The dialog is full of Buroker’s signature bantering. The characters are memorable and likable. However, it would be nice to know Vlerion’s thoughts so his character would have more depth. It would also help to see a drawing of a tayberri. There are a few references to modern concepts and expressions that took me out of the story, but they are minor distractions. Overall, the book is a good escape!
Kaylina just wants to open her Meadery with dining in the haunted castle she and her brother, Freyvar, have leased. Instead, she is on the run after being framed for attempted murder of the queen. Ending up in the forest that the druids said were off limits, (going in and hunting in that forest is what caused the curse on Vleiron), she ends up finding enemies of the land and some strange powers over plants. This book is about proving her innocence, learning about the plant in the castle as well as some power, stopping an invasion, trying to make sure Vleiron doesn’t turn into the beast. There is an abundance of snarky, humourous, interesting conversations. There is also a bit of a mystery, some action, some “forbidden” attraction and great characters. The tyberri’s are getting more interesting as the books go along. This is a wonderful addition to the great books written by this author. It was a quick, easy, fun read. I’m loving these books, (no surprise there)
It's not quite as compelling as book one, but it's still a lot of fun. Our heroin learned secrets about herself as she strives to lift the curse of the beast from our hero.
The story overall was good, but as our female lead and male lead get closer, I actually felt their relationship loss a bit of spark. The twists in the of the stpry mystery and the banter are still all their but I'm not enjoying the blatant urges the characters are getting mixed with the language used to describe it. Maybe because it feels too fast, even though it's book two? Or maybe it's the fact of the magic drawing them together and the romance aspect not unfolding in a way that seems natural to the main male character. Still, the story is fun, and I am looking forward to book three.
“Lake of Sorrow” was an aggravating read for me. Kaylina, the heroine, made so many TSTL choices. She was an adult distracted from her goals, made irrational decisions that endangered other characters and herself, and became obsessed with make a certain magical/cursed object ‘happy.’ There were glimmers of what could have been an interesting plot but it frequently devolved into silly antics. There were a couple of situations that made me wonder if Lindsay Buroker was trying to eroticize the monster. I can though I have was Lora Leigh’s Breed series the very eager monster made me feel squeamish.
Well, this wasn’t a library eloan. I used my kindle credits to buy this book. At this time, I don’t think I’ll continue this series. The characters lost their shine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This second book in the series sees Kaylin dealing with curses. First, to her rundown castle, err, meadery. The second to the man for whom she’s coming to feel a great deal of heated attraction.
She’s again falsely accused … this time, of crimes against the crown … and spends most of the book trying to track down those responsible in order to clear her name, while also trying to understand the nature of the curse on Vlerian. She’s sure the curses on her new home and on Vlerian are entwined.
This book reads as smoothly as any Lindsay Buroker book … lots of banter, great character development, world-building and plot switch ups … everything we’ve come to expect from one of her stories.
Kaylina yearns to open a Meadery in town with her brother, but having a wanted poster hanging over her head doesn’t help her cause. She’s accused of poisoning the queen, and now her prime goal is to find evidence to prove her innocence. She flees into the forest along with her protector and royal ranger, Lord Vlerion. But like Beauty and the Beast, if she arouses his emotions, he’ll turn into something monstrous. And according to a vision she’s received through her latent Druid powers, he might even turn on her. They must deny their attraction to survive in the midst of an invasion. Easy reading, quick pacing, and endearing characters fuel this story.
The events of the story take place over a week and our snarky shero gets about eight hours of sleep during that time. And somehow still manages to save the kingdom.
With help.
Still, I had to set the book down a few times because I couldn’t stay in a story that was so unlikely.
Lots of humorous banter which Buroker excels at writing. The plot for this one? More like a framework of toothpicks than pillars.
Will the curse be cured? We’ll have to read the next book to learn that answer.
Kay and Vlerion still struggle with lusting after one another constantly, nearly causing their demises on several occasions. The story progresses none to quickly through some dangerous episodes, but ultimately just sets up the next book. I listen while exercising and appreciate that it's almost whimsical in its emotional absurdity sometimes. I do also appreciate that the author doesn't feel the need to use curse words or sex scenes to tell the story. I plan to read the next book when it comes out in October.
Always an excellent series writer that makes you want to continue on because her characters keep evolving and the stories are so interesting this was no exception. The problems keep coming for them heralded by the on point Chapter “Words and Observations “ of various “well known “ people and they are so fun to read. As always can’t wait till next book in series. Action, tense situations, sexual tension, great dialogue that stays true to each character, great supporting characters and well developed interesting world.
While I did enjoy the book, I didn't connect with the main characters as well. Some of the discussions were fun and snarky but others were just dumb. Kay rarely did anything that made sense and makes some really huge assumptions about all of her actions. Vlerion continues to be pulled in multiple directions between his honor and his lust for Kay. Sorry - still lust at this point. There is action and some intense fighting. A stronger bond with the Tybarri happens and maybe some steps forward for the mead house? Kay's druid heritage becomes a focus in many ways.
Overall, didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first one, or any of Buroker's other works to be honest. First book was the slowest burn of all time but then this one only talked about how much they wanted to bang in what felt like every scene. I did appreciate the inclusion of another threat, but it felt like there was too much going on and too many plot points that nothing really happened or got resolved this book. I'll obviously stick with it because there are many things I want to know but I was a little disappointed with this one.
I'll admit this series is a little addicting. It's one of the few times I've thoroughly enjoyed a second part to a series more than the first.
Some of the dialogue between Kay and Vler becomes a little repetitive, but I guess it makes sense as I guess all conversations will continue to go back to the main problem until it's solved.
I'm glad I started this series and will continue to read the rest of the books.
Lindsay Buroker doesn't tell epic stories but her storytelling is epic. She doesn't do grand sagas the way David Eddings used to or battles the way David Gemmel used to but, as far as I'm concerned, she is in the same league as they are. I chased down everything I could find by those two Davids and now I do the same with Lindsay Buroker: I love what she writes and this is no exception. Roll on 19 October when I can read the next book.
These books were very different from many of your other books that I have read but I think that if I didn't see the name of the author, I would have recognized it as being yours. The character development and your imagination come through each and everyone of your books. I am just so sad that I have to wait for the next book. But I do have a few more Lindsay Broker books to read. Keep up the great writing. I'm only 80 so I have time for more
This kindle novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book two of four.
Two more books to come this year.
Lindsay Buroker does it again a great story with interesting characters lots of action, misdirection, monsters, and violence leading to the conclusion. They move forward with the mission.
I would highly recommend this series and author to readers of fantasy world 🌎 family and friends relationships novels🤔😎 2024 👒😃
Hmm, I’m compelled to read on just to see what happens with Kaylina and Vlerion. But honestly, I’m a little confused by this world, lol. I can’t really picture it and things like death and revolution just seem like trivial little things against a humorous backdrop. I think the vibe just might not be working for me, and the slow sexual tension between them kind of fell off in this one. May or may not read the next just to see Vlerion and Kaylina finally get together.
Lindsay creates the most interesting worlds, bolstered by quirky, irreverent, taciturn characters I have ever encountered! Each chapter brings new depth and chuckles, forcing me to envision them all the more!
I especially live how she takes the hardest of characters and has her female protagonists wear them down over time with their snark and gumption and create the unlikeliest of couples!
The middle child syndrome is real, emotionally. She’s hard on herself and is on a self doubt carousel. Girly needs to prove herself but she wants to do what she wants to do and that is not being a ranger lol. It’s a good thing she’s a mead master because gf is thirsty af. She is willing to die for that D. Autistic brother is classic. Somebody get queenie some exlax because she is full of shit. Sneaky ass, nefarious af.
I cannot get enough of these two. The banter, the chemistry, the slow burn, all on the backdrop of a fascinating world and various conflicts. While I would have liked to see Kaylina take on more agency for her own issues, I appreciated why her priorities were where they were, and the little teases about who/what she is are delicious. Will be counting the weeks to book 3!
This is starting what I feel is a very addictive series. Long dead druids, yet someone with Druid blood? Sentient killer plants and a nice developing love story. The Kar’ruk invasion foiled by telepathic Taybarri and a persistently irreverent mead maker gives the light hearted twist to a well written story that could work into books after the promised book 3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
There's so much packed into this story, there's never a dull moment! One likes to imagine our heroine enjoying a hearty meal, a hot bath, and sleeping for a week after the conclusion. I am very grateful to the author for her hard working nature, so we won't have to wait long for the next book!
A tale as old as time, the Lake of Sorrow has a whole different take on a beauty and the beast theme. Lindsay throws in back-stabbing, spies, cult rituals, and lots more! Looking forward to seeing if our heroine can cure the beast’s curse before their time runs out.