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Dragon Blood #5
The Blade's Memory
Ridge, Sardelle, and their comrades may have rescued Tolemek's sister and freed the dragon, but trouble awaits at home.
The king is missing, a secret organization is hunting sorcerers, and the capital is more vulnerable than ever to enemy attack. Worst of all, at least from Ridge's point of view, someone put that jackass Colonel Therrik in charge of the flier battalion.
Ridge and his allies have a lot of problems to fix, but they can't show their faces in the capital without being arrested or shot. This time it's going to take a lot more than magic to save the country.
Listening Length: 12 hours and 15 minutes
The king is missing, a secret organization is hunting sorcerers, and the capital is more vulnerable than ever to enemy attack. Worst of all, at least from Ridge's point of view, someone put that jackass Colonel Therrik in charge of the flier battalion.
Ridge and his allies have a lot of problems to fix, but they can't show their faces in the capital without being arrested or shot. This time it's going to take a lot more than magic to save the country.
Listening Length: 12 hours and 15 minutes
13 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 14, 2015
668 people are currently reading
1389 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
198 books6,236 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 215 reviews
October 10, 2019
This series is so much fun! And it is still just as interesting, it hasn't started declining yet, so yay!
July 11, 2015
Hm. This leaves a little to be desired.
It left me unsatisfied and unsure if this really is the end. I suppose there will be another sequel?
It had a lot of banter, much of the same of the other books in the series. A lot of repetition. A lot of Ridge and Sardelle, a very strange and sad development to Cas and Tolemek.
It's one of those scratch your head and wonder where it all went wrong books.
It left me unsatisfied and unsure if this really is the end. I suppose there will be another sequel?
It had a lot of banter, much of the same of the other books in the series. A lot of repetition. A lot of Ridge and Sardelle, a very strange and sad development to Cas and Tolemek.
It's one of those scratch your head and wonder where it all went wrong books.
September 9, 2019
I'll just add a quick opinion on entire series: too good! I particularly love the writing style, and the facr that the world itself is so meticulously written. I'm enjoying every page odf it and can't wait to start reading the next book in series.
September 30, 2023
Absolutely intense!
What a surprise for this volume 5. It's been intense in every possible ways (and I thought Owanu Owanus had a lot of that already, what with a dragon and all that...). That blade forged to be a dragon killer is something else O_o but the Coffah showing up at Ridge's and Sarnelle's door step takes the cake. They had quite the arsenal to show for, along with a plot twist ... and it won't be the end of it.
What a surprise for this volume 5. It's been intense in every possible ways (and I thought Owanu Owanus had a lot of that already, what with a dragon and all that...). That blade forged to be a dragon killer is something else O_o but the Coffah showing up at Ridge's and Sarnelle's door step takes the cake. They had quite the arsenal to show for, along with a plot twist ... and it won't be the end of it.
May 24, 2017
Oh wow. This series gets better and better. The more I read, the more intrigued I am and the more interested I am in these characters' fates.
There was quite a lot of action in this instalment with plenty of banter and shocking revelations that should keep every reader entertained throughout. I was most definitely entertained and I may or may not have been very, very close to exclaiming "OMG" out loud. It may or may not happened once or twice, too ...
But what I really love about Buroker's writing style, is the way she manages to combine action and humour into one lovely package. Example of something funny:
Or:
Also, I LOVE Ridge's mom. Just saying. Her interaction with her son was so funny that my family thought I had gone nuts or something because I was wheezing of laughter. Jaxi is also still quite entertaining, but I believe Ridge's mom totally stole the spot for the character who has managed to make laugh the most.
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
There was quite a lot of action in this instalment with plenty of banter and shocking revelations that should keep every reader entertained throughout. I was most definitely entertained and I may or may not have been very, very close to exclaiming "OMG" out loud. It may or may not happened once or twice, too ...
But what I really love about Buroker's writing style, is the way she manages to combine action and humour into one lovely package. Example of something funny:
“What’s the plan, sir?” Kaika asked. She may have appeared relaxed, but her eyes were sharp as they regarded Ridge. “I have some explosives in my pack, and I can get more.”
“How will blowing things up help us find the king?” Ridge asked.
“I don’t know, but it would make me feel better.”
Or:
“I heard you were drawing on the wall in here like a three-year-old.” Therrik held a lantern up to the bars and stared at the map at the back of the cell.
“Now, Colonel, I take exception to that comment. I believe I have at least the artistic skills of a five-year-old.”
“You’re known for being delusional.”
Ridge looked at the map. “A four-year-old?”
Also, I LOVE Ridge's mom. Just saying. Her interaction with her son was so funny that my family thought I had gone nuts or something because I was wheezing of laughter. Jaxi is also still quite entertaining, but I believe Ridge's mom totally stole the spot for the character who has managed to make laugh the most.
The Book Challengers blog // The Book Challengers Instagram // The Book Challengers Twitter
June 30, 2015
Another good installment in what is proving to be an excellent series. The Hollywood pitch could be "Biggles, with romance and dragons," and if that doesn't interest you I don't know why we're talking.
There are two couples in the series, introduced in Book 1 and Book 2 respectively, but in this book we only get viewpoints from the primary couple, Ridge and Sardelle. This leaves Ahn, one member of the secondary couple, struggling with guilt and (for all we know) other emotions, but seen only from others' viewpoints. It's an interesting choice. I can see how that might have taken over the book if she'd had a viewpoint, but, at the same time, she's someone with powerful stakes, and it would be good to hear from her.
Conflict, tension, battles, explosions, consequences, mysterious plotting organisations, capable female characters... all the Buroker goodness is here, and without, I'm happy to say, an excess of lucky coincidences (which is occasionally a fault with this author). There are a few fumbled vocabulary choices, but very few. All in all, reliably enjoyable.
There are two couples in the series, introduced in Book 1 and Book 2 respectively, but in this book we only get viewpoints from the primary couple, Ridge and Sardelle. This leaves Ahn, one member of the secondary couple, struggling with guilt and (for all we know) other emotions, but seen only from others' viewpoints. It's an interesting choice. I can see how that might have taken over the book if she'd had a viewpoint, but, at the same time, she's someone with powerful stakes, and it would be good to hear from her.
Conflict, tension, battles, explosions, consequences, mysterious plotting organisations, capable female characters... all the Buroker goodness is here, and without, I'm happy to say, an excess of lucky coincidences (which is occasionally a fault with this author). There are a few fumbled vocabulary choices, but very few. All in all, reliably enjoyable.
December 28, 2019
Great story
This was a great story for what felt like a middle-of-series book. The writer does a great job of increasing the power and capabilities of both sides without turning either side into a ridiculously powerful, god like being.
This was a great story for what felt like a middle-of-series book. The writer does a great job of increasing the power and capabilities of both sides without turning either side into a ridiculously powerful, god like being.
May 24, 2020
Action packed is almost too tame a word to describe what went on in these pages. So much so I had to stop and catch my breath several times while reading. We have many of the same wonderful humorously bantering characters as in the previous books along with characters that were previously mentioned but not in the forefront of the action. Then we have new characters that posed a real threat to Iskandians. Ms Boruker deftly incorporates them into this book which lead us to believe that things could very well turn south. However, there is also hope that maybe things will change for the better. These twists and turns keep us guessing at what may come so we either shout ‘YESSS!’ when they were close to our surmised thoughts or we were totally stumped when the plot took a turn. Either way, you will find this book greatly entertaining and leave you definitely wanting more.
July 7, 2023
The build up to the action in this one was frustrating. The last ten or so chapters were very good, I just felt a lot of the story was waiting around.
May 3, 2023
Ridge and his friends need to find the king, clear their names and stop some problems. Lots of fun action and great scenes
March 13, 2023
An exciting continuation of the story. Draws you in keeping you on the edge of your seat. It almost feels like your right in the midst of the action. And a good bit of humor is sprinkled throughout. Enjoyable quick read.
October 9, 2015
A compliment of the highest order: I think the Dragon Blood series has edged to the forefront and is my favorite series still ongoing. That is, it had better be ongoing, or — I can’t threaten an author I love as much as Ms. Buroker (who also has my email address, Twitter account, and probably knows where I live) but let’s just say that my favorite character had a hard run in this book and I would really, really appreciate seeing a happy resolution for that person in a later book, soon. :) (Bonus if the point of view returns to Tolemek and Ahn; I absolutely adore Ridge and Sardelle, but the back and forth is something else I’ve appreciated about this series!)
This book does a fantastic job of continuing to deepen characterization and relationships of the central four characters, while giving secondary parts a chance to shine. It has a strong romantic element without allowing the romance to overshadow the plot; the characters’ actions seem logical in the face of the crisis they’re in, and doesn’t put aside plot for love scenes … but also doesn’t end up forgetting that the romance was there in the first place — anyone who complained that the characters’ romances made them seem “unprofessional” at times needs to remember that Ridge Zirkander is not exactly lauded for his professionalism! It’s actually nice to see the return of a purely romantic scene (while it involves sex, it’s extremely tasteful and not explicit) in a series that was meant to feature them, and a tiny part of me hopes Tolemek and Caslin get one too, though I suppose they’re more, well, professional.
I believe it was a better installment in the series than Patterns in the Dark, though this may be in part due to its length, and that’s not to say that I didn’t also give PITD a 5 star review. It definitely didn’t feel like anything in The Blade’s Memory was missing, and it certainly didn’t end too fast! It starts with a bang (not, for once, a literal one) and just keeps going, without any slow moments, though there are some extremely heartrending ones. Despite the heartbreakingly sad moments — which definitely killed what I thought was a love story in the making, I won’t lie — there are also incredibly funny ones in equal measure, and I’m always shocked and delighted when it’s broody Tolemek who brings the laughs.
The ending, complete with the series’ best final battle yet, was one that provides a conclusion, but still leaves readers hungry for more, with some loose ends (and a lose villain) untied. The futures of Lieutenant Ahn, Tylie & Phelistoth especially hang uncertain in a way that hopefully leads toward a (positive, but intrigue-filled and exciting!) future plotline.
This book does a fantastic job of continuing to deepen characterization and relationships of the central four characters, while giving secondary parts a chance to shine. It has a strong romantic element without allowing the romance to overshadow the plot; the characters’ actions seem logical in the face of the crisis they’re in, and doesn’t put aside plot for love scenes … but also doesn’t end up forgetting that the romance was there in the first place — anyone who complained that the characters’ romances made them seem “unprofessional” at times needs to remember that Ridge Zirkander is not exactly lauded for his professionalism! It’s actually nice to see the return of a purely romantic scene (while it involves sex, it’s extremely tasteful and not explicit) in a series that was meant to feature them, and a tiny part of me hopes Tolemek and Caslin get one too, though I suppose they’re more, well, professional.
I believe it was a better installment in the series than Patterns in the Dark, though this may be in part due to its length, and that’s not to say that I didn’t also give PITD a 5 star review. It definitely didn’t feel like anything in The Blade’s Memory was missing, and it certainly didn’t end too fast! It starts with a bang (not, for once, a literal one) and just keeps going, without any slow moments, though there are some extremely heartrending ones. Despite the heartbreakingly sad moments — which definitely killed what I thought was a love story in the making, I won’t lie — there are also incredibly funny ones in equal measure, and I’m always shocked and delighted when it’s broody Tolemek who brings the laughs.
The ending, complete with the series’ best final battle yet, was one that provides a conclusion, but still leaves readers hungry for more, with some loose ends (and a lose villain) untied. The futures of Lieutenant Ahn, Tylie & Phelistoth especially hang uncertain in a way that hopefully leads toward a (positive, but intrigue-filled and exciting!) future plotline.
April 5, 2017
I could’ve sworn that I did a review for this book and I can’t find it so maybe it was an update….
Either way I will use the old saying of “it’s all that and a bag of chips.” This has to be, hands down, my favorite book of the entire series. (I can’t remember if I said that about another book in this series so … shhh.) I apologize for the lack of cohesiveness in this review and admit that it was basically a lot of plain fan girling on my part.
This book was action packed with all of the types of action I like to read about. The scene at the end with the floating air base thingee … so awesome. In one part you have Ridge and crew fighting the Koffa fighters and in the other Sardell, Tolemek, and Captain Kaika working to bring it all down. Just one of those would be exciting enough, but both together? I don’t want to spoil anything, but I so loved that scene and everything that each character had to do/deal with to get their stuff done.
I love a good dog fight and the magic, steam punk, flyers just made it cooler to me. The ending reminded me of the big fight in a Star Wars movie where the rebels are attacking the death star … all of those individual fights, the sheer numbers, and the vastness of the death star that made you question if it were possible since it seemed unbeatable.
Even though this is my second time reading this book I still caught myself holding my breath in anticipation through a lot of the book. It is just that good, at least to me.
In regards to the beginning of the book it was exciting, just not at the same level as that whoa ending. The whole hub-bub with the queen, who would’ve thought that, really, was pretty grrr inducing. I’m glad and not glad that it was taken care of in just one book, but somehow I was thinking it would’ve been spread out … I thought that way till I got near to the end of the book. Once again there are the dual things happening with Ridge wanting to fix things to protect the city and find the king. Then there is Sardell working to figure out the whole issue concerning the people out to kill her and any other magic users.
There were a lot of surprises, some I didn’t even vaguely expect. At times I wondered if everything was going to work out or not and I enjoyed reading about if they were going to or not.
Either way I will use the old saying of “it’s all that and a bag of chips.” This has to be, hands down, my favorite book of the entire series. (I can’t remember if I said that about another book in this series so … shhh.) I apologize for the lack of cohesiveness in this review and admit that it was basically a lot of plain fan girling on my part.
This book was action packed with all of the types of action I like to read about. The scene at the end with the floating air base thingee … so awesome. In one part you have Ridge and crew fighting the Koffa fighters and in the other Sardell, Tolemek, and Captain Kaika working to bring it all down. Just one of those would be exciting enough, but both together? I don’t want to spoil anything, but I so loved that scene and everything that each character had to do/deal with to get their stuff done.
I love a good dog fight and the magic, steam punk, flyers just made it cooler to me. The ending reminded me of the big fight in a Star Wars movie where the rebels are attacking the death star … all of those individual fights, the sheer numbers, and the vastness of the death star that made you question if it were possible since it seemed unbeatable.
Even though this is my second time reading this book I still caught myself holding my breath in anticipation through a lot of the book. It is just that good, at least to me.
In regards to the beginning of the book it was exciting, just not at the same level as that whoa ending. The whole hub-bub with the queen, who would’ve thought that, really, was pretty grrr inducing. I’m glad and not glad that it was taken care of in just one book, but somehow I was thinking it would’ve been spread out … I thought that way till I got near to the end of the book. Once again there are the dual things happening with Ridge wanting to fix things to protect the city and find the king. Then there is Sardell working to figure out the whole issue concerning the people out to kill her and any other magic users.
There were a lot of surprises, some I didn’t even vaguely expect. At times I wondered if everything was going to work out or not and I enjoyed reading about if they were going to or not.
March 6, 2021
This is the book where *everything* goes wrong and I love it.
Pros:
Sardelle, Jaxi and Ridge are brilliant as always. Kaika is hilarious while still being skilled enough to NEVER mess with. The group feels like a team here.
(Last chance: spoilers ahead)
I said a moment ago that this is the book where everything goes wrong, and I meant it in a good way. Our heroes have, for the most part, gotten through this series without serious challenge. Here, though? Missions don't just go wrong, they go *horribly* wrong. Kaika gets captured despite Sardelle's power, Cas is seduced by her sword, Ridge and Tolemek get to within a hair's breadth of being caught by Therrik, Jaxi meets her better and *admits it*, everything about Apex... We have a situation where our characters feel vulnerable, like they could potentially lose. And that makes things tense.
Cons:
I've enjoyed Dragon Blood as a series, but its villains and antagonists have always bothered me, and it wasn't until this book that I finally clinched why: the story lacks focus when it comes to antagonists and threats to the heroes. This book suffers the worst in this regard by far.
I don't think we learn the queen's name is Nia until *after* she's died. From the beginning, this woman and her organization are built up to be big threats, and their actions have ramifications for everyone in Iskandia with Dragon's Blood. We spend almost half of the book on her, her organization, and this massive conspiracy that resulted in the king being kidnapped. And then she just... dies. Without actually doing any of substance. Yeah, she makes Cas kill Apex, but that's incredibly incidental, it has nothing to do with her plans. Then suddenly Cofah shows up with this massive fortress that's never even been hinted at before now and the book's all about them again.
Then a sorceress shows up. Yes, this was going to happen sooner or later, but there's no build-up to her or her abilities in any meaningful fashion. The idea of a second soulblade-wielder (one actually built for combat) is a very intimidating one, and the fact that Jaxi seems legitimately in danger is similarly distressing. But the threat is emotionally distant. Impersonal.
Pros:
Sardelle, Jaxi and Ridge are brilliant as always. Kaika is hilarious while still being skilled enough to NEVER mess with. The group feels like a team here.
(Last chance: spoilers ahead)
I said a moment ago that this is the book where everything goes wrong, and I meant it in a good way. Our heroes have, for the most part, gotten through this series without serious challenge. Here, though? Missions don't just go wrong, they go *horribly* wrong. Kaika gets captured despite Sardelle's power, Cas is seduced by her sword, Ridge and Tolemek get to within a hair's breadth of being caught by Therrik, Jaxi meets her better and *admits it*, everything about Apex... We have a situation where our characters feel vulnerable, like they could potentially lose. And that makes things tense.
Cons:
I've enjoyed Dragon Blood as a series, but its villains and antagonists have always bothered me, and it wasn't until this book that I finally clinched why: the story lacks focus when it comes to antagonists and threats to the heroes. This book suffers the worst in this regard by far.
I don't think we learn the queen's name is Nia until *after* she's died. From the beginning, this woman and her organization are built up to be big threats, and their actions have ramifications for everyone in Iskandia with Dragon's Blood. We spend almost half of the book on her, her organization, and this massive conspiracy that resulted in the king being kidnapped. And then she just... dies. Without actually doing any of substance. Yeah, she makes Cas kill Apex, but that's incredibly incidental, it has nothing to do with her plans. Then suddenly Cofah shows up with this massive fortress that's never even been hinted at before now and the book's all about them again.
Then a sorceress shows up. Yes, this was going to happen sooner or later, but there's no build-up to her or her abilities in any meaningful fashion. The idea of a second soulblade-wielder (one actually built for combat) is a very intimidating one, and the fact that Jaxi seems legitimately in danger is similarly distressing. But the threat is emotionally distant. Impersonal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2019
Hmm, I don't love these but I end up really liking the characters and wanting to know more. It isn't my favorite genre, it has a little romance but not much and nothing graphical. It is set on a different world that seems to be in the dark age about some things and ahead in others. Nice to make your own world, no cell phones, radios but no air to air communication until "crystal communicators" which means the radios are very limited, flyers seem to be 40s like fighter. Everything runs on crystal stone power which ends up being created by the mages/witches for lighting from years gone by. Some of the things I roll my eyes, radios yet no aircraft radios until the witch comes along? So, the story sometime is out of my favorites but I'm really liking the characters. Some are not so good in one way but good in others. The author doesn't make flat villains that you hate everything about. The commander that is just horrid is actual a big support of the King. Personalities can clash, or sensibilities get hurt, yet people function. One woman thinking sexual thoughts about another woman's man does not make her evil. In fact she get the next novella. So, I like the roundness she comes out with for her characters. And I end up wanting to see what happens next. I did so went straight to the next story. Not my favorite "world" but some really good characters and a plot that is pretty fast, though it loses me sometime in battle scenes. If you like dog fights, slightly steampunk magic world, and a little, just a little romance (no graphics) then this is for you. I have been plugging along, 2 or 3 stories and then come back a year later for the next. So really good but not a favorite.
May 26, 2018
Okay, I feel like a traitor even saying this, but I am just not into this series. I LOVE Buroker's works, but these books had a very hard time holding my attention. I gave it four solid books and 33% of book five, simply because I love the author and respect her so much. I feel bad giving it 3 stars, but I've tried to "get into it" for months and just haven't been able to. I ADORE her Emperor's Edge series, though. One of my favorites of all time. These characters just weren't as impactful for me in comparison.
UPDATE: Okay I went back and finished this and it was an ORDEAL. I hate it that I struggled with this book so much--as I adore Lindsay Buroker's work, but yeah. It was a struggle to finish this for me. I'll still keep reading in the series with the hope that the books pick up some interest for me as I go along.
UPDATE: Okay I went back and finished this and it was an ORDEAL. I hate it that I struggled with this book so much--as I adore Lindsay Buroker's work, but yeah. It was a struggle to finish this for me. I'll still keep reading in the series with the hope that the books pick up some interest for me as I go along.
June 22, 2015
A nice conclusion to this series although there are at least a couple of things left open (for future books ?). I sure would love to have more of Ridge, Sardelle, Kaika and the others (and of the dragon of course).
November 15, 2015
Continues to be a fun and compelling read.
July 6, 2015
I can't get enough of Buroker's books! She writes fabulous, entertaining stories with such lovable characters that I just can't stop gushing about them! Desperately waiting for the next installment.
May 22, 2018
I just love this series and Jaxi with her dry sense of humor makes it interesting. Lot's of action taking place in this book. I highly recommend this series.
Great writing.
Great writing.
August 4, 2025
Wow!!!! (Extra, superlative exclamation points intentional)
So I had to go back and check the publication date for this book and the release date for Avengers Infinity War, 2015 and 2018, respectively, if you were curious.
The “big finale battle” scene in this book is phenomenal, and as I reflect on that scene it calls to mind not the movie itself, but just the beginning of one scene from one of the commercials for the movie. It’s of that moment just before the battle in Wakanda begins - a wide-angle shot shows the enormity of the forces arrayed against them and then pans back to the heroes who, though pitifully few, charge furiously forward without hesitation.
I don’t feel that this is a spoiler, and I apologize if you do. But 3 years before that movie released Lindsay portrayed it most excellently and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that one of the scriptwriters who worked on that movie turned out to be one of her fans.
Lots of twisty plot twists in this one, too. Again, the repetition is both intentional and accurate. And the Epilogue is, well… epic. She manages to fly at least two jaw-dropping moments into her readers’ unsuspecting consciousness completely camouflaged as incidental fluff until the metaphorical bomb drops. Of course, given her specialty, it does make sense that it’s Kaika who gets credit for at least one of those “bombs.”
Simply put, there’s just a whole lot going on here and you don’t wanna miss a word of it. ENJOY!
So I had to go back and check the publication date for this book and the release date for Avengers Infinity War, 2015 and 2018, respectively, if you were curious.
The “big finale battle” scene in this book is phenomenal, and as I reflect on that scene it calls to mind not the movie itself, but just the beginning of one scene from one of the commercials for the movie. It’s of that moment just before the battle in Wakanda begins - a wide-angle shot shows the enormity of the forces arrayed against them and then pans back to the heroes who, though pitifully few, charge furiously forward without hesitation.
I don’t feel that this is a spoiler, and I apologize if you do. But 3 years before that movie released Lindsay portrayed it most excellently and I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that one of the scriptwriters who worked on that movie turned out to be one of her fans.
Lots of twisty plot twists in this one, too. Again, the repetition is both intentional and accurate. And the Epilogue is, well… epic. She manages to fly at least two jaw-dropping moments into her readers’ unsuspecting consciousness completely camouflaged as incidental fluff until the metaphorical bomb drops. Of course, given her specialty, it does make sense that it’s Kaika who gets credit for at least one of those “bombs.”
Simply put, there’s just a whole lot going on here and you don’t wanna miss a word of it. ENJOY!
July 9, 2022
We're back with Ridge, Sardelle and crew and...they have a lot on their hands. A missing king, a lot of shady orders of questionable origin, Ridge's muscle-bound nemesis in charge of things, and just a whole lot of danger for everyone in general.
Given that Ridge and those with him left things in a bit of a hurry and are currently considered enemies of the state (or close enough, I guess), NATURALLY they head straight back into the middle of it all to help. Because chaotic plans seem to work for these guys.
It helps to have a sorceress and a soul blade on their side AND a couple of individuals who excel at creating diversions (of the explosive variety). In other words, their plan is risky and fraught with danger, but none of them are willing to walk away with the fate of the kingdom on the line.
A little aerial dog fighting, an unexpected new power rising up at a very inconvenient time, Jaxi's meddling in, well, everything, a little creative explosive placing, and more than a few very close calls. It's a dark, dangerous time for the Iskandians and Ridge and crew are running headfirst into trouble trying to stop it where they can. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
Given that Ridge and those with him left things in a bit of a hurry and are currently considered enemies of the state (or close enough, I guess), NATURALLY they head straight back into the middle of it all to help. Because chaotic plans seem to work for these guys.
It helps to have a sorceress and a soul blade on their side AND a couple of individuals who excel at creating diversions (of the explosive variety). In other words, their plan is risky and fraught with danger, but none of them are willing to walk away with the fate of the kingdom on the line.
A little aerial dog fighting, an unexpected new power rising up at a very inconvenient time, Jaxi's meddling in, well, everything, a little creative explosive placing, and more than a few very close calls. It's a dark, dangerous time for the Iskandians and Ridge and crew are running headfirst into trouble trying to stop it where they can. GOOD STUFF!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 12, 2020
Well, the story arc was completed, so no cliffhanger. OTOH, it left Cas in a less than thrilling place, and her relationship with Tolemek up in the wind. Indication is that the author left it in a spot where, if it didn't sell, she wouldn't feel bad about stopping here. Fortunately it did so maybe all those loose ends get tied up.
In any case, our band of heroes/heroines are back in their home country, hiding, because the ones in the military are considered AWOL, and the two that aren't, well... there's a witch hunt afoot, literally, for anyone with dragonblood. The irony is, the person behind it, has dragonblood. Much excitement later (not necessarily good excitement), the villain is killed, everyone is either rescued or exonerated...well, except for Cas who is off mentally beating herself up. The end...sort of, because there's Cas, and there's an even more ancient sorceress with a soulblade, and there's also a dragon.
In any case, our band of heroes/heroines are back in their home country, hiding, because the ones in the military are considered AWOL, and the two that aren't, well... there's a witch hunt afoot, literally, for anyone with dragonblood. The irony is, the person behind it, has dragonblood. Much excitement later (not necessarily good excitement), the villain is killed, everyone is either rescued or exonerated...well, except for Cas who is off mentally beating herself up. The end...sort of, because there's Cas, and there's an even more ancient sorceress with a soulblade, and there's also a dragon.
November 25, 2022
I'm rounding up from 4.5 stars. There was a lot less romance and a lot more action in this book. It was also kind of dense, though not in a necessarily bad way: it's just that a lot of plot got crammed into a fairly small novel. Things kept escalating and getting more complicated and things just didn't really work out until the big finish. It worked, though. While some things could have been fleshed out a little more , I don't feel like splitting it up across another book would have made for as enjoyable a read while still keeping the general tone and feel of the previous books. This would probably be a good place to put down the series since it feels like it wraps up everything that was started in book 3, but it's a holiday weekend and an excellent time to spend adventuring in the world of this series.
July 29, 2019
A good read
I never thought these books would be much to brag about when I bought the first in the series to kill time on a transatlantic f!ight, boy was I wrong. So many of these fantasy series are icky sticky romance novels and others are more like soft porn for bored housewives. That is not so here. The relationships and romances found in these books are well balanced without being sickly sweet or to descriptive when it comes to the "rutting between soulsnozzles" to use Jaxi's words. The storyline develops very well, the characters are rich and easy to enjoy. I love the wit and banter of the dialogue as well as the healthy doses of light sarcasm and I have to admit that Jaxi has become a favorite of mine. I have actually re read the books and that is something I only do with "good stuff"
I never thought these books would be much to brag about when I bought the first in the series to kill time on a transatlantic f!ight, boy was I wrong. So many of these fantasy series are icky sticky romance novels and others are more like soft porn for bored housewives. That is not so here. The relationships and romances found in these books are well balanced without being sickly sweet or to descriptive when it comes to the "rutting between soulsnozzles" to use Jaxi's words. The storyline develops very well, the characters are rich and easy to enjoy. I love the wit and banter of the dialogue as well as the healthy doses of light sarcasm and I have to admit that Jaxi has become a favorite of mine. I have actually re read the books and that is something I only do with "good stuff"
July 9, 2023
There goes my grocery budget...
Well, I THOUGHT I'd just read this trilogy I got... here I am a week later and I've yet to figure out how to adjust my budget, but I don't care. I want more dragons and sorcerers and soul blades. This installment is just as great as the previous books in the series, my eye for detail did not get much work picking out typos or logic disconnects (I think I caught two, which is impressive). We get to meet some new characters here, they're just as well developed as the rest. There were numerous page turner moments where I was reading as fast as I could to keep up with the action, and I literally forgot to go to bed last night (good thing it's the weekend). the military battle scenes are very well written. Looking forward to getting to know Kaika better.
Well, I THOUGHT I'd just read this trilogy I got... here I am a week later and I've yet to figure out how to adjust my budget, but I don't care. I want more dragons and sorcerers and soul blades. This installment is just as great as the previous books in the series, my eye for detail did not get much work picking out typos or logic disconnects (I think I caught two, which is impressive). We get to meet some new characters here, they're just as well developed as the rest. There were numerous page turner moments where I was reading as fast as I could to keep up with the action, and I literally forgot to go to bed last night (good thing it's the weekend). the military battle scenes are very well written. Looking forward to getting to know Kaika better.
November 27, 2018
I cannot get enough of the Dragon Blood series! I have greatly enjoyed all of the books thus far, and this one does not disappoint. In this book, Buroker wastes no time jumping right in where she left off and continuing the adventure. Personally, the strong individuality of the characters stands out the most for me. I enjoy all of the characters, but in this installment of the series, Kaika and everyone's favorite sword, Jaxi, stole the show. They provide lots of spice and fun in the midst of everything that is going down around them. I also thought that Buroker did an excellent job at showing our favorite pilot in all his glory during the dog fighting sequences-I enjoyed seeing Zirkander in that light again. In all, this was a great book in an awesome series!!!
September 29, 2019
Lindsay Buroker writes with an easy to read style that captures your attention early in the story and pulls you completely into the adventure. Her characters are real people with real feelings. They get hurt. They have friends. They want to be loved. The adventures are good vs evil, but the evil sometimes can be turned into an ally or at least turned into no longer being an enemy. My only criticism of Buroker’s writing is that the stories are so enjoyable I hate to put them down and they often cost me lots of lost sleep. I have read three series by Buroker and have fully enjoyed them all. This series Dragon Blood was typical excellence. We meet new characters, make new friends, find new enemies. Absolutely wonderful series. Anyone who enjoys tales of fantasy, this is a must read.
June 9, 2018
I love the Ridge and Sardelle characters, and I'm glad that Buroker seems have decided to make these two the focus of her books. I like Cas and Tolemek, but found the story from their viewpoint less compelling.
I'm also excited to see where this goes next.
I'm also excited to see where this goes next.
February 1, 2020
New Characters Join The Cast
We got introduced to Ridge's & Cas's dads in the last book, along with Tolemek's sister & a dragon 🐉! Now we get to meet Ridge's mom, King Angulus & the Queen. We also get to know Therrik better. All amidst the action of air battles, hand-to-hand combat & explosions galore!
I've got to say, Lindsay Buroker is consistent in delivering an engaging tale of friendship, loyalty, duty & devotion to something bigger than yourself in a way that is a joy to read! Everything in this series draws you in and makes you itch to get your hands on the next book in the series. And that's just what I'm going to do right now! Raptor, here I come!
We got introduced to Ridge's & Cas's dads in the last book, along with Tolemek's sister & a dragon 🐉! Now we get to meet Ridge's mom, King Angulus & the Queen. We also get to know Therrik better. All amidst the action of air battles, hand-to-hand combat & explosions galore!
I've got to say, Lindsay Buroker is consistent in delivering an engaging tale of friendship, loyalty, duty & devotion to something bigger than yourself in a way that is a joy to read! Everything in this series draws you in and makes you itch to get your hands on the next book in the series. And that's just what I'm going to do right now! Raptor, here I come!
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