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Agents of the Crown #2
Blood Ties
Recently appointed Crown Agents Jev and Zenia must prove that they're worthy of their new jobs and young King Targyon’s trust. Their mission? To research the strange “disease of the blood” that killed Targyon’s three cousins and left him unexpectedly ruling an entire kingdom at barely twenty years of age. There are just a few problems. If someone was responsible for creating that disease, that person could still be in the city, forcing Zenia and Jev to deal with someone very smart and very dangerous. Meanwhile, since Targyon has the same blood flowing through his veins that his cousins had, he’s at risk of becoming the next victim. And as it so happens, Jev shares some of that blood too. Might he become a target before Targyon? When Jev and Zenia signed on for this job, they didn’t realize how deadly it might become.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2018
515 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
197 books6,281 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 116 reviews
November 17, 2020
Actual rating: 3.8124578993 stars.
Ha! It may have taken six bloody shrimping years, but it looks like I finally found another Lindsay Buroker series thatisn’t a decaf, diet and gluten-free PG-13 fest I almost like it nearly not quite as much as I do The Emperor’s Edge, but almost. Ha again! Looks like the whole Never Give Up Never Surrender Thing (NGUNST™) does indeed have its merits and stuff! I think this calls for a celebratory squid dance and stuff!
Such smooth moves, much wow.
Barnacled Book Snobs (BBS™) will probably tell you that this book/series/whatever is no Nobel Prize material. And they will probably be despicably right in telling you so (maybe). BUT. It’s fun as fish and entertaining as shrimp. And therefore absolutely perfect for Locked Down Little Grey Cells (LDLGC™). Which more than makes up for the lack of profoundly complex complexity, if you ask me.
The plot is, if not earth-shatteringly original, fast-paced and conveniently intriguing and stuff. But what really makes this series Super Extra Titillating (SET™) is the cast of characters. Granted, it’s not as lusciously scrumptious as that of The Emperor’s Edge, but it’s early days yet, and the Promising Potential (PP™) is there: 30+ year old MCs (how beautifully ancient indeed!) who aren’t as flat as Dover soles and don’t bullshit themselves or others + an ever-bickering dwarf with a thing for bearded ladies and spice racks (don’t ask) + yourfriendly condescending neighbourhood elf + a female warrior-monk with a thing for exotic and outré activities (and whacking stuff with her bo, too) = yummy yummy in my tummy. Obviously. It’s Celebratory Dance Time (CDT™) again, methinks.
Yes, I am quite agile despite my old age, I know.
Oh, and another thing that makes this series SET™ is that there is hahahahaha galore, courtesy of Buroker’s hahahahaha dialogues and banter. They might not be as LOLable (yes, that is a word) as they are in (you guessed it mySometimes Clever Arthropods) The Emperor’s Edge, but there’s snark and there’s humour and there’s gay repartee, so yay and stuff.
And now for the Yucky Stuff that Can No Longer Remain Undisclosed (YStCNLRU™) *shudders preemptively* Yes, it is decidedly sad but nonetheless very true, there is Abominable Lovey Dovey Crap (ALDC™) in this book *shuddering intensifies* BUT. It didn’t trigger my acute ALDC™ allergy or make me convulse violently while I was reading the book (I didn’t die, either, in case you were wondering), which is quite the feat and stuff. Besides, it’s a Slow Burn Type Thing (SBTT™), which is always quite a lot more very bearable than Vile Insta-Lurve Stuff (VILS™), if you ask me. Besides besides, Buroker manages to navigate tropish tropes without making them insufferably insufferable, which is refreshingly refreshing and not entirely unpleasant and stuff. So yay and stuff again.
Yes, even the Anti Lovey Dovey Crap Otter League (ALDCOL™) approves of the disgusting romance in this book. That should tell you something, methinks.
➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): there’s a somewhat moderate chance I might perhaps read the next instalment in the series. Maybe.
· Book 1: Eye of Truth ★★★★
· Book 3: Duty Bound ★★★
· Book 4: Elven Fury ★★★★
· Book 5: Dragon Tear ★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
This might not be quantum physics (then again, who knows?), but it's fairly quite a little entertaining and crustacean-approved Quarantine Reading Material (QRM™). Despite the slightly revolting Lovey Dovey Crap (LDC™), yes. So yay and stuff.
Full review to come and stuff.
Ha! It may have taken six bloody shrimping years, but it looks like I finally found another Lindsay Buroker series that
Such smooth moves, much wow.
Barnacled Book Snobs (BBS™) will probably tell you that this book/series/whatever is no Nobel Prize material. And they will probably be despicably right in telling you so (maybe). BUT. It’s fun as fish and entertaining as shrimp. And therefore absolutely perfect for Locked Down Little Grey Cells (LDLGC™). Which more than makes up for the lack of profoundly complex complexity, if you ask me.
The plot is, if not earth-shatteringly original, fast-paced and conveniently intriguing and stuff. But what really makes this series Super Extra Titillating (SET™) is the cast of characters. Granted, it’s not as lusciously scrumptious as that of The Emperor’s Edge, but it’s early days yet, and the Promising Potential (PP™) is there: 30+ year old MCs (how beautifully ancient indeed!) who aren’t as flat as Dover soles and don’t bullshit themselves or others + an ever-bickering dwarf with a thing for bearded ladies and spice racks (don’t ask) + your
Yes, I am quite agile despite my old age, I know.
Oh, and another thing that makes this series SET™ is that there is hahahahaha galore, courtesy of Buroker’s hahahahaha dialogues and banter. They might not be as LOLable (yes, that is a word) as they are in (you guessed it my
And now for the Yucky Stuff that Can No Longer Remain Undisclosed (YStCNLRU™) *shudders preemptively* Yes, it is decidedly sad but nonetheless very true, there is Abominable Lovey Dovey Crap (ALDC™) in this book *shuddering intensifies* BUT. It didn’t trigger my acute ALDC™ allergy or make me convulse violently while I was reading the book (I didn’t die, either, in case you were wondering), which is quite the feat and stuff. Besides, it’s a Slow Burn Type Thing (SBTT™), which is always quite a lot more very bearable than Vile Insta-Lurve Stuff (VILS™), if you ask me. Besides besides, Buroker manages to navigate tropish tropes without making them insufferably insufferable, which is refreshingly refreshing and not entirely unpleasant and stuff. So yay and stuff again.
Yes, even the Anti Lovey Dovey Crap Otter League (ALDCOL™) approves of the disgusting romance in this book. That should tell you something, methinks.
➽ Nefarious Last Words (NLW™): there’s a somewhat moderate chance I might perhaps read the next instalment in the series. Maybe.
· Book 1: Eye of Truth ★★★★
· Book 3: Duty Bound ★★★
· Book 4: Elven Fury ★★★★
· Book 5: Dragon Tear ★★★
[Pre-review nonsense]
This might not be quantum physics (then again, who knows?), but it's fairly quite a little entertaining and crustacean-approved Quarantine Reading Material (QRM™). Despite the slightly revolting Lovey Dovey Crap (LDC™), yes. So yay and stuff.
Full review to come and stuff.
July 12, 2019
I'm really enjoying this series.
The dialogue with all the banter between the characters is excellent! It makes me laugh like crazy!
If you want a light, fun and adventurous fantasy/steampunk this is abook for you! :)
The dialogue with all the banter between the characters is excellent! It makes me laugh like crazy!
If you want a light, fun and adventurous fantasy/steampunk this is abook for you! :)
dnf
June 22, 2021DNF around 20%
The world building is too flimsy to support the intrigue.
It kept bothering me and the thought processes of their minds was so SLooooooooOOw.
It made me want to smack the MCs in the forehead to try to get them to think faster. Especially Zenia. I wanted to be supportive of her, but she was just not 'all that'. Maybe if the author didn't try to have Zenia and other characters keep telling me how scary she was as an inquisitor for the water idiots, I would like her more. But she's about as scary as a trout. In fact she wasn't intimidating in the first book either. She came across as a puffed up little bureaucrat. Her intelligence is lost behind her self esteem issues.
examples of plot holes or just thinly laid world building;
In the first book the King dies in battle and his two heirs die of a mysterious illness. This was at least a week ago, and they are only just starting to investigate it now... and only at the new King's behest? They go to interrogate the doctor who treated them and he's dead. Well if they'd investigated in a timely fashion... Shouldn't there be more of an outcry? If Prince Charles' died suspiciously don't you think the newspapers would be all over that? People would be discussing it ad nauseum in the pubs.
Then there's the lady in charge of one of the mafias in town who just waltzes into the palace and plunks herself onto the new King's lap... WTF? SO here is the King of the land and he only has a couple guards? SO these guards are OK with a known criminal waltzing into the King's office. Maybe they are in her pay? Even so, where are all the other guards?
Then there's the weird absence of people in the palace. The King died but before that he was at war. So who was taking care of business while he was at war? Where are those people? If it was the princes who died, they still must have had councilors etc.
I get the feeling like the palace only has about 10-15 people in it and less than that in the guilds.
It's all just so ridiculous. How can I take the intrigue seriously when the world building is so small.
There's no sense of importance to anyone. It's like they are all equals. The author tries to tell us that people are important and should be feared, but I don't see why that's so.
The only character with any clout is the asshole elf and maybe the lady dwarf.
The romance is also disappointing. I don't mind a slow build, but there has to be something to build on. I just don't feel the chemistry between them. There's more chemistry between Jev and his ex fiancee, Naysha. Zenia is about as alluring as a 12 year old girl. They both talk in their heads about attraction but it's especially lacking on Jev's side. He talks about dating her, but I don't see why he's interested. Or that he is even really interested. It seems more like something to pass the time, or maybe out of loneliness.
I so want to like this author, so I'll try another series by her. But courtly intrigue is just not her thing.
The world building is too flimsy to support the intrigue.
It kept bothering me and the thought processes of their minds was so SLooooooooOOw.
It made me want to smack the MCs in the forehead to try to get them to think faster. Especially Zenia. I wanted to be supportive of her, but she was just not 'all that'. Maybe if the author didn't try to have Zenia and other characters keep telling me how scary she was as an inquisitor for the water idiots, I would like her more. But she's about as scary as a trout. In fact she wasn't intimidating in the first book either. She came across as a puffed up little bureaucrat. Her intelligence is lost behind her self esteem issues.
examples of plot holes or just thinly laid world building;
In the first book the King dies in battle and his two heirs die of a mysterious illness. This was at least a week ago, and they are only just starting to investigate it now... and only at the new King's behest? They go to interrogate the doctor who treated them and he's dead. Well if they'd investigated in a timely fashion... Shouldn't there be more of an outcry? If Prince Charles' died suspiciously don't you think the newspapers would be all over that? People would be discussing it ad nauseum in the pubs.
Then there's the lady in charge of one of the mafias in town who just waltzes into the palace and plunks herself onto the new King's lap... WTF? SO here is the King of the land and he only has a couple guards? SO these guards are OK with a known criminal waltzing into the King's office. Maybe they are in her pay? Even so, where are all the other guards?
Then there's the weird absence of people in the palace. The King died but before that he was at war. So who was taking care of business while he was at war? Where are those people? If it was the princes who died, they still must have had councilors etc.
I get the feeling like the palace only has about 10-15 people in it and less than that in the guilds.
It's all just so ridiculous. How can I take the intrigue seriously when the world building is so small.
There's no sense of importance to anyone. It's like they are all equals. The author tries to tell us that people are important and should be feared, but I don't see why that's so.
The only character with any clout is the asshole elf and maybe the lady dwarf.
The romance is also disappointing. I don't mind a slow build, but there has to be something to build on. I just don't feel the chemistry between them. There's more chemistry between Jev and his ex fiancee, Naysha. Zenia is about as alluring as a 12 year old girl. They both talk in their heads about attraction but it's especially lacking on Jev's side. He talks about dating her, but I don't see why he's interested. Or that he is even really interested. It seems more like something to pass the time, or maybe out of loneliness.
I so want to like this author, so I'll try another series by her. But courtly intrigue is just not her thing.
July 7, 2020
Recently appointed Crown Agents Jev and Zenia must prove that they're worthy of their new jobs and young King Targyon’s trust.
Their mission?
To research the strange “disease of the blood” that killed Targyon’s three cousins and left him unexpectedly ruling an entire kingdom at barely twenty years of age.
There are just a few problems. If someone was responsible for creating that disease, that person could still be in the city, forcing Zenia and Jev to deal with someone very smart and very dangerous. Meanwhile, since Targyon has the same blood flowing through his veins that his cousins had, he’s at risk of becoming the next victim. And as it so happens, Jev shares some of that blood too. Might he become a target before Targyon?
When Jev and Zenia signed on for this job, they didn’t realize how deadly it might become.
3.5 stars.
I didn't like this book as much as the last one, but it was still pretty enjoyable. The best thing about any Lindsay Buroker book is the witty banter between the characters, and that was present here. I was expecting a bit more action, and based on how the first book ended, more romance, but I think this is going to be a very slow burn romance. There are the usual obstacles in the way to make a romantic relationship difficult, including class differences, so it will be interesting to see how the characters navigate those obstacles.
As for the plot, it was interesting but not as good as it could have been. It felt a bit like a mystery novel in a fantasy setting, whereas the first book felt more like a fantasy adventure. I do love the dwarf character and got a good chuckle whenever he was present. I'm hoping the next book pulls me in more.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Their mission?
To research the strange “disease of the blood” that killed Targyon’s three cousins and left him unexpectedly ruling an entire kingdom at barely twenty years of age.
There are just a few problems. If someone was responsible for creating that disease, that person could still be in the city, forcing Zenia and Jev to deal with someone very smart and very dangerous. Meanwhile, since Targyon has the same blood flowing through his veins that his cousins had, he’s at risk of becoming the next victim. And as it so happens, Jev shares some of that blood too. Might he become a target before Targyon?
When Jev and Zenia signed on for this job, they didn’t realize how deadly it might become.
3.5 stars.
I didn't like this book as much as the last one, but it was still pretty enjoyable. The best thing about any Lindsay Buroker book is the witty banter between the characters, and that was present here. I was expecting a bit more action, and based on how the first book ended, more romance, but I think this is going to be a very slow burn romance. There are the usual obstacles in the way to make a romantic relationship difficult, including class differences, so it will be interesting to see how the characters navigate those obstacles.
As for the plot, it was interesting but not as good as it could have been. It felt a bit like a mystery novel in a fantasy setting, whereas the first book felt more like a fantasy adventure. I do love the dwarf character and got a good chuckle whenever he was present. I'm hoping the next book pulls me in more.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
November 19, 2020
After the events of the last book our h, Zenia, has to deal with the consequences and fallout of her decisions.
However, although her situation looks dire at the beginning of the book-she soon has a very interesting opportunity that might just change the course of her life- as well as bring her into close contact with our H Jev.
We get to see our mains working together again- and flirting- and bantering adorably with each other as well as get some great dialogue and plot with the fun side characters. We also get some romantic progress and well as a bit more world building.
However one thing that kind of bugged me was
However, although her situation looks dire at the beginning of the book-she soon has a very interesting opportunity that might just change the course of her life- as well as bring her into close contact with our H Jev.
We get to see our mains working together again- and flirting- and bantering adorably with each other as well as get some great dialogue and plot with the fun side characters. We also get some romantic progress and well as a bit more world building.
However one thing that kind of bugged me was
September 14, 2018
At the end of the first book Zyndar Jev Dharrow and Zenia Cham have been appointed joint Captains of the new King Targyon's Crown Agents, their first task? Investigate the mysterious deaths of the three princes who should have inherited the throne but all died of the same blood disorder.
I saw someone who classified this as NA/YA fiction and while I always tend to think of that as high school teens and angst-angst-angst I can see where they were coming from. This may have lots of talk of bosoms nakedness but it is strictly PG. Having herself been the illegitimate daughter of a Zyndar who took no responsibility for his mistress or his offspring Zenia is determined not to have sex before marriage, in any event a Zyndar like Jev can't marry a commoner like Zenia, it just isn't done.
On to the story, the investigation leads Jev and Zenia to interview mad scientists and reluctant elves, Zenia gets a mysterious, and possibly dangerous, new dragon tear from the King, and there are numerous threats to Zenia's life, and possibly the King's.
If you like light-hearted swords and sorcery novels with snarky humour and double entendres then this is the series for you. Already half-way through the third book - that's three books in three days folks!
I saw someone who classified this as NA/YA fiction and while I always tend to think of that as high school teens and angst-angst-angst I can see where they were coming from. This may have lots of talk of bosoms nakedness but it is strictly PG. Having herself been the illegitimate daughter of a Zyndar who took no responsibility for his mistress or his offspring Zenia is determined not to have sex before marriage, in any event a Zyndar like Jev can't marry a commoner like Zenia, it just isn't done.
On to the story, the investigation leads Jev and Zenia to interview mad scientists and reluctant elves, Zenia gets a mysterious, and possibly dangerous, new dragon tear from the King, and there are numerous threats to Zenia's life, and possibly the King's.
If you like light-hearted swords and sorcery novels with snarky humour and double entendres then this is the series for you. Already half-way through the third book - that's three books in three days folks!
May 28, 2019
Newly minted crown agents Jev and Zenia have their first mission: Solving the murders of the three princes that led to Targyon inheriting the throne - easier said than done, especially when potential witnesses turn up dead, the Elvish ambassador is obstructing attempts to question one of his guests, someone within their own ranks might have been involved, and it's entirely possible that Targyon might be next.
Just as much fun as the first book. Lindsay Buroker never fails to entertain, and much as I adore every one of her books that I've read so far, I do believe this series might be well and truly on its way to becoming one of my favourites of hers.
Just as much fun as the first book. Lindsay Buroker never fails to entertain, and much as I adore every one of her books that I've read so far, I do believe this series might be well and truly on its way to becoming one of my favourites of hers.
January 11, 2019
Hmm..wasn't expecting that ending. The overall mystery was enjoyable even though I wasn't a big fan of the action scenes (or lack thereof). Hopefully, Duty Bound would do a better job.
September 29, 2020
Honestly I was a little disappointed with the resolution of the mystery in this one. I'm sure it will have further consequences in the later books but it felt a bit underwhelming.
These books almost feel more like chapters in one huge work than whole novels, but that's not entirely a problem because I whizzed through this in just a few hours. I can't really say it was all action but it certainly felt like I needed to catch my breath at the end. I love the developing relationships between the characters and I'm really excited about what comes next.
These books almost feel more like chapters in one huge work than whole novels, but that's not entirely a problem because I whizzed through this in just a few hours. I can't really say it was all action but it certainly felt like I needed to catch my breath at the end. I love the developing relationships between the characters and I'm really excited about what comes next.
November 25, 2020
Overall, it was really well written, and had a great plot. I just personally found this book a tad bit harder to get into with the constant scenery changes and new characters. Nonetheless, I have really high hopes for the next book.
September 1, 2018
"Only" 3.5, more because of what's not yet in it, than dissatisfaction with what is. I enjoyed this volume of LB's new Agents of the Crown series, full of typical LB banter and action. A couple parts of the solution managed to catch me by surprise.
Both Zenia and Jev feel rather thrown in at the deep end in their new job, leading a belated investigation into the princes' deaths with little time to figure out what the parameters of being an Agent of the Crown actually are. Zenia especially has to adjust from being a recognized, respected, and even feared, Inquisitor, to taking charge over a bunch of agents she barely knows and several of whom signally fail to respect her, while worrying that Rhi will get in trouble for even speaking to her, now that she's been ostracized by all the Orders for following her own conscience rather than obeying their agenda.
I have to warn you that if you're hoping for answers re. Lornysh's own outcast state, or major changes to the kingdom based on what the Eye of Truth revealed, you won't find much here. Young King Targyon's priority for his new agents is to figure out who's responsible for his unexpected elevation to the throne, and whether his own life is in danger. We do see a bit of the elven ambassador's conflicted principles, but that's about it.
Zenia's new dragon tear, a loan from the king, becomes an interesting addition to the story; I might even say, to the cast, since it seems to have a mind of its own she's just beginning to explore.
I did decide to round up, but the last impression left by the book, its epilogue, isn't exactly a fun and happy ending. MILD SPOILER
(Then the final paragraphs are a teaser for the next volume, though I don't complain and call that a cliffhanger, since this book's central problem/question was satisfyingly resolved.)
I'm not sure what more I can say w/o getting into serious spoiler territory, so I'll stop here. If you like light fantasy adventures, Lindsay Buroker is an author I can recommend. I'm glad #3, Duty Bound, is coming so soon.
Both Zenia and Jev feel rather thrown in at the deep end in their new job, leading a belated investigation into the princes' deaths with little time to figure out what the parameters of being an Agent of the Crown actually are. Zenia especially has to adjust from being a recognized, respected, and even feared, Inquisitor, to taking charge over a bunch of agents she barely knows and several of whom signally fail to respect her, while worrying that Rhi will get in trouble for even speaking to her, now that she's been ostracized by all the Orders for following her own conscience rather than obeying their agenda.
I have to warn you that if you're hoping for answers re. Lornysh's own outcast state, or major changes to the kingdom based on what the Eye of Truth revealed, you won't find much here. Young King Targyon's priority for his new agents is to figure out who's responsible for his unexpected elevation to the throne, and whether his own life is in danger. We do see a bit of the elven ambassador's conflicted principles, but that's about it.
Zenia's new dragon tear, a loan from the king, becomes an interesting addition to the story; I might even say, to the cast, since it seems to have a mind of its own she's just beginning to explore.
I did decide to round up, but the last impression left by the book, its epilogue, isn't exactly a fun and happy ending. MILD SPOILER
(Then the final paragraphs are a teaser for the next volume, though I don't complain and call that a cliffhanger, since this book's central problem/question was satisfyingly resolved.)
I'm not sure what more I can say w/o getting into serious spoiler territory, so I'll stop here. If you like light fantasy adventures, Lindsay Buroker is an author I can recommend. I'm glad #3, Duty Bound, is coming so soon.
May 8, 2019
Jev Dharrow and Zenia Cham have recently been appointed as Crown Agents by new King Targyon, and their first mission is to discover who was responsible for the three prince’s deaths. Their investigation leads them to a few dangerous situations, but with help from their friends, and some surprises, the mystery is solved. They're getting to know each other better and getting a better understanding of just what their new positions entail. As in most of this author’s work, there is quite a lot of humor mixed in with the adventures, which I always enjoy. As one mystery is solved, a new one appears and it is on to the next adventure for this pair.
December 11, 2018
Book Two in the Agents of the Crown series finds Jev and Zenia investigating the murder of King Targyon’s brothers. While romance blossoms between the nobleman and the commoner, they must thrust aside their personal feelings to uncover a traitor in the castle. Their friends, an elf and a dwarf, assist them in their endeavors while they work on behalf of the king. Zenia’s skills as a former inquisitor come in handy when questioning suspects, and so does the magical pendant she wears. Jev’s experience as a soldier stands him well in their various conflicts. Together they unmask the traitor and unravel the plot, but more questions arise. Stay tuned for the sequel. The author’s easy-reading style and fast-paced storytelling will make you a fan.
September 1, 2018
Jev and Zenia are Agents of the Crown and have been tasked with finding the murderer of the three princes—if their suspicious deaths were murder. Now it looks like there is a traitor in the castle and maybe even an elf involved.
Wonderful characters with sharply etched dialogue, lots of action, humor, and a well thought out and written plot. I’ve already pre-ordered the next in series!
Wonderful characters with sharply etched dialogue, lots of action, humor, and a well thought out and written plot. I’ve already pre-ordered the next in series!
April 5, 2019
So murder mystery meets fantasy. The touch of romance/lust is a bonus but also an afterthought. I love Ri and Cutter. They are for sure my favorite characters. Will continue on with the series.
December 21, 2022
Enjoyed the book. Liked the characters. An interesting world with a unique collection of transportation, weapons, mysteries and talents. Certain you will like it.
June 3, 2019
3.5 compared to her emperor's edge series
May 31, 2019
I like this one
Good continuation of the first story. Nice segue into the next one. I enjoyed the world and the people. On to the next one.
Good continuation of the first story. Nice segue into the next one. I enjoyed the world and the people. On to the next one.
May 5, 2019
I kinda broke one of my cardinal rules of reviewing with this series and I don't even feel mild shame for it. What's that? you wonder. Wellllllll, I sort of read this book before writing my review for book 1. Which is a no-no in Kelly's world. Sometimes you gotta break the rules, though. I did. It's fine. Let's move along.
So. Jev and Zenia are officially working for the king. They've got a lot of experience between them, but it's not all smooth sailing. They're working off hunches and half-formed ideas and...well, it all works out in the end, but it's a bit of a bumpy ride from point A to point B.
Also, these two like one another, but social strictures seem determined to keep them apart. Which sucks, man. Sucks. (Although the social side of it seems to bother Zenia more than Jev, but Jev also has some familial obligations to live up to. The upper class do have some not-so-fun expectations, don't they?)
Mad scientists, angry guard dogs (of a sort), a little simmer of sexual tension, and danger. Because what sort of Agents would they be if they didn't go barreling into tense situations regularly?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So. Jev and Zenia are officially working for the king. They've got a lot of experience between them, but it's not all smooth sailing. They're working off hunches and half-formed ideas and...well, it all works out in the end, but it's a bit of a bumpy ride from point A to point B.
Also, these two like one another, but social strictures seem determined to keep them apart. Which sucks, man. Sucks. (Although the social side of it seems to bother Zenia more than Jev, but Jev also has some familial obligations to live up to. The upper class do have some not-so-fun expectations, don't they?)
Mad scientists, angry guard dogs (of a sort), a little simmer of sexual tension, and danger. Because what sort of Agents would they be if they didn't go barreling into tense situations regularly?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 10, 2019
Not bad
Once again a good read for a afternoon in the sun. In to the next with more fun. Thank you
Once again a good read for a afternoon in the sun. In to the next with more fun. Thank you
May 11, 2019
Adventure reading for everyone!
I will write a quick review as I need to read more of this series. I am going to say I love it! A fan.
I will write a quick review as I need to read more of this series. I am going to say I love it! A fan.
September 1, 2018
Lindsay Buroker is at the top of my favorite authors list and series like Agents of the Crown is why. In Blood Ties (Book 2) we return to Jev and Zenia, now officially Crown Agents and charged with tracking down and stopping the evil mastermind behind the “disease of the blood” that killed new King Targyon’s three cousins and left him with his unexpected crime at barely age twenty. Not an easy task, even ignoring that Jev is susceptible to the same disease, but I’d not put anything past this duo. A thrilling ride ensues as they go about doing this mission. Enjoyment (for us readers, at least) is guaranteed. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
June 16, 2020
The second book of the series and Jev and Zenia are tasked with finding the culprit of assassinations of the princes. The pace of the book is amazing. Didn't feel like a drag anywhere, which cannot be said about many other books including popular ones. What i like most is the characters acting mature as well as confident. But the ending is.. well definitely not satisfying. All that anticipation was for nothing. My complain about the series remains the same, being not living up to the build up. There is banter but not very witty. Many things happen too conveniently. There isn't much struggle overall. And the biggest one being
Overall it was entertaining read but nothing i will ever re-read.
Jev and Zenia nowhere near to expressing their feelings properly and start something!
Overall it was entertaining read but nothing i will ever re-read.
May 26, 2020
Crown Agents Jev and Zenia are new to the job and their employer King Targyon is already pushing a lot of work and trouble their way.
King Targyon wants to find out just how he became King. The deaths of his Uncle and Cousins is mysterious and he assigns Jev and Zenia to pursue the truth. During their investigations, they find that indeed the late Royals were poisoned. The thing is they really can't figure out how only they fell prey to the poison.
Jev with the aid of his Elven and Dwarf friend start investigating other Elves in the capital. Which leads to a lot of action and Zenia using her newly acquired dragons eye.
Great second book in the series. Lots of action and fun.
King Targyon wants to find out just how he became King. The deaths of his Uncle and Cousins is mysterious and he assigns Jev and Zenia to pursue the truth. During their investigations, they find that indeed the late Royals were poisoned. The thing is they really can't figure out how only they fell prey to the poison.
Jev with the aid of his Elven and Dwarf friend start investigating other Elves in the capital. Which leads to a lot of action and Zenia using her newly acquired dragons eye.
Great second book in the series. Lots of action and fun.
September 2, 2018
Excellent adventure
An excellent fantasy series for those who appreciate a character driven story with lots of wit and humor thrown in to keep the adventure flowing. Jev and Zenia tackle their first case as crown agents by trying to figure out whether the new king's cousins had been murdered and, if so, the identity of the murderer. Along the way, they try to dance around their growing feelings for each other. The pacing is great but not too fast to delve into the background and personalities of the characters. I'm looking forward to the next story.
An excellent fantasy series for those who appreciate a character driven story with lots of wit and humor thrown in to keep the adventure flowing. Jev and Zenia tackle their first case as crown agents by trying to figure out whether the new king's cousins had been murdered and, if so, the identity of the murderer. Along the way, they try to dance around their growing feelings for each other. The pacing is great but not too fast to delve into the background and personalities of the characters. I'm looking forward to the next story.
February 1, 2021
An excellent fantasy series for those who appreciate a character driven story with lots of wit and humor thrown in to keep the adventure flowing. Jev and Zenia tackle their first case as crown agents by trying to figure out whether the new king's cousins had been murdered and, if so, the identity of the murderer. Along the way, they try to dance around their growing feelings for each other. The pacing is great but not too fast to delve into the background and personalities of the characters. I'm looking forward to the next story.
December 3, 2018
Torn about this one
I really like this author, she is one of my favorites. While the writing in this book was done well...the story lines just were implausible to me. Set in a time period of steam carriages and horse back riding where guns seem to be just introduced...it just seemed that biological warfare was very out of place. But, I did like the first and will keep reading to the next. Book 3 will determine if I continue on with this series.
I really like this author, she is one of my favorites. While the writing in this book was done well...the story lines just were implausible to me. Set in a time period of steam carriages and horse back riding where guns seem to be just introduced...it just seemed that biological warfare was very out of place. But, I did like the first and will keep reading to the next. Book 3 will determine if I continue on with this series.
March 25, 2019
This series is a grabber. What do I mean by grabber? You see it after the first book then you have to grab the next and the next, hence you becoming a grabber. I know it sounds stupid but this series is one that you should read. Couldn't put it down and I went looking for the next one in the series. Great and lovable characters fill the pages and a story that grabs you til the end, leaving you wanting more. Great Reading Everyone!
September 8, 2018
Investigation and Adventure
Jev and Xenia are now Crown Agents, investigating the death of the princes.
Who can they trust? There are suspicious elves, mad scientists, assassins delivering messages in the dark and other Crown Agents.
And there is romance. It moves slowly, with maybe two kisses in this book, but I think it is all the better for that.
Jev and Xenia are now Crown Agents, investigating the death of the princes.
Who can they trust? There are suspicious elves, mad scientists, assassins delivering messages in the dark and other Crown Agents.
And there is romance. It moves slowly, with maybe two kisses in this book, but I think it is all the better for that.
September 11, 2018
Love All of Burokers Books
This series of books introduces us to more characters with unusual talents and backgrounds with just enough magic to keep it interesting. I love Buroker’s writing style and sense of humor. There’s also enough romance to make it interesting but not enough icky detail to turn off someone who would rather use their imagination!
This series of books introduces us to more characters with unusual talents and backgrounds with just enough magic to keep it interesting. I love Buroker’s writing style and sense of humor. There’s also enough romance to make it interesting but not enough icky detail to turn off someone who would rather use their imagination!
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