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sherwoodreads's review against another edition
A real roller coaster of a ride! Starts spang after the cliff-hanger at the end of the previous volume. This is Maldynado's book, and I think in many ways it is the most successful of the secondary threads focusing on each of the team through the books, because he seems to change the most.
I love the incremental pacing of the central romance, which is exactly the way it should go given the damage to one of the members. (And the damage suffered by the other during the course of this book affords a level of insight that is nicely handled.)
The world building that the consequences of mad action continue to be painted in broad strokes, but it works really, really well, I think. The humor is the glue, and the characterizations.
Everything is now up in the air . . . on to get the next two books!
I love the incremental pacing of the central romance, which is exactly the way it should go given the damage to one of the members. (And the damage suffered by the other during the course of this book affords a level of insight that is nicely handled.)
The world building that the consequences of mad action continue to be painted in broad strokes, but it works really, really well, I think. The humor is the glue, and the characterizations.
Everything is now up in the air . . . on to get the next two books!
sydspages's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This has become one of my favorite books in this series thus far!! Getting to see Maldynado’s pov was fun to get a peek inside his mind & his feelings. I really felt for Maldynado & gave me a deeper love for his character.
Also continuing where the last book left off we continue the main story with Sespian. This kept me hooked & I wasn’t bored for a single second. This book had me angry one second to laughing to on the edge of my seat.
I’m not sure I’d say this book leaves on a cliffhanger per se but none of the story is wrapped up in the slightest & the ending kinda leans into the next book.
mothmania's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
eve_ward's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it. I was a bit sceptical about the first half because 1) we didn’t see much of Amaranthe 2) during the other characters POV I like to see them bonding with Amaranthe however, that didn’t really happen in this one which is disappointing because Maldynado is one of my favs so I would have liked to see him getting along well with Amaranthe.
Also, reading about Sicarius’ childhood was so upsetting. No wonder he is the way he is.
Welp, the truth is out now. I’m looking forward to seeing how this story develops, especially because we’ll be seeing Sicarius’ POV real soon. Yum, I can’t wait.
On a final note, I would like to point out that I was a bit annoyed about the way the secret was exposed. Like, she resisted Pike’s torture but then some silly bint pops a rock on her and then all is revealed? No thanks. Otherwise though, I loved this.
Also, reading about Sicarius’ childhood was so upsetting. No wonder he is the way he is.
Welp, the truth is out now. I’m looking forward to seeing how this story develops, especially because we’ll be seeing Sicarius’ POV real soon. Yum, I can’t wait.
On a final note, I would like to point out that I was a bit annoyed about the way the secret was exposed. Like, she resisted Pike’s torture but then some silly bint pops a rock on her and then all is revealed? No thanks. Otherwise though, I loved this.
karrama's review against another edition
5.0
Thank goodness for simple self publishing. It allows fun books like this one to go exactly as their authors want. I love the intrigue...will Sespian forgive Sicarius for anything? Can Amaranthe talk him around to it? This series has replaced comic books for me. Just pure fun that I can relax with.
bookph1le's review against another edition
2.0
This was my least favorite of the series so far, for two reasons. First, Maldynado is a character best taken in very, very small doses. He could have been interesting, and there are some vulnerabilities and shades explored here, but any good is undone by his relentless insistence on sexually harassing Yara at every turn. I absolutely hate this type of character and found nothing funny about his antics.
The second reason is spoilery, so read beyond the tags at your own risk. However, I will summarize the other extremely problematic character with one word: Amaranthe.
I'm really tired of how little growth she's shown throughout this series. She's aware that she makes reckless, impulsive decisions that often result in life-or-death consequences for her team, yet she keeps on making them. Even worse, her team keeps on forgiving her. She's way too special of a snowflake, and I'd dearly love to see her actually do something to change her ways instead of her brooding for all of five minutes before skipping off to concoct some other half-cocked scheme.
Despite my dislike for this book, I do intend to continue with the series. There are some interesting ideas here, and I'd like to see how they pan out. I just wish the book spent more time on the interesting ideas and less time on ill-considered "quippy" banter.
The second reason is spoilery, so read beyond the tags at your own risk. However, I will summarize the other extremely problematic character with one word: Amaranthe.
Spoiler
I very much did not enjoy that so much of the book was given to her being tortured. I didn't think the book was graphic, but I just plain do not like torture scenes. At all. As if that's not bad enough, though, the minute Amaranthe is freed, she's back to being her wise-cracking, zany self. She does manifest her trauma in some small ways, but mostly it's like the torture was added for drama and seasoning. Maybe this will be explored more in the next book, but the way it was handled in this book left a bad taste in my mouth.I'm really tired of how little growth she's shown throughout this series. She's aware that she makes reckless, impulsive decisions that often result in life-or-death consequences for her team, yet she keeps on making them. Even worse, her team keeps on forgiving her. She's way too special of a snowflake, and I'd dearly love to see her actually do something to change her ways instead of her brooding for all of five minutes before skipping off to concoct some other half-cocked scheme.
Despite my dislike for this book, I do intend to continue with the series. There are some interesting ideas here, and I'd like to see how they pan out. I just wish the book spent more time on the interesting ideas and less time on ill-considered "quippy" banter.
thisistaylort's review
adventurous
3.0
We, the readers, really had to work for that payoff though. Thankfully, the torture scenes weren't too vivid or long, but it still hard to read. Pike is one sick fuck. And I feel even more sorry for Sicarius than before.
I've always had to suspend disbelief a little in these books, but there’s just no way possible Amaranthe would be running around in the swamp after enduring torture for days!!! At least we got to see Sicarius admit his feelings at the end of it.
The bright spot for me was Maldynado. I was really looking forward to his POV, and it’s just as delightful as I thought it would be. I hated it for him that everyone was questioning his loyalty, but I also loved the dynamic between him and Yara. I already miss being in his head.
One of the highlights of this book was Sicarius making a joke and everyone's reaction to it.
Can’t wait to see the interactions between Sicarius and Sespian and Sicarius' relationship develop with Amaranthe.
lisaliest's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
As always a good time!
annkniggendorf's review against another edition
5.0
The fifth installment of [a:Lindsay Buroker|4512224|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1292869920p2/4512224.jpg]'s [b:The Emperor's Edge|10031259|The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327954140s/10031259.jpg|14926833] novel series is as fast-paced, action-filled and character driven as the previous ones. [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] sees a good deal of character development and a holds several crucial moments for the plot, notably a cathartic experience for the main couple and a critical step with the Imperial family conundrum (Note: Amaranthe and Sicarius-shippers do not want to miss any of this!).
However, be warned that some serious dark matters, including violent interrogation, only ever hinted at in previous books are put into the spotlight in this one. Ms. Buroker certainly pulls no punch here. The aftereffects, while shown, are less prominent than I would have liked, given the severity of the experiences described before, making me wonder if they are going to spill over into book 6.
Luckily, [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] does not end with a cliffhanger like the previous book [b:Conspiracy|106646|Doomsday Conspiracy|Sidney Sheldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180837027s/106646.jpg|102794], but it will certainly keep me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what comes next!
However, be warned that some serious dark matters, including violent interrogation, only ever hinted at in previous books are put into the spotlight in this one. Ms. Buroker certainly pulls no punch here. The aftereffects, while shown, are less prominent than I would have liked, given the severity of the experiences described before, making me wonder if they are going to spill over into book 6.
Luckily, [b:Blood and Betrayal|15847065|Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)|Lindsay Buroker|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1345845919s/15847065.jpg|21591570] does not end with a cliffhanger like the previous book [b:Conspiracy|106646|Doomsday Conspiracy|Sidney Sheldon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180837027s/106646.jpg|102794], but it will certainly keep me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what comes next!