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A review by katleap
Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliott
5.0
4.5 stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Poisoned Blade from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a roller coaster. I started it and couldn’t put it down.
Jes has been moved up to the rank Challenger on the five’s court. She has saved her family from death. She has sent the boy she loves to war. But now Jes finds herself a part of the complicated politics of her country. As half patron and half commoner she finds herself in a unique position, balanced between civil war and safety. When Jes gets the opportunity to travel around the country to improve her five’s skills, she stumbles upon the war. Suddenly Jes isn't just trying to move up as a Challenger, and she isn't just trying to protect her family. Jes must decide who she is fighting for, and where she stands.
So I adore the characters of this book. Jes’s is our heroine and she is smart. Her talent for the five’s court lets her strategize quickly and gets her out tricky situations. Kal is distant for a good portion of the book but he is still present and when he makes it back on in person, he has grown up. Amaya and Bettany both play pivotal roles. One of my favorites are Jes’s parents. They have had such an influence on her. Her father is such a presence in her training and loyalty and strategy. Her mother in her striving to do the right thing and protect others. I’ve developed an appreciation for General Esladas’ character, now that his love for his family is starting to come through and Jes has decided that he’s a good man who is just as trapped as she is.
The setting was just as lush as the first book and we got to see even more. Traveling outside the city and through the desert. A lot of time passes in this book and I really like how Elliot moves through it. The important events are chronicled and we don’t have to deal with the day to day not important stuff.
This book is more than just about a star athlete and her game, it’s political and war-filled. But the focus is not on Jes running the fives. There is a lot of politics and scheming and planning and betrayal. Jes has to watch her back at all turns. Plus all the backstabbing and conflicts within the royal family are complicated enough to make my head spin, but it makes for a much more compelling story.
I was happy the romance very much to backseat to plot. The distance and time between Jes and Kal gave them both time to grow up.
The second half of the book explodes and it was nerve ruining for me the whole time. I cannot wait for the next book.
I received an e-ARC copy of Poisoned Blade from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a roller coaster. I started it and couldn’t put it down.
Jes has been moved up to the rank Challenger on the five’s court. She has saved her family from death. She has sent the boy she loves to war. But now Jes finds herself a part of the complicated politics of her country. As half patron and half commoner she finds herself in a unique position, balanced between civil war and safety. When Jes gets the opportunity to travel around the country to improve her five’s skills, she stumbles upon the war. Suddenly Jes isn't just trying to move up as a Challenger, and she isn't just trying to protect her family. Jes must decide who she is fighting for, and where she stands.
So I adore the characters of this book. Jes’s is our heroine and she is smart. Her talent for the five’s court lets her strategize quickly and gets her out tricky situations. Kal is distant for a good portion of the book but he is still present and when he makes it back on in person, he has grown up. Amaya and Bettany both play pivotal roles. One of my favorites are Jes’s parents. They have had such an influence on her. Her father is such a presence in her training and loyalty and strategy. Her mother in her striving to do the right thing and protect others. I’ve developed an appreciation for General Esladas’ character, now that his love for his family is starting to come through and Jes has decided that he’s a good man who is just as trapped as she is.
The setting was just as lush as the first book and we got to see even more. Traveling outside the city and through the desert. A lot of time passes in this book and I really like how Elliot moves through it. The important events are chronicled and we don’t have to deal with the day to day not important stuff.
This book is more than just about a star athlete and her game, it’s political and war-filled. But the focus is not on Jes running the fives. There is a lot of politics and scheming and planning and betrayal. Jes has to watch her back at all turns. Plus all the backstabbing and conflicts within the royal family are complicated enough to make my head spin, but it makes for a much more compelling story.
I was happy the romance very much to backseat to plot. The distance and time between Jes and Kal gave them both time to grow up.
The second half of the book explodes and it was nerve ruining for me the whole time. I cannot wait for the next book.