A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence by Stephanie Burgis [Review]

A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence (The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven #2) by Stephanie Burgis
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 30, 2025

The Unexpected Adventures of Lady and Lord Riven
1. A Marriage of Undead Inconvenience
2. A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence - Paperback | Kindle

Stephanie Burgis
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Margaret, Lady Riven, never expected to find herself married, much less enjoying a honeymoon with her vampiric husband. Of course, they’ve only agreed to stay married for logical, practical reasons, but Lord Riven has kept his promise to supply her with excellent tea and even better company as they travel together across the continent. Unfortunately, her newfound notoriety has traveled along with them – so she’s delighted when they arrive at a secluded inn deep within the Black Forest, far from high society.

However, the inn is full of lethal supernatural creatures who find Margaret’s arrival anything but welcome—and for all of Margaret’s academic prowess, she’s infamously inept at making friends. When a new threat appears in her own mirror, she finally realizes that the greatest danger is to her heart...and she’ll have to rely on a remarkable assortment of newfound allies to help her save the immortal vampire who holds it.

Thoughts on A Honeymoon of Grave Consequence: Margaret and her vampiric husband are on their honeymoon tour (after successfully beating her morally bankrupt family in court and getting her inheritance back) and they're making waves. Actually, one of Margaret's papers has made some waves and Margaret is desperate to stop all the horrible socializing that comes with the recognition. Hence, she and Lord Riven have booked a stay at an isolated inn in the Black Forest.

The inn comes with some colorful (and slightly unfriendly) individuals, but Margaret is used to being snubbed (ahh, the price of being a woman in academia) and the solitude is worth it.

Except...there might be something going on in the forest. Something that could put Margaret, Lord Riven, and the others in danger. Margaret's going to have to win over the supernatural inhabitants of the inn if she hopes to figure out what's going on before something very bad happens. Unfortunately, that means Margaret's going to have to socialize. Something she's not very good at and genuinely tries to avoid. (To be fair, Lord Riven has no problem shouldering the socializing side of their marriage. In fact, he kind of enjoys it after spending time with only himself before Margaret crashed into his life.)

A little danger, a nefarious plot, some delightful flirting, acceptance, good tea, and a newly married couple who have no problem with their other half's quirks. GOOD TIMES!

Iron Seas Novellas by Meljean Brook [Review]

Iron Seas Novellas (The Blushing Bounder, Wrecked) by Meljean Brook
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Iron Seas
0.4. The Blushing Bounder - Kindle
0.5. Here There Be Monsters
1. The Iron Duke
1.5. Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City
2. Heart of Steel
2.5. Tethered
3. Riveted
3.4. Wrecked - Kindle
3.5. Salvage
4. The Kraken King

Meljean Brook
| Website | Amazon |

The Blushing Bounder (Irons Seas #0.4)
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Date read: August 19, 2022

Synopsis (Goodreads):

In The Iron Duke, Constable Newberry helped save all of England. But before the events of that novel, Constable Newberry’s faced a danger of another kind: to his heart, by the woman forced to marry him. What will it take for this big, overgrown bounder to convince his wife to stay?

Thoughts on The Blushing Bounder: Oh, Newberry! Such a sweet, lug of a guy. And here we get to see him muck up his personal life in a rather spectacular fashion. I really enjoy the Iron Seas world and how Meljean Brook brings the lovable constable to life. As a plus, we get some of Mina's uncensored observations and see how Newberry steps up as Mina's protector. Quick, sweet, a little dangerous, and a lot of fun. *thumbs up*

Wrecked (Irons Seas #3.5)
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Date read: August 19, 2022

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Elizabeth has spent the past five years running from her father; her father's huntsman, Caius, has spent the past five years pursuing her. But when he finally catches up to her on an airship flying above Europe's zombie-infested cities, Elizabeth discovers that Caius isn't the only danger she has to fear—and now that he's found her, Caius doesn't intend to let her go...

Thoughts on Wrecked: I always lament that I haven't caught up entirely on this series when I read one of these stories and/or books. I MUST REMEDY THIS. Because zombies mixed with scary nanites mixed with AWESOME characters make me all weak in the knees. And the worldbuilding... *swoon* There's just SO MUCH going on in this world that it's VERY easy to get sucked into it. Which is fantastic.

This story packs a wallop. No joke. It gives you a fairly pointed overview of the zombie badness while keeping you engaged with the characters and their issues. Those issues, by the by, aren't little. Elizabeth and Caius are dealing with a morally reprehensible plot, matters of trust, and being brave enough to bare their souls to one another and admit that *maybe* there might be something more than dislike between them. Something like HAWT SEX. Steampunk sexiness... *heart eyes*

Riveted by Meljean Brook [Review]

Riveted (Iron Seas #3) by Meljean Brook
Format: paperback
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 22, 2023

Iron Seas
0.4. The Blushing Bounder
0.5. Here There Be Monsters
1. The Iron Duke
1.5. Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City
2. Heart of Steel
2.5. Tethered
3. Riveted - Paperback | Kindle
3.4. Wrecked
3.5. Salvage
4. The Kraken King

Meljean Brook
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A century after a devastating volcanic eruption forced Iceland's inhabitants to abandon its shores, the island has become enshrouded in legend. But the truth behind the legends is mechanical, not magical--and the mystery of the island a matter of life and death for a community of women who once spilled noble blood to secure their freedom.

Five years ago, Annika unwittingly endangered that secret, but her sister Källa took the blame and was exiled. Now Annika serves on an airship, searching for her sister and longing to return home. But that home is threatened when scientific expedition leader David Kentewess comes aboard, looking to expose Annika's secrets. Then disaster strikes, leaving David and Annika stranded on a glacier and pursued by a madman, with their very survival depending on keeping the heat rising between them--and generating lots of steam...

Thoughts on Riveted: Oh MAN. It's been a while since I dipped my toes into the Iron Seas world and HOO-BOY I had forgotten how sticky and complicated some of the situations these folks get into could be.

This time around we have an airship, a lady looking for her sister, a man trying to find his mother's people, and a handful of VEYR BAD MEN who have no conscience whatsoever.

Let's start with Annika and David. They're both a bit out of step with those around them. Which isn't a bad thing, mind you, but it's left a mark of both of them in different ways. David is wryly resigned to the looks and fear his prosthetics cause in people. He's sort of drawn into himself (if that makes sense) because of these reactions and only has a handful of friends he trusts.

Annika, on the other hand, is...well, she's quirky. She speaks her mind and makes friend, but she's aware she's not quite like those around her. Part of that is from her upbringing on the island, but she was even a little different from the people in her village. (As an aside, her sister's "teasing" about Annika's lack of bravery gave me a sour lemon face. Annika always took it as gentle teasing until she realized that maybe her sister actually thought that of her and that sort of broke my heart.) Leaving the island and heading out into the world might have been one of the harder things Annika had ever done, but it gave her the chance to spread her wings and figure out who she was.

It also put her in the path of some big adventures. Like being attacked by pirates and falling for a man who might put her people at risk and doing what she could do to right injustices. David's belief in her and her bravery when she felt like she'd never been brave at all helped her in a big way.

A whole lot of danger, an experiment with big repercussions, mechanical creatures, fractured friendships, a very bad man who does very bad things, and two people who have to fight for their happily ever after. YESSSSSSS.

Dragon Blood Shorts by Lindsay Buroker [Quickie Reviews]

Dragon Blood Shorts (Dragon Rider, The Fowl Proposal, Crazy Canyon) by Lindsay Buroker
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dragon Blood
0.5. Dragon Rider - Kindle (included in Beginnings)
1. Balanced on the Blade's Edge
2. Deathmaker
3. Blood Charged
4. Patterns in the Dark
5. The Blade's Memory
5.5. Under the Ice Blades
6. Raptor
7. Soulblade
7.1. The Fowl Proposal - Kindle
7.5. Shattered Past
7.8. Crazy Canyon - Kindle (included in Oaths)
8. Oaths

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Amazon |

Dragon Rider (Dragon Blood #0.5)
Format: ebook
Source: purchased (as part of Beginnings)
Date read: August 1, 2022

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When her island home is invaded by enemy soldiers, her family captured, and the town enslaved, Taylina must find a way to fight back and free her people. But their enemies have powerful warships, sorcerers, and dragons. Her simple people are no match. Her only hope is to venture onto the forbidden half of the island and seek the one individual powerful enough to battle their enemies, a dragon known for eating humans rather than helping them.

Find out what happens to Taylina and meet the dragon who thinks he’s a god in Dragon Rider, a prequel to Lindsay’s USA Today bestselling Dragon Blood series.

Thoughts on Dragon Rider: No lie, Bhrava Saruth is a DELIGHT. He's just so unrelentingly upbeat and optimistic. All the guy wants is belly rubs and for people to appreciate the magnificence that is Bhrava Saruth. Sure, sure, he might think he's a god and he might spend an appreciable amount of time trying to woo followers to his side, but he's just so genuinely happy while doing so.

This isn't exactly Bhrava Saruth's story, though. This is Taylina's story with a heaping side of that cunning gold dragon. When invaders attack her peaceful island, Taylina sets out to find a way to stop them. She's not a warrior or a leader, but she has plenty of determination and she's smart enough to see that having a wily dragon on their side (despite his claims of being a god) might be exactly what her people need to save themselves. *thumbs up*

The Fowl Proposal (Dragon Blood #7.1)
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Date read: July 28, 2022

Synopsis (Goodreads):

This series of four scenes was originally published on Lindsay's blog. They take place after the events of Soulblade (Dragon Blood, Book 7) and before Shattered Past (the Therrik novel).

Thoughts on The Fowl Proposal: I always enjoy spending time with Ridge and his people and watching him agonize over how he's going to propose to Sardelle (with everyone's advice being a little different from what he envisions) hit the spot. What does he end up doing? Well, it's very typical Ridge (in other words, a little dangerous and maybe not the best idea). BUT...he ended up getting a little help from Bhrava Saruth (the dragon who thinks he's a benevolent god) AND Sardelle to make things happen.*thumbs up*

Crazy Canyon (Dragon Blood #7.8)
Format: ebook
Source: purchased (as part of Oaths)
Date read: July 28, 2022

Synopsis (Goodreads):

“Crazy Canyon” stars Ridge and Therrik (with a few appearances by the dragon who believes he’s a god, Bhrava Saruth). It takes place after the events in Shattered Past, but you should be able to read it even if you’re not familiar with the series.

Thoughts on Crazy Canyon: Another quickie with Ridge and his people...except this time it's Therrik he's teaming up with and we all know how Ridge and Therrik have a tendency to get on one another's nerves. In other words, lots of snarking, lots of uncomplimentary thoughts toward the other, and lots of fun when Ridge and Therrik unexpectedly end up taking down some minor thieves after a few mishaps. GOOD STUFF!

The Blade's Memory by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

The Blade's Memory (Dragon Blood #5) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: July 2, 2022

Dragon Blood
0.5. Dragon Rider
 1. Balanced on the Blade's Edge
2. Deathmaker
3. Blood Charged
4. Patterns in the Dark
5. The Blade's Memory - Paperback | Kindle
5.5. Under the Ice Blades
6. Raptor
7. Soulblade
7.1. The Fowl Proposal
7.5. Shattered Past
7.8. Crazy Canyon
8. Oaths

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The king is missing.

A secret organization is hunting sorcerers.

The enemy has powerful new weapons to deploy, and the capital is more vulnerable than it's ever been.

Worst of all, at least in Ridge Zirkander's view, someone put that jackass Colonel Therrik in charge of the flier battalion.

Ridge, Sardelle, and their comrades 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.

Thoughts on The Blade's Memory: 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!

Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident by Gail Carriger [Review]

Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident (Parasol Protectorate #0.75) by Gail Carriger
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 17, 2020

Parasol Protectorate
0.5. The Curious Case of the Werewolf That Wasn't

0.75. Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident - Kindle

1. Soulless

2. Changeless

3. Blameless

4. Heartless

5. Timeless

Gail Carriger
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Alexia Tarabotti attends what appears to be a very dull London party, until the new werewolf Alpha turns up, is unconscionably rude to her, and sits on a hedgehog.

Don’t miss this charming novelette featuring the very first encounter between the Parasolverse’s most popular power couple, preternatural Alexia and supernatural Lord Conall Maccon.

Look out for cheeky appearances from other much beloved characters, not to mention the strategic application of a certain wicker chicken.

Thoughts on Meat Cute: The Hedgehog Incident: Heh. I always get a kick out of Alexia and Conall butting heads (it only gets funnier the longer and more involved they get), so I thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience their first encounter. You know, where Conall is shockingly blunt and Alexia is understandably unswayed by his charms. Or so it seems.

A little skulduggery, a practical application of a hedgehog, surprisingly large and sometimes brutal werewolves, and one preternatural who's become used to being overlooked. MAN, I like these two and their motley (excluding Lyall, of course) crew  (both known and those skulking behind the scenes). *thumbs up*

How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger [Review]

How to Marry a Werewolf (Claw & Courtship #1) by Gail Carriger
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 8, 2020

Claw & Courtship
1. How to Marry a Werewolf - Paperback | Kindle

Gail Carriger
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Guilty of an indiscretion? Time to marry a werewolf.

WEREWOLVES

The monsters left Faith ruined in the eyes of society, so now they’re her only option. Rejected by her family, Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge.

But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.

AMERICANS

Backward heathens with no culture, Major Channing has never had time for any of them. But there’s something special about Faith. Channing finds himself fighting to prove himself and defend his species. But this werewolf has good reason not to trust human women.

Even if they learn to love, can either of them forgive?

Thoughts on How to Marry a Werewolf: MAN, I like gruff, grumbly Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings. Besides his glorious name, he's just a big ball of simmering grumpiness who desperately needs the people and things he pushes away the hardest. Poor guy.

Fortunately for him, his alpha and pack understand him and give him space to be himself. Until, you know, he actively starts working on sabotaging his potential happiness. Then they step in and show him the error of his ways.

Faith is...well, she's an excellent foil for Channing. She's not afraid of him the way some would be and she's American enough to speak her mind in a most forthright manner (something that intrigues Channing in a big way) and she's...I dunno. I just like them together. They grump and growl and play off one another nicely.

And when Channing finds out why she's in London looking for a werewolf husband, he unflinchingly offers his support and a (broad) shoulder to cry on and I JUST LOVE THAT.

MAN, I like these werewolves and all the instinct and protocol and pack they have to deal with on a daily basis.

Steampunk Cyborg by Eve Langlais [Review]

Steampunk Cyborg (Mecha Origin #1) by Eve Langlais
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 7, 2020

Mecha Origin
1. Steampunk Cyborg - Paperback | Kindle
2. As the Cog Turns
3. Spinning Wheels
4. First Gear

Eve Langlais
| Website | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When a friend drags Agatha “Aggie” Bowles to a romance convention, all she wants to do is find some new authors and a quiet spot to read. Instead of relaxing with a book, she ends up kidnapped by a steampunk cyborg.

Which is as exciting as it sounds.

Except for the fact he’s more interested in the cog hanging around her neck than Aggie herself. He’ll do anything to get his hands on it. Problem is other people want it, too.

Can this cyborg relinquish a priceless treasure for love?

Thoughts on Steampunk Cyborg: Wonderfully arrogant cyborgs and the ladies who put their gears in a twist (although sometimes the ladies are cyborgs themselves, but that's another story for another day) are the THING I've been craving. Jwls certainly has the arrogant part down. To be fair, he does have some stellar upgrades and, by most of the universes' standards, Earthlings are kind of backward. Not to mention, the planet is in the far end of nowhere, so not many people (augmented or otherwise) go there.

Basically, in the eyes of the universes, Earthlings aren't just backwards, they're country-bumpkin backwards with no clue what's past their atmosphere.

I have to say, that doesn't stop Jwls from liking what he sees when he abducts Aggie (for her own good) and stashes her away on his spaceship. Aggie, being an enterprising Earthling, does her best to drive Jwls crazy and freeze up his gears every chance she gets. Jwls, being an arrogant cyborg, doesn't realize how effectively Aggie's inserted herself into his space until he is faced with giving her up.

Cyborgs, man. They never see the big fall coming. *thumbs up*

Forged in Blood II by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Forged in Blood II (The Emperor's Edge #7) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 25, 2019

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II - Paperback | Kindle
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Amaranthe Lokdon survives her reckless plan to destroy the enemy’s weapon-filled super aircraft only to learn that thousands of people perished when it crash landed. Half of her team is missing...or dead. Meanwhile, the fighting in the capital has escalated, the Imperial Barracks have been taken by a pretender, and a deadly new danger threatens the populace. Amaranthe’s hopes of returning Emperor Sespian to the throne and bringing peace to the empire are dwindling by the hour.

To make matters worse, her strongest ally—and closest friend—has been captured and is under a powerful wizard’s control. If she can’t figure out a way to free Sicarius, he may kill them all when next they meet...

Thoughts on Forged in Blood II: Sicarius under the control of someone who delights in mayhem and viscera is...not a good thing. Not at all. The poor guy's finally figuring out that he's more than just a straight up killer and he's being forced to do some very awful things all over again. Might I just add, his regret over what he did while under the influence made me cheer. Sicarius plays his cards close to the vest, so when he opens up and shares it's momentous.

I can only believe Amaranthe thinks the same. Which is a little funny, because Amaranthe deals with things by deflection and humor. Which isn't to say she's as emotionally battened down as Sicarius, but STILL.

Anywho. Things are moving toward their inevitable end. I say inevitable because something has to give at some point, for good or bad. The city's practically under siege, Sicarius is causing mayhem, Forge is chaos and blood. Then there's the matter of Sespian's claim to the throne. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE.

I am immensely pleased with how things played out for this crew. They fought against incredible odds and somehow came out on top. Well, for the most part. Things might not have turned out precisely how they expected or planned, but they ended up changing things in a big way.

Even better: It's not quite the end of their adventures. Yessssss.

Forged in Blood I by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Forged in Blood I (The Emperor's Edge #6) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 24, 2019

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I - Paperback | Kindle
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The emperor has been ousted from the throne, his bloodline in question, and war is descending on the capital. Forge, the nefarious business coalition that has been manipulating the political situation from the beginning, has the ultimate weapon at its disposal.

If it was difficult for a small team of outlaws--or, as Amaranthe has decided they should now be called, rebels--to make a difference before, it's a monumental task now. If she's to return idealistic young Sespian to the throne, earn the exoneration she's sought for so long, and help her closest ally win the respect of the son who detests him, she'll have to employ an unprecedented new scheme...preferably without destroying the city--or herself--in the process.

Thoughts on Forged in Blood I: Holy WOW, what a rollercoaster. (And in the interest of full disclosure, I dove straight into FiBII as soon as I finished this one [yes, even before writing this review, which I RARELY allow myself to do FOR REASONS] because I NEEDED to know how things turned out. OMG. NEEDED.)

So. Things are looking bleak for Amaranthe's team. Amanranthe's daring plan (the current of many) has them splitting up to work on multiple fronts. Which...I can understand why it was done, but the team's strength comes from their, err, togetherness. So, you know, splitting up puts them in danger in SO MANY WAYS.

Especially when something bad happens and Sicarius thinks the worst and goes off the rails in a big way. To be fair, though, that's kind of what one expects a former royal assassin to do when his world (seemingly) falls apart.

But let's not get carried away. Amaranthe is being crafty. Sicarius is brooding. The rest of the team (with an addition or two) are trying to figure out how to win a war they never wanted to fight with a minimum of casualties.

And that ending! GLORIOUS. (seriously, though, STRAIGHT into FiBII. Do not pass go, etc, etc.)

Beneath the Surface by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Beneath the Surface (The Emperor's Edge #5.5) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 6, 2019

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface - Kindle
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

All Sergeant Evrial Yara wanted was to protect the young emperor from those plotting to kill him. Joining forces with a group of notorious outlaws wasn’t part of the plan, especially not when one of them is determined to charm her out of her uniform at every turn. Working with the criminals might have been worth it if their efforts had saved the emperor, but it seems he’s not the rightful heir to the throne.... Evrial may have thrown away her career for nothing.

To make matters worse, fate isn’t going to give her time to calmly decide what to do next. While she’s traveling back to the capital with Amaranthe Lokdon and the rest of the outlaws, Evrial uncovers artifacts that have been smuggled aboard their steamboat. They’re deadly enough to threaten the entire city, perhaps the entire empire. Oh, and they could kill everybody on board the boat too. These scenarios just weren’t discussed in the Enforcer Academy.

Thoughts on Beneath the Surface: I'm just going to go on record as saying Sicarius showing emotion about ANYTHING, but especially Amaranthe (and around Amaranthe, I guess) makes me GIDDY. Apparently, a stone faced assassin finding his softer side is my thing, man. My thing.

Plus, the fact he's still Sicarius even when he's feeling those softer emotions is fantastic. He's still practically superhuman in some of the things he can do and he's a little socially off. I don't know what it is that delights me so much, but he fills me with happiness.

Even when he's killing people. Which might seem weird, but it's literally the thing he was trained to do since childhood and I can appreciate a person utilizing their gifts and training to the extent he does.

On to of Sicarius and Amaranthe giving me a happy, Yara is finally starting to melt a little around Maldynado. Or at least see he's not quite as foolish as he pretends to be. YAY!

A little danger. A little making out in smoke stacks. A little alone time under the stars. This is what I'm here for. Yesssss.

Blood and Betrayal by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 5, 2019

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal - Paperback | Kindle
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The last thing Maldynado Montichelu—former aristocrat and current ladies' man—ever wanted was to be left in charge. After all, the team just blew up a train, crashed a dirigible, and kidnapped the emperor. It's kind of an important time.

But, with Amaranthe captured by the nefarious Forge coalition, and Sicarius off to find her, the team is lacking in leaders. Also, Sicarius has made it clear that Maldynado’s life may be forfeit should anything happen to the emperor while he’s gone.

To make matters worse, Forge’s cutthroats are after Sespian, and the young emperor believes Maldynado's loyalties are suspect. As if it’s his fault that his older brother is working with the coalition to usurp the throne. If Maldynado can’t figure out how to earn the emperor’s trust quickly, Sespian will go off to confront their powerful enemies on his own.

Meanwhile, Amaranthe must find a way to escape from the coalition’s newest ally, Master Interrogator Pike, a man who plans to pull all of the secrets from her head, one way or another…

Thoughts on Blood and Betrayal: Whoa. Okay, a lot happens in this book (honestly, a lot happens in EVERY book in this series, so this shouldn't be shocking in the least, but AMARANTHE! OH NOES!) and things are getting STICKY for the crew.

On the downside, Amaranthe has fallen into the hands of a very bad group of people. Which, as you can imagine, splinters their group when Sicarius heads out to find her. The plus side in all this? We get to spend a little more time with everybody's favorite playboy, Maldynado! Not that Maldynado's thrilled with being left in charge, but a rogue's gotta do what a rogue's gotta do. Especially when it's a scary assassin giving you your orders.

Anywho. Amaranthe is in a bad place, Sicarius is using his skills to track her. Maldynado is grudgingly donning the mantle of leader and Sespian is...well, he's still in danger. Which puts everybody on edge.

Man, I'm digging this series.

Conspiracy by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Conspiracy (The Emperor's Edge #4) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 31, 2019

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy - Paperback | Kindle
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When you’re an outlaw hoping for a pardon, and the emperor personally sends a note requesting that your team kidnap him, you make plans to comply…

Even if it’ll involve infiltrating a train full of soldiers, bodyguards, and spies loyal to a nefarious business coalition that has numerous reasons to hate you.

Even if it means leaving the city right after you’ve uncovered a secret weapons shipment that might be meant to start a war.

Even if it's a trap...

Thoughts on Conspiracy: For the record, it's been a while since I read the first three books in this series (SERIOUSLY, where does the time go, guys? WHERE?) and I was soooooo ready for some wacky Amaranthe and Sicarius shenanigans. Not that Sicarius is wacky or into shenanigans. He's all business all the time. But Amaranthe? OH, YEAH. She comes up with some fantastically off the wall ideas and I am all over that.

So. First off, planning a heist on the emperor's behalf that can't be known or thwarted by his royal associates since it involves KIDNAPPING THE EMPEROR HIMSELF seems like a recipe for disaster. Not only will Amaranthe and crew be going up against the ones holding the emperor in thrall, but also the emperor's well-trained bodyguards and guards.

Yeah. Yeeeeeaaaaah. I've said it before, but Amaranthe wouldn't be Amaranthe if she didn't step in the line of fire to thwart injustice whenever she sees it.

On the plus side, Sicarius is invested in the emperor's well-being. Which bodes well for whatever crazy plan Amaranthe comes up with on the fly. On the downside, Sicarius is REALLY invested in the emperor's well-being and Amaranthe's plans have a tendency to go sideways and that has the stoic assassin going a little growly at times.

On the other plus side, Sicarius is finally starting to show Amaranthe she means something to him. Years and years of conditioning are hard to break, you know! He's not used to all this human interaction and stuff.

As with the other books, the action's non-stop and the craziness just keeps on firing on all cylinders. And I love it!

The Spellslinger by S.M. Reine [Review]

The Spellslinger (A Fistful of Daggers #4) by S.M. Reine
Format: ebook
Source: provided by the author for review

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: December 19, 2019

A Fistful of Daggers
1. Lonesome Paladin
2. Spellsmoke
3. Hell's Hinges
4. The Spellslinger - Kindle

S.M. Reine
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Lincoln Marshall has failed. The Godslayer is trapped in her worst nightmares. His only chance of repairing the timeline is dead. He's stuck a decade in the past with Sophie Keyes, and the world is falling apart.

Held captive by the Union, Lincoln and Sophie must fight to repair a timeline rapidly unraveling.

James Faulkner has survived, but he's not whole. He's divided into angel and demon--his ambition and obsession severed from his power and passion. His angel side wants to rescue Elise. His demon side wants to rescue the world, at any cost--even if it means letting Elise die. Between their brilliant minds, they've conceived a plan that can repair the timeline. The only price is their lives.

Thoughts on The Spellslinger: Messed up timelines and gods gone wild and CRAZINESS of the highest order...yessssssss. I always know I'm going to get a whole lot of insanity when I pick up a S.M. Reine book and this fractured timeline is certainly holding up to that.

Lincoln and Sophie are caught in the middle of something insanely huge. Their foray into the past has far-reaching consequences and their capture by the Union leaves them little wiggle room for fixing it. As an aside, the Union has more than their fair share of jerks working for it. Just, SO MANY JERKS.

On the other end of the craziness, James and Elise are not who they need to be yet to defeat Adam. Given that James is literally divided between two aspects and Elise is trapped in a nightmare of godly proportions, I mean this in the most fundamental sense. Elise doesn't know of all the strings James has been manipulating through her life and James is equal parts obsessed and driven depending on which aspect you're talking to.

To say things are complicated and twisted and downright bizarre at times would be an understatement.

BUT...all this does bring Lincoln one step closer to being the Brother Marshall we met in the future. Things might be insane and complex, but they're putting Lincoln (and Sophie, I presume) where he needs to be and that's a good thing. I think.

Crazy. Intense. Weird. Monstrous. World-ending. Everything I enjoy when I step into the Decentverse.

The Kraken King by Meljean Brook [Review]

The Kraken King (Iron Seas #4) by Meljean Brook
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: January 2, 2019

Iron Seas
0.4. The Blushing Bounder
0.5. Here There Be Monsters
1. The Iron Duke
1.5. Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City
2. Heart of Steel
2.5. Tethered
3. Riveted
3.4. Wrecked
3.5. Salvage
4. The Kraken King - Paperback | Kindle

Meljean Brook
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A former smuggler and thief, Ariq—better known as the Kraken King—doesn’t know what to make of the clever, mysterious woman he rescues from an airship besieged by marauders. Unsure if she’s a spy or a pawn in someone else’s game, Ariq isn’t about to let her out of his sight until he finds out…

After escaping her fourth kidnapping attempt in a year, Zenobia Fox has learned to vigilantly guard her identity. While her brother Archimedes is notorious for his exploits, Zenobia has had no adventures to call her own—besides the stories she writes.

But when she jumps at the chance to escape to the wilds of Australia and acquire research for her next story, Zenobia quickly discovers that the voyage will be far more adventurous than any fiction she could put to paper…

Thoughts on The Kraken King: I originally read this book as a serial and it was MAGNIFICENT. I have to say, it's even better on the reread (and all in one sitting). I mean, THESE TWO ARE JUST FANTASTIC.

It doesn't hurt that the crazy world they live in is all sorts of insane and fantastical and dangerous and all that other stuff that makes books so good.

*fluttery sigh* Okay. Ariq and Zenobia. I kinda love them. No, I completely love them. He's powerful and honorable and will do anything to protect those under his care. She's guarded and careful and has a hard time trusting people. Ariq slips under that guard and unintentionally hurts her more than once, but Zenobia is smart enough to see that it WAS unintentional and she makes an effort to forgive him.

Ariq also makes an effort. Once he sees how his actions hurt her, he changes his approach. Considering they're in the middle of something bigger than them, his willingness to put Zenobia first even if it means making hard choices goes a long way toward softening her toward him.

Seriously, I ADORE these two. Plus, the craziness they're smack-dab in the middle of just keeps the hits coming and their relationship adapts and grows a lot because of that.

No lie, every time I read an Iron Seas book, I get SO invested in the characters and the world all over again I'm incredibly tempted to do a full series reread. EVERY SINGLE TIME. So maybe I will.

Deadly Games by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Deadly Games (The Emperor's Edge #3) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 17, 2017

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games - Paperback | Kindle
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When you’ve been accused of kidnapping an emperor, and every enforcer in the city wants your head, it’s hard to prove yourself an honorable person and even harder to earn an imperial pardon.

That doesn’t keep Amaranthe Lokdon and her team of outlaws from trying. When athletes start disappearing from the Imperial Games, they may finally have an opportunity to show the emperor that they’re on his side. If she and her comrades can get to the bottom of such a public mystery, they’re sure to get the credit.

But plans go awry when Amaranthe’s own men start plotting against each other, the new ally she’d hoped to acquire tries to turn her in, and her best fighter—and closest friend—disappears.

Maybe getting involved wasn’t such a good idea after all…

Thoughts on Deadly Games: Hoo-boy. Things are heating up for Amaranthe and her crew in more ways than one. There's the usual dodging of the soldiers and enforcers, plus...actually, most of the danger they end up in is because Amaranthe is unable to let injustices lie. If she sees something, she does something. Usually to the detriment of her herself.

Seriously, the woman is fantastically good at finding dangerous situations and throwing herself straight into the fire as she attempts to fight wrongs. You have to think that *eventually* the emperor will hear of some of their good deeds. Eventually.

Until that happens, though, they have to keep doing what they're doing. This time, Amaranthe takes a job trying to figure out who's abducting athletes from the Games. To keep things interesting, Maldynado tries to set her up with one of her old buddies to help her relax. Sicarius gets tense. I think. He's sort of stoic and unreadable. But he does telegraph that he's not thrilled about Amaranthe's dates. (Weirdly, the fact they mostly end badly has nothing to do with him for once.)

The threats against the Empire are still hanging around. The various members of the crew are working through a few issues. Amaranthe and Sicarius are getting closer.

Yessssss.

The Assassin's Curse by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

The Assassin's Curse (The Emperor's Edge #2.5) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 17, 2017

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse - Kindle
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

When outlaws Amaranthe and Sicarius chance upon spies stealing military prototypes, they immediately give chase. Well, immediately after Amaranthe talks Sicarius, former assassin and all-around non-altruistic type, into the mission. She wants an imperial pardon, and what better way to attract the emperor’s favor than by looking after the empire’s interests?

What seems like a straightforward mission develops a hitch when the spies flee to Darkcrest Isle, a forbidding chunk of land reputed to be haunted. Amaranthe isn’t quick to believe in tales of malevolent spirits, so she’s startled when the ever-pragmatic and unflappable Sicarius shows reluctance at setting foot on the island. Only when it may be too late to escape does Amaranthe come to understand why.

Thoughts on The Assassin's Curse: Eep. I'm not sure seeing a Sicarius who isn't entirely in control is a good thing. The guy might be a non-emotional, utterly dedicated machine under normal circumstances (something I'm sure drives his comrades crazy when they're not quaking in fear around him), but not-Sicarius is kinda scary. Mostly because he's so insanely deadly.

Amaranthe is a brave woman to trust Sicarius as much as she does. But then, that's part of her charm. She believes in people and they rise up to her expectations. Even a deadly assassin whose first reaction is to kill whoever's in front of him just so they can't report anything they might know about him.

Hey, no one ever said the path to clearing one's name and finding their special someone in the form of a man who kills for a living would be easy, right?

Dark Currents by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

Dark Currents (The Emperor's Edge #2) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 16, 2017

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents - Paperback | Kindle
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

It's been three months since former enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon and the notorious assassin Sicarius thwarted kidnappers and saved the emperor's life. The problem? Nobody knows they were responsible for this good deed. Worse, they're being blamed for the entire scheme. With enforcers and bounty hunters stalking them, and the emperor nursing a personal hatred for Sicarius, it's going to be hard to earn exoneration.

When Amaranthe's team discovers mutilated bodies in the city aqueducts and a mysterious illness incapacitates thousands of citizens, she and Sicarius see an opportunity to solve the mystery and prove their loyalty. But they'll have to defeat vengeful shamans, man-eating predators, and deadly mechanical constructs, all while dodging imperial soldiers who would rather kill them than accept their help.

Nobody said exoneration would be easy.

Thoughts on Dark Currents: Amaranthe isn't one to take the easy route and her determination to exonerate herself and the rest of her crew has them unearthing dead bodies with alarming frequency. Plus, they get into the weirdest situations where they end up doing battle against things that most people have never heard of. Also, she puts herself in the line of fire A LOT. I mean, it makes sense when she suggests it, but her plans tend to backfire in the weirdest ways. Except they don't really backfire at all.

As Sicarius said, Amaranthe has a way of making things that shouldn't work play out the way they need them to in the end.

Let's face it, coming from Sicarius, that's pretty high praise.

This time around, Amaranthe and crew have stumbled onto a...plot. Which is pretty much par for the course for them. But this plot is...Well, it's as dangerous and deadly as everything else they've involved themselves in.

How about this? There's danger. And mayhem. And a plan that could fall apart a million different ways, but doesn't quite. Or maybe it's that Amaranthe is quick to adjust her thinking when new developments present themselves. Either way, things go off the rails more than once and the crew has to pull together to engage in some thrilling heroics.

Oh, and there's all this simmering tension between our brilliant leader and a stoic assassin.

Simmering. I expect big things from them. Eventually. Sicarius has some issues he has to work through first, but they'll get there.

The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker [Review]

The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1) by Lindsay Buroker
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 16, 2017

The Emperor's Edge
0.5. Shadows Over Innocence
1. The Emperor's Edge - Paperback | Kindle
1.5. Ice Cracker II
2. Dark Currents
2.5. The Assassin's Curse
3. Deadly Games
4. Conspiracy
5. Blood and Betrayal
5.5. Beneath the Surface
6. Forged in Blood I
7. Forged in Blood II
7.5. Solstice Day Gifts
8. Republic
9. Diplomats and Fugitives

Lindsay Buroker
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The adventure starts here...

Imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon is good at her job: she can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed.

Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin, is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead.

Thoughts on The Emperor's Edge: Okay. The adventures of Sicarius and Amaranthe have begun and they're just as insanely bloody/dangerous/fun as I expected them to be. You know, since Amaranthe is an enforcer and Sicarius is the assassin everybody loves to fear. With good reason, mind you. Sicarius has a habit of killing first and asking questions later. Something I have a feeling Amaranthe will work on as their adventures continue.

But that's down the road. Right now, Sicarius is deadly and doesn't like to leave survivors who might give away key elements of his plans if they ever part ways. Which makes for an interesting group dynamic, don't you think.

Amaranthe doesn't let little things like Sicarius's flexible morality and skill with a knife keep her from using him to put events in motion. When she unwittingly gets pulled into the middle of a conspiracy against the emperor, she recruits the notorious assassin and puts together a motley crew of misfits to save the day.

Except things don't always go as planned. Not when (outlawed) magic is involved and you're being hunted by the very people you're trying to help.

Good gravy, I'm ready to dive into this whole series. Amaranthe and Sicarius are like day and night in a lot of ways and I can't WAIT to see how the former enforcer and the assassin make things work.