Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)

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Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)

by Lindsay Buroker (Goodreads Author)

4.55 of 5 stars 4.55 · rating details · 766 ratings · 77 reviews

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, Sicariu...more

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Published September 3rd 2012 by Lindsay Buroker (first published September 2nd 2012)

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Oct 09, 2012 Hali Sowle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: amaranthe-lokodon, humour, emperors-edge, ebook, steampunk, kindle, sicarius, adventure, intrigue, fantasy, favorites

In a way I am glad that I found this series as far along (this is the 5th book) as I did since the cliff hanger ending of the last book pretty much left me howling in frustration. I really hate cliffhangers and this was a doozy and I was immensely grateful that I could start reading this one immediately to follow up.

The book begins with the aftermath of the dirigible crash and Amaranthe's capture by Major Pike and the Forge and is told from both Amaranthe's and Maldyano's point of view. While A...more

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Jun 11, 2013 Ori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, favorites, fantasy, reviewed, romance, steampunk

Blood and Betrayal, the fifth in Lindsay Buroker's The Emperor's Edge series, picks up right where Conspiracy lets off, with our intrepid band of questionable heroes veering off towards opposite sides of the country.

Having successfully kidnapped Emperor Sespian, our team is on the way to collect their reward when an unfortunate encounter with a massive enemy airship causes their ship to crash. Amaranthe, our silver-tongued team leader with an inordinate fondness for explosions, gets hurled off a...more Blood and Betrayal, the fifth in Lindsay Buroker's The Emperor's Edge series, picks up right where Conspiracy lets off, with our intrepid band of questionable heroes veering off towards opposite sides of the country.

Having successfully kidnapped Emperor Sespian, our team is on the way to collect their reward when an unfortunate encounter with a massive enemy airship causes their ship to crash. Amaranthe, our silver-tongued team leader with an inordinate fondness for explosions, gets hurled off and captured by the enemy. The rest survive the crash and Sicarius, after considering all his options in typical stoic assassin fashion, leaves the foppish Maldynado in charge of the group escorting Sespian and takes off to rescue her from the Imperial torturer's dubious ministrations.

Lindsay Buroker doesn't go into too much detail, but reading about Pike torturing Amaranthe raised all the hair on my arms. It's awful and speaks volumes about Amaranthe's mental fortitude that she holds out for so long in such terrible circumstances and, with a little help, manages her own escape, thank you very much. Of course, it helps that Sicarius shows up in time to pick off her remaining pursuers and to deal with his own personal demon.

Sicarius has made great strides during the course of this series towards humanity -- okay, maybe not so great, but enough -- and he finally shows it in this book. He doesn't hesitate to show his concern for Amaranthe, and it's immensely satisfying to see him with his walls slowly coming down. I don't think the crazy squee factor of their relationship needs to be mentioned anymore, because it's always going to be a given.

Maldynado may not yet have his statue, but he finally gets his chance in the limelight. Having been an aristocrat and an extremely attractive man all his life, Maldynado is accustomed to having everything go easy for him without having to lift a finger. But with Sicarius leaving Sespian in his care, responsibility is finally thrust upon the big charming lunk and he reluctantly leads the group. It doesn't help that his brother's involvement in the conspiracy against Sespian causes everyone to question his loyalties. For the first time in his life, Maldynado has to take charge of his own life and cast off the indolent aristocrat. Despite my avid interest in the goings on between Amaranthe and Sicarius, I was always quite eager to return to see how fared the fabulous Maldynado.

In the course of this book, there are the usual daring escapes, underwater lairs, nefarious gatherings of morally questionable evildoers, booming explosions, vehicle thefts, and disastrous cave-ins that one has learned to expect from these books, but despite the constant appearance of all these tropes, it never is any less thrilling.

Yet another five star book.(less)

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May 17, 2013 Brenna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Holy shizzballs, this one was rough. Not that it was bad. But intense, especially the first half.

At the end of the last book, we saw Amaranthe captured by the scarred former head of the empire's torture, so you know that things won't be all sunshine and crossbows for our heroine. Still, there's torture. Watch out. I don't like torture scenes, and I especially don't like Amaranthe being tortured. Buroker does not get especially graphic, but it was enough to make me queasy and uneasy. And even wh...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, steampunk, tough-heroines, aaangst, horrible-childhood-of-h-h

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I loved it. Why? See list below:

* We learn more about Maldynado. I think he is my favorite non-Amaranthe POV. He also reminds me a bit of Budjold's Ivan, only with a much more homicidal family.
* We learn about Sicarius' 'childhood' - I use the quotes because I don't think any sane person would qualify it as childhood. It explains pretty much everything about him and the only shock is he is still capable of caring for Sespian and Amaranthe. I love that while he would win 'worst childhood ever' aw...more I loved it. Why? See list below:

* We learn more about Maldynado. I think he is my favorite non-Amaranthe POV. He also reminds me a bit of Budjold's Ivan, only with a much more homicidal family.
* We learn about Sicarius' 'childhood' - I use the quotes because I don't think any sane person would qualify it as childhood. It explains pretty much everything about him and the only shock is he is still capable of caring for Sespian and Amaranthe. I love that while he would win 'worst childhood ever' awards hands down in any Universe, he's incredibly pragmatic in a 'past can't be changed so no point in worrying about it, should deal with the future.' It's worth noting that while he killed the three men responsible for him being an assassin and his childhood, none of it was for revenge - I mean, who knows why he killed Raumesis (though with his pattern, probably to protect Sespian), but he only went after Hollowcrest after he harmed Sespian, and he only went after Pike after he hurt Amaranthe. That whole scene btw, where Amaranthe tells him she is surprised he killed Pike quickly without making him suffer, seeing what Pike put him through when he was a child, and Sicarius says he wanted to make it slower for what Pike did to Amaranthe but didn't because he thought Amaranthe wouldn't like it - that just might be the most romantic thing ever! I loved that he only wanted to torture Pike for the hurt to Amaranthe, not to himself! And that he refrained because she wouldn't like it! And that she actually might have liked it, because she is not saintly and after her suffering she wanted some pay back.
* Amaranthe/Sicarius OMFG OMFG best thing ever! He rescues her! Tracking her for a week! And leaving Sespian (!!!!!!!) to do so! And doesn't kill anyone except for Pike because she wouldn't like it! And goes into a rage when he sees what Pike did but doesn't torture him (see above) and opens up to Amaranthe and actually talks about his past and his feelings (and OMFG he says he is sorry and also tries to explain why he went assassinating Forge members and is worried she won't like him any more clearly) and he hugs her! And carries her! And tells her he won't step aside for Sespian! And and and and!!! It's pretty clear that Amaranthe is the first person in his life who wanted to make him happy and who cared for him unconditionally - I think he finally drops all his barriers here (well, as much as Sicarius can) because she proves it here - she's seen him kill 30 Forge members, something she disapproves of utterly, and she still loves him. She was captured and tortured to protect his secret and she still loves him. But I think there is also the whole 'they both got tortured by Pike so she knows how it feels' a bit of - in there. In a way, he can let down some of his guard because she's been there.
*Also, I cannot remember the last time I got so excited about an OTP interlacing their fingers - these books have turned me into a lunatic.
(less)

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Mar 31, 2013 Hallie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Not knocking off any points for the horrible non-ending to the previous book in the series, although I normally get very cranky when authors do that. Part of my unusual tolerance is due to my own selfish lack of suffering, as I was able to go straight from Conspiracy into this; part the sincere-seeming apology at the end of Conspiracy; and part the fact that Buroker hasn't done this in any previous books (at least of those I've read, which is most of them).

A few essentially non-spoilery thought...more Not knocking off any points for the horrible non-ending to the previous book in the series, although I normally get very cranky when authors do that. Part of my unusual tolerance is due to my own selfish lack of suffering, as I was able to go straight from Conspiracy into this; part the sincere-seeming apology at the end of Conspiracy; and part the fact that Buroker hasn't done this in any previous books (at least of those I've read, which is most of them).

A few essentially non-spoilery thoughts about the series, before a few more behind cuts specific to Conspiracy & this book. It occurred to me as I was reading Conspiracy the other day that one thing I really, really like about the series is the snail-like pace of the romance. Relative to most fantasies I've read lately, at any rate. In 4 books we've had, by my admittedly uncertain count, one kiss. And no other sexual acts performed without kissing, for whatever reason! This in contrast to the typical urban fantasy/YA fantasy, with the heroine's instant attraction/instalove to/for some hothothot guy, which may not be satisfied, but only if the hot guy is part of a love-triangle. Amaranthe isn't at all attracted to Sicarius because he's an incredibly efficient and ruthless assassin, thankfully, nor because of his looks. In fact, I can't think of terribly much that's said about his appearance - he's physically tough as nails, but that's frequently considered ruefully rather than admiringly by Amaranthe as Sicarius pushes her and the team to train far past the point of pain and exhaustion. She comes to trust that he has her back, whatever his initial motivations, and as she learns his past, with frustrating slowness, she comes to understand that he was made into what he is by truly inhuman means. The slow development of romantic feelings towards him fits very well with her compassionate understanding and forgiving of her team members, even when one or other of them proves weak or untrustworthy.

We rewatched the four Bourne films recently, and I was also struck by some correspondences between those (I haven't read the books, so am only going on the films) and the Emperor's Edge series. Like Sicarius, Bourne and Aaron Cross have been made into super-strong, efficient killers, without having chosen this for themselves. And in both cases, almost all of our disgust and anger is directed towards those who created them and use them without the slightest remorse or compassion. It's also necessary to suspend a lot of disbelief about both their ability to survive despite huge odds, and about their managing to retain a certain amount of humanity with all that has been done to remove that humanity from them. The survival incredibility in the Emperor's Edge series extends to Amaranthe's team as well as Sicarius, but it's a lack of realism I'm happy enough to go along with for the duration of the ride. It helps that Amaranthe really isn't a Mary Sue, so what her team manages with her as somewhat dubious leader is more acceptable than if she excelled at everything.

As this is very character-driven adventure, it works well that Amaranthe is the main protagonist, but each of the books after the first picks up one of the team members for primary secondary character, as it were. The books which focused on Books and Basilard were my favourites in that regard, as they're deeper, more serious characters than Akstyr and Maldynado, at least initially. However, it worked quite well to have the boyos be the focus of the 4th and 5th books, as there's a heavy theme of misunderstanding and mistrust running through them both. Akstyr only slowly comes round from thinking only of himself and being quite willing to sell the others out if necessary, and finds, somewhat to his own surprise, that he cares that he may have lost the trust of Amaranthe and the team. And ironically, he's being judged for something he didn't do intentionally but only in an unguarded moment when he's tempted to trust someone from his past who has never before been worthy of it. Maldynado is also forced to face the fact that his family's rejection of him bothers him, and is distressed that others distrust him because of what that family does. Meanwhile, Amaranthe is the only person who knows Sicarius's big secret, and she's the emotional touchstone for the distress Sicarius feels (as much as he can) at being so thoroughly feared and hated, despite everything he's done. (view spoiler)

(view spoiler)

Yara is a great addition to the team, although she only reluctantly and slowly becomes a full participant - looking forward to the novella from her POV. There was a decent enough ending to this installment, although I'm very glad indeed that book 6 will be out this year. (less)

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Nov 16, 2012 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

First of all, I am WAY too old to be reading steampunk, despite my long flirt with fantasy series. I almost did not buy the first book, because seriously, steampunk? But I like well-written fantasy books, so why not give it a try based on reviews. Then the first book hooked me - great characters who never get boring or stale, great story, great writing - especially those "Indiana Jones action moments", and of course, the Amaranthe/Sicarius relationship, neither of which overwhelm the books. Each...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Douglas Meeks rated it 5 of 5 stars

Blood and Betrayal by Lindsay Buroker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just finished Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge Book 5) and other than the fact I have to wait until next year to move the story along it was amazing as expected. The whole Emperor's Edge series borders on the edge of fantastic, the characters are fleshed out and the stories are always full of things that make you think you know what is going to happen .... until something you never thought of happens. I could write paragraphs o...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Kim Ryser rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012booksread, kindle, steampunk

I have so many feelings about this series. I have many, many feelings for the characters. The characters continue to be amazing. But I have to admit to being irked by a couple of things in this book. First, I'm getting a little tired of one of the main characters being kidnapped and kept captive as a main plot. Second, there was a lot of torture in this book, which, well, I just found really unpleasant. It felt like there didn't need to be so much time spent on it, especially as it seemed not to...more

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Sep 02, 2012 Patricia Eddy rated it 5 of 5 stars

If the worst thing you can say about a book is that you are...less than thrilled that the sequel isn't coming out for a year, then you are exceedingly lucky and well, I am exceedingly lucky. I have been waiting for Blood and Betrayal for several months now as Conspiracy (the 4th book in the series) ended on a cliffhanger. I could not, and did not, put this book down for the entire day and in a few months, to keep myself happy while I wait for book 6, I plan on starting over at Book 1.

There are...more If the worst thing you can say about a book is that you are...less than thrilled that the sequel isn't coming out for a year, then you are exceedingly lucky and well, I am exceedingly lucky. I have been waiting for Blood and Betrayal for several months now as Conspiracy (the 4th book in the series) ended on a cliffhanger. I could not, and did not, put this book down for the entire day and in a few months, to keep myself happy while I wait for book 6, I plan on starting over at Book 1.

There are some dark scenes in this book, but they are done very well. The continued relationship between Amaranthe and Sicarius is evolving and we see a lot more of his past and his sharing with her. I always want more from those scenes, but if I got it, the books wouldn't be the same and that would be a shame (despite the fact that I want them to finally actually HAVE a relationship).

Maldynado's is the perspective we get in this book and so it makes for a very humorous and somewhat lighthearted view of things, which given some of the other aspects of the story is needed. I also hope for more between Maldynado and Yara in the future, and heck, even more of Yara in general. Given her newness to the team, there's a lot we could still learn about her.

I've rarely found characters that I cared about so thoroughly that I actively worried about them. The author has quickly become one of my very favorite authors I've ever read. At this point, I've read nearly everything of hers, and honestly, if more writers were this skilled, well... I'd never get anything done because I'd be reading all the time. The action scenes are always perfect, and I love the sheer number of vehicles that the team has destroyed. But even more than the action scenes, the descriptions of the people are what draws me in. Whether when describing a character's strength or weaknesses (physical or emotional), you never feel like you're missing anything. Strong characters, excellent action, and a fantastic story. This series should make it to must-read lists everywhere. (less)

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Aug 27, 2012 Amanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Lindsay gives us another fantastic read in her Emperor's Edge Series. Blood and Betrayal begins promptly where that wonderfully unfortunate cliffhanger left off. We find out about the gang from Maldynado's point of view. As the secondary character, he has an awful lot of "screen" time. However, his perspective does not disappoint. Maldynado is a fun character; he even endears himself to you when you are least expecting it. He and Yara are quite a pair together and I enjoyed their interactions. T...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

Maldynado is left in charge of protecting the emperor while Sicarius leaves to rescue Amaranthe. She has been captured and is being tortured for information on Sicarius’s secrets while the rest of the team and the emperor attempt to infiltrate the usurpers in an endeavor to foil their plans.

I am a huge fan of Steampunk and specifically this series. Blood and Betrayal was a very enjoyable book. I love the characters. I love the sense of humor and intelligence of the scheming and diabolical plans....more

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Sep 16, 2012 SubterraneanCatalyst ; I Will Always Read rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: wizards, steampunk

So have you read the first four books? No you say? Do you plan on reading any of these? Yes you say? THEN DON'T READ THIS REVIEW. Why you ask? Because some things I mention in this review aren't a spoiler- not for someone who has read this entire series up to this book, but for YOU, that haven't read this series, this will be Spoilerland, so you are warned. Continue forward at your own risk reader.

I looked forward to this book desperately as I do with any series I adore. This is an unusual ser...more

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Sep 20, 2012 Sonyahunt rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one series where I am very thankful for the invention of the "series.". The Emperor's Edge just gets better as it goes. Numbers 4 and 5 are my favorite by far. What drives this series for me is definitely the characters. MC Amaranthe Lockdon is a quirky, control freak optimist who is surprisingly endearing rather than annoying. Her character is delightfully offset by a cold, hard-eyed assassin who has his own secret agenda (that figures largely in the plots), a former warrior-caste playb...more

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Jun 01, 2013 Sweetp-1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, steampunk

I love this series. And there are very few series where I manage to stick it out to the very end without losing interest, and even fewer authors where I will buy the next book with no hesitation. Blood and Betrayal continues the adventures of Amaranthe and her mismatched gang - including the brooding assassin/love interest Sicarius - as they attempt to bring about the downfall of the nefarious organisation the Forge and reinstate Emperor Sespian to the throne. This book is from Malynado's point...more

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Oct 01, 2012 Edie Houston rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, favorites

This is the brand new, hot off the presses (er..ah...keyboard) novel from Lindsay Buroker, and, as is the case with the others in this series, is a must read. I found the first novel (The Emperor's Edge) quite by accident as a Kindle freebie. I had just started a course in writing Steampunk and it was on the recommended list. I hadn't read fantasy in a few years and was somewhat out of touch with the genre so I took a chance. I'm glad! Lindsay Buroker re-kindled (no pun intended??) my love of fa...more

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May 14, 2013 Jeannette rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: buddy-read, 2013-read, fantasy, kindle, steampunk

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Final Rating 3-½ stars

I had a hard time rating the fifth installment of The Emperor’s Edge series. All of Buroker’s well-loved characters are back; the best part of the series is seeing the team work together like a dysfunctional family. Along the way there were flashes of brilliant writing, places full of emotion and pathos (Sicarius and Amaranthe talking in the cave, and Amaranthe and Sespian talking at the very end). But, these moments were too infrequent, and were drowned out by the idiotic...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: assassins, best-main-character, favorite-series, other-worlds, own-ebook, reviewed, surpassed-expectations, witches-sorcerors-magic

Here's the obligatory warning that I'm in love with these books and they can do no wrong in my eyes.

All of the previous books in the Emperor’s Edge series have been leading up to this book, in a way. The lines of the Forge storyline become completely clear, and by the end of the book it is understood that the events to follow will forever change the world of the Emperor’s Edge books.

We get some strong development between Sicarius and Amaranthe, plus we get more of Sicarius, Amaranthe and Sespian...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Jeri rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: f-fantasy-sci-fi, kindle

I so enjoy this series and opened up #5 with great anticipation. I wasn't disappointed. Let's see, the emperor has been kidnapped by the group; Amaranthe has been captured by the Forge coalition, Sicarius is off to find her, leaving Maldynado "in charge" with the warning that he will receive Sicarius' wrath if something happens to the emperor.
We blow up trains, crash dirigibles, usual stuff for this group!

Meanwhile, Amaranthe must find a way to escape from the coalition’s newest ally, Master In...more

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Sep 08, 2012 Sylvia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: digital, fantasy, steampunk, fun

I couldn't read this fast enough, and now I'm sad because I'll have to wait for the next one! This new chapter in the Emperor's Edge series was pretty much non-stop action. We also get to see a lot more of Sespian, and Yara as well, who were both fun additions to the group. But most important, at least from his point of view, this is Maldynado's book, and I'm very pleased to report that there are hidden depths beneath that pretty packaging. As we draw closer to the final book though, I can't hel...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Catherine rated it 5 of 5 stars

With only one more book to go (for the series and/or the story arc) there's still a lot of ground to cover. A lot happens in this book, and both Yara and Sespian become more engrained in the group. Key information is either confirmed or discovered, which leads to turmoil for many, if not all, the characters. A bit more romance in this book than previous ones, but not a whole lot (hey, they had more pressing matters!). Love the humor throughout the book, it keeps things going and provides a bit o...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Gigi rated it 5 of 5 stars

Seriously these books just get better and better. The one complaint I have is I wanted more Sicarious in this one...but considering the plot I can understand why it was written the way it was. It definitely gave the already "edge of your seat" story a extra nail-biting quality because you had to wonder for a while what he was going to do and when. It really made you feel the terror for...well, I won't go there because I don't want to spoil it ;-) It was definitely stressful, in a good way. Canno...more

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May 30, 2013 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, steampunk, assassin, ebooks

The fifth installment of Lindsay Buroker's The Emperor's Edge novel series is as fast-paced, action-filled and character driven as the previous ones. Blood and Betrayal 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, includin...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Lynxie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-star-review, a-lil-sexy, hot-men, legendary-leading-ladies, smirk-worthy, something-missing, awesome-authors

If you've read my previous reviews of Lindsay's works you'll know I'm a HUGE fan of her Emperor's Edge series. I am pretty much in love with Sicarius, and I have a warm place in my heart set aside for Amaranthe and the rest of the cast of her motley crew.

That being said there was something a bit different with this installment. It wasn't bad... far from it, but it didn't seem to have the same punch as the previous books. When I started feeling this way (about 40% in) I decided to have a look at...more If you've read my previous reviews of Lindsay's works you'll know I'm a HUGE fan of her Emperor's Edge series. I am pretty much in love with Sicarius, and I have a warm place in my heart set aside for Amaranthe and the rest of the cast of her motley crew.

That being said there was something a bit different with this installment. It wasn't bad... far from it, but it didn't seem to have the same punch as the previous books. When I started feeling this way (about 40% in) I decided to have a look at some of the other reviews to see if I was the only one who was feeling like that. It seems as if a few people have also picked up on the same 'funk' I was feeling. I read a number of the 4 star reviews and I agreed with a lot of points they were making.

This is still a great addition to the EE series, it gives us some great one liner's that had me chuckling, one of which spouted from the mouths of Maldynado, the star of this book and Yara as shown below:

"You better not be dead. This team is already overflowing with ankle spankers. I was looking forward to having more women around." Yara's eyelids fluttered open. She blinked a few times, focused on him, and frowned. "Ankle spanker? The only thing you've got that'll reach that far is your ego."

It also cements a few of the emotional ties that have been brewing in the previous books, it linked a number of new elements into the storyline, leaving it quite wide open for the next book, while at other times it closed down previous ties. I don't know if part of my problem is that sometimes it seemed a little too neat, a little too convenient, a little too rehearsed...

This was the first time really, where economics played a big role and some of the information seemed a little too much for the story... I think it's a great idea, but I don't know if the reader needed all that additional information... perhaps there will be a rather complex plot twist later and this plethora of information will all make sense.

There were a few scenes with my favourite assassin, where I wanted to throw my kindle across the room. The tension and build up to the 'climax' was starting to grate on my nerves. I understand why things happened why they did, but I wanted more than what we got from the two characters involved. I wanted to feel more from them, I felt a little shut out of their experiences in those moments. That was a first for Lindsay's books too.

A few other reviews make comment on this book not really giving us any new information, feeling like we're still in the same place we were at the end of book 4, in some respects I agree, there wasn't a lot of movement in some areas, but in others there was a lot. For a less, skilled author, I'd say this could have been deemed a 'filler' book, but Lindsay packed it with enough to tide me over until the release of book #6 in 2013. I believe there may also be a short story coming out before then also based around these guys. I will happily look forward to that.

Good story Lindsay, but not your best.

A couple of things I noticed:
8% - '...a hint of a smile touched Sespian's his (delete his) lips...'
23% - '...Maldynado didn't (insert know) how to...'
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Nov 02, 2012 Laudys rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

I loved it.

But for some reason, I couldn't muster enough sympathy for Sespian. Maybe because I kept wishing somebody could smack him around and knock him of his high horse. I found him selfish, bratty, ungrateful and self-righteous. Which is in fact, your typical teenager so it's not his fault.

Maldynado point of view was illuminating. I must admit that I underestimated him a bit. While in previous works, the secondary character's pov just strengthened my view on them, hearing Maldynado inner's...more

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Apr 29, 2013 Julia Phillips rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another excellent instalment in the "Emperor's Edge" series. In this book, certain secrets are revealed (to the story's characters - we, the readers, already knew of them) and new people join the intrepid outlaws. As ever the plot is fast-paced, interspersed with snippy dialogue. Our heroine gets herself into probably the worst situation she has ever encountered but (without wishing to spoil anything) uses her powers of persuasion to good effect once again.

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Jan 09, 2013 Melissa Simão rated it 3 of 5 stars

What's keeping me going with this series is the relationship between Amaranthe and Sicarius - what a fantastic dynamic! I love how with each new book, we get to see Sicarius's barriers falter and open up to Amaranthe. We see him slowly (which can be excruciating at times) reveal his feelings one page and a time...

Blood & Betrayal has a good ending which segways nicely into EE6!! I CAN'T WAIT for it's release in 2013!

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Oct 08, 2012 Mike rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, indie

I was a little disappointed in the previous book in the series, so I'm glad to see this one is back on form. I did find Amaranthe's physical ability a bit of a stretch, given what she'd gone through, but I guess it's a genre trope, and I allow for those.

The torture scenes weren't lingered upon, which is good. And the relationship side of the story progressed better in this volume than in the last one, I thought.

Looking forward to the conclusion of a great series.

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Jan 28, 2013 Colleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, indie-author, steampunk

Quite a bit darker and more introspective than the earlier novels (largely due to (view spoiler), but also due to Maldynado's perspective and his dealing with his past and self doubt). Still a fast paced, action packed, wonderful character driven story. It doesn't fully resolve at the end, but it is less of a cliffhanger than book 4. Hopefully book 6 will come out soon!

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Mar 29, 2013 Amanda Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: absolute-favourite, my-favourite-hero, stoic-hero

I think I never said it enough times about how glad I found out about this series. Honestly, the cover was not a major attraction and steampunk sounds so techno/nerdy. But now I'm a big fan. I just love the character Sicarius. He is the deadly assassin that seldom engage in dialogue, yet I find myself re-reading every word he spoken like treasure. From Book 1 to 5, he had grown so much. He use to convey message without talking, now he started to give us some full sentence.

As usual, Lindsay Buro...more

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Mar 24, 2013 A Goddess rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle

Love this series. The whole thing is a rollicking adventure and I've come to identify with the heroine quite a lot, so this volume in particular was pretty intense. However, there were a few patches of boringness. Nonetheless, it's left me gagging for the next one. I'll definitely be one of the early purchasers of the next book.

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About Lindsay Buroker

I'm a professional blogger by day and an indie fantasy author by night. Evenings belong to the dogs, tennis, and books.

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The Emperor's Edge (The Emperor's Edge #1)

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Quotes from Blood and Betrayal

“You can only fight one man at a time with a sword, but, with a pen, you can compose a lecture to bore legions of enemy troops to death.” — 11 people liked it

“You better not be dead. This team is already overflowing with ankle spankers. I was looking forward to having more women around."

Yara's eyelids fluttered open. She blinked a few times, focused on him, and frowned.

"Ankle spanker? The only thing you've got that'll reach that far is your ego.” — 2 people liked it

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Blood and Betrayal (The Emperor's Edge #5)

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