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The Emperor's Edge #1.6
Ice Cracker II and Other Short Stories
She's wanted for crimes against the throne. He's the empire’s most notorious assassin. With bounties on their heads, they’re not likely candidates for heroics, but they're on a quest for redemption. Unfortunately, they'll have to pursue and conquer great threats to earn the emperor's recognition.
Three short fantasy stories set in the author's "Emperor's Edge" universe.
Ice Cracker II -- When wanted criminals Sicarius and Amaranthe unearth a plot against the military’s premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
Through Fire Distilled -- An assignment to investigate a "haunted" distillery turns sour when mercenaries try to collect on Amaranthe's bounty.
The Frozen Water Trade -- A mission to help an old friend results in a night trapped in a cabin with blizzards and underworld predators on the outside and vengeful relatives on the inside. Alas, it's bad form to kill the client's father.
Three short fantasy stories set in the author's "Emperor's Edge" universe.
Ice Cracker II -- When wanted criminals Sicarius and Amaranthe unearth a plot against the military’s premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
Through Fire Distilled -- An assignment to investigate a "haunted" distillery turns sour when mercenaries try to collect on Amaranthe's bounty.
The Frozen Water Trade -- A mission to help an old friend results in a night trapped in a cabin with blizzards and underworld predators on the outside and vengeful relatives on the inside. Alas, it's bad form to kill the client's father.
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
148 people are currently reading
701 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
199 books6,264 followersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 5, 2020
I don’t usually enjoy reading short stories as I tend to find them unsatisfying and badly developed. This was not the case here and although I didn’t like Ice Cracker II as much as I did the rest of the Emperor’s Edge series, it was still an entertaining read.
The two stories featuring Amaranthe & Sicarius are fun enough (Ice Cracker II is my favourite), but the one with Books isn’t that exciting.
Still, it was nice reading these stories now that the Emperor’s Edge has come to its conclusion and that there will be no new instalment. It was nice to visit the empire again!
The two stories featuring Amaranthe & Sicarius are fun enough (Ice Cracker II is my favourite), but the one with Books isn’t that exciting.
Still, it was nice reading these stories now that the Emperor’s Edge has come to its conclusion and that there will be no new instalment. It was nice to visit the empire again!
March 5, 2015
It was entirely unintentional that I should pick the Ice Cracker II short story collection to read on one of the coldest days this winter, but it certainly helps establish atmosphere, considering two of the short stories are set in Turgonia’s bitter cold. Those are The Frozen Water Trade (the first in the collection) and Ice Cracker II (the third), both stories featuring Amaranthe and Sicarius on side adventures that take place sometime after the first book. The second story in the collection, Through Fire Distilled, is a Books-focused tale where we learn a bit more about his struggle with his past.
The Frozen Water Trade
I can’t decide whether this is my favourite story of the collection or Ice Cracker II; suffice to say I really liked it, despite the ending . Amaranthe being hired to do a job for an old classmate opens a nice little window into her past, back when she was a normal Turgonian citizen and not an outlaw – it’s fascinating in its very mundane nature because we actually know so little about her outside of her enforcer career at the beginning of the series. The fact that she’s done normal things like studying at a business school, with a school friend whose father also knew her and her dad, also helps anchor Amaranthe’s character and make her seem more real to readers.
Despite being a short story, The Frozen Water Trade highlights both characters’ strengths and more of Sicarius’ past actions come back to haunt him and Amaranthe, which definitely makes for fun reading. Like so many of the jobs that Amaranthe takes on, this one turns out to be far more dangerous than she had anticipated and involves magical threats that far exceed the soul construct that she and Sicarius faced in the first book. As always, Amaranthe and Sicarius make an epic partnership – Amaranthe is at her best when thinking herself quickly out of trouble, and as much as I love Sicarius’ character growth and shifting relationship with Amaranthe later in the series, I missed Sicarius at his most stoic and businesslike as well. This gives us that particular Sicarius – silent, deadly and expressionless to the max, but always coming through for Amaranthe when she needs backup and trusting her (albeit reluctantly) on her crazy schemes.
Through Fire Distilled
Amaranthe takes Books with her to meet a client for a change and while the job is not without a few exciting moments (unavoidable, really, if you turn up for the job interview only to find your client dead), the story mainly serves to flesh out Books’ character. Books is, as Amaranthe puts it, rather glum (albeit for good reason) due to his regrets over his son’s death – his struggles with his past naturally gives the story a rather melancholic tone and even Amaranthe’s humour does little to lift the mood. For that reason it’s not my favourite story of the bunch, but it’s a still a good read for Emperor’s Edge fans and those who want more Books should enjoy this.
Ice Cracker II
This second Amaranthe and Sicarius short story once again revolves around the ice trade, though unlike the first story, the outcome of this adventure has rather serious political implications for Turgonia – when Kendorian practitioners target Turgonia’s only ice-cracking ship with the goal of halting trade and supply imports, it’s a good thing for the empire that Amaranthe can never resist a potentially noble task that might expedite her team’s journey towards imperial pardon. As fun and action-packed as Ice Cracker II is, what I found most notable is the highlight on Amaranthe and Sicarius’ complicated boss-employer relationship/partnership and growing friendship/mutual trust. Despite Sicarius’ questioning of some of Amaranthe’s more risky decisions (a point which becomes quite central in conflicts later in the books), the fact that he always ends up going against his natural instincts and lifelong training in order to aid her as well as the way he manages to assuage her leadership doubts with his simple words of wisdom is extremely touching – it underlines what makes their relationship (romantic or otherwise) one of my fictional favourites.
All in all, these short stories are an excellent companion to the books; I read them long after I’ve finished the series proper and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting my favourite Lindsay Buroker characters, but it might be better to read these somewhere between books 2 and 6, since events of The Frozen Water Trade are briefly referenced in Forged in Blood.
The Frozen Water Trade
I can’t decide whether this is my favourite story of the collection or Ice Cracker II; suffice to say I really liked it, despite the ending . Amaranthe being hired to do a job for an old classmate opens a nice little window into her past, back when she was a normal Turgonian citizen and not an outlaw – it’s fascinating in its very mundane nature because we actually know so little about her outside of her enforcer career at the beginning of the series. The fact that she’s done normal things like studying at a business school, with a school friend whose father also knew her and her dad, also helps anchor Amaranthe’s character and make her seem more real to readers.
Despite being a short story, The Frozen Water Trade highlights both characters’ strengths and more of Sicarius’ past actions come back to haunt him and Amaranthe, which definitely makes for fun reading. Like so many of the jobs that Amaranthe takes on, this one turns out to be far more dangerous than she had anticipated and involves magical threats that far exceed the soul construct that she and Sicarius faced in the first book. As always, Amaranthe and Sicarius make an epic partnership – Amaranthe is at her best when thinking herself quickly out of trouble, and as much as I love Sicarius’ character growth and shifting relationship with Amaranthe later in the series, I missed Sicarius at his most stoic and businesslike as well. This gives us that particular Sicarius – silent, deadly and expressionless to the max, but always coming through for Amaranthe when she needs backup and trusting her (albeit reluctantly) on her crazy schemes.
Through Fire Distilled
Amaranthe takes Books with her to meet a client for a change and while the job is not without a few exciting moments (unavoidable, really, if you turn up for the job interview only to find your client dead), the story mainly serves to flesh out Books’ character. Books is, as Amaranthe puts it, rather glum (albeit for good reason) due to his regrets over his son’s death – his struggles with his past naturally gives the story a rather melancholic tone and even Amaranthe’s humour does little to lift the mood. For that reason it’s not my favourite story of the bunch, but it’s a still a good read for Emperor’s Edge fans and those who want more Books should enjoy this.
Ice Cracker II
This second Amaranthe and Sicarius short story once again revolves around the ice trade, though unlike the first story, the outcome of this adventure has rather serious political implications for Turgonia – when Kendorian practitioners target Turgonia’s only ice-cracking ship with the goal of halting trade and supply imports, it’s a good thing for the empire that Amaranthe can never resist a potentially noble task that might expedite her team’s journey towards imperial pardon. As fun and action-packed as Ice Cracker II is, what I found most notable is the highlight on Amaranthe and Sicarius’ complicated boss-employer relationship/partnership and growing friendship/mutual trust. Despite Sicarius’ questioning of some of Amaranthe’s more risky decisions (a point which becomes quite central in conflicts later in the books), the fact that he always ends up going against his natural instincts and lifelong training in order to aid her as well as the way he manages to assuage her leadership doubts with his simple words of wisdom is extremely touching – it underlines what makes their relationship (romantic or otherwise) one of my fictional favourites.
All in all, these short stories are an excellent companion to the books; I read them long after I’ve finished the series proper and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting my favourite Lindsay Buroker characters, but it might be better to read these somewhere between books 2 and 6, since events of The Frozen Water Trade are briefly referenced in Forged in Blood.
March 15, 2012
There were only three short stories here, but I really enjoyed them because they showed the dozens of smaller jobs Amaranthe and her team take on in addition to the huge, complex plots from the novels. Reading this book was sort of like seeing the behind the scenes cuts: the small moments that make up the Emperor's Edge. I do wish there had been some Maldynado, but I was happy to have two Sicarius stories.
August 18, 2012
Oh Lindsay, you devious temptress. Why must you dangle these delicious tidbits in front of your ravenous fans?
more more more!
more more more!
August 16, 2017
A fun collection of short stories following Amaranthe and her (sometimes) deadly crew of "heroes." Honestly, Sicarius still has a way to go before he can claim that title, but he's working on it and that's what counts, right?
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
December 27, 2021
It's been several years since I read the rest of The Emperor's Edge series. I remember little about it, but that I enjoyed the heck out of it. This collection of 3 short stories reminded me of the sarcastic characters, fun action and why I liked the series so much.
Read
April 9, 2018I don't rate extras and short stories but this was a good addition.
April 30, 2023
Challenging, emotional, funny, mysterious,
reflective, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Ice Cracker II (and Other Stories) - 4.5 Stars
(4 Stars +4.5 Stars +4.5 Stars +5 Stars = 18/4 = 4.5 Stars)
I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but when they are attached to a larger story, or at least supplement the larger story...moving the character's growth...then I like them.
1) The Frozen Water Trade - 4 Stars
I guessed the reveal, but I wasn't mad/frustrated with that...I feel that I am starting to understand the world and the way things work.
I really enjoyed how the author built the tension...and how she used Amaranthe to be the catalyst to achieve closure for her friends.
2) Through Fire Distilled - 4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed the side quest with Amaranthe and Books. This is exactly the type of story that short story collections are good at.
Loved the moral of the story...and how it helped, not only one of the known characters and a new one. Loved how it tied into that character's backstory, and how it motivates them. Really good.
3) Ice Cracker II - 4.5 Stars
I have to say, the name of this book lends to the idea that there is an Ice Cracker I set of short story collection. I looked and looked, but couldn't find the FIRST collection. It wasn't until I read this story that I understood what the author had done. Could be considered "bad marketing", but on the other hand, I still bought the this book.
Loved this short story. It reminded me of a Mr. and Mrs. Smith type vibe. Two different ways of doing things...hopefully for the same purpose, but things don't always turn out (one getting caught), but then the other having to free the other. It was different, here...but it gave me that feel.
The lack of banter, but the growing respect...is key to this relationship. Amaranthe is not just a woman, she's gained the respect of the deadliest men in their known world...and they follow HER lead. That's cool.
4) Excerpt from The Emperor's Edge - 5 Stars
This addition was a great scene in the book...THAT I JUST READ, for this collection of short stories is labelled 1.5 or 1.6 in the order...so I don't understand the backward thinking, but it was still a great scene to reread.
Will be moving on to book two.
reflective, and tense.
Fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5 ⭐
Ice Cracker II (and Other Stories) - 4.5 Stars
(4 Stars +4.5 Stars +4.5 Stars +5 Stars = 18/4 = 4.5 Stars)
I'm not usually a fan of short stories, but when they are attached to a larger story, or at least supplement the larger story...moving the character's growth...then I like them.
1) The Frozen Water Trade - 4 Stars
I guessed the reveal, but I wasn't mad/frustrated with that...I feel that I am starting to understand the world and the way things work.
I really enjoyed how the author built the tension...and how she used Amaranthe to be the catalyst to achieve closure for her friends.
2) Through Fire Distilled - 4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed the side quest with Amaranthe and Books. This is exactly the type of story that short story collections are good at.
Loved the moral of the story...and how it helped, not only one of the known characters and a new one. Loved how it tied into that character's backstory, and how it motivates them. Really good.
3) Ice Cracker II - 4.5 Stars
I have to say, the name of this book lends to the idea that there is an Ice Cracker I set of short story collection. I looked and looked, but couldn't find the FIRST collection. It wasn't until I read this story that I understood what the author had done. Could be considered "bad marketing", but on the other hand, I still bought the this book.
Loved this short story. It reminded me of a Mr. and Mrs. Smith type vibe. Two different ways of doing things...hopefully for the same purpose, but things don't always turn out (one getting caught), but then the other having to free the other. It was different, here...but it gave me that feel.
The lack of banter, but the growing respect...is key to this relationship. Amaranthe is not just a woman, she's gained the respect of the deadliest men in their known world...and they follow HER lead. That's cool.
4) Excerpt from The Emperor's Edge - 5 Stars
This addition was a great scene in the book...THAT I JUST READ, for this collection of short stories is labelled 1.5 or 1.6 in the order...so I don't understand the backward thinking, but it was still a great scene to reread.
Will be moving on to book two.
September 30, 2018
The Frozen Water Trade
3.5 stars. I liked the resolution to this, and the plot was interesting enough, but of course the best thing about it was just seeing Sicarius and Amaranthe interact because I love them. There wasn't a lot here, but I just love how they work together, how she told him to trust her and he did, how she apologized for using him as an executioner but it didn't bother him, and how he was glad that Sespian might here about what they did for the family. Just a good, solid little story.
Through Fire Distilled
3 stars. I wasn't as into this as the first story in this collection, mainly due to the lack of Sicarius (sorry, I am who I am), but it was fun to get a different team member's perspective, and I liked the moment between Books and Terith at the end. It was also fun to see Amaranthe from Books's perspective.
Ice Cracker II
3.5 stars. Like the first one in this collection, it was just fun to get any additional Sicarius/Amaranthe interaction — I'll take literally anything I can get from them. I just really love them.
Overall, none of these stories were vital to following the series, but they were all worth reading and enjoyable!
3.5 stars. I liked the resolution to this, and the plot was interesting enough, but of course the best thing about it was just seeing Sicarius and Amaranthe interact because I love them. There wasn't a lot here, but I just love how they work together, how she told him to trust her and he did, how she apologized for using him as an executioner but it didn't bother him, and how he was glad that Sespian might here about what they did for the family. Just a good, solid little story.
Through Fire Distilled
3 stars. I wasn't as into this as the first story in this collection, mainly due to the lack of Sicarius (sorry, I am who I am), but it was fun to get a different team member's perspective, and I liked the moment between Books and Terith at the end. It was also fun to see Amaranthe from Books's perspective.
Ice Cracker II
3.5 stars. Like the first one in this collection, it was just fun to get any additional Sicarius/Amaranthe interaction — I'll take literally anything I can get from them. I just really love them.
Overall, none of these stories were vital to following the series, but they were all worth reading and enjoyable!
August 27, 2018
I already read "Ice Cracker II" free from Smashwords some time ago, but I read the Look Inside sample of this mini-collection, which happens to be the beginning of The Frozen Water Trade, and couldn't resist spending 99 cents to see how it comes out. IC2:AOS is 54 pages total, which includes an excerpt from The Emperor's Edge (book 1) at the end, which means each story is only in the neighborhood of 15 pages long, but I certainly got a dollar's worth of entertainment out of it!
All three stories happen to start with Amaranthe standing over a body or two, but each takes a slightly different tone.
39%: "The Frozen Water Trade" is an interesting tale, with ethical ambiguity in its resolution, but I found it satisfying. Amaranthe perceptively realizes what started the deadly crisis at hand, and does what's necessary to end it as well as possible. She's confronted by both the varied fates of her one-time schoolmates and the personal-scale consequences of Sicarius' past career.
63%: "By Fire Distilled" is mainly one long action scene, but with Books remembering his dead son, and empathizing with an orphaned boy. Our team sure are hard on buildings, though!
93%: "Ice Cracker II" ends here. It's very much a typical Amaranthe-and-Sicarius, action & humor, crazy-scheme story, heading straight into a military-manned vessel due to Amaranthe's determination to protect the citizens of the city from foreign enemies. The ending is bittersweet for one secondary character.
It was nice to have a little visit with these old-favorite characters, in stories I'd skipped before reading the later novels.
All three stories happen to start with Amaranthe standing over a body or two, but each takes a slightly different tone.
39%: "The Frozen Water Trade" is an interesting tale, with ethical ambiguity in its resolution, but I found it satisfying. Amaranthe perceptively realizes what started the deadly crisis at hand, and does what's necessary to end it as well as possible. She's confronted by both the varied fates of her one-time schoolmates and the personal-scale consequences of Sicarius' past career.
63%: "By Fire Distilled" is mainly one long action scene, but with Books remembering his dead son, and empathizing with an orphaned boy. Our team sure are hard on buildings, though!
93%: "Ice Cracker II" ends here. It's very much a typical Amaranthe-and-Sicarius, action & humor, crazy-scheme story, heading straight into a military-manned vessel due to Amaranthe's determination to protect the citizens of the city from foreign enemies. The ending is bittersweet for one secondary character.
It was nice to have a little visit with these old-favorite characters, in stories I'd skipped before reading the later novels.
December 17, 2018
Three short fantasy stories set in the author's "Emperor's Edge" universe.
1. Ice Cracker II -- When wanted criminals Sicarius and Amaranthe unearth a plot against the military’s premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
***
Amaranthe is jogging when she comes across two dead soldiers and an invisible man. He must be a Kendorian spy and they always come in pairs. So what’s their target? The only thing she can think of is the ice breaker ship about to clear the harbour of ice. Without it, the city starves.
‘Don’t kill anyone’ is hard for Sicarius but he’ll try for Amaranthe.
2. Through Fire Distilled -- An assignment to investigate a "haunted" distillery turns sour when mercenaries try to collect on Amaranthe's bounty.
***
It might have been a mistake to bring Books to what turns out to be a trap.
3. The Frozen Water Trade -- A mission to help an old friend results in a night trapped in a cabin with blizzards and underworld predators on the outside and vengeful relatives on the inside. Alas, it's bad form to kill the client's father.
[also in the boxed set ‘light in the darkness’]
***
Amaranthe and Sicarius are in their ‘be goodies’ phase and they take a job defending an ice cutting station from odd attacks. The business is owned by an old business college friend and her old soldier father has retired and helps out.
4 star - really liked it
1. Ice Cracker II -- When wanted criminals Sicarius and Amaranthe unearth a plot against the military’s premier ice breaking ship, they may be the only ones who can thwart the saboteurs...if the soldiers don't kill them first.
***
Amaranthe is jogging when she comes across two dead soldiers and an invisible man. He must be a Kendorian spy and they always come in pairs. So what’s their target? The only thing she can think of is the ice breaker ship about to clear the harbour of ice. Without it, the city starves.
‘Don’t kill anyone’ is hard for Sicarius but he’ll try for Amaranthe.
2. Through Fire Distilled -- An assignment to investigate a "haunted" distillery turns sour when mercenaries try to collect on Amaranthe's bounty.
***
It might have been a mistake to bring Books to what turns out to be a trap.
3. The Frozen Water Trade -- A mission to help an old friend results in a night trapped in a cabin with blizzards and underworld predators on the outside and vengeful relatives on the inside. Alas, it's bad form to kill the client's father.
[also in the boxed set ‘light in the darkness’]
***
Amaranthe and Sicarius are in their ‘be goodies’ phase and they take a job defending an ice cutting station from odd attacks. The business is owned by an old business college friend and her old soldier father has retired and helps out.
4 star - really liked it
April 26, 2021
This collection of three short stories is a great addition to the series. The stories all center around three cases the Amaranthe and the crew take on. The first and last story feature Sicarius and Amaranthe while the middle story features Amaranthe and Books. The middle story is my least favorite as Books isn’t one of my favorite characters. I would suggest this to fans of the series as the cases were interesting. This novella is not necessary to understand the plot in the series.
The Frozen Water Trade - 4.5 Stars
Sicarius and Amaranthe are hired to find out why ice workers are being murdered in the mountains. The antagonist was surprising but perfect; a nice scary villain.
Through Fire Distilled - 3.5 Stars
Amaranthe and Books are hired to investigate the cause of a haunted distillery by the owner. The story focused more on Books which gave him new depths that was lacking in the series. However, I don’t really like him so the story was good but not emotionally satisfying.
Ice Cracker II - 4.5 Stars
Amaranthe and Sicarius bump into a crime after a jog leads Amaranthe to come across murdered soldiers. I loved everything about the story, except the ending felt a little rushed and not quite believable. I didn’t like Amaranthe and Sicarius‘a route of escape.
The Frozen Water Trade - 4.5 Stars
Sicarius and Amaranthe are hired to find out why ice workers are being murdered in the mountains. The antagonist was surprising but perfect; a nice scary villain.
Through Fire Distilled - 3.5 Stars
Amaranthe and Books are hired to investigate the cause of a haunted distillery by the owner. The story focused more on Books which gave him new depths that was lacking in the series. However, I don’t really like him so the story was good but not emotionally satisfying.
Ice Cracker II - 4.5 Stars
Amaranthe and Sicarius bump into a crime after a jog leads Amaranthe to come across murdered soldiers. I loved everything about the story, except the ending felt a little rushed and not quite believable. I didn’t like Amaranthe and Sicarius‘a route of escape.
July 26, 2025
Absolutely required reading!
The universe occupied by the EE crew is sadly closed, now. No new works have been written in almost ten years, if not more. Still, I can easily see how it became and remains so popular. Lindsay has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that practically dares the reader not to laugh. It’s not the full -blown snark that has come to define her more recent works, and honestly I think that’s preferable.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE snark and a truly snarky character, but in many ways the humor detracts from the story being told. If it doesn’t detract, in the very least it distracts. Some writers need that snark to distract from their lack of storytelling ability. But Lindsay doesn’t suffer that failing. Quite the opposite, not only does she have a writing style that flows nicely and is easy to read, but she also knows how to develop a good story and then, most importantly, how to TELL that story in a way that holds the readers’ interest. In fact, she has all that in spades. So trust me. I’m casting no aspersions.
In any event, these stories fill in some gaps and highlight certain events referenced in the mainline series, so even if they were crap (which they are not) you would want to read them anyways. As it stands, I can only say, ENJOY!
The universe occupied by the EE crew is sadly closed, now. No new works have been written in almost ten years, if not more. Still, I can easily see how it became and remains so popular. Lindsay has a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that practically dares the reader not to laugh. It’s not the full -blown snark that has come to define her more recent works, and honestly I think that’s preferable.
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE snark and a truly snarky character, but in many ways the humor detracts from the story being told. If it doesn’t detract, in the very least it distracts. Some writers need that snark to distract from their lack of storytelling ability. But Lindsay doesn’t suffer that failing. Quite the opposite, not only does she have a writing style that flows nicely and is easy to read, but she also knows how to develop a good story and then, most importantly, how to TELL that story in a way that holds the readers’ interest. In fact, she has all that in spades. So trust me. I’m casting no aspersions.
In any event, these stories fill in some gaps and highlight certain events referenced in the mainline series, so even if they were crap (which they are not) you would want to read them anyways. As it stands, I can only say, ENJOY!
June 12, 2019
This was a fun set of short stories that breath's life into this fictional world. Amaranthe and Sicarius are the main focus, with a small appearance of Books in the second bit. All three tales are full of adventure, excitement and mystery.
I absolutely love it when author's make short stories about their characters. It's enriching and makes the world feel dimensional, almost real. Which is fantastic! This novella was enjoyable and definitely worth the read!
I absolutely love it when author's make short stories about their characters. It's enriching and makes the world feel dimensional, almost real. Which is fantastic! This novella was enjoyable and definitely worth the read!
July 5, 2019
After receiving and reading Ice Cracker 2 I decided to spend the dollar for the other two shorts from Lindsay Buroker. The other two stories were equally as good, and concise. I like shorts that work into the over all story but work well on their own and these fit the bill. We also got introduced to Books, now the third member of the Band and I will definitely be checking out the series to see how this all came to be.
September 20, 2019
As with all the EE books in the series, engaging, entertaining, fun & a page turner!
Some fun short stories to expand the series a little. Though I sincerely wish there were more! These are before the Emporer's change of status... hoping that isn't a give away to those just starting - if you are, a warning that this series is highly addictive!
Hoping there will be far more books from the E. Edge team, even if the status has changed.
Some fun short stories to expand the series a little. Though I sincerely wish there were more! These are before the Emporer's change of status... hoping that isn't a give away to those just starting - if you are, a warning that this series is highly addictive!
Hoping there will be far more books from the E. Edge team, even if the status has changed.
December 11, 2021
Great Short Stories within the Emperor's Edge World
These 4 short stories take place and include some of the main characters in the Emperor's Edge series. These are a perfect complement to the primary series, or could be read by someone who wants a taste of the author's writing prior to committing to the full length series books. The stories are worth the read and give a glimpse of the team work and small adventures/situations this crew finds themselves in.
These 4 short stories take place and include some of the main characters in the Emperor's Edge series. These are a perfect complement to the primary series, or could be read by someone who wants a taste of the author's writing prior to committing to the full length series books. The stories are worth the read and give a glimpse of the team work and small adventures/situations this crew finds themselves in.
November 8, 2024
Nice group of short stories!
The Emperors Edge - Ice Cracker II
Is just as enjoyable as the full length books! I love this series about a group of likable misfits as they attempt to earn back their favor with the Emperor. All the while attempting to do good deeds and protect the Empire all while everyone is trying to kill them to collect the bounty on their heads.
Good fun, mixed with the occasional slit throat, and crossbow fight. 😎😁
The Emperors Edge - Ice Cracker II
Is just as enjoyable as the full length books! I love this series about a group of likable misfits as they attempt to earn back their favor with the Emperor. All the while attempting to do good deeds and protect the Empire all while everyone is trying to kill them to collect the bounty on their heads.
Good fun, mixed with the occasional slit throat, and crossbow fight. 😎😁
June 11, 2025
Another great read
Buroker is one of my favorite authors. This is part of The Emperor's Edge although in short story forms. Each book in this series keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well defined and the protagonist and her partner again evade and outwit... Oh, better not go any further or I'll be giving away some tidbits of the plot(s)... Enjoy everything she has written.
Buroker is one of my favorite authors. This is part of The Emperor's Edge although in short story forms. Each book in this series keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well defined and the protagonist and her partner again evade and outwit... Oh, better not go any further or I'll be giving away some tidbits of the plot(s)... Enjoy everything she has written.
May 20, 2017
Three short stories involving Amaranthe, Sicarius and Books. There's not really enoughtime for much character development but she does manage to get some in as well as furthering the already complicated relationship between Sicarius and Amaranthe. The action in all three is tight and interesting, the dialog, snappy and realistic. Overall an enjoyable read.
June 24, 2020
Two of these three short stories feel like practice character studies done by the author. The interactions and personalities don’t seem to match up with what we see in the full novels. Ice Cracker II is the one that feels polished. Since it is available for free as a stand-alone, I’d just skip this trio and get that one.
May 26, 2021
Anthology - 3.67 stars average
Ice Cracker II -- I really felt sorry for the captain who is going to lose everything to do the right thing. 4 stars.
Through Fire Distilled -- A possible job turns into a misunderstanding, then a fight for your life. Good story. 3-1/2 stars.
The Frozen Water Trade -- A school friend needs help. I liked the story. It was a little sad at the end that their life is still so uncertain. 3-1/2 stars.
Ice Cracker II -- I really felt sorry for the captain who is going to lose everything to do the right thing. 4 stars.
Through Fire Distilled -- A possible job turns into a misunderstanding, then a fight for your life. Good story. 3-1/2 stars.
The Frozen Water Trade -- A school friend needs help. I liked the story. It was a little sad at the end that their life is still so uncertain. 3-1/2 stars.
December 4, 2021
3 stars.
3 short stories of different jobs/mysteries that Amaranthe and Sicarius got into in between the first two books. Probably would have been better if I'd read them in sequence. But as there's been so much character development since those first books, it did feel a bit strange going back to a time when their relationship is so much less defined.
3 short stories of different jobs/mysteries that Amaranthe and Sicarius got into in between the first two books. Probably would have been better if I'd read them in sequence. But as there's been so much character development since those first books, it did feel a bit strange going back to a time when their relationship is so much less defined.
April 6, 2021
I have to admit I am a Lindsay Buroker fan. I have never been disappointed with anything I have read from her. I have really been enjoying The Emperor’s Edge series and this added to my enjoyment. I recommend this series.
July 5, 2021
Great short stories
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
November 4, 2022
I didn't think there was as much character development in these stories as there was with Sicarius stories--with the exception of the story with Books. Still, I'd like to see more quiet moments between the crew.
October 26, 2023
Another great book from Lindsay Buroker
Great short stories not found on the Emperor’s Edge series but, must reads. Three great short stories highlighting Amaranth, Sicarius, and Books.
Great short stories not found on the Emperor’s Edge series but, must reads. Three great short stories highlighting Amaranth, Sicarius, and Books.
November 12, 2023
An excellent, exciting read.
Great short story adventures within the Emperor’s Edge series. The usual character’s I’ve come to know and love. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series.
Great short story adventures within the Emperor’s Edge series. The usual character’s I’ve come to know and love. Can’t wait to start the next one in the series.
June 22, 2024
some fillings
Even though I took them out of order, the full story of Emperor’s Edge is enhanced, for me. I will now continue the series not wondering where some references came from
Even though I took them out of order, the full story of Emperor’s Edge is enhanced, for me. I will now continue the series not wondering where some references came from
January 3, 2025
Ice Cracker II (and other short stories) - Lindsay Buroker
I just love this author and go out of my way to get hold of everything that she's published. I haven't regretted this yet and don't on this collection.
I just love this author and go out of my way to get hold of everything that she's published. I haven't regretted this yet and don't on this collection.
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