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Encrypted #2
Decrypted
Professor Tikaya Komitopis knew that bringing Admiral Rias Starcrest home to meet her family wouldn’t be easy, not when he led the fleet that decimated her nation during the war. She isn’t surprised when people believe she’s been brainwashed, that Rias is still loyal to the empire, and that he has nefarious plans for her homeland. She is, however, surprised when Rias’s designs to build a submarine lead them to stumble across an ancient secret shrouded in mystery, time, and lies.
If revealed, this secret could mean devastation for Tikaya’s entire nation. It could also mean choosing between her people... and the man she loves.
Decrypted is the sequel to Encrypted and is loosely tied in with the author's "Emperor's Edge" series.
If revealed, this secret could mean devastation for Tikaya’s entire nation. It could also mean choosing between her people... and the man she loves.
Decrypted is the sequel to Encrypted and is loosely tied in with the author's "Emperor's Edge" series.
361 pages, ebook
First published February 13, 2013
115 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
197 books6,236 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 151 reviews
August 5, 2015
I must say that Rias is a really, really fantastic hero!
I was melting while reading how he treated Tikaya! Soooo tender without being overbearing! Wonderful!
For him only this books deserved 5 shining stars!
But there's Tikaya too! She's great and so very obviously in love with Rias!
And then there's the story! Even if it is a little over-the-top, for me it was delicious! I enjoy this kind of stories and I love this king of writing style, so I just devoured it!
I was melting while reading how he treated Tikaya! Soooo tender without being overbearing! Wonderful!
For him only this books deserved 5 shining stars!
But there's Tikaya too! She's great and so very obviously in love with Rias!
And then there's the story! Even if it is a little over-the-top, for me it was delicious! I enjoy this kind of stories and I love this king of writing style, so I just devoured it!
September 1, 2013
Do you know the rule, "you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince"? Lately I've been thinking that the rule applies to buying self-published e-books too; I feel like I've recently been kissing a lot of e-book frogs. So you can imagine my relief and satisfaction when I found that Buroker's Decrypted is a prince. If you've enjoyed any of her other stories, you'll find this to be of pretty much of the same caliber. I confidently recommend it.
This book is about Rias and Tikaya. Rias was formerly an admiral of the Turgonian Empire who was considered a hero and a brilliant naval strategist. Although he still quietly has many "fans" back home in Turgonia and certainly has a fearsome reputation among his enemies, he has been disgraced and stripped of his family name and honours by the emperor after the Turgonian Empire lost the recent war. Turgonia lost the war because Tikaya, an academic philologist of the Kyattese Islands nation, decoded Rias's encrypted wartime messages and helped Rias's enemy to defeat Turgonia's navy. That all occurred before Tikaya and Rias first met.
In Lindsay Buroker's first novel of this set, Encrypted, Tikaya and Rias met for the first time, fought side-by-side to overcome their captors, protected each other while they adventured through hostile environments and pooled their expertise to solve puzzles and mysteries. In this novel, Decrypted, Tikaya has brought Rias home to the Kyatt Islands to meet her family. This time they have to struggle against the Kyattese authority's and Tikaya's family's prejudices against Rias (and against Turgonians in general). Tikaya delves into her family's attic and mines the Polytechnic library's archives to research a mysterious Turgonian legend. Rias uses his talent for innovative engineering to weave a way through social obstacles and overcome technological limitations to pursue their dream of searching for legendary colonies and ancient shipwrecks.
Decrypted's adventure does not cover as much ground as Encrypted. Neither the characters' relationship development nor the central conflict of the story is as large as the preceding novel. Nonetheless, I was impressed that I did feel like I was in a different country, surrounded by a different culture. Despite that difference, the story flowed consistently and logically from the last novel and it was fun and unpredictable. I am a hard marker: I reserve my 5 stars ratings for books that rock my world a bit (or a lot). I don't think this story is as much fun as Encrypted but I still really liked it a lot. Getting a 4 star from me is not a luke-warm recommendation.
This book is about Rias and Tikaya. Rias was formerly an admiral of the Turgonian Empire who was considered a hero and a brilliant naval strategist. Although he still quietly has many "fans" back home in Turgonia and certainly has a fearsome reputation among his enemies, he has been disgraced and stripped of his family name and honours by the emperor after the Turgonian Empire lost the recent war. Turgonia lost the war because Tikaya, an academic philologist of the Kyattese Islands nation, decoded Rias's encrypted wartime messages and helped Rias's enemy to defeat Turgonia's navy. That all occurred before Tikaya and Rias first met.
In Lindsay Buroker's first novel of this set, Encrypted, Tikaya and Rias met for the first time, fought side-by-side to overcome their captors, protected each other while they adventured through hostile environments and pooled their expertise to solve puzzles and mysteries. In this novel, Decrypted, Tikaya has brought Rias home to the Kyatt Islands to meet her family. This time they have to struggle against the Kyattese authority's and Tikaya's family's prejudices against Rias (and against Turgonians in general). Tikaya delves into her family's attic and mines the Polytechnic library's archives to research a mysterious Turgonian legend. Rias uses his talent for innovative engineering to weave a way through social obstacles and overcome technological limitations to pursue their dream of searching for legendary colonies and ancient shipwrecks.
Decrypted's adventure does not cover as much ground as Encrypted. Neither the characters' relationship development nor the central conflict of the story is as large as the preceding novel. Nonetheless, I was impressed that I did feel like I was in a different country, surrounded by a different culture. Despite that difference, the story flowed consistently and logically from the last novel and it was fun and unpredictable. I am a hard marker: I reserve my 5 stars ratings for books that rock my world a bit (or a lot). I don't think this story is as much fun as Encrypted but I still really liked it a lot. Getting a 4 star from me is not a luke-warm recommendation.
October 8, 2014
That’s it for me and this series. I love Buroker’s Emperor’s Edge series and really wanted to love this one but just couldn’t get into it. Why? Because it’s boring, no fun and downright not exciting. The writing isn’t bad but the action is repetitive and little happens. I found myself skipping a lot of pages, waiting for something to happen, but nothing did…
In the Emperor’s Edge series Buroker outdid herself in terms of characterization but here the main characters are completely lacklustre. There is little chemistry between Tikaya & Rias and definitely no sparks flying there! Tikaya’s character felt more like a teenager than a thirty something woman. She constantly lets herself be controlled by her family and seems to think it’s perfectly fine for them to treat her as a (choose all that apply) child/liar/traitor/brainwashed idiot. The scene when she returns home for the first time with Rias in tow bugged me to no end. Instead of welcoming her and being grateful that she is still alive and well, most members of her family spend the whole time insulting Rias. Does it bother her? Apparently not. Does she do anything about it? Nope. Does she think for even one second she should grab her man and get the hell away from them all? Definitely not! Let’s stay here while my lovely family treats the man I love like crap! This girl seriously needs some pointers from either Amaranthe Lokdon or Kate Daniels.
Overall this was a huge disappointment and I definitely won’t be reading the rest of the series.
In the Emperor’s Edge series Buroker outdid herself in terms of characterization but here the main characters are completely lacklustre. There is little chemistry between Tikaya & Rias and definitely no sparks flying there! Tikaya’s character felt more like a teenager than a thirty something woman. She constantly lets herself be controlled by her family and seems to think it’s perfectly fine for them to treat her as a (choose all that apply) child/liar/traitor/brainwashed idiot. The scene when she returns home for the first time with Rias in tow bugged me to no end. Instead of welcoming her and being grateful that she is still alive and well, most members of her family spend the whole time insulting Rias. Does it bother her? Apparently not. Does she do anything about it? Nope. Does she think for even one second she should grab her man and get the hell away from them all? Definitely not! Let’s stay here while my lovely family treats the man I love like crap! This girl seriously needs some pointers from either Amaranthe Lokdon or Kate Daniels.
Overall this was a huge disappointment and I definitely won’t be reading the rest of the series.
December 9, 2023
3.5 Stars
An acceptable end to this short duology. I was so happy to see these familiar characters once again, and it’s always a pleasure to read anything set in this universe. I felt like Tikaya and Rias spent a lot of this apart but it was still rather enjoyable. I can’t quite say the ending was as satisfying as I would have hoped, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and it made sense so it gets a pass.
An acceptable end to this short duology. I was so happy to see these familiar characters once again, and it’s always a pleasure to read anything set in this universe. I felt like Tikaya and Rias spent a lot of this apart but it was still rather enjoyable. I can’t quite say the ending was as satisfying as I would have hoped, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and it made sense so it gets a pass.
July 29, 2015
Decrypted is the second novel in Lindsay's Encrypted series, there is also a novella that sits between the two novels, Enigma.
Lindsay does have a tendency for rehashing characters or series even when her readers think otherwise. I think this may happen with Rias and Tikaya. This book offers a rather nice close to their series. But it also leaves it open enough that more stories could be tacked onto the end.
I am a huge Emeror's Edge fan, and I love that there's some cross over between the two series. Alas, like a lot of fans, I just didn't like this as much as EE.
I did enjoy the mental stimulation that the two cerebral-esqué characters provided, I also enjoyed their taunting and witty banter. The story just fell a little flat for me despite all those positives.
There was plenty of the usual hair-brained schemes that Linday's fans have attributed to her other herion, Amaranthe, but these hair-brained schemes are usually within the realm of reality. They're thought through and plausible.
I did enjoy exploring the Kyatt islands with Tikaya and Rias. Though I felt the ending was all a little too convenient. Not Lindsay's best work, but still an enjoyable and easy read.
If Lindsay Buroker is new to you, try her Emperor's Edge series first (they're totally awesome!), if you've already tried EE, but not read this series. Give it a try.
A few things I noticed:
5% - Un oh (should that be uh oh?)
36% - her hea(r)t sped up again.
50% - a letter clasped her in (transpose her and in) hand.
92% - ...have take(n) place over...
95% - a great number (of) wrecks...
Lindsay does have a tendency for rehashing characters or series even when her readers think otherwise. I think this may happen with Rias and Tikaya. This book offers a rather nice close to their series. But it also leaves it open enough that more stories could be tacked onto the end.
I am a huge Emeror's Edge fan, and I love that there's some cross over between the two series. Alas, like a lot of fans, I just didn't like this as much as EE.
I did enjoy the mental stimulation that the two cerebral-esqué characters provided, I also enjoyed their taunting and witty banter. The story just fell a little flat for me despite all those positives.
There was plenty of the usual hair-brained schemes that Linday's fans have attributed to her other herion, Amaranthe, but these hair-brained schemes are usually within the realm of reality. They're thought through and plausible.
I did enjoy exploring the Kyatt islands with Tikaya and Rias. Though I felt the ending was all a little too convenient. Not Lindsay's best work, but still an enjoyable and easy read.
If Lindsay Buroker is new to you, try her Emperor's Edge series first (they're totally awesome!), if you've already tried EE, but not read this series. Give it a try.
A few things I noticed:
5% - Un oh (should that be uh oh?)
36% - her hea(r)t sped up again.
50% - a letter clasped her in (transpose her and in) hand.
92% - ...have take(n) place over...
95% - a great number (of) wrecks...
March 1, 2013
Summary: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner meets Captain Nemo, plus explosions.
I will preface this by saying, Yes, I am a big fan of Lindsay's, but I do not rate a book by its author or its series. My affections lie strongly with the EE crew, and while it is the same world, it is 20 years prior and those characters are not actually in the book. The Tikaya and Rias books (if you haven't read Encrypted* you really should start there) truly are a separate series. *Short summary: They bonded while being held captive and forced to solve the mysteries of a brutal weapon, figuring out a way to escape without letting it fall into even more brutal hands.
We rejoin our unlikely pair as they reach Tikaya's home and are almost immediately faced with aggressive opposition. Rias is considered a war criminal, wanted in chains by the government and the islands at large, but never mind that - they still have to introduce him to her parents. Someone has made it home ahead of them and started giving a somewhat different version of what the events in Encrypted, leading most of her friends and family to believe Tikaya has been brainwashed by the enemy.
I really, really enjoyed a lot of the secondary characters in this book. I had fears going in that his amazing charisma would have Rias winning people over a bit too quickly, or potentially being so taken with him that Tikaya would become resentful at a lack of recognition for the role she played. Rather than a crapload of such dramatic tripe, however, we meet concerned friends and family who are wary and suspicious (okay, most of them) but also some who are willing to give Tikaya's massive intelligence the benefit of the doubt rather than write her words off.
***** MINOR SPOILER *****
If I had one problem with the book, it WAS the fact that so many of her colleagues and friends, even her family, were willing to ignore Tikaya's reputation as an extremely intelligent woman in a society where women typically seem to be accepted as equals with the men (le GASP!). I was irritated by how many people to whom she told her story of kidnapping and captivity, of horror and brutality and escape, listened and then said, "Yeah, but obviously you're too stupid to realize that it was a trick and he doesn't really love you." Way to be supportive, guys.
***** END SPOILER *****
If there is one thing that Lindsay Buroker knows how to write, it is an entertaining thrill ride. There is action around every corner, including corners I didn't even know were in the room. You think you're in a sweet, about-to-be-kissed alcove and BOOM! Corner. Action. There are explosions (and Maldynado isn't even IN this book!), lies, mysteries, and a dangerous secret that has been kept for generations. I would love to say more about this, but since it just came out, I'm afraid of giving away too many spoilers.
It was also really interesting to learn about the history of the major nations in this world, and to see some of the groundwork laid out for the political and technological relations to come in the EE books. I'm already wondering when we're going to get a book from the Nurian perspective.
I would advise that, if you're coming across Lindsay's work for the first time, you would enjoy several "inside" jokes by reading Encrypted first, followed by the first 5 EE books (starting with The Emperor's Edge) and then Decrypted. It is certainly not required, but I think you'll get the most entertainment out of them that way. :)
this review is crossposted at Amazon
I will preface this by saying, Yes, I am a big fan of Lindsay's, but I do not rate a book by its author or its series. My affections lie strongly with the EE crew, and while it is the same world, it is 20 years prior and those characters are not actually in the book. The Tikaya and Rias books (if you haven't read Encrypted* you really should start there) truly are a separate series. *Short summary: They bonded while being held captive and forced to solve the mysteries of a brutal weapon, figuring out a way to escape without letting it fall into even more brutal hands.
We rejoin our unlikely pair as they reach Tikaya's home and are almost immediately faced with aggressive opposition. Rias is considered a war criminal, wanted in chains by the government and the islands at large, but never mind that - they still have to introduce him to her parents. Someone has made it home ahead of them and started giving a somewhat different version of what the events in Encrypted, leading most of her friends and family to believe Tikaya has been brainwashed by the enemy.
I really, really enjoyed a lot of the secondary characters in this book. I had fears going in that his amazing charisma would have Rias winning people over a bit too quickly, or potentially being so taken with him that Tikaya would become resentful at a lack of recognition for the role she played. Rather than a crapload of such dramatic tripe, however, we meet concerned friends and family who are wary and suspicious (okay, most of them) but also some who are willing to give Tikaya's massive intelligence the benefit of the doubt rather than write her words off.
***** MINOR SPOILER *****
If I had one problem with the book, it WAS the fact that so many of her colleagues and friends, even her family, were willing to ignore Tikaya's reputation as an extremely intelligent woman in a society where women typically seem to be accepted as equals with the men (le GASP!). I was irritated by how many people to whom she told her story of kidnapping and captivity, of horror and brutality and escape, listened and then said, "Yeah, but obviously you're too stupid to realize that it was a trick and he doesn't really love you." Way to be supportive, guys.
***** END SPOILER *****
If there is one thing that Lindsay Buroker knows how to write, it is an entertaining thrill ride. There is action around every corner, including corners I didn't even know were in the room. You think you're in a sweet, about-to-be-kissed alcove and BOOM! Corner. Action. There are explosions (and Maldynado isn't even IN this book!), lies, mysteries, and a dangerous secret that has been kept for generations. I would love to say more about this, but since it just came out, I'm afraid of giving away too many spoilers.
It was also really interesting to learn about the history of the major nations in this world, and to see some of the groundwork laid out for the political and technological relations to come in the EE books. I'm already wondering when we're going to get a book from the Nurian perspective.
I would advise that, if you're coming across Lindsay's work for the first time, you would enjoy several "inside" jokes by reading Encrypted first, followed by the first 5 EE books (starting with The Emperor's Edge) and then Decrypted. It is certainly not required, but I think you'll get the most entertainment out of them that way. :)
this review is crossposted at Amazon
March 1, 2013
I'm an admitted fan to the EE universe, but there's something about Tikaya and Rias's story that's uniquely appealing. If you haven't read the first book, Encrypted, it centers around Tikaya Komitopis, a languages professor who cracked the enemy's codes during the war and saved her people. She's kidnapped by those same enemies to solve the riddle of some ancient, and very dangerous, ruins with the help of exiled Admiral Shaska Federias Starcrest -- the man most reviled by her people because of his success against them during the war. I won't post spoilers, but Rias's story isn't what it seems either, and the two discover they make a very good team...in more ways than one.
So why read Encrypted/Decrypted? For me, it's awesome to see two "academics" getting into adventures and dangerous scrapes, using their intellect to solve problems and escape traps. Now, that's not to say they aren't good in a fight (they are), but it's refreshing for an adventure tale to be more "McGuyver meets Indiana Jones" than "The Expendables." There's also an amazing love story, overlaid with issues of racism/prejudice, family secrets, lies and governmental malfeasance. There are a lot of layers to this story, and each one builds on the other to create an engaging whole. Plus there's a great mystery to be solved.
But what I think what makes the story for me is Buroker's creativity in world-building. The customs of the Kyatt Islands feel very authentic and, at times, amusing. The way of life in Kyatt contrasts sharply with Turgonia--the empire at the heart of the EE novels. So while the books are related (Decrypted is set 18/19 years earlier than Emperor's Edge), there's a very different cultural environment, and it makes for some fun "fish out of water" situations for Rias.
If you are a fan of Buroker's EE series, you should definitely pick up Decrypted.
So why read Encrypted/Decrypted? For me, it's awesome to see two "academics" getting into adventures and dangerous scrapes, using their intellect to solve problems and escape traps. Now, that's not to say they aren't good in a fight (they are), but it's refreshing for an adventure tale to be more "McGuyver meets Indiana Jones" than "The Expendables." There's also an amazing love story, overlaid with issues of racism/prejudice, family secrets, lies and governmental malfeasance. There are a lot of layers to this story, and each one builds on the other to create an engaging whole. Plus there's a great mystery to be solved.
But what I think what makes the story for me is Buroker's creativity in world-building. The customs of the Kyatt Islands feel very authentic and, at times, amusing. The way of life in Kyatt contrasts sharply with Turgonia--the empire at the heart of the EE novels. So while the books are related (Decrypted is set 18/19 years earlier than Emperor's Edge), there's a very different cultural environment, and it makes for some fun "fish out of water" situations for Rias.
If you are a fan of Buroker's EE series, you should definitely pick up Decrypted.
January 6, 2016
Not bad but not terribly exciting. It wasn't exactly predictable, but there wasn't really anything new or surprising in this book. The meeting with Takaya's parents goes about how you would expect and the ending was... nice?
When they finally got to the "big secret" I was hoping for something a bit more exciting. It wasn't disappointing, but it did fall flat for me.
When they finally got to the "big secret" I was hoping for something a bit more exciting. It wasn't disappointing, but it did fall flat for me.
July 6, 2016
Out of the park good! The dialogue fantastic, humor outstanding, edge of the seat excitement. Just a wonderful conclusion to a great series.
Read
November 21, 2017Another enjoyable story, following Rias and Tikaya. The mystery was fun, and I gather it will affect later books in the Emperor's Edge series.
Like other books set in this world, this one pushes the action past the believable yet is still fun reading. To be honest, the romance between Rias and Tikaya isn't very interesting. I can understand her devotion to him, but his to her? More of a stretch. I have to agree with other readers that Tikaya just isn't that likable, and, for me, the constant innuendos and flirtation are annoying rather than appealing.
On to book 6 of E.E.
After I read a few other things to clear my palate.
Like other books set in this world, this one pushes the action past the believable yet is still fun reading. To be honest, the romance between Rias and Tikaya isn't very interesting. I can understand her devotion to him, but his to her? More of a stretch. I have to agree with other readers that Tikaya just isn't that likable, and, for me, the constant innuendos and flirtation are annoying rather than appealing.
On to book 6 of E.E.
After I read a few other things to clear my palate.
October 28, 2021
Light but delightful!
These books are fun. They are light & highly adventurous with likable characters. I’ve really enjoyed the whole series (read the 8 books of Emperor’s Edge first, then these). I hope there are more set in the same world!
These books are fun. They are light & highly adventurous with likable characters. I’ve really enjoyed the whole series (read the 8 books of Emperor’s Edge first, then these). I hope there are more set in the same world!
March 2, 2023
As with all of her books this was excellent. There is action, great characters, good story, great conversations with lots of snark. It’s also a fast, easy read. Can’t recommend high enough, a must read
March 10, 2013
I loved Encrypted and Emperor's Edge. But it seems I'm not that fond of their sequels. I liked Decrypted much more than the second book in the Emperor's Edge series, mostly because it had a story of its own (while EE2 seemed a repetition of the previous book).
Still, I had the feeling that the book wasn't really sure of its plot. The Kyattanese couldn't decide whether they were peaceful people or not. Tykaya couldn't decide if she was a woman or a teenager girl. The only one who was himself was Rias.
My main nit (and it wasn't small) was Tykaya. She doesn't really seem the same woman. Yes, she was naive and bookish, but here, with the exception of a couple of scenes, she reverts to teen. My eyebrow started to raise when she allowed her family to treat her as an underage and I mean literally. They control and check on her. We are told the kyattanese are the "modern" people (in social mores) compared to the rest of the Universe, but you can't really see it. I perfectly understand her family's reaction, he IS an enemy, after all. I do NOT understand why she stands it. The way she is treated is unbelievable, from child to liar to brainwashed.
Clearly if you come back from being a prisoner, people may fear you have been turned. Even your family. But family should be blood, people who stand by you. I honestly never saw anyone from her family standing by her. Even her mother who, we are lead to believe, supports her. I would get iced to the bone if after what happened at the peer I got that reaction from my mom.
Moreover, after some time fears should get settled. People that lives with you should realize you're in love and not brainwashed. Above all should trust you with the truth. But again, I get her family...her not so much.
Sure as hell I did not understand why she didn't try to kill her own father or beat some truth from him at the peer. I'm not even sure I understand her constant nagging to avoid killing her people. I get some of her reasoning. She does want to live there and they should be peaceful people. But here we skirt the TSTL, it seems she refused to defend her and Rias with her decisions.
I was very, very happy to have this sequel and high expectations can mar an experience. It seems it happened to me. :) But I love this couple and I'll probably buy the last in the Emperor's Edge books so to meet them again.
Still, I had the feeling that the book wasn't really sure of its plot. The Kyattanese couldn't decide whether they were peaceful people or not. Tykaya couldn't decide if she was a woman or a teenager girl. The only one who was himself was Rias.
My main nit (and it wasn't small) was Tykaya. She doesn't really seem the same woman. Yes, she was naive and bookish, but here, with the exception of a couple of scenes, she reverts to teen. My eyebrow started to raise when she allowed her family to treat her as an underage and I mean literally. They control and check on her. We are told the kyattanese are the "modern" people (in social mores) compared to the rest of the Universe, but you can't really see it. I perfectly understand her family's reaction, he IS an enemy, after all. I do NOT understand why she stands it. The way she is treated is unbelievable, from child to liar to brainwashed.
Clearly if you come back from being a prisoner, people may fear you have been turned. Even your family. But family should be blood, people who stand by you. I honestly never saw anyone from her family standing by her. Even her mother who, we are lead to believe, supports her. I would get iced to the bone if after what happened at the peer I got that reaction from my mom.
Moreover, after some time fears should get settled. People that lives with you should realize you're in love and not brainwashed. Above all should trust you with the truth. But again, I get her family...her not so much.
Sure as hell I did not understand why she didn't try to kill her own father or beat some truth from him at the peer. I'm not even sure I understand her constant nagging to avoid killing her people. I get some of her reasoning. She does want to live there and they should be peaceful people. But here we skirt the TSTL, it seems she refused to defend her and Rias with her decisions.
I was very, very happy to have this sequel and high expectations can mar an experience. It seems it happened to me. :) But I love this couple and I'll probably buy the last in the Emperor's Edge books so to meet them again.
March 7, 2013
Set in the Emperor's Edge universe, Decrypted follows the further adventures of Rias and Tikaya after they return to Tikaya's home on Kyatt. As usual, the pace is fast with plenty of unusual twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. It is fascinating to watch how these two handle the prevailing prejudices against Rias and Tikaya's relationship as well as an ancient mystery involving Tikaya's family.
We learn more about the history of the three nations - Turgonia, Kyatt and Nuria - and how what happened centuries ago affects the current situation. And why Tikaya's people are so disturbed by Rias's plans to build a submersible.
Now I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the Emperor's Edge series where threads from all the books set in this world begin to come together. Will we find out if Rias and Tikaya had children? What will happen when these two geniuses combine forces with Amaranthe and Sicarius? How will Sespian deal with all these powerful personalities? The mind reels at the thought . . . :-)
I am a huge fan of Lindsay Buroker's writing and will read anything she writes. Her ability to tell an exciting story with humor and great characters reminds me of another favorite author of mine, Lois McMaster Bujold. Both of them make me laugh out loud when reading their stories . . . causing my family to wonder about my sanity.
We learn more about the history of the three nations - Turgonia, Kyatt and Nuria - and how what happened centuries ago affects the current situation. And why Tikaya's people are so disturbed by Rias's plans to build a submersible.
Now I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the Emperor's Edge series where threads from all the books set in this world begin to come together. Will we find out if Rias and Tikaya had children? What will happen when these two geniuses combine forces with Amaranthe and Sicarius? How will Sespian deal with all these powerful personalities? The mind reels at the thought . . . :-)
I am a huge fan of Lindsay Buroker's writing and will read anything she writes. Her ability to tell an exciting story with humor and great characters reminds me of another favorite author of mine, Lois McMaster Bujold. Both of them make me laugh out loud when reading their stories . . . causing my family to wonder about my sanity.
March 3, 2013
Sometimes you wonder if an author can keep their track record going -- surely at some point they have to burn out, or just settle for a less than perfect story. But not Lindsay Buroker! Decrypted is her usual mix of laughter and adventure with just enough romance thrown in to keep it interesting.
This is the sequel to Encrypted - read that first to truly appreciate this novel. Tikaya and Rias finally make it to the Kyatt Islands and quickly fall into trouble... Some is to be expected - Rias IS known as the Black Scourge after all, but is quickly becomes apparent that something more is going on than just anti-Turgonian sentiment.
I don't want to give anything away, but spellunking is mentioned. And there is a giant octopus attack. And explosions. And encrypted messages for TIkaya to puzzle out. And fabulous engineering feats performed by Rias...
All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read. Lindsay Buroker never disappoints..
This is the sequel to Encrypted - read that first to truly appreciate this novel. Tikaya and Rias finally make it to the Kyatt Islands and quickly fall into trouble... Some is to be expected - Rias IS known as the Black Scourge after all, but is quickly becomes apparent that something more is going on than just anti-Turgonian sentiment.
I don't want to give anything away, but spellunking is mentioned. And there is a giant octopus attack. And explosions. And encrypted messages for TIkaya to puzzle out. And fabulous engineering feats performed by Rias...
All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read. Lindsay Buroker never disappoints..
January 2, 2015
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I spent the first half being annoyed with Tikaya for being really immature. The second half had great set-up, but the resolution of the conflict was really lackluster. The epilogue was enjoyable though. I think this book might have been better from Rias's perspective...
August 6, 2024
Half of this book is archeological geopolitical adventure story and the other half is the sentence “but daddy, he’s MY brilliant admiral of an enemy nation, and I love him” repeated at an ever increasing pitch. Which means it is truly not for everyone, but that I enjoyed it immensely.
How much of that is nostalgia? Mind your business!
How much of that is nostalgia? Mind your business!
July 29, 2013
It's never going to be easy to take the love of your life home, especially if he was an admiral in the navy of a recent opponent in a war which has just finished, but that's what are heroine does.
October 21, 2016
What I can say for this book is that it turned out not nearly as horrible as the first... quarter? or so? lead me to believe. I made this goodreads account specifically to critique it, but found myself sucked in by as I went on. What Decrypted lacks in... tact and individuality, shall we say, it makes up for in adventure, and in a significant improvement on every level after the first quarter.
If you're genuinely interested in the structure of this world or want to read everything, I'd say Decrypted is entertaining enough to pull its own weight, but if you're just interested in extraneous materials to the Emperor's Edge, don't bother. It might in some small way increase depth through books six and beyond (I was helpfully warned to read these first so I don't know), but Sicarius doesn't show up and the drawbacks, in my opinion, are significant.
The Good: While Decrypted is easily the worst of all of Buroker's works set in this world, the nerdiness charms if you're into nerdy things (I am) and there are a few solid notes of humor. Tikaya pulls away from her Amaranthe sameface personality syndrome, though that's counterweighted by her relationship with Rias beginning to take on shades of Amaranthe and Sicarius. It's enjoyable, once you get past the beginning, but makes little enough in terms of an impression. I wouldn't actively advise against reading it, but I wouldn't shove copies into anyone's hands either.
The Bad: Is anyone else getting really sick of this whole "women insisting that men don't kill people even when their lives are in danger" bit? I suppose it can be explained contextually given that Tikaya was raised in a pacifistic culture and Amaranthe and Yara were both enforcers but come on...... fire a goddamn torpedo. Do something morally ambiguous.
Also, this might only bother me, but Buroker in general suffers quite badly from same vocabulary syndrome. While seeing "inimical" one to three times every EE book worked okay (ish) because it gave it an EE feel, for the same host of words (inimical, burbling, ecumenical, etc) to crop up in a whole other series just gives the impression that her editors wouldn't know pattern recognition if it hit them in the face.
On a more serious note, the political overlay in Decrypted is much shallower and less rich than I've come to expect from this whole.... *vague gesturing* shebang. Much of the moral inconsistencies and circumvention of both law and ethics on the Kyattese part are glossed over as though they didn't happen, and several plot points are just dropped or handwaved away with very little explanation, emotional reaction, or... anything? Decrypted comes together like an inexpert braid, with a lot of chunks of hair left floating around to be shoved into the rubber band at the end.
The Ugly: (Hold onto your asses guys this gets long. There's a summary at the end if you don't care.) Decrypted picks up the misogyny/racism hammer and just fucking slams you in the face with it. I've been willing to overlook the subtle to blatant homophobic tinge to all of Buroker's writing (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, go back through. Every mention of gayness is preceded or succeeded by some expression of discomfort, with the stunning and not at all lesbophobic (sarcasm) exception of Maldynado's willingness to encourage women to fuck each other as long as he can participate), but Decrypted threw subtlety to the winds and slogged headfirst into a morass of moralizing on how to do womanhood correctly and racism that all too clearly parallels that of our world.
Racism: As anyone who's been reading along should know, Turgonians aren't white. The best we get about them is "ambiguously brown" - sorry, bronze - but honestly not white is great and I'll take it. And in the Emperor's Edge, that works! The positioning of whiteness as foreign and strange is a welcome change from most fantasy books where whiteness is the default and deviation from that is evil or nominal, if it exists at all. The switch to the Kyatt islands dumps that subversion right on it's ass, though, with the ~~evolved white scientists and geniuses looking down on the ~savage brown warriors, even going so far as to have a slur comparing Turgonians to apes.
The presentation of a nation of mostly brown people as violent, martial, misogynistic, and ignorant and superstitious (at least when it comes to the mental sciences) has always been suspect, but at least in EE it was mitigated by an insider perspective. Decrypted (the whole series, really, but especially this book) holds that in counterpoint to a nation of brilliant, peaceful white people who respect women and magic. The few indications that the Kyattese might not be so civilized, rooting around in people's heads and putting torture bracelets on them and such, are either never addressed or handwaved with a "wry smile." Okay then. I guess it's cool to read someone's mind without their consent if you're like totally meta aware that it's the wrong thing to do. Never mind that every other book has established it as a gross violation.
That's not even touching on the Nurians (also bronze), who are consistently depicted as unsubtle and violent to the point that Tikaya even acknowledges in Enigma that most people don't know or care that they have a rich cultural heritage and just see them as warlike. And, of course, anyone browner than "bronze" doesn't exist. Even when it's explicitly stated that Nurians are darker than Turgonians, they're still all bronze. What are they, statues?
The few mentions of bias against Rias being formed on racist grounds are too little, too late, and fail to acknowledge the real world paradigm that these presentations play into.
Misogyny: Though the Kyatt Islands supposedly are more permissive of women doing interesting things than Turgonia, it certainly doesn't show in Decrypted. All of the women are shoehorned into either a lack of character, a mother role (which of course involves indiscriminate caretaking and little to no sense of purpose outside of that), or, worst of all, the evil dirty slut. I'll be focusing on the last part because it's so egregious I almost suspect it of being transposed from someone else's work.
Within the first few chapters the reader is introduced to Aeli, Tikaya's horrible slutty cousin who no one good likes. Honestly it's like I'm reading some teen book and the Popular Girl just flounced in bearing her evil boobs and evil attraction to taken men. Her introduction is literally just that she used to be worthy of Tikaya's respect and likable but that was before she stopped being an anthropology student and started being a slut.
She, of course, flirts with Rias, Rias recognizes immediately that she is worthless and has no character (in more than one sense) and Tikaya is verbally aggressive towards her but it's fine because Aeli is a trashy slut and who would want to empathize with her? It's bizarre, it's unnecessary, and it exists only for some good old fashioned girl-on-girl hatred and to validate that Tikaya and Rias are both ~~good and ~~pure. After the initial hump of the book in which there is an extraordinary amount of Aeli bashing considering that she has done.... nothing at all, she's only mentioned because one of her ancestors was an adulterer - obviously, because being a degenerate who has sex outside of a book-approved monogamous relationship is hereditary - and in that she was apparently kicked out of school for a sex addiction. And that's just part of her terrible character no one had a problem with that? No one thought maybe she needs therapy? Whatever.
Aeli is even demonized for trying to help Tikaya, because obviously the crime of showing skin is so great that she has to be categorized as chaotic slutty just by breathing. Like no wonder the girl reverts to keeping up a sex-related facade if her whole family treats her as poorly and with as much disdain as Tikaya.
Frankly I'm baffled by the inclusion of this archetype because this isn't a book either about high school or written by a high schooler. It's petty, it's small minded, it's bizarre, and combined with the high key racism it very nearly convinced me that Decrypted wasn't worth it.
In summary: Decrypted has promise. It has a lot of potentially interesting elements, particularly given the emphasis on telepathic practitioners and artifacts, yet the misappropriations and abuse were handwaved and the political intricacies of Kyattese government barely touched on at all. The President is a good man? Well then we don't need to question whether the system might still be broken. With more work, Decrypted could have been a good book, rather than merely okay, but the loose, meandering plot and overlay of fucking weirdness (see: The Ugly) stopped it short of that goal.
That said, Lindsay, if you're reading this and would like a better beta reader/editor, I'm available. *finger guns*
If you're genuinely interested in the structure of this world or want to read everything, I'd say Decrypted is entertaining enough to pull its own weight, but if you're just interested in extraneous materials to the Emperor's Edge, don't bother. It might in some small way increase depth through books six and beyond (I was helpfully warned to read these first so I don't know), but Sicarius doesn't show up and the drawbacks, in my opinion, are significant.
The Good: While Decrypted is easily the worst of all of Buroker's works set in this world, the nerdiness charms if you're into nerdy things (I am) and there are a few solid notes of humor. Tikaya pulls away from her Amaranthe sameface personality syndrome, though that's counterweighted by her relationship with Rias beginning to take on shades of Amaranthe and Sicarius. It's enjoyable, once you get past the beginning, but makes little enough in terms of an impression. I wouldn't actively advise against reading it, but I wouldn't shove copies into anyone's hands either.
The Bad: Is anyone else getting really sick of this whole "women insisting that men don't kill people even when their lives are in danger" bit? I suppose it can be explained contextually given that Tikaya was raised in a pacifistic culture and Amaranthe and Yara were both enforcers but come on...... fire a goddamn torpedo. Do something morally ambiguous.
Also, this might only bother me, but Buroker in general suffers quite badly from same vocabulary syndrome. While seeing "inimical" one to three times every EE book worked okay (ish) because it gave it an EE feel, for the same host of words (inimical, burbling, ecumenical, etc) to crop up in a whole other series just gives the impression that her editors wouldn't know pattern recognition if it hit them in the face.
On a more serious note, the political overlay in Decrypted is much shallower and less rich than I've come to expect from this whole.... *vague gesturing* shebang. Much of the moral inconsistencies and circumvention of both law and ethics on the Kyattese part are glossed over as though they didn't happen, and several plot points are just dropped or handwaved away with very little explanation, emotional reaction, or... anything? Decrypted comes together like an inexpert braid, with a lot of chunks of hair left floating around to be shoved into the rubber band at the end.
The Ugly: (Hold onto your asses guys this gets long. There's a summary at the end if you don't care.) Decrypted picks up the misogyny/racism hammer and just fucking slams you in the face with it. I've been willing to overlook the subtle to blatant homophobic tinge to all of Buroker's writing (if you're wondering what I'm talking about, go back through. Every mention of gayness is preceded or succeeded by some expression of discomfort, with the stunning and not at all lesbophobic (sarcasm) exception of Maldynado's willingness to encourage women to fuck each other as long as he can participate), but Decrypted threw subtlety to the winds and slogged headfirst into a morass of moralizing on how to do womanhood correctly and racism that all too clearly parallels that of our world.
Racism: As anyone who's been reading along should know, Turgonians aren't white. The best we get about them is "ambiguously brown" - sorry, bronze - but honestly not white is great and I'll take it. And in the Emperor's Edge, that works! The positioning of whiteness as foreign and strange is a welcome change from most fantasy books where whiteness is the default and deviation from that is evil or nominal, if it exists at all. The switch to the Kyatt islands dumps that subversion right on it's ass, though, with the ~~evolved white scientists and geniuses looking down on the ~savage brown warriors, even going so far as to have a slur comparing Turgonians to apes.
The presentation of a nation of mostly brown people as violent, martial, misogynistic, and ignorant and superstitious (at least when it comes to the mental sciences) has always been suspect, but at least in EE it was mitigated by an insider perspective. Decrypted (the whole series, really, but especially this book) holds that in counterpoint to a nation of brilliant, peaceful white people who respect women and magic. The few indications that the Kyattese might not be so civilized, rooting around in people's heads and putting torture bracelets on them and such, are either never addressed or handwaved with a "wry smile." Okay then. I guess it's cool to read someone's mind without their consent if you're like totally meta aware that it's the wrong thing to do. Never mind that every other book has established it as a gross violation.
That's not even touching on the Nurians (also bronze), who are consistently depicted as unsubtle and violent to the point that Tikaya even acknowledges in Enigma that most people don't know or care that they have a rich cultural heritage and just see them as warlike. And, of course, anyone browner than "bronze" doesn't exist. Even when it's explicitly stated that Nurians are darker than Turgonians, they're still all bronze. What are they, statues?
The few mentions of bias against Rias being formed on racist grounds are too little, too late, and fail to acknowledge the real world paradigm that these presentations play into.
Misogyny: Though the Kyatt Islands supposedly are more permissive of women doing interesting things than Turgonia, it certainly doesn't show in Decrypted. All of the women are shoehorned into either a lack of character, a mother role (which of course involves indiscriminate caretaking and little to no sense of purpose outside of that), or, worst of all, the evil dirty slut. I'll be focusing on the last part because it's so egregious I almost suspect it of being transposed from someone else's work.
Within the first few chapters the reader is introduced to Aeli, Tikaya's horrible slutty cousin who no one good likes. Honestly it's like I'm reading some teen book and the Popular Girl just flounced in bearing her evil boobs and evil attraction to taken men. Her introduction is literally just that she used to be worthy of Tikaya's respect and likable but that was before she stopped being an anthropology student and started being a slut.
She, of course, flirts with Rias, Rias recognizes immediately that she is worthless and has no character (in more than one sense) and Tikaya is verbally aggressive towards her but it's fine because Aeli is a trashy slut and who would want to empathize with her? It's bizarre, it's unnecessary, and it exists only for some good old fashioned girl-on-girl hatred and to validate that Tikaya and Rias are both ~~good and ~~pure. After the initial hump of the book in which there is an extraordinary amount of Aeli bashing considering that she has done.... nothing at all, she's only mentioned because one of her ancestors was an adulterer - obviously, because being a degenerate who has sex outside of a book-approved monogamous relationship is hereditary - and in that she was apparently kicked out of school for a sex addiction. And that's just part of her terrible character no one had a problem with that? No one thought maybe she needs therapy? Whatever.
Aeli is even demonized for trying to help Tikaya, because obviously the crime of showing skin is so great that she has to be categorized as chaotic slutty just by breathing. Like no wonder the girl reverts to keeping up a sex-related facade if her whole family treats her as poorly and with as much disdain as Tikaya.
Frankly I'm baffled by the inclusion of this archetype because this isn't a book either about high school or written by a high schooler. It's petty, it's small minded, it's bizarre, and combined with the high key racism it very nearly convinced me that Decrypted wasn't worth it.
In summary: Decrypted has promise. It has a lot of potentially interesting elements, particularly given the emphasis on telepathic practitioners and artifacts, yet the misappropriations and abuse were handwaved and the political intricacies of Kyattese government barely touched on at all. The President is a good man? Well then we don't need to question whether the system might still be broken. With more work, Decrypted could have been a good book, rather than merely okay, but the loose, meandering plot and overlay of fucking weirdness (see: The Ugly) stopped it short of that goal.
That said, Lindsay, if you're reading this and would like a better beta reader/editor, I'm available. *finger guns*
August 16, 2017
I really enjoyed this series. To the point where I'm finally dusting off my copies of The Emperor's Edge because I dig the world so much. (Yes, I've had the EE series on my Kindle for ages and I love Lindsay Buroker's writing, so this isn't a hardship at all. I just have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to my TBR pile.) (I'm sure all book lovers know how that goes. I can almost hear the lament of "I need more hours in the daaaaay to get to all the ones I want to get to" echoing in the air right now.)
So. Tikaya and Rias. I expected friction when she brought him back to her island, but the amount of flack they got was rough. Really rough. Given what they uncovered, I get where the government-types were coming from, but I like Rias and I didn't like how Tikaya was viewed with suspicion just for being around him.
*gives everyone trying to get between the two brilliant lovebirds a sour lemon face*
Which reminds me, I ADORED how they both had a tendency to get so involved in their work that they became completely blind to the world around them. And I loved how they both took pains to show their interest in the other's work, too. It was just adorably cute. *squishes them together and makes lovey-dovey sounds*
Okay. Enough of that. I'm off to properly meet Sicarius and see what dangerous shenanigans he gets himself into.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
So. Tikaya and Rias. I expected friction when she brought him back to her island, but the amount of flack they got was rough. Really rough. Given what they uncovered, I get where the government-types were coming from, but I like Rias and I didn't like how Tikaya was viewed with suspicion just for being around him.
*gives everyone trying to get between the two brilliant lovebirds a sour lemon face*
Which reminds me, I ADORED how they both had a tendency to get so involved in their work that they became completely blind to the world around them. And I loved how they both took pains to show their interest in the other's work, too. It was just adorably cute. *squishes them together and makes lovey-dovey sounds*
Okay. Enough of that. I'm off to properly meet Sicarius and see what dangerous shenanigans he gets himself into.
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
May 6, 2019
Rias hasn’t exactly been welcomed by either Tikaya’s family or by the Kyatt nation. They assign a watchdog with mental abilities to guard him; a man who clearly hates him and uses his powers to immobilise and torture Rias.
This isn’t unexpected and Tikaya is a fool to think he’d be easily accepted.
All they want is a ship to sail away into the sunset on and Rias, being the over achiever he is, decides to make it a submarine. And oh boy, does THAT upset people… what on earth is hidden in the depths that a normally peaceful nation is willing to kill over?
***
A bit frustrating…
3 stars
This isn’t unexpected and Tikaya is a fool to think he’d be easily accepted.
All they want is a ship to sail away into the sunset on and Rias, being the over achiever he is, decides to make it a submarine. And oh boy, does THAT upset people… what on earth is hidden in the depths that a normally peaceful nation is willing to kill over?
***
A bit frustrating…
3 stars
July 1, 2025
Incredible, Unbelievable and yet Totally Relatable
I’m not sure where this sequel falls in the sequence of Buroker’s published works, but it certainly takes its tone from “Encrypted,” which was her second novel. At that point, she hadn’t yet developed the “snark” which I have come to associate with her writing, and honestly it wouldn’t have worked in these books, anyway.
But in the Epilogue, her love of whimsy, the joy and humor to be found in everyday life, is in full bloom and totally appropriate now that the serious matters of this book have been resolved. As to that resolution, I was also quite impressed with how she managed to make it all work out. Moreover, she had commented in the introduction to Encrypted that she really disliked it when characters were claimed to be highly intelligent, but then did really stupid things. Her highly intelligent, very astute admiral, not only didn’t do anything stupid, he more than ever demonstrated his high levels of intelligence, and it is beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!
So, if you haven’t read encrypted, do so first, and I suggest you do as I did and pick up the book beginnings, which is free from her website as it contains several of her first novels in various series. It’s worth the read as are all the rest apparently I’m making my way through it next. All I can say is you will enjoy !
I’m not sure where this sequel falls in the sequence of Buroker’s published works, but it certainly takes its tone from “Encrypted,” which was her second novel. At that point, she hadn’t yet developed the “snark” which I have come to associate with her writing, and honestly it wouldn’t have worked in these books, anyway.
But in the Epilogue, her love of whimsy, the joy and humor to be found in everyday life, is in full bloom and totally appropriate now that the serious matters of this book have been resolved. As to that resolution, I was also quite impressed with how she managed to make it all work out. Moreover, she had commented in the introduction to Encrypted that she really disliked it when characters were claimed to be highly intelligent, but then did really stupid things. Her highly intelligent, very astute admiral, not only didn’t do anything stupid, he more than ever demonstrated his high levels of intelligence, and it is beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!
So, if you haven’t read encrypted, do so first, and I suggest you do as I did and pick up the book beginnings, which is free from her website as it contains several of her first novels in various series. It’s worth the read as are all the rest apparently I’m making my way through it next. All I can say is you will enjoy !
September 14, 2020
Excellent short series!
As Noted in the subject heading, there are only 3 books so far but I would be open to more😉! Pleeeeaaasssseee! Pretty please!
Even if it only involves the shenanigans of themselves and their 5 children. Why 5? As I see it 3 planed and 2 well loved accidents due those two being so wrapped up in their work and each other. I think it could be a good yarn!
I am also going to look at all of the other books too. I bet I'll end up reading them all As you may be aware, I'm very impressed with Ms Buroker and all her books I have read to date (9/14/2020).
So far the two series (Dragon Blood and Encrypted) are a a nice mix of dragons, magic and steam punk and magic and steam punk respectively. They were both fun reads.
Just get the cheap, for the high quality content, "Beginnings" by her. Beginnings has the 1st book in 5 of her series. That should be a great introduction into her books and how she writes. In other words try it you will like it!
As Noted in the subject heading, there are only 3 books so far but I would be open to more😉! Pleeeeaaasssseee! Pretty please!
Even if it only involves the shenanigans of themselves and their 5 children. Why 5? As I see it 3 planed and 2 well loved accidents due those two being so wrapped up in their work and each other. I think it could be a good yarn!
I am also going to look at all of the other books too. I bet I'll end up reading them all As you may be aware, I'm very impressed with Ms Buroker and all her books I have read to date (9/14/2020).
So far the two series (Dragon Blood and Encrypted) are a a nice mix of dragons, magic and steam punk and magic and steam punk respectively. They were both fun reads.
Just get the cheap, for the high quality content, "Beginnings" by her. Beginnings has the 1st book in 5 of her series. That should be a great introduction into her books and how she writes. In other words try it you will like it!
September 24, 2021
This was an exciting and excellent ending to a great series.
Tikaya’s family really did not like Rias! I don’t think it was necessarily his personality so much as it was his background. A Turgonian amongst the Kyatts? No, not if Tikaya’s family has anything to say about it. It was tough going there for awhile. A great big puzzle to solve, but with Tikaya’s puzzle solving mind, even she had difficulty. Add Rias to the plot and you get lots of adventure flying by the seat of your pants. I’m glad they finally, finally! solved it. If you loved the previous books in this series then you are sure to love this wrap up of the series and get motivated to read more of Lindsay- Buroker’s books. I love how she manages to include lots of banter between Tikaya and Rias. Tikaya’s mother was a hoot. Loved her understanding of the situation and emotional support she gave Tikaya. The little boy and his butterflies were a great comedic interlude. I highly recommended this series. It was most enjoyable.
Tikaya’s family really did not like Rias! I don’t think it was necessarily his personality so much as it was his background. A Turgonian amongst the Kyatts? No, not if Tikaya’s family has anything to say about it. It was tough going there for awhile. A great big puzzle to solve, but with Tikaya’s puzzle solving mind, even she had difficulty. Add Rias to the plot and you get lots of adventure flying by the seat of your pants. I’m glad they finally, finally! solved it. If you loved the previous books in this series then you are sure to love this wrap up of the series and get motivated to read more of Lindsay- Buroker’s books. I love how she manages to include lots of banter between Tikaya and Rias. Tikaya’s mother was a hoot. Loved her understanding of the situation and emotional support she gave Tikaya. The little boy and his butterflies were a great comedic interlude. I highly recommended this series. It was most enjoyable.
April 23, 2023
Intriguing
The strong personality of the admiral, his feelings of honor and his ability to read people made him a very strong leader that people respected. Together with his physical Strength and he's drive to succeed made him very Charismatic. The sheltered cryptanalysis found herself a captured because of her knowledge of decrypting expertise.
What I liked about the story was that the two main characters both we're very strong academically. And understand each others passions in their fields where others did not. I can't think of any thing I did not like about the story.
I recommend the book to anybody that likes the unusual adventure mystery and little romance Type of book.
The strong personality of the admiral, his feelings of honor and his ability to read people made him a very strong leader that people respected. Together with his physical Strength and he's drive to succeed made him very Charismatic. The sheltered cryptanalysis found herself a captured because of her knowledge of decrypting expertise.
What I liked about the story was that the two main characters both we're very strong academically. And understand each others passions in their fields where others did not. I can't think of any thing I did not like about the story.
I recommend the book to anybody that likes the unusual adventure mystery and little romance Type of book.
September 2, 2023
I can thoroughly understand that Tikaya would love to introduce her beloved Rias to her family, but it started off very wrong minutes after setting foot on the Kyatt islands.
Thereafter everything seems to escalate horrendously.
The Kyattese won't easily forgive the Torongan empire for the atrocities committed during the past war either.
Rias, being a Torongan Admiral, especially, is fiercely hated.
But something is wrong too when Rias's efforts to build a submarine is evoking such fierce opposition that it becomes clear the Kyattese are almost certainly hiding something as well. The question is ...what?
Decrypted certainly is a tense and mysterious humdinger that takes the reader on tortuous roads and interesting game changing events.
Enjoy
Thereafter everything seems to escalate horrendously.
The Kyattese won't easily forgive the Torongan empire for the atrocities committed during the past war either.
Rias, being a Torongan Admiral, especially, is fiercely hated.
But something is wrong too when Rias's efforts to build a submarine is evoking such fierce opposition that it becomes clear the Kyattese are almost certainly hiding something as well. The question is ...what?
Decrypted certainly is a tense and mysterious humdinger that takes the reader on tortuous roads and interesting game changing events.
Enjoy
July 19, 2024
I listened to this so forgive me for all misspellings
Tikaya brings Ryus to her island home. Where everyone of course hates him because he’s Tragonian AND the enemy’s fleet commander, and no one takes the time to actually talk to him OR Tikaya to see why they’re there. Which is because Tikaya wants to introduce her family to the man she loves…
Anyhow. The prejudice is awful. The way they treat Ryus as if he’s an animal (complete with shock collar) is awful. The 🐔 blocking in this is terrible. But EVEN WORSE - Tikaya’s government is trying to cover up a secret and they’re willing to kill to do so!
It was a very dramatic book. Not quite as good as the first one but I still enjoyed their story together.
Tikaya brings Ryus to her island home. Where everyone of course hates him because he’s Tragonian AND the enemy’s fleet commander, and no one takes the time to actually talk to him OR Tikaya to see why they’re there. Which is because Tikaya wants to introduce her family to the man she loves…
Anyhow. The prejudice is awful. The way they treat Ryus as if he’s an animal (complete with shock collar) is awful. The 🐔 blocking in this is terrible. But EVEN WORSE - Tikaya’s government is trying to cover up a secret and they’re willing to kill to do so!
It was a very dramatic book. Not quite as good as the first one but I still enjoyed their story together.
August 5, 2022
Awesome Plot!
The plot is so complex and the technical explanations rendered simple and believable. You cannot predict most of what is going to happen and it forces us to look in the mirror in terms of the judgements we pass. She displays a good understanding of human character and knowledge of the tropics. I am from the tropics and pleasantly surprised that her rendition of that experience is authentic. If you have an exam, study first. Wait until you have time at your disposal because you will not be satisfied until you have read all three in series! You will enjoy them!
The plot is so complex and the technical explanations rendered simple and believable. You cannot predict most of what is going to happen and it forces us to look in the mirror in terms of the judgements we pass. She displays a good understanding of human character and knowledge of the tropics. I am from the tropics and pleasantly surprised that her rendition of that experience is authentic. If you have an exam, study first. Wait until you have time at your disposal because you will not be satisfied until you have read all three in series! You will enjoy them!
May 19, 2024
This story wrapped up Rias and Tikaya’s adventures splendidly. The Kyattanese people did not receive Rias well, and Tikaya was disappointed in her people’s aggression.
Rias’ submarine had a great design. The disposable top was a brilliant part of the plan. I was surprised Mee Nar became so involved in the deep dive.
The ex-mother in law’s involvement was cleverly woven into the tale.
Buroker crafts some interesting tales. This trio seemed part fantasy (mental sciences), part science fiction, part steampunk, part romance, and plenty of adventure and mystery.
I highly recommend this trio of books.
Rias’ submarine had a great design. The disposable top was a brilliant part of the plan. I was surprised Mee Nar became so involved in the deep dive.
The ex-mother in law’s involvement was cleverly woven into the tale.
Buroker crafts some interesting tales. This trio seemed part fantasy (mental sciences), part science fiction, part steampunk, part romance, and plenty of adventure and mystery.
I highly recommend this trio of books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2025
Siento que no está al mismo nivel de intensidad que la primera novela. Por supuesto, los personajes siguen siendo magníficos, así como la especial relación entre Tikaya y Rias.
Creo que el misterio que guía esta aventura no está a la altura, además de que hay ciertos aspectos que realmente me parecen inverosímiles: Rias construye un submarino de los restos de una embarcación, en menos de un mes y prácticamente solo... mmmmm... Pero bueno, la fantasía permite cualquier cosa.
Me pareció más interesante la primera parte, en que Rias debe enfrentarse a la familia de Tikaya y hubiera esperado algo más intenso para que él fuera aceptado.
Creo que el misterio que guía esta aventura no está a la altura, además de que hay ciertos aspectos que realmente me parecen inverosímiles: Rias construye un submarino de los restos de una embarcación, en menos de un mes y prácticamente solo... mmmmm... Pero bueno, la fantasía permite cualquier cosa.
Me pareció más interesante la primera parte, en que Rias debe enfrentarse a la familia de Tikaya y hubiera esperado algo más intenso para que él fuera aceptado.
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