Book 7), Forged in Blood II (The Emperor's Edge

This series was really a non-stop 7 book adventure from beginning to end. For those of you who haven't read book 1, you're in for a treat. Give yourself time, though. You'll want to read them all-one right after the other as fast as you can!

Forged In Blood 1 & 2 is an awesome conclusion. I swear, she didnt leave anything out, or dissapoint! I could have been happy had this been the end of the series. But so overjoyed that I can go on another adventure with these characters! Seriously geeked reader!

This volume begins in a dark place, with Amaranthe blaming herself for the many deaths caused by the Behemoth's crash, and Sicarius, under the mind control of a sadistic Nurian wizard allied with one of the contenders for the throne, despairingly believing he's lost both of the people whom he cared about to the finality of death. But most of the team is soon reunited, and joined by famed former Fleet Admiral Lord Rias Starcrest, his linguist wife, and their equally clever teenaged offspring.

I don't want to get into spoiler territory, so I'll only briefly mention that the obstacles they must defeat include not merely enemy soldiers, but wizardry, makarovi (the bearlike man-eaters — woman-eaters, by preference — which Amaranthe barely survived before), explosive devices, wizard-hating gang thugs greedy for bounties, and the weight of grief and responsibiliuty.

There is one tragic, heroic casualty that I was glad to have been forewarned of — I would have been weeping badly, otherwise.

The ending has everything on course for a promising future, and some big emotional steps forward have been made, including a long-awaited (not explicit) consummation. _Republic_ should satisfy those who want to see more of how it goes.

From the first the madcap adventures of Amaranthe and her team have caught my imagination and held my attention. In this final episode so many of the narrative strands are neatly brought together and although there is a twist or two in the tail you'll be glad that you have been here for the ride.
Sicarius too has a few surprises up his sleeve and the ending will leave you chuckling with a tear in the corner of your eye.
Another infinitely worthwhile read, thanks Lindsay.

I'm very happy with the ending and how everything wrapped up with the series. It's one of those books you just had to read without putting down until it was done because you couldn't wait to see what happened.

Wow! What a conclusion to this love affair I have with The Emperor's Edge Series. So often, the last book in a series is lackluster. The author seems to spend the pages patching and ending the dangling story lines like you would cracks in plaster. This definitely is NOT one of those books. This volume centers around Sicarius and Amaranthe for the most part. We also have the introduction of Rias Starcrest from Sicarius' past. The main action revolves around these characters. Not every one of the characters we've followed for these many volumes has a perfect ending, but the ending could not have been more perfect.

This is not a book that one can pick up and enjoy without having read the rest of the series. There is just too much that assumes the reader is familiar with the world and who everyone is. I personally prefer that type of series, but some people expect a finished storyline in one book set in an evolving world.

Lindsay has outdone herself with this series. I'm sure there is room for other tales to come out of the world she created, and they might one day get more of people's stories, but this one was well finished. I feel she is a brilliant author and has a great future in front of her. Now, if someone can just find a nice box to lock her in, and encourage her to write more books and faster... I will be a happy woman.

I have fallen for Lindsay Buroker's quirky humor and high stakes adventures. This series was particularly enjoyable. If you are looking for a deep work of fantasy fiction, this series is not for you. If however, you long for strong female heroines, romance, and adventure that almost makes you feel guilty, this is your series. Excellent reads for a lounging around on vacation.

There are series whose ending leaves you with feelings of disappointment or emptiness or regret, but this is not one of them. Upon finishing Forged in Blood II, I felt satisfied, warm, and hopeful. There were moments of suspense, humor, shock, sadness, and heart-melting affection. The pace was rapid without being rushed. The denouement was not so neat and tidy as to seem contrived but complete enough to be satisfying. Some characters still have stories left to tell, and I would be thrilled to see them in future books set in this world. Other characters have made their final bow, and I salute them. I truly admire the author's ability to create well-developed characters that people care deeply about. I particularly appreciate the strong, funny, intelligent female characters who can hold their own in a fight. I have recommended this series to many people, and I will continue to do so.

Well I finally finished Forged in Blood II (The Emperor's Edge 7, Final Book) and it was bittersweet and exceptionally well done. It feels like I left an old friend behind after reading all these books over the last year or two.

I can't even remember what it was that got me started on this series but each and every book I read has been entertaining and with this final book it became a story in the masterpiece class taken as a body of work.

I do hope she writes a bit more in this world with some of the characters but this story which has been a long time coming is finally at a close and only the very best of novels can claim such a well done adventure.

This author writes in a way that brings her characters to life. In life rarely anything is black and white and so it is in this world Lindsey has created. The series as a whole has been a fantastic read. One that I can not wait to continue

What a satisfying end to a marvelous series. Throughout the seven books, Lindsay Buroker has brought to life characters that rang with truth. None more so than Amaranthe, a great heroine whose strengths and weaknesses, humor and sense of honor show that you can make a female lead tough without sacrificing her vulnerability, and show her faults without taking away her integrity. Like a magpie, the author had found shinning jems from many different genres to make an enthralling and very entertaining world. I can say with all honesty, I will miss these characters as they have become very dear to me. So well did these books align with my interests and literary cravings, I almost felt as if they had been written just for me. Thank you Ms. Buroker, for a creating such a wonderful series of books. They have earned a place on the self in my heart.

A fitting close to this fun series. All loose ends tied up, all characters are (sort of) redeemed, and the not-quite-like-you-predicted ending works very well. I will miss visiting with these characters as I follow them on their adventures.

But, I am very happy with how things ended...well save for some bits, but I won't spoil it.

If you have not read any of the previous books, I suggest you go pick up The Emperor's Edge now. It's free so you won't be out anything if you hate it, but I am betting you won't.

This final installment in what has been a thrilling and sometimes harrowing ride in speculative fiction was just as fantabulous as the previous books. While I am sad that this story has ended, I will continue to buy this author's books and support her endeavors...hoping I may see some of my favorites again in the future. :D

A fantastic conclusion to a great series! Lindsay has spun an awesome tale in the Emperor's Edge series that I thoroughly enjoyed. The books are a twist of fantasy with a dose of steampunk to make a unique storyline.