Diplomats and Fugitives (The Emperor's Edge Book 9)

The transition from empire to republic continues with enemies trying to take advantage of the recent upheaval. A nice story, well-written; but not enough of the Sicarius and Amarthea (my 2 favorites). Good job, Ms. Buroker on a nice addition to the Emporer's Edge story.

Another fabulous installment of our friends' adventures. The political development of the world in which the stories take place is spot on, and the complex characters grow along with the events affecting them.

Siiiigh. Much as it pains me to give Diplomats and Fugitives only three stars, I have to be honest. Don't get me wrong. Reading this book gave me plenty of joy, but as a critic, however casual, I did find faults.

This novel is the latest installment in my favorite series of all time, The Emperor's Edge, written by Lindsay Buroker. The books center on a young law enforcement officer, Amaranthe Lockdon, as she unearths a conspiracy threatening her nation, the empire of Turgonia. Amaranthe has always wanted to earn distinction, but in trying to help her young emperor, she lands herself on wanted posters and in the crosshairs of powerful people. Still, determined to make a difference, she assembles and leads a team of talented misfits, devoted to helping the empire, one job at a time.

The first seven books in the series are narrated largely by Amaranthe, with other members of her team getting a turn now and then. This wonderful series officially ended with book seven, Forged in Blood II, but fan whining response led Buroker to write a massive follow up novel, Republic, which was narrated by Amaranthe and scores of other characters. Then, fans got their way again, and Buroker wrote this book, Diplomats and Fugitives. Instead of being narrated by Amaranthe, however, Diplomats and Fugititves is written from the point of view of Basilard and a new character.

The story starts off fantastically. We're introduced to Ashara, a Kendorian woman living in Turgonia, during her presentation for her business class featuring her start-up, Alpine Elixirs. The presentation goes hilariously awry, but things sober up when Ashara is approached by the Kendorian ambassador, who threatens Ashara's children. The ambassador forces Ashara to join a Turgonian research team traveling to Mangdoria in response to a worrisome fungal blight that puts the ecosystem in peril. On that research team are our old friends, Basilard, Maldynado, and Mahliki.

I loved seeing these characters again. It's funny, while watching movie sequels, I've always thought those self-aware nods to past installments and the overdramatic entrances of fan-favorite characters were lame. But I ate that stuff up in Diplomats and Fugitives. Buroker knows her characters are well-loved, and she's cinematic in her style of bringing them back to us.

"There's Maldynado," Mahliki said, nodding behind Basilard.
The sun wouldn't creep over the mountains for another half hour, so Basilard couldn't see Maldynado that well between the gaslights lining the driveway, but his silhouette was pronounced enough to show off a dark, bulbous shape on his head. Whatever Maldynado's latest hat was, it had the shape of a roasted turkey. A large one.

Bahahaha!

I was also overjoyed to see Amaranthe and Sicarius again. As employed agents now, they're up to their old tricks. I was enthralled by their every line of dialogue and my only complaint regarding them is that I wanted more.

Speaking of complaints, I did have problems with the book. Buroker's plots are starting to get a tad repetitious, which is understandable since she's a prolific writer, but I trust that she can come up with more original stuff. This plot, in particular, was highly reminiscent of Dark Currents, only not as good. Basilard and his research team spent far too much time traveling I thought, and their were two nearly identical chase scenes that happened back to back. I couldn't believe what I was reading... again!

Also, my attention started to falter in the second half of the book, when the character interactions and development thinned out. To compound that growing disinterest, Buroker separated the characters into different groups. She does that frequently and, as it always happens, one group's goings-on are always more interesting than the others, which makes it a pain when the narration leaps away from them.

All in all, while Diplomats and Fugitives was not everything I hoped it would be, I still enjoyed myself hugely. Even better, the ending sets off a probably spin-off featuring Amaranthe and Sicarius. (!!!) Thank you for the latest installment, Ms. Buroker!

I love reading Lindsay Buroker's books! Each book is a complete story that leaves me wanting to know more about what happens to these characters. This book-Diplomats & Fugatives- does not disappoint. As other reviewers have stated, it has a similar scene as in another book, but... SO WHAT! Similar does not equal identical--and really, in a book of steam and magic what does it matter.... It's steam and magic--an entertaining combination.

I am anxiously awaiting the next in this series(please write more) and in other series of hers --same world/ different world. I am a busy person, but I find time to read these books.... Pick it up, you WILL enjoy.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Lindsay Buroker cranks out one good read after another, and this time, the rapid-fire pace is showing. This isn't the best of her books -- I'd reserve that for her recent Dragon's Blood series -- but it's a moderately good addition to my Buroker bookshelf. This story starts off slow with a character in a university -- a somewhat contrived plot device that Lindsay leans on quite a bit -- but by the halfway mark, Basilard and Ashara's adventures with the rest of the gang (Mahliki, Maldynado, Amaranthe, and yes, Sicarius) are in full swing. Lindsay really hits her stride in action sequence storytelling by the end.

All-in-all, it's a good read. If you're a fan of the Emperor's Edge novels and you think Basilard is underrated, this is your book.

Hopefully, Lindsay spends a little more time plotting her next one... but no matter what, I'll buy it. She's earned my loyalty, and this book keeps the streak alive.

The Emperor's Edge series continues!! The mix of old characters and new, devious plots and outrageous schemes, explosions, and hats. What more can you ask for. I read the book in a day and then forgot to review it. The Mangorians were any interesting new culture, and the challenges brought the best out of the team of adventurers. I liked the different points of view. Lindsay should get busy on the Books Sicarius back story and Akstyr needs his own book. And another Starcrest back story would not be out of order. Keep writing Lindsay!

I loved this book. It focusses on Basilard, a character I think all the readers wanted to see more of. And off course a lot of the crew from the previous books make an appearance. I love Buroker's writing style and this book is a great continuation of the world building and a loevely stand alone romance novel with tons of action and well dosed humor.

Entertaining addition to the Emperor's Edge series. Basilard and Ashara are likable characters and Maldynado is pure comedy as always. While this can be read as a stand-alone, I'd suggest you start the series from the beginning.