Balanced on the Blade's Edge (Dragon Blood) (Volume 1)

Imagine waking up after rushing in to a stasis chamber,you're alive and your partner,a magic soulblade, informed you that you have been asleep for THREE CENTURIES!!This is the position Sardelle finds herself in,alone in a world where everyone she knew is dead,magic users are killed as witches and what used to be home is now a prison.

A fantasy romance is not something I normally read. I had this recommended to me by a friend I trust. Good plot decent character development. Since this is not my normal genre, I am giving the author four stars because they kept my interest solidly in the story. Well worth my time to read!

I gave this book three stars simply because it is so short. Overall, it is a decent book. There are a few problems with the romance in it, and I wish the book were longer to touch more on the main characters past. Overall, if you are looking for a quick read then this isn't a bad choice.

I began this book with probably more excitement than I had ever begun a book before. I had been basically reading all of Lindsay's books that I could get my hands on. For me this was a new genre and I was loving it, although I cannot speak for the genre at whole as I have only read steampunk by this author. I had been reading her books and posting reviews on Goodreads. One day I found in my inbox an email FROM THE AUTHOR!!! Whoohoo...this was completely new to me. She was willing to feed me free pre-release books as long as I would write an unbiased review and publish it on places such as Goodreads, the store, etc. Really! I get to do what I love more than anything else for FREE?!?! My response probably sounded a bit juvenile as I was seriously jumping up and down in my chair mentally.

Another thing you should probably understand is that I see authors as more than normal people. You see they are a set apart group of super-gifted and imaginative people that are mind-blowingly amazing to me. There is no way that these are normal people...nope. They are high on my pedestal. After all, they have been taking me to new lands, introducing me to new ideas, making my imagination soar for decades. Authors are better than Superman! So to have an email from an author...yup....wow! I know I know, I sound like I am twelve and I am far far too removed from there but still...exciting.

I look back at my original review that I posted on Goodreads on April 3, 2014 and I am just really grateful that there is an edit feature which I should probably employ. Not my best work ever but for the sake of "keeping it real" I am going to post the review as originally posted with only very minimal changes. Here goes:

Lindsay Buroker has done it again! I don't know how she can write a mediocre book in two weeks let alone a great one but this is a GREAT one! I truly enjoyed this book.

As a pastor's wife I always feel the need to specify a few things...this one has some sex in it folks. You don't have to read the details...skip those portions. There is some foul language as well but it is relatively minor. Overall, I don't feel compromised for having read the story.

I didn't write much about the story. So to add a bit...I can tell you that if you like a quirky cast of characters dishing out quite a bit of ribald humor, a fantasy world where magical meets steam engines, a book where the action is fast paced and of the nature that you don't want to set it down, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend it but only for the grownups.

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My thanks to Lindsay Buroker.

For all of my reviews visit my blog at: https://blessedandbewildered.wordpress.com

this alternative society was so well written and enjoyable that I put it into my keep file. A lesson in ideology mistrust, will look for more free booksin the series. Written in such a way the main character could weave through separate stand alone plot

Lindsay Buroker has done it again. She has combined steam punk, fantasy, action, adventure and romance into a must-read novel. Her main characters draw the reader into a fast-paced plot, and there is plenty of sizzle; magic and romance. 'Balanced on the Blade's Edge' is entertaining and fun. Well done. I look forward to 'Republic', her about-to-be released new novel.

Be prepared to be sucked into a great fantasy/steampunk series. I read all seven and a half books in three days over Memorial Weekend. Loved the premise and the characters, the world-building and the plot.

This is a great fantasy steampunk romance with hilarious dialogue. The world of Sardelle, Ridgewalker, and Jaxi is a great read for all. I like how the author conveys the sense of old school idiot mentality that magic is evil. And it isn't !!!!

-Competent writing;
-Good editing and proofing
-Some entertaining dialog;
-The magic elements contribute to the story rather than controlling it. I start to lose interest with too much obsessive fantasy detail; the levels here work well.

I loved this book. A very enjoyable read. An intricately woven fantasy world is the setting far a chance meeting of the most unlikely characters from two different worlds and cultures, not to mention centuries. Adventure, drama, conflicts, battles fill the pages and hold your interest.

I like Lindsay Burokers' style of writing. I've read several of her books and have like practically all of them. This story did not disappoint. I will probably get the next one in the series someday. Little steampunk mix with fantasy and adventure if I remember right.

This author never disappoints!! This was a great read. I loved the characters and the premise was delightfully different. Her characters are always so quirky and lovable. I hope there will be more stories in this world setting. I didn't get near enough of Jaxi and hope we can see moore of her back story.

The blurb intrigued me the book blew me away. What a great series, I will definitely be continuing. I love the steampunk genre novels and this one with its mix of magic was great. A stand alone series, action packed, romance but not graphic.

I loved this book. It was well written, great characters, unique storyline and timeline. I will read as many as possible! The book also ends open, but with a closed chapter. You'll want more, but you won't be stuck on the edge.

It was an entertaining book with some great characters. I would like to read the next ones. I only give it four out of five stars because it doesn't top her other series, The Emporers Edge. I will give anything Lindsay Buroker writes a shot and this was well worth it.

Once again the author has created a cast of characters that you want cheer on. Fast paced and enjoyable to read. I couldn't put it down.
It's available great start to what looks like a great new series.
I was a bit disappointed I couldn't but the whole series in Australia, due to copy right issues?

Very enjoyable read, I would really give this 4 1/2 stars. Interesting, unique story line and a bit of romance that I enjoy (pretty mild) thrown in. Just finished the second book, Deathmaster, also very good and bought the third in this continuing series....would highly recommend.

Lindsay Buroker is my go to recommendation whenever someone is looking for something new to read. Her dragon blood series and emoror's edge series are two of my favorite page turner series. They both have great characters, fun banter, and strong female leads. Do yourself a favore and give her a try. Also, for those who enjoy something a little more adult, her work under Ruby Lionsdrake is great too, though not PG by any means.

A very enjoyable, unpredictable adventure, with a dashing hero and smart, intriguing heroine. New worlds, great characters. Perfect amount of mental banter, humor, and likeable personas. Excellent start to a new series. Loved it.

After reading all the books in the Emperor's Edge world, I didn't think I could love another series as much. This was a captivating read! Beautifully written! Will leave you aching for the next book so be prepared to buy the whole set!

I liked it right from the first paragraph, it just had the flow that I've come to expect from Lindsay Buroker. From page to page to chapter to chapter, try it, it is a great beginning to a great trilogy. PS the trilogy was very good.

Easy read, kept my attention the whole time. I do wish that it had been longer, but I am starting book 2 as soon as I finish this review. I sincerely hope the story continues with the same characters.

I bought this book because I was enthralled by Lindsay Buroker's other works, the Emperor's Edge series, prequels, sequels and bridge stories. I can't get enough of the book she writes.
Dragon Blood Series DOES NOT disappoint!

BALANCED ON THE BLADE’S EDGE BOOK REVIEW
This review is for Book One of the Dragon’s Blood series

Lindsay always presents a polished, well-finished product for her readers, and this book is no exception. As a reader, I appreciate her efforts to present a quality product to her customers, something I do not see in every ebook author I have read. Her editing and grammar are top-notch. This effort shows me how much she cares about her readers, and how professional she strives to be by taking that last step to edit and clean up her text. Thank you, Lindsay!

What did I not like about the story? Two things stand out to me. There is a gratuitous sex scene which seemed out of place. Our main characters are about to be eaten by a giant owl, and they stop to have sex. Really? The sex scene really had nothing to do with the plot, either. There is a second, although implied, sex scene later in the story. The second issue is that I would like to have seen more of the bad guys. They were only involved in the final battle, even though they had been lurking around the edges of the plot throughout the second half of the story. We have this powerful, evil sorcerer, but he’s basically a non-player in the plot. I think the author could have made better use of such an interesting villain.

Now, we get to talk about what I did like. As mentioned above, Lindsay takes great pride in her finished product, and this makes reading her work a pleasure. She is also quite good at being descriptive of her physical environments. It is easy to feel the wind-driven snow on your face, or to see the clouds moving across the mountains on the far side of the valley. Another thing I liked was the device of having a sentient sword acting as a supplement to Sardelle, the main character. This sword, Jaxi, is able to fill in both the reader and Sardelle of things that took place before the story, but which the reader and Sardelle need to know.

Sardelle deserves a paragraph of her own. I thought she was well-drawn in the story. She is a sorceress who finds herself awakened after several hundred years, and now lives in a society who would kill her if they knew what she was. This inherent conflict is well-used throughout the plot, and frequently finds Sardelle having to make difficult moral choices. Should she use her magic at all? If so, how much and how often? Sardelle has to deal with these questions as different circumstances appear in the plot. And while the people around her would kill her if they knew she was a sorceress, Sardelle recognizes they will need her help to defeat the evil sorcerer she knows is nearby.

Overall, I would classify this as a fantasy novel, not steampunk. There are steampunk elements to the story, particularly airships with cannons, but the prominence of magic to the plot and Jaxi the living sword leave an aftertaste of fantasy in my mind. However, it is an aftertaste which is one to be savored.

Great characters and very nice plot. This author is definitely one of my new favorites! I was never much into steampunk type things but I thought for a dollar, I'd give this book a try. I'm glad I did.

Lindsay Buroker is my new favourite author - and I'm not one to say that lightly. I loved this book; the mixture of action, adventure, romance and humourous banter is a mix I cannot resist and Ms Buroker does it extremely well.

Just completed book one of the Dragon Blood series. Love the adventure and the author's sense of humor. Really get caught up in the characters. Lindsay Buroker does an extremely good job of developing her characters. Looking forward to reading the next two books. But right now I need to stop and do a couple of chores around the house.

I like Lindsay Buroker`s writing style. I loved all her books especially The Empire Edge series. This book did not disappoint. Good characters, good plot, humor, light romance and suspense. What more could you want in a book.

This is an enjoyable new story from Lindsay Buroker. I'm a big fan of her other series and this one follows suite. Smart heroine and funny dialogue. I was quickly engaged and involved in the story. It's a quick read and was perfect for a very wet weekend.

I'm not one for romance novels, personally, but this was a really fun book to read. The characters were very well done and the writing style flowed wonderfully. Frankly, I had a difficult time putting this book down.

The story has action and is interesting enough at a basic level but the book is very flowery and focussed heavily on the romance between the two main characters - primarily focussed on their physical desires / interactions with too much detail. If you would enjoy hearing details like how he puts his hand on her thigh and causes her to feel heat, how he caresses her neck with his lips and sends shivers of down her spine, or how she "misinterprets" the phrase rubbing his dragon, etc. you will like this book. I put this down after getting about 1/4 way through - however I ended up finishing it later because I was traveling and had nothing else on hand to read. The story itself manages to keep your attention if you are looking for something light to pass the time and enjoy - or like me can largely ignore - aspects of the romantic backdrop.