The author put a free audiobook on youtube, which was entertaining enough to listen to throughout the work day as background noise. I'd heard the name Lindsey Buroker a few times on /r/fantasy as an author that is often missed but should be read, so here I am, giving her works a chance.

There are aspects about this novel that I enjoyed, but there was a lot more that I felt was off putting. 2.5 stars, roughly.

Enjoyed: - the more traditional fantasy work rife with dwarves, elves, humans, goloms, etc. It's not so common in modern fantasy and it's a fun change.

- the vague plot that starts out as a simple retrieval mission but then becomes a wild adventure tale that seemingly involves everyone in this kingdom. I do like a good adventure plot, and while this one is not great it at least is not 100% predicable. Though the author really takes her time to dole out information related to the quest / artifact.

Did not enjoy: - the body-related humor, in this book somehow oddly focused on how the men / soldiers never bathe or take care of themselves (trust me, if soldiers never bathed when they could they would have much higher mortality rates than this army sprouted).

- The absolutely endless sexual banter and talk related to sex. It's between the two women, it's between the two protagonists, it's between the male protagonist and his elf / dwarf friends (so even crossing species somehow?), it's between the evil underworld thief mistress lady and the leads, it's literally between everyone. Somehow it's supposed to be seen as chemistry between the leads? To me it felt crude and gross and FAR too much.

- The extremely casual acceptance of rape as an every day occurrence for women and a mostly normal situation for men. Together with the previous point this book reads more like a terrible bawdy 80s fantasy tale written by a middle aged man than a fun fantasy adventure.

The writing itself was basic and serviceable. There are a lot of descriptions (and monologues to fill in anything else), yet somehow a lot of basic notes on movements of the characters in space are neglected. I often felt a bit lost while some character went on some internal monologue but they were moved through the scene and we have no idea where they ended up until much later and it was mentioned that they were in some new place (though nothing else was noted - I feel if someone forced you to undress and threw you into a dark dungeon it should be noted if they gave you your clothes back or you're now shivering naked while you're going on a 3 page rant about the history of the royal family in your mind).

I am glad there was no actual on page sex or violent rape, but the other elements of threatening abuse, torture, rape, etc and the endless talk or reference to sex as well as misogyny were tiring anyway. Also the male lead (Jev) is coerced into sex, which even for 2018 is considered to be rape. I can't believe this was what the author wanted to write.

In retrospect this is probably not the best book to start off with this author. I'll try The Emperor's Edge before I write her off completely.

Okay read - not as good as other, similar series but I'll probably check out the next book and see if it gets better!

It was a bit rough in the start, as you're just tossed into the world and expected to comprehend what is happening around you. However, the further I got into the story, the more I began to fall in love with it. It's extremely well written with a spectacular plotline that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Started a little slow. Took a bit to get into it. Maybe a little too romance heavy for a first book in a series such as this. We'll see if she pulls back a tad in the next book, which I am inclined to read as this had a few interesting elements, namely a mysterious outcast elf who is definitely on the surly side. Now THAT'S my kind of love interest (humans can be so mundane). If you are familiar with and have liked any of her other stuff then you will probably like this as well. She knows her niche.

I stayed up to 2 in the morning reading this. Couldn't put it down.

I generally enjoy Lindsay's writing. Even though the characters feel familiar from book to book, it works b/c they're likable. This one goes back to a similar setting as her Emporer's Edge series. The plot moves along and is entertaining.

Jev Darrow returns from a decade fighting the elves in a war he doesn't believe in. He returns home to find his bookish Lieutenant has been elevated to King after the death of the previous King and all three of his sons from a mysterious blood disorder. No sooner does Jev disembark the boat than he is arrested by an Inquisitor who accuses him of stealing an artifact from one of the religious orders.

Inquisitor Zenia Cham hopes that successfully completing her latest mission will put her in a good position to succeed the head of her order when she retires. However, nothing about this mission makes sense and much as she hates to admit it, her prisoner seems to be innocent.

What follows is a classic Lindsay Buroker romp as Jev and Zenia (together with Jev's former comrades a dwarf and an elf) try to find this missing artifact and why so many people are willing to kill to possess it. Along the way they also discover the truth about the disappearance of Jev's mother and death of his brother. There are magical amulets (Dragon's Tears) which can enhance a wearer's powers, secret crime societies, xenophobia and more.

A great fun read if you like snarky priests, laconic ex-soldiers, magic, dwarves, elves and dragons.

Fun new series by Lindsey Buroker. I enjoyed the characteristic banter and adventure and I like the addition of the different races. Although more traditionally fantasty with eleves and dwarves the world building felt quite similar to the EE universe of Buroker's earlier series.