Veena’s review of The Edge of the Blade (Uncharted Realms, Book 2) by Jeffe Kennedy
Romantic Fantasy published by Kensington 27 Dec 16
Jeffe Kennedy is an unparalleled world builder enriching her readers with fascinating cultures and characters. The Twelve Kingdoms, full of superstitions and magic with its three princesses who persevere and come out winners despite all odds, is a wonderful series. The Uncharted Realms series continues the adventure taking readers on a voyage of discovery that will keep them enthralled and coming back for more.
Jepp is a warrior, a member of the Queen’s elite guard. When circumstances force her into the role of ambassador to Dasnaria, she picks up the gauntlet and resolves to deliver her best to Queen and country. I like how the lessons of the past play such a big role for both protagonists in this book and govern their decisions and actions. In an interesting twist, Jepp is highly sexed and the seething desire that simmers between her and her escort, Prince Krai, is off the charts, especially since he has forbidden his men to engage with her after she walks out of his bed and refuses to become his bed slave.
During their perilous journey to his kingdom, they encounter strange and fascinating creatures who attack them. Between battle and bed sport, their journey proceeds apace until they reach Dasnaria. The protocol and the place that women hold in this world make for very interesting reading. Despite Krai’s best intentions, Jepp immediately sets the cat amongst the pigeons at court and is swiftly relegated to the women’s quarters under guard. This is when the story gets interesting, as readers are treated to the political machinations and intrigue that exists under the smooth service of the King’s court.
Of course, all is not well in the kingdom of Dasnaria, as Jepp soon finds in her nocturnal wanderings. Krai tries to keep her safe, despite herself, but he has his own political agenda and ambitions, but in the end sacrifices all to keep Jepp safe. Can Jepp and Krai escape from Dasnaria to find a future together? As the story unfolds, it captures a reader’s imagination and keeps you at the edge of your seat as one adventure morphs into the next. A fascinating testament to the power of love, women, and friendship.
Grade: A
Summary:
he Twelve Kingdoms rest uneasy under their new High Queen, reeling from civil war and unchecked magics. Few remember that other powers once tested their borders—until a troop of foreign warriors emerges with a challenge . . .
Jepp has been the heart of the queen’s elite guard, her Hawks, since long before war split her homeland. But the ease and grace that come to her naturally in fighting leathers disappears when battles turn to politics. When a scouting party arrives from far-away Dasnaria, bearing veiled threats and subtle bluffs, Jepp is happy to let her queen puzzle them out while she samples the pleasures of their prince’s bed.But the cultural norms allow that a Dasnarian woman may be wife or bed-slave, never her own leader—and Jepp’s light use of Prince Kral has sparked a diplomatic crisis. Banished from court, she soon becomes the only envoy to Kral’s strange and dangerous country, with little to rely on but her wits, her knives—and the smolder of anger and attraction that burns between her and him . . .
Other books in this series:
