Review: Fresh and entertaining romantic fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 8, 2014
Lindsay Buroker is mostly known for writing steampunk fantasy and adventure novels whereas her latest offering Balanced on the Blade's Edge is a romantic fantasy, a first by her. Though romance is not my preferred genre, being a Buroker fan I had to try it and this decision proved worth every penny.Colonel Ridge Zirkander, a highly talented fighter pilot and squadron leader, is sent to take command over a prison mine in remote Ice Blades Mountains as a punishment. The very same day of his arrival, Sardelle Terushan, a sorceress who had been buried in stasis under the mountain for three centuries, wakes up and is discovered by two miners. In a society where magic is still condemned and the only punishment is death, Sardelle is forced to don the fake identity of a prisoner to survive. When they both come face to face, they are instantly intrigued by and attracted to each other. How far will they go in this relationship go and what will happen if her secret were to come out?As typical of her previous novels, this too is a fast paced and action packed story with an engaging plot along with strong and well defined characters with a touch of humour. However, being a stand-alone book I felt a few more details could have been added in order to give more depth to the plot. For example:-- What did the previous rogue mages do which instilled so much fear and condemnation amongst the people for them?- Why were the Cofah attacking the prison mine repeatedly?- After the battle in the end, did the perception of the people towards mages remain unchanged?Overall, it is a very entertaining story set in a different world with all the winning elements of a fabulous book.