The Edge of the Blade by Jeffe Kennedy
Series: The Uncharted Realms #2, The Twelve Kingdoms #5
Published by Kensington
Published on: December 27, 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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A HAWK S PLEDGE
"The 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 . . .
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In this tale, we follow Jepp, Queen Ursula’s best scout. Their story started in The Pages of the Mind, where the queen sent them on a diplomatic mission to Dasnaria. In the first book of this spinoff series, they made a stop in which Dafne, the original ambassador stayed behind in Nahanau. That put Jepp in the position of ambassador, a role she was never meant to play. Jepp doesn’t have a diplomatic bone in her body. She is a spy, a scout and sometimes, even an assassin. This story overlaps chronologically with Dafne’s story. We know a little bit more than Jepp does about what is going on with Dafne. This does fuel some anger in Jepp. She doesn’t know what is going on with Dafne, and since she was supposed to be Dafne’s bodyguard, you can see why she is concerned. Not to mention, she knows this is a role she is not good at.
There is also a huge difference in culture between Jepp and Kral. In Dasnaria, women are meek, they are not noticed by the men and are seen as lesser individuals. You can imagine how that would go over with a woman who has been own her own for most of her life. She has come from a world where women can rule and can be seen as warriors. She also lives in a world where women have sex with who they want. After one night of sex, Kral now sees Jepp has his. He is upset when she sees it only as a one night stand. This is a bone between them for a while.
Once they actually reach Dasnaria, things are real eye opening for Jepp. The world for women there is much worse than she expected I think. She doesn’t do well with the king of this realm, who is seen as a divine entity to the people of Dasnaria.
The relationship between Kral and Jepp is not an easy one. They come from two completely different worlds and have a hard time seeing things from the other side of things. It is difficult for both sides to budge in their beliefs, but there is also a strong pull between them.
The ending of this story really surprised me. I won’t go into details, but I will say that I’ve very interested in seeing what happens in the next story. It’s not a cliffhanger, but there is definitely more of this story to tell. I think it will also be very interesting to see the next couple, which is revealed at the end of this story.
The part I loved most about this story was learning more about Jepp. We get a fairly detailed backstory about Jepp. It is told in several different ways including Jepp’s memories and while she is talking to Kral. Jepp is a very interesting character. She has been strong her entire life. I’ve liked her since the first time I met her in the Twelve Kingdoms series. I was so glad to learn more about her.
If you haven’t tried this series, it is one that I will highly recommend. I would also recommend that you start with at least the first book in The Uncharted Realms series, The Pages of the Mind. I would also highly recommend that you try The Twelve Kingdoms series. I don’t think I would it is a requirement for this series, but it does give you more backstory about this world. Not to mention, that it is a great series, too.
Another area of skill I sadly lacked, comforting a weeping woman. I’d never been the hold her hand while she cried kind of friend–I was more there for the phase of “let me help dispose of the body.”
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I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
Not really my type of read but I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Stormi Johnson recently posted…The Week In Review #123
I really love Jeffe Kennedy.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Jepp is kind of awesome! I kind of want to find out how she landed a Prince. Because really, a girl who is better at disposing a body wouldn’t be high on the attraction meter for a guy who is used to meek girls. OH, maybe that’s why *ding*. This series sounds like a great fantasy and romance and I really wish I had room for another series. I’m adding it to my TBR (both series, if you know what I mean) and hoping for the best b/c your review has me really, really intrigued!!!
I know what exactly what you mean. I read reviews and feel the same way. I hope you get a chance to try it sometime.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Sounds like this touches on some interesting social issues. It sounds fun to see Jepp and Kral figure things out even though it’s not an easy road. Great review and this one sounds like a great fantasy series!
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #212
It is probably my favorite fantasy series. There are a few social issues throughout the series. This one was probably the biggest with oppression on women.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Wow, they really do have a lot to get past and that sounds like a great story of her flying on her own and out of her depth as a substitute ambassador. When I get the chance, I’m reading the older series first so I can work my way into these.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Collision of the Heart by Laurie Alice Eakes #SweetDelight
I think that is best, starting with the original series. It is so much fun and gives a lot of back story to this one.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
I think this year will be the year I get into fantasy books and this series is on my TBR. I was happy to see that my library has them all in ebook format. So once I finish a few series I’ve already started I’m going to start this one. Maybe by Spring I can get to it.
Jennifer recently posted…Belle Chasse by Suzanne Johnson
Spring isn’t that far off. I think you would really enjoy this series.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Thanks for the recommendation. I hadn’t heard of this series before.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Review: Krusteaz Cinnamon Swirl Crumb Cake Mix
It is really well written. If you like Fantasy Romance, this is a great series.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
I really want to read about Jepp, and appreciate the advice about what to read. The thought of tackling all those books scared me, but if you loved them too I will add them first.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #247 Adjustments and Appointments Oh My!
I think you would enjoy the sisters of the Twelve Kingdoms too. Such a fun series.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
I’ve never read this author. Is she strictly a fantasy author? I only read a fantasy here or there, just not a favorite for me. Although any paranormal could arguably be called fantasy! Glad you are enjoying these:)
This series does a have a bit of a PNR feel to them. These books aren’t high fantasy. More than light fantasy, though. Jeffe Kennedy does write something other than fantasy, but it is more a contemporary, BDSM. She has some other stuff I haven’t tried yet.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Ha ha, I love that quote at the bottom! Great review for this!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: A Perilous Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn
I loved that quote too. It really sums up Jepp.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
I need to post my review tomorrow 🙂
blodeuedd recently posted…Dark Descendant – Jenna Black
I can’t wait to see your thoughts on it. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
Oh this is one I do want to try and I am so curious about your mysterious curiosity to where the story will lead. Oh you know how to get me. 🙂 The 12 Kingdoms is on my list and I’ll make sure this one and Uncharted Realms #1 is on my wishlist!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Lost Girls by Merrie Destefano
It is such a fun series. I think you’ll enjoy it.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
This series (the combo of the two) is one of my favorites. Jeffe is an incredible storyteller. While in the end I like Jepp and Kral as a couple, it took me a LONG TIME to feel a connection to the pair. The backwardness of Dasnaria and Kral’s determination to see Jepp fit into his world made it hard to want them to be a couple. Great review!
Jen Twimom recently posted…Review: Hooked on Trouble by Kelly Siskind
These two aren’t my favorite couple of the series. That would have to be either Andi or Ursula (if you’re looking at the Twelve Kingdoms). I still really enjoyed this story. I think Kral finally came around in the end. I’m really excited for the next book.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Make Her Howl by Flora Dare (@mlsimmons, @FloraDare, @celiakyle)
The more reviews I read from you about this series (and the one prior to) the more interested I become! The world building seems really well done as does the character development. I’ll have to see if I can find these at my library. I’m glad you enjoyed this installment, Melanie! Oh, and that quote!! That’s funny! 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ Filthy Rich ~ Raine Miller