Beneath the Surface

The Emperor's Edge, Book 5.5

By: Lindsay Buroker

Narrated by: Vivienne Leheny

All Sergeant Evrial Yara wanted was to protect the young emperor from those plotting to kill him. Joining forces with a group of notorious outlaws wasn’t part of the plan, especially not when one of them is determined to charm her out of her uniform at every turn. Working with the criminals might have been worth it if their efforts had saved the emperor, but it seems he’s not the rightful heir to the throne...Evrial may have thrown away her career for nothing.

To make matters worse, fate isn’t going to give her time to calmly decide what to do next. While she’s traveling back to the capital with Amaranthe Lokdon and the rest of the outlaws, Evrial uncovers artifacts that have been smuggled aboard their steamboat. They’re deadly enough to threaten the entire city, perhaps the entire empire. Oh, and they could kill everybody on board the boat too. These scenarios just weren’t discussed in the Enforcer Academy.

©2013 Lindsay Buroker (P)2019 Lindsay Buroker

Pretty Good

This is a great middle of a series book. Lindsay Buroker keeps the action that is well loved with The Emperor’s Edge gang. I am so grateful that the “night time adventures” are still tastefully done. I was worried that as the characters strengthened their relationships, I would have to turn it off. But I didn’t!
Unfortunately the narrator is a little too monotone for my liking. There are times when it’s difficult to tell which male character is talking, because they have the same sound.
Overall, I’m still excited to listen to the next book and see where it takes me.



This series is for young adults to not so young adults that enjoy fictional adventures.

Interesting story

Easy to listen to not as much intrigue as the other books in the series.

Don't skip this one

This was absolutely a contuation if the story line. The story is getting better with every book.

An integral part of the series.

Having read this series in its entirety a few times, I thought I would quite happily skip using a credit on the audio of this one, as it is only a novella. But as I moved on to Forged in Blood Part I, I realised that Book 5.5 is actually pretty important - the events in it are referred to often enough in Book 6 that it pays not to miss them. Aaaand, if you've been waiting for some romantic hook-ups amongst some of the characters, you will find some of that here. At least enough to see you through to the real deal at a later date in the series. I initially didn't like this reader as much as Starla, but she's grown on me, and I quite enjoy her performance.

Just as good as the first one

Love the characters and cast, the Adventures they get into and sure hope Buroker has more plans for this series.

A fun, exciting adventure

The narration is excellent, transporting me right into the story which I didn't want to leave. Another fun, fast-paced exciting adventure with a delightful cast of characters!

I love that these are available in audio!

I've had my gripes about the voice actor's portrayal of Akster and Maldynado, but it has shifted a bit and I'm finding it all much more enjoyable. Otherwise the voice acting is great. I've long enjoyed the stories - they're comfort food reading!

Great Writing and Presentation!!

The stories are so well written and read so effortlessly that you feel like you are there!!!

Can’t Get Enough of THIS Series!

Omgosh! This is such a good series. The characters and the plots put you on the edge of your seat. The repartee between the characters and their feelings for each other are warm and at times touching. I have really been enjoying the series and I’m looking forward to the next book! I highly recommend it!

The whole story is riveting and impossible to put down … off to read the next book in the on going saga!

I m a fan of the whole encompassing place my mind goes to when the graphic description carves out the minds eye pictures of the scenes in the story.