Lindsay Buroker: The Emperor’s Edge (2010, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform)
Published Nov. 11, 2010 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
An enforcer wanted dead for crimes she didn’t commit... An assassin wanted dead for crimes he did commit…
Normally, they would be enemies, but they both seek the same thing: exoneration.
Unfortunately, a nefarious underground organization is attempting to kill the one man who could grant it to them, the emperor. If they want to win their freedom, they’ll have to battle powerful wizards, outscheme master schemers, and defeat bloodthirsty monsters, all while dodging friendly fire and evading the law. Exoneration isn’t easy.
Didn't rush out for the second book in the series, but I probably will read it at some point. I enjoyed this.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced read, and its very resourceful protagonist, Amaranthe Lokdon, one of the few female "enforcers" (imperial police) in this alt-history novel.
At least in this first book in Buroker's series, it isn't clear if this is an alternate-history Roman Empire that never fell, with name drift over the centuries, or if it is a totally different world. But it's essentially late-19th century tech except for no electricity yet discovered. Some blurbs use the "steampunk" label, but it's not classic steampunk, and there's something else as tech besides steam-powered goodies. As River Song would say, "Spoilers!"
