Poisoned Blade by Kate Elliot is the highly anticipated sequel of The Court of Fives, and in honesty, it is just as good or even better. However, one may get a tad bit miffed with the many convoluted subplots that just kept on going, even towards the end. I admit, I was one of them. Yet, after some thought, I like it. It created an atmosphere and plot line that relates to everything and kept the story going. True, it can be very simply reasoned and present itself as one of those "filler (middle) book to a trilogy." No. It did not just give me a filler, it gave me adventure and lots of twists that makes you feel the excitement as you crave to start book 3.  

Poisoned Blade came very late to my doorstep for this tour and I was quite anxious in not able to finish and review in time. As you can see, I made it, and that's because I was quite absorb from the beginning. By a little past midpoint, there were so many times I want to scream at poor Jes. What happened to her?!! Her stubbornness is to much at times to the point that it didn't make any sense. The relationship throughout this story, from The Court of Fives to Poisoned Blade are the center of this series. It brings to light the reasons and the emotions behind it all, including betrayals that can make or break this story. Yet, the author does a good job in giving us emotions and reasons that balance without turning it into a irreversible battle. The outcome may be for the better.  

If you haven't read The Court of Fives, do so first before starting Poisoned Blade. Filled with action, wit and stratagem to fight and win, this is a series to read and revisit.

And by the way, I was pleasantly surprised by some signed bookmarks of The Court of Five series in the book. Thank you, Kate Elliot and Little Brown I'd be happy to share it with the first 2 that leaves a comment with their email address (using AT & DOT to avoid spammers), telling me they would like one. 

NOTE:  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.  All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

Kate Elliott has been writing stories since she was nine years old, which has led her to believe that writing, like breathing, keeps her alive. As a child in rural Oregon, she made up stories because she longed to escape to a world of lurid adventure fiction. She now writes fantasy, steampunk, science fiction, and YA, including recent works Black Wolves, Court of Fives, and Cold Magic.

It should come as no surprise that she met her future husband in a sword fight. When he gave up police work to study archaeology, they and their three children fell into an entirely new set of adventures amid dusty Mexican ruins and mouthwatering European pastry shops. Eventually her spouse’s work forced them to move to Hawaii, where she took up outrigger canoe paddling. With the three children out of the house, they now spoil the schnauzer.