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Encrypted #1.5
Enigma
After surviving ancient booby traps, deadly puzzles, and torture-happy imperial marines, cryptanalyst Tikaya Komitopis can’t wait to return home, even if that means explaining to her family how she came to love Fleet Admiral Rias Starcrest, the empire’s most notorious commander and the man responsible for the decimation of her people during the war.
Tikaya and Rias believe they’ll have several calm weeks at sea to mull over the problem of irate citizens and horrified parents, but the ship they board is on the run. The captain has acquired a mysterious stolen artifact� and the owners want it back. When he learns of Tikaya’s background, he urges her to decode its secrets, implying her life—and everyone else’s—might be forfeit if she fails.
Engima is a 15,000-word short story set after the events in Encrypted.
Tikaya and Rias believe they’ll have several calm weeks at sea to mull over the problem of irate citizens and horrified parents, but the ship they board is on the run. The captain has acquired a mysterious stolen artifact� and the owners want it back. When he learns of Tikaya’s background, he urges her to decode its secrets, implying her life—and everyone else’s—might be forfeit if she fails.
Engima is a 15,000-word short story set after the events in Encrypted.
48 pages, ebook
First published November 5, 2012
122 people are currently reading
423 people want to read
About the author
Lindsay Buroker
190Ìýbooks6,002ÌýfollowersI'm a full-time indie fantasy and science fiction author. When I'm not writing, I'm ferrying my dogs to hiking trails for adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 7, 2016
Short, but good.
December 3, 2023
This short instalment was fine, I liked seeing Rias and Tikaya again, causing trouble as usual. I enjoyed the premise of this story although I’m not entirely sure it was necessary. Nonetheless, I shall never complain about seeing these characters. I especially enjoyed the interactions between Rias and the Nurian boy.
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November 21, 2017An interesting little tale, but I didn't quite see the point of it, series-wise. I'm just not as fond of Tikaya as I'd like to be.
January 17, 2019
meh you can probably skip this one. I wouldn't even call this a novella because it's less than 50 pages and nothing reeeallly happens
October 8, 2014
Dnf at 65%.
I tried, I really tried here but I just didn’t manage to find any interest whatsoever in this short story. The whole thing simply feels meh. Little happens and the interaction between the characters is just boring. I have to say that this series seriously lacks the fun & excitement of The Emperor’s Edge. I have already bought Decrypted so I guess I’ll give it a try but I’m not exactly overjoyed at the prospect.
The only reason I’m giving Enigma a two-star rating is because it was written by Buroker, whose Emperor’s Edge series I love. Had it not been the case, I probably would only have given it one star.
I tried, I really tried here but I just didn’t manage to find any interest whatsoever in this short story. The whole thing simply feels meh. Little happens and the interaction between the characters is just boring. I have to say that this series seriously lacks the fun & excitement of The Emperor’s Edge. I have already bought Decrypted so I guess I’ll give it a try but I’m not exactly overjoyed at the prospect.
The only reason I’m giving Enigma a two-star rating is because it was written by Buroker, whose Emperor’s Edge series I love. Had it not been the case, I probably would only have given it one star.
May 31, 2013
Superb as always. The Encrypted universe (not only as predecessor to the Emperor's Edge novels) is an all-time favorite.
Two smart heroes, believable action, witty banter... the only qualms I have with this short story is that it makes waiting for Encrypted's sequel all the more difficult.
Anyway, if you liked Encrypted, you definitely won't want to miss Enigma.
Two smart heroes, believable action, witty banter... the only qualms I have with this short story is that it makes waiting for Encrypted's sequel all the more difficult.
Anyway, if you liked Encrypted, you definitely won't want to miss Enigma.
May 30, 2013
Short and sweet, what more can I say.
July 11, 2013
Lindsay Buroker has a knack for writing amazing short stories that bridge the gap between books that you didn't even know needed it. This was one such story, very much worth a read!
July 25, 2018
This was a neat little in-between story of the Forgotten Ages series. It gives a bit of Nurian history/background, which I found helpful to the overall image of the Emperor's Edge world.
August 5, 2024
I’m going to have to start keeping my own character map for all these bitches.
May 5, 2019
Tikaya and Rias board a ship to head back to her home island. She’s eager but nervous about introducing him to her family given � well his � pretty much everything.
They are both working for their passage and Rias is his useful over competent self. But the ship is being chased and when the captain realises Tikaya is good with puzzles, he asks her to work out how to use one of the supposedly magic Nurian flutes. If played correctly, they can influence others and even calm an army. The newest cabin boy paid for his passage with it. How he even got the thing is anyone’s guess. But then again, Rias has always been good at guessing right.
3 stars
They are both working for their passage and Rias is his useful over competent self. But the ship is being chased and when the captain realises Tikaya is good with puzzles, he asks her to work out how to use one of the supposedly magic Nurian flutes. If played correctly, they can influence others and even calm an army. The newest cabin boy paid for his passage with it. How he even got the thing is anyone’s guess. But then again, Rias has always been good at guessing right.
3 stars
July 15, 2024
I listened to this, so forgive the misspellings of names.
Tikaya and Ryus have made it to a port and found a ship to work on in exchange for passage out of the Empire. Ryus is put to work as a deckhand, Tikaya is given an instrument to analyze that sounds amazing - a magical flute with different segments. Find the right combination of patterns and the flute can control how others think.
But the Nurians are also looking for the flute, and give chase.
I like the youth Garchi. I was kind of sad he didn’t join Ryus and Tikaya for future adventures. This was a (very) short story and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
Tikaya and Ryus have made it to a port and found a ship to work on in exchange for passage out of the Empire. Ryus is put to work as a deckhand, Tikaya is given an instrument to analyze that sounds amazing - a magical flute with different segments. Find the right combination of patterns and the flute can control how others think.
But the Nurians are also looking for the flute, and give chase.
I like the youth Garchi. I was kind of sad he didn’t join Ryus and Tikaya for future adventures. This was a (very) short story and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
August 30, 2023
Tikaya and Rias certainly expected an uneventful journey to the island where she grew up.
However, who could have guessed that the captain of the vessel they travelled, would be holding a stolen artifact.
Or is it stolen?
And why would their vessel be followed by three huge wartime vessels?
Enigma is well titled as this mystery unfolds into something that might very well turn out to be the start of a war.
Or will it?
Enjoy.
However, who could have guessed that the captain of the vessel they travelled, would be holding a stolen artifact.
Or is it stolen?
And why would their vessel be followed by three huge wartime vessels?
Enigma is well titled as this mystery unfolds into something that might very well turn out to be the start of a war.
Or will it?
Enjoy.
May 11, 2024
This was a quick read, further developing the quirky characters of the first book.
Kyattanese people seem rather nerdy, classified by the pirates as overachievers.
Then there’s the warrior Turgonian people-big and bold.
Garchee the Nurian was a mysterious youth. The Enigma flute he brought aboard could be dangerous or valuable�
Interesting � how Buroker dropped a little clue then Rias figured out Garchee’s true identity.
I like Buroker’s writing style a lot.
Kyattanese people seem rather nerdy, classified by the pirates as overachievers.
Then there’s the warrior Turgonian people-big and bold.
Garchee the Nurian was a mysterious youth. The Enigma flute he brought aboard could be dangerous or valuable�
Interesting � how Buroker dropped a little clue then Rias figured out Garchee’s true identity.
I like Buroker’s writing style a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2017
I am a fan of the Emperor's Edge Series. I thought Encrypted was ok.
This is a short story which reminded me of Ice Breaker, probably because pretty much all the action takes place on a ship.
The main characters are a little more settled in their roles and I found them growing on me.
Looking forward to the next story.
This is a short story which reminded me of Ice Breaker, probably because pretty much all the action takes place on a ship.
The main characters are a little more settled in their roles and I found them growing on me.
Looking forward to the next story.
July 29, 2022
Love her boojs
Lindsey books engage the reader from page 1. I am pretty sure I have read all of her books and enjoyed everyone.This book, or should I say short story , was another great read. The reason for 3 stars is due to my dislike for short stories and does not reflect on the author
Lindsey books engage the reader from page 1. I am pretty sure I have read all of her books and enjoyed everyone.This book, or should I say short story , was another great read. The reason for 3 stars is due to my dislike for short stories and does not reflect on the author
February 9, 2024
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible)
Our two intrepid misfitscontinue their journey away from the frozen caverns of the north.
Using their normal aplomb, they negotiated passage on a sailing ship. As usual, there's drama afoot before their voyage ends.
Our two intrepid misfitscontinue their journey away from the frozen caverns of the north.
Using their normal aplomb, they negotiated passage on a sailing ship. As usual, there's drama afoot before their voyage ends.
June 17, 2017
Nice short in-between books story. It follows on the heels of book 1 and was a nice piece of supplementary content. It didn't really make me love the characters more or less, but it did give a little more insight into the world.
July 30, 2017
This is a good story --- just long enough to sink your teeth into. I suspect it would have been five stars if I hadn't spent the whole time trying to remember who the main characters were since I read book one four months ago.
October 9, 2018
I love these books, I always laugh when reading and this story was full of humour.
Well written and great plot. Admiral Starcrest is an interesting as well as humourous character. He and Tikaya always seem to end up in hot water with clever solutions.
Well written and great plot. Admiral Starcrest is an interesting as well as humourous character. He and Tikaya always seem to end up in hot water with clever solutions.
March 25, 2019
A bit short. I read the first book as part of the "Beginnings" boxset and then realised I had already downloaded (and bought) Forgotten Ages boxset!! A doh monent.
Reading this stand alone. The next book as Forgotten Ages!!!
Reading this stand alone. The next book as Forgotten Ages!!!
December 17, 2020
This was a short story in the Forgotten Ages series. I love both Tikaya and Rias and they are still delightful in this tale although since it is so short we don't get to spend a ton of time with them. I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
February 5, 2021
Great
Like all of Buroker's novel it was intensely satisfying. Adventure and relationship. Never does romance overshadow the adventure. It just a natural occurrence of two people that find each other very interesting
Like all of Buroker's novel it was intensely satisfying. Adventure and relationship. Never does romance overshadow the adventure. It just a natural occurrence of two people that find each other very interesting
September 24, 2021
A short novella just enough to wet your whistle.
Yes, my whistle became easier to use after reading this novella. It was short and fast paced. Just right for an in between book in the series. It moved the plot along just enough to keep your interest and move you into the next book. Loved it.
Yes, my whistle became easier to use after reading this novella. It was short and fast paced. Just right for an in between book in the series. It moved the plot along just enough to keep your interest and move you into the next book. Loved it.
April 6, 2022
The book ended far too fast!
It was very cute, and a we wonderful way to introduce a key character in the next series. The two main characters are beautifully & consistenlly well-drawn.
It was very cute, and a we wonderful way to introduce a key character in the next series. The two main characters are beautifully & consistenlly well-drawn.
May 15, 2023
Another nice read if a bit short
I understand this was a short story tucked in, but it could have had a bit more substance.. I enjoyed it but felt let down when it wrapped up so quickly.
I understand this was a short story tucked in, but it could have had a bit more substance.. I enjoyed it but felt let down when it wrapped up so quickly.
March 18, 2024
While only a few pages between volume 1 and volume 2, this short story has quite a bit to say about Rais and Tikaya that gives a better understanding of the growing love and respect for these two. It also adds a bit of knowledge as to each of their characters and their strengths.
May 31, 2017
Good read
A good read and interesting story but was very short would have liked it to be a bit longer if possible
A good read and interesting story but was very short would have liked it to be a bit longer if possible
January 14, 2018
How much trouble can be had in 3 days? *Famous last words*
June 3, 2018
Quick but enjoyable
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