Some will try to trap her in hopes of harnessing her dark power.Others will seek to end her, deeming it too terrible to risk.In the end, he will destroy them all—because Quinn is his weapon, and he plans to keep it that way.Lazarus was warned that Quinn’s power might be too great, even for him, but nothing prepared him for the truth of it until she held a dagger over him, and he was powerless to … held a dagger over him, and he was powerless to stop it. Now at odds with himself, the future king of Norcasta must find a way to regain control of his house and secure an alliance with the Pirate Queen…before fate tips its hand once more, and his carefully laid plans are led astray.
Quinn’s loyalty is not easily won, but Lazarus has managed to do it. Now the vassal and right-hand of Lord Fierté, Quinn seeks to gain him an alliance with Ilvas all the while challenging him at every turn. With the Cisean tribes won over, and the blood heirs behind them, Quinn expects this to be an easy task, but soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies.
Forced to gamble with her life—and the lives of her comrades—Quinn must make a choice that will either save or doom them all.
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“Curiosity is the bane of secrets.” – Quinn Darkova
The second book in the Dark Maji series and it was just as gripping and action-packed as the first one. I read it in one sitting and then begged for more. If you like your books with dangerous women who don’t take shit and revel in their dark side, this series is for you! It’s made it’s way into my top five favorite series of all time! Kel Carpenter & Lucy Smoke knocked this one out of the park!
This series just keeps getting better! Blessed Be the Wicked is as fantastic, if not more so, than Fortune Favors the Cruel. In this book you learn more about Quinn (yay!) and follow the Fierte House as they travel. Great action, hints of steaminess, and fascinating magic!!
Blessed be the Wicked (Dark Maji Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Kel Carpenter
Warriors, pirate queens and Princess Bride references are only three reasons to love this book. The sensual darkness bears more than a resemblance to Tanith Lee’s most beguiling works.
Lazarus, a future king, and his vassals, including Quinn – the fear twister, are in the fortress of the Pirate Queen, seeking an audience when a murder takes place. A murder occurs – one that someone has framed Quinn for. Hi-jinks and battles take place.
The story, and much of what takes place, is clearly influenced not only by Goldman’s masterpiece, but , I believe, the life of Grace O’Malley, Ireland’s Pirate Queen.
Ms. Carpenter’s writing is lush and dark, like the best Turkish coffee. Only a little sweet and a lot bitter, the story wraps around the reader like Neiss, the spirit snake that is part of Quinn.
Ms. Carpenter throws red herrings, perhaps her version of Mardi Gras Beads.
Detailed descriptions embroider the tale into the most amazing tapestry of a story.
Newer characters, such as the Pirate Queen and her court don’t draw too much attention away from the ongoing conflict between Quinn and Lazarus as they fight their way in and out of attractions.
Quinn and Lazarus dominate the narration with limited third person points of view. The tone of the writing shifts perfectly from one character to the other, provided by distinct ‘voices’. Quinn and Lazarus and the rest of Lazarus’s vassals could easily be cardboard cut outs of broken people. Instead, they are filled with real trauma. The writing is crisp.
I’d like to say more, but I’m already about a quarter of the way through the next book
5 stars out of 5
https://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Wicked-Dark-Maji-Book-ebook/dp/B07RBWP4QN/
It seems impossible, but this book is even better than the first one! The romantic suspense is ratcheted up even higher, and the action and plot twists will leave you listening (or turning the pages) well into the night! This series is quickly becoming a favorite.
Wow, what a fantastic read. This book has everything that you need to make a great read. It moves along at a great pace, has amazing characters that you can not help but fall in love with and that you want to know more about and a story that will capture you from the very beginning and not let you go until the end. A story that will take you away to another reality for awhile and you can forget about everything else. This is a must read book, you will not be sorry that you did.
Blessed Be the Wicked by Lucy Smoke is a wonderful story to read. This is book number two in this wonderful series and a brand new author for me to read and loved reading this story very much. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loved reading about fantasy in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Im loving the twists and turns in this series so far. Quinn is growing and so is her powers and it’s a bad ass site to behold. I cant wait for the 3rd book to come out and unravel even more of the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quinn’s feelings and emotions are high in this book. I love Quinn and how she deals with stress. She is developing her self and that in and of itself is great. She is learning who she is. She is also trying to figure out her relationship with Lazarus and where they stand. His vassals have become her people, her family. She loves them and never expected to care so much about them. This story is amazing. I can not wait to read book 3.
Wow the second book in the series and Quinn is coming into her own! Her and Lazarus’s journey takes them onward where they meet some new faces and things are not as they seem! Full of intrigue and drama this series is seriously addicting and I am so hooked, an out of this world read!!
I’m absolutely in love with this world, I love how they don’t apologize for being themselves or hate themselves for their own natures. This book does have violence and a little bit of heat nothing to crazy but would recommend like 17 and up. I highly recommend this book and series, totally worth the money.
Wicked temptation
This just keeps getting better and better. Lucy and Kel have created the best dark fantasy that is addictive beyond belief, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book. Quinn’s character is kick ass and the chemistry between her and Lazarus is so…… I can’t even find the words. Bring on book three.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*Spoilers*
This book we join Quinn and her party as they seek an alliance with the Pirate Queen. As to be expected nothing is ever easy as Quinn is suspected of trying to kill the queen. Will they discover who is at the source of this misfortune or will rhis spell disaster for the next in line to the throne?
Book one in this series was awesome and book two was just as good. Full of action and suspense to keep you on your toes. These two authors on their own and amazing but the two of them together, magical. And that ending! I’m desperately in need of book three.
As the future king of Norcasta Lazarus has the blood heirs against him. The Dark Prince is creating an alliance and has secured the allegiance of Thorne and the Cisean Tribes and is now has arrived in Ilvas to broker an alliance with the Pirate Queen Imogen. Not an easy task. Arriving under attack with wounded and at the beginning of a holiday, Lazarus is forced to wait for an audience with the Queen. Time that they do not have. Time for Quinn to find trouble. Time for the souls beneath his skin to become more unsettled vying for power.
Please know up front that this is not my type of story. Described as Throne of Glass meets Black Jewels in this twisted yet alluring epic fantasy tale may mean something to others but I have never even heard of these. So when I begin each book it takes me a minute to get involved. However, Lucy Smoke and Kel Carpenter have created such a well-written dark fantasy that I can’t help but be drawn in. Lazarus, Draeven, Vaughn, and Dominicus are all impressive men but this book is ruled by the women. Imogen is a pirate through and through masquerading as a Queen. She is not one to be taken lightly. Lorraine has taken on a mother like quality full of advice and comforting support. Axe is an uncontrollable urchin. Powerful; headstrong, unpredictable, full of potential and mischief. Finally, Quinn is such a compelling character. Fully ascended, her powers are growing and her vessel Neiss gives her yet another weapon. She is predicted to be the savior or destruction of Lazarus. Her loyalty is not in question but the temptation she provides pushes the Dark Prince to his limits.
This book is quite an adventure. It was full of action and suspense, intrigue and subterfuge. Lazarus and Quinn have a tension-filled relationship that keeps you on edge. I find myself holding my breath during their scenes wondering if this is the moment the world explodes. Cisea was good, Ilvas was great but N’Skara is the destination I have most anticipated. I want Quinn’s story. The few tantalizing tidbits she’s shared have me dreaming of her homecoming. The visions are enticing. Their reception will be unwelcome. It’s hard to imagine any negotiations not done at the point of a weapon. It’s impossible to believe that Quinn won’t succeed at obtaining what she and Lazarus both desire. I look forward to the little fear twister/ she-wolf/ white rakasa bringing those who fear her, those who sold her to their knees.
These lady’s have a way of making you love, the wicked, cruel, and darkness in their characters. You cant help but be in their side and love what makes them bad. Of course this book has more secrets lurking in the shadows and the threat to their lifes is far from over. The pirate queen does not disappoint in being everything a pirate queen should be, strong, sneaky, and resilient. Lazarus is really put to the test with having to take a back seat and let someone else handle things. As for Quinn she just cant seem to keep herself out of trouble especially with a fiery redhead push her buttons. Last but not least the lady cant tie it in a nice bow for you it has to stop right in the middle of something because they are just as wicked as their characters
I didn’t know what to expect with this one, but I couldn’t stop reading Blessed Be the Wicked. This was one hell of an adventure. From court intrigue, attempted assassinations, a bit of jealous rivalry, and of coarse that slow-burn forbidden dark romance, this book will keep you entertained. I’m looking forward to the next in series! Can’t wait to find out what Lazarus’ plan really entails, and why he is holding himself back from Quinn. Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am so in love with how this book turned out! Lucy and Kel hit it right on the mark! Taking up right where was left off, they took up Quinns badassness another level while also starting to show some of her emotion. I can not wait for the next book and how Quinn and Lazarus’s story will play out and how all of this comes together in the end!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
With the Cisean tribe as an alliance to the House of Lazarus Fierte, will Laz & Quinn be able to secure the alliance of Ilvas? Once again, Laz is this close to securing them as an alliance but it’s Quinn who ultimately saves the day so to speak. New characters are introduced as Lazarus & his vessals are in Ilvas, when a few friends are made, there will also be a few foes made. After finishing Blessed by the Wicked & with how it ended, book 3 Twisted is the Crown is much anticipated especially when they set sat sail to N’Saka, Quinn’s homeland where she would much rather get much needed revenge than play nice.
I’m in awe with the restraint of Laz & Quinn when they’re in a room together because you don’t know whether or not they want a fight that ends with blood or be in a fight that ends with a hug. I would have liked more interaction between Neiss & Quinn (I know Neiss pops up when Quinn is in trouble) and Vaughn & she-wolf Quinn. I love how Axe was introduced & the interaction between herself and Quinn, it looks like Quinn has acquired herself an annoying & irritating little friend/shadow.
Quinn is learning more and more what lies beneath the secrets around her, and is always as clever to keep hers hidden as well.
She’s thrust into a land of pirates and comes out the other side smiling. Stronger. Her relationships with Lazarus is also more twisting, dark and fun.
Book three is going to be amazing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quinn is hands down one of the most bad ass characters ever! BBTW was the perfect follow up to FFTC! Every time I thought I’d figured out what was going to happen next Kel and Lucy surprised me. I am immediately going to have to reread this book. It was just THAT good. The chemistry between Lazarus and Quinn is insane. After that ending, I’m going to need book 3 ASAP!
“There was a thrill in playing these games with her, and even if he couldn’t have what he wanted, he wondered if he’d ever truly be able to give this up” – Blessed Be The Wicked