Throne of Glass meets Black Jewels in this twisted yet alluring dark fantasy tale.Quinn Darkova, freed from the chains of slavery, wants nothing more than vengeance against those who sold her. But with her dark powers on the rise and her ascension nearing, Quinn’s blood retribution will have to wait in favor of her immediate survival. Lazarus Fierté is a nobleman without equal. He’s as … nobleman without equal. He’s as controlling as he is stubborn, and for the last six years he’s been waiting for a woman to appear—but not just any woman. A Maji of great power, capable of terrible things. She could be the key to everything he holds dear.
His savior … or his destroyer.
The only thing he didn’t predict was that she would become both.
Please note, this is a dark fantasy series. There is a heavy romance subplot between two consenting adults but the material is dark in nature. The characters are not heroes. This isn’t a story about saving the day.
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”But Quinn… she wore cruelty like a crown.”
Quinn Darkova is the anti-heroine we’ve all been waiting for. She doesn’t take any sh*t and isn’t apologizing for it. This is one of my MUST READS for 2019. I can’t wait for book 2 to come out… and I’ll be stalking the authors for an early copy when it’s available. The world they built is rich and original, and I couldn’t stop turning the page. Kel Carpenter and Lucy Smoke have created a story that every fantasy lover should read, and then recommend to every person they know.
I loved the descriptive words. The picture forms in your head perfect. On occasion I had to stop and reread it due to likening the description so much. The plot was smooth and enticing. I was constantly questioning what else is going to happen. I loved the characters and the build up/growth of each of them. Overall great read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dark fantasy at its finest. A haunting tale that makes your heart pound and breath catch, even as you beg it not to end. It will grip you tight and hold you spellbound until the very last page.
This is an AMAZING series and I loved every book in it!
I am in love! This story is exceptional. It is hard to find a series with relatable adult content, great character development, outstanding world building, and themes done in a fresh way. Political intrigue, a unique magic system, and deliciously dark characters and themes are all present. Alot of books have good guys and bad guys. I love stories like this one, where the bad guys are good and the good guys are bad. I love this series and can’t wait for more!
This book was so good! When I did have to put it down (bc life) it was all I thought about! I am in love with this series and it’s only the first book! I cannot wait for the next one!!
NEED THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!! Absolutely amazing!! Quinn is so awesome!!
I could NOT put this down. From page one I was hooked. The powers that Quinn and Lazarus have are what make this a dark fantasy but how they use their powers is not always dark. If you’ve ever seen the show Lucifer, it’s kinda like that. Quinn’s power is fear, so she does not fear, but she really is a good person. She doesn’t use her powers selfishly or cruelly, she just tries to protect herself. That isn’t dark, just her powers. But I’ll leave that to you to decide for yourself. This is a must-read, although you might want to wait for the next book to be out… or the whole series to be done. I know I’m chomping at the bit for the next installment and if it’s at all like this one I will be begging for the next book as well.
I just finished reading Fortune Favors the Cruel by Kel Carpenter and Lucy Smoke. Having read books from Kel Carpenter before, I knew going in that I needed free time before I started this book as I would NOT be able to put it down… And this new series did NOT disappoint.
First, let me start with the main female character, Quinn. She is strong in personality and stands firm in her belief system and values. I love this in a character. Someone unwilling to bend and change based on the whims or others.
Insert our main lead, Lazarus. He is also strong and has history leading and expects others to follow… But Quinn doesnt have a subordinate bone in her body. Lazarus is strong and quietly powerful. We know he is a very powerful maji.. but what is his magic? We are kept on the esde of our seat wondering and guessing until the end.
Watching/reading the dynamic of these two, and how it ebs and flows throughout the book, especially as BOTH characters grow and change, keeps you reading.
I can easily picture Quinn’s prior life and what motivates her.
I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I want to know more about who they are as characters and who they will become. What will they do with their powers? Will they rule together? What challenges will they have as their relationship dynamics change? Waiting anxiously for book 2.
Even though I am not familiar with Lucy Smoke, I’ve consistently enjoyed everything I’ve read by Kel Carpenter. No surprise, then, that I rushed to download Fortune Favors the Cruel, the first in a new series (Dark Maji) that they have co-authored. I’m glad I did as this is darn great stuff. I love both Quinn Darkova and Lazarus Fierté, love how their story is woven together, love the great world-building and strong plot that I already know is the start of a great story arc. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
Amazing, breath catching, mesmerizing, darkness and more!!!
This book requires a warning that it causes sleep deprivation. This book just grabbed my attention from the get-go, and I literally couldn’t put it down. Amazing writing from Lucy and Kel, words can’t truly describe. The female MC is extremely strong and has no qualms with embracing her darkness but also revels in it. This story is truly like no other I have ever read and is a definite must read. The twist in the plot always keep you guessing and just pulls you in further. The only disappointing thing about the book is that I have to wait for the second one.
We wished upon a star, now our wish came true because Kel Carpenter & Lucy Smoke got together, put their minds together, hugged it out until they made a baby. That baby is now known as The Dark Maji series.
FFtC is such a captivating book that you won’t want it to end, but unfortunately parents need a little breather before they can finish the job. But, I know I will wait for them until I get book 2 & on.
I really enjoyed this book, both main characters have their flaws, Quinn does not trust easily and Lazerus has his own past. I love how the book has been written, with mystery, darkness and with heart. I found the story to be interesting and captivating and I cannot wait for book two
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Quinn’s character is so untrusting, couragous, and unknown that you honestly do not know how to precieve her. I love her character. Lazarus is another of those inigmas. He is such a mystery that it creates a book that is so great that it is hard to put down. Quinn and Lazarus together make for a great adventure, mystery, and an awesome read. I honestly can not wait to see what book 2 has in store for these characters.
This book pulls you in from the first chapter. Quinn is a very quick witted and strong willed women with a dark side. While Lazarus more of the strong and silent type but he definitely has a dark side he is just better at hiding it. And boy oh boy will you be wanting to know what his power is(it was driving me bonkers). You will stay on the edge of your seat with all the twist and turners the authors put in this story. Wit is top notch with the perfect punch of snark. This is a dark fantasy so there are dark elements, but who don’t have some evil in them. You will love all these characters with all there different traits just like a mix matched family quilt. I have been left wanting more and sadly have to wait for the next one, can’t come soon enough.
This book is captivating! All the characters are intriguing. The relationship between the main two characters are unique and question each other’s motivations. Well worth reading! Can’t wait to see what book 2 holds!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I knew when Kel and Lucy got together there would be greatness! I was not disappointed!
I found myself trying to guess who wrote which parts too.
I love the journey Quinn is taking to figure herself out and how she fits into the grand scheme of things. I am intrigued and drawn in fully. And that ending! When it all just, and then she was, and then he was all and she went all. Whoa.
So impatiently patiently waiting for book two.
This may possibly be one of the best books I have ever read. Once I started I couldn’t put it down until I was done! I finished it in one day! Kel and Lucy are amazing authors on their own, but when you put them together its a site to behold. Quinn is so dark but such a badass! And Lazarus is the type of character that you love but almost hate too. Absolutely amazing! I can’t wait for the next book!
This is a great start to the series. Compelling characters and a strong plot kept me riveted. Can’t wait to read the next book! Recommended for fans of the genre.
This book is based on a variation of the quest so common in the fantasy genre. The difference is that Lazarus has assembled his team (Dominicus, Lorraine, Draeven, and Quinn) and they are all dark mages. Quinn is the central character, and she is a fear twister. She can sense people’s darkest fears and use the resulting nightmares as weapons. Lazarus is trying to become king when the current King dies, and Quinn is going to be his principal weapon. Lazarus calls his cohort “vassals” and treats them accordingly. At times it was difficult to wrap my head around what was going on as the book’s concepts were original. I found myself going back to reread passages for clarity.
Female anti-hero meets her match? Yes, please! Smouldering dark fantasy and toe-curling romantic suspense come head-to-head in Fortune Favors the Cruel with delicious results.