kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
I quite enjoyed this little story! Little at least compared to the doorstopper of a first book.
I loved meeting Razi, and seeing more of the Gavaro lifestyle.
The "quest" quickly had me hooked, and I was happy to be off to a new adventure!
The one star missing is for how different the "romance", or lack thereof, was written. Fortune's Fool has a romance at the heart, but the two are really pragmatic and straight forward about it. It's one of the very few books that have a central romance, that I really enjoyed.
In this one it almost feels like Kyrra had a brainwash, because she does quite a bit of languishing and pining. She was looking for Arsenault in book one as well, but in a way more active and matter of fact kind of way. This was precisely what made the romance different from all the soul searching, whining, drama sort of romance I usually just can't click with. I am loyal to a fault, slightly autistic, and could really identify with Kyrra and how she handled love. I feel like I lost that a bit in this story, as Boord tried to show more feelings. I didn't think they were missing in book one at all. The two characters just are less likely to agonize about them, and more likely to just deal with things, and meet any problems head on. No drama, just honesty and directness. I loved that.
On the other hand I really enjoyed the way we see her struggling with having to hide her true identity, and being lonely. That part was incredibly well done. It made her feel more rounded, and gave depth to get character.
I also especially enjoyed a scene that was very much pro love people for whom they are.
All in all a really good read, though I hope book two will return *my* Kyrra!
I loved meeting Razi, and seeing more of the Gavaro lifestyle.
The "quest" quickly had me hooked, and I was happy to be off to a new adventure!
The one star missing is for how different the "romance", or lack thereof, was written. Fortune's Fool has a romance at the heart, but the two are really pragmatic and straight forward about it. It's one of the very few books that have a central romance, that I really enjoyed.
In this one it almost feels like Kyrra had a brainwash, because she does quite a bit of languishing and pining. She was looking for Arsenault in book one as well, but in a way more active and matter of fact kind of way. This was precisely what made the romance different from all the soul searching, whining, drama sort of romance I usually just can't click with. I am loyal to a fault, slightly autistic, and could really identify with Kyrra and how she handled love. I feel like I lost that a bit in this story, as Boord tried to show more feelings. I didn't think they were missing in book one at all. The two characters just are less likely to agonize about them, and more likely to just deal with things, and meet any problems head on. No drama, just honesty and directness. I loved that.
On the other hand I really enjoyed the way we see her struggling with having to hide her true identity, and being lonely. That part was incredibly well done. It made her feel more rounded, and gave depth to get character.
I also especially enjoyed a scene that was very much pro love people for whom they are.
"It might make some kind of difference to you, wouldn't it?"
His eyebrow twitched upward in amusement, but his fingers didn't stop. "Logistics, maybe. Not attraction."
I hadn't expected that answer. He laughed at me-not just a chuckle and shook his head. "Why is that so hard to believe? Everybody has their own beauty. Men, women... eunuchs."
All in all a really good read, though I hope book two will return *my* Kyrra!
catsy2022's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emmacatereads's review
5.0
If Kyrra d’Aliente has a thousand fans I am one of them. If Kyrra d’Aliente has ten fans I am one of them. If Kyrra d’Aliente has ONE fan it is ME and I am screaming her name from the rooftops. The Eterean Empire series (currently this standalone novella and the novel, Fortune’s Fool) is the first series I’ve ever read that truly deserves to be labeled as criminally underrated. It is beyond me how Angela Boord’s firecracker series hasn’t picked up steam, being just as complex, emotional, and brilliant as any big name epic fantasy on the scene right now.
Smuggler’s Fortune serves a sly double purpose, being both a treat for existing fans of The Eterean Empire, and a perfect entry point for new readers, neatly lining up the central conflicts and emotional beats that characterize the main story. If you are at all on the fence about the Eterean Empire series and want to learn more about the style, setting, and magic system before diving in, this is a great place to start, clocking in a neat 160 pages compared to the whopping 700 page tome that is Fortune’s Fool.
This novella is a prequel that reveals more information about Kyrra’s escapades between the two timelines from Fortune’s Fool. It is also, however, a deep-dive into one of my favorite minor characters, Razi. Slick and sorrowful in equal measure, I loved learning more about his past and his Qualfan culture. Nibas is also delightful, gruff and loyal to a fault. Their banter was highly entertaining, as was this look into Kyrra's time as a gavaro. I devoured every bit of lore on the magic system and the gods, and clawed and scraped at the Arensault crumbs that Boord coquettishly scattered across the narrative. This series has the making of something truly spectacular, and I'll be shoving this novella into the hands of friends as a carrot on a string tied directly Fortune's Fool for months to come.
Smuggler’s Fortune serves a sly double purpose, being both a treat for existing fans of The Eterean Empire, and a perfect entry point for new readers, neatly lining up the central conflicts and emotional beats that characterize the main story. If you are at all on the fence about the Eterean Empire series and want to learn more about the style, setting, and magic system before diving in, this is a great place to start, clocking in a neat 160 pages compared to the whopping 700 page tome that is Fortune’s Fool.
This novella is a prequel that reveals more information about Kyrra’s escapades between the two timelines from Fortune’s Fool. It is also, however, a deep-dive into one of my favorite minor characters, Razi. Slick and sorrowful in equal measure, I loved learning more about his past and his Qualfan culture. Nibas is also delightful, gruff and loyal to a fault. Their banter was highly entertaining, as was this look into Kyrra's time as a gavaro. I devoured every bit of lore on the magic system and the gods, and clawed and scraped at the Arensault crumbs that Boord coquettishly scattered across the narrative. This series has the making of something truly spectacular, and I'll be shoving this novella into the hands of friends as a carrot on a string tied directly Fortune's Fool for months to come.
_julieboolie's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book was so good! I can’t wait to read her other ones! I love the characters and the plot is engaging.
barb4ry1's review
4.0
4.5/5
Smuggler's Fortune is set in between the past and present narratives of Fortune's Fool. It shows the beginnings of Kyrra and Razi's friendship.
I loved the writing. characterization, pacing and the world. It made me excited for more stories from the world.
* At 170 pages it's rather a short novel but whatever.
Smuggler's Fortune is set in between the past and present narratives of Fortune's Fool. It shows the beginnings of Kyrra and Razi's friendship.
I loved the writing. characterization, pacing and the world. It made me excited for more stories from the world.
* At 170 pages it's rather a short novel but whatever.
clendorie's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I saw the cover of Fortune's Fool, Angela Boord's first novel online and liked it. So, I read the blurb and it seemed to have everything I love: Renaissance-inspired setting, revenge-seeking main-character, scheming nobles... It reminded me of Ash, A Secret History, one of my favorite novel.
Why didn't I start with Fortune's Fool ? It's a chonky book, like 700 pages long, and English is not my main language. I was afraid I would not understand the ramifications of the plot and taint my experience. So, I picked Smuggler's Fortune, a novella starring the same cast as a trial and I loved it.
Even without the background of the first novel, I was immediately immersed in the world. The plot is fun and easy to follow, the world-building is complex with a lot of different cultures and politics in the background but it's so seamlessly integrated that it makes you feel smart when you pick up the threads – and I love feeling smart. The characters are the best part of the story: they're well crafted with clear motivations and past history, their banters are hilarious (I may have search for pictures of weasel and ferret because I was as lost as Razi) and you can't help but want to spend more time with them.
If you hesitate to start with Fortune's Fool because it's a long book, try Smuggler's Fortune. It's a wonderful novel and everyone should read it.
Why didn't I start with Fortune's Fool ? It's a chonky book, like 700 pages long, and English is not my main language. I was afraid I would not understand the ramifications of the plot and taint my experience. So, I picked Smuggler's Fortune, a novella starring the same cast as a trial and I loved it.
Even without the background of the first novel, I was immediately immersed in the world. The plot is fun and easy to follow, the world-building is complex with a lot of different cultures and politics in the background but it's so seamlessly integrated that it makes you feel smart when you pick up the threads – and I love feeling smart. The characters are the best part of the story: they're well crafted with clear motivations and past history, their banters are hilarious (I may have search for pictures of weasel and ferret because I was as lost as Razi) and you can't help but want to spend more time with them.
If you hesitate to start with Fortune's Fool because it's a long book, try Smuggler's Fortune. It's a wonderful novel and everyone should read it.
guenhwyvar's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this. Also, where do I officially sign up for team Ravi?
More...