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Dorina Basarab #7
Fortune's Blade
Dory and Dorina Basarab were once one person, albeit an unusual one. They were a dhampir–the hated cross between a human and a vampire that is reviled and feared in both circles. But the human and vampire parts of their nature were recently torn apart by a fey weapon, and now, for the first time in five centuries, they are two separate people.
And one of them is being hunted.
Dory and her husband, the vampire senator Louis-Cesare, brave the strange and often deadly world of Faerie looking for her other half. But even finding her proves difficult, and despite their skill and abilities, they struggle to stay alive. And then struggle again with the secrets about their family that their search uncovers–secrets that may give them a fighting chance in the war they are waging against ancient gods, or may end up destroying two worlds.
And one of them is being hunted.
Dory and her husband, the vampire senator Louis-Cesare, brave the strange and often deadly world of Faerie looking for her other half. But even finding her proves difficult, and despite their skill and abilities, they struggle to stay alive. And then struggle again with the secrets about their family that their search uncovers–secrets that may give them a fighting chance in the war they are waging against ancient gods, or may end up destroying two worlds.
488 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2024
About the author
Karen Chance
58 books5,204 followersKaren Chance is the author of two New York Times bestselling series, plus a number of novellas and short stories, all set in the Cassandra Palmer universe. A full-time writer since 2008, she was previously a university history teacher, which comes in handy when writing the time-travel aspect of Cassie’s crazy adventures. She loves Las Vegas, the main setting for her novels, but currently lives in Florida near her family home. Visit her website or connect with her on Facebook here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 29, 2024
Mircea, the father I loved and distrusted in equal measure — could he be sincere this time. Or was this just another game?The amount of lines, paragraphs, whole chapters, entire multiple-book-long arcs that have covered this sentiment in Chance’s nearly twenty books is diabolical.
What’s even worse is that the answer is always the same.
Yes, Mircea cares. He cares in his specifically overbearing and manipulative way of his. I need this series to move on from this conflict. This universe’s Mircea problem is a little ridiculous at this point. Every protagonist has been unforgivably victimised by him in some way — and he’s always forgiven. There’s a discussion between Mircea and Cassie here about if the mother of Dory and Dorina will ever forgive him, too.
Trust me: she will.
Fortune’s Blade is our first, extensive foray into Faerie in Dory’s series, and the results are largely disappointing. I thought the dual-perspectives of Dory and Dorina might shake up the storytelling, but we just get the same harried scrambling through action sequences that go on far longer than they should. Often multiple chapters of “and then, and then, and THEN,” and while Chance’s flourish and spectacle have been one of the major selling points, her characters always came first in my opinion.
To recap, then, Zeus wanted to use Dorina, Aeslinn and his puppet Steen wanted to kill her, and if she got to the portal before either of those things happened, whatever was on the other side might be even worse.Which is why I struggled with this instalment. Aside from reiterating the sense of loss both Dory and Dorina have without the other, and then having someone give them a pep-talk, there isn’t much else here.
I also found Dorina and Ray’s build-up and romance here lacking, which is baffling to me. After pairings like Cassie and Pritkin, and Dory and Louis-Cesare, it didn’t even occur to me to worry about the romance in this book. I was fairly confident if all else disappoints, that wouldn’t. This might have something to do with actually not realising Chance was setting up a romance between them until Dorina’s first chapter in Fortune’s Blade where Ray lays it on thick, to Marlowe’s amusement. And maybe Ray’s relationship with Dory colouring my view of their connection in the last instalment.
Either way, we didn’t even have Dory and Louis-Cesare to fall back on: they were too busy either fighting, fleeing or grievously injured to do much more than pass exposition between each other. And that’s only when one could hear the other. Unfortunately, the story itself isn't terribly engaging either.
My disinterest in the dragon-palooza is due to it not being tethered to any one particularly compelling character or idea, even. It’s not enough to state over and over how important this and that alliance is — or how threatening someone else is, either — I need to appreciate it before everything goes to hell.
This isn’t helped by the action feeling extremely passive. The only time I actually connected with an action scene is when Dory finally killed Steen with Louis-Cesare’s help. It reminded me of when she tore her way through the body of one of those monstrous birds at the end of Midnight’s Daughter. The violence was a desperate, furious reaction to a personal threat, rather than the continuous and borderline impersonal threats that plague this book.
On a completely different note, when Louis-Cesare and Dory stumble on a naked Ray and a naked (and seemingly drugged) Dorina, the fact that their minds so quickly and definitively go to thinking Ray drugged and raped her is alarming.
The book ends with Mircea, Dorina and their mother lost in another world and Dory determined to find them. As far as cliffhangers go, its a decent one, but I just hope Chance can find a better balance between spectacle and character by then.
August 4, 2024
Muy bueno este. Se paladea el fin del universo, aunque aún queda encontrar el portal que lleve al mundo de los dioses para cargárselos en su propio universo a ver si dejan de dar la tabarra.
Pero teniendo en cuenta que están liando la que están liando porque su mundo, bellísimo, ya no tiene nada que los alimente y están desesperados por el hambre, no sé yo si ir ahí, no será tanto como ofrecerse de pinchos morunos ante un montón de dioses enloquecidos de hambre, sobre todo para el demonio que irá con ellos, que será todo un manjar, dado su gran poder.
Y bueno, el portal que se cerró del todo dejando en otro universo a la mitad de los protagonistas que no pueden volver ni contactar, también es un ligero problemilla, ahora que lo pienso.
Pero vamos, se alcanza a vislumbrar ante nosotros, el próximo final de estas 2 estupendas sagas en crossover.
De momento, no me queda otra que esperar a la muy próxima salida del siguiente (que será en la saga de Cassie) a ver a quién se comen los dioses. Autores en GL Bis
Pero teniendo en cuenta que están liando la que están liando porque su mundo, bellísimo, ya no tiene nada que los alimente y están desesperados por el hambre, no sé yo si ir ahí, no será tanto como ofrecerse de pinchos morunos ante un montón de dioses enloquecidos de hambre, sobre todo para el demonio que irá con ellos, que será todo un manjar, dado su gran poder.
Y bueno, el portal que se cerró del todo dejando en otro universo a la mitad de los protagonistas que no pueden volver ni contactar, también es un ligero problemilla, ahora que lo pienso.
Pero vamos, se alcanza a vislumbrar ante nosotros, el próximo final de estas 2 estupendas sagas en crossover.
De momento, no me queda otra que esperar a la muy próxima salida del siguiente (que será en la saga de Cassie) a ver a quién se comen los dioses. Autores en GL Bis
January 30, 2024
Holy shit I did not expect that.
Page 590, you gave me the biggest shock of the last 5 years, easily.
I have still not recovered from it.
I'm reading and rereading and all my brain can make me do is just blink like a drone at the screen.
At this point, it's page 616, and I think I'm down to 1 neuron and let me tell you, he's not doing well. I think he will also die soon.
Yes, I finished the book and then proceeded to reread it immediately after because who needs sleep when you have a new Dory book?
Which is why I can now safely confirm that I had the exact same reaction on page 590, even after reading it again. Brain shut down and it stayed shut. At this point, I am wishing once more for a time machine for the most basic, weak reason: to see what will happen in the next books because you (Yes, Karen Chance, you) cannot just serve us these many shocks and heart attacks and family reunions and families in the making (again man... if there is gonna be a wedding there I'm done with this universe) and then sucker punch us with that illegal cliffhanger.
Not to suggest that the plot, characters, and amazing descriptions are not to die for as we have been used to seeing from Karen Chance, but let me tell you, that one plot twist in the middle of the books broke my mind and the internet.
Also dragons.
Page 590, you gave me the biggest shock of the last 5 years, easily.
I have still not recovered from it.
I'm reading and rereading and all my brain can make me do is just blink like a drone at the screen.
At this point, it's page 616, and I think I'm down to 1 neuron and let me tell you, he's not doing well. I think he will also die soon.
Yes, I finished the book and then proceeded to reread it immediately after because who needs sleep when you have a new Dory book?
Which is why I can now safely confirm that I had the exact same reaction on page 590, even after reading it again. Brain shut down and it stayed shut. At this point, I am wishing once more for a time machine for the most basic, weak reason: to see what will happen in the next books because you (Yes, Karen Chance, you) cannot just serve us these many shocks and heart attacks and family reunions and families in the making (again man... if there is gonna be a wedding there I'm done with this universe) and then sucker punch us with that illegal cliffhanger.
Not to suggest that the plot, characters, and amazing descriptions are not to die for as we have been used to seeing from Karen Chance, but let me tell you, that one plot twist in the middle of the books broke my mind and the internet.
Also dragons.
Want to read
December 23, 2020I'm waiting for it with bated breath...
February 7, 2024
I adore all the books in the various series and spin offs that make up this world. (Apparently, she ONLY writes in this world, which is fan-frickin-tastic, because I can't get enough of it!) This is a spin off series from the main Cassie Palmer series. I cannot emphasize enough that you MUST read these books in order of publication. There is time travel and interdimensional travel and so many backstories that it would be nearly impossible to understand the plot line out of order. I honestly read an entire book in the series and it took me forever to understand when it was in the timeline even when reading them in order. (Not this one, but still - BEWARE.)
This is funny fantasy for people who like to use their brains, because it's a bit of a challenge keeping all the pieces of the timeline in the right order. There are romances in this series that are deeply moving because of how the unfold over time - the character building aspects are great. And the magic and creatures are creative and surprise the reader in all the best ways. The slapstick action is laugh-out-loud funny, and inevitably, the author pulls up some reference to something from books ago that is just so perfect to save the day - and it's NOT seemingly pulled out of her ass. She's not insta-adding powers, she's building a case for their existence all through the backstory, sometimes books before. I can't imagine how detailed her notes must be to storyboard this series. BIG FAN.
This one is about Dory (and her twin Dorina) in Faerie, another world connected to ours by magical portals. Claire, Dory's long-ago roommate who is half dragon and married to an MIA Fey royal dude is taking Dory to meet her dragon family to gain their help finding Dorina who has been trapped in Faerie since a couple books ago and is not having an easy time of it. Dory's vampire husband is with them, and Dorina is with their 2nd, a master vampire named Ray who is so endearing in a slightly hoodlum way. Their dad Mircea is also around, as is Marlowe, the vampire spy, and eventually, Cassie, the Pythia (chief seer and magical guardian of the timeline). The queen of the dark fae, a bunch of dragons, some a-hole gods, Mircea's (thought she was dead) wife, and Marlowe's (thought she was dead, too) love also play parts in the story. Dorina's learning to be independent now that she finally has her own body, and she is power-leveling-up FAST. And the book explains what she really is. (She's not what Mircea had always assumed, as his wife wasn't either.) One of the chief a-hole gods is about to invade Faerie near the end and the foiling of that is epic and sets up the next 2 books, at least.
This is funny fantasy for people who like to use their brains, because it's a bit of a challenge keeping all the pieces of the timeline in the right order. There are romances in this series that are deeply moving because of how the unfold over time - the character building aspects are great. And the magic and creatures are creative and surprise the reader in all the best ways. The slapstick action is laugh-out-loud funny, and inevitably, the author pulls up some reference to something from books ago that is just so perfect to save the day - and it's NOT seemingly pulled out of her ass. She's not insta-adding powers, she's building a case for their existence all through the backstory, sometimes books before. I can't imagine how detailed her notes must be to storyboard this series. BIG FAN.
This one is about Dory (and her twin Dorina) in Faerie, another world connected to ours by magical portals. Claire, Dory's long-ago roommate who is half dragon and married to an MIA Fey royal dude is taking Dory to meet her dragon family to gain their help finding Dorina who has been trapped in Faerie since a couple books ago and is not having an easy time of it. Dory's vampire husband is with them, and Dorina is with their 2nd, a master vampire named Ray who is so endearing in a slightly hoodlum way. Their dad Mircea is also around, as is Marlowe, the vampire spy, and eventually, Cassie, the Pythia (chief seer and magical guardian of the timeline). The queen of the dark fae, a bunch of dragons, some a-hole gods, Mircea's (thought she was dead) wife, and Marlowe's (thought she was dead, too) love also play parts in the story. Dorina's learning to be independent now that she finally has her own body, and she is power-leveling-up FAST. And the book explains what she really is. (She's not what Mircea had always assumed, as his wife wasn't either.) One of the chief a-hole gods is about to invade Faerie near the end and the foiling of that is epic and sets up the next 2 books, at least.
February 4, 2024
I enjoyed this one better than its predecessor, but, for me, it's still lacking the Dory glory from days past. ( I always liked Ray, but he shone in this one 😊 )
April 8, 2024
3.5 stars
I am pretty sure this will be my last book in both this series and in the main one, Cassandra Palmer . When I started Cassie series I was in love with it, I loved the story but, most of all, I loved the characters. But slowly things became too much, it is like the author constantly tries to outdo herself, and every new book was always more chuck-full of happenings, and they were just too much. All of them were interesting ideas, interesting new magics or beings or events, but all of them together were just too much. And so I stopped reading them, but I was happy to still have Dorina series. It is a companion series, and so we have a lot of characters in common and the new ones are all amazing, too. And I really love Dorina! But in this last book, we have all the same problems that I had with the other series, there simply was too much. All cool things: dragons, dark elves, orcs and giants, pixies, Dorina and Dory, the Gods. All of that. And each of these elements is great on its own, but all meshed up together is like an assault.
I loved to see how Dory and Dorina care for one another, I love their new relationship, even if they are completely separated from each other for the whole book. And the dragons were so cool! But it simply was too much. Even if, all things considered, I enjoyed the book, I will stop with both of these series because reading them is like running a marathon, it is not relaxing at all, it feels like work. And I read to enjoy myself, not to work so... even if I am pretty sad to say goodbyes to all these great characters, I am doing it.
I am pretty sure this will be my last book in both this series and in the main one, Cassandra Palmer . When I started Cassie series I was in love with it, I loved the story but, most of all, I loved the characters. But slowly things became too much, it is like the author constantly tries to outdo herself, and every new book was always more chuck-full of happenings, and they were just too much. All of them were interesting ideas, interesting new magics or beings or events, but all of them together were just too much. And so I stopped reading them, but I was happy to still have Dorina series. It is a companion series, and so we have a lot of characters in common and the new ones are all amazing, too. And I really love Dorina! But in this last book, we have all the same problems that I had with the other series, there simply was too much. All cool things: dragons, dark elves, orcs and giants, pixies, Dorina and Dory, the Gods. All of that. And each of these elements is great on its own, but all meshed up together is like an assault.
I loved to see how Dory and Dorina care for one another, I love their new relationship, even if they are completely separated from each other for the whole book. And the dragons were so cool! But it simply was too much. Even if, all things considered, I enjoyed the book, I will stop with both of these series because reading them is like running a marathon, it is not relaxing at all, it feels like work. And I read to enjoy myself, not to work so... even if I am pretty sad to say goodbyes to all these great characters, I am doing it.
January 21, 2024
mind blowing
Loved this newest addition to the story line! The plot thickens and while I had guessed some, the twists were just breathtaking. Karen manages to build and build, the plot, the characters, the momentum. I couldn’t devour this book fast enough and while it leaves you sated it also leaves you starving for more!
Loved this newest addition to the story line! The plot thickens and while I had guessed some, the twists were just breathtaking. Karen manages to build and build, the plot, the characters, the momentum. I couldn’t devour this book fast enough and while it leaves you sated it also leaves you starving for more!
January 29, 2024
So so many dragons. I read "a natural history of dragons" by Brennan right before Fortune's Blade. Fortune's blade definitely had more dragons.
I just wished the storytelling and plot would have been faster paced. While a lot of action happened the story did not really move forward.
I just wished the storytelling and plot would have been faster paced. While a lot of action happened the story did not really move forward.
May 8, 2024
Wow, a lot happened in this book! I loved the Dorina parts!
Can't wait for the next book!
Can't wait for the next book!
January 27, 2024
Awesome fantasy!
Since Blade takes place in Faerie, it's more contemporary fantasy than urban, but whatever it is, it's fantastic. Dorina is an incredible addition to the series, and Raymond is living up to the potential he has shown in previous books. Dory's struggle to live without Dorina is heartbreaking, but that same struggle proves Dorina isn't the sole power of the pair. Since these great characters have been thrown into the middle of the war, the destruction and violence are horrific, but hope survives. I love this series.
Since Blade takes place in Faerie, it's more contemporary fantasy than urban, but whatever it is, it's fantastic. Dorina is an incredible addition to the series, and Raymond is living up to the potential he has shown in previous books. Dory's struggle to live without Dorina is heartbreaking, but that same struggle proves Dorina isn't the sole power of the pair. Since these great characters have been thrown into the middle of the war, the destruction and violence are horrific, but hope survives. I love this series.
February 8, 2024
Wow, the beginning was slow moving, but the story is action packed! Lots of dragons and pixies! Dory, Louis-Cesare, Dorina, Ray, Mircea, Marlow and Cassie all show up to stop the gods!
January 23, 2024
Thanks Karen fantastic book!
Fantastic now how long till next book CANT wait!!! Loved it will reread it many times Everyone enjoy this book
Fantastic now how long till next book CANT wait!!! Loved it will reread it many times Everyone enjoy this book
July 30, 2024
-4 stars. maybe 5. i enjoyed this book a lot more than the previous one. i had issues with the switching point-of-view between Dory and Dorina. i could never remember who was who and got confused a few times. but i don't do well with switching points of view in any book. other than that, loved it.
"he'd said his piece and was smart enough to know that you didn't have to plant a seed twice."
"because if ever there was a time to break out the good stuff, it was after having been swallowed by a dragon."
"i don't know if it's possible to be a good king and a good person at the same time. so often you are forced to make hard decisions, to do hard things, to survive and to make sure your people do too."
"i don't know how to be normal. i never did."
"who says you gotta be normal? i ain't normal, and i do okay."
"so i fed him a fist, and then decided that he still looked hungry and fed him a few more."
"i cowered behind the corpse because i am not stupid. although considering the shit that i get into, i might need to reevaluate that."
"and then the two of us were beating the ever-loving crap out of him, alongside two of Ray's boys, who burst in at the last minute and clearly had no idea what the hell was going on. but the boss was shit kicking somebody, and that was all they needed to know."
"he'd said his piece and was smart enough to know that you didn't have to plant a seed twice."
"because if ever there was a time to break out the good stuff, it was after having been swallowed by a dragon."
"i don't know if it's possible to be a good king and a good person at the same time. so often you are forced to make hard decisions, to do hard things, to survive and to make sure your people do too."
"i don't know how to be normal. i never did."
"who says you gotta be normal? i ain't normal, and i do okay."
"so i fed him a fist, and then decided that he still looked hungry and fed him a few more."
"i cowered behind the corpse because i am not stupid. although considering the shit that i get into, i might need to reevaluate that."
"and then the two of us were beating the ever-loving crap out of him, alongside two of Ray's boys, who burst in at the last minute and clearly had no idea what the hell was going on. but the boss was shit kicking somebody, and that was all they needed to know."
February 2, 2024
Wonderful as always
I just love Karen Chance's books, and this one is no exception. They never lag -- if you aren't immersed in battles and assorted mayhem, there are really important character and relationship developments happening. I also love how she recaps previous books' action. She seamlessly works it in without slowing anything down. I can't wait for the next installment!
I just love Karen Chance's books, and this one is no exception. They never lag -- if you aren't immersed in battles and assorted mayhem, there are really important character and relationship developments happening. I also love how she recaps previous books' action. She seamlessly works it in without slowing anything down. I can't wait for the next installment!
Read
June 15, 2024Fortunes Blade
Great read.
A little wordy, which is why I rated this a 4.
Since we know Dorina survived her encounter with the Gods, are she, Mircea and Dory going to be a family now that all the shouting and hate speech is over?
Or is it?
Marlow is a major heavyweight, and the Gods should fear him as well, not just an aggressive newbie in Dorina.
The Gods will definitely trembleoh hell yeah!
Great read.
A little wordy, which is why I rated this a 4.
Since we know Dorina survived her encounter with the Gods, are she, Mircea and Dory going to be a family now that all the shouting and hate speech is over?
Or is it?
Marlow is a major heavyweight, and the Gods should fear him as well, not just an aggressive newbie in Dorina.
The Gods will definitely trembleoh hell yeah!
February 22, 2024
Chaos
There are so many intertwining characters and stories. It's like multiple books in one. I don't know how she keeps everything straight. Her worlds are so complex. I am in awe on how Karen Chance does it. I love the world she has brought us. I'm already excited about the next book.
There are so many intertwining characters and stories. It's like multiple books in one. I don't know how she keeps everything straight. Her worlds are so complex. I am in awe on how Karen Chance does it. I love the world she has brought us. I'm already excited about the next book.
February 24, 2024
Start with book 1
Unfortunately, this complicated story with an enormous caste, that is always fighting, is not a stand alone book. Even though I've read the previous stories I had a difficult time understanding the plot. I kept setting down this twisting story to read something else. In the end, meh.
Unfortunately, this complicated story with an enormous caste, that is always fighting, is not a stand alone book. Even though I've read the previous stories I had a difficult time understanding the plot. I kept setting down this twisting story to read something else. In the end, meh.
April 3, 2024
This took me way too long to read. It’s a little scattered but showed multiple perspectives. I’m not sure how much that works. The story was good but the writing felt like it needed better vocabulary in some places and to be edited (it also didn’t need to be so long). I liked this better than the last book because it focused on one main story.
Read
May 9, 2024Never disappoints.....a series like no other
I started this series on a whim, I found a writer that can build characters into people you love and build world on top of world into something believable while being miraculous, action packed and still maintain a sense of humor through it all. Very special.
I started this series on a whim, I found a writer that can build characters into people you love and build world on top of world into something believable while being miraculous, action packed and still maintain a sense of humor through it all. Very special.
July 30, 2024
Karen Chance is a genius!
This world and the overlapping Cassandra Palmer’s world are truly unique and magical. Sometimes the action scenes in these books can be a bit lengthy and hard to follow for me but not this one. Utterly brilliant and fascinating, I can’t wait for the next one.
This world and the overlapping Cassandra Palmer’s world are truly unique and magical. Sometimes the action scenes in these books can be a bit lengthy and hard to follow for me but not this one. Utterly brilliant and fascinating, I can’t wait for the next one.
April 7, 2024
fun stuff
Dory/Dorina are back at the helm of madness and mayhem. Start at the beginning because none of this will make sense if you don’t but when it starts to sink in, you’ll feel like you’re having the great rapture. On to the next mission! Excelsior!!
Dory/Dorina are back at the helm of madness and mayhem. Start at the beginning because none of this will make sense if you don’t but when it starts to sink in, you’ll feel like you’re having the great rapture. On to the next mission! Excelsior!!
January 20, 2024
Couldn't put it down.
January 26, 2024
fantastic
I've loved this series for years, and it continues to bring joy with every book- can't wait to see what happens next
I've loved this series for years, and it continues to bring joy with every book- can't wait to see what happens next
January 29, 2024
Oh karen you're gonna make me wait again
I just LOVE this crazy family. This whole series is a crazy ride and I can't wait to find out what's next
I just LOVE this crazy family. This whole series is a crazy ride and I can't wait to find out what's next
February 3, 2024
Fortune’s Blade
This will keep you wanting to read next chapter too see what a crazy ride and if they can shut down the gods or will the gods win. You will love this story.
This will keep you wanting to read next chapter too see what a crazy ride and if they can shut down the gods or will the gods win. You will love this story.
February 8, 2024
Will make your head spin
No one writes an like an action scene like Karen Chance. Fights with dragons and gods. And Dorina in a finds love
No one writes an like an action scene like Karen Chance. Fights with dragons and gods. And Dorina in a finds love
February 22, 2024
Loved it!
This is one of my favorite Karen Chance’s novels! All of her novels are so much fun. Thank you, again.
This is one of my favorite Karen Chance’s novels! All of her novels are so much fun. Thank you, again.
March 26, 2024
Chris
I love all of these books. Start from the first one and you won’t stop reading. I highly recommend them.
I love all of these books. Start from the first one and you won’t stop reading. I highly recommend them.
April 6, 2024
Awesome
Once again Karen Chance has penned a brilliant action packed vivid descriptive tale. So good I read it for many hours over three days. Thankyou you rock Karen
Once again Karen Chance has penned a brilliant action packed vivid descriptive tale. So good I read it for many hours over three days. Thankyou you rock Karen
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews