Fortuna Sworn

<i>"Fallen. I hadn't had to use that term in ages. Every species-faeries, werewolves, shapeshifters, nymphs-were descended from angels. No one knew whether it was mutation or evolution that had separated us."</i><br><br><b>Hello, and welcome to my newest obsession.</b> Yes, we've all read countless fantasy tales in the midst of the faerie boom, but Kelsey Sutton has brought something new to the table. While she's borrowed a dash of folk lore from here and a smattering of angsty romance from there, the real standout quality of this new series is her protagonist: Fortuna Sworn, a Nightmare and last of her kind. What is a Nightmare you might ask?<br><br><i>"Nightmares don't sit on their victims' chests as they sleep, like it describes on Wikipedia or in books; once I touch my victims there's no need to maintain physical contact."</i><br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1579369977ra/28800682.gif" width="" height="" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Basically, a Nightmare is another supernatural creature that, once he or she makes physical contact with you, they can sense your deepest, darkest fears and make you feel as if you are experiencing them. Surprisingly, Fortuna and her brother Damon were raised by decent parents who taught them only to use their powers in the most dire of situations; anything more or less and you become the monster they fear you are. Also, lying is a no no. Now that we've got that down pat, let's move along.<br><br>The premise here is that Fortuna's brother, Damon, went missing a couple of years ago and no one has seen him since-meaning no body has turned up-which has caused Fortuna to never stop searching for him. One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at our main character's place of work and offers her a bargain: in exchange for her hand in marriage, this being will take Fortuna to her brother. What follows is a descent into danger and chaos, both literal and figurative.<br><br>I don't want to give anything away, but it's safe to admit that this book has a lot of fae activity going on. I love how it felt a little darker and more mature than some of the YA faerie books being published, and while we received a lot on information in this installment, there are some major threads that need answering in the next book, which I'm desperately looking forward to. My only concern was with the trials that Fortuna has to pass in the second half of the book; they felt very similar to the ones that Feyre has to endure in <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/16096824.A_Court_of_Thorns_and_Roses__A_Court_of_Thorns_and_Roses___1_" title="A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas" rel="noopener">A Court of Thorns and Roses</a>, and I'd have liked the final trial to have been something a bit more unique. Overall, I adored this book and am anxiously awaiting the second! <br><br><i>*Many thanks to the author for providing my review copy.</i>

<i>This book is like if Sookie Stackhouse wasn't dumb and was blackmailed into marrying the version of Rhysand we see in the Court of Nightmares </i><br /><br />For a while now, I've been searching for a new Dark Faerie Romance series that would steal my heart and let me tell you... this does not disappoint.<br /><br />Fortuna is a Nightmare, the last of her kind, with the ability to sense your greatest fears and turn them against you. She is feisty, loyal and driven by the singular goal to find her younger brother Damon who disappeared without a trace 2 years ago. So when the dark, powerful and very attractive Faerie, Collith, approaches Fortuna with an offer to disclose her brother's whereabouts in exchange for her hand in marriage, how could she refuse?<br /><br />What follows is an atmospheric descent into an underground world teeming with political machinations, Faerie manipulation and Fortuna's fight to save the only person that she loves, even if she loses herself along the way. Combined with Collith's dark allure and forbidden sexual chemistry that will leave you begging for more, Fortuna Sworn is a lush, indulgent read that will remind you of all the reasons you love dark fantasy romance.

<i>This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review. This <u>in no way</u> influences my opinion.</i><br />You can see more thoughts and reactions <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FThd-rfF9gU" rel="nofollow noopener">here</a> in my vlog.<br /><br />OOF, this book. It saved me from a reading slump, which is bold enough a claim in itself. But my god, was this everything I've been looking for.<br /><br />Following Fortuna, literal nightmare and last of her kind on an endeavour to save her brother, we enter a world of bargains, bonds, and mistrust. The plot is one I fell into easily, reading 50 or so pages without even realising - which isa saying a lot, considering I usually get distracted at every chapter break. But this proved to be a story I couldn't help falling into. It's quick paced, intense, and the tension seemed to rise with every turn of the page. <i>AND</i> - the thing I was most thrilled about - it actually felt <i> <b>dark</b> </i>. I've read so many "dark fantasy" books lately that don't even come close to that kind of atmosphere, and yet this book hit it exactly. It's brutal, it's scheming, and it's so addictive to read. You really can't predict what will happen next, but you're in for a ride let me tell you.<br /><br />I became attached to the characters so unbelievably quickly. They're all complicated but authentic, their motivations realistic, their outlook on the world in general understandable. And - my favourite part - they're all morally grey. It's so rare for morally grey characters to actually pull through, but my entire reading experience of this book proved to be a wild ride of wanting the characters to succeed even though they were making questionable decisions while <i>knowing</i> they're not acting the shining example of a person. But again, it just made sense in the context of this world and it's events. And it so, SO fun to read.<br /><br />So it's safe to say I adored this book. I sped through it, couldn't stop thinking about how I wanted to get back to it when I had to go about my day, and want to talk about it endlessly. I can't wait to see where the series goes, because it has so much potential to blow open <i>everything</i> and blow my mind in the process.<br /><br />TW: Animal death, torture

4.5 Stars <br><br>I loved this book. There are a lot of triggers, but I loved it none the less. <br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1452824517ra/17748632.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I hope the rest of the series is this good. I cringe as with some of the grim darkness in the book could mean more horrific things are to come. <br><br>I love the werewolf, of course he will probably die ?<br><br>PS-The author has the trigger warnings after the blurb of each book on GR page! I took half a star off for the Leviathan, because that’s what I do ?<br><br>Mel ????

✅ Gorgeous cover<br>✅ Dark atmosphere<br>✅ Urban-fantasy setting<br>✅ Characters<br>✅ Magical creatures<br>✅ Pace<br>✅ Potential for romance <br>✅? Plot (it's good, but the second half reminded me a lot of the trials in ACOTAR)<br><br>This book was a nice surprise. <br><br>There is a lot of folklore: goblins, werewolves, Fae, and Nightmares. Nightmares are creatures with a face that changes so it shows you whatever face you will find the prettiest. It is made to ensnare and seduce you until it touches you and discovers your fears. Once a Nightmare touches you it can create illusions and make you live your deepest fears. <br> <br><blockquote> <i> <b>Like the nightmares that came at night, we were meant to be seductive. We were designed to lure our victims in. Then, when it was too late to draw back, we struck.</b> </i> </blockquote><br><br>Fortuna Sworn is a Nightmare, probably the last of her kind since they were hunted because people feared them. She is trying to live a normal life in a normal town, while also looking for her brother who mysteriously disappeared two years ago. That is until Collith, a darkly handsome, and mysterious Fae meets her and decides that he wants her... The deal he offers is simple: she marries him and he will bring her to her brother.<br><br>It's very easy to get into this book, and I was 100 pages into the story before I even realized it! The urban-fantasy setting and the fact that Fortuna works at a restaurant reminded me a little of the Sookie Stackhouse series, but Fortuna is actually clever and can be ruthless when she needs to. She's no pushover and she's definitely not as dumb as Sookie. The atmosphere is also darker than in many YA books I've read lately, and I loved it! It's full of scheming, and lies and the main characters could also be described as "morally grey", which is perfect for me.<br><br>I don't want to reveal too much about the story, but let's just say that once Fortuna descends into the Fae's realm, she is stuck in a court full of politics, machinations, and betrayals. There is anger, dark moments, a little bit of romance, intrigue, and magical powers in this book. I was not expecting to like it that much, and now I cannot wait to read the second book.<br> <br>The main problem for me (and the reason it's not actually 4.5 or 5 stars) is how similar the second half of the book is to A Court of Thorns and Roses. The three trials in the Unseelie court look a lot like Feyre's trials under the mountain. Even the individual trials are similar, especially the last one. The book is still awesome, but having read the ACOTAR series before, it's impossible not to make the comparison. <br><br>Still, I really enjoyed reading this book and I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a darker Faerie romance.<br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1624197578i/31520611._SX540_.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1566581345i/28040127._SY540_.jpg" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>Fanarts by Gwenn Danae and Stephanie Brown<br><br><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/lucie_v_booklover/" rel="nofollow noopener">Follow me on Instagram</a> ?

I’m deleting my entire original review and editing it after this reread because 2019 Lindsey was incorrect on 7302837 levels. 2019 me gave this 3 stars. 2019 me was a moron. This book is fantastic.<br /><br />New Review from 2021/less moronic Lindsey:<br /><br /><b>1. Fortuna Sworn is a go-getter.</b><br />She does not dilly dally. She has a goal and immediately sets out to accomplish it with full confidence and determination. Mad respect. So I appreciate the quick pacing of this book. 2019 Lindsey thought the pacing was too quick. No. She’s wrong.<br /><br /><b>2. I’m a sucker for Fae.</b><br />Especially if there’s a mating bond. Don’t care how many books I see it in. IT LITERALLY NEVER GETS OLD FOR ME. I love it every time and turn all ???? (as opposed to my normal ??).<br /><br /><b>3. Fortuna is a creature known as a Nightmare.</b><br />I’ve never seen this type of creature before, but it’s freaking badass. She can make people see/experience their worst fears just by touching them. Hello. Yes. I’m on board.<br /><br /><b>4. It’s firmly in the NA category.</b><br />There is a little spice, but it’s part of a slow burn. I can handle little teases when I can tell there will be payoff later in the series. ? Fortuna is 24, so she also uses colorful language (which, for whatever reason, isn’t used so much in YA because the publishing world is under some delusion that teenagers don’t curse ?), and she uses it quite often. Not in a crass sort of way. It’s typically in the, “What the hell am I supposed to do next?” type of way. <br /><br /><b>5. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts exist in this world and damn is one of them brutal.</b><br />If you’re familiar with anything Fae, you can probably guess which. ?<br /><br /><br />In conclusion, I’d like to apologize to the entire world for 2019 Lindsey’s idiocy. She knew nothing. She is Jon Snow. Pretty sure she’s also illiterate because during this 2021 reread I learned that the male lead, Collith, has brown hair, dark eyes, and a scar on his face. 2019 Lindsey pictured him with white hair, blue eyes, and not a scar in sight. Maybe 2019 Lindsey was drunk. Or having a nervous breakdown. Or was just illiterate. All are possible, tbh.

<b>**3.5-stars**</b><br><br>Fortuna Sworn is the last of her kind. It used to be her and her brother, Damon, but he went missing two years ago.<br><br>Since that time, Fortuna has spent her days blending into the human world while searching for him at night. On one of her searches she gets captured by goblins and brought to the market to be sold.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1648424456ra/32739222.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>Luckily she's able to escape the whole being sold thing, but she did catch someone's eye whilst at the market; a very powerful faerie named Collith.<br><br>Before she knows it, she's receiving a proposition, her hand for the possibility of getting her brother back. I am putting it simply, but you get the gist.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1648424456ra/32739224.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>The story follows Fortuna as she enters the world of the fae, hoping against all hope that she'll be able to find what she's looking for. <br><br>But if she finds her brother, will he even want to be rescued? And what is she sacrificing in the process?<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1579709679ra/28823747.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>This was good. I liked it. A solid foundation for the start of a series. I don't read a lot of Fae books, in fact, I have only read a handful that I can think of, but I liked how this one was constructed.<br><br>Additionally, I'm very intrigued by the ending and will be continuing on to the second book.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1552517541ra/27200460.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>I won't claim I understand everything going on here, but I loved Fortuna as a character and want to learn more about her and this world.<br><br>Fortuna is a creature known as a nightmare, which I have never come across before. Basically, she can make people see, or experience, their worst fears just by touching them. She wields this power as a weapon and I got to say, it's pretty badass.<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1648424456ra/32739225.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br><br>As stated above, I'm definitely on board to continue on with this series. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was a great way to take in this story. The narration was fabulous.<br><br>Thank you so much to the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for providing me a copy to read and review. I'm so happy I finally had the chance to check this one out. It sucked me in!<br><br><img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1648424456ra/32739221.gif" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy">

<a href="https://thebookprescription.wordpress.com/2019/11/29/fortuna-sworn-review/" rel="nofollow noopener">This Review</a> ✍️ <a href="https://thebookprescription.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">Blog</a> ? <a href="https://twitter.com/Hamad9626" rel="nofollow noopener">Twitter</a> ? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebookprescription/" rel="nofollow noopener">Instagram</a> ?<br /><br /><b>Actual Rating: 3.75 Stars</b><br /><br /><blockquote> <i> <b>“Hell is empty, and all the devils are here.”</b> </i> </blockquote><br /><br />Disclaimer: Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<br /><br />★ When the author contacted me to review this book, I did not know what to expect. I saw that it has faeries and it is a NA book which I think the book community has a severe lack of. I initially thought it was a standalone but it looks like a trilogy and I have no problems with that. The book left me wanting more.<br /><br />★ The author has a nice prose that fits the story and the genre! The prose is easy to read and it can be romantic without all the extra cheese. There were some quotes I liked for sure and the book gave me SJM vibes. I will speak more on that when I talk about the plot.<br /><br />★ Fortuna was a good character, she has a clear object, to rescue her brother and she will try her best to do so! Fortuna is actually a Nightmare, one of the many fallen creatures the book have, she and her borther’s are the last of their kind and the book also focuses mainly on Faes. Vampires, werewolves and other creatures are mentioned but not heavily. Since the book is NA, Fortuna was kind of mature and not the typical YA girl although she had her flaws. That may be a thing I preferred over SJM characters which are all flawless. The rest of the characters are also well written, I can still imagine them fresh in my mind and I also associate them with some emotions such as respect, hate, empathy and others! For a book of only 300 pages to make me connect with characters in such a way it is a great achievement! The characters are surely diverse and THERE WAS A FREAKING HIJABI MUSLIM FAE!!! That is a small detail to a secondary character which did not impact the story but it was good to see a representation in such a casual way.<br /><br /><blockquote> <i> <b>“Nightmares may be lies, but we don’t have to be liars.”</b> </i> </blockquote><br /><br />★ I have been comparing and mentioning SJM for a reason. The plot is kind of similar to ACOTAR, we have our MC who is forced to love a strong fae and then all kind of emotions are thrown into this mix! There was mentioning of mating, The usual courts, a trial, and riddles! I recently read ACOTAR so I had it fresh in mind and I could not help but to compare them. I am not saying it is based on ACOTAR because it has its own atmosphere but I think they both have a root originating from a similar mythology.<br /><br />★ I really enjoyed this and the fast pacing helped making it a page turner. The problem is that for a strange reason, my last 3 reads have been too fast-paced. I think the characters were obliged to act in a certain way and that makes me accept part of the fast-pacing, but I guess if it was a bit slower with a dozen more pages then it would have been more enjoyable. It is just that the pacing makes it hard to have a strong emotional connection with characters and make some events seem unbelievable.<br /><br /><blockquote> <i> <b>“A beautiful thing was much harder to destroy than an ugly thing.”</b> </i> </blockquote><br /><br />★ Summary and Prescription: I was pleasantly surprised by this book and I am surely interested in continuing the rest of the series. The book had some good writing, unique characters. The pacing was a bit too fast and the plot will appeal to fans of SJM, with less cheese and more diversity! If you love stories about Faes then I think you should be picking this book sometime.<br /><br />You can get more books from <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=2611996" rel="nofollow noopener">Book Depository</a><br />

4.25/5 ⭐<br />.5/5 ?️<br /><br />Hello, and welcome to my newest obsession Fortuna Sworn Series. I really enjoyed this fast paced dark fae romance. I liked that Fortuna is actually a heroine who doesn't need to be rescued all the time. She's smart. She's resourceful. She's reliable and devoted to her family. If you are a fan of ACOTAR, this is a good series to pick up. <br /><br />Quotes: <br />"It means that I am constantly torn between civility and ferocity. It means that I do not want you for a wife, but a mate. As to why you should accept me, above all others, consider this. I know exactly what you are... and I think it’s magnificent. Your enemies are my enemies. My power is your power."<br /><br />“Satan came to my christening, little boy. Stay out of my way, or I’ll make you piss in your fancy clothes.”<br /><br />"Sometimes it’s not about being stronger. It’s about being smarter."<br /><br />“It’s simple, really. Close your eyes. Picture the worst possible outcome. Be cruel to yourself. Spare no pain. Do this again, and again, and again. Until one day, you find yourself immune to it, and the fear no longer controls you.”<br /><br /><br />...

Im so shocked to say... im not a massive fan of this one. I thought i was gonna eat tHIS UPPP. A Court of Mist and Fury but adult?? Yes please! <br />Unfortunately, this did not live up to my expectations. There are so many plotholes in this book. The entire story makes absolutely no sense. Like, zero sense. We experience everything through the main characters POV and she never questioned anything!! I still have no idea how the fuck everything worked. The world building is non-existent. All i know is that a bunch of weird ass faes live underground and the are tons of tunnels and rooms. Everything else is a complete massive question mark ??? The amount of times i rolled my eyes... man. Every decision that the main character took made no sense. It’s like the author wanted certain things to happen in the story but she didnt know how to get there in a logical way so she said fuck it and made her main character say and do the most irrational things. I was extremely annoyed. What i did like was Fortuna’s powers, i found them quite original. I liked her relationship with Oliver and that whole dynamic. Collith, however, is a stupid weirdo that gets away with everything because Fortuna literally never asks him any relevant questions it’s RIDICULOUS. The plot twist at the end was cool, though. I just dont think im gonna continue with the series... i dont think there’s any way to redeem this. It wasnt horrible i just truly hate when stories dont make sense. This is why you outline people.