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Eterean Empire #1.5
Smuggler's Fortune
An Eterean Empire standalone novel
Kyrra d'Aliente's metal arm has always been her salvation. Will it now become her downfall?
Peace may have been declared in Liera, but the city is a dangerous place for mercenary Kyrra d’Aliente. Her family is dead, her pockets empty, the man she loves missing, and now, a group of out-of-work sellswords want to steal her metal arm. When an encounter with an old friend leads to a smuggling job, she’s more than willing to hop on board in exchange for a bag of coins and a little revenge. But as this seemingly simple job leads down an ever more treacherous path into her past, will their mysterious cargo be worth the danger it brings with it—or will it cost her far more than her arm?
Smuggler’s Fortune is a standalone novella set in the award-winning Eterean Empire epic fantasy series. If you like fast-paced stories with a cast of complex characters and a strong female protagonist, you’ll love Angela Boord’s action-packed adventure.
Buy Smuggler’s Fortune today and begin your own journey into the dark Renaissance world of the Eterean Empire!
Kyrra d'Aliente's metal arm has always been her salvation. Will it now become her downfall?
Peace may have been declared in Liera, but the city is a dangerous place for mercenary Kyrra d’Aliente. Her family is dead, her pockets empty, the man she loves missing, and now, a group of out-of-work sellswords want to steal her metal arm. When an encounter with an old friend leads to a smuggling job, she’s more than willing to hop on board in exchange for a bag of coins and a little revenge. But as this seemingly simple job leads down an ever more treacherous path into her past, will their mysterious cargo be worth the danger it brings with it—or will it cost her far more than her arm?
Smuggler’s Fortune is a standalone novella set in the award-winning Eterean Empire epic fantasy series. If you like fast-paced stories with a cast of complex characters and a strong female protagonist, you’ll love Angela Boord’s action-packed adventure.
Buy Smuggler’s Fortune today and begin your own journey into the dark Renaissance world of the Eterean Empire!
- GenresFantasy
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2020
About the author
Angela Boord
9 books116 followersAngela Boord is a hopeless romantic, a nerdy introvert, and the author of SPFBO5 Finalist FORTUNE’S FOOL. She can usually be found with her nose in a book when she’s not writing her own dark fantasy epics of hope, redemption, and relationships in all their messy glory. Angela and her husband live in northern Mississippi in a house full of children, books, and innumerable quantities of Legos.
Sign up for my newsletter at https://angelaboord.com and get "Roses in Winter", a free Eterean Empire story!
Find me everywhere! https://linktr.ee/angelaboord
Sign up for my newsletter at https://angelaboord.com and get "Roses in Winter", a free Eterean Empire story!
Find me everywhere! https://linktr.ee/angelaboord
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 4, 2020
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.
January 9, 2020
When I read the first book in the series, Fortune's Fool, I originally gave it four stars, because I found the young Kyrra irritating – not unlikeable, just irritating, and if it weren't for the double timeline there would be a chance of me not finishing the book. As I progressed, I became more and more immersed in the world – Ms Boord does an impeccable job at worldbuilding. Then I finished, reviewed the book, gave it four stars and moved on. Except I didn't actually move on, because I found myself nearly obsessing about what would happen next.
This novella (or rather short novel) was a freebie with the newsletter and, frankly, I think Ms Boord is a bit insane to give it away for free. I didn't really read this book as much as I ate it in two sittings – I looked at the first sentence, thought it was amazing, put it up here in my feed, then two days ago started actually reading and found myself angry that I had to go to sleep. Smuggler's Fortune has no right to be THIS good. I didn't realise how much I missed the grown-up Kyrra and how invested I was in the fates of *no spoiler*. The only part I found confusing was a certain scene in the final battle – there is no way to explain this without a spoiler – but it wasn't bad either, just confusing and not important enough to affect my love for this book.
The only problem is that now I am waiting for the "proper" follow-up to Fortune's Fool even more than before. I bow to Ms Boord for writing so fast and so good with nine kids – I have zero kids and couldn't do such a great job – but I NEED IT NOW. Fortune's Fool was already among my favourite books of 2019, this one is like getting an unexpected, lovely present when you know you're going to get a life-changing one in half a year.
In case I didn't gush enough, I couldn't recommend this book more.
PS. I have man-crushes on almost all male characters AND a sis-crush on Kyrra. There's a really good romance hiding underneath all the magic and swordfights.
This novella (or rather short novel) was a freebie with the newsletter and, frankly, I think Ms Boord is a bit insane to give it away for free. I didn't really read this book as much as I ate it in two sittings – I looked at the first sentence, thought it was amazing, put it up here in my feed, then two days ago started actually reading and found myself angry that I had to go to sleep. Smuggler's Fortune has no right to be THIS good. I didn't realise how much I missed the grown-up Kyrra and how invested I was in the fates of *no spoiler*. The only part I found confusing was a certain scene in the final battle – there is no way to explain this without a spoiler – but it wasn't bad either, just confusing and not important enough to affect my love for this book.
The only problem is that now I am waiting for the "proper" follow-up to Fortune's Fool even more than before. I bow to Ms Boord for writing so fast and so good with nine kids – I have zero kids and couldn't do such a great job – but I NEED IT NOW. Fortune's Fool was already among my favourite books of 2019, this one is like getting an unexpected, lovely present when you know you're going to get a life-changing one in half a year.
In case I didn't gush enough, I couldn't recommend this book more.
PS. I have man-crushes on almost all male characters AND a sis-crush on Kyrra. There's a really good romance hiding underneath all the magic and swordfights.
September 27, 2020
I really liked them both in book one, and after this, I definitely hope we will get to see Razi and Nibas make more appearances/play a larger role in book 2 than they did in Fortune’s Fool.
February 3, 2022
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.
January 17, 2021
For readers of Fortune's Fool, Smuggler's Fortune provides some excellent backstory, establishes Kyrra's friendship with Razi, and is a fast-paced, adventurous read. For those new to the series, Smuggler's Fortune would be an excellent (and slightly less daunting) introduction to the Eterean Empire, with the world-building seamlessly and masterfully integrated into this short and entertaining read. Very glad I picked this one up.
January 6, 2020
Loved this! Boord's characters shine--each with deep cultural and personal history, motivations, and reasons for joining the rapidly-descending-into-chaos quest that drives the plot of this shortish novel. Their banter is wonderful, their shifting relationships make for a wonderful backdrop to the twists and action, and she has a wonderful knack for balancing nuanced, troubled humanity with levity and humor. Smuggler's Fortune is a quick and rollicking ride with a lovable bunch of vagabonds--perfect for a plane ride or a long evening curled up on the couch.
Read
September 10, 2024I so loved being back in this world. Learning more about Razi and Nibas was great. This story has such fun and interesting details that might not be necessary for the main storyline of the series but were a great addition nonetheless. I just signed up for the email list to get the short story as well!
Read
May 9, 2023This is my book and probably the millionth time I've read it, but I'm counting it as a re-read! I picked it up to check on continuity issues for Book 2 in the Eterean Empire series, which I'm working on now, and ended up reading the whole thing. Since Razi and Nibas are two of my favorite characters, it was a lot like visiting with old friends. Smuggler's is a fast-paced fantasy adventure novella/short novel and stands alone in the series, so you can start here or with Fortune's Fool!
** Smuggler's Fortune is now available for pre-order! Release date for the e-book is October 22!
Paperback and hardback editions will also contain the bonus Eterean Empire story Dragonmeat.***
** Smuggler's Fortune is now available for pre-order! Release date for the e-book is October 22!
Paperback and hardback editions will also contain the bonus Eterean Empire story Dragonmeat.***
July 16, 2022
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!
August 5, 2021
The characters were incredible, multi-dimensional, and compelling. This was a great taste of Boord’s Eterean Empire series. Although this is listed as 0.5, and we did read it first, if you intend to read the series you should not start here. Unless you are trying to decide whether or not you want to read the series, in which case this is a great taste test.
Because this is a novella, it feels like a character exploration. However, the plot itself is also very fun. It follows three mercenaries trying to protect a cart that may or may not be carrying legal goods, and one of the mercenaries is more than they seem...
Because this is a novella, it feels like a character exploration. However, the plot itself is also very fun. It follows three mercenaries trying to protect a cart that may or may not be carrying legal goods, and one of the mercenaries is more than they seem...
February 21, 2020
Boord does it again. She just stands back, arms crossed with a half-smile on her face as her characters grab you by the collar and pull you head first into their world.
Honestly, what a treat this was. In a perfect world, more authors would "accidentally" turn a short story into a novella (although I preferred it when she informed Twitter that the word count originally made this "accidentally" a novel). 170 pages is not enough Kyrra and nowhere NEAR enough Razi, but I'll take what I can get in the long wait which remains until Fool's Promise is released.
Honestly, what a treat this was. In a perfect world, more authors would "accidentally" turn a short story into a novella (although I preferred it when she informed Twitter that the word count originally made this "accidentally" a novel). 170 pages is not enough Kyrra and nowhere NEAR enough Razi, but I'll take what I can get in the long wait which remains until Fool's Promise is released.
June 30, 2020
A beautifully written midquel novella in the same series as FORTUNE'S FOOL, the runner-up to the 5th annual SPFBO competition! I enjoyed this lighter, tighter story - it's full of grim humour and visceral action, but my favourite part by far was the numinous sequence in a labyrinthine tomb, where our main character comes face to face with one of the rival gods that's interested himself in her life.
Thrilling and gorgeously written. Rated R for violence and language.
Thrilling and gorgeously written. Rated R for violence and language.
June 9, 2020
Smuggler's Fortune is a long novella.
The author does an amazing job in world-building and the setting. She also has created some compelling and interesting characters, particularly Kyrra.
It has been a few weeks since I read the novella, but I don't remember the story or the plot.
The author is a fantastic writer because she created vibrant, interesting, engaging, and three-dimensional characters, the world-building and setting are the most interesting and original that I have read in a fantasy novel (or novella) in the last couple of years, and her writing was enough to keeping me reading from beginning to end.
I think the plot and story is as important as the world-building, setting, and the characters. The plot and story was not interesting or engaging enough to make it memorable for me.
Nevertheless, I liked Smuggler's Fortune enough that I will read Fortune's Fool.
The author does an amazing job in world-building and the setting. She also has created some compelling and interesting characters, particularly Kyrra.
It has been a few weeks since I read the novella, but I don't remember the story or the plot.
The author is a fantastic writer because she created vibrant, interesting, engaging, and three-dimensional characters, the world-building and setting are the most interesting and original that I have read in a fantasy novel (or novella) in the last couple of years, and her writing was enough to keeping me reading from beginning to end.
I think the plot and story is as important as the world-building, setting, and the characters. The plot and story was not interesting or engaging enough to make it memorable for me.
Nevertheless, I liked Smuggler's Fortune enough that I will read Fortune's Fool.
November 3, 2020
I adored this. Also, where do I officially sign up for team Ravi?
November 12, 2020
Wow.
I loved this book. Good world building, believable characters that you care about. I want to know more! Which is why I leave you now to read the next book!
I loved this book. Good world building, believable characters that you care about. I want to know more! Which is why I leave you now to read the next book!
December 22, 2023
3.5 stars
Fast paced novella with interesting chareacters.
Ever since I read and loved "A Matter of Trust", a short story by Angela Boord, part of the anthology "The Alchemy of Sorrow" I wanted to read more by this author.
I am glad I sampled this novella. In thime I'll decide if I want more from this world or if I'll wait for the author's next work.
Fast paced novella with interesting chareacters.
Ever since I read and loved "A Matter of Trust", a short story by Angela Boord, part of the anthology "The Alchemy of Sorrow" I wanted to read more by this author.
I am glad I sampled this novella. In thime I'll decide if I want more from this world or if I'll wait for the author's next work.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews