Dark Maji Series by Kel Carpenter, Lucy Smoke

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... moreThrone 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 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 . *This is a 350+ page, full length, epic fantasy novel with darker elements. Book two will be released in July of 2019.* less

Some will try to trap her in hopes of harnessing her dark power. Others will seek to end her, deeming it too terrible to risk.In the end, he will destroy them all—because Quinn is his weapon, and he plans to keep it that way. Lazarus was warned that Quinn’s power might be too great, even for him, but nothing prepared him for the truth of it until she held a dagger over him, and he was powerless to stop it... moreSome will try to trap her in hopes of harnessing her dark power. Others will seek to end her, deeming it too terrible to risk.In the end, he will destroy them all—because Quinn is his weapon, and he plans to keep it that way. Lazarus was warned that Quinn’s power might be too great, even for him, but nothing prepared him for the truth of it until she held a dagger over him, and he was powerless to stop it. Now at odds with himself, the future king of Norcasta must find a way to regain control of his house and secure an alliance with the Pirate Queen...before fate tips its hand once more, and his carefully laid plans are led astray. Quinn’s loyalty is not easily won, but Lazarus has managed to do it. Now the vassal and right-hand of Lord Fierté, Quinn seeks to gain him an alliance with Ilvas all the while challenging him at every turn. With the Cisean tribes won over, and the blood heirs behind them, Quinn expects this to be an easy task, but soon finds herself entangled in a web of lies. Forced to gamble with her life—and the lives of her comrades—Quinn must make a choice that will either save or doom them all. *Book three coming September of 2019. This series must be read in order.* less

Quinn Darkova made a vow from the very beginning.And now she’s home.For revenge . . . Except N’skara isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, and the person she came for is nowhere to be found. After being taken ashore by armed guards of the same Council they came to sway, Quinn knows it’s up to her to uncover the truth about what really happened, while seeking the retribution owed to her. Lazarus knew she was hiding something. He knew she had unfinished business in N’skara... moreQuinn Darkova made a vow from the very beginning.And now she’s home.For revenge . . . Except N’skara isn’t the same as it was ten years ago, and the person she came for is nowhere to be found. After being taken ashore by armed guards of the same Council they came to sway, Quinn knows it’s up to her to uncover the truth about what really happened, while seeking the retribution owed to her. Lazarus knew she was hiding something. He knew she had unfinished business in N’skara. But never could he have known this. He hadn’t predicted how set in their ways the people were. He hadn’t listened to the warnings when Quinn spoke of secrets and lies. He hadn’t realized that the woman he couldn’t stay away from was forged as much by blood as she was by darkness. Now it was time to learn. In a land of sheep, it pays to be a wolf. less

After five months of journeying across the continent with her sister, Quinn is finally ready to return to the king she swore to serve.But war has been brewing over Norcasta in her absence. While Lazarus may reign as king, there are those that would see the blood heirs in power instead.

She died protecting the man she loved. She died by his hands. And on that blood soaked grave, vengeance grew.Quinn Darkova leads a listless existence in the dark realm. As honored guest and beloved by Mazzulah, she wants for nothing. But when Risk enters the realm to save her, the dark god can’t resist a good bargain.Lazarus is not the man he once was. Consumed by his own grief, he’s a beast whose sole motivation in life is getting revenge on the man who took Quinn from him... moreShe died protecting the man she loved. She died by his hands. And on that blood soaked grave, vengeance grew.Quinn Darkova leads a listless existence in the dark realm. As honored guest and beloved by Mazzulah, she wants for nothing. But when Risk enters the realm to save her, the dark god can’t resist a good bargain.Lazarus is not the man he once was. Consumed by his own grief, he’s a beast whose sole motivation in life is getting revenge on the man who took Quinn from him.Fate isn’t done with either of them.There’s still one game left to play.Winner takes all, and no matter the victor, the Sirian continent will never be the same again.This is the fifth and final book in the Dark Maji series. This series must be read in order. less