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Strange Fortune

by Josh Lanyon (Goodreads Author)

3.86 of 5 stars 3.86 · rating details · 628 ratings · 61 reviews

Two very different men. One magical world. An adventure that could cost everything.

Dashing soldier of fortune Valentine Strange needs a fortune—he owes just about everybody, including his betrothed. Happily, the wealthy Holy Orders of Harappu are desperate to retrieve the diadem of the Goddess Purya from an ancient temple deep in the White Mountains.

It’s to be a dangerous...more

ebook, 397 pages

Published July 20th 2010 by Samhain Publishing (first published 2009)

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Mar 10, 2011 Nikyta rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: injury-recovery, scifi-fantasy, bubbles-safe, little-or-no-smexing, magic, mercenaries-bounty-hunters, m-m, samhain-publishing, suspense, historical

This was a great book. It had a feel of historical to it but it was also fantasy which I loved.

I liked Valentine because he had such a dark humor. He was amused by the littlest thing and instead of being angry at something he'd get amused by it. Of course, he did get angry but most of the time he was pretty laid back. I loved Aleister, though. He understood Val's humor but he was also quiet and stayed to himself. People thought he was crazy all because he'd start ranting about weird things but...more

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Apr 15, 2011 Alyosha rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, agents-cops-soldiers-warriors, deception-betrayal-lies, friends-to-lovers, fantasy, witches-wizards-magicians-etc

Wow, if I already wasn't a fan of Lanyon's fantasy novels, I'd be one now.

Strange Fortune has to be one of the best fantasy novels I've read this year. The fact that it also has a m/m romance is a plus. SF has everything a good fantasy novel ought to have, intriguing, peculiar heroes with great chemistry and unusual dynamics between them, well crafted world, exciting adventure, dangerous voyages, a hunt for an ancient artifact, magic, curses, scary gods/demons, fights, a great battle, miracles a...more

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May 03, 2011 Lauraadriana rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fave-authors, loved-it

This was a very different world...as fantasies go it was an interesting place. It was a familiar, but also new. I was surprised pleasantly by the commentary on the oppressiveness of organized religion and colonialism I thought it was subtle but clearly thought out...

Valentine Strange I loved, his strength and sense of humor were fantastic. Josh creates these characters that are so strong and rough, but have this ability for tenderness and caring that is just so lovely. I loved the chemistry betw...more

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Nov 10, 2012 Jaya rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: good, series, slashreaders

Slash Readers: "Strange Fortune", is very much a fantasy novel situated in a fully formed and functioning world all it's own. We, the readers are quickly introduced to the two main characters Major Valentine Strange a cynical soldier of fortune in need of money. Despite his views on the church and religion Strange takes the job that is offered and the assigned companion from the church who is sent with him one Aleister Grimshaw. However, Aleister is more than just a witch he is the last son of a...more Slash Readers: "Strange Fortune", is very much a fantasy novel situated in a fully formed and functioning world all it's own. We, the readers are quickly introduced to the two main characters Major Valentine Strange a cynical soldier of fortune in need of money. Despite his views on the church and religion Strange takes the job that is offered and the assigned companion from the church who is sent with him one Aleister Grimshaw. However, Aleister is more than just a witch he is the last son of a family of traitors and the last survivor of the original excavation of the old temple. The world that they live in is a world on the edge, precariously balanced and ready to fall.

While, with Lanyon's other works I found this book well written it was not as good as I wanted it to be. I came to the opinion today as I was thinking about it, that the reason was this: I was not given enough of the two main characters together. They both seem to care about each other and there are moments where love is implied. However, on the whole there was not enough tension built up for the sequences of events in the end to have the greatest affect on me as the reader. I wanted to be shown a little more instead of told how these two felt and interacted with each other on a personal level.

I also found myself wanting to know Isabella Hyde a little more. She seemed to be an important character especially at the end but the majority of our knowledge about her is cast from Strange's point of view. We only see or hear her at a couple of points. I felt like she played a key part but we don't really know her except as a shadow character.

That being said, on the whole this was a very tame novel. There was pretty much one sex scene and a few other intimate moments of one shape or form. While, I'm not saying Strange and Aleister need to jump each other at ever corner, I wanted a little more. Lol, but yeah. So if you're looking for a good fantasy read without a lot of sex but a few intimate moments then this is a good place to start.(less)

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Oct 30, 2012 Charly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A decent adventure story

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- The story has an exotic feel to it. Many of the characters are larger-than-life (without falling into the realm of caricature), the setting is unusual and mysterious, and the events are fantastical and, for the most part, exciting. (see cons below also)
- It took a while for me to figure out whether the setting was historical or fantasy, which is a mark of a good fantasy setting, in...more A decent adventure story

Warning: This review might contain what some people consider SPOILERS.

Rating: 7/10

PROS:
- The story has an exotic feel to it. Many of the characters are larger-than-life (without falling into the realm of caricature), the setting is unusual and mysterious, and the events are fantastical and, for the most part, exciting. (see cons below also)
- It took a while for me to figure out whether the setting was historical or fantasy, which is a mark of a good fantasy setting, in my opinion--that it mimics real life so well that it seems real itself.
- This is an example of a story in which the two men dislike each other at the beginning and only very gradually learn to like each other. In many “enemies to lovers” stories, the transition seems forced or too fast to me; here it was believably slow and incremental. First dislike, then indifference, then tolerance, then amusement, then friendship, and then at last, romantic interest.
- There’s some dry humor in the exposition that amused me. Strange thinks at one point late in the story, when he and Grimshaw are already quite attached to each other emotionally, “For personal reasons he would prefer that Aleister not be killed….His own survival was also of some interest.”

CONS:
- The story drags in several places. The journey to the monastery is long, the time spent AT the monastery is long, and the final battle/showdown is long.
- The sex isn’t graphic at all, which is often totally fine with me--some writers don’t enjoy writing scenes like that and some readers don’t enjoy reading them. I was a little disappointed with this story, though, because we get some teasing scenes with a decent amount of detail, but when the guys finally go all the way, we see nothing. It seemed as though the author was setting me up for some bedroom scenes with at least as much detail as the teasing scenes, and then I was let down because I felt that he didn’t follow through.
- I’ve read a lot of stories in this genre, and the vast majority of them are terribly edited. It still shocks me when I read sentences that have obvious errors in them, though: “We’re lucky the lot of us go with it”; “And he fairly sure the end was near” (missing words--“didn’t” and “was,” respectively). I don’t understand how that sort of thing doesn’t get noticed before a book is published.

Overall comments: I thought this was a pretty good adventure story, but I wouldn’t recommend it for people who are looking for a lot of romance. The romantic relationship here is secondary to the plot, and the characters are so busy fighting for their lives that they don’t have time for much sweetness or passion.(less)

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Sep 15, 2012 Sequelguerrier rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: bi, fantasy, gay

Well, well, this is a bit of a departure from the Lanyon novels I have read so far. Instead of what I have come to look at as his trade mark who-dunnit style novels featuring one nervy, self-doubting, often writing hero and a dark, and handsome, square jawed, no nonsense police or detective type confronting crime and danger and their own issues somewhere in the States, here we are in a different world. The two hero types are true Lanyon but it's a world inspired by the Raj, the Anglo-Indian empi...more Well, well, this is a bit of a departure from the Lanyon novels I have read so far. Instead of what I have come to look at as his trade mark who-dunnit style novels featuring one nervy, self-doubting, often writing hero and a dark, and handsome, square jawed, no nonsense police or detective type confronting crime and danger and their own issues somewhere in the States, here we are in a different world. The two hero types are true Lanyon but it's a world inspired by the Raj, the Anglo-Indian empire and the great mutiny. Strange, as in Major Valentine Strange is a literary brother of Cromwell's Richard Sharpe of the Indian adventures. There are hints of the 'Far Pavilions' of the 'Siege of Krishnapur' even of 'Passage to India' and of Kippling. In some ways this even reminded me of Pratchett's 'Nation' and its parallel British Empire, even though Lanyon's creation is quite capable of standing on it's own feet. Lanyon twists things beyond the usual Indian setting and takes us to a parallel world where India isn't quite India and magic is very much alive and kicking – mostly in the heroes' balls. The heroes being aforementioned Major, formerly of the Benhali Lancers, Valentine Strange and Master Aleister Grimshaw, last survivor of a disgraced colonial family and a witch. The story follows the established fantasy pattern. The heroes go in search of a magical object, face many dangers along the way and come to the brink of the end of the world. Finally, well, … you better read it for yourself. Meanwhile they discover things about each other and themselves. This is well crafted, like most of Lanyon's novels and he has invested quite some effort in creating his world and making it coherent in itself. The characters are alive and if there is the odd hint of Indiana-Jones-like settings, the story is all the more fun for it. It's a story more elaborate than Lanyon's lighter novels and it has serious points to make about the choice between right and wrong and facing ones own demons etc. The 'romance' side of it is lightly done and never less than simply part of the story that is more a Romance in the classical and fantasy sense of a story of a heroic quest.

I for one hope that Strange follows Sharpe's example and has a few more appearances to make. After 'Strange Fortune' why not go for 'Strange Times' or 'Strange Friends' :-D (less)

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Oct 10, 2010 Elisa Ramblings added it · review of another edition

I will start this review up front: I’m not so fond of fantasy novel and neither so much of “quest” type of adventures. So why I read Strange Fortune that is the quintessence of both the above genres? Since I trust Josh Lanyon and his characters; it’s strange but whatever he is writing a mystery, a romance or a fantasy (and Strange Fortune is his first foray in the fantasy genre), I’m always sure that I will find two men that are unique for their story. Above all, these men are unexpected and wel...more I will start this review up front: I’m not so fond of fantasy novel and neither so much of “quest” type of adventures. So why I read Strange Fortune that is the quintessence of both the above genres? Since I trust Josh Lanyon and his characters; it’s strange but whatever he is writing a mystery, a romance or a fantasy (and Strange Fortune is his first foray in the fantasy genre), I’m always sure that I will find two men that are unique for their story. Above all, these men are unexpected and well-rounded, with their strenghts and faults; but they are also familiar, since there will be always the dashing one and the more brooding.

Major Valentine Strange and Master Aleister Grimshaw are apparently at the opposite, but right for this reason they click together in the right way. In dept up to his neck, and maybe more, Valentine Strange needs a bit of fortune, and the mission to retrieve the diadem of the Goddess Purya seems an easy one. Unwilling companion to Valentine is Aleister, trueblood and witch, apparently the wise man in comparison to Valentine and instead the one who will almost lose his mind.

The fantasy world Josh Lanyon recreates is completely visionary, but in a way has its roots in the real medieval times: Major Strange is in a mission for the church, Master Grimshaw’s previous lover is now a priest, the one who hires Valentine. Religion, myths and witchcraft mix together to move and control the known world.

Another familiar trait that links these characters with the previous ones from the same author is the apparently contraposition between “straight” Valentine and “gay” Aleister. Valentine is planning to marry, true, more for convenience than love, but I didn’t read him as a gay in the closet; until he meets Aleister and he develops feelings for him, Valentine is not gay; maybe he is not fully straight, and sincerely he questions his feelings for Aleister more since they are ruining his second option to gain money, than for a real moral opposition to them.

Maybe for this reason, or maybe since, sincerely, Josh Lanyon writes romance, and not erotica, the sex scenes are of the old fashioned style, the ones happening behind a closed door, and to only one, necessary to the story, the fulcrum of the romance, the reader is invited.

I read different opinion on this novel, and the most common trend was, this is an unusual novel for Josh Lanyon, something his fans could love or hate, but they have to read it with an open mind, since it’s different from the usual… I disagree. Aside from the fantasy genre, the only novelty I found, this is a typical story by Josh Lanyon: the characters are what holds the story; the romance is subdued but romantic; the relationship between the two men is “quietly” passionate, meaning that there are no burst of passion but nevertheless there is love; sometime the stronger man, Valentine, seems to be more the protector than the lover, but in the end it will be Aleister who will wrap up the story. So where is the unexpected in this story? What is that could ring wrong to the usual readers of Josh Lanyon? As I said, the fantasy setting.

The fantasy setting is good, I maybe am not a fan, but just only the fact that I read it is a point to it. What I usually don’t like of the fantasy genre are the long descriptions to allow the reader to “fall into” the mood, into the new world, but that is exactly what the fans of the genre love. As I said, I found it easier since some points were familiar, and indeed this is not only a fantasy but also a quest, and so the long descriptions allow the reader to follow the main characters in their quest; what the reader and the characters will learn along the travel is that the real quest is not what they were expecting to be and when they will reach their destination, they will discover that the travel is yet only at the beginning.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/193556000X/?...(less)

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Apr 11, 2010 Alan rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Book Review: Strange Fortune by Josh Lanyon

Reviewed by Alan Chin
Publisher: Blind Eye Books
ISBN 978-1-935560-00-5

Valentine Strange is delighted to accept a job from the Holy Order to find and retrieve an antique diadem of the Goddess Purya from somewhere in the distant White Mountains. Although the mountains are filled with bandits and scoundrels, this soldier of fortune has little fear of anything short of not being paid for his services. But when the Holy Order insists that Master Aleister Grim...more Book Review: Strange Fortune by Josh Lanyon

Reviewed by Alan Chin
Publisher: Blind Eye Books
ISBN 978-1-935560-00-5

Valentine Strange is delighted to accept a job from the Holy Order to find and retrieve an antique diadem of the Goddess Purya from somewhere in the distant White Mountains. Although the mountains are filled with bandits and scoundrels, this soldier of fortune has little fear of anything short of not being paid for his services. But when the Holy Order insists that Master Aleister Grimshaw, a witch with a history of insanity, join the expedition, Strange realizes there is more at stake than the retrieval of a relic.

As the small band begins their search, Strange and Grimshaw forge a tenuous friendship. But they are followed, step by step, not only by bandits, but by a demonic power more powerful than anyone could imagine. When the stakes are raised well beyond the danger level and they are betrayed at every turn, they are forced to rely on each other for survival. Finding the diadem could spell doom for Strange and Grimshaw, or could it be their only hope of survival?

Strange Fortune is a rollicking good read – interesting characters, fast paced, rich descriptions, and action that kept me turning pages. It’s a fun read. Adventurous and romantic. Lanyon has created a wonderful world of magic and spirits and spells and romance. It is a winner.

I stumbled over a few issues that I felt kept this marvelous story from being a great one. A minor annoyance was it held a dozen more misspellings and missing words than I’m used to seeing. The book could certainly use a more careful copyeditor.

A more troublesome issue was the story’s time setting. Although the author clearly created a unique setting, the physical setting seems to be taken from early twentieth century India, yet the customs and beliefs of the characters seems to indicate ancient times, when Holy Orders ruled, witches were common and people worshiped demons. For me, it seemed to disconnect. One minute they were worshiping idols, the next Grimshaw was checking the time on his wrist-watch or firing his rife. And the language the characters often used – such as “the bottom line is” – is really quite modern. I just kept getting the impression, that if the author had paid closer attention to keep the language and the physical setting in ancient times (bows and arrows instead of rifles) this would have been a great read, rather than a very good read.

Still, my few minor issues aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to everyone.
(less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Katharina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

Loved it! Great story, great world, great characters with great chemistry.

It's more a fantasy/adventure story than romance - actually the romance is on the slow burner for a long while, but that's kind of expected in a Josh Lanyon story :) The world building is original, coherent, and thorough - if rather regionally focused since we don't get a lot of information about the world outside the country/general area the story plays in. The prose is fluid, easy to read, with glimpses of humour and th...more

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Nov 18, 2009 Mandi Schreiner rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you read this blog regularly, it comes as no surprise when I say I am a big Josh Lanyon fan. He is known for clever, witty mystery male/male romance books. Strange Fortune is his first foray into fantasy, and it is an amazing one at that. While this book took a chapter or two to really get into, I ended up with a love of the two main characters and picture of the world stamped in my mind.

Valentine Strange is in desperate need of money having bad luck at the gaming tables recently. His fortune...more If you read this blog regularly, it comes as no surprise when I say I am a big Josh Lanyon fan. He is known for clever, witty mystery male/male romance books. Strange Fortune is his first foray into fantasy, and it is an amazing one at that. While this book took a chapter or two to really get into, I ended up with a love of the two main characters and picture of the world stamped in my mind.

Valentine Strange is in desperate need of money having bad luck at the gaming tables recently. His fortune changes however when he is propositioned by The Holy Order, more specifically Brahman Warrick. He asks Strange, who has a reputation of a man who knows how to get things done, to go on a mission – retrieve an ancient diadem belonging to the goddess of Purya, one that The Holy Order will pay Strange for handsomely and allow him to pay off all his debts. Strange has never heard of this diadem, but according to Warrick, after Purya defeated monsters and demons, she forged this diadem to be worn by her successor the next time the world was in danger. Strange isn’t necessarily buying this tale, but for the right price, he will find truth in any story. This is a dangerous mission though – having to journey into the White Mountains, so he demands all of his money upfront. Warrick also decides to send Aleister Grimshaw, a witch with Strange to help if needed, but Warrick has ulterior motives. Warrick doesn’t think Grimshaw is mentally stable, and thinks he needs a break from the Holy Order.

Grimshaw comes from a trueblood family, one that conspired in a mutiny against Strange’s people. Although Grimshaw saw his own father and grandfather executed for their crimes, Strange saw many more terrible things done to his people during that time. They set off with history already clouding their trust. Grimshaw is just as “excited” as Strange to go on this mission, but Warrick is giving him no choice.

They set off with an unknown road ahead of them. Much distrust swirls around Grimshaw because he is a witch and his powers are not trusted. They soon realize, they not only have assassins following their trail, but heir own laborers attempt mutiny. Strange soon concludes that retrieving this diadem is not as straight forward as Warrick assumed it to be. Once they reach the monastery where Warrick promised the diadem to be located, Strange and Grimshaw realize there is much more going on. Strange also realizes his basic intentions of keeping Grimshaw safe, have turned into a much more stronger desire. Having been in a relationship with a woman previously, his feelings for Grimshaw come as a bit of a surprise, and Strange soon finds himself trying to keep Grimshaw safe, no matter the cost.

I could probably write a five page summary for Strange Fortune, but that is because Josh Lanyon puts that much detail into this story. Valentine Strange is the type of character I love – cocky, finding himself in continuous trouble, and more concerned with his polo ponies or weapons than anything of significance. In the beginning, all he truly cares about is finding the diadem to uphold his part of the bargain, but that is before he meets Grimshaw. The witch is a mysterious one – he keeps to himself, and performs spells at night which keeps everyone on edge since magic is not trusted. Strange likes a mystery and finds Grimshaw’s riddled answers and secret ways antagonizing but it keeps him on his toes. Grimshaw is lonely, and finds talking to Strange a great source of relief and a friendship develops. They soon learn they really have only each other to trust, as the others plot and uprise against them.The romance unfolds very slowly, Grimshaw falling a little faster in love. Strange always has in the back of his mind the question of whether Grimshaw is glamouring him, but it is more of a defensive thought, since he hasn’t been with a man in a long time. These two really become allies first in this mission as their friendship is tested, especially on Strange’s part. At one point in the journey, Grimshaw is unconscious for two days, and Strange never once thinks of leaving him behind, even though it puts him more at risk.

I think for those Josh Lanyon fans out there, and for those who have never read him, it needs to be stressed that this is foremost a fantasy book. Those anticipating the big romance scene may be disappointed – if that is the only thing you are waiting for. Yes there is romance, but it is not written in your face. Rather, it quietly surfaces in the story as Grimshaw and Strange go on their journey.

Their journey to retrieve the diadem becomes very complex and many twists are thrown at the reader. My only criticism is that in some parts it does become a bit slow, but at he same time, this story would not be what it is without the meticulous world building Josh Lanyon has included.

Strange Fortune is much different from his m/m romance books he is known for, but it is a fun, exhilarating change and I hope it isn’t the last of this world we have seen!(less)

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Oct 21, 2010 Rikki rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: glbt, fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. When I picked up this book I had no idea what to expect. I have never read anything by Josh Lanyon before and didn’t know anything about his style. The blurb indicates that this is a fantasy adventure, a quest for an old relic with some romance thrown in. And for once the blurb does neither exaggerate nor gets your hopes up only to find that the story does not deliver.

It took me quite a while to find my way into the story. I am not an enthusiastic fantasy reader and usually I need a lot of expla...more When I picked up this book I had no idea what to expect. I have never read anything by Josh Lanyon before and didn’t know anything about his style. The blurb indicates that this is a fantasy adventure, a quest for an old relic with some romance thrown in. And for once the blurb does neither exaggerate nor gets your hopes up only to find that the story does not deliver.

It took me quite a while to find my way into the story. I am not an enthusiastic fantasy reader and usually I need a lot of explaining about what’s the world like, who is in it, what is the history etc. Here I got thrown into the story without much information at all. I read names of cities, gods, peoples and had no clue. I was constantly asking myself what or who is that? Some place names sounded vaguely Indian, others, mostly the characters’ names, were more or less English, so I was confused.
However, after a while I decided to not worry about the previous history and goings on anymore and just read and enjoy what I got. Once I got over the point of constantly wondering I very much enjoyed the adventure. I liked the two protagonists and wanted to know what would happen next so badly that I could hardly put my e-reader down. I found the description of places, be it an old monastery or some dark cave, very vivid and could picture everything perfectly.

After a while I started to wonder again. Being unfamiliar with the author I was asking myself where the m/m romance factor would come into play. Admittedly, there was an attraction between the gay Aleister and the supposedly straight Valentine, but nothing ever came off it, at first. And even when it did, the romance was limited to being rather tame, with love scenes mostly behind closed doors. Possibly this is Josh Lanyon’s style and I am not saying it didn’t fit the story – it did. Just be prepared, there are not a lot of juicy details like in so many other books.

So, again, after I was reconciled with the fact that this was not as graphic a read as I am used to, I was totally fine with it. It is a great adventure story, the quest for the artifact is pretty exciting and varied. Valentine Strange is quite hard-boiled and down to Earth, which leads to a few fun thoughts. An example…
At one point Valentine starts to suspect that the interest of some effeminate writer at a party in military strategy and on how to take the city might have been more than just theoretical.

"Strange had laid out several schemes. And the writer had taken careful notes.
He hoped the young man wasn’t a mutineer. He’d been rather looking forward to reading that book."

Also I liked the no-nonsense attitude of Strange and his military partner Akanhe. During the second expedition they are in the company of a temple witch called Master Scrivener, who is pretty useless, to replace Aleister. They are attacked by some mutineers and engage in a gunfight. Strange orders Scrivener to somehow get rid of the sorceress who accompanies the mutineers.

"This however seemed to be beyond Master Scrivener’s ken. In fact, his efforts over the next hour fell so short that the young sorceress was emboldened – or exasperated – into showing herself and challenging Scrivener to a duel of magic – whereupon Akanhe shot her dead."

I liked that. No mumbo-jumbo where bullets will do.

The adventure came to a good and reasonable conclusion and the romance took a satisfying ending. So, if you like fantasy, good story-telling, well developed characters and don’t insist on tons of graphic sex scenes, this is perfect for you.(less)

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Jul 19, 2011 Kiera Nightroad rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is what a fantasy novel should be! More of a 4.5 than a 4.

The setting was great with good world building. The use of an alternate reality Britain/India axis was great. There were enough familiar or almost familiar terms to ground you and give you a shadowy sense of history that the author then built on with the specifics of his world.

More sensual/sexual than many of his stories, I found that a nice perk to reading this story. It was a nice switch to see both his men on the same page before...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Kate added it · review of another edition

More fantasy than romance. Both felt very thin to me, which is weird given the length of the book. It's packed with action and something new happens to ~~Flashman~~ Valentine Strange and Aleister Grimshaw every few pages, but the pacing feels slow and all the things going on with the various priests, the gods, the revolutionaries, the world building, etc. just felt like a bunch of fantasy tropes all randomly jumbled together. The romance? Eh, I wasn't feeling it. Maybe Strange is a little too much l...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Kinga rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved the characters, thoroughly enjoyed the story and the non-explicitness for a change. I only gave it 4 stars, because at times it felt rushed, especially at the end. When they got back to the city and I saw that about 40 pages were left I started feeling a bit apprehensive and as it turned out I was right. I was a little disappointed not only with how quickly the ending came but that it felt so...anticlimactic. You don't really want to watch a fight where the opponent gets knocked out in t...more

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Nov 24, 2009 thelastaerie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Proof that Josh Lanyon can write pretty much any genre (well... that's not to say I want him to write het romance!) and it will be brilliant. While breaking new grounds with his first fantasy novel, he keeps his trademark wits and sharpness. There's great chemistry between the two lead characters, and real conflicts, emotional turmoil, and a great adventure/mystery to make it difficult to put down the book. Not to mention flawless characterisation and structure (the devil is in the detail). I ca...more

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Aug 01, 2011 Liam Grey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is not the snappiest book Mr. Lanyon has written, but I think it is my favorite of his so far. It has echoes of Bujold's Chalion novels, which are some of my favorites.

Well written, well plotted, well constructed world, it's a really solid book.

Part of me wishes the magic system had been explained better, but it didn't need to be for the plot to be understood.

This was a fiction book, where the two protagonists just happened to be gay, which is really what I'd like to read. Hope we get more...more

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Feb 24, 2013 ttg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, challenge-read, reviews

Strange Fortune is probably the biggest departure for Lanyon, a fantasy adventure novel about two very different men, one witch, one soldier, who are forced to journey together to retrieve a religious artifact, and along the way, discover a far more sinister plot with potential world-ending consequences.

The story is set in an AU world, but Lanyon’s fantasy setting is heavily inspired by turn-of-the-century India under Britain’s colonial rule. In this story, ruling Alba is trying to maintain its...more

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May 18, 2012 Winterland rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved both of the main characters in the book. The plot was interesting too, enough to keep me reading and finishing the book quickly. (Too quickly, because I missed the characters when I was done with the book, like I do with books that have characters that I actually care about what happens to.)

Apparently this is, so far (?), Josh Lanyon's only book in this genre, but I hope he writes more. I would love to see a sequel to this one as well, as the book ended just when things started to happen...more

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Dec 30, 2011 Magdala Garza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: funny, historical-fantasy, fantasy, m-m, love, magic, india, sweet, witches, romantic, dynamic-duo, sacrifice-love-vs-world

Overall, a sweet, funny adventure story, featuring two likable characters with great chemistry. 9/10

SUMMARY: In an alternate world British-India, Major Valentine Strange (formerly of the Benhali Lancers) is a mercenary who owes a lot of money to a lot of people, including his fiancee, the fabulously wealthy Isabella Hyde. So when beautiful Brahman Warrick of the Holy Orders offers him two hundred thousand rupees to go to a temple and retrieve a goddess' diadem, he jumps at the opportunity. What...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Kat rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: review, glbt, fantasy, read-2010, romance

My review cross-posted from Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-r...

Major Valentine Strange is out of the regiment and deep into debt. Luckily for Strange, the Holy Orders of Harappu are willing to pay him a considerable amount of money to travel to an ancient temple and fetch the diadem of the goddess Purya. The job sounds a bit too easy to Strange, but he can’t afford to turn down the pay. His mission is made all the more interesting by the addition of Master Aleister Grimsh...more My review cross-posted from Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/new-r...

Major Valentine Strange is out of the regiment and deep into debt. Luckily for Strange, the Holy Orders of Harappu are willing to pay him a considerable amount of money to travel to an ancient temple and fetch the diadem of the goddess Purya. The job sounds a bit too easy to Strange, but he can’t afford to turn down the pay. His mission is made all the more interesting by the addition of Master Aleister Grimshaw, an expert in antiquities…and reportedly half-mad witch.

Aleister knows there’s something far more sinister about the diadem than the Holy Orders is willing to acknowledge. He doesn’t want to join Strange on his assignment, but finds he has no choice. Once on the trail to retrieve the diadem, threats bombard Strange and Aleister at every turn. With no one to trust but each other, the two men become closer than either would have expected. But before Strange and Aleister can fully explore their mutual attraction, they must outwit a demonic power that threatens to destroy everything and everyone they’ve ever known.

Josh Lanyon writes some of the most engaging fantasy romances I’ve had the good fortune to read. Strange Fortune swept me away to the world of Hidush, where the action was non-stop and I never knew what would happen next. It’d be criminal of me to reveal too much of what happens in Strange Fortune, for anticipation and discovery were part of the joy in my reading experience. I reveled in Strange and Aleister’s adventure, but more so I was entranced by the men themselves, not to mention their love story. Both Aleister and Strange are gorgeously drawn, three-dimensional heroes that I can hardly do them justice here. When it comes to their romance, Mr. Lanyon beautifully weaves desire, care, and love into Strange Fortune, which made the book impossible for me to put down.

Strange Fortune has been previously released in print, but it’s available for the first time in digital format from Samhain Publishing. I admit, I enjoyed this book so much I own it in both formats. No matter how you like to read your books, Strange Fortune is a story that is not to be missed!(less)

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May 03, 2011 Cleon Lee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m, all-time-favorite

Action packed, intense, and adventure filled novel. I am really glad that the romance is secondary to the adventure, I am quite bored with too much romance now. I love that the romance built slowly, and I am doubly glad to read they could restrain themselves and enjoyed simple intimacy whenever they can. It's not all about sex. This novel reads like an epic journey & adventure. There is so much going on, but it doesn't feel rushed at all.

This fantasy world is so unlike any other fantasy sto...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Grandmat rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

What surprised me most isn't how good this story was, as Lanyon is wonderfully talented. It was how different the style is from his other work. Good, well thought plot, engaging characters, high adventure, and almost non-sexual, although sexual tension is certainly there. I think I'd read the financial pages if Lanyon wrote them; he's that good.

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Sep 01, 2010 Laylah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gods-and-monsters, m-slash-m

There were one or two plot points in the last third of this book that felt a little rushed to me, and I really wish it had gotten one more pass from a copy editor before it went to print -- but those are minor issues. The adventuring was exciting, the relationship between the characters developed really well, and the world around them was fascinating. Yum.

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Nov 22, 2009 Karin Wollina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

that is another great story, but you wouldn`t expect anything else when you read a book written by Josh Lanyon. The chremistry between the heoes is perfect, I like the action and the way it plays with indian history. And even if I am usually not such a great fan of fantasy, you can be sure to get good stories at blindeyebooks

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Jul 17, 2011 Cat rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: dont_own, fantasy, gods, magic, mm, novel, reincarnation, religion, swords

Strange Fortune was an odd read for me. At times I was loving it and then other times I had to force myself to read through the pages. I flipped back and forth the entire time I was reading so when I came to the end I didn't really know if I liked it or disliked it.

I think the biggest issues I had with this story was the lack of relationship driven events and lack of character development. The world and its religions and societies seemed to have been worked on far more then the characters themse...more

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Apr 13, 2012 amelia cavendish rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-2012, fiction, fantasy, supernatural, gay-male, kindle, action

This book is very different from Josh Lanyon's usual stories, and I thought it was brilliant.

The world Josh has created for this tale where magic exists, has a distinctly Indian Raj feel to it, which works very well, and I really liked the characters of both Strange and Grimshaw. (Although that name does amuse me, as my boss is called Grimshaw)!

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Jan 31, 2011 Nicole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mm-romance

This story was great, but There was no sex. Now I have to be honest, I did purchase it after reading the warning on books on board promising "illicit use of Pith helmets". This intrigued me, but the details were never expanded on. Aside from that minor disappointment, it was a good story.

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Apr 18, 2010 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Strange Fortune by Josh Lanyon was a great fantasy read. I did find it a little difficult to get into initially, but after a couple of chapters I was totally sucked in. Unique world building aside, it was the characters and their budding attraction that kept me engrossed. I liked Valentine Strange and his lithe good looks, snippy comebacks and that he did not suffer fools gladly. He was a good foil for Aleister, who seemed rather vulnerable at times. Not in such a way that was irritating to read...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Vivian rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a little slow at the beginning, but after the first 30 pages the story starts getting complex and reeling in the reader. I really enjoyed Valentine Strange, he was an interesting character. A bit of an opportunistic cad, reckless and with the heart of a lion. It was beyond rewarding watching him fall in love with the complex, seemingly fragile Aleisteir Grimshaw -- I could spend a long time just peeling all the layers of this character alone. And the deta...more

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Nov 30, 2009 Ingrid rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: m-m

A fresh take on fantasy. It used to be when reading fantasy that I would think this hero and that main character would really suit each other and then the writer would mess it up putting a girl in the picture. I am so happy that it doesn't have to be that way anymore!

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About Josh Lanyon

A distinct voice in gay fiction, multi-award-winning author JOSH LANYON has been writing gay mystery, adventure and romance for over a decade. In addition to numerous short stories, novellas, and novels, Josh is the author of the critically acclaimed Adrien English series, including The Hell You Say, winner of the 2006 USABookNews awards for GLBT Fiction. Josh is an Eppie Award winner and a three-...more

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Books by Josh Lanyon

Fatal Shadows (Adrien English Mystery, #1)

The Dark Tide (Adrien English Mystery, #5)

A Dangerous Thing (Adrien English Mystery, #2)

Death of a Pirate King (Adrien English Mystery, #4)

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