What do you think?
Rate this book
Fortune's Cloak, Mercy's Blade: From the Secret Scrolls of the Imperaré
Ulric emerged from the shadows, and without a word, placed the missing scroll case on the table between the magus and her apprentice. The magus snatched up the case, releasing him from his torment. In a weak and cracking voice, the apprentice asked, “Who are you? And how did you find our map?” Ulric replied, “How did I find the map? That’s not the right question at all. Because I stole it!”
Now a fledgling member of the criminal Imperaré, Ulric Darktalon irrevocably links his fate to a mysterious map which he first steals, then returns. The map has already passed through many hands, leaving death in its wake. It—or the prize to which it leads—is sought by his boss Silo and rival Imperaré princes, a powerful dragon magus, and what remains of the old Eltaran Kingdoms.
Ulric joins the magus Vipsania Tertia and a pair of battle-hardened warriors on a journey which will take them far from the walls of Trumric and into the wild lands and ruined cities of the ancient Eltarans. The priestess Persius Julia insists on coming along, if not for her love of Ulric, then for her own hidden agenda. And, as has been Ulric’s fortune lately, the assassin Luciano is never far behind…
Now a fledgling member of the criminal Imperaré, Ulric Darktalon irrevocably links his fate to a mysterious map which he first steals, then returns. The map has already passed through many hands, leaving death in its wake. It—or the prize to which it leads—is sought by his boss Silo and rival Imperaré princes, a powerful dragon magus, and what remains of the old Eltaran Kingdoms.
Ulric joins the magus Vipsania Tertia and a pair of battle-hardened warriors on a journey which will take them far from the walls of Trumric and into the wild lands and ruined cities of the ancient Eltarans. The priestess Persius Julia insists on coming along, if not for her love of Ulric, then for her own hidden agenda. And, as has been Ulric’s fortune lately, the assassin Luciano is never far behind…
525 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 1, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up.
When I finished book 1 (Fortune’s Shadow Mercy’s Light), I could not get to book 2 fast enough. This installment hit the ground running with captivating characters and action packed and fast paced story line. The downside to reading book 1 and 2 back-to-back is now I have to wait for the 3rd book to find out the epic conclusion of this story, and trust me when I say this, I just know that the conclusion is going to be EPIC!
This part of the story continues with Ulric and his wrestles with trying to make sure those he cares about is safe while he battles the forces that seem to be destined to conquer. Meanwhile Julia and her new found responsibilities gifted to her by her Goddess, have their own struggles with the romance that is taking over her heart. With a mysterious and prized map that Ulric stole, which is deeply sought after by his new boss Silo, the pair is joined by the magus Vipsania Tertia and a few skilled warriors to travel across lands to distant old kingdoms and discover the truth about a civilization that time seems to have forgotten. Good old (que the eye roll) Luciano always seems to be on their heels.
I will say, if you have not read book 1, then you may have a difficult time following along. I absolutely love the fact that I got to see more of Julia, she has been a favorite of mine throughout this series. She really comes into her own in this installment. As for Luciano, uggggg he is perfectly vile! The plot twists and turns had the pages turning, oh how I wish this was a movie, it would be stunning to watch!!
When I finished book 1 (Fortune’s Shadow Mercy’s Light), I could not get to book 2 fast enough. This installment hit the ground running with captivating characters and action packed and fast paced story line. The downside to reading book 1 and 2 back-to-back is now I have to wait for the 3rd book to find out the epic conclusion of this story, and trust me when I say this, I just know that the conclusion is going to be EPIC!
This part of the story continues with Ulric and his wrestles with trying to make sure those he cares about is safe while he battles the forces that seem to be destined to conquer. Meanwhile Julia and her new found responsibilities gifted to her by her Goddess, have their own struggles with the romance that is taking over her heart. With a mysterious and prized map that Ulric stole, which is deeply sought after by his new boss Silo, the pair is joined by the magus Vipsania Tertia and a few skilled warriors to travel across lands to distant old kingdoms and discover the truth about a civilization that time seems to have forgotten. Good old (que the eye roll) Luciano always seems to be on their heels.
I will say, if you have not read book 1, then you may have a difficult time following along. I absolutely love the fact that I got to see more of Julia, she has been a favorite of mine throughout this series. She really comes into her own in this installment. As for Luciano, uggggg he is perfectly vile! The plot twists and turns had the pages turning, oh how I wish this was a movie, it would be stunning to watch!!
August 11, 2025
If you’re looking for a fantasy series that feels like a legendary tabletop campaign come to life, the Fortune & Mercy books are pure gold.
In Fortune’s Shadow, Mercy’s Light (Book 1), we meet Ulric Darktalon, a thief with more charm than caution, whose choices tangle him up in a web of maps, magi, and mayhem. The world is richly imagined, the stakes are high, and the story hooks you before you realize you’ve been reading for hours.
By the time you reach Fortune’s Cloak, Mercy’s Blade (Book 2), the game has completely changed. Alliances deepen, dangers multiply, and there’s this perfect mix of clever twists, tense stand-offs, and moments of sly humor that keep the pages flying. You can feel the decades of friendship and creativity behind Dennis and Riley’s writing, it’s got the energy of a campaign run by people who truly love their world and its characters.
From shadowy city streets to ruined kingdoms, every scene is vivid and brimming with that “anything could happen” thrill. And the supporting cast? Unforgettable. (Also, I’m convinced Cleopawtra and Clawdius could headline a novella of their own.)
If you enjoy fantasy adventures with heart, wit, and a dash of danger, this is a series worth diving into. Just… don’t blame me if you stay up way too late reading “one more chapter.”
In Fortune’s Shadow, Mercy’s Light (Book 1), we meet Ulric Darktalon, a thief with more charm than caution, whose choices tangle him up in a web of maps, magi, and mayhem. The world is richly imagined, the stakes are high, and the story hooks you before you realize you’ve been reading for hours.
By the time you reach Fortune’s Cloak, Mercy’s Blade (Book 2), the game has completely changed. Alliances deepen, dangers multiply, and there’s this perfect mix of clever twists, tense stand-offs, and moments of sly humor that keep the pages flying. You can feel the decades of friendship and creativity behind Dennis and Riley’s writing, it’s got the energy of a campaign run by people who truly love their world and its characters.
From shadowy city streets to ruined kingdoms, every scene is vivid and brimming with that “anything could happen” thrill. And the supporting cast? Unforgettable. (Also, I’m convinced Cleopawtra and Clawdius could headline a novella of their own.)
If you enjoy fantasy adventures with heart, wit, and a dash of danger, this is a series worth diving into. Just… don’t blame me if you stay up way too late reading “one more chapter.”
May 8, 2026
Fortune’s Cloak, Mercy’s Blade completely surpassed my expectations. Dennis Riley has crafted a fantasy world that feels rich, dangerous, and alive from the very first page. Ulric Darktalon is such a compelling protagonist flawed, clever, and constantly caught between survival, loyalty, and ambition. Watching him get pulled deeper into the mysteries surrounding the map and the Imperaré kept me hooked the entire time.
What I loved most was how the story balances action, intrigue, and character development. The journey through ruined Eltaran cities and wild lands felt cinematic, and every new revelation made the stakes feel bigger. The supporting cast is also fantastic Vipsania Tertia, Persius Julia, and Luciano each bring their own tension and personality to the story, making the group dynamics incredibly entertaining.
The writing flows smoothly, the pacing never drags, and the worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming. There’s a great blend of dark fantasy, adventure, and political intrigue that reminded me why I love the genre in the first place.
What I loved most was how the story balances action, intrigue, and character development. The journey through ruined Eltaran cities and wild lands felt cinematic, and every new revelation made the stakes feel bigger. The supporting cast is also fantastic Vipsania Tertia, Persius Julia, and Luciano each bring their own tension and personality to the story, making the group dynamics incredibly entertaining.
The writing flows smoothly, the pacing never drags, and the worldbuilding is immersive without being overwhelming. There’s a great blend of dark fantasy, adventure, and political intrigue that reminded me why I love the genre in the first place.
April 12, 2025
TL;DR - this book is fuuuun.
The momentum picks up right where Book 1 left off and takes our protagonists on an action-packed journey full of mystery, deceit, tragedy, and redemption. The scale at which the authors could zoom in and out of perspective from tight quarters to unimaginable expanse deserves applause. The story does a great job developing a cast of characters through action and split-second decision-making that keeps the plot moving and the pace high. This book is a valiant homage to the masterly developed DnD campaign everyone wishes they could experience. I’ll be first in line for the next book.
The momentum picks up right where Book 1 left off and takes our protagonists on an action-packed journey full of mystery, deceit, tragedy, and redemption. The scale at which the authors could zoom in and out of perspective from tight quarters to unimaginable expanse deserves applause. The story does a great job developing a cast of characters through action and split-second decision-making that keeps the plot moving and the pace high. This book is a valiant homage to the masterly developed DnD campaign everyone wishes they could experience. I’ll be first in line for the next book.
February 24, 2025
If you loved the first installment, Fortune’s Shadow & Mercy’s Light, then oh my goodness are you in for a treat!! This explosive sequel proves that we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg! The development of the characters has become rich with dimension as they face traitorous peril, love, and mystery around the corner. I loved being reunited with Julia, Ulric, and yes even Luciano! So get ready to dive back into the stunning world of Trumric but do brace yourself for the rollercoaster of emotion!
February 7, 2025
An excellent sequel!
Dennis Riley has provided us an excellent addition to the Fortune & Mercy series. Well crafted and on point, with characters who feel real enough to chat with, this is a worthy successor to the first novel!
Dennis Riley has provided us an excellent addition to the Fortune & Mercy series. Well crafted and on point, with characters who feel real enough to chat with, this is a worthy successor to the first novel!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews