Rating: 3🌈
Honestly, Lord is a huge letdown after the fabulous Lady. And that’s totally due to the character of Emmeline’s clueless brother, Duncan Luck.
Of the three siblings who are the focus of this series, Duncan was always going to be the most problematic. So I was hopeful that Todd was going to be able to make him a more balanced and empathetic character here instead of a self absorbed, socially naive, and yes, cowardly person. However, brilliant he might be.
I cannot count how many times this story was almost a DNF for me.
Several things kept me going.
Firstly, the interesting format Todd had chosen for this trilogy. The timeline for three books, Lady (Emmeline), Lord (Duncan), and Bastard (Silas Emmason), have them occurring simultaneously, just seeing the same events from different perspectives. As well as filling in the missing details and information from when each character is absent from the other’s storyline.
And this factor works against Duncan in every aspect. Every horror Emmeline endures, all the fear and despair, the pain and humiliation at their father’s hand, we see that Duncan ignores it, ignores her, hiding behind his experiments. Or refusing to acknowledge that he has been behaving in a manner which seems cowardly and naive. He’s basically a grown man who either refuses to act or when he chooses, doesn’t consider the consequences to others. For 85 percent of the story.
No, however badly Todd seems to want to excuse or explain his actions, Duncan isn’t a character I could care about or invest in. Mostly I thought him a dangerous fool. Well written, but not one I would ever connect with.
The story was interesting from just the different standpoint and to see Silas’ interactions here with Duncan . And, of course, to see Emmy set Duncan straight again on his deplorable outlook and behavior.
Next to Emmy, Silas is the most interesting. And I’m onto his story which wraps up their trilogy.
This is an alternate timeline in Victorian England. Magic has just started to appear, Prince Albert never dies, Disraeli stays in office longer. And Victoria never retires because she never falls into grief and mourning, but remains a strong monarch. More is learned about the world political landscape and unrest here. Another important aspect of this story.
Lady/Emmy remains the absolute gem of this series. Lord/Duncan is the charcoal. Both are needed.
I adore the covers. Each and every one. Detailed to fit the character.
Cover by Ampersand Book Covers
Noble’s Luck:
Lady #1
Lord #2
Bastard #3
Buy link
Blurb
Mr. Duncan Luck has always preferred the clarity of science to the chaos of human expectations.
Crippled as a teenager, he has endured years of his father’s disdain, deemed unworthy of both respect and the family title. When his father reveals a bastard heir who could replace him and forces his sister into a wretched engagement, Duncan’s carefully ordered world begins to unravel.
An accident in his laboratory changes everything. Instead of death, Duncan awakens to something far stranger: magic. The discovery shakes him to his core, offering a new field of study more exhilarating than science—and perhaps, a chance to prove himself. Dragging his reluctant new brother along, Duncan seeks training under the formidable and mysterious Miss Antoinette Carlton. While magic captivates him, Duncan’s efforts to impress his father lead him to develop enchanted looms to revolutionize their family’s mill.
Just as success and his father’s respect feel within reach, tragedy strikes, leaving Duncan broken in body and spirit. With his dreams in tatters and his self-worth shattered, he must confront his failures and decide who he wants to become. Accepting a dubious and possibly dangerous offer from Miss Carlton, Duncan resolves to use his mind and magic to forge a path uniquely his own.
In a society that values strength and dominance, can a man of intellect and magic find his place—and his worth—before it’s too late?
- Publisher: Bad Ash Publishing
- Publication date: February 17, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 328 pages
- Book 2 of 3: Noble’s Luck
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 