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Noble's Luck #1
Lady
Miss Emmeline Luck has always strived to be a dutiful daughter, but thinking for herself has never won her favor with society—or her domineering father.When Earl Luck announces her engagement to a slimy man unfit to be left with a scullery maid, she tries to comply. But the reality of the despicable nature of her fiancé reveals a power buried deep within Emmeline is a mage.
Magic is a new and controversial force in Victorian England; its emergence stirring unease while the Queen remains silent. Desperate for training, Emmeline turns to Miss Antoinette Carlton and her mentor, the Bengali mage Rohan, who has a familiar. As Emmeline delves into her training, she realizes magic could upend her family—and threaten the security of Britain itself.
When her father kicks her out, Emmeline faces an impossible conform to a life without freedom or carve a path on her own terms in a society that deems a woman without a man worthless. Armed with magic, intelligence, and the law, she sets out to challenge her father’s tyranny. But with powerful forces seeking to use her as a pawn, Emmeline must summon all her strength and cunning to claim her own destiny.
In a world where magic is both feared and coveted, can she rewrite the rules—or will she remain at the mercy of others?
Magic is a new and controversial force in Victorian England; its emergence stirring unease while the Queen remains silent. Desperate for training, Emmeline turns to Miss Antoinette Carlton and her mentor, the Bengali mage Rohan, who has a familiar. As Emmeline delves into her training, she realizes magic could upend her family—and threaten the security of Britain itself.
When her father kicks her out, Emmeline faces an impossible conform to a life without freedom or carve a path on her own terms in a society that deems a woman without a man worthless. Armed with magic, intelligence, and the law, she sets out to challenge her father’s tyranny. But with powerful forces seeking to use her as a pawn, Emmeline must summon all her strength and cunning to claim her own destiny.
In a world where magic is both feared and coveted, can she rewrite the rules—or will she remain at the mercy of others?
- GenresFantasy
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2025
106 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Mel Todd
85 books212 followersHey everyone! I'm Mel Todd and I live in Atlanta, Georgia at this moment. I write mostly romance free urban fantasy, urban science fiction, and soon fantasy.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 17, 2025
Good story poorly told
At first it was typos. And then there were errors that betrayed a complete lack of research on even the most basic things about the culture, time period and society. Earl’s daughters in 1865 are always Lady First Name. Not Lady Surname. Not Miss Whatever. And they are not interchangeable! Also, no one refers to the Queen of England by her first name unless they are her intimates and in private!! Courts in England at that time did not have seats for the barristers. They are not the same as American courts!! And the list of infuriating errors goes on.
I love the story of the MC and all the female characters. Not a single romance in sight! So much promise that hiring an editor familiar with the setting would have cured. But no instead we have a book I barely finished!
At first it was typos. And then there were errors that betrayed a complete lack of research on even the most basic things about the culture, time period and society. Earl’s daughters in 1865 are always Lady First Name. Not Lady Surname. Not Miss Whatever. And they are not interchangeable! Also, no one refers to the Queen of England by her first name unless they are her intimates and in private!! Courts in England at that time did not have seats for the barristers. They are not the same as American courts!! And the list of infuriating errors goes on.
I love the story of the MC and all the female characters. Not a single romance in sight! So much promise that hiring an editor familiar with the setting would have cured. But no instead we have a book I barely finished!
June 11, 2025
What a fantastic book and find. It’s one I’m highly recommending!
Rating: 5⭐️
This book is my first experience with this author and I’m so very excited to have found Mel Todd. What an incredible immersive experience and magnificent tale Lady is.
Set in the Ternion Universe, same world as Todd’s Twisted Luck series (which I haven’t read and this is a prequel to), it’s 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.
So much feels believable and powerful in its depth of detail because of the incredible characters, the emotion and pull of the storylines, and the magical power that is being created.
Especially when it comes to the Lucks. Each of these is focusing on a specific Luck sibling. The stories run concurrently with each other so we see many of the same events from different perspectives and where they were, if missing from the other person’s narrative at the time.
Miss Emmeline Luck, the youngest of the Earl’s children and the one the Earl favors the least, gets the first story.
Emmeline’s journey from a powerless object to be bartered by her father to a striking woman who has magical abilities and a sense of her own power to direct her life is gripping and incredibly satisfying.
It’s wound through with the political drama of that day, court proceedings and battles that mark the disparity between races, status and gender of Victorian times.
Emmeline’s development, however, includes her own family as well as new members who have the power to train her magic and influence her own destiny.
As she says herself:
“I wanted to be Emmeline Luck, someone that was irreplaceable and in control of her own destiny, not pawned off or used to further someone else's.”
I started rooting for her and remained so inspired and invested in her life that the pages flew by.
There’s no romance but very stirring moments as she fights for her control over her destiny.
Fantastic side characters that I would love to see more of, including her dress designer, Diante, a fascinating person whose history I’m dying to read.
I’m quickly heading to Lord which is Duncan’s book.
What a fantastic book and find. It’s one I’m highly recommending!
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
Rating: 5⭐️
This book is my first experience with this author and I’m so very excited to have found Mel Todd. What an incredible immersive experience and magnificent tale Lady is.
Set in the Ternion Universe, same world as Todd’s Twisted Luck series (which I haven’t read and this is a prequel to), it’s 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.
So much feels believable and powerful in its depth of detail because of the incredible characters, the emotion and pull of the storylines, and the magical power that is being created.
Especially when it comes to the Lucks. Each of these is focusing on a specific Luck sibling. The stories run concurrently with each other so we see many of the same events from different perspectives and where they were, if missing from the other person’s narrative at the time.
Miss Emmeline Luck, the youngest of the Earl’s children and the one the Earl favors the least, gets the first story.
Emmeline’s journey from a powerless object to be bartered by her father to a striking woman who has magical abilities and a sense of her own power to direct her life is gripping and incredibly satisfying.
It’s wound through with the political drama of that day, court proceedings and battles that mark the disparity between races, status and gender of Victorian times.
Emmeline’s development, however, includes her own family as well as new members who have the power to train her magic and influence her own destiny.
As she says herself:
“I wanted to be Emmeline Luck, someone that was irreplaceable and in control of her own destiny, not pawned off or used to further someone else's.”
I started rooting for her and remained so inspired and invested in her life that the pages flew by.
There’s no romance but very stirring moments as she fights for her control over her destiny.
Fantastic side characters that I would love to see more of, including her dress designer, Diante, a fascinating person whose history I’m dying to read.
I’m quickly heading to Lord which is Duncan’s book.
What a fantastic book and find. It’s one I’m highly recommending!
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
October 14, 2025
I've read all 3 books now and overall I'd say 4.5/5 stars. This book was DEFINITELY a 5/5 star. The FMC was awesome, her growth just kept going (Horrors! A woman being assertive!), there was tension, the story was interesting, she learned new magic. Yes, just a great read.
The one negative I had was with the learning of magic. While they all had to take weeks to learn it, it was kind of glossed over. There were no details of, oh, I don't know, you have to think a certain way, or push something within you a certain way (like with qi). It just was. Rather boring, and fast. The effects of it were cool, so that ameliorated it somewhat fortunately.
The next 2 books were a retell of the same story, from the viewpoint of her 2 brothers. I've seen this once before with a juvenile book that was really cool; the protaganist's and then the antagonist's views. So, it can be super interesting. I think you can see where I'm leading you to. The second book was not so good. The first 50-60% were okay. The problem was there was no tension, no drama for brother #1. We already know the story, and nothing bad happens to him or affects him during that time period. Once he started getting interested in changing things, and interested in a particular woman, THEN it was really good. Mel Todd is a good writer. I wish they could have made the first half more interesting.
For the third book I was pleasantly surprised to find it interesting from the get go, with not as much character growth, as it was character revealing. This brother was older and had way more life experiences, so it makes sense. The tension was pretty good, even though we already know the broad ending.
I would rate book 1 the best, then book 3, then book 2.
Over all I liked the series as a whole, and am definitely checking out more of Mel Todd's books/series.
The one negative I had was with the learning of magic. While they all had to take weeks to learn it, it was kind of glossed over. There were no details of, oh, I don't know, you have to think a certain way, or push something within you a certain way (like with qi). It just was. Rather boring, and fast. The effects of it were cool, so that ameliorated it somewhat fortunately.
The next 2 books were a retell of the same story, from the viewpoint of her 2 brothers. I've seen this once before with a juvenile book that was really cool; the protaganist's and then the antagonist's views. So, it can be super interesting. I think you can see where I'm leading you to. The second book was not so good. The first 50-60% were okay. The problem was there was no tension, no drama for brother #1. We already know the story, and nothing bad happens to him or affects him during that time period. Once he started getting interested in changing things, and interested in a particular woman, THEN it was really good. Mel Todd is a good writer. I wish they could have made the first half more interesting.
For the third book I was pleasantly surprised to find it interesting from the get go, with not as much character growth, as it was character revealing. This brother was older and had way more life experiences, so it makes sense. The tension was pretty good, even though we already know the broad ending.
I would rate book 1 the best, then book 3, then book 2.
Over all I liked the series as a whole, and am definitely checking out more of Mel Todd's books/series.
December 18, 2025
Lady is a captivating blend of Victorian-era drama, emerging magic, and fierce female empowerment. Mel Todd delivers a compelling heroine in Emmeline Luck, intelligent, principled, and quietly formidable, as she challenges both a tyrannical father and a society determined to limit her worth. The slow reveal of magic in a rigid England adds rich tension, while the legal and social battles feel just as gripping as the supernatural ones. With sharp world-building, memorable mentors, and a strong theme of self-determination, Lady is an absorbing read for fans of historical fantasy and stories about women claiming their own destiny.
May 15, 2025
Magic, Revenge and a Woman's Place
Wow. A excellent start to a series set in a alternative Victorian England. Magical abilities are spontaneously appearing in people and a mysterious group is training those they find. Queen Victoria is ruling along with Prince Albert and the British Empire is in for a shake up if something isn't done about this development. Looking forward to the next books. This story covers the situation of Lady Luck, while her 2 brothers have the next two following books.
Wow. A excellent start to a series set in a alternative Victorian England. Magical abilities are spontaneously appearing in people and a mysterious group is training those they find. Queen Victoria is ruling along with Prince Albert and the British Empire is in for a shake up if something isn't done about this development. Looking forward to the next books. This story covers the situation of Lady Luck, while her 2 brothers have the next two following books.
February 3, 2025
Wonderful to be back in the familiar magical world of Twisted Luck, but with the historic setting and new characters giving a fresh insight into how that society evolved.
As always Mel Todd writes an immersive story, with fully drawn characters and an intriguing story line which whisks you away to an alternative Victorian London. I read it in one sitting and am so happy there is only a short wait to the next installment…
As always Mel Todd writes an immersive story, with fully drawn characters and an intriguing story line which whisks you away to an alternative Victorian London. I read it in one sitting and am so happy there is only a short wait to the next installment…
February 4, 2025
another winning series!
I knew from the first paragraph that I was going to enjoy this one, and sure enough it was yet another addictive page turner that I was unable to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emmies metamorphosis from door mat to something more interesting. I can’t wait to see where this story goes from here.
I knew from the first paragraph that I was going to enjoy this one, and sure enough it was yet another addictive page turner that I was unable to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Emmies metamorphosis from door mat to something more interesting. I can’t wait to see where this story goes from here.
February 8, 2025
Same world new perspective
After being apart of the world of magic in the modern era getting the opportunity to read stories of how the world grappled with the initial realization and organization of mages is very engaging. I very much look forward to the remainder of this series.
After being apart of the world of magic in the modern era getting the opportunity to read stories of how the world grappled with the initial realization and organization of mages is very engaging. I very much look forward to the remainder of this series.
May 4, 2025
Lady Luck
I fully enjoyed this book! I couldn’t put it down and am looking forward to reading the next book. Ms. Emmaline is a wonderful character and showed the strength women have in times of crisis. The rest of the characters are interesting and I look forward to seeing them grow.
I fully enjoyed this book! I couldn’t put it down and am looking forward to reading the next book. Ms. Emmaline is a wonderful character and showed the strength women have in times of crisis. The rest of the characters are interesting and I look forward to seeing them grow.
February 15, 2025
Plot is better than the writing
The storytelling here is good, engaging, interesting. Unfortunately the writing is not great. I think that this story would have benefited immensely from a more rigorous editor.
The storytelling here is good, engaging, interesting. Unfortunately the writing is not great. I think that this story would have benefited immensely from a more rigorous editor.
March 2, 2025
A very good story, and a good start for a series based around the main character. Unfortunately, the sequels don't really follow that main character, and resolve around other side characters - that are not really interesting. So I recommend Book 1 as a stand alone novel.
March 11, 2025
Great Read
I enjoyed the series, using a woman to introduce magic in 1800 Britain should have been a hard sell but it was done beautifully. My only concern was the story was to short, I would have liked the whole series to follow Ms. Luck until she changed the world.
I enjoyed the series, using a woman to introduce magic in 1800 Britain should have been a hard sell but it was done beautifully. My only concern was the story was to short, I would have liked the whole series to follow Ms. Luck until she changed the world.
April 19, 2025
Unique and Creative!
What a wonderful read! This book took me by surprise. Absolutely lovely. The uniqueness of the alternate world, the characters and their growth was so gripping! You are rooting for Emmie the whole way through. Highly recommend!
What a wonderful read! This book took me by surprise. Absolutely lovely. The uniqueness of the alternate world, the characters and their growth was so gripping! You are rooting for Emmie the whole way through. Highly recommend!
June 17, 2025
A most interesting story. I highly recommend it.
This is a very good story set in the "Twisted Luck" universe. It's set much earlier in time than the previous series and explains much about the emergence of magic and how it changed history.
This is a very good story set in the "Twisted Luck" universe. It's set much earlier in time than the previous series and explains much about the emergence of magic and how it changed history.
January 19, 2026
Victorian heroine
I love this character. Miss Luck, unwanted daughter of a boorish Earl in a society where women have no rights, no recourse, and no value unless tethered to a man. But she dares to reach for value of her own.
I love this character. Miss Luck, unwanted daughter of a boorish Earl in a society where women have no rights, no recourse, and no value unless tethered to a man. But she dares to reach for value of her own.
February 3, 2025
Lady by Mel Todd
Excellent story, and great world building. Strong female lead character growth, and innovative magic. I read all her books, top 10 author for fantasy.
Excellent story, and great world building. Strong female lead character growth, and innovative magic. I read all her books, top 10 author for fantasy.
February 5, 2025
Good story!
Really enjoyed a visit to the start of the luck in the world. Story was interesting enough not to put down until I was done. Can't wait for the next book!
Really enjoyed a visit to the start of the luck in the world. Story was interesting enough not to put down until I was done. Can't wait for the next book!
February 12, 2025
3.5 stars
February 15, 2025
Simply Enchanting. I look forward to the next Lady book, but not the one involving the brother.
March 6, 2025
slow
I kept hoping the story would develop, but it continued at one pace. No excitement some good ideas never really expanded on . Maybe later books better.
I kept hoping the story would develop, but it continued at one pace. No excitement some good ideas never really expanded on . Maybe later books better.
March 9, 2025
Interesting start
I enjoyed the blossoming of the main character as I continued reading. A very good story, I'll be reading the next book.
I enjoyed the blossoming of the main character as I continued reading. A very good story, I'll be reading the next book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews