Fair With Fortune

by J. Broc Sewell

Steal the Sky—or Watch it Fall

Long ago, a forbidden magic shattered Sora. Now, its floating islands drift above an endless abyss, held aloft by the mysterious Fayts—forces that twist will, time, love, and even death. In this fractured sky, humanity rose again, changed and charged with strange, volatile powers.
Valeo is the last of his kind—a luck-bending thief forged by loss, his pocketwatch ticking down the world’s ruin. Breeze burns with unquenchable fury—bloodied fists a vow to the family that left her behind. Together, they’re urban acrobats turned sky pirates—racing rooftops by day, stealing secrets by starlight.
Joining a patchwork band of Corsairs—stitched together by shared scars and stolen dreams—they unearth a thousand-year-old artifact tied to a legendary heist and a civilization lost to myth.
Everything changes.
Now hunted by the Fallen—the terrifying keepers of the dead—and chased by crews who kill for far less, Breeze and Valeo must brave crumbling ruins, ancient Fayt-touched horrors, and the wrath of a dying world. What they carry could rewrite history…or finish what the Cataclysm began.
Their blood holds the key. Their choices will shape the sky. Fail—and Sora falls.

Genres: Fantasy

400 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2025

Reviews

[Kellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a kind of quiet magic in Broc’s writing. Where so many authors wrestle with words, his seem to take flight on their own—threads of story weaving themselves into a greater tapestry, effortless yet intentional.

This tale is, at its heart, pure joy. The world of Sora is impossibly easy to lose yourself in, the kind you long to wander even after the final page. Valeo, brash and endearingly foolish, makes for a hero whose missteps are just as captivating as his triumphs. Breeze carries that air of mystery and unshakable cool—like a riddle ready to be solved. And the host of other characters, each etched with such familiar warmth and originality, feel less like inventions and more like old friends rediscovered.

To let this book slip past you would be to deny yourself an adventure you've been begging for. Devour it in a single enchanted afternoon, and find yourself soaring in the skies of Sora, where stories feel as alive as the wind itself.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a wonderful experience when you come across a book that truly transports you into another world.

J. Broc Sewell's incredible attention to detail and the care he puts into the world of Sora makes you feel as if you are right alongside the characters as they undertake a fascinating adventure. You can't help but fall in love with them and the growth they show throughout the story. In particular, Beard, one of the more prominent characters, is my personal favorite as the hardship he endures to discover his bond is one that I believe many people can relate to.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and to discovering more about the exciting world of Sora.

[Renata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A world that is literally the sky and a wrong slip can mean the end; a world where magic is innate, not learned; a world where sky pirates run rampant; a world that is on the verge of crumbling into the void below. That is the world of Sora. Follow the unbreakable duo Valeo and Breeze as they join a crew of sky pirates whilst fleeing from the mysterious yet terrifying Fallen - keepers of the dead thought to be only legend - that hunt them. As the crew sail the skies in search for answers, the two will be forced to face secrets of their past, of their heritage, all while trying to unravel and understand an ancient prophecy that may or may not have something to do with them.

J. Broc Sewell's debut novel, the first in a series, is astonishingly detailed for a debut. The worldbuilding is fascinating, and you'll be hard-pressed to find anything quite like it. From a cast of characters that leave you feeling a large range of emotions, be they fascinated, adoring, tickled pink, frustrated, or downright murderous, Sewell brings heart into a story that could fall flat with a weaker group of characters.

This was a page-turner, and I ended up finishing it over the course of a weekend because I couldn't stop reading it. If you like high fantasy, subtle magic, maybe a small hint of steampunk here and there, and sky pirates, then this book is definitely one to add to the shelf. The best part? The second book in the series is already written, and only needs to be published.

[Olivindra M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important thing to me when reading fiction is the level of character development and depth. Do I relate to these characters? Do they seem real? Do they grow and change for better or worse?

The character development in this book is amazing and what I always look for in a series. The way the characters learn about life and themselves is scary and heartwarming. I love that these characters are not perfect, they are young and sometimes make stupid decisions, and the way they respond to those decisions is what really pulled me in to this book. Highly recommend!

[Ruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a diverse crew of sky pirates, chasing fayts, and uncovering the mysteries of their shattered world, the main characters find themselves outrunning the Fallen, defeating death, and grasping adventure at every turn.

I love Sewell's writing, and his enthusiasm for this world of Sora he has created.
The story starts with two of the main characters running from death when they end up on a pirate ship that becomes their home for the foreseeable future.
The characters they meet all have distinct and intriguing personalities that lend well to an eight/nine part epic fantasy series. This being book one, we can see it set up an exciting adventure that will take us around Sora, and into some exciting mysteries and adventures.
I must add that I love the way Sewell has captured the visual elements of the world, creating vivid imagery, and the way he approaches dialogue adds depth and personality to each character.
Another appeal on a personal level is that he writes characters as humans, not defined by their sex, gender, or orientations. That isn't to say there aren't characters who are from all walks of life, (for example there is a fascinating character who I'm excited to learn more about in the future who is not defined as a singular), but it's not about that, it's a fantasy adventure, and it really captures that well, while still staying true to inclusivity and diversity.

Broc Sewell, a 3-time silver runner-up for the writers of the future competition, definitely shows promise for an Epic adventure that I am personally extremely excited to set further sail upon, and cannot wait for book two in this epic adventure.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

J Broc Sewell’s astonishingly accomplished debut novel presents a fully-formed and vividly imagined fantasy world, Sora, with its host of complex and convincing characters, accompanied by rich artwork. It’s the first in a projected 8 volume series, and will no doubt leave readers eagerly waiting for the subsequent instalments. Two compelling central characters propel the narrative and their relationship is key. Valeo and Breeze are linked in their quest for a mysterious thousand year old artefact which could be the salvation of Sora, and are pursued by the Fallen, the keepers of the dead. From within themselves Valeo and Breeze must summon the strength, resilience, resourcefulness and sheer courage to prevent Sora being destroyed. What follows is a series of hair-raising adventures, full of peril, which take the reader on a nail-biting and tempestuous roller-coaster of a ride. That the book is action-packed is understating it! With its brisk pace making the book a real page–turner, we root for the pair on their perilous quest. Occasional snatches of humour lighten the mood now and then, and give the reader a breather. The characters are all well-rounded, and develop along with the narrative, and even the villains aren't without moral complexity. Valeo and Breeze engage our sympathy from the start as we accompany them on their dangerous journey, and I look forward to finding out where it takes them next. Epic in scope and scale, this is a novel to sink into, suspend disbelief and become part of a whole new world.

[Jessica Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I just finished Fair With Fortune a day ago and I'm still not over the fact that I need to wait to read the next book 😤😭🥺 I'm not a fantasy gal at all... but Broc wrote the HELL out of that book! Multiple times I had to stop and put it down and tell my partner "well shit, Broc's book is REALLY good" 😅

I struggle with paying attention to world building, which is why fantasy and sci-fi ain't my cup of tea. But he integrated his world building sooooo seamlessly into the dialogue and the action that I was able to learn what I needed to learn when I needed to learn it. And the ACTION!! Chef's kiss.

Congrats on bringing this world to light and becoming literally top 3 of all fantasy authors I've ever read hahah (again, not many on the list but kinda wild that I can say that of someone I actually know in real life loll)

[Stephanie Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I fall so completely in love with a new world. This book gripped me so thoroughly that finishing this first installment left me in that magical state of awe mixed with the grief of an ending come too soon. Every character, every description, every stitch of this book. When I finally came up for breath, and sadly rejoined the real world, I felt the pull. That immense longing to continue sailing towards the next adventure with this newly found family. Good luck to my next read, these are some very large shoes to fill.

[Robert Kutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the best fantasy novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Sewell's worldbuilding and character development is seamless, yet deep. Cannot wait for the next book and to see where this author goes next.

[Brittany Coffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I love the adventure it brought to my imagination. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!

[Danielle Perelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the short bit I’ve read, I’m already in and looking forward to more of this fantastical world!

[Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gives you everything described and more, hanging on every thread following every adventure desperate for the next page.
Solidly one of the best books I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading!