Fortune's Dance

The Fixers of KarmaCorp #4

by Audrey Faye

Imogene Glass isn't a Fixer who makes waves - she leaves that part to her friends. They fight. She Dances the universe into harmony. Until she gets called onto the carpet for choosing the easy road instead of the right one. Her next assignment is an observation-only mission, one where she's supposed to keep her eyes open and her Talent off. Which only sounds mildly frustrating - until she gets there. Fortune's Dance is the fourth book of the Karmacorp series, a unique blend of science fiction and paranormal fantasy. The series starts with Destiny’s Song, and reading them in order is a very good idea. :) A note from I tell stories of hope, resilience, belonging, and finding what (and who!) matters. I do that in a lot of different genres, but you’ll always get those things in an Audrey Faye book. :)

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Magic, Space Opera

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2016

About the author

Has previously authored books under the name of Debora Geary.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been getting better with each book, but I was skeptical about this one. I just don't get the whole notion of energy manipulation through dance ... I know, what part of "fantasy" am I missing, but I like to be able to justify things in my mind somehow. I have to say, however, that at the culmination of Iggy's mission, I was a tad bit weepy. That is one of my benchmarks; have I been made to care about the characters sufficiently that their highs or lows affect me strongly. I came across this series sideways, but I'm ever so glad I did.

[Sandy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness

Is a new audrey Faye book.. Thoroughly enjoyable.. characters you wish you knew in real life and stories that weave a tapestry. Well done!! More please!!

[Shiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the heart in these characters. Read it cover to cover. There are huge similarities to the Witch Central books, just the warm fuzzy loving feel the author writes

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Izzy's Story
Imogene "Izzy" Glass is a dancer. A Fixer's whos instinct is to smooth things over and take the easietst or safest way possible to complete her assignments. Her newest assigment should be easy. Observation only, the Star Readers sensce someting about the arts colony on Thessalonia and they need eyes on the ground.
First, Izzy has been asked by one of the quest dance instructors to help with a class. Camellia Rayes only teaches the most giftied. Izzy watchs Tatianna help the youngest student and one of the older. She can see time with the Lightbody clan has had a positive effect on Tatianna.
Izzy is in love with the Thessalonia Art Colony. Makes fast friends with a visiting diplomat and his wife. It is not long before Izzy has an idea about what is wrong on Thessalonia. Fixing it is not supose to be her job. With a little help from her new dipomat friends and some cookies from her hostess at the B&B, she is hoping to nudge the colony citizans into fixing the problem them selves. Izzy wonders if she pushed things to far
Loved Harold and Magda. Izzy steps outside her comfort zone and bring about a much needed change doing so, and made some good friends.
Great series, rated PG

[Ria Loader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of the good

They say the perfect is the enemy of the good, and this story plays with one of the corollary notions. Sometimes apparent perfection fails to leave room for the messy roots of creativity and participation in glorious experience and expression. Our character who likes making peace leans in to claiming her power to challenge and to spark change. Wonderful story.

[Jeanne M. Jacquet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Observation

It is so are to do nothing but observe. The urge to get involved, to fix a wrong, to really be a part of something good, is hard to pass up. The characters in this book had the same problem.

[Linda Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem of a series!!

Laughter, kindness, caring and understanding is all part of the Fixers of KarmaCorp series. Kudos, Audrey!! To bring such joy to a page, you really need to add a new photo to your page. Smile, girl, smile!!

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series that started as a five and gets richer with every entry

So much wisdom and depth in little stories. There is a richness to these stories that are also heart lessons. God bless KarmaCorp!

[Kevin Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as he prior books

This story was a bit slow and repetitive at times. Dance, eat, sleep repeat for multiple chapters. Not sure if could be any other way, with a Dance talent that is not supposed to be used?

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition

I really liked Iggy’s story, and especially the ART and passion involved with the characters she was sent to help. These characters and places were just so vividly imagined, and that makes wish it were real! At least I got to visit it, however fleetingly.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out story

The KarmaCorp series continues with Audrey Faye's Fortune's Dance Iggy's story. I liked how the arts, dance and music helped reach life lesson's and how Iggy free as a person and Fixer.

[Aiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turner that's real

This is the best Audrey Faye book. It has that can't put it down quality that my easily distracted brain needs. And it spoke to something real in my life.

[Anne V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced fun

Each book is an exploration of a new talent and art, rounding out individual characters as well as the truly fascinating universe where this series is set. So glad there’s more to go!

[Heather Gabuya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming, inspiring

I love the feeling of family, belonging, and personal growth this author always provides. This book shows an entire community finding its best self.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blasted through this entire series in a weekend! Couldn't put the books down. I may need to get these books to keep in my library, I enjoyed them that much!

[Angela Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

engrossing, this author doesn't disappoint.

[Ed Graves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

Not my favorite. The analogy of Iggy and Thess not living up to their potential was overly beaten into my head. I got the point early on.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series and would read more.

[K.F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, but a little too Hallmark-Channel I think for the series

I was really excited that the third novel would feature a Dancer, but Iggy Glass is just so....BLAND compared to Tyra ad Kish. Her struggles is essentially boiled down to "I need to learn to get outside this box." And it's such a boring, boring struggle. Like the entire book felt more like an American Girl novel than anything else.

Which is really sad because I feel like if the story was less Footloose and more Mao's Last Dancer it could have been really good. Esp. With the technicalities of Dance and all that. But it lacked something on a metaphysical/poetic level that the first two books didn't. And again, maybe it's the blandness of her character, maybe it's the fact that Tatiana is way more interesting and deserves her own novel instead of Iggy...but whatever. I understand that every group needs that sort of semi-interesting "oh I went on a self-discovery" white girl...I just get disheartened that it came after two very unique stories.

[Mandolin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must start by saying that I am also a huge fan of Audrey (and her alter ego, Debora Geary) and did receive a copy of the book in exchange for this honest review. Audrey's books never fail to touch my heart and leave a smile on my face long after I’ve read the last page. She is a wizard with developing characters and communities that feel genuine; her insights into human relationships and interactions are always spot-on. Having said that, I must say that this book felt forced and not up to her standard quality. Please don’t misunderstand me - it is still a book worth reading (especially since it adds to the entire storyline that has been building throughout the Fixer series) - but it just isn’t quite as good as the rest of Audrey’s canon. The main character, Iggy, stays too much in her own head, debating her feelings about her assignment and questioning her judgment. There is very little action and much too much internal dialogue. Iggy’s debate is valid and she does stumble across a few important truths that I’m sure will come into play later in the series, but so much of it could have been done through character interactions instead. I am sad not to give this book more stars but know that with this author’s history, it’s a one-off that will likely be more than made up in the next book. (I do encourage you to read the other reviews of the book, as I'm obviously an outlier in this less-than-stellar review and realize that it may be a problem with the reader and not the book, as it sometimes can be!!)

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reciewed this from the author to review, but have a standing rule that if she writes it, I buy it and read it. I've been on lots of interesting and fabulous journeys in my life, the journey I've been on since I read Audrey's first book all those years ago has been the best. Every single thread she touches reverberates with pure power and beauty. The kinds of lasting notes that will pull you out of sleep, and have your toes dragging you out into the street in the middle of the night to dance.

If you listen to your toes, and let the thrumming in the threads into your heart and soul, you'll walk, or dance away, changed.

Iggy is a fixer for Karma Corp. She's one of the best there is, but she could be so much more. Her journey to Thess seems to good to be true, an almost vacation. And from the Forests ofThess, to Greta's amazing cookies, to Euphoria's dance, it is: almost. But there are hidden cracks that a fixer wants to touch, but cannot, cracks that desparately need to be touched. And our Journey womsn finds all the ways to help hold a mirror up for all those on Thess to see, including her own.

Please, please, walk with Iggy and I on this delightful journey and see the beauty and joy of threads thrumming with life and energy, and just maybe let these dreams of other places and times so beautifully rendered, touch you.

I got this book for free, but I'm going to buy it anyway. Because it's so worth it to me to honor the light and love Audrey shares with the universe. Come, let her dreams touch you too.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!

I just love this series! Wonderfully written. Thoughtful, thought provoking, insightful, lustfully creative. And, at the very heart of it all, just really enjoyable. Looking forward to where things are headed in the overarching storyline as well as to the next individual level stories.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ratings - completed series:
#1 Destiny's Song: ★★★★☆
#2 Grower's Omen: ★★★★☆
#3 Star Stories: ★★★★☆
#4 Fortune's Dance (this book): ★★★★☆
#5 Shaman's Curse: ★★★★☆
#6 Daughter's Need: ★★★★☆
#7 Star Stories - Epilogues: ★★★★☆

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a book I read despite the cover rather than because of it. I'm sorry - it is UGLY! Fortunately, since it's an ebook, I've only really had to look at it here.

That out of the way, I enjoyed this KarmaCorp novel just as much as the previous two :) I enjoyed getting to know Iggy, and her mission at Thess rang very true to me. It was certainly very different from the more active missions of the two first books, but though I hadn't expected it at first (which is why it took me awhile to get properly started on this), it worked for me.

I do recommend reading "Star Stories" before reading this one though, or there are some references that you won't get.

[Rebecca Tousey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My third book by Audrey Faye leaves me wanting many more.

I love how she develops her characters by having them go where they think they will have any easy task to find they have to stretch their talents farther than they thought it was possible. I love stories where the people have to grow and it is not easy for them to do what they have to do.

I like my super powers to be something where people grow. I dislike superpowers where the characters just come out with a new power when something comes up. This book uses superpowers in the best way. Growth for user and recipients.

[Sylvia Nissim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from Audrey Faye. When I'm feeling blue I can always count on her to give me hope again in humanity for as long as there are people like her putting so much goodness in it, it can't be all that bad. She lights up the darkness.

Iggy is a fun character with just the right amount of eccentric exuberance, shyness, strength, artistic beauty, laziness and yes as always self awareness to echo with almost anybody I know in the best of ways.

This book made me cry, grin and laugh out loud and I cannot wait to see what Raven has in store for her assignment.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual I adored this book (pretty much love everything this author's written). I needed something I knew would be enjoyable and happy and this book delivered in spades! As someone who danced for years, I felt extra connected to Imogene's story. The writing was smooth, the story engaging and the characters delightful.

I'm excited for the next book in the series! And would highly recommend this (and all her other books) to anyone who enjoys fantasy!

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading Audrey Faye's stories. There is always a personal struggle, lesson's taught and growth of a character. Iggy is sent to an artist colony to observe, but can't help getting involved when she realizes art is being stifled. Along the way, Iggy learns things about herself and struggles to find answers. Its a heart warming series, that starts off slowly but then draws you in.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artist's delight

A truly awesome story. As an artist whose mediocrity could stop me from my vision this story taught me that it's not always the talent for the art that counts but the fire inside to make that art. This author is an artist whose own vision taught me about my own in a quick powerful read.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is interesting to see more types of Fixers developed in this world. Here we see a Dancer, using finger-talk and seeing the threads of the world. But she is prohibited from using her powers in this story.

Again, a very pleasant, quick read. And it was nice to see The Fixers continue to confront inner demons while fixing the problems of others and the mystery of Yesenia's daughter.