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The Dark Orchid #1
Power of Lies
Everyone lies. When working for a sex mage, it's the only way to stay safe.
That's the first thing Jaeda learns when she's named as the Chosen. The mage needs a sacrifice, and she's willing to give it. Maybe too willing. After all, this man is lust incarnate; a woman would have to be insane not to want him, even if he is dangerous.
But desiring someone's body is very different from falling in love. In her line of work, the two must never be confused. She doesn't even know his name! He's simply The Jackal, a terrifyingly powerful sex mage, and she's his altar. Her lust fuels him. He needs it.
And that puts her in control.
Now, she gets to spend her days with a mage who wields sex like a weapon and his assistant who's as irresistible as some long-lost god brought to life. The things they do to her body are amazing, and the rest? These men want to spoil her with the kind of riches she's always dreamed of. It's the best job she can imagine.
Unfortunately, it's never that easy. This is supposed to be about making magic - that's it. Feelings have no place in a mage's temple. Affection is a curse. But when the enemy decides she'll make the perfect weapon to steal the Jackal's power, what's she supposed to do? After all, she's just a stupid girl caught in the middle. Her job is to just lie back and take it.
Except, someone's been lying.
It might even be her.
POWER OF LIES is a complete novel with a reverse harem, polyamorous story line. It is intended for a mature audience due to the presence of consensual sex, group sex, M/M scenes, and plenty of vulgar language - as well as some potentially triggering violence since the bad guys don't always play nice. While this is a love story, it may not be right for all readers.
That's the first thing Jaeda learns when she's named as the Chosen. The mage needs a sacrifice, and she's willing to give it. Maybe too willing. After all, this man is lust incarnate; a woman would have to be insane not to want him, even if he is dangerous.
But desiring someone's body is very different from falling in love. In her line of work, the two must never be confused. She doesn't even know his name! He's simply The Jackal, a terrifyingly powerful sex mage, and she's his altar. Her lust fuels him. He needs it.
And that puts her in control.
Now, she gets to spend her days with a mage who wields sex like a weapon and his assistant who's as irresistible as some long-lost god brought to life. The things they do to her body are amazing, and the rest? These men want to spoil her with the kind of riches she's always dreamed of. It's the best job she can imagine.
Unfortunately, it's never that easy. This is supposed to be about making magic - that's it. Feelings have no place in a mage's temple. Affection is a curse. But when the enemy decides she'll make the perfect weapon to steal the Jackal's power, what's she supposed to do? After all, she's just a stupid girl caught in the middle. Her job is to just lie back and take it.
Except, someone's been lying.
It might even be her.
POWER OF LIES is a complete novel with a reverse harem, polyamorous story line. It is intended for a mature audience due to the presence of consensual sex, group sex, M/M scenes, and plenty of vulgar language - as well as some potentially triggering violence since the bad guys don't always play nice. While this is a love story, it may not be right for all readers.
508 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2019
1862 people are currently reading
4742 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 524 reviews
November 4, 2019
Enough is enough, I am throwing in a towel @
33% of the book
166 out of 495 pages
17 out of 52 chapters including epilogue
Number of times the word "WHORE" appeared in 166 pages = 76
Number of times to look forward to the word "WHORE" in the remaining pages = 150 approximately. (Yes I counted and calculated. Thats how bored I am)
I think I will take my 76 WHOREs and graciously bow out, otherwise I will exhaust my "WHORE" quota for the year.
33% of the book
166 out of 495 pages
17 out of 52 chapters including epilogue
Number of times the word "WHORE" appeared in 166 pages = 76
Number of times to look forward to the word "WHORE" in the remaining pages = 150 approximately. (Yes I counted and calculated. Thats how bored I am)
I think I will take my 76 WHOREs and graciously bow out, otherwise I will exhaust my "WHORE" quota for the year.
January 20, 2019
Welp... I have about a million things to do, but instead I spent yesterday reading this 500-page monster in a single sitting.
Holy. Freakin'. Crap.
If you like sexy, and you like poly romance, and you like feelz, read it. Just make sure you've got a nice block of time set aside first.
People who know me know that I'm all about the bromance. Books like this are my catnip, and this one joins Broken Compass by Jo Raven at the top of my RH/ménage/poly romance favorites list.
Holy. Freakin'. Crap.
If you like sexy, and you like poly romance, and you like feelz, read it. Just make sure you've got a nice block of time set aside first.
People who know me know that I'm all about the bromance. Books like this are my catnip, and this one joins Broken Compass by Jo Raven at the top of my RH/ménage/poly romance favorites list.
March 27, 2019
Close call here. At about 43% I almost shelved this one expecting to never look back. I am all for a story. I'm all for a story with some smut even, but I usually can only handle so much smut without some story.. I mean lets be honest it gets boring after a bit.. No story takes all the fun right out of reading lol. After about the umpteenth smut scene I find myself nodding off... Anyways so at about 43% I'd had about all I could take and was ready to throw in the towel, but I didn't, I pushed for 50%. I have to say that I'm kinda glad I did. The story kicked in right around there because afterwards I seemed to have no trouble staying absorbed and becoming more involved with the characters. The shocking reality is that I don't think the smut decreased during that last 1/2 more like the story just increased a little. This book was definitely an adventure into some dark fantasy exhibitionism as well as some free spirit, never be ashamed of your desires mentality.
In this world the gods have left. Left behind are mages each specializing in a "feeling." Some mages are considered "dark" and others light depending on the "feeling" they invoke. Jaeda our FMC, has been sentenced to a life of prostitution for being conned by a dude into giving herself to him, despite him being married. Living her life in one town after another she is often persecuted for her skin color as well as her profession.. That is until a dark mage comes to conquer her town. His ability just so happens to be lust. This dark mage frees her from the bonds of persecution and allows her to wallow in her love of her profession as well as spread craft without shame. He on the other hand gains power from the lust she spreads. This begins a symbiotic partnership between them. However, Jaeda is more than she seems and the dark mage takes notice, she seems to spread and share more than just the lust, maybe even creating her own magic. As they become closer Jaeda is revealed to be a powerful ally and a compliment to lust. But Lust is shackled to yet another mage... pain and he plays no games. Seeking power above all else and spreading his own magic as well as thriving off the pain of others. Now Jaeda must save both herself and her newfound tiny family. The first place she has felt like she truly belongs, or loose it all to become a slave to others needs once more..
There are multiple concepts of the story I really liked. For instance the love shared between the characters wasn't the romantic love.. it was more reminiscent of familial love which was interesting to watch develop and flourish. I honestly can't wait for Jaeda to really come into her own and that little teaser at the end almost made me want to dive right into the next book. There was a couple of things that made the story drag a bit, and thats the rehashing of conversations seemingly over and over, and some rather in depth inner monologues that also rehashed some points over and over. For sure above all else self expression, and not being a slave to societies ideals of love, sex, and relationships are the top priority here.
In this world the gods have left. Left behind are mages each specializing in a "feeling." Some mages are considered "dark" and others light depending on the "feeling" they invoke. Jaeda our FMC, has been sentenced to a life of prostitution for being conned by a dude into giving herself to him, despite him being married. Living her life in one town after another she is often persecuted for her skin color as well as her profession.. That is until a dark mage comes to conquer her town. His ability just so happens to be lust. This dark mage frees her from the bonds of persecution and allows her to wallow in her love of her profession as well as spread craft without shame. He on the other hand gains power from the lust she spreads. This begins a symbiotic partnership between them. However, Jaeda is more than she seems and the dark mage takes notice, she seems to spread and share more than just the lust, maybe even creating her own magic. As they become closer Jaeda is revealed to be a powerful ally and a compliment to lust. But Lust is shackled to yet another mage... pain and he plays no games. Seeking power above all else and spreading his own magic as well as thriving off the pain of others. Now Jaeda must save both herself and her newfound tiny family. The first place she has felt like she truly belongs, or loose it all to become a slave to others needs once more..
There are multiple concepts of the story I really liked. For instance the love shared between the characters wasn't the romantic love.. it was more reminiscent of familial love which was interesting to watch develop and flourish. I honestly can't wait for Jaeda to really come into her own and that little teaser at the end almost made me want to dive right into the next book. There was a couple of things that made the story drag a bit, and thats the rehashing of conversations seemingly over and over, and some rather in depth inner monologues that also rehashed some points over and over. For sure above all else self expression, and not being a slave to societies ideals of love, sex, and relationships are the top priority here.
Read
November 13, 2019DNF @ 29% and another fail for me on the chosen BotM themed "Women of Colour" @RHR
I’m not even going to rate this, it wouldn’t be fair when I didn’t get even halfway.
Reading it felt like
I’ve had problems with Hadleys writing style before and this just was typical of her style. So what I would say is if you enjoy her other work then you’ll like this too.
Over explaining and constant repetition are the most obvious problems.
Yes I understand you're a prostitute there’s no need to repeat the word “whore” on every page.
Yes I get you have strong views on self worth, racism and sexual orientation. I’m all for feminism etc etc but where’s the bleedin plot already.
The two main men in the picture were slightly interesting but without the relationship buildup the sex scenes just didn’t give me the feels.
Too much sex, not enough direction. Long drawn out speeches and frankly an unlikable MC just did not inspire me to keep turning pages.
On the bright side ... there's always next month, right?
I’m not even going to rate this, it wouldn’t be fair when I didn’t get even halfway.
Reading it felt like
I’ve had problems with Hadleys writing style before and this just was typical of her style. So what I would say is if you enjoy her other work then you’ll like this too.
Over explaining and constant repetition are the most obvious problems.
Yes I understand you're a prostitute there’s no need to repeat the word “whore” on every page.
Yes I get you have strong views on self worth, racism and sexual orientation. I’m all for feminism etc etc but where’s the bleedin plot already.
The two main men in the picture were slightly interesting but without the relationship buildup the sex scenes just didn’t give me the feels.
Too much sex, not enough direction. Long drawn out speeches and frankly an unlikable MC just did not inspire me to keep turning pages.
On the bright side ... there's always next month, right?
November 13, 2019
DNF @43% BRB with cake house
Look ... the word whore was used a lot but the plot tried and failed to not be about sex every 3rd page. I was bored. ... I could rage but I won’t . ...not a fan
Look ... the word whore was used a lot but the plot tried and failed to not be about sex every 3rd page. I was bored. ... I could rage but I won’t . ...not a fan
January 25, 2019
Wow, what can I say but ….pre order, pre order, pre order ... buy a fire extinguisher, a couple of boxes of chocolate and a few cartons of cigarettes even though I don't smoke, but I just might start after this series and a helleva lot of new underwear lol
Wow again, this book was smoking hot and I mean smokin Auryn isn't messing about here when says this book involves sex magic and sex mages, …and I mean sex, sexy smut and everything in between possibly including swinging from the ceiling...... in fact it’s a smutapocalyse…..holy moly.
Think ... MFMFMFMMMFMFFMMMMMMMFMFMFMFMMMMFMF... lol
But I must say in full disclosure if you a fan of Audryns other series, especially "Rise of Iliri" as I am ….this nothing like it, she really pushes the envelope here with the added benefit of being a really fast pusher of ......my now favorite book drug, with the next books being out over the next few months.
!!!You Have been Warned !!!
Look I have to admit that I don't necessarily agree in sex without limits or believe it can be without consequences at least emotionally, and yes it was probably a bit much in this book, but hey you can't accuse me of been consistent and standing for what I believe in. This is pure fantasy and I really loved the characters, the storyline, so I am going to enjoy every smutty moment of it and am eagerly awaiting the next book, these guys really deserve a HEA. (and another hobby lol)
November 3, 2020
Spoilers ahead, 3* rounded up for that gorgeous cover
My thoughts while reading
I definitely needed to do more research on this book before starting.... Ppl who write vague reviews I HATE YOU!
Absolutely NOT SAFE but oh so good 😭
My thoughts at the end of book 1
At 15 Jade fell in love with a man, turns out he was a liar and married. Ashamed at her actions her family casts her out and Jade turns to prostitution to provide for herself. Years later she's been through it all and when a mage appears in the town she thinks she knows what's about to happen, after all she's survived the raping and abuse rampant during a mage's takeover of a town.....but Jade is in no way prepared for the Lust mage and his catalyst.
******
Sex is a HUGE, HUGE part of this book, Jade has been a whore for years and she's slept with many of the men in town but even that doesn't prepare her for Xel. He literally gains power through Lust and in an attempt to gain security Jade makes a bargain to help boost Xel's power and help him get control of the town.
Listen, basically she slept with a different man/men each day, in addition to her 3 men, for a month. Honestly this is no way close to my comfort zone but I liked it because of Jade. Sometimes the strength of a woman comes in adapting to your situation and making it your bitch and that's what Jade did. She enjoyed sex and found ways to make even the worst situations work for her and I really admired her. This was not an easy read for me, I'm a safety reader at heart and though the core 3 then 4 are not in a committed/exclusive relationship it's clear there are feelings there, but as Jade says sex isn't love so what else is there to say.
I can guarantee that this will not be the type of book I'll ever gravitate too but kudos to the author. I enjoyed this despite my own personal preferences.
Cliffhanger ending
Sex with multiple OP by the 3 mcs especially the h
Voyeurism as the h/H watch each other with OP
Everything and anything basically lol
*the word whore is used way too frequently here
My thoughts while reading
I definitely needed to do more research on this book before starting.... Ppl who write vague reviews I HATE YOU!
Absolutely NOT SAFE but oh so good 😭
My thoughts at the end of book 1
At 15 Jade fell in love with a man, turns out he was a liar and married. Ashamed at her actions her family casts her out and Jade turns to prostitution to provide for herself. Years later she's been through it all and when a mage appears in the town she thinks she knows what's about to happen, after all she's survived the raping and abuse rampant during a mage's takeover of a town.....but Jade is in no way prepared for the Lust mage and his catalyst.
******
Sex is a HUGE, HUGE part of this book, Jade has been a whore for years and she's slept with many of the men in town but even that doesn't prepare her for Xel. He literally gains power through Lust and in an attempt to gain security Jade makes a bargain to help boost Xel's power and help him get control of the town.
Listen, basically she slept with a different man/men each day, in addition to her 3 men, for a month. Honestly this is no way close to my comfort zone but I liked it because of Jade. Sometimes the strength of a woman comes in adapting to your situation and making it your bitch and that's what Jade did. She enjoyed sex and found ways to make even the worst situations work for her and I really admired her. This was not an easy read for me, I'm a safety reader at heart and though the core 3 then 4 are not in a committed/exclusive relationship it's clear there are feelings there, but as Jade says sex isn't love so what else is there to say.
I can guarantee that this will not be the type of book I'll ever gravitate too but kudos to the author. I enjoyed this despite my own personal preferences.
Cliffhanger ending
Sex with multiple OP by the 3 mcs especially the h
Voyeurism as the h/H watch each other with OP
Everything and anything basically lol
*the word whore is used way too frequently here
March 31, 2021
This was an unusual and hard book to read for me, even though the writing style was quite easy.
For more than half of the book, nothing really happens, at least not anything that you can make sense of. Endless sex scenes, without actually describing the sex. I know it makes no sense, but there are no detailed descriptions, more like scene settings and pieces of information that give you a sense of what is going on, but leaving you pretty detached and a bit bored (I guess that certainly was not the reaction Hadley wanted from a reader). Some parts were a little bit dark for me (pain mage’s scenes, for example). Too much and too heavy for my taste, and yet I kept on reading. Sort off like a train wreck you can not look away from.
The story actually starts to build in the second part of the book, when we slowly unravel what this dark world of mages and their magic is, and what the purpose of all that, somewhat incoherent story, at the beginning was actually for. The last 20% of the book is where the story skyrockets into this page-turner where you just have to know what comes next and how will all the pieces fit at the end. Interestingly enough, the story became less about the sex and more about the story itself which is so much more interesting.
The main character Jade is actually the character that got on my nerves most often. At the beginning of the story, I was glad to find out that she is a prostitute and proud of it, that this is not gonna be one more story of a good, pure girl turn bad. And I get that the writer used the word whore instead of prostitute or concubine to point out what the society Jade was living in thought of them and how little they were valued. Like a lower race, shunned and judged. But that same word has been overused. It just became annoying to hear the main character, who considered herself to be this strong free woman, repeat the line “I’m a whore” over and over whenever somebody actually saw her as a person. Annoying as hell and made me respect her less and less.
My rating for the book is not actually based on my liking of the book (because I’m still not sure if I really liked it), more for how strangely uncomfortable I was with some parts, and still interested to keep reading. I actually never read anything this dark with so few details or descriptions, yet Hadley managed to evoke those feelings, and I respect that in a writer (by this, I do not mean the sex scenes – they were really tame).
For more than half of the book, nothing really happens, at least not anything that you can make sense of. Endless sex scenes, without actually describing the sex. I know it makes no sense, but there are no detailed descriptions, more like scene settings and pieces of information that give you a sense of what is going on, but leaving you pretty detached and a bit bored (I guess that certainly was not the reaction Hadley wanted from a reader). Some parts were a little bit dark for me (pain mage’s scenes, for example). Too much and too heavy for my taste, and yet I kept on reading. Sort off like a train wreck you can not look away from.
The story actually starts to build in the second part of the book, when we slowly unravel what this dark world of mages and their magic is, and what the purpose of all that, somewhat incoherent story, at the beginning was actually for. The last 20% of the book is where the story skyrockets into this page-turner where you just have to know what comes next and how will all the pieces fit at the end. Interestingly enough, the story became less about the sex and more about the story itself which is so much more interesting.
The main character Jade is actually the character that got on my nerves most often. At the beginning of the story, I was glad to find out that she is a prostitute and proud of it, that this is not gonna be one more story of a good, pure girl turn bad. And I get that the writer used the word whore instead of prostitute or concubine to point out what the society Jade was living in thought of them and how little they were valued. Like a lower race, shunned and judged. But that same word has been overused. It just became annoying to hear the main character, who considered herself to be this strong free woman, repeat the line “I’m a whore” over and over whenever somebody actually saw her as a person. Annoying as hell and made me respect her less and less.
My rating for the book is not actually based on my liking of the book (because I’m still not sure if I really liked it), more for how strangely uncomfortable I was with some parts, and still interested to keep reading. I actually never read anything this dark with so few details or descriptions, yet Hadley managed to evoke those feelings, and I respect that in a writer (by this, I do not mean the sex scenes – they were really tame).
May 22, 2019
💯 Read for the 2019 MacHalo Splendiferous Book Bingo Thingie (MSBBT™) challenge over at the MacHalo Asylum 💯
•• 22. More than 400 pages ••
4.5 Stars
Two Quotes (Like seriously, this book is that awesome that I didn't stop to breathe, let alone highlight):
Pre-Review Thingy
•• 22. More than 400 pages ••
4.5 Stars
"It's ok to want it. It's beautiful to be different. It takes strength and courage, and those are never things to be afraid of."
~Lord Jackal
Page 315
Two Quotes (Like seriously, this book is that awesome that I didn't stop to breathe, let alone highlight):
Pre-Review Thingy
October 7, 2022
I... Okay.
I've never read a reverse harem like this. This was so very good.
The "romance" (they all kept denying there was love involved) was so cute and in my opinion well written. The male leads were all so kind and perfect like why the fuck isn't this the standard for reverse harem books.
The story was good too. Good world building.
I will absolutely read the shit out of the second book.
I've never read a reverse harem like this. This was so very good.
The "romance" (they all kept denying there was love involved) was so cute and in my opinion well written. The male leads were all so kind and perfect like why the fuck isn't this the standard for reverse harem books.
The story was good too. Good world building.
I will absolutely read the shit out of the second book.
Read
June 13, 2019dnf at 60%..
wasnt working out for me but i loved the plot and that cover is everything
wasnt working out for me but i loved the plot and that cover is everything
April 24, 2022
DNF @ 75%
I wanted to love this so much but if the author wasn't reminding us that Jadea was black she exhausted the use of word whore. Trying to look past that was incredibly hard but I almost did it. Until I realized that being reminded that Jadea was black wasn't going to be the end of it. Nope, the author had to throw racism in to it. So not only is Jadea hated for being a whore, she's hated for being a dark skinned black woman. WTF?!?!
Quick Google of the author really showed me all I needed to see honestly. We deserve magical worlds free of racism and it wasn't necessary in this story anyway. It wasn't even done with decorum.
Jadea deserved better than what she was given. This story could have been amazing.
I wanted to love this so much but if the author wasn't reminding us that Jadea was black she exhausted the use of word whore. Trying to look past that was incredibly hard but I almost did it. Until I realized that being reminded that Jadea was black wasn't going to be the end of it. Nope, the author had to throw racism in to it. So not only is Jadea hated for being a whore, she's hated for being a dark skinned black woman. WTF?!?!
Quick Google of the author really showed me all I needed to see honestly. We deserve magical worlds free of racism and it wasn't necessary in this story anyway. It wasn't even done with decorum.
Jadea deserved better than what she was given. This story could have been amazing.
March 27, 2020
3/3.5 ⭐️
Sono ancora indecisa sul rating, ad ogni modo ho trovato il libro assolutamente valido.
Le cose che mi sono piaciute:
- Il sistema magico, l'ho trovato abbastanza originale e mi è piaciuta l'idea che ogni mago fosse legato ad una determinata emozione.
- I personaggi, alcuni leggermente abbozzati, é vero, tuttavia il trio principale mi è sembrato ben costruito. Treb, Jade e Xel hanno delle storie pesanti alle spalle che spesso si riflettono anche sulle decisioni che a volte sono costretti a prendere.
- Tematiche affrontate. Power of Lies ha toccato moltissime tematiche, in particolar modo lo stupro, il razzismo e beh, il sesso. Mi è piaciuto il modo in cui l'autrice ne ha parlato e mi è piaciuto il messaggio finale che ha voluto trasmettere. Non dovremmo mai provare vergogna per le emozioni che proviamo e nemmeno per ciò che desideriamo.
Cosa non mi ha convinto:
- Il TROPPO sesso. É normale che ci sia, cioè su quello si basa il libro, il punto è che a volte è stato tutto troppo ripetitivo mentre magari ci si poteva concentrare di più sul worldbuilding, sul sistema magico e sulla trama di base.
- Antagonista, di lui praticamente sappiamo poco e nulla, sarebbe stato bello conoscere un po' di più le sue motivazioni e il suo rapporto con Xel.
- Ultima cosa è stata la gestione dei rapporti e del finale, tutto troppo veloce! Un giorno Xel non si fida di Jade, il giorno dopo quasi le fa la proposta (esagero eh però...). Vale lo stesso per il finale, tutto troppo affrettato e abbozzato.
Sono ancora indecisa sul rating, ad ogni modo ho trovato il libro assolutamente valido.
Le cose che mi sono piaciute:
- Il sistema magico, l'ho trovato abbastanza originale e mi è piaciuta l'idea che ogni mago fosse legato ad una determinata emozione.
- I personaggi, alcuni leggermente abbozzati, é vero, tuttavia il trio principale mi è sembrato ben costruito. Treb, Jade e Xel hanno delle storie pesanti alle spalle che spesso si riflettono anche sulle decisioni che a volte sono costretti a prendere.
- Tematiche affrontate. Power of Lies ha toccato moltissime tematiche, in particolar modo lo stupro, il razzismo e beh, il sesso. Mi è piaciuto il modo in cui l'autrice ne ha parlato e mi è piaciuto il messaggio finale che ha voluto trasmettere. Non dovremmo mai provare vergogna per le emozioni che proviamo e nemmeno per ciò che desideriamo.
Cosa non mi ha convinto:
- Il TROPPO sesso. É normale che ci sia, cioè su quello si basa il libro, il punto è che a volte è stato tutto troppo ripetitivo mentre magari ci si poteva concentrare di più sul worldbuilding, sul sistema magico e sulla trama di base.
- Antagonista, di lui praticamente sappiamo poco e nulla, sarebbe stato bello conoscere un po' di più le sue motivazioni e il suo rapporto con Xel.
- Ultima cosa è stata la gestione dei rapporti e del finale, tutto troppo veloce! Un giorno Xel non si fida di Jade, il giorno dopo quasi le fa la proposta (esagero eh però...). Vale lo stesso per il finale, tutto troppo affrettato e abbozzato.
February 22, 2020
I want to live in Auryn Hadley's brain!
This is the second series I have read by this author. The first was Rise of the Illiri, and I loved it. Now this??
First off, it isn't what I expected. maybe I should have expected it? It was a lot of sex. A lot of male on male sex too.
I love Hadley's world building and how descriptive she is with her characters. I adore how the day to day little situations she includes in her novels (yes, novels...not just books) add to the storyline and create a more rounded character and plot.
I love the way her characters aren't all blue eyes blondes. Our FMC, Jade, The Dark Orchid, is a strong black woman who isn't ashamed of her sexuality or her body. She is perfect and while others have treated her as less, as a whore, she understands she has a freedom that other woman who view themselves as proper and right do not. Other women value their lives based on having a husband and belonging to a man. She belongs to herself.
Her guys accept her as she is, and they are all uniquely hers, while also being part of the whole and having their own relationships with each other.
This is everything good about fiction and it is beautiful.
This is the second series I have read by this author. The first was Rise of the Illiri, and I loved it. Now this??
First off, it isn't what I expected. maybe I should have expected it? It was a lot of sex. A lot of male on male sex too.
I love Hadley's world building and how descriptive she is with her characters. I adore how the day to day little situations she includes in her novels (yes, novels...not just books) add to the storyline and create a more rounded character and plot.
I love the way her characters aren't all blue eyes blondes. Our FMC, Jade, The Dark Orchid, is a strong black woman who isn't ashamed of her sexuality or her body. She is perfect and while others have treated her as less, as a whore, she understands she has a freedom that other woman who view themselves as proper and right do not. Other women value their lives based on having a husband and belonging to a man. She belongs to herself.
Her guys accept her as she is, and they are all uniquely hers, while also being part of the whole and having their own relationships with each other.
This is everything good about fiction and it is beautiful.
October 9, 2021
This book was interesting enough, but I can’t say I loved it. I’d passed on It twice in the past, but ultimately decided to give it a try, and I liked it way more than I thought I would, but still not as much as I wanted to. I liked it enough to try book two, but I’m getting bored now so I don’t know if I’ll keep going.
There’s lots of sex, but it’s not super descriptive, and it’s really emotional, so if that’s your thing then you’re in for a treat. Personally, It wasn’t mine.
I liked Xel In the beginning, but he lost me somewhere along the way. I didn’t really care about Ci at first, but slowly I started to get into him. I guess that makes Treb my favorite character, bc I liked him all along.
The idea for the plot was fun, the execution, however, was a bit lacking. It was super repetitive for a lot of the book which got old fast. I had 3 big issues that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have. First, it was told in 3rd person but it was kind of oscillating between omniscient and limited. Second, I wasn’t sure whether it was just fantasy or like a historical fantasy. Like the time period is never explicitly stated, but the nature of the story just gives historical vibes. I tried to ignore it bc I know it’s fantasy but in the beginning it was hard to reconcile that with the way characters talked. Third and the biggest one for me, was the main character Jaeda was a dark skinned black girl and her skin color was fetishized for the entirety of the book. And it’s the same so far in book two. It was really fucking cringey. On top of that, every time Ci was next to anyone darker than him the juxtaposition between their complexion was pointed out in a way that was supposed to be poetic I guess but it got annoying after the 170th time. Like we get it he’s fucking casper the friendly ghost can we move on now?
Overall I wanted to like it more, but there was too much annoying shit lol. 2.5 stars.
There’s lots of sex, but it’s not super descriptive, and it’s really emotional, so if that’s your thing then you’re in for a treat. Personally, It wasn’t mine.
I liked Xel In the beginning, but he lost me somewhere along the way. I didn’t really care about Ci at first, but slowly I started to get into him. I guess that makes Treb my favorite character, bc I liked him all along.
The idea for the plot was fun, the execution, however, was a bit lacking. It was super repetitive for a lot of the book which got old fast. I had 3 big issues that kept me from enjoying it as much as I could have. First, it was told in 3rd person but it was kind of oscillating between omniscient and limited. Second, I wasn’t sure whether it was just fantasy or like a historical fantasy. Like the time period is never explicitly stated, but the nature of the story just gives historical vibes. I tried to ignore it bc I know it’s fantasy but in the beginning it was hard to reconcile that with the way characters talked. Third and the biggest one for me, was the main character Jaeda was a dark skinned black girl and her skin color was fetishized for the entirety of the book. And it’s the same so far in book two. It was really fucking cringey. On top of that, every time Ci was next to anyone darker than him the juxtaposition between their complexion was pointed out in a way that was supposed to be poetic I guess but it got annoying after the 170th time. Like we get it he’s fucking casper the friendly ghost can we move on now?
Overall I wanted to like it more, but there was too much annoying shit lol. 2.5 stars.
January 29, 2019
I've come to expect fabulous plots and long books I can sink my teeth into from this author, and the first of her new series is no exception. While not quite as detailed and epic as her amazing Rise of the Iliri (ROTI) series, Power of Lies is just as good - and infinitely sexier. Ms. Hadley has created a magical story where a great deal of sex is necessary to the plot and yet somehow doesn't overtake the book, only enhances it. The characters of this book are so wonderful and interesting, with a huge spotlight on heroine Jaeda, a consummate survivor who is so strong, having overcome many hardships. Through Jade's narrative the author wrote about real-life concepts I have pondered over many a time - the difference between sex and love, the debate over misplaced jealousy for a physical act, and the ways society has taught women to think of sex so much differently than how they do men, including tying their self worth to it in many ways. I found Jade to be such an empowering and interesting heroine but the heroes were no slouches either. As I love with this author's books, I didn't know who the potential harem members were as I was reading, so I won't describe them here to preserve that for other new readers - suffice to say I was not disappointed in the least. Whether you are a fan of ROTI or not, I encourage you to check out this series - if you are a fan of this author like I am I think you will love it, but it is different enough from ROTI that if you were not a fan of that series you might love this one instead. I am so looking forward to what happens next for these characters!
June 9, 2019
This was a mostly pleasant surprise. I have tried both the writer's other series and haven't really found them to be for me, but I liked most things about this.
Ironically, what I liked about it is also one of my bigger issues... This book is incredibly sex positive, which is great. The over lying message of how women should own their sexuality and not be afraid to express it, and dealing with how others view them when they do this, is very well done. However, there is a lot of sex in this and it does get repetitive. The sex is mostly necessary to the story, as it is about a sex mage, but it still got a bit repetitive.
Also, this book is very long, around 500 pages. I didn't feel that these were all needed and a good 150 could have been cut.
However, I really liked the characers and was really invested in them. Jaeda is almost always brilliant and I liked the growing characterisation of the others.
What is also a big pro is how the RH aspect of this is drama free! A very olesent surprise after me DNF one of the books from a previous series because I grew bored of the RH repetitive drama.
I will definitely pick up the next one, maybe not straight away, as its sure to be just as long, but certainly soon!
Ironically, what I liked about it is also one of my bigger issues... This book is incredibly sex positive, which is great. The over lying message of how women should own their sexuality and not be afraid to express it, and dealing with how others view them when they do this, is very well done. However, there is a lot of sex in this and it does get repetitive. The sex is mostly necessary to the story, as it is about a sex mage, but it still got a bit repetitive.
Also, this book is very long, around 500 pages. I didn't feel that these were all needed and a good 150 could have been cut.
However, I really liked the characers and was really invested in them. Jaeda is almost always brilliant and I liked the growing characterisation of the others.
What is also a big pro is how the RH aspect of this is drama free! A very olesent surprise after me DNF one of the books from a previous series because I grew bored of the RH repetitive drama.
I will definitely pick up the next one, maybe not straight away, as its sure to be just as long, but certainly soon!
June 23, 2019
This book is weird. It’s also really about sex. Like the entire thing is sex and multiple partners and such. So definitely not for people who can’t hang.
I’m kinda on the fence, I love this author and I did like this book but some things bugged me.
Mostly the overuse of the line “I’m a whore” it became annoying and redundant and less of something to be proud of and more of an explanation or excuse. I could get behind it here and there but this is the equivalent use of someone name dropping celebs. It got annoying.
But then I got used to the flow, and it started becoming less about the sex. Which made the story a bit more interesting. I kinda want to read the next and I kinda don’t. I feel like if the next book is a sex fest then we totally need a break between books. Otherwise I’ll get bored. However we have a new setting and I’m intrigued on what’s to come.
Anyways Jade is a fascinating character because of her reactions. They aren’t typical or predictable. I enjoyed reading about her story and I do want to see her grow more. She definitely changes over the course of the book.
I’m kinda on the fence, I love this author and I did like this book but some things bugged me.
Mostly the overuse of the line “I’m a whore” it became annoying and redundant and less of something to be proud of and more of an explanation or excuse. I could get behind it here and there but this is the equivalent use of someone name dropping celebs. It got annoying.
But then I got used to the flow, and it started becoming less about the sex. Which made the story a bit more interesting. I kinda want to read the next and I kinda don’t. I feel like if the next book is a sex fest then we totally need a break between books. Otherwise I’ll get bored. However we have a new setting and I’m intrigued on what’s to come.
Anyways Jade is a fascinating character because of her reactions. They aren’t typical or predictable. I enjoyed reading about her story and I do want to see her grow more. She definitely changes over the course of the book.
April 8, 2019
I suppose what makes this a good story is that it's pretty easy to follow. A lot of fantasy books are cluttered with world building and detail about every aspect but Power of Lies is simple enough.
Maybe too simple? The "Jackal" is a mage of lust which means there's frequent bouts of..... (you know what), followed by our protagonist constantly declaring she's a.... (you know who) which is adamntly denied by the Jackal and also Jaeda goes on about how she's not in love. Which seems to make up a big part of the story.
There are many times when I wanted to pause reading and yell that I get it! You're a ***** and you're not in love. But I didn't, obviously.
But I suppose Jaeda being black makes up for quite a bit. I have to admit that I was a bit nonplussed when I read that but that's a good thing. There's not enough different race characters in fantasy books and there should be. So, well done to Auryn Hadley for that.
Maybe too simple? The "Jackal" is a mage of lust which means there's frequent bouts of..... (you know what), followed by our protagonist constantly declaring she's a.... (you know who) which is adamntly denied by the Jackal and also Jaeda goes on about how she's not in love. Which seems to make up a big part of the story.
There are many times when I wanted to pause reading and yell that I get it! You're a ***** and you're not in love. But I didn't, obviously.
But I suppose Jaeda being black makes up for quite a bit. I have to admit that I was a bit nonplussed when I read that but that's a good thing. There's not enough different race characters in fantasy books and there should be. So, well done to Auryn Hadley for that.
January 31, 2022
Okay so I’ve gone as far as I can and now I am definitely throwing in the towel. I’m DNF’ing at 22% mainly because of the scene I just read. The Jackal repeatedly tells her that she’s not a whore etc…. And then in the same breath pimps her out to a lord????? I also don’t like that the book is written by a white woman and the main character who is a dark skinned black woman is nothing in the book but a conduit for lust and pleasure and is constantly referred to as the “black whore”. That don’t sit right with my spirit at all.
So I will not be finishing
So I will not be finishing
June 24, 2024
DTF at Chapter 4
The way this black girl (who is the ONLY black girl in this village btw) was sexualized and belittled herself as a whore over and over again. Not seeing her worth cause she was “a whore” and throwing herself up to be sacrificed to a man who’s intentions she was unaware of at the moment, cause she is “a whore anyway” pissed me tf off.
A man is being set up to teach her worth and tell her she’s isn’t a whore. 💀💀💀
The way this black girl (who is the ONLY black girl in this village btw) was sexualized and belittled herself as a whore over and over again. Not seeing her worth cause she was “a whore” and throwing herself up to be sacrificed to a man who’s intentions she was unaware of at the moment, cause she is “a whore anyway” pissed me tf off.
A man is being set up to teach her worth and tell her she’s isn’t a whore. 💀💀💀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2019
This was great. I found another favorite book. The writing was amazing as was the story. I was pulled in from the first pages, couldn't put it down. Didn't really know what would await me, but it was amazing. It's not your typical romance, which I found great.
Can't wait to read the next book.
Can't wait to read the next book.
May 4, 2025
Reread 5/1/2025: The first time I read this, I was looking for why-choose books that were queerer, freer, and with way more equal love among characters. (I’m tired of one-hinge storylines, so cheers to this.) It was my first Auryn Hadley book and is still one of my favorites.
If you’ve read Auryn’s work, you may know her characters talk about their feelings for each other a LOT. They’re big about relationship communication. If you’re trying to skim a book, this isn’t the author for you. These relationships are long journeys of healthy boundaries and dynamics. The men are kind and sweet. The women are larger than life powerful. Everyone’s hot. It’s a total comfort read with melt-your-face spice.
The first time reading it, I was a little annoyed with the internalized homophobia storyline. The second read through, I appreciated it. I’ve been dealing with my own internalized homophobia, and it was nice to see the patience and love these characters were given.
I gave it 5 stars the first time bc of the unique comfort and relationship dynamics it offered. Second time I’d say 4.5 stars rounded to 5. It’s just a comfort read for me, and while I wish we got even more sapphic or ace love in Auryn’s work (another reason why Path of Temptation is her best work IMO), I love the diversity in characters and the kindness they all share.
Also, I am once again asking for a Briar Mage spinoff.
—
1st read 6/11/2022: Happy pride! If you want a (very spicy) book where everyone is bisexual, a slut, and into each other, and takes place in a fascinating magical Ottoman Empire-esque realm… look no further! It tackles internal homophobia, sex positivity, and creating a home where the pirates and prostitutes are the good guys and the army is gay! Plus the main character is a Black woman, which isn’t seen enough in the RH genre.
I REALLY hope this gets a spin-off series in the future about The Briar Mage!
If you’ve read Auryn’s work, you may know her characters talk about their feelings for each other a LOT. They’re big about relationship communication. If you’re trying to skim a book, this isn’t the author for you. These relationships are long journeys of healthy boundaries and dynamics. The men are kind and sweet. The women are larger than life powerful. Everyone’s hot. It’s a total comfort read with melt-your-face spice.
The first time reading it, I was a little annoyed with the internalized homophobia storyline. The second read through, I appreciated it. I’ve been dealing with my own internalized homophobia, and it was nice to see the patience and love these characters were given.
I gave it 5 stars the first time bc of the unique comfort and relationship dynamics it offered. Second time I’d say 4.5 stars rounded to 5. It’s just a comfort read for me, and while I wish we got even more sapphic or ace love in Auryn’s work (another reason why Path of Temptation is her best work IMO), I love the diversity in characters and the kindness they all share.
Also, I am once again asking for a Briar Mage spinoff.
—
1st read 6/11/2022: Happy pride! If you want a (very spicy) book where everyone is bisexual, a slut, and into each other, and takes place in a fascinating magical Ottoman Empire-esque realm… look no further! It tackles internal homophobia, sex positivity, and creating a home where the pirates and prostitutes are the good guys and the army is gay! Plus the main character is a Black woman, which isn’t seen enough in the RH genre.
I REALLY hope this gets a spin-off series in the future about The Briar Mage!
January 21, 2019
Well hello there
Possible trigger: there is NO rape, but there are rape survivors. If this is a trigger for you, be prepared.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it.
Given that Xel is the Lord of Lust you will read a whole lot of sexy time. He needs it, he feeds off it so it's here in abundance. Normally, that much would have me rolling my eyes and skipping pages, however, every lust driven thought serves a massive purpose in this book... and it's a great storyline.
The main characters have good background as well as their support (called catalysts).
I look forward to seeing the dynamic continue to unfold between Xel,Jade, Treb, and Ci
Possible trigger: there is NO rape, but there are rape survivors. If this is a trigger for you, be prepared.
This is my first book by this author and I loved it.
Given that Xel is the Lord of Lust you will read a whole lot of sexy time. He needs it, he feeds off it so it's here in abundance. Normally, that much would have me rolling my eyes and skipping pages, however, every lust driven thought serves a massive purpose in this book... and it's a great storyline.
The main characters have good background as well as their support (called catalysts).
I look forward to seeing the dynamic continue to unfold between Xel,Jade, Treb, and Ci
January 21, 2019
Stunned
I’ve found a new favorite series. I love that this book was long and the way it ended showed that it was all an intro to what’s to come. Initially, I didn’t know how I’d feel about reading this based on the description, but I could not stop reading once I started! This author always manages to create a world that pulls you in and leaves you aching for more.
I’ve found a new favorite series. I love that this book was long and the way it ended showed that it was all an intro to what’s to come. Initially, I didn’t know how I’d feel about reading this based on the description, but I could not stop reading once I started! This author always manages to create a world that pulls you in and leaves you aching for more.
January 30, 2019
Seriously. Her world building is enthralling!!!
June 6, 2022
Yes we get it. You're a whore. It's nothing to brag about really. And there is absolutely nothing hot about guys in your harem pimping you out
January 2, 2025
DNF at 27%. I don’t even know what was going on
November 3, 2019
Surprised how much I enjoyed this!
I devoured this book in 2 days. This is the first ever RH story I’ve ever actually enjoyed I as a rule don’t normally read then but this book grabbed me and didn’t let me go.
I devoured this book in 2 days. This is the first ever RH story I’ve ever actually enjoyed I as a rule don’t normally read then but this book grabbed me and didn’t let me go.
June 17, 2020
Like nothing I've ever read before. The power of this story is the love, trust, and bonding with all the characters. Orchid is such a strong woman figure, she moves forward in what she must do to make things happen.....no matter what is thrown at her. I can't wait to read the next!
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