~Review: The Unfortunates (Unfortunate #1) by Skyla Madi~

He wants his father dead.
He wants power.
He wants control...

....And he'll use me to get it. 


Kade Sario was supposed to vicious and cruel. He was supposed to be a monster, to hurt and chastise me for the smallest things... but he didn't. I didn't understand it... until I found out what he really wanted from me.

He wants to use me. He wants to hold me high above the lion's den and wait for the strongest lion to offer him something he can use...

He won't hurt me and he won't take from me, but he keeps me close... So close I can smell him on my skin even when I'm alone. Growing up it was ingrained in me that I do whatever I can to please my Fortunate. It was ingrained in me that I be loyal and faithful, and that I love my Fortunate more than I love myself. I expected that I'd want to please him. I expected that I would be loyal and faithful, just like I was taught... 

But I didn't expect to fall in love with him.

Time is running out. Things are changing, the balance of power is shifting and if I'm going to survive in this world, I need Master Kade on my side…

Overall Rating:  4 Rockin’ ★★★★

This book had me confused in the beginning as it is a cross between an old world style and a post-apocalyptic world but as the book progresses it becomes clearer how their world works.  The heroine, Nine, gains your sympathy almost immediately as she makes clear what it is like to be an Unfortunate in this strange world the author has created. She isn't like the other Unfortunates though. Her strong will and attitude make you root for her even after she is sold to slavery for her Fortunate.

 It is hard to hate the "hero", Kade, completely even though some of his actions are infuriating. You can tell from the beginning that Kade is a different breed of Fortunate although the harsh world they are a part of makes it difficult to see his redeeming qualities. I had to take a few breaks from reading because the characters and circumstances sometimes angered me but I never strayed long because I had to find out what happened next.

You fall more in love with both characters and have more anger towards some other characters in the book as the story unfolds and all these intense emotions draw you further into the book wanting more passion and more action. The open-ended conclusion definitely makes me want the sequel The Fortunates. It gives you hope that the next book will be more positive for Kade and Nine.

Hero –Kade: 4 stars

Heroine –Nine: 4 stars

Steam: 4 stars 

Plot: 4 stars 

Cliffhanger: Yes

Would I recommend this book: Yes! I would recommend this book for anyone that enjoys a different world with ideals and rules that are out of the norm. If you are looking for a sweet romance this book may not be for you as it has quite a few parts that create anguish for the Unfortunates but it does have redeeming hope laced throughout.  

Would I recommend this author: Yes! I look forward to reading the sequel “The Fortunates” by this author.

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***