Seven Blades in Black

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What to expect

Acclaimed author Sam Sykes returns with a brilliant new epic fantasy that introduces to an unforgettable outcast magician caught between two warring empires.

Set in the Scar, where the magical, decadent Imperium battles the upstart, technologically-savvy Revolution, SEVEN BLADES OF BLACK follows the exploits of Sal the Cacophony, the most famous and dangerous of all the rogue mages.

Among humans, none have power like mages. And among mages, none have will like Sal the Cacophony. Once revered, now vagrant, she walks a wasteland scarred by generations of magical warfare.

The Scar, a land torn between powerful empires, is where rogue mages go to disappear, disgraced soldiers go to die and Sal went with a blade, a gun and a list of names she intended to use both on.

But vengeance is a flame swift extinguished. Betrayed by those she trusted most, her magic torn from her and awaiting execution, Sal the Cacophony has one last tale to tell before they take her head.

All she has left is her name, her story and the weapon she used to carved both.

Vengeance is its own reward.

(p) Orion Publishing Group Ltd 2019

Critics Review

Seven Blades in Black is terrific. The tale of Sal the Cacophony is delightfully sarcastic and deeply sorrowful

Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld

Exciting and inventive. I never realised how much I needed wizard-hunting gunslingers in my life

Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author of The Painted Man

Seven Blades in Black offers villains that are as memorable and unique as the heroes . . . It’s an immersive read in a well realised world

Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author of Fool's Assassin

Sykes is a master at taking familiar elements of fantasy and stirring them to a wicked, wholly original churn . . . Ludicrous, wicked, delightful

Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author of Red Rising

Sykes’ writing is full of heart, hilarity, and the frank understanding that as humans we are all disasters. Come for the adventures, stay for the weirdos

R.F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War

By the end of the first page, you’ll know Sam is in love with his characters. By the end of the second, you’ll know you are too

Myke Cole, author of The Armoured State

With skillful worldbuilding, unexpected humor, and characters real enough to touch, this is easily Sykes’s best book to date

Publishers Weekly, starred review

An irresistible mix of passion and wit

David Dalglish

Compulsive from start to finish

Kirkus (starred review)

Gunslingers and mad mages and monsters, oh my

Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author

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