Seven Devils (Seven Devils, #1) by Laura Lam, Elizabeth May Published by DAW on August 4th 2020
Also by this author: Pantomime, Seven Mercies
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 448
Format: ebook
Goodreads
This first book in a feminist space opera duology follows seven resistance fighters who will free the galaxy from the ruthless Tholosian Empire -- or die trying.
When Eris faked her death, she thought she had left her old life as the heir to the galaxy's most ruthless empire behind. But her recruitment by the Novantaen Resistance, an organization opposed to the empire's voracious expansion, throws her right back into the fray.
Eris has been assigned a new mission: to infiltrate a spaceship ferrying deadly cargo and return the intelligence gathered to the Resistance. But her partner for the mission, mechanic and hotshot pilot Cloelia, bears an old grudge against Eris, making an already difficult infiltration even more complicated.
When they find the ship, they discover more than they bargained for: three fugitives with firsthand knowledge of the corrupt empire's inner workings.
Together, these women possess the knowledge and capabilities to bring the empire to its knees. But the clock is ticking: the new heir to the empire plans to disrupt a peace summit with the only remaining alien empire, ensuring the empire’s continued expansion. If they can find a way to stop him, they will save the galaxy. If they can't, millions may die.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of Seven Devils. Below is my honest opinion about the book.
When Laura Lam announced she was collaborating with Elizabeth May to write a book about kick-ass women fighting against the establishment, I knew I had to read it. I’d only read Pantomime by Laura Lam before, but I knew I loved her writing. Elizabeth May has been on my reading for a long time. Reading a book by them both, and with such an interesting premise, would be a gift. And it just kept on giving. The cover is absolutely gorgeous. Only after you’ve read most of the book do you know what exactly is on the cover.
Seven Devils is in one word ‘epic’. It’s so good. That’s probably why I’m writing this review six months later because I couldn’t find the words for it earlier. The women are truly powerful, all in their own way. Every single one has a great backstory, their own character arc, and important role in the climax of the book. Oh right, have I shared the original comp line? MAD MAX + ROGUE ONE BUT WITH WOMEN. Yeah, so much is happening, it’s hard to keep track. But everything is neatly coming together in the end.
The story is told through different points of view, two at the beginning and I didn’t like one of them. Not because it was bad, I just wasn’t interested in her. I wanted to know all the other stuff though. So after they meet up with the three other women who later become part of the mission, things really sped up. It’s a thrilling, action-packed space adventure. The world is convincing, both beautiful and deadly at the same time. The authors don’t hold back on the deadly either. Expect blood and gruesome violence, horrible morals, and more enemies than allies.
I give Seven Devils five stars. I don’t know what else to give it. I don’t read science-fiction a lot, and definitely not space opera, but I really enjoyed this. The book ended with a soft cliffhanger. It’s the first book of a duology so it makes sense there would be some kind of cliffhanger. I honestly can’t wait until the next one is out.
