Sal the Cacophony is a rogue mage, a Vagrant who prowls her world looking for, and causing, trouble. She has a list of names tucked away, a gun only she can control (or is it controlling her?) and a woman she wants to love but mostly runs from instead.

The book starts with Sal captured. About to be executed, in fact. The fact that everything that comes out of her mouth is cocksure and abrasive is really not helping. The only thing is on her side is the story she has to tell, and the knowledge that goes alongside it.

The world of Seven Blades in Black is dangerous and convincing. It's full of ravaged freeholds, soldiers and powerful sorcerers. Sal's got a unique, BIG, voice and knows how to tell the readers (and her captor) a story. You'll either love or (possibly) hate her, but she's a real presence on the page either way.

It's a long book and did take me a few sittings to get through, but it's worth the time.