X-Book

Seven Blades in Black

Click Buy to Log in and see personalised pricing.

Send as a gift Get in the xigxag app
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

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
Author Sam Sykes
Narrator Daisy May
Duration 20 hours and 28 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781409185512
Format Audiobook
Publisher Orion
Genre Fantasy, Modern and contemporary fiction
Availability AU, GB, IE

More from the same

Author

About xigxag

xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK’s only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.

There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at £8.99. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from £3.99. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.

Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.

Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.