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The Malevolent Seven #1
The Malevolent Seven
'Seven powerful mages want to make the world a better place. We're going to kill them first.'
Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic? Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object).
Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be warned: you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations.
At least, until such irritating concepts as friendship and the end of the world get in the way.
My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title - until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.
Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . . .
Picture a wizard. Go ahead, close your eyes. There he is, see? Skinny old guy with a long straggly beard. No doubt he's wearing iridescent silk robes that couldn't protect his frail body from a light breeze. The hat's a must, too, right? Big, floppy thing, covered in esoteric symbols that would instantly show every other mage where this one gets his magic? Wouldn't want a simple steel helmet or something that might, you know, protect the part of him most needed for conjuring magical forces from being bashed in with a mace (or pretty much any household object).
Now open your eyes and let me show you what a real war mage looks like . . . but be warned: you're probably not going to like it, because we're violent, angry, dangerously broken people who sell our skills to the highest bidder and be damned to any moral or ethical considerations.
At least, until such irritating concepts as friendship and the end of the world get in the way.
My name is Cade Ombra, and though I currently make my living as a mercenary wonderist, I used to have a far more noble-sounding job title - until I discovered the people I worked for weren't quite as noble as I'd believed. Now I'm on the run and my only friend, a homicidal thunder mage, has invited me to join him on a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages on the continent.
Time to recruit some very bad people to help us on this job . . .
373 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2023
791 people are currently reading
12458 people want to read
About the author
Sebastien de Castell
58 books4,969 followersHi Folks!
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
My eighteenth novel, MALEVOLENT EIGHT is now available. Cade Ombra and his misfit band of mercenary war mages are determined to prevent a cataclysmic war between supernatural beings. But peace at any price might mean killing an awful lot of people. The Malevolent Seven might be heroes, but they'll be the good guys . . .
My seventeenth novel is titled PLAY OF SHADOWS. A swashbuckling fantasy set in the world of mystical theatre where exalted actors can channel the spirits of the historical figures they portray on stage. But Damelas Chademantaigne seems to be summoning the spirit of a notorious villain whose secrets could unleash a civil war!
My sixteenth novel is CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS. Estevar Borros is my favourite swashbuckling investigator of the supernatural, so come investigate alongside him and his dauntless mule, Imperious inside a mysterious abbey where the gods seem to be driving the monks mad!
My fifteenth novel is FATE OF THE ARGOSI. The Argosi series is one of my favourites and I hope you'll come along for Ferius Parfax's adventures!
You can get a pair of free stories here.
The best way to stay up to date is at www.decastell.com, but I'm also on that Facebook thing. Also that Twitter thing. One day I'll even remember to get on that Instagram thing.
As to who I am? Well . . .
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.
Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 806 reviews
July 1, 2023
“No such thing as luck. Just angels and demons putting their thumbs on the scale.”
most of you know, sebastien is one of my all time favorite authors. i just vibe so well with this writing, his characters, his worlds, and i really think his craft feels so different than anyone else in the sff world. it truly feels like an entirely different experience starting a brand new book from him, yet i knew from the first page i would love this like the rest.
this is a story being told to you, from a narrator who is constantly questioning if he is one of the good guys or one of the bad guys. this is also a questing story where 2 war mages must recruit 5 others to complete a mysterious task that is also imperative to the existence of this world and who rules it. especially since the angels and the devils are doing everything in their power to have one last battle in the world we know.
as the reader, you will be constantly asking yourself if this world is worth saving, when so many horrible things are done by the hands of man. And how easily that is to see when humans prove they are more evil than the demons in this story throughout. oh, i didnt say that either - but this book is filled not only with war mages, but with angels and gods, demons and devils, and even a tempest and a rat mage!
i loved learning about the magic and all the mages and who everyone is working with. i loved the twists and turns that no other author can pull off the way that sebastien does. and i loved the writing that so easily teleports me with each passing sentence.
trigger + content warnings: war themes, suicide mentions, slavery, a lot of mentions of sexual abuse to children in past (not on page, but something that is brought up throughout this entire story), implied sexual abuse (not on page), captivity, compulsion, murder, death, blood, gore, talk of medical experimentation, torture, vomit, self harm, insect horror
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1.) Traitor's Blade ★★★★★
2.) Knight's Shadow ★★★★★
3.) Saint's Blood ★★★★★
4.) Tyrant's Throne ★★★★★
1.) Spellslinger ★★★★★
November 25, 2024
If you are tired of reading the same fantasy stories over and over again, and are looking for something different, this might be the book for you.
The "follow the villain and his band of misfits" trope might have been done before, but not in such a satisfying way.
The worlbuilding is strong, the characters complex and interesting, and the stakes are higher than I first thought.
The writing is also very good, and balances very well deep and difficult moments with funny interactions.
I will definitely continue with the next book in the series.
The "follow the villain and his band of misfits" trope might have been done before, but not in such a satisfying way.
The worlbuilding is strong, the characters complex and interesting, and the stakes are higher than I first thought.
The writing is also very good, and balances very well deep and difficult moments with funny interactions.
I will definitely continue with the next book in the series.
May 24, 2023
Sebastien de Castell is as good as ever, Very witty and very sharp, as you would expect from a work of his. But it is not just humour. The Malevolent Seven has far more depth than that. Humour is used to explore and expand on our characters, looking at their virtues and vices (many of the latter).
This is a book that just has it all. Fantastic leading characters, a really interesting plot, efficient prose and a completely unique world full of orders and demons and naturally, some Rat Mages as well. What more could you ask for?
This is a book that just has it all. Fantastic leading characters, a really interesting plot, efficient prose and a completely unique world full of orders and demons and naturally, some Rat Mages as well. What more could you ask for?
May 11, 2023
This is a fantastic, DnD like, Suicide Squad (not the one with Jared Leto) meets Kings of the Wild romp.
We have a fellowship of witches and wizards here - wonderists - and they are bad people. They are also hilarious, which is a bonus. The Malevolent Seven is such a funny book, no one quite writes in your face humour like Sebastien does and this is THE fantasy book that should be on everyone's shelves this year. The dialogue is witty, the plot twists and turns like a twisty-turny-thing and I was reminded for the millionth time why Sebastien is such a top notch writer. Read it!
We have a fellowship of witches and wizards here - wonderists - and they are bad people. They are also hilarious, which is a bonus. The Malevolent Seven is such a funny book, no one quite writes in your face humour like Sebastien does and this is THE fantasy book that should be on everyone's shelves this year. The dialogue is witty, the plot twists and turns like a twisty-turny-thing and I was reminded for the millionth time why Sebastien is such a top notch writer. Read it!
March 25, 2023
At this point, I don't think there's anything that Sebastien de Castell can write that I won't fall in love with. I frickin' loved this book.
Every time I talk about one of his books, it's always the writing style that stands out to me - he has a very distinct style, and if you were to give me a book by him without his name on it, I'm pretty confident I could tell you it's him. I love how our main character is telling YOU this story, pre-empting questions you'd ask, and answering them in a way that breaks that 4th wall. And the whole thing is just dripping with sarcasm and wit, and I love it.
This seems to be a theme across all of de Castell's books: our main character is convinced he's irredeemable, but at the bottom of it all only wants what's right - which proves for some compelling character development! In fact, the whole cast is very individual, each driven by their own goals. I can't tell you I liked them all (they're not exactly likeable characters!), but I definitely enjoyed reading about them all!
The plot was compelling, and when I very sadly had to take a break about 50 pages from the end I was devastated as I was so incredibly eager to find out WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Each turn in the plot had me hooked, and I really enjoyed the journey we went on.
I'm not usually one for writing reviews, so I'll wrap up with my overall feelings: I love this, I need more, and can't wait for whatever comes next.
Every time I talk about one of his books, it's always the writing style that stands out to me - he has a very distinct style, and if you were to give me a book by him without his name on it, I'm pretty confident I could tell you it's him. I love how our main character is telling YOU this story, pre-empting questions you'd ask, and answering them in a way that breaks that 4th wall. And the whole thing is just dripping with sarcasm and wit, and I love it.
This seems to be a theme across all of de Castell's books: our main character is convinced he's irredeemable, but at the bottom of it all only wants what's right - which proves for some compelling character development! In fact, the whole cast is very individual, each driven by their own goals. I can't tell you I liked them all (they're not exactly likeable characters!), but I definitely enjoyed reading about them all!
The plot was compelling, and when I very sadly had to take a break about 50 pages from the end I was devastated as I was so incredibly eager to find out WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Each turn in the plot had me hooked, and I really enjoyed the journey we went on.
I'm not usually one for writing reviews, so I'll wrap up with my overall feelings: I love this, I need more, and can't wait for whatever comes next.
April 28, 2023
4.5⭐
Full review to come.
I am one of the least unbiased sources when reviewing a DeCastell book as he is one of my favorite authors and I am in love with his writing style, the reversals of fortune, the cliffhanger chapter endings, the broken Anti-Hero protagonists, and of course anyone who uses a rapier.
This book was a ton of fun with a very sardonic, 4th-wall breaking, tongue-in-cheek tone that does a little to shave some off the dark brutality that pervades this book. As the description says, these are awful people and we're basically rooting for the least awful lol.
I do find that I will always prefer the Greatcoats and less magic just in general but I would find it very hard not to love a DeCastell outing and this was no different. Go pre-order it and devour it while you're waiting on the next Greatcoats!
Be warned, there's more swearing in this one than customary as well as a section that takes place on a pleasure barge so just be aware of that's not your thing.
Thank you so much to DeCastell and JoFletcher publishing for the ARC!
Full review to come.
I am one of the least unbiased sources when reviewing a DeCastell book as he is one of my favorite authors and I am in love with his writing style, the reversals of fortune, the cliffhanger chapter endings, the broken Anti-Hero protagonists, and of course anyone who uses a rapier.
This book was a ton of fun with a very sardonic, 4th-wall breaking, tongue-in-cheek tone that does a little to shave some off the dark brutality that pervades this book. As the description says, these are awful people and we're basically rooting for the least awful lol.
I do find that I will always prefer the Greatcoats and less magic just in general but I would find it very hard not to love a DeCastell outing and this was no different. Go pre-order it and devour it while you're waiting on the next Greatcoats!
Be warned, there's more swearing in this one than customary as well as a section that takes place on a pleasure barge so just be aware of that's not your thing.
Thank you so much to DeCastell and JoFletcher publishing for the ARC!
May 10, 2023
Ever heard of Merlin, Gandalf, Dumbledore? Amateurs!
Book Information
Sebastien de Castell, a celebrated author in the fantasy genre, is set to release his 14th book, The Malevolent Seven, on May 16th, 2023. This upcoming release follows the success of his previous works, including the highly acclaimed fantasy series, The Greatcoats, and the YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, both of which have received critical acclaim and recognition. I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader Copy of The Malevolent Seven for review, courtesy of Mobius Books. The book spans 384 pages and promises to be a thrilling addition to de Castell's impressive body of work.
Summary
Cade Ombra, a mercenary wonderist who has never claimed to be particularly noble or honorable, finds himself in a dangerous situation. He realizes that the people he works for are far less noble than him, and he is forced to confront his own morality in the face of their actions. Cade describes the real war mages he knows, painting a vivid picture that shatters the stereotypical image of a wizard. These war mages are violent, angry, and dangerously broken individuals who sell their skills to the highest bidder, with little to no regard for any moral or ethical considerations.
Despite his past, Cade is on the run and in desperate need of allies. His only friend is a homicidal thunder mage who invites him on a suicide mission to kill the seven most powerful mages on the continent. This will require Cade to put aside his differences with his friend and recruit other dangerous individuals to help them on this deadly mission. As they embark on this perilous journey, they must face their own demons and confront the harsh realities of their violent profession. Only time will tell if they succeed in their mission or if their past will catch up to them.
My Thoughts
Get ready to be swept away into a world of magic, danger, and betrayal in The Malevolent Seven - it's a must-read for any fantasy fan! It is a wonderful read that packs a punch with its clever plot, engaging characters, and intriguing world-building. The characters, all different kinds of mages, are all distinct and each has their own unique agenda and/or goal. Watching them develop over the course of the story was fascinating, especially when it comes to Cade's backstory, which was a real highlight.
The world-building and magic systems are also amazing. I loved learning about the different types of mages and how they draw magic from different planes of existence. It added a lot of depth to the story and made it more enjoyable.
What really makes this book stand out is its tone. It's sarcastic, witty, and a little bit tongue-in-cheek. The main character breaks the fourth wall and frequently preempts questions that the reader may have, which I found very clever. The plot was very compelling. Full of surprises with each twist and turn keeping me hooked and wanting more. I am always pleased when I am genuinely shocked at a twist or at an ending that I didn’t expect…this book had both.
Recommendation
Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clever plots, engaging characters, and dark humor. De Castell's vivid and captivating storytelling will leave you breathless and begging for more. It's a very well-crafted story that's a ton of fun to read.
Rating
4 Literary Mage Stars.
Book Information
Sebastien de Castell, a celebrated author in the fantasy genre, is set to release his 14th book, The Malevolent Seven, on May 16th, 2023. This upcoming release follows the success of his previous works, including the highly acclaimed fantasy series, The Greatcoats, and the YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, both of which have received critical acclaim and recognition. I was fortunate to receive an Advance Reader Copy of The Malevolent Seven for review, courtesy of Mobius Books. The book spans 384 pages and promises to be a thrilling addition to de Castell's impressive body of work.
Summary
Cade Ombra, a mercenary wonderist who has never claimed to be particularly noble or honorable, finds himself in a dangerous situation. He realizes that the people he works for are far less noble than him, and he is forced to confront his own morality in the face of their actions. Cade describes the real war mages he knows, painting a vivid picture that shatters the stereotypical image of a wizard. These war mages are violent, angry, and dangerously broken individuals who sell their skills to the highest bidder, with little to no regard for any moral or ethical considerations.
Despite his past, Cade is on the run and in desperate need of allies. His only friend is a homicidal thunder mage who invites him on a suicide mission to kill the seven most powerful mages on the continent. This will require Cade to put aside his differences with his friend and recruit other dangerous individuals to help them on this deadly mission. As they embark on this perilous journey, they must face their own demons and confront the harsh realities of their violent profession. Only time will tell if they succeed in their mission or if their past will catch up to them.
My Thoughts
Get ready to be swept away into a world of magic, danger, and betrayal in The Malevolent Seven - it's a must-read for any fantasy fan! It is a wonderful read that packs a punch with its clever plot, engaging characters, and intriguing world-building. The characters, all different kinds of mages, are all distinct and each has their own unique agenda and/or goal. Watching them develop over the course of the story was fascinating, especially when it comes to Cade's backstory, which was a real highlight.
The world-building and magic systems are also amazing. I loved learning about the different types of mages and how they draw magic from different planes of existence. It added a lot of depth to the story and made it more enjoyable.
What really makes this book stand out is its tone. It's sarcastic, witty, and a little bit tongue-in-cheek. The main character breaks the fourth wall and frequently preempts questions that the reader may have, which I found very clever. The plot was very compelling. Full of surprises with each twist and turn keeping me hooked and wanting more. I am always pleased when I am genuinely shocked at a twist or at an ending that I didn’t expect…this book had both.
Recommendation
Overall, I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who loves clever plots, engaging characters, and dark humor. De Castell's vivid and captivating storytelling will leave you breathless and begging for more. It's a very well-crafted story that's a ton of fun to read.
Rating
4 Literary Mage Stars.
July 23, 2024
8.5 out of 10!!
When I learned that De Castell had a new book coming out, I was thrilled, especially since I initially believed it would be a standalone. I have a soft spot for stories where the protagonist gathers a motley crew for a specific quest, akin to Kings of the Wyld and Orconomics, and this book is a worthy addition to those favorites.
As expected of De Castell, the writing blends humor seamlessly with fantasy elements. This particular book leans towards being cheesy and perhaps even silly, but it feels intentional. The quality of writing surpassed my experience with the Argosi series, and I found myself enjoying it immensely.
The characters are the heart of the story's success; each mage is eccentric in their own right. The book initially puzzled me with its lengthy gathering of characters, which seemed odd for a standalone, but upon discovering it's the first in a series, it all clicked. I won't delve into the characters too much because the joy lies in discovering them as you read.
The plot is robust, challenging the simplistic notion of good versus bad with the addition of angels and demons, which promises chaos. Beneath the humor, there's a deeper story, though it's portrayed in a lighter, comedic manner.
While I typically crave standalone novels, I was pleased to learn this is part of a series, and I eagerly await the next installment next year. The book adheres to genre stereotypes but manages to deliver an engaging read nonetheless. Bring on book two!
When I learned that De Castell had a new book coming out, I was thrilled, especially since I initially believed it would be a standalone. I have a soft spot for stories where the protagonist gathers a motley crew for a specific quest, akin to Kings of the Wyld and Orconomics, and this book is a worthy addition to those favorites.
As expected of De Castell, the writing blends humor seamlessly with fantasy elements. This particular book leans towards being cheesy and perhaps even silly, but it feels intentional. The quality of writing surpassed my experience with the Argosi series, and I found myself enjoying it immensely.
The characters are the heart of the story's success; each mage is eccentric in their own right. The book initially puzzled me with its lengthy gathering of characters, which seemed odd for a standalone, but upon discovering it's the first in a series, it all clicked. I won't delve into the characters too much because the joy lies in discovering them as you read.
The plot is robust, challenging the simplistic notion of good versus bad with the addition of angels and demons, which promises chaos. Beneath the humor, there's a deeper story, though it's portrayed in a lighter, comedic manner.
While I typically crave standalone novels, I was pleased to learn this is part of a series, and I eagerly await the next installment next year. The book adheres to genre stereotypes but manages to deliver an engaging read nonetheless. Bring on book two!
January 20, 2024
I generally Ike the author’s writing style - grimdark with humor - and I have enjoyed some of his books. I was expecting a fun, action-filled quest with magic. Unfortunately, there was little action and I found some of the book crude (for example, ). I was also put off by the child prostitution. There was endless, complicated world building. I usually abandon books pretty quickly when I am not enjoying myself. In this case I stuck with it too long based on my previous positive experiences with the author. Finally, at the 75% point I started skimming to the end just to get it over with. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 25, 2024
4.5 stars
The Malevolent Seven surprised me in all the right ways, delivering a story I didn't know I needed, an MC I was not expecting to love this much and having me begging for a sequel when I'm always moaning about the lack of great standalones.
I need more, please, Mr De Castell.
The Malevolent Seven surprised me in all the right ways, delivering a story I didn't know I needed, an MC I was not expecting to love this much and having me begging for a sequel when I'm always moaning about the lack of great standalones.
I need more, please, Mr De Castell.
April 2, 2024
*** 4.11 ***
This is definitely for the readers who can handle not having a well defined "good and evil" side to their characters. We are talking shades of grey, and none of those shades are on the light side of the spectrum. Books like that are always hard to reconcile if you grew up on the well established Good Guys vs. Bad Guys Fantasy and Sci-fi as I did, but they do give a more realistic example of characters just trying to survive in often harsh environments. I have to be in a mood for them, because I like my fiction with an idealistic bent, but I have learned to appreciate the ambiguous nature of the Grey characters of today, as long as they have some moral awareness. This is why I actually enjoyed this story. Yes, our characters are shifty and mercenary, but the MC is aware of what lines could be crossed and why, which gives him a very relatable humanity, despite being a mage who deals with the Infernal. After all, the Celestial and Infernal are obviously two sides of the same coin... 😎👍
This is definitely for the readers who can handle not having a well defined "good and evil" side to their characters. We are talking shades of grey, and none of those shades are on the light side of the spectrum. Books like that are always hard to reconcile if you grew up on the well established Good Guys vs. Bad Guys Fantasy and Sci-fi as I did, but they do give a more realistic example of characters just trying to survive in often harsh environments. I have to be in a mood for them, because I like my fiction with an idealistic bent, but I have learned to appreciate the ambiguous nature of the Grey characters of today, as long as they have some moral awareness. This is why I actually enjoyed this story. Yes, our characters are shifty and mercenary, but the MC is aware of what lines could be crossed and why, which gives him a very relatable humanity, despite being a mage who deals with the Infernal. After all, the Celestial and Infernal are obviously two sides of the same coin... 😎👍
July 17, 2023
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/07/17/...
If you’re familiar with the work of Sebastien de Castell, you’d probably know his stories can be pretty dark but also hilariously funny. For this reason, his Greatcoats series still remains one of my all-time favorites, and I was excited when I learned that his latest fantasy novel The Malevolent Seven will likewise feature comedy, grit, and anti-heroes.
As the book begins, readers are introduced to protagonist Cade Ombra who seems quite adamant that we understand he is not your average wizard. He lives in a world where magic users—called “wonderists”—draw their powers from different planes of existence, and these sources would determine what kind of wizard you are. Cade, for instance, has a special connection with the demonic realm and can summon its denizens to help fuel his magic, which understandably also makes others feel very uncomfortable around him. For his part though, Cade has never claimed to be a good person and thinks it’s probably wise not to trust him. He’s a wily rogue who runs with other cutthroat mercenaries like his friend Corrigan, a Thunder Mage whose powers enable him to manipulate lightning.
After the last gig with their employer goes south, Cade somehow finds himself roped into a dangerous mission with Corrigan to travel to the most inhospitable place on the planet to confront seven deadly mages. Sure, it’s a suicide mission, but what has he got to lose? On the other hand, there’s plenty to gain, including lots of riches and perhaps even a way to reverse his bad fortunes. As the two of them embark on their journey, they also pick up companions along the way, forming a rough group of wonderist misfits who are each on the mission to advance their own goals.
The Malevolent Seven was a lot of fun, just as I expected it would be. A classic quest narrative forms the story’s backbone, introducing challenges and trials along the way. At the center of it all is also our questing party, whose interpersonal dynamics provide the conflicts and the entertainment. Each member of the group is a distinct individual, many of them outfitted with larger-than-life personalities. Most of them are criminals, who claim allegiance to nothing but their moneypurses.
Just as amusing as it was to watch the characters’ social interactions, it was also fascinating to see how their different magical abilities played off each other. The world-building was well thought out and robust, establishing a unique magic system. Beyond the fantasy elements, however, a mystical and almost metaphysical component also comes into play later on which I felt was a little strange and unexpected. So, for those who might be turned off by the weird and the abstract, there will indeed be some mind-bending fuckery going on.
But as for what really made this book special and why I think you should read it, I have to especially highlight and praise the overall tone and style of writing. If you are a fan of Sebastien de Castell, you are probably nodding along to this because you know exactly what I’m talking about. Cade is a gem of a narrator, and as insistent as he is in trying to convince you he’s a bad, bad person (providing plenty of evidence to support this too, I might add), you simply can’t help but love and root for him. But while he may be sarcastic and double-dealing on occasion, claiming to lack any morals, there is a part of him deep down that genuinely wants to right thing (like where a certain Blood Mage is concerned), and his plain-spoken and tactless honesty that sometimes comes through is admittedly quite refreshing.
Even though Sebastien de Castell’s stories sometimes toe the grimdark line, they are often still lighthearted and humorous enough to appeal to readers who would typically avoid the hopelessly bleak genre. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading his work yet, well, you know I will never stop plugging his Greatcoats series! But if you enjoy fantasy with clever plots, witty dialogue, and characters with a keen sense of humor, you should also keep The Malevolent Seven on your radar.
If you’re familiar with the work of Sebastien de Castell, you’d probably know his stories can be pretty dark but also hilariously funny. For this reason, his Greatcoats series still remains one of my all-time favorites, and I was excited when I learned that his latest fantasy novel The Malevolent Seven will likewise feature comedy, grit, and anti-heroes.
As the book begins, readers are introduced to protagonist Cade Ombra who seems quite adamant that we understand he is not your average wizard. He lives in a world where magic users—called “wonderists”—draw their powers from different planes of existence, and these sources would determine what kind of wizard you are. Cade, for instance, has a special connection with the demonic realm and can summon its denizens to help fuel his magic, which understandably also makes others feel very uncomfortable around him. For his part though, Cade has never claimed to be a good person and thinks it’s probably wise not to trust him. He’s a wily rogue who runs with other cutthroat mercenaries like his friend Corrigan, a Thunder Mage whose powers enable him to manipulate lightning.
After the last gig with their employer goes south, Cade somehow finds himself roped into a dangerous mission with Corrigan to travel to the most inhospitable place on the planet to confront seven deadly mages. Sure, it’s a suicide mission, but what has he got to lose? On the other hand, there’s plenty to gain, including lots of riches and perhaps even a way to reverse his bad fortunes. As the two of them embark on their journey, they also pick up companions along the way, forming a rough group of wonderist misfits who are each on the mission to advance their own goals.
The Malevolent Seven was a lot of fun, just as I expected it would be. A classic quest narrative forms the story’s backbone, introducing challenges and trials along the way. At the center of it all is also our questing party, whose interpersonal dynamics provide the conflicts and the entertainment. Each member of the group is a distinct individual, many of them outfitted with larger-than-life personalities. Most of them are criminals, who claim allegiance to nothing but their moneypurses.
Just as amusing as it was to watch the characters’ social interactions, it was also fascinating to see how their different magical abilities played off each other. The world-building was well thought out and robust, establishing a unique magic system. Beyond the fantasy elements, however, a mystical and almost metaphysical component also comes into play later on which I felt was a little strange and unexpected. So, for those who might be turned off by the weird and the abstract, there will indeed be some mind-bending fuckery going on.
But as for what really made this book special and why I think you should read it, I have to especially highlight and praise the overall tone and style of writing. If you are a fan of Sebastien de Castell, you are probably nodding along to this because you know exactly what I’m talking about. Cade is a gem of a narrator, and as insistent as he is in trying to convince you he’s a bad, bad person (providing plenty of evidence to support this too, I might add), you simply can’t help but love and root for him. But while he may be sarcastic and double-dealing on occasion, claiming to lack any morals, there is a part of him deep down that genuinely wants to right thing (like where a certain Blood Mage is concerned), and his plain-spoken and tactless honesty that sometimes comes through is admittedly quite refreshing.
Even though Sebastien de Castell’s stories sometimes toe the grimdark line, they are often still lighthearted and humorous enough to appeal to readers who would typically avoid the hopelessly bleak genre. If you haven’t had the pleasure of reading his work yet, well, you know I will never stop plugging his Greatcoats series! But if you enjoy fantasy with clever plots, witty dialogue, and characters with a keen sense of humor, you should also keep The Malevolent Seven on your radar.
May 18, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Usually I like to root for the good guys, the noble heroes questing for a righteous purpose against all odds. This is not a root for the heroes book though, this is grimdark where the characters are complicated, cruel and there is no HEA guaranteed. The Malevolant Seven is a band of mercenaries, in it for the money and power, but mostly money. For sell to the highest bidder and no job is too dirty if the price is right, no matter how much it might stain your soul.
I've read Sebastien de Castell before so I knew the writing was going to be great and the story surprising. He has a great sense of humor and tension in his writing style that lent itself well to this book. Just read the synopsis and you will have a good idea of how great his writing will be throughout the story.
The PoV is from Cade Ombre, a man not totally at peace with being a mercenary, but he is also definitely not a good guy either, well at least anymore. He has one, mostly true friend, in a thundermage but other than that everyone else has been just someone to work with for the money. His last job has just gone incredibly wrong so time to pack up an move onto the next one. He will just need to find the rest of a team to go up against the seven strongest mages ever known on a quest that seems like the worst idea ever, but could be the one to save him if the prize is as good as it is claimed to be.
Just need to pick up a new crew along the way (the last crew didn't turn out so good) and off he goes to probable certain death. There is a lot more to it than that of course. There is a battle waging between good and evil (you decide which is which) that is ramping up and Cade and his crew might just be puppets for one side or both. In our travels to gather a team we learn of Cade's past, pick up an understanding of the world and magic in it and come to understand that good and evil is very subjective depending on your perspective.
I was captivated by the writing in this book. It is dark and the humor is also dark sometimes, but fun none the less. I enjoyed the journey Cade and crew took. It was full of surprises and betrayals. I will not say we get a HEA because well we do not, but the conclusion is satisfying and at the end I was hoping for more journeys with the crew assembled/left.
This would be a great book to try out Sebastien de Castell's writing to see if it is for you. Great story with interesting, unpredictable complex characters. A story of good, evil and all things in-between. Full of strange friendships, journeys for redemptions and a quest that might just save humanity, accidentally of coarse.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Usually I like to root for the good guys, the noble heroes questing for a righteous purpose against all odds. This is not a root for the heroes book though, this is grimdark where the characters are complicated, cruel and there is no HEA guaranteed. The Malevolant Seven is a band of mercenaries, in it for the money and power, but mostly money. For sell to the highest bidder and no job is too dirty if the price is right, no matter how much it might stain your soul.
I've read Sebastien de Castell before so I knew the writing was going to be great and the story surprising. He has a great sense of humor and tension in his writing style that lent itself well to this book. Just read the synopsis and you will have a good idea of how great his writing will be throughout the story.
It wasn’t Archon Belleda’s fault her defenders couldn’t beat us. They were locals, patriots fighting for a noble cause, while we were mercenaries, motivated by greed and lousy upbringings, loyal only to the fees our employer had promised us.
The PoV is from Cade Ombre, a man not totally at peace with being a mercenary, but he is also definitely not a good guy either, well at least anymore. He has one, mostly true friend, in a thundermage but other than that everyone else has been just someone to work with for the money. His last job has just gone incredibly wrong so time to pack up an move onto the next one. He will just need to find the rest of a team to go up against the seven strongest mages ever known on a quest that seems like the worst idea ever, but could be the one to save him if the prize is as good as it is claimed to be.
Just need to pick up a new crew along the way (the last crew didn't turn out so good) and off he goes to probable certain death. There is a lot more to it than that of course. There is a battle waging between good and evil (you decide which is which) that is ramping up and Cade and his crew might just be puppets for one side or both. In our travels to gather a team we learn of Cade's past, pick up an understanding of the world and magic in it and come to understand that good and evil is very subjective depending on your perspective.
I was captivated by the writing in this book. It is dark and the humor is also dark sometimes, but fun none the less. I enjoyed the journey Cade and crew took. It was full of surprises and betrayals. I will not say we get a HEA because well we do not, but the conclusion is satisfying and at the end I was hoping for more journeys with the crew assembled/left.
This would be a great book to try out Sebastien de Castell's writing to see if it is for you. Great story with interesting, unpredictable complex characters. A story of good, evil and all things in-between. Full of strange friendships, journeys for redemptions and a quest that might just save humanity, accidentally of coarse.
Every profession has its traditions, and among us wonderists, it’s basic courtesy to say something rude and hurtful to each of your comrades before heading into battle. The logic – if there is such a thing in this sorry business – is that since such despicable insults could never be intended as last words, they instead convey your conviction that both of you will survive to laugh at such ill-chosen sentiment .
May 16, 2024
I am not a fan of Grimdark Fantasy in general and this book has not made me a convert either. However, I did not hate it, so I guess that can be considered a "success". :)
Will I go on with this series if the author publishes a next book? No.
Let's leave it at that.
Great narration by Joe Jameson.
Will I go on with this series if the author publishes a next book? No.
Let's leave it at that.
Great narration by Joe Jameson.
August 7, 2024
‘We came here to form a coven of seven with you, Corrigan Blight, and instead you’ve murdered one of our own. Your good fortune is that none of us were particularly fond of Elania, but I would choose your next words very ca—’ ‘Fuck off,’ Corrigan said.
Cade is a wonderist. A mage. An Infernalist literally making deals with a devil. And from the beginning he's trying to persuade us that he's as evil as it gets. Except he's not. I wasn't really sure about this book at the beginning simply because the dissonance between what Cade says and what he does was so jarring. I wasn't sure it will work for the story. But luckily as more characters join him on his quest to slaughter a bunch of goody two-shoes the truth comes out and it kind of fits from there on because now we know why he's trying to make himself look so evil though he's not. And why he probably also thinks he's a piece of shit too.
The book is marketed as Pratchett meets Deadpool and it kinda fits. But the real star here is Corrigan, Cade's closest friend and mortal enemy. I loved their dynamic and Corrigan is hilarious. Cade works as his conscience and Corrigan is Cade's "bodyguard". On their way to murder a bunch of other wonderists they get together the most unlikely crew this world has ever seen and each of them have some funny schtick that makes the team entertaining. The book is full of sarcasm with a bit of angst. My younger self would have loved this 10 years ago. Not so much now though.
There's also endless exposition explaining how everything works and relationships between humans, angelics and infernals. It's a lot. I was surprised how much author managed to fit into this book. It's 400 pages but the wordcount must be pretty low. When I asked de Castell whether this book is a standalone or first entry in a series he answered that it's kind of both but he's already working on a sequel. This is by no means a standalone. The ending does not really wrap things up in bow. It does the exact opposite, completely changes the power balance in the world. I can't call it a cliffhanger per se, but it's not far from it.
Cade is a wonderist. A mage. An Infernalist literally making deals with a devil. And from the beginning he's trying to persuade us that he's as evil as it gets. Except he's not. I wasn't really sure about this book at the beginning simply because the dissonance between what Cade says and what he does was so jarring. I wasn't sure it will work for the story. But luckily as more characters join him on his quest to slaughter a bunch of goody two-shoes the truth comes out and it kind of fits from there on because now we know why he's trying to make himself look so evil though he's not. And why he probably also thinks he's a piece of shit too.
The book is marketed as Pratchett meets Deadpool and it kinda fits. But the real star here is Corrigan, Cade's closest friend and mortal enemy. I loved their dynamic and Corrigan is hilarious. Cade works as his conscience and Corrigan is Cade's "bodyguard". On their way to murder a bunch of other wonderists they get together the most unlikely crew this world has ever seen and each of them have some funny schtick that makes the team entertaining. The book is full of sarcasm with a bit of angst. My younger self would have loved this 10 years ago. Not so much now though.
There's also endless exposition explaining how everything works and relationships between humans, angelics and infernals. It's a lot. I was surprised how much author managed to fit into this book. It's 400 pages but the wordcount must be pretty low. When I asked de Castell whether this book is a standalone or first entry in a series he answered that it's kind of both but he's already working on a sequel. This is by no means a standalone. The ending does not really wrap things up in bow. It does the exact opposite, completely changes the power balance in the world. I can't call it a cliffhanger per se, but it's not far from it.
May 14, 2025
Very fast paced story setting out a baseline for the MC and supporting cast who are (War Mages) mercenary Wonderists. There are many different types of Wonderist in the story each with their own histories.
”Life is a river of filth, just like this sewer. You either go with the current and enjoy the ride as long as you can, or you push against it and drown in shit.”
Combined with a monologue from the MC the book has a very satisfying storyline which is gritty, enjoyable and easy to loose yourself in. The story gives a different view on magic, abilities, where it comes from and the different types of magic that exist and those who have an affinity for it. It’s really fun imaginative stuff especially the world building.
”Lies, like hubris, are seeds that sprout into weeds whose roots grow in unpredictable ways.”
To sum up an exceptionally well written exciting fantasy book with believable characters and fascinating magical abilities from a great author. Hopefully there will be more to follow..
”Life is a river of filth, just like this sewer. You either go with the current and enjoy the ride as long as you can, or you push against it and drown in shit.”
Combined with a monologue from the MC the book has a very satisfying storyline which is gritty, enjoyable and easy to loose yourself in. The story gives a different view on magic, abilities, where it comes from and the different types of magic that exist and those who have an affinity for it. It’s really fun imaginative stuff especially the world building.
”Lies, like hubris, are seeds that sprout into weeds whose roots grow in unpredictable ways.”
To sum up an exceptionally well written exciting fantasy book with believable characters and fascinating magical abilities from a great author. Hopefully there will be more to follow..
March 23, 2024
4.5 stars.
I've always enjoyed de Castell's writing. So far, every one of his books had been written in first person, with main protagonists that are such wonderfully flawed characters that I found them compellingly likeable and easy to root for. Whether it's his debut adult fantasy,Greatcoats, or his young adult series, Spellslinger, the stories were quite dark but always balanced with humour which made them really entertaining reads.
The Malevolent Seven was no different, except that Cade Ombra is now a favourite, and the first of de Castell's MC which I actually loved. I had so much fun with this one, and am now crying out for more.
I've always enjoyed de Castell's writing. So far, every one of his books had been written in first person, with main protagonists that are such wonderfully flawed characters that I found them compellingly likeable and easy to root for. Whether it's his debut adult fantasy,Greatcoats, or his young adult series, Spellslinger, the stories were quite dark but always balanced with humour which made them really entertaining reads.
The Malevolent Seven was no different, except that Cade Ombra is now a favourite, and the first of de Castell's MC which I actually loved. I had so much fun with this one, and am now crying out for more.
March 30, 2023
This is my very first time reading any of Sebastien de Castell's writing, so a huge thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Book Group for approving me for the ARC!
The quick and dirty CAWPILE scoring:
Character(s): 9
Atmosphere: 6
Writing: 9
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10
Character(s)
We navigate through this adventure and world in the perspective of Cade Ombra, an Infernal wonderist (mage). He masks being an Infernalist - he tries to play his spells off as a Fortunal mage. So right away, my curiosity was piqued: who was Cade really? Who is he hiding from? Why is he hiding? I love Cade with all of his sarcastic wit - he felt like an antihero not unlike Deadpool. Which is honestly how I felt this novel was framed, like Cade sort of broke the fourth wall with the thoughts in his head being directed at the reader. Sort of. It's hard to explain, but it just worked. All of the characters were interesting and well written/developed, came from all walks of life, different types of magic users with some being more advanced than others - I loved them all, but the one who stole my heart was Mozen, the Rat Mage. When you read it, I bet he steals yours too.
Atmosphere
I didn't find anything too special about the setting, but there were some interesting things about the different planes and realms wonderists were attuned to and pulled their magic from.
Writing
Since this is the first time I've read de Castell, I don't know if this is a typical style of writing for him. I sincerely hope that it is because I loved it. It was quirky and fun while still being easy to read and understand the narrative.
Plot
Awesome. That's what it was. I will be forthcoming and say it took me a few chapters to get the big picture, but because the characters were constantly stealing the show, I didn't mind. I figured the author would get me there sooner or later and I was right. I thought for the longest time that the characters were my favorite element of this one, but once I finished and saw the depth of the plot, I had to give it top marks. The description led me to think this would be a sort of comedy regarding a fantasy quest, and while there is tons of great humor, there is a deeper story here that was so good. I want to say so much more here, but for those not having read it, I think it would be a spoiler.
Intrigue
I WANT MORE. Please, please, please let this be a series!!!!!
Logic
The author did a marvelous job explaining thoroughly the magic system and the different types of groups (I don't want to go into detail on the specific groups for spoilery reasons). I like that he used different ways to explain things a few times throughout the story, so if you're not a reader who takes notes, you don't have to memorize anything, you'll get more chances to have things described and illustrated. Not in an info dumping way and not in a hand holding way - it was very clever in my opinion.
Enjoyment
Absolutely looking forward to reading this one again. I had fun being with these characters. I loved learning the magic system, seeing different magic users and how spells were cast. I loved the discord between the different realms. It was a unique spin on the quest trope and I sincerely wish for more from the author in this world and with these characters.
The quick and dirty CAWPILE scoring:
Character(s): 9
Atmosphere: 6
Writing: 9
Plot: 10
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 8
Enjoyment: 10
Character(s)
We navigate through this adventure and world in the perspective of Cade Ombra, an Infernal wonderist (mage). He masks being an Infernalist - he tries to play his spells off as a Fortunal mage. So right away, my curiosity was piqued: who was Cade really? Who is he hiding from? Why is he hiding? I love Cade with all of his sarcastic wit - he felt like an antihero not unlike Deadpool. Which is honestly how I felt this novel was framed, like Cade sort of broke the fourth wall with the thoughts in his head being directed at the reader. Sort of. It's hard to explain, but it just worked. All of the characters were interesting and well written/developed, came from all walks of life, different types of magic users with some being more advanced than others - I loved them all, but the one who stole my heart was Mozen, the Rat Mage. When you read it, I bet he steals yours too.
Atmosphere
I didn't find anything too special about the setting, but there were some interesting things about the different planes and realms wonderists were attuned to and pulled their magic from.
Writing
Since this is the first time I've read de Castell, I don't know if this is a typical style of writing for him. I sincerely hope that it is because I loved it. It was quirky and fun while still being easy to read and understand the narrative.
Plot
Awesome. That's what it was. I will be forthcoming and say it took me a few chapters to get the big picture, but because the characters were constantly stealing the show, I didn't mind. I figured the author would get me there sooner or later and I was right. I thought for the longest time that the characters were my favorite element of this one, but once I finished and saw the depth of the plot, I had to give it top marks. The description led me to think this would be a sort of comedy regarding a fantasy quest, and while there is tons of great humor, there is a deeper story here that was so good. I want to say so much more here, but for those not having read it, I think it would be a spoiler.
Intrigue
I WANT MORE. Please, please, please let this be a series!!!!!
Logic
The author did a marvelous job explaining thoroughly the magic system and the different types of groups (I don't want to go into detail on the specific groups for spoilery reasons). I like that he used different ways to explain things a few times throughout the story, so if you're not a reader who takes notes, you don't have to memorize anything, you'll get more chances to have things described and illustrated. Not in an info dumping way and not in a hand holding way - it was very clever in my opinion.
Enjoyment
Absolutely looking forward to reading this one again. I had fun being with these characters. I loved learning the magic system, seeing different magic users and how spells were cast. I loved the discord between the different realms. It was a unique spin on the quest trope and I sincerely wish for more from the author in this world and with these characters.
December 13, 2023
While I enjoyed the start of Greatcoats with Traitor's Blade, I'll fully admit that this is the book that sold me on Sebastien De Castell as an author who is very firmly for me and cemented him as an auto-buy, no matter what he writes.
I usually pitch The Malevolent Seven as Wizard Suicide Squad but add in the celestial elements of Diablo. It takes that fourth-wall breaking, familiar authorial voice from Greatcoats and dials up the cynicism to something that makes me think of Joe Abercrombie or K.J. Parker. The story follows Cade Ombra, a mercenary wizard who finds himself building a crew for a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages.
This is one that's difficult to recommend if you only liked Greatcoats though, it is much more cynical and honestly has a bit more sexual humor than I usually prefer and none of the characters are particularly good people. That said, and I know this is heresy, but I actually like Cade better than Falcio. Cade is someone who was once as self-righteous and upright as Falcio but his life has led him down a much seedier path and he's made some ugly choices in the name of survival. There is banter here, but it's less of a bromance than Greatcoats and more snarky wizards sniping at each other.
I really loved the world-building with the magic that De Castell explores in this one. There are various schools of magic and it was both amusing and intriguing to see how they interacted and the rivalries between them.
And the audiobook narration by Joe Jameson was brilliant, just like with Greatcoats he adopts different voices for the characters. It nearly has the feel of a full cast, which is impressive.
The Malevolent Seven will certainly be on my list for favorites of the year but it's also a qualified recommendation from me. I loved the more sardonic tone of this one, the melding of angels and demons with a vast array of wizards and De Castell's usual authorial style. If you like his style and don't mind a darker tone, I think you'll have as much fun with the story as I did.
I usually pitch The Malevolent Seven as Wizard Suicide Squad but add in the celestial elements of Diablo. It takes that fourth-wall breaking, familiar authorial voice from Greatcoats and dials up the cynicism to something that makes me think of Joe Abercrombie or K.J. Parker. The story follows Cade Ombra, a mercenary wizard who finds himself building a crew for a suicide mission against the seven deadliest mages.
This is one that's difficult to recommend if you only liked Greatcoats though, it is much more cynical and honestly has a bit more sexual humor than I usually prefer and none of the characters are particularly good people. That said, and I know this is heresy, but I actually like Cade better than Falcio. Cade is someone who was once as self-righteous and upright as Falcio but his life has led him down a much seedier path and he's made some ugly choices in the name of survival. There is banter here, but it's less of a bromance than Greatcoats and more snarky wizards sniping at each other.
I really loved the world-building with the magic that De Castell explores in this one. There are various schools of magic and it was both amusing and intriguing to see how they interacted and the rivalries between them.
And the audiobook narration by Joe Jameson was brilliant, just like with Greatcoats he adopts different voices for the characters. It nearly has the feel of a full cast, which is impressive.
The Malevolent Seven will certainly be on my list for favorites of the year but it's also a qualified recommendation from me. I loved the more sardonic tone of this one, the melding of angels and demons with a vast array of wizards and De Castell's usual authorial style. If you like his style and don't mind a darker tone, I think you'll have as much fun with the story as I did.
August 8, 2023
The Malevolent seven is the first book of the new saga by the famous and acclaimed author of the greatcoats Sebastien de castell.
The Malevolent seven revolves around mercenaries mages who sell their skills for the powerful. The story is written at the first person by a very strong character the mysterious Cade Ombra.
Cade Ombra is a wonderist working for an awful man with horrendous co workers. He thinks he deserves his fate because of his past but as we all know the past never stays buried forever.
Soon Cade Ombra will find himself entangled in schemes he tried so hard to stay away.
But sometimes higher stakes requires to come back to a life he thought long gone and to succeed he will need the help of the most dangerous people he would never imagine.
Alas against dangerous enemies you need to put against ruthless opponents.
The malevolent seven is a great and strong debut and the banter reminds the atmosphere of the greatcoats but with a stronger degree of magic.Strong characters and a breathtaking plot. The only thing left to say is they are a few openings for a few more books in this world so I hope to read them.
The Malevolent seven revolves around mercenaries mages who sell their skills for the powerful. The story is written at the first person by a very strong character the mysterious Cade Ombra.
Cade Ombra is a wonderist working for an awful man with horrendous co workers. He thinks he deserves his fate because of his past but as we all know the past never stays buried forever.
Soon Cade Ombra will find himself entangled in schemes he tried so hard to stay away.
But sometimes higher stakes requires to come back to a life he thought long gone and to succeed he will need the help of the most dangerous people he would never imagine.
Alas against dangerous enemies you need to put against ruthless opponents.
The malevolent seven is a great and strong debut and the banter reminds the atmosphere of the greatcoats but with a stronger degree of magic.Strong characters and a breathtaking plot. The only thing left to say is they are a few openings for a few more books in this world so I hope to read them.
June 21, 2023
“In case I hadn’t made this clear already, we’re not exactly the good guys.”
Pure (or not so pure!) magic. Sebastien de Castell can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. Here we have a motley crew of wonderful characters in a heaven ish and hellish world.
Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Pure (or not so pure!) magic. Sebastien de Castell can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned. Here we have a motley crew of wonderful characters in a heaven ish and hellish world.
Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
April 25, 2023
4.5/5
This was such a fun read. I've always been a fan of the seven Samurai story, and so when this popped up on my radar, I knew I wanted to read it and see what promises it held. It fulfilled them all and more. It felt like a clever combination of Constantine and the Seven Samurai, it flows beautifully together, weaving a mystery and story that entertains in a variety of ways. There were multiple times that the humor hit perfectly, while still keeping a darker tone from the characters as the mercenaries for hire. I really enjoyed the pacing of the novel, which was aided by the short chapters, that allowed to flow smoothly and very quickly.
The strength of the novel to me were the characters. Each was distinct, with their own goal and agenda. There were multiple times that the conflicts of what was happening made me laugh as well as be impressed that it did not distract from the main narrative that was being told. It was expertly crafted to keep me engaged in every page as well as showing off the variety of abilities of each of them. For a short novel, it was crazy to see how all seven characters were able to be shown with their abilities, leaving no doubt as to what they could do. The one drawback that I had was that the main POV seemed to have some draw dropping abilities, but we see them the least. I feel that this was intentional and leads to future novels that will truly show what can be done.
I highly recommend this novel for those who like clever plots, engaging characters, and dark humor. It hits all of these marks multiple times in just a few pages. I had not read this author before, but will definitely be reading their previous novels just from how much I truly enjoyed what was done in this novel. I eagerly look forward to being able to spend more time in the world as well as with the characters to see what the future will have in store for all of it. Until then, pick up this novel and take care of the deals that you make within sand circles.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
This was such a fun read. I've always been a fan of the seven Samurai story, and so when this popped up on my radar, I knew I wanted to read it and see what promises it held. It fulfilled them all and more. It felt like a clever combination of Constantine and the Seven Samurai, it flows beautifully together, weaving a mystery and story that entertains in a variety of ways. There were multiple times that the humor hit perfectly, while still keeping a darker tone from the characters as the mercenaries for hire. I really enjoyed the pacing of the novel, which was aided by the short chapters, that allowed to flow smoothly and very quickly.
The strength of the novel to me were the characters. Each was distinct, with their own goal and agenda. There were multiple times that the conflicts of what was happening made me laugh as well as be impressed that it did not distract from the main narrative that was being told. It was expertly crafted to keep me engaged in every page as well as showing off the variety of abilities of each of them. For a short novel, it was crazy to see how all seven characters were able to be shown with their abilities, leaving no doubt as to what they could do. The one drawback that I had was that the main POV seemed to have some draw dropping abilities, but we see them the least. I feel that this was intentional and leads to future novels that will truly show what can be done.
I highly recommend this novel for those who like clever plots, engaging characters, and dark humor. It hits all of these marks multiple times in just a few pages. I had not read this author before, but will definitely be reading their previous novels just from how much I truly enjoyed what was done in this novel. I eagerly look forward to being able to spend more time in the world as well as with the characters to see what the future will have in store for all of it. Until then, pick up this novel and take care of the deals that you make within sand circles.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review. As always, happy reading and Stay Great!!
February 5, 2024
"Terry Pratchett meets Deadpool" is the tagline, and while I'm not terribly familiar with Sir Terry's work, nor have I seen the Deadpool movies apart from the first one, this book gave me a bit of that Good Omens vibe. I'll probably pick up the next book, if there ever is one.
3.5/5 stars
3.5/5 stars
November 15, 2024
I got the feeling from the first chapter that this could be a five-star read for me, and the rest of the book did nothing to prove me wrong. The story is old, the take on it new, and the characters absolutely make this a joy. More than that, the POV character was a delight, with the sort of wit and acid tongue that really works for me. The audio narrator was a perfect match for this tale and the way it was told as well, so everything just fit together brilliantly.
I really like when you get some new magic and the author can tell you how it works, in a good bit of detail, without it bogging down the story, and that was done really well here on several occasions. That opening chapter was a good example, serving not only to set the scene and introduce the first of our characters, but to provide a good sampling of the different types of magic in this world - and I like how the practitioners of this magic are wonderists, instead of your bog-standard wizards or mages.
Despite the main beats of the story being familiar, the journey taken was not, and I liked exploring the moral journey as well as the physical one. There were some good surprises along the way as well, so I was kept on my toes but without ever feeling like I was being thrown out of all sensibility by any outrageous twists.
The scene is set for more tales of Cade Ombra and the Malevolent Seven, and if they're as good as this one, I really hope we get to see many, many more adventures.
I really like when you get some new magic and the author can tell you how it works, in a good bit of detail, without it bogging down the story, and that was done really well here on several occasions. That opening chapter was a good example, serving not only to set the scene and introduce the first of our characters, but to provide a good sampling of the different types of magic in this world - and I like how the practitioners of this magic are wonderists, instead of your bog-standard wizards or mages.
Despite the main beats of the story being familiar, the journey taken was not, and I liked exploring the moral journey as well as the physical one. There were some good surprises along the way as well, so I was kept on my toes but without ever feeling like I was being thrown out of all sensibility by any outrageous twists.
The scene is set for more tales of Cade Ombra and the Malevolent Seven, and if they're as good as this one, I really hope we get to see many, many more adventures.
June 3, 2024
DNF on the 50 % mark. This story is just not for me 😢
October 14, 2025
Cade Ombra è un mago e un mercenario, due qualità molto apprezzate in un mondo in cui la nobiltà è in guerra costante per il controllo dei territori circostanti. Forte di una squadra di stregoni poco raccomandabili e uniti unicamente dalla voglia di arricchirsi, Cade si ritroverà ben presto invischiato in una lotta per un potere che ogni mago vorrebbe poter ottenere. Per potersene impadronire, tuttavia, dovrà non solo imparare a fidarsi di chi lo vorrebbe morto, ma anche trovare nuovi alleati per un’impresa che, quasi sicuramente, condurrà a un’unica conclusione: una fine ingloriosa.
Pro:
- Lo sfaccettato gruppo di (anti) eroi vale da solo il prezzo del biglietto: tutti superbamente scritti, ciascuno con una personalità che emerge in maniera ben distinta, sono il motore della vicenda e riescono, grazie alle scelte stilistiche dell’autore, a creare situazioni e siparietti irresistibili;
- Per quanto il tema del racconto sia comune ad altri romanzi del genere, De Castell riesce, in maniera intelligente, a infondere la storia di una soddisfacente punta di originalità;
- Il sistema magico, in apparenza sintetizzabile in “maghi potenti che distruggono ogni cosa” si rivela essere, in realtà, approfondito e ingegnoso, con alcuni aspetti che lo mantengono in equilibrio tra un “soft” e un “hard” magic system;
- Ironica, irriverente, frizzante e mai banale: la prosa messa in campo dall’autore è questo e molto altro, riuscendo a rendere la lettura piacevole e stimolante come pochi altri autori del fantastico sono in grado di fare;
- Ottimo bilanciamento tra momenti d’azione e situazioni di maggior riflessione, pur tenendo viva una costruzione della storia che non conosce momenti di stanca ma, anzi, punta a tenere l’attenzione sempre molto alta;
- Il volume, che viene presentato come autoconclusivo, ha un arco narrativo soddisfacente e un finale ben studiato...
Contro:
- ... ma le vicissitudini dei nostri protagonisti sono lungi dal potersi considerare veramente concluse.
Per una chiusura vera e proprio della vicenda sarà necessario imbarcarsi nel secondo atto della storia.
---
The Malevolent Seven è una prova autoriale di spessore e dai numerosi aspetti positivi: dalla prosa incisiva e tagliente alla riuscitissima costruzione dei protagonisti, fino a un sistema magico studiato con perizia e alcuni momenti in grado di restare impressi nella memoria di molti lettori.
Difficile annoiarsi, difficile trovare qualcosa che non si sia incastrato a dovere: De Castell si dimostra autore esperto , capace di coniugare le migliori tecniche del mestiere con una fondamentale e ripetuta stimolazione degli aspetti più emotivi dell’esperienza.
Un romanzo impossibile da dimenticare.
Pro:
- Lo sfaccettato gruppo di (anti) eroi vale da solo il prezzo del biglietto: tutti superbamente scritti, ciascuno con una personalità che emerge in maniera ben distinta, sono il motore della vicenda e riescono, grazie alle scelte stilistiche dell’autore, a creare situazioni e siparietti irresistibili;
- Per quanto il tema del racconto sia comune ad altri romanzi del genere, De Castell riesce, in maniera intelligente, a infondere la storia di una soddisfacente punta di originalità;
- Il sistema magico, in apparenza sintetizzabile in “maghi potenti che distruggono ogni cosa” si rivela essere, in realtà, approfondito e ingegnoso, con alcuni aspetti che lo mantengono in equilibrio tra un “soft” e un “hard” magic system;
- Ironica, irriverente, frizzante e mai banale: la prosa messa in campo dall’autore è questo e molto altro, riuscendo a rendere la lettura piacevole e stimolante come pochi altri autori del fantastico sono in grado di fare;
- Ottimo bilanciamento tra momenti d’azione e situazioni di maggior riflessione, pur tenendo viva una costruzione della storia che non conosce momenti di stanca ma, anzi, punta a tenere l’attenzione sempre molto alta;
- Il volume, che viene presentato come autoconclusivo, ha un arco narrativo soddisfacente e un finale ben studiato...
Contro:
- ... ma le vicissitudini dei nostri protagonisti sono lungi dal potersi considerare veramente concluse.
Per una chiusura vera e proprio della vicenda sarà necessario imbarcarsi nel secondo atto della storia.
---
The Malevolent Seven è una prova autoriale di spessore e dai numerosi aspetti positivi: dalla prosa incisiva e tagliente alla riuscitissima costruzione dei protagonisti, fino a un sistema magico studiato con perizia e alcuni momenti in grado di restare impressi nella memoria di molti lettori.
Difficile annoiarsi, difficile trovare qualcosa che non si sia incastrato a dovere: De Castell si dimostra autore esperto , capace di coniugare le migliori tecniche del mestiere con una fondamentale e ripetuta stimolazione degli aspetti più emotivi dell’esperienza.
Un romanzo impossibile da dimenticare.
June 7, 2023
Ahoy there me mateys! I have read and enjoyed books by this author before and was so excited for this read. However despite starting it in early May, I had trouble finishing. I though that maybe it was just me mood that was problematic. But once I begin dreading picking books up, I know that I have to give up on books and abandon ship. Sad but true.
I loved the idea of mercenary wizards in grimdark world who have to go on a quest. The blurb had me intrigued. The world’s set-up was fine. I wasn’t as fine with children whores. I wasn’t hugely a fan of “angels” and “demons” but that is on me and not the writer because I don’t normally like books in that vein. I didn’t love the main character. However, the worst problem was that by 45%, we had only collected 3 of the 7 wizards for the quest. A big reveal happened that was rather boring. Flat female character. Too many info dumps, not enough action. Then there was the section on the brothel ship and, well, I just lost steam. Because the characters were about to go on a side quest. Apparently this is the first book of a series and not a standalone like I thought. I am not sure this author’s work is for me overall. Arrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
I loved the idea of mercenary wizards in grimdark world who have to go on a quest. The blurb had me intrigued. The world’s set-up was fine. I wasn’t as fine with children whores. I wasn’t hugely a fan of “angels” and “demons” but that is on me and not the writer because I don’t normally like books in that vein. I didn’t love the main character. However, the worst problem was that by 45%, we had only collected 3 of the 7 wizards for the quest. A big reveal happened that was rather boring. Flat female character. Too many info dumps, not enough action. Then there was the section on the brothel ship and, well, I just lost steam. Because the characters were about to go on a side quest. Apparently this is the first book of a series and not a standalone like I thought. I am not sure this author’s work is for me overall. Arrr!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
May 19, 2024
Another Castell, another win. What is with his sappy endings? I mean I like them, possibly even love them, probably makes the jump from 4 stars to 5 so, I guess keep doing it.
Castell's slow reveals are what I like best about his writing, the teases occur frequently but also resolved not long after, sort of a series of cliffhangers that you don't have to wait for the next book to find the answers to.
Yet another misfit band of companions on a quest with twists and turns at the end but done well. Will definitely read the next one.
Castell's slow reveals are what I like best about his writing, the teases occur frequently but also resolved not long after, sort of a series of cliffhangers that you don't have to wait for the next book to find the answers to.
Yet another misfit band of companions on a quest with twists and turns at the end but done well. Will definitely read the next one.
April 16, 2024
DNF at 71%
I was looking forward to reading this book. It seemed like something I would like. There were glowing reviews for it. Just about everyone I know on Goodreads enjoyed it. I thought it would be a fun read about some unconventional wizards. Right off the bat we are told they are the bad guys, and I was ok if they were a bit morally gray, and our main characters were. But what I got was darker than I expected, and the world was a lot more grim than I wanted. It seemed the whole world was loaded with bad guys and no one was really good. Not even the angels. Also, the angels and demons thing was just not what I was expecting or wanting either. To top it off, there wasn't nearly as much humor as I thought there would be and the practice of having child sex slaves was sickening, even though the main characters don't participate in it. I think we were pretty much all in agreement at book club about this being a disappointment.
Overall, I just think that this type of fantasy is not for me. I ended up not even finishing it. I got 71% in, put it down for a while, and realized I really didn't care if I even picked it up again. I ended up finding out the rest of the story through my book club friends, and it doesn't sound like I missed anything good. I have no regrets about abandoning this.
If you enjoy fantasy that leans grimdark and is told in a modern voice you might like this one. If not then I wouldn't recommend it.
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I was looking forward to reading this book. It seemed like something I would like. There were glowing reviews for it. Just about everyone I know on Goodreads enjoyed it. I thought it would be a fun read about some unconventional wizards. Right off the bat we are told they are the bad guys, and I was ok if they were a bit morally gray, and our main characters were. But what I got was darker than I expected, and the world was a lot more grim than I wanted. It seemed the whole world was loaded with bad guys and no one was really good. Not even the angels. Also, the angels and demons thing was just not what I was expecting or wanting either. To top it off, there wasn't nearly as much humor as I thought there would be and the practice of having child sex slaves was sickening, even though the main characters don't participate in it. I think we were pretty much all in agreement at book club about this being a disappointment.
Overall, I just think that this type of fantasy is not for me. I ended up not even finishing it. I got 71% in, put it down for a while, and realized I really didn't care if I even picked it up again. I ended up finding out the rest of the story through my book club friends, and it doesn't sound like I missed anything good. I have no regrets about abandoning this.
If you enjoy fantasy that leans grimdark and is told in a modern voice you might like this one. If not then I wouldn't recommend it.
Follow me at:
Recordings of a Reader on Youtube
Writings of a Reader at Blogspot
Writings of a Reader on Facebook
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