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Seven Devils #2
Seven Mercies
The second book in a feminist space opera duology that follows the team of seven rebels who will free the galaxy from the ruthless Tholosian Empire--or die trying.
After an ambush leaves the Novantae resistance in tatters, the survivors scatter across the galaxy. Wanted by two great empires, the bounty on any rebel's head is enough to make a captor filthy rich. And the seven devils? Biggest score of them all. To avoid attacks, the crew of Zelus scavenge for supplies on long-abandoned Tholosian outposts.
Not long after the remnants of the rebellion settle briefly on Fortuna, Ariadne gets a message with unimaginable consequences: the Oracle has gone rogue. In a planned coup against the Empire's new ruler, the AI has developed a way of mass programming citizens into mindless drones. The Oracle's demand is simple: the AI wants One's daughter back at any cost.
Time for an Impossible to Infiltrate mission: high chance of death, low chance of success. The devils will have to use their unique skills, no matter the sacrifice, and pair up with old enemies. Their plan? Get to the heart of the Empire. Destroy the Oracle. Burn it all to the ground.
After an ambush leaves the Novantae resistance in tatters, the survivors scatter across the galaxy. Wanted by two great empires, the bounty on any rebel's head is enough to make a captor filthy rich. And the seven devils? Biggest score of them all. To avoid attacks, the crew of Zelus scavenge for supplies on long-abandoned Tholosian outposts.
Not long after the remnants of the rebellion settle briefly on Fortuna, Ariadne gets a message with unimaginable consequences: the Oracle has gone rogue. In a planned coup against the Empire's new ruler, the AI has developed a way of mass programming citizens into mindless drones. The Oracle's demand is simple: the AI wants One's daughter back at any cost.
Time for an Impossible to Infiltrate mission: high chance of death, low chance of success. The devils will have to use their unique skills, no matter the sacrifice, and pair up with old enemies. Their plan? Get to the heart of the Empire. Destroy the Oracle. Burn it all to the ground.
426 pages, Hardcover
First published January 25, 2022
27 people are currently reading
1833 people want to read
About the author
L.R. Lam
27 books1,535 followersOriginally from sunny California, L.R. Lam now lives in cloudy Scotland. Lam is a Sunday Times Bestselling author whose work includes epic fantasy romance Dragonfall (The Dragon Scales Trilogy), the near-future space thriller, Goldilocks, feminist space opera Seven Devils and Seven Mercies (co-written with Elizabeth May), BBC Radio 2 Book Club section False Hearts, the companion novel Shattered Minds, and the award-winning Micah Grey series: Pantomime, Shadowplay, and Masquerade.
Their short fiction and essays have appeared in anthologies such as Nasty Women, Solaris Rising 3, Cranky Ladies of History, Scotland in Space, and more. Their romance alter ego is Laura Ambrose. Lam lectures part-time at Edinburgh Napier University and is Programme Leader of the Creative Writing MA.
*Please note I don't read my GR mail*
Their short fiction and essays have appeared in anthologies such as Nasty Women, Solaris Rising 3, Cranky Ladies of History, Scotland in Space, and more. Their romance alter ego is Laura Ambrose. Lam lectures part-time at Edinburgh Napier University and is Programme Leader of the Creative Writing MA.
*Please note I don't read my GR mail*
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
May 27, 2022
#1: Seven Devils review
Seven Mercies concludes a fun, feminst scifi duology following a ragtag team of misfits taking on a corrupt empire. It’s packed full of queer characters and has a lovely found family feel which I simply adored.
I read Seven Devils before its release in 2020 so I had a bit of a wait between books, and found when I picked up Seven Mercies that I needed to reread the first book as I really didn’t remember much and the first chapter wasn’t enough to jog my memory. I enjoyed Seven Devils equally as much as my first time reading it and found myself excited to continue the story. I thought Seven Mercies was a decent sequel and I liked how it wrapped up the story overall, as well as taking the story to new levels. However, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as its predecessor.
The way the authors managed the seven perspectives in this book was really impressive. It felt like each chapter and each perspective had its purpose and despite there being so many narrators, I never found myself wishing for another character, as often happens in multi POV stories. I also felt like each of the characters were given a good amount of depth and development which is another thing I often find lacking in multi POV stories. I said in my review of the first book that the book’s strength lay in its characters and that remains true for Seven Mercies. I really enjoyed them as individuals and their own development, as well as the friendship between them all. Found family is one of my favourite tropes and this duology does it well. I also loved the two romances in this book, especially the sapphic one between Clo and Rhea.
I enjoyed the writing in Seven Mercies and how it differed character to character to give them all a unique voice. I also found the action scenes particularly well written; the authors were able to raise the stakes and build tension really effectively. I also enjoyed getting to explore more of the world, especially the Evoli. I usually struggle with scifi worldbuilding for some reason and find it difficult to understand but this duology makes it so easy to follow.
I’m not too sure what about this book didn’t work for me as well as Seven Devils. It was enjoyable to read but just didn’t really hook me. I felt like it lacked some of the action and tension of the first book until the grand finale. The middle chunk was a bit of a slog and took me ages to read. Although I enjoyed all the perspectives, I’m not sure they were all necessary and wonder if cutting back to the original five would have made this book more efficient.
Exploring themes of corruption, free choice and identity, Seven Mercies concludes a great scifi duology. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves the misfit found family scifi elements of The Guardians of the Galaxy, but would love to see a queer feminist take on it.
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*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley*
June 29, 2022
So I've FINALLY finished this! It's a weird one for me to review. Basically the 4 stars are entirely for Eris.
What I liked:
Eris. She is one of my favourite fictional characters ever. I'll be crying forever at her ending even though it made complete sense :( she definitely carried this book, and the duology as a whole.
I love everything about her. I love her characterisation, I love her backstory, I love how competent she is, I love the hatred/rivalry she had going on with her brother. I would gladly read a prequel about her life and how she came to join the resistance. Hint hint, authors!
The rep is great. Trans, aroace, bisexual, lesbian, non-binary, POC.
What I didn't like:
This book has 7 POV. Normally that's fine, I enjoy multiple POV. My own fantasy novel, EMPRESS OF ASHES, has 7 POV. But it just didn't work for this book. Rhea, Kyla, Nyx, and Cato weren't necessary. The problem was that they all had the same goals and were in the same place as other POV characters, and they added nothing IMO. I wished the entire book was from Eris's perspective.
I skimmed over Clo's and Rhea's mission. They're the sapphic couple so I should love them, but I just didn't.
As much as I enjoyed Nyx in the first book, she should have died at the end of it. It would have added gravitas to the rebels plight, and she was a pretty redundant character in this book.
Speaking of Nyx, I thought the 'romance' between her and Cato came out of nowhere. They exchange 'I love yous' during the ending and I was caught off guard. He just learned of the horrifying end of his former lover, whom he still seems to love, so the whole him and Nyx thing didn't land.
So yeah. Tbh all the POV's except for Eris were a bit of a chore to get through. I think I loved her so much that the others, despite nothing being wrong with them, just couldn't hold my attention. Eris, I love you!
What I liked:
Eris. She is one of my favourite fictional characters ever. I'll be crying forever at her ending even though it made complete sense :( she definitely carried this book, and the duology as a whole.
I love everything about her. I love her characterisation, I love her backstory, I love how competent she is, I love the hatred/rivalry she had going on with her brother. I would gladly read a prequel about her life and how she came to join the resistance. Hint hint, authors!
The rep is great. Trans, aroace, bisexual, lesbian, non-binary, POC.
What I didn't like:
This book has 7 POV. Normally that's fine, I enjoy multiple POV. My own fantasy novel, EMPRESS OF ASHES, has 7 POV. But it just didn't work for this book. Rhea, Kyla, Nyx, and Cato weren't necessary. The problem was that they all had the same goals and were in the same place as other POV characters, and they added nothing IMO. I wished the entire book was from Eris's perspective.
I skimmed over Clo's and Rhea's mission. They're the sapphic couple so I should love them, but I just didn't.
As much as I enjoyed Nyx in the first book, she should have died at the end of it. It would have added gravitas to the rebels plight, and she was a pretty redundant character in this book.
Speaking of Nyx, I thought the 'romance' between her and Cato came out of nowhere. They exchange 'I love yous' during the ending and I was caught off guard. He just learned of the horrifying end of his former lover, whom he still seems to love, so the whole him and Nyx thing didn't land.
So yeah. Tbh all the POV's except for Eris were a bit of a chore to get through. I think I loved her so much that the others, despite nothing being wrong with them, just couldn't hold my attention. Eris, I love you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2022
Forever crying over this ending. I love this duology with my whole heart!!
Seven Mercies ups the stakes from book 1 and brings back all the things I loved from it too. We're still following our main group of 7, but this time we really dive into Cato and Kyla's perspectives. I loved following these seven and the mayhem they cause throughout the galaxy.
The plot is high stakes and thrilling. The characters are so loveable, individually and for the solid team dynamic. There is so much amazing representation in this series and I love it so so much. The ending was a perfect mix of bitter and sweet.
Rep: white cis female MC with PTSD and a bionic tongue, BIPOC disabled (prosthetic leg) sapphic nonbinary-questioning MC, Black trans female MC, autistic asexual cis female MC, Bispecies sapphic cis female MC (half human and half Evoli), bisexual male MC with memory tampering, one of the MCs is severely ill and after they walk with a cane. Various queer and BIPOC side characters.
CWs: mentions of past child abuse, confinement, cursing, death, emotional abuse, genocide, slavery, suicide, colonisation, chronic illness, gun violence, panic attacks, terminal illness, toxic relationship (sibling), violence, xenophobia, blood, medical content, grief, murder, war, injury/injury detail, fire/explosions, mental illness (PTSD). Moderate: mentions of past physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, police brutality, alcoholism, torture, transphobia/transmisia, past mentions of deadnaming/misgendering, alcohol. Minor: ableism, past mentions sexual assault, consensual sexual content, dysphoria.
Seven Mercies ups the stakes from book 1 and brings back all the things I loved from it too. We're still following our main group of 7, but this time we really dive into Cato and Kyla's perspectives. I loved following these seven and the mayhem they cause throughout the galaxy.
The plot is high stakes and thrilling. The characters are so loveable, individually and for the solid team dynamic. There is so much amazing representation in this series and I love it so so much. The ending was a perfect mix of bitter and sweet.
Rep: white cis female MC with PTSD and a bionic tongue, BIPOC disabled (prosthetic leg) sapphic nonbinary-questioning MC, Black trans female MC, autistic asexual cis female MC, Bispecies sapphic cis female MC (half human and half Evoli), bisexual male MC with memory tampering, one of the MCs is severely ill and after they walk with a cane. Various queer and BIPOC side characters.
CWs: mentions of past child abuse, confinement, cursing, death, emotional abuse, genocide, slavery, suicide, colonisation, chronic illness, gun violence, panic attacks, terminal illness, toxic relationship (sibling), violence, xenophobia, blood, medical content, grief, murder, war, injury/injury detail, fire/explosions, mental illness (PTSD). Moderate: mentions of past physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, police brutality, alcoholism, torture, transphobia/transmisia, past mentions of deadnaming/misgendering, alcohol. Minor: ableism, past mentions sexual assault, consensual sexual content, dysphoria.
June 10, 2023
Solid conclusion but should've been a trilogy (and that's saying something, seeing as I loathe committing to series longer than two books). The additional POVs blended into each other too much, to the point I had to check whose it was to be sure I was imagining the right character. Also predictable and too much moaning about. Somehow, this felt rushed.
January 23, 2024
WELL I’M SAD BUT HOPEFUL AT THE SAME TIME.
January 27, 2022
I am not okay. I will never be okay again. I am crying.
full review to come when I’m NOT crying my eyes out 😭
*edit* just finished my first reread (Jan 27th 2022) and have tear stains on my goddamn shirt from crying. I am still not okay, and still will never be okay after this.
ok update I’m not crying anymore, so here’s my review:
*thank you to netgalley and orion books for a copy in exchange for an honest review*
“Every death has a weight, and some are heavier than others.”
If you don’t know me, Seven Devils is my favourite book of all time. I read it in January of this year and before I even finished it, I already knew it was my new favourite book. Ask any one of my friends, they will tell you that Seven Devils is one of the books they associate with me. So when I got an arc of Seven Mercies, I was screaming and crying.
Seven Devils is not only my favourite book, but I also feel represented in a story, where the representation is actually amazing. The representation in the books are: LGBTQ (bi, pan or lesbians, no labels put on their sexualities: includes Clo, Rhea, Cato, and possibly the others. Ariadne is asexual), trans mtf character (Kyla), autism, anxiety, and anxiety attacks (Ariadne), amputee (Clo), and trauma (Nyx and Cato especially, I don’t want to use the label of PTSD, but it is war trauma), plus 4/7 of them are BIPOC (Cato, Rhea, and Eris are white). The characters that I felt most represented by are Kyla (I’m trans ftm) and Ariadne (I have anxiety). Seven Mercies just deepened my love for these characters, ESPECIALLY Cato and Kyla.
The characters themselves all grow within this book. We get to finally see the backstory of Cato, Nyx grows from only believing her strength is from fighting to realizing that’s not all she can do, and so much more. But for me personally, getting to read in the point of views of Kyla and Cato really struck home for me. I finally could connect even stronger with Kyla. Even though she is mtf, everything she deals with regarding her gender is exactly how I feel, but obviously switched. I don’t know how to express how much I love Kyla and Cato, other than the fact that I connected with them so much deeper than other characters I’ve read.
I felt the plot was even stronger in this one. Laura Lam and Elizabeth May are both experienced writers, and reading pieces of work written by both of them is just amazing. I love The Falconer trilogy and the Micah Grey trilogy. But having their writing styles combined into a novel? Oh my GOD it’s phenomenal.
I just have to say the collected hate between everyone for Damocles is easily my favourite part of the entire novel (and also because I hate him, who actually likes Damocles?). The words they used to describe him will make you snort out loud/burst out laughing.
If you are looking for a kick ass queer found family who are revolting from an Empire while traveling in space, the Seven Devils duology is for you. It is described as a queer space opera, and that is exactly what it is. And it is phenomenal! Easily will be my favourite series forever.
*please make sure to look at TW on Laura Lam’s website: http://www.lauralam.co.uk/book/seven-...*
full review to come when I’m NOT crying my eyes out 😭
*edit* just finished my first reread (Jan 27th 2022) and have tear stains on my goddamn shirt from crying. I am still not okay, and still will never be okay after this.
ok update I’m not crying anymore, so here’s my review:
*thank you to netgalley and orion books for a copy in exchange for an honest review*
“Every death has a weight, and some are heavier than others.”
If you don’t know me, Seven Devils is my favourite book of all time. I read it in January of this year and before I even finished it, I already knew it was my new favourite book. Ask any one of my friends, they will tell you that Seven Devils is one of the books they associate with me. So when I got an arc of Seven Mercies, I was screaming and crying.
Seven Devils is not only my favourite book, but I also feel represented in a story, where the representation is actually amazing. The representation in the books are: LGBTQ (bi, pan or lesbians, no labels put on their sexualities: includes Clo, Rhea, Cato, and possibly the others. Ariadne is asexual), trans mtf character (Kyla), autism, anxiety, and anxiety attacks (Ariadne), amputee (Clo), and trauma (Nyx and Cato especially, I don’t want to use the label of PTSD, but it is war trauma), plus 4/7 of them are BIPOC (Cato, Rhea, and Eris are white). The characters that I felt most represented by are Kyla (I’m trans ftm) and Ariadne (I have anxiety). Seven Mercies just deepened my love for these characters, ESPECIALLY Cato and Kyla.
The characters themselves all grow within this book. We get to finally see the backstory of Cato, Nyx grows from only believing her strength is from fighting to realizing that’s not all she can do, and so much more. But for me personally, getting to read in the point of views of Kyla and Cato really struck home for me. I finally could connect even stronger with Kyla. Even though she is mtf, everything she deals with regarding her gender is exactly how I feel, but obviously switched. I don’t know how to express how much I love Kyla and Cato, other than the fact that I connected with them so much deeper than other characters I’ve read.
I felt the plot was even stronger in this one. Laura Lam and Elizabeth May are both experienced writers, and reading pieces of work written by both of them is just amazing. I love The Falconer trilogy and the Micah Grey trilogy. But having their writing styles combined into a novel? Oh my GOD it’s phenomenal.
I just have to say the collected hate between everyone for Damocles is easily my favourite part of the entire novel (and also because I hate him, who actually likes Damocles?). The words they used to describe him will make you snort out loud/burst out laughing.
If you are looking for a kick ass queer found family who are revolting from an Empire while traveling in space, the Seven Devils duology is for you. It is described as a queer space opera, and that is exactly what it is. And it is phenomenal! Easily will be my favourite series forever.
*please make sure to look at TW on Laura Lam’s website: http://www.lauralam.co.uk/book/seven-...*
November 19, 2022
While I found this one to less drawn out and boring than the first book, it still managed to miss the mark on interesting. Or compelling. I never quite felt sold on the supposed intensity or high stakes. It was all there on the page but I never felt it. We were supposed to believe the world, nay the galaxy, was in peril and yet.. shrug emoji.
Also, maybe this makes me a bad unfeeling person (but at this rate you can't expect anything less) but every Ariadne scene, either from her POV or involving her, was nails on the chalkboard of my brain. I could not stand her. She actually nudged out Clo for my most disliked character in this book; it was a small margin but still.
Again, there were some good themes, good representation, and brief glimmer or two of an interesting concept (the whole Cato thing was wild) buried amongst the rest, but overall this was just not a win. I wish I could recommend this queer feminist space opera but alas.. pick this up at your own risk.
2.5 stars
Also, maybe this makes me a bad unfeeling person (but at this rate you can't expect anything less) but every Ariadne scene, either from her POV or involving her, was nails on the chalkboard of my brain. I could not stand her. She actually nudged out Clo for my most disliked character in this book; it was a small margin but still.
Again, there were some good themes, good representation, and brief glimmer or two of an interesting concept (the whole Cato thing was wild) buried amongst the rest, but overall this was just not a win. I wish I could recommend this queer feminist space opera but alas.. pick this up at your own risk.
2.5 stars
February 4, 2024
Absolutely flawless.
January 18, 2022
As soon as I picked up Seven Mercies and started reading it, I was reminded of how much I loved all the elements of its predecessor, Seven Devils; the classic sci-fi trope of ragtag rebels versus evil empire, excellent pacing and action sequences, and of course my certified Favourite Trope (TM) of queer found family in space make this series a solid standout in my mind and a go-to sci-fi recommendation.
Although I can sometimes have mixed feelings on duologies in general, Seven Mercies is one of the best executed of the ones I’ve read. Not only does it pick up right where the first book left off and throw us back into the action, this novel expands the scope of the world, introducing us to new locales, societies, and conflicts while continuing on the character arcs started in the first book. The pacing doesn’t let up in this one, and multiple plots are handled deftly without giving short shrift to any of the cast.
What makes this series a standout for me are the characters, hands down. I have read books that have focused on one POV character and failed to give as much growth, depth, and emotional resonance as seven whole characters get in this duology, and in this book in particular. It’s such a fine line to balance between providing those character-focused moments while also moving the overarching plot forward, and Seven Mercies does this excellently. I love the characters in this novel and duology so much I gave my book club a PowerPoint presentation on them, so, that probably says a lot. The sapphic relationship gets a lot of page time and depth in this novel, and the bonds between the characters are easily one of my favourite parts.
In many ways for me personally, Seven Mercies (and Seven Devils) are comfort reads. The books present sci-fi tropes that are familiar enough to feel like solid, comfortable ground to those who love the genre while also providing compelling characters and unique voices/elements to give it individual flair. They are books easy to lose yourself in for hours as you find yourself invested in the world and the stakes; ultimately, as a story ultimately about redemption, connection, and hope in the face of impossible odds, this duology touches on a lot of universal elements in a powerful way.
Seven Mercies sticks a solid, emotionally impactful landing to an action-packed duology and will be a frequent recommendation of mine. If you’re looking for a queer, feminist, compelling, and deeply human science fiction story full of heart, this is one for your TBR.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
Although I can sometimes have mixed feelings on duologies in general, Seven Mercies is one of the best executed of the ones I’ve read. Not only does it pick up right where the first book left off and throw us back into the action, this novel expands the scope of the world, introducing us to new locales, societies, and conflicts while continuing on the character arcs started in the first book. The pacing doesn’t let up in this one, and multiple plots are handled deftly without giving short shrift to any of the cast.
What makes this series a standout for me are the characters, hands down. I have read books that have focused on one POV character and failed to give as much growth, depth, and emotional resonance as seven whole characters get in this duology, and in this book in particular. It’s such a fine line to balance between providing those character-focused moments while also moving the overarching plot forward, and Seven Mercies does this excellently. I love the characters in this novel and duology so much I gave my book club a PowerPoint presentation on them, so, that probably says a lot. The sapphic relationship gets a lot of page time and depth in this novel, and the bonds between the characters are easily one of my favourite parts.
In many ways for me personally, Seven Mercies (and Seven Devils) are comfort reads. The books present sci-fi tropes that are familiar enough to feel like solid, comfortable ground to those who love the genre while also providing compelling characters and unique voices/elements to give it individual flair. They are books easy to lose yourself in for hours as you find yourself invested in the world and the stakes; ultimately, as a story ultimately about redemption, connection, and hope in the face of impossible odds, this duology touches on a lot of universal elements in a powerful way.
Seven Mercies sticks a solid, emotionally impactful landing to an action-packed duology and will be a frequent recommendation of mine. If you’re looking for a queer, feminist, compelling, and deeply human science fiction story full of heart, this is one for your TBR.
Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
March 11, 2022
A brilliant ending to a fabulous, fierce duology - highly recommended!
January 25, 2022
Seven Mercies is an explosive, action-packed ending to a fantastic duology that’s somehow even more enjoyable than the first book.
Seven Mercies follows directly from the events of Seven Devils. The resistance has been destroyed, and small groups of survivors are scattered across the galaxy. The seven devils have a huge bounty on their heads and have been forced into hiding. But they’re not ready to give up. They’ll free the galaxy from the evil of the Tholosian Empire, or they’ll die trying.
This book has cemented the series as utterly fantastic by expanding on everything that made the first book enjoyable. You’ve got the action-packed, cinematic pacing that never lets you rest for too long. There’s amazing character development, and despite the large cast, no one feels left behind. If you loved the characters in Seven Devils, get ready to fall in love all over again. The found family vibes are superb. Even with all of the trauma and troubles the cast goes through, there’s always an undercurrent of hope. This team can do impossible things, and you never want them to fail. This finale expands heavily upon the Oracle, an AI that programmes citizens to serve the empire. It was one of the most intriguing world-building features of the first book, so its prominence was delightful and terrible in equal measure. This duology is perfect for fast-paced sci-fi fans who want a diverse, loveable cast.
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Seven Mercies follows directly from the events of Seven Devils. The resistance has been destroyed, and small groups of survivors are scattered across the galaxy. The seven devils have a huge bounty on their heads and have been forced into hiding. But they’re not ready to give up. They’ll free the galaxy from the evil of the Tholosian Empire, or they’ll die trying.
This book has cemented the series as utterly fantastic by expanding on everything that made the first book enjoyable. You’ve got the action-packed, cinematic pacing that never lets you rest for too long. There’s amazing character development, and despite the large cast, no one feels left behind. If you loved the characters in Seven Devils, get ready to fall in love all over again. The found family vibes are superb. Even with all of the trauma and troubles the cast goes through, there’s always an undercurrent of hope. This team can do impossible things, and you never want them to fail. This finale expands heavily upon the Oracle, an AI that programmes citizens to serve the empire. It was one of the most intriguing world-building features of the first book, so its prominence was delightful and terrible in equal measure. This duology is perfect for fast-paced sci-fi fans who want a diverse, loveable cast.
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March 31, 2022
4.5 Stars
Seven Mercies was an incredible read following a group of rebels as they work to bring down a ruthless empire.
After an ambush decimates the Novantae resistance, the survivors scatter across the galaxy. Wanted by two empires, the bounty for the seven devils is astronomical. As the devils try to avoid their enemies, they're forced to scavenge long-abandoned outposts to survive. When Ariadne receives a message from the Oracle, the ramifications for refusing its' demands are devastating. The Oracle goes rogue and overthrows the Empire turning all of Tholosia's citizens into mindless drones in the process. To save the galaxy the devils will have one shot to make their plan succeed. They'll need to infiltrate the heart of the empire and burn the Oracle to the ground.
The devils are an amazing group of characters and come from all walks of life. We have a princess (Eris), a rebel mechanic (Clo), a former courtesan (Rhea), a soldier (Nyx), a hacker (Ariadne), a leader of the rebellion (Kyla), and a former pilot of the Empire (Cato). Each member of the devils has their respective role within the group and I liked how they've come to trust each other. Throughout the book we rotate POVs between the characters as well as switch back and forth between present day and the past. As a whole the group is great but I loved the relationships and friendships that formed within the larger group. Nyx and Cato's relationship in particular was one of my favorites.
The plot in Seven Mercies has our characters traveling all over the galaxy including to the Evoli home world. I enjoyed getting to see more of the world of this series and I found the Evoli home world in particular to be quite unique compared to the rest of the planets we see. With the characters being on the run, they move around a lot which was a great choice for the pacing of the story. As we get closer to the end of the book, and the final confrontation with the Oracle, the tension increases dramatically. The fight against the Oracle was incredibly well done. We get shorter chapters following the different members of the group as they each play their part. There were several surprises in the fight I didn't see coming and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything wrapped up.
Overall Seven Mercies was a fast-paced and thrilling read with a fantastic cast of characters. I highly recommend this duology for readers looking for a great sci-fi series to pick up.
Seven Mercies was an incredible read following a group of rebels as they work to bring down a ruthless empire.
After an ambush decimates the Novantae resistance, the survivors scatter across the galaxy. Wanted by two empires, the bounty for the seven devils is astronomical. As the devils try to avoid their enemies, they're forced to scavenge long-abandoned outposts to survive. When Ariadne receives a message from the Oracle, the ramifications for refusing its' demands are devastating. The Oracle goes rogue and overthrows the Empire turning all of Tholosia's citizens into mindless drones in the process. To save the galaxy the devils will have one shot to make their plan succeed. They'll need to infiltrate the heart of the empire and burn the Oracle to the ground.
The devils are an amazing group of characters and come from all walks of life. We have a princess (Eris), a rebel mechanic (Clo), a former courtesan (Rhea), a soldier (Nyx), a hacker (Ariadne), a leader of the rebellion (Kyla), and a former pilot of the Empire (Cato). Each member of the devils has their respective role within the group and I liked how they've come to trust each other. Throughout the book we rotate POVs between the characters as well as switch back and forth between present day and the past. As a whole the group is great but I loved the relationships and friendships that formed within the larger group. Nyx and Cato's relationship in particular was one of my favorites.
The plot in Seven Mercies has our characters traveling all over the galaxy including to the Evoli home world. I enjoyed getting to see more of the world of this series and I found the Evoli home world in particular to be quite unique compared to the rest of the planets we see. With the characters being on the run, they move around a lot which was a great choice for the pacing of the story. As we get closer to the end of the book, and the final confrontation with the Oracle, the tension increases dramatically. The fight against the Oracle was incredibly well done. We get shorter chapters following the different members of the group as they each play their part. There were several surprises in the fight I didn't see coming and I thoroughly enjoyed how everything wrapped up.
Overall Seven Mercies was a fast-paced and thrilling read with a fantastic cast of characters. I highly recommend this duology for readers looking for a great sci-fi series to pick up.
February 20, 2022
clearly i’ve been reading too much romance bc i was shocked that the ending wasn’t 100% happy which is silly for a non-romance novel but here we are
that being said, this duology is absolutely phenomenal, definitely an all time fave.
Love queer books, too? Let's be friends! Booktok | Bookstagram | Twitter
that being said, this duology is absolutely phenomenal, definitely an all time fave.
Love queer books, too? Let's be friends! Booktok | Bookstagram | Twitter
January 25, 2022
Seven Mercies is the second, and final, installment of the Seven Devils duology. From the very beginning, I've enjoyed getting to know this found family. So, it's safe to assume I was an emotional mess once I was getting closer and closer to the end. Each character just made these two books amazing and easy to devour. I also really enjoyed how this picked up right where the previous book left off. It definitely made things easier on me and my poor brain.
With a huge bounty on their heads, trusting people never came easy. Forced into hiding didn't really help things either since they always had one thing on their minds. The empire and the Oracle just needed to go. So, everything that lead up to this jam-packed adventure and overall fight was fantastic in my eyes.
Each little clue that came my way helped me so much. I also think it's just the character themselves who went through all the trauma, drama, and near-death experiences too. I couldn't help rooting for the underdogs. Especially when the empire really needed to go.
In the end, I have zero regrets with myself and how quickly I read this. This duology was so much fun and I'm so happy that I got the chance to dive into it.
With a huge bounty on their heads, trusting people never came easy. Forced into hiding didn't really help things either since they always had one thing on their minds. The empire and the Oracle just needed to go. So, everything that lead up to this jam-packed adventure and overall fight was fantastic in my eyes.
Each little clue that came my way helped me so much. I also think it's just the character themselves who went through all the trauma, drama, and near-death experiences too. I couldn't help rooting for the underdogs. Especially when the empire really needed to go.
In the end, I have zero regrets with myself and how quickly I read this. This duology was so much fun and I'm so happy that I got the chance to dive into it.
February 3, 2022
Outstanding
January 29, 2022
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
4.5*
Gosh, I love the duology trend. And this series exemplifies all the reasons why. Seven Mercies ended on such a perfect note, left me so completely satisfied, it just reaffirmed my love for the format. I quite enjoyed the first book, Seven Devils . But I have to say, I enjoyed this sequel even more! IT did take me a minute to get back into the world. There are quite a few characters to remember, and it had been a year and a half, after all. But once I got back into the swing of it, this sequel delivered.
I adored the characters in the first installment, and they were even more developed here. I won't lie, some of their arcs reminded me of character arcs from The 100, and that is always a good thing. There's a lot of great rep here, in terms of sexuality and disability, too. I felt like while I really enjoyed the characters in the first book, I really got to know them in this one. And as such, it made the already high stakes feel even higher, because I was so invested.
Without giving too much about either book away, this was exciting and adventurous, while being very heartfelt and full of character growth. So it's for you no matter your preferences. The relationships between all the characters were really well developed, too. Likewise, I enjoyed the world building, and the politics of the universe. Add to it, the ending was definitely satisfying, while not being too easy, and felt fully appropriate. I'll say nothing else, so you can enjoy this series for yourself.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for space action, it delivers, and if you are looking for amazing characters you will grow to love, it also delivers. What I am saying is, this series delivers across the board.
4.5*
Gosh, I love the duology trend. And this series exemplifies all the reasons why. Seven Mercies ended on such a perfect note, left me so completely satisfied, it just reaffirmed my love for the format. I quite enjoyed the first book, Seven Devils . But I have to say, I enjoyed this sequel even more! IT did take me a minute to get back into the world. There are quite a few characters to remember, and it had been a year and a half, after all. But once I got back into the swing of it, this sequel delivered.
I adored the characters in the first installment, and they were even more developed here. I won't lie, some of their arcs reminded me of character arcs from The 100, and that is always a good thing. There's a lot of great rep here, in terms of sexuality and disability, too. I felt like while I really enjoyed the characters in the first book, I really got to know them in this one. And as such, it made the already high stakes feel even higher, because I was so invested.
Without giving too much about either book away, this was exciting and adventurous, while being very heartfelt and full of character growth. So it's for you no matter your preferences. The relationships between all the characters were really well developed, too. Likewise, I enjoyed the world building, and the politics of the universe. Add to it, the ending was definitely satisfying, while not being too easy, and felt fully appropriate. I'll say nothing else, so you can enjoy this series for yourself.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for space action, it delivers, and if you are looking for amazing characters you will grow to love, it also delivers. What I am saying is, this series delivers across the board.
July 25, 2022
This duology made me believe in the wonder of sci fi again.
January 31, 2022
4,5 stars
I actually got approved for both the US and UK editions so here we are. Thank you to DAW Books and Gollancz and Netgalley for the review copies in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway!
TW|CW: Mentioned Loss of Limb | Mass Death | Contagion | Self-Sacrifice | Suicide
I love it when authors can wrap up their story in two books. Especially as this was written by two authors. The challenge of keeping out all the things is real then. But nothing one has to worry about here. Elizabeth May and Laura Lam write a tight story with seven characters.
It took me a little while to find my bearing again with this story. Remembering where all 7 devils fit in and then the extra rebellion side characters that were mentioned. I would have loved a bit of a recap here on who was who. But I figured it out.
This story still focuses on the characters more than the action. There is time taken for the important bonding moments. And how to rid ourselves of our programming. How to fight and make our own choices. As someone currently going through therapy to see how my family's history affected my upbringing and to figure out how to break free from all of that, I really appreciated that. I wanted to hold the hand of all our seven devils and squeeze them when times got hard.
I also appreciated how the story changed with the addition of the Oracle becoming the dangerous one and how our youngest devil had something to do with that. And yet our thornly ruler wasn't ruled out as the enemy either. I loved seeing something of another species as well as their planet.
All in all this was just a worthy conclusion to an ass kicking, mostly, female crew space adventure with so much characterization to make you fall in love with each and every character.
I actually got approved for both the US and UK editions so here we are. Thank you to DAW Books and Gollancz and Netgalley for the review copies in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway!
TW|CW: Mentioned Loss of Limb | Mass Death | Contagion | Self-Sacrifice | Suicide
I love it when authors can wrap up their story in two books. Especially as this was written by two authors. The challenge of keeping out all the things is real then. But nothing one has to worry about here. Elizabeth May and Laura Lam write a tight story with seven characters.
It took me a little while to find my bearing again with this story. Remembering where all 7 devils fit in and then the extra rebellion side characters that were mentioned. I would have loved a bit of a recap here on who was who. But I figured it out.
This story still focuses on the characters more than the action. There is time taken for the important bonding moments. And how to rid ourselves of our programming. How to fight and make our own choices. As someone currently going through therapy to see how my family's history affected my upbringing and to figure out how to break free from all of that, I really appreciated that. I wanted to hold the hand of all our seven devils and squeeze them when times got hard.
I also appreciated how the story changed with the addition of the Oracle becoming the dangerous one and how our youngest devil had something to do with that. And yet our thornly ruler wasn't ruled out as the enemy either. I loved seeing something of another species as well as their planet.
All in all this was just a worthy conclusion to an ass kicking, mostly, female crew space adventure with so much characterization to make you fall in love with each and every character.
December 23, 2021
I love the Devils! This beautiful found family ripped my heart out but I love them for it. I really enjoyed getting to know Cato better, his backstory was heartwrenching. Eris and Ariadne had some of my favourite storylines in this one, but Clo, Rhea, and Kyla had some great character development and gripping storyline of their own. I enjoyed learning more about Kyla's past, and what it was like to be trans under the control of the Oracle. I'm glad Kyla's dead name was never mentioned, and that her being trans isn't a big deal in this series. Sher has always respected Kyla for exactly who she is, and I wish he'd had a bigger part in this book, he's a good one.
I feel like I got to know all of the characters better in this book and I really appreciate how they're all morally grey and have done awful things, but are now fighting to make a better world. Your past doesn't define you. The ending destroyed me, I wasn't expecting it, but it made sense for the characters to do what they did. All of the Devils made sacrifices for the revolution, and all I want for them is peace. What an incredible ending to such a powerful duology.
I feel like I got to know all of the characters better in this book and I really appreciate how they're all morally grey and have done awful things, but are now fighting to make a better world. Your past doesn't define you. The ending destroyed me, I wasn't expecting it, but it made sense for the characters to do what they did. All of the Devils made sacrifices for the revolution, and all I want for them is peace. What an incredible ending to such a powerful duology.
January 22, 2022
Omg, my heart!
This one is even better than the first one!
I loved the first one so much but the second one, just outstanding.
The characters developed so well. Especially the backstory of Cato, it was so heartbreaking. This book really was about knowing the characters better and seeing how they are fighting to make a better world.
This is highly recommended if you are looking for a badass found queer family that are traveling in space. Containing topics revolving around feminism, having a bad past and trying to become better.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you netgalley and DAW
This one is even better than the first one!
I loved the first one so much but the second one, just outstanding.
The characters developed so well. Especially the backstory of Cato, it was so heartbreaking. This book really was about knowing the characters better and seeing how they are fighting to make a better world.
This is highly recommended if you are looking for a badass found queer family that are traveling in space. Containing topics revolving around feminism, having a bad past and trying to become better.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Thank you netgalley and DAW
January 30, 2022
Seven Mercies is the second book in the Seven Devils duology. It could be read as a standalone, since all characters and most of their background is explained within the first chapters of the book.
I enjoyed the first book, Seven Devils, a lot, but had trouble connecting to the characters with this second book. It is due to the times we live in right now not the book!
I enjoyed the first book, Seven Devils, a lot, but had trouble connecting to the characters with this second book. It is due to the times we live in right now not the book!
Want to read
April 19, 202119 Apr 2021: Kind of sad that this is coming out in 2022 rather than 2021 but I just saw the cover and died, because it's so damned beautiful
November 14, 2021
Book review: Seven Mercies by Elizabeth May and Laura Lam 4.25/5⭐
This is the conclusion to the Seven Devils duology and omg this was such a good ride.
*Thank you to Gollancz and Netgalley for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!*
IF YOU WANT TO RESIST, YOU HAVE TO REBEL.
Elizabeth explains Seven Devils in just a few emojis for people who havent read the series yet:
🚀 Adult scifi
💪 Feminist as fuck
🌈 Queer as a rainbow
💩 Fuck imperialism
👩❤️👩 Ladies being soft
🤬 Ladies kicking ass
👨 One good dude
🧔👨🧔 Some shitbags
🌌 A whol lotta stars
Seven resistance fighters come together from across the galaxy to help defeat the ruthless Tholossian empire. In the first book they get word of a heaviluly guarded Tholossian ship carrying deadly cargo. Two fighters Eris (ex-Tholossian princess) and Clo, who have been at eachothers throats forever, team up in a heist way to secure the cargo and gain some allies (Nyx ex-Tholossian warrior, Rhea emotinal manipulative semi-alien, and Ariadne the hacker) by accident.
In the second book Seven Mercies the Novantae resistance is shattered and recovering from an ambush. While they still hate the Emperor's ass and really want to rip him to pieces, they now have a bigger threat to deal with: the Oracle. The AI used by the empire to ensure its citizens obedience. Ariadne, one of the Devils was once the Oracle's coder and desperate for human contact and understanding. She tried to make the Oracle understand human interaction and care. The Oracle sees Ariadne as its daughter and is now taking over every human in the galaxy to get her back. Turning them into living human shells.🧟♀️
Part of the team goes on an infiltration mission with alien species to gather allies. The others try to find what is left of the resistence in order to recover, get to the heart of the empire, destroy the oracle, and burn it all to the ground.🔥
If you love resistance fighters taking on the patriarchy in space please pick this book up! In addition, the character development, queer rep, friendship and relationships in this book were very well done!
I hope Elizabeth and Laura team up again in the future as I love to read more by the two of them.😊
This is the conclusion to the Seven Devils duology and omg this was such a good ride.
*Thank you to Gollancz and Netgalley for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!*
IF YOU WANT TO RESIST, YOU HAVE TO REBEL.
Elizabeth explains Seven Devils in just a few emojis for people who havent read the series yet:
🚀 Adult scifi
💪 Feminist as fuck
🌈 Queer as a rainbow
💩 Fuck imperialism
👩❤️👩 Ladies being soft
🤬 Ladies kicking ass
👨 One good dude
🧔👨🧔 Some shitbags
🌌 A whol lotta stars
Seven resistance fighters come together from across the galaxy to help defeat the ruthless Tholossian empire. In the first book they get word of a heaviluly guarded Tholossian ship carrying deadly cargo. Two fighters Eris (ex-Tholossian princess) and Clo, who have been at eachothers throats forever, team up in a heist way to secure the cargo and gain some allies (Nyx ex-Tholossian warrior, Rhea emotinal manipulative semi-alien, and Ariadne the hacker) by accident.
In the second book Seven Mercies the Novantae resistance is shattered and recovering from an ambush. While they still hate the Emperor's ass and really want to rip him to pieces, they now have a bigger threat to deal with: the Oracle. The AI used by the empire to ensure its citizens obedience. Ariadne, one of the Devils was once the Oracle's coder and desperate for human contact and understanding. She tried to make the Oracle understand human interaction and care. The Oracle sees Ariadne as its daughter and is now taking over every human in the galaxy to get her back. Turning them into living human shells.🧟♀️
Part of the team goes on an infiltration mission with alien species to gather allies. The others try to find what is left of the resistence in order to recover, get to the heart of the empire, destroy the oracle, and burn it all to the ground.🔥
If you love resistance fighters taking on the patriarchy in space please pick this book up! In addition, the character development, queer rep, friendship and relationships in this book were very well done!
I hope Elizabeth and Laura team up again in the future as I love to read more by the two of them.😊
August 13, 2023
The concluding volume of this duology sees the Devils on the run from the Empire and in tatters, after almost half their members desert. Clo and Rhea are dispatched to the Evoli empire as spies to see if they can find out how they managed to wake up the enslaved "husks" of the gerulae - people whose minds have been wiped and are completely under the control of the Oracle. Then the Oracle goes rogue and it's up to this small group of rebels to save the empire from itself.
While I really liked having PoV chapters from all seven of the Devils, this time adding Cato and Kyla to the characters we've already come to know, I didn't think this entirely worked as well as I'd hoped. Having Clo and Rhea away on their own mission for most of the middle of the book meant splitting the party and slowing the whole story down.
It did also feature one of my least favourite tropes of people having Big Feelings, not talking about them, and doing stupid things because of them. And then there were a couple of things that just didn't seem to go anywhere. There was a big hint that the Evolians were as corrupt as the Tholosians, but that didn't go anywhere, and then there's Ariadne's walking away with a minimal plan, and even what the book implied at one point that she was working on didn't amount to anything in the end. It sort of felt like someone had forgotten to do a final editorial pass over it.
But it was still pretty readable, and the revelations with Cato were entirely unexpected. It was also sort of nice to spend time with Damocles to make him into less of a 2D villain and give him some motivation.
While I really liked having PoV chapters from all seven of the Devils, this time adding Cato and Kyla to the characters we've already come to know, I didn't think this entirely worked as well as I'd hoped. Having Clo and Rhea away on their own mission for most of the middle of the book meant splitting the party and slowing the whole story down.
It did also feature one of my least favourite tropes of people having Big Feelings, not talking about them, and doing stupid things because of them. And then there were a couple of things that just didn't seem to go anywhere. There was a big hint that the Evolians were as corrupt as the Tholosians, but that didn't go anywhere, and then there's Ariadne's walking away with a minimal plan, and even what the book implied at one point that she was working on didn't amount to anything in the end. It sort of felt like someone had forgotten to do a final editorial pass over it.
But it was still pretty readable, and the revelations with Cato were entirely unexpected. It was also sort of nice to spend time with Damocles to make him into less of a 2D villain and give him some motivation.
December 26, 2021
Seven Mercies is the sequel to Seven Devils, and continues the story of the rebellion led by the former heir to the Tholosian Empire. In the Empire, the Archon controls the populace by means of the Oracle, a powerful AI.
The Devils are on the run. Most of their forces have abandoned them, and they have no allies. One of them will be dead soon without a cure for the ichor. The One wants her programmer back, and is willing to enslave all of humanity to make it happen. The odds couldn't be more stacked against them, until a bit of intel from the most unlikely of potential allies gives them one last shot for the freedom of the galaxy. The stakes are high, and Eris, former heir to the throne, knows that she will have to pay her god in more deaths before they are done.
The relationships between the characters grow stronger, but there are still times when they don't act as a cohesive unit, and members pursue their own agendas. We learn the backstories for several of them, and those stories serve to further illustrate how despotic the Empire is.
The book clocks in at 464 pages, and at times, it feels like it. Each of the characters, with the exception of Kyla, has a fully fleshed-out story arc/tangent, and there's a lot of exposition. It's good exposition, but this is not a quick or easy read.
Lam and May have done a great job of tying up all the loose ends and have given a satisfactory, if somewhat formulaic, ending to the duology.
4/5 stars
I received an advance copy from DAW and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This, and other reviews, may be found on Goodreads and my blog, https://redhatcatreviews.com/.
The Devils are on the run. Most of their forces have abandoned them, and they have no allies. One of them will be dead soon without a cure for the ichor. The One wants her programmer back, and is willing to enslave all of humanity to make it happen. The odds couldn't be more stacked against them, until a bit of intel from the most unlikely of potential allies gives them one last shot for the freedom of the galaxy. The stakes are high, and Eris, former heir to the throne, knows that she will have to pay her god in more deaths before they are done.
The relationships between the characters grow stronger, but there are still times when they don't act as a cohesive unit, and members pursue their own agendas. We learn the backstories for several of them, and those stories serve to further illustrate how despotic the Empire is.
The book clocks in at 464 pages, and at times, it feels like it. Each of the characters, with the exception of Kyla, has a fully fleshed-out story arc/tangent, and there's a lot of exposition. It's good exposition, but this is not a quick or easy read.
Lam and May have done a great job of tying up all the loose ends and have given a satisfactory, if somewhat formulaic, ending to the duology.
4/5 stars
I received an advance copy from DAW and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This, and other reviews, may be found on Goodreads and my blog, https://redhatcatreviews.com/.
February 18, 2022
I'm not entirely sure what to say, apart from, 'It's good!'
All the usual suspects are back, and I noticed that I liked most of them better than in Book 1. Well, Eris en Clo were already up there, of course, but I adored Ariadne now as well, and Kyla and Cato were also very interesting. Nyx and Rhea were still a bit 'meh', though, as was the whole romance between Clo and Rhea. The books could easily have done without it.
At first, it feels a bit like Seven Mercies has a bit of a slow start, and while it does take up speed after a while, it almost never entirely feels as if you're sitting in some kind of paper roller coaster or anything of that kind. There's always something that keeps the story from really breaking loose - and I think it's mostly due to the plot with Clo and Rhea who have their own mission separate from the others that didn't interest me very much. Only in the last one hundred pages or so, things change. But, fine, there's still enough going on.
The way in which Damocles was added, was something I didn't expect at all, so that's very good! As the story progressed, and the ending became near, I had my suspicions what was going to happen between him and Eris, and - bingo, I was right. Objectively speaking, I believe May & Lam have done a very good job there. Subjectively speaking, my heart was crushed. But I understand why it had to be done, so, fine, I'll survive, I guess.
7.8/10
Average rating for the series: 7.9/10
All the usual suspects are back, and I noticed that I liked most of them better than in Book 1. Well, Eris en Clo were already up there, of course, but I adored Ariadne now as well, and Kyla and Cato were also very interesting. Nyx and Rhea were still a bit 'meh', though, as was the whole romance between Clo and Rhea. The books could easily have done without it.
At first, it feels a bit like Seven Mercies has a bit of a slow start, and while it does take up speed after a while, it almost never entirely feels as if you're sitting in some kind of paper roller coaster or anything of that kind. There's always something that keeps the story from really breaking loose - and I think it's mostly due to the plot with Clo and Rhea who have their own mission separate from the others that didn't interest me very much. Only in the last one hundred pages or so, things change. But, fine, there's still enough going on.
The way in which Damocles was added, was something I didn't expect at all, so that's very good! As the story progressed, and the ending became near, I had my suspicions what was going to happen between him and Eris, and - bingo, I was right. Objectively speaking, I believe May & Lam have done a very good job there. Subjectively speaking, my heart was crushed. But I understand why it had to be done, so, fine, I'll survive, I guess.
7.8/10
Average rating for the series: 7.9/10
September 11, 2023
I'm very glad that I was able to read this fast-paced series conclusion so soon after finally getting around to its predecessor Seven Devils super late to the party. Normally, I'm not much for the duology trend - I've complained about it numerous times - but reading the two books in such quick succession is exactly what the doctor ordered. It may have technically taken me many days, but that's only because my reading time has been a bit shortened as of late, especially with library ebooks. But this book really does live up to Lam and May's promise of Fury Road in space, a high flying and high speed and high stakes narrative as we finally set the stage for the fall of another deadly interstellar empire. Hopefully some indie movie producer gets the rights to a film adaptation someday (I say indie because let's be real, the major studios have lost a lot of goodwill with their greed in these times of WGA and SAG strikes.)
March 18, 2022
A satisfying end to a thrilling space opera that had me hooked from the beginning. I do think I enjoyed this book better than the first as it felt like there was more development with the characters especially Eris. Even with the flaws in the first book, this was a very enjoyable series that will keep you wanting more. Right from the start, it picks up where the first book ended which I liked because we got to see more of the world and filled as a bit of refresher. The character development was truly enjoyable as I felt like they were fleshed out and each character felt unique, real, and likable. With so many characters, it can be hard for people to focus but the way Lam writes makes you invest in each of them without feeling like there's too many people. A thrilling series that you'll love so if sounds interesting, to you, please check it out!
Read
April 21, 2025This series is detailed and complex female-led and heavily queer sci-fi. I appreciate so much about it and how it's done, but I also solidly read it at the wrong time. I'm in a phase where (who could guess why lol), I need things that are fast-paced and/or light, and I don't find this series to be either. It's dark, and it deals with things that are a bit too relevant at the moment: dictators and the horrors of AI. So while I still liked the book, it took me over a month to churn through. There are other life factors involved as well. I wish I'd read this during the Biden years when I could have appreciated it more, but I do still highly recommend this series. Just maybe when things are better, if you're someone who's seeking real comfort right now.
February 8, 2022
Seven Mercies picks up right after Seven Devils, but swiftly takes a turn to the completely unexpected. I don't think I could possibly have predicted the direction this book would go, and that made it all the richer a reading experience as I was waiting with bated breath to find out what would possibly happen next. There were two plots running alongside each other, which meant we got to explore a little more of the universe and see some of the characters in more detail. It was nice getting to see Clo and Rhea shine, especially after Seven Devils was very Eris focused (not that I minded that, Eris is still my favourite character). I did miss some of the group interactions that we lost from splitting the party - especially after Clo and Eris were slowly rebuilding trust, I wanted to see more of them together.
The book was action-packed the whole way through, and it has a cinematic pace that absolutely belongs on a movie screen. The found family vibes in this sequel were as impeccable as ever, and I'm impressed with how this book managed to have individual character arcs for each of our 'seven devils' without unbalancing the group cast and focusing too much on any one character. By the end of Seven Mercies I was more in love with the whole group than ever, and I was on the edge of my seat as we raced far too quickly to the brutal conclusion of the duology.
The ending was bittersweet but powerful, and I can't think of a more perfect way for this duology to have concluded. Elizabeth May and Laura Lam really stuck the landing with this one, and it was satisfying in a way that I've been really lacking with sequels lately.
The book was action-packed the whole way through, and it has a cinematic pace that absolutely belongs on a movie screen. The found family vibes in this sequel were as impeccable as ever, and I'm impressed with how this book managed to have individual character arcs for each of our 'seven devils' without unbalancing the group cast and focusing too much on any one character. By the end of Seven Mercies I was more in love with the whole group than ever, and I was on the edge of my seat as we raced far too quickly to the brutal conclusion of the duology.
The ending was bittersweet but powerful, and I can't think of a more perfect way for this duology to have concluded. Elizabeth May and Laura Lam really stuck the landing with this one, and it was satisfying in a way that I've been really lacking with sequels lately.
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