Seven Devils
The Seven Devils Duology #1
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP FIVE BESTSELLER
'Moves at a cracking pace and, with neat plot twists and cliffhangers, is page-turning fun' - Guardian
Seven resistance fighters will free the galaxy from the ruthless Empire - or die trying.
After Eris faked her death, she thought she had left her old life as Princess Discordia - heir to the galaxy's most ruthless empire - behind. But joining the Novantaen Resistance, an organisation opposed to the Empire's voracious expansion, throws her right back into the fray.
Resistance fighter pilot Clo has been given a mission: infiltrate an Empire spaceship ferrying deadly cargo to gain vital intelligence. A task made all the more difficult when she's forced to partner with an old enemy - Princess Discordia herself, Eris.
They discover more than they bargained for on the ship: fugitives with first-hand knowledge of the Empire's inner workings. With this information, these women might just bring the Empire to its knees. But the clock is ticking: Eris's brother Damocles, new heir to the throne, plans to disrupt a peace summit with the only remaining free alien people, ensuring the Empire's total domination. Unless this band of unlikely rebels stops him, millions will die . . .
Publishing Information:
US: DAW (Astra)
ISBN: 9780756415808
UK: Gollancz (Orion)
ISBN: 9781473225152
Release date: August 2020 (hardback); April 2021 (paperback)
Purchase:
The US cover of Seven Devils
Art: Dan dos Santos
Design: Katie Anderson
The UK cover of Seven Devils
Art & design: Loulou Clark
Praise & Accolades
An Illumicrate book box selection for July 2020.
“Best of 2020” —Waterstones
“Best of 2020” —School Library Journal
A thrilling ride from two of the most exciting authors in the genre.” —Gareth L. Powell, BSFA award-winning author of Embers of War
“More gripping than The Expanse.” —Charles Stross, award-winning author of The Laundry Files
“I was promised Mad Max: Fury Road in space—I got that and so much more. Seven Devils is an explosive new addition to the space opera genre. May and Lam had me from the first severed finger! This is a book you are not going to want to miss and the start of a series that promises to be a wild ride.” —K. B. Wagers, author of the Farian War trilogy
“This first collaboration from Lam (Goldilocks) and May (The Falconer) revels in the frenetic energy of its girl power–infused, space operatic premise.” —Publishers Weekly
“The first book in a duology is a witty, fast-paced, feminist space opera.” —Booklist
“Lam and May have looked ahead to a future where women serve equally, are just as strong and capable in combat as men without falling into the typical tropes of heartless assassin or distressed damsel awakening to her power. Each of the characters in Seven Devils is distinct with her own character, personality, backstory, and soul.” —The Roarbots
Please also considering buying from your favourite independent bookstore!
You can purchase signed copies from most independent Edinburgh bookstores, particularly Transreal Fiction.
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We wanted to provide potential trigger warnings for those who many need them.
Seven Devils is a violent and bloody book about revolution and resistance. The Tholosian empire is misogynist, classicist, racist/xenophobic (mostly against the Evoli, a human civilisation and longterm enemy–this is due to fear of their empathic abilities, not the colour of their skin. Both Tholosians and Evoli have varied skin tones), homophobic, and transphobic. We have characters that are assassins, soldiers, sex workers, or have had to defend themselves with violence to survive. There is reference to various types abuse at the hands of the empire. There are off page allusions to sex work. We have deliberately avoided on-page sexual violence. Our goal is to portray the reality of living under such an oppressive regime honestly but not gratuitously.
A list: Abuse, drugs, manipulative relationships, violence against women, gun violence, some gore, child abuse (emotional), murder, physical assault, kidnapping, injuries (including dismemberment–a leg, a tongue, an eye), brain hacking and neurosurgery, death, body disposal, stabbing, explosions, arson, off-page allusions to sexual violence.
Seven Mercies
The Seven Devils Duology #2
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES
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.
Publishing Information:
US: DAW (Astra)
ISBN: 9780756415822
UK: Gollancz (Orion)
ISBN: 0756415829
Release date: January 2022 (hardback); November 2022 (paperback)
Purchase:
The US cover of Seven Devils
Art: Kirby Fagan
Design: Katie Anderson
The UK cover of Seven Devils
Art & design: Loulou Clark
Praise & Accolades
“Heists, secrets, horrible sibling relationships, and terrible revelations abound. It’s a lot like Star Wars, but far more murdery.” —Tor.com
"Two authors at the forefront of their genres" — List Magazine
"SEVEN MERCIES is a worthy successor to its equally magnificent predecessor and an enthralling culmination to its sprawling yet intimate narrative" —Starburst Magazine
Please also considering buying from your favourite independent bookstore!
You can purchase signed copies of my books at any time from Mike at Transreal Fiction in Edinburgh.