Seven Devils

May 4, 2020
This first collaboration from Lam (Goldilocks) and May (The Falconer) revels in the frenetic energy of its girl power–infused, space operatic premise but suffers from overwritten worldbuilding and underwritten characters. Eris, the former heir to the Tholosian imperial throne, and Clo, a mechanic raised on an imperial farmworld, both recently defected from the empire to join the Novantea resistance, becoming key operatives—and bitter rivals. They’re assigned to intercept a mysterious Tholosian cargo ship that resistance commanders notice because of its disproportionate security. Yet Eris and Clo conveniently encounter only two badly trained guards when they infiltrate the ship’s hangar. As their mission continues, they acquire more team members, all painted in broad, badass strokes: there’s Ariadne, the engineer; Rhea, the courtesan; Nyx, the soldier; Kyla, the resistance commander; and Cato, the pilot. The points of view multiply with each expansion of the cast, and the story jumps through time to accommodate their backstories, leading to narrative confusion. Still, a cliff-hanger ending will have readers eager for the next installment. This epic, if occasionally bumpy, voyage will appeal to fans of underdog stories and bombastic feminist sci-fi. Agents: (for Lam) Juliet Mushens, CaskieMushens; (for May) Russell Galen, Scovil Galen Ghosh Literary.

July 1, 2020
Eris has a dangerous job. She commandeers space crafts for the Novantaen Resistance after giving up a life of privilege in the brutal Tholosian Empire. This strict caste society is based on genetic engineering and chips programmed and controlled by Oracle, an artificial intelligence. Clo is a top mechanic and pilot born into poverty in the Snarl, which sits in the shadow of Tholosian Empire palace. Though they have misgivings because of past missions, Eris and Clo agree to team up for a critical job to reconnoiter a vessel. But the ship has already been commandeered by a computer expert, a soldier, and a courtesan. Through flashbacks, readers learn how all five women sought redemption, escape, or both from past actions for and against the empire. Soon they discover a plot that, if allowed to succeed, will mean the death of millions and the subjugation of the known galaxy. The secrets they keep from each other could destroy their new team as quickly as the empire they attempt to thwart. The first book in a duology is a witty, fast-paced, feminist space opera.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

Starred review from August 1, 2020

Eris is a Novantaen resistance fighter. She used to be the heir to the Tholosian Empire, but she left that life behind with her faked death. But now she's been given a new assignment: get aboard a spaceship carrying a mysterious, deadly cargo and get the information back to the Resistance. However, her partner in the assignment, mechanic Cloelia, mistrusts Eris and her motives--especially after Eris almost kills her. Aboard the ship the pair find three stowaways who may hold the key to dismantling the Empire, with a cargo that leads them to even worse Tholosian plans. The new heir plans to take down a planned peace summit with the Evoli Empire, after 500 years of war, and the group must find a way to stop him or lose millions of innocent lives. VERDICT Lam (Goldilocks) and May (X) bring a multivoice story from a group of diverse, courageous females attempting to save themselves and their galaxy. Backstories and present-day actions are built into an alien setting, well-rounded characters, and an action-filled plot with themes of colonization, military manipulation, and conditioning.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

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