The Maleficent Seven

Unlikely allies confront an army of holy knights in this fast-paced if uneven fantasy adventure from Johnston (God of Broken Things). In the land of Essoran, demonologist Black Herran was once a fearsome general—until she abandoned her armies on the cusp of victory. Forty years later, she must reunite her old comrades—among them Maeven, a necromancer, and Tiarnach, the former god of war—to face down a new enemy. Though each member of the memorable ensemble holds a grudge against Black Herran, they each agree to join her, seeking personal gain. Together, they must defend the militarized peasant town of Tarnbrooke against the invading armies of the Lucent Empire. There’s never a lull in the action, and the mismatched group provides plenty of fun, with high tension and biting arguments between the over-the-top characters keeping the pages turning. Unfortunately, classic fantasy creatures like orcs and vampires feel slightly out of place in Johnston’s world, and the frequent mistreatment of female characters keeps this brutal tale from reaching its potential. Regardless, fans of grimdark fantasy will find plenty to enjoy. [em]Agent: Ed Wilson, Johnson & Alcock. (Aug.) [/em]