The Malevolent Seven

Cade Ombra is a war mage who knows two things: real wizards don’t wear funny hats, and nobody in power deserves to be trusted. When his sanctimonious employer, Ascendant Lucien, breaks the terms of surrender and orders a massacre, Cade decides the man needs to die. But before Cade can act, Lucien is murdered by an Infernal conjuration—and the blame lands on Cade.

Hunted by Glorian Justiciars and betrayed by his own coven, Cade survives only because thunderer Corrigan Blight burns the entire crew to ash to save him. With the world closing in, Cade takes a job in the poisoned Blastlands, chasing a mythical relic—the Apparatus—that can change a mage’s attunement. Along the way, Cade’s “seven” become a mismatched disaster: a blood mage born from tragedy, a rat-mage swashbuckler, a fallen angel, and even a demoniac trained like a justiciar. Their target, the so‑called Seven Brothers, aren’t heroes at all—they’re doors. And what comes through wants servants.

• Listeners who enjoy darkly comic, profanity-laced fantasy with “found family of monsters” energy.
• Fans of heist-like plots where every deal has teeth: demons, angels, contracts, betrayals, and escalating magical consequences.
• Readers who want cinematic magic systems, ruthless moral choices, and an ending that reframes the entire quest.

Sebastien de Castell is a Canadian fantasy author known for the Greatcoats series and the Spellslinger series. His work often blends fast-paced action, sharp humour, and morally complicated characters.