Pretty good short novella with a mercenary company (numbers unknown) all the (leaders at least) have been cursed/blessed with a variety of minor abilities that make their lives more difficult but are occasionally useful.

This is apparently the 2nd story featuring them, although there is no indication of the 1dt. the crew are heading away from an expansionist empress to bury the remains of their former leader the Blackheart himself. They've cut through a small mountainous kingdom in the hope of avoiding the armies, but it turns out the normally peaceful and stable kingdom is in disarray. The king has died, and his daughter the heir has disappeared. The Chancellor has taken over, but a knight has taken command of the small army and fortifications. The blades pick up a kitchen boy en route, despite have a blessed chef of their own, and decide perhaps they can spare a little time to intervene.

Quite enjoyed this. The start was a little bit rocky and the prose could have done with another edit, but it soon settled down into a more readable style. The characters are a bit quirky and I'm not sure I would enjoy a full novel's worth of them without considerably more backstory and world development but for a novella did work quite well. A little bit like Cook's Black company but considerably lighter in tone.

Considering I very much didn't like the other title by this author I'd read (had I realised I probably wouldn't have chosen to read this, ) it's significantly different and much improved. Would read others of the series. ( )

This was a delight to read! It is fast moving, witty, and attention grabbing. There are a few parts that read a bit like run on thoughts but nothing too distracting. The plot twists were surprisingly unexpected, the fantasy details/magics were original, and I found myself actively rooting for the Blackheart Blades very early on. I highly recommend this! ( )

Odd. A fantasy novella about a hopeless defence against overwhelming odds. Rather whimsical in tone, it comes across a bit like the offspring of Call My Bluff, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Song of Roland all filtered by Shakespeare. And it ends happily (mostly). I don’t think this will be to everyone’s taste. An OK read.