Ten Arrows of Iron

By: Sam Sykes

Narrated by: Daisy-May Parsons

An outcast mage caught between two warring empires must either save the world or destroy everything she loves in the second novel of "an unforgettable epic fantasy" trilogy (Publishers Weekly).
Sal the Cacophony -- outlaw, outcast, outnumbered -- destroys all that she loves. Her lover lost and cities burned in her wake, all she has left is her magical gun and her all-consuming quest for revenge against those who stole her power and took the sky from her.
When the roguish agent of a mysterious patron offers her the chance to participate in a heist to steal an incredible power from the famed airship fleet, the Ten Arrows, she finds a new purpose. But a plot to save the world by bringing down empires swiftly escalates into a conspiracy of magic and vengeance that threatens to burn everything to ash, including herself.
For more from Sam Sykes, check out:The Grave of Empires:Seven Blades in BlackTen Arrows of Iron
Bring Down Heaven:The City Stained RedThe Mortal TallyGod's Last Breath
The Affinity for Steel Trilogy:Tome of the UndergatesBlack HaloThe Skybound Sea

Critic reviews

"Reunites readers with the magnificently complex heroine Sal the Cacophony in a hair-raising adventure packed with action, wit, and feeling... This an unforgettable epic fantasy."—Publishers Weekly

"Sykes is a master at taking familiar elements of fantasy and stirring them to a wicked, wholly original churn. In Sal the Cacophony, Sykes has crafted a protagonist for the ages. Ludicrous, wicked, delightful."—Pierce Brown, New York Times bestselling author on Seven Blades in Black

"Seven Blades in Black offers villains that are as memorable and unique as the heroes. Action, magic, romance and humor mingle well in this mammoth tale. It's an immersive read in a well realized world."—Robin Hobb, New York Times bestselling author on Seven Blades in Black

"Exciting and inventive. I never realized how much I needed wizard-hunting gunslingers in my life."—Peter V. Brett, New York Times bestselling author on Seven Blades in Black

"Seven Blades in Black is terrific. The tale of Sal the Cacophony is delightfully sarcastic and deeply sorrowful."—Nicholas Eames, author of Kings of the Wyld on Seven Blades in Black

"Gunslingers and mad mages and monsters, oh my. Sykes' latest is a brutal and vulgar epic yet still fun enough that - and I say this as the highest of compliments - makes me wish like hell it ends up with an adaptation into a role-playing game."—Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author on Seven Blades in Black

"Sykes' writing is full of heart, hilarity, and the frank understanding that as humans we are all disasters. Come for the adventures, stay for the weirdos."—R. F. Kuang, author of The Poppy War on Seven Blades in Black

"By the end of the first page, you'll know Sam is in love with his characters. By the end of the second, you'll know you are too."—Myke Cole, author of The Armored Saint on Seven Blades in Black

"A love letter to Final Fantasy and badass women, told with with an irresistible mix of passion and wit."—David Dalglish, author of Soulkeeper on Seven Blades in Black

"With skillful worldbuilding, unexpected humor, and characters real enough to touch, this is easily Sykes's best book to date."—Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Seven Blades in Black

"Compulsive from start to finish."—Kirkus (starred review) on Seven Blades in Black

Good

As with the first book in this series, the narrator did a great job. The book was fine, but not nearly as good as Seven Blades. I plan on reading and listening to the last book in the series but won’t race to the library to get it.

All That Opera

I like this series. The universe is interesting, well built, and its details are exposed in a very crafty manner, the main character is a woman, the surprises keep coming.
What I don’t like, but seeing that opera is our Sal’s favorite genre, falls nicely within the bounds of the story, is the level of effusion in describing all of Sal’s love interests. Which are - wildly - already three. Like jam on steak almost. Or a spoon full of sugar on top of a food you like. But well, it’s love and all…

Sam does it again.

Was more brutal in the biggining and middle, the end lacked a bit in terms of action. But this is a truly solid read.

Great book

Excellent narration and an entertaining sequel but it didn't move the plot forward much.

Wow, don’t sleep on this series!

Or rather, you won’t be able to sleep while listening to this series! From beginning to end this series is action PACKED! So much so, that in every book there has come a time where I thought to myself “This must be the climax!” Only to realize there is still 9 HOURS left in the book!!!! So you’re getting that edge of your seat feeling multiple times! Not to mention the AMAZING narration!! Daisy-May Parsons absolutely kills it, in the best way possible! I would be remiss if I didn’t add an R rated note, let’s just say that I’m certain Daisy-May even dreamt she was just saying the F*** word over and over! This doesn’t particularly bother me and certainly wouldn’t be a good enough reason for me to miss out on this amazing series but if you are a stay at home mom like I am and sometimes have your children around while listening…. You might consider some headphones!!
5/5 for me all around!! Sam Sykes, you rock! I will just be over here listening to every single thing you’ve written!