Brimstone & Blades — Maria Alexander

It's 1689.Sixteen-year-old Julie de Maupin is on the run in France with her boyfriend, a young swordmaster named Sérannes. They perform sword fights and songs in taverns to survive. But when a diabolical creature kills Sérannes, it also injures Julie in the attack. Her devastating wound plunges her into the dangerous world of French magic. She learns the creature is controlled by a necromantic coven called the Shadow Holders. Defeated during the Affair of the Poisons, they've returned with more powerful allies to crush Louis XIV and terrorize France. With her found family of magical and moggie misfits, Julie must use her sword, wit, and gender-bending wiles to send the threat back to Hell. But will they be enough?Magic is illegal, and so is dueling. But that won't stop La Maupin.