City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett

Bennett writes with a fury aimed at the absurdity of war but retaining respect toward the soldiers who live and fight through it. Mulagesh is a portrait of a soldier in a time of political divisiveness (both in the story and, of course, in our own current events). She'd be right at home sharing a plate of pancakes with Hellboy. But in addition to all the fun, she's driven by a darkness in her history, and a desire to right the wrongs of her past.

Later on, she responds to a diplomatic gathering, 'I'm on vacation you dumb sons of bitches!' Yes, there were times I was literally laughing out loud listening. In the first chapter of the book, some guy with a weapon screams at her F- you, Mulagesh, and f- AIEEEEEEEE!!!! because Mulagesh just kicked his ass when he threatened her. While she was a strong supporting character in City of Stairs, she takes the spotlight in this book and does it with style. It's unusual to get that kind of protagonist in a fantasy novel, which is a shame because daaaaaaamn is Mulagesh a delight to read. She's also disabled - she lost her left hand in the Battle of Bulikov and is trying to figure out how to make do with the clunky prosthesis. Formerly retired General Mulagesh is a woman made of chrome (over 30 who isn't defined by being a mother, wife, etc. There is political unrest, divine terrorism, magical death swords, and best of all: our hero General Turyin Mulagesh. What's so impressive is not just the fantastic world building, but all the balls Robert Jackson Bennett is juggling and how timely it all feels in these politically divisive days. Straight up: City of Blades is the best thing I've listened to thus far this year. But if the gods are all dead, then what happened to the afterlives they created, and those left in them? But really, I'm only scratching the surface. They were oppressive and made slaves of much of humanity until the eventual uprising came. This isn't myth or ancient history - it happened less than a lifetime ago.

City of Blades by Robert Jackson Bennett