Emilya and Jake have separated to increase their chances of avoiding capture and execution for a crime they have not committed. While Jake leads Prince Magnus a merry dance across Glennad, Emilya has perhaps landed in greater peril at Kifsel Place Monastery, where amongst the peace-loving monks, there are a handful with sinister motives.

Meanwhile, unaware that their combined governments are preparing for deadly Nessemi, personal circumstances begin to deteriorate for each of our small cast of northern islanders. And whereas their rulers are taking a pragmatic approach to Nessemi, the Theran Empire is rolling out diversions on a massive and brutal scale. As well as the demographic cleansing that is Expurgatio, Emperor Calidius is also driving the deaths of thousands in Liatia’s fighting pits, where former Demonacian general, Draxaelen, battles to stay alive. But little does Drax know that time is running out for his revenge; in fact, time is running out for everyone.

‘Malevolence continues to remind me of A Song of Ice and Fire, with a deadly looming threat overshadowing peril and conflict in the lives of our characters. Beardmore knows when to finish a book leaving you asking questions and keen to discover more.’  -- LoveReading