Malanthia is an ambitious fantasy steeped in tragedy, set in an alternate world and focusing on the coming-of-age of a young girl and the challenges she must face.

The novel’s insightful first-person viewpoint spotlights protagonist Malanthia Duvenne. She has been removed from her widowed mother and the rural community of Briel and spirited away to a training facility called Stonemouth Keep, to be instructed in espionage with a select group of similarly purloined children.

Malanthia is conditioned to assume the guise of cold-hearted assassin Seraphine, It becomes clear she’s being prepared to support the autocratic governing administration of the usurper Graythorn dynasty as it attempts to consolidate power in Athergard, a city where magic once constrained by the city’s rightful ruling Thornwick bloodline is eroding the city foundation and weakening its defences.

Faced with choosing between true love and her duty to the state, Malanthia/Seraphine’s loyalties are fiercely tested as she struggles to rationalize her warring personalities.

Malanthia is emotionally impactful, filled with melancholy beauty, desire and socio-political intrigue. Author A.K Hayat expertly fuses romantic and political fantasy to tell the story of Malanthia’s rise to command the Queen’s Guard and the terrible responsibility bestowed upon her.

The narrative is precisely and considerately paced to illustrate the relentless monotony of Malanthia’s dehumanizing experiences. The world building is expansive and detailed. The haunted, politically unstable city of Athergard and its corrupt officials provides the perfect backdrop to Malanthia’s story.

The novel is peopled by memorable supporting characters, including Malanthia’s instructor, Brannick, tasked with shaping young Malanthia into a weapon for the state; love interest Ashen Welden, the rightful heir to the Athergard throne; and bureaucratic antagonist Aldous Graythorn, whose family will stop at nothing to retain its privileged position.

The star, undoubtedly, is Malanthia, whose internalized psychological conflict and heartrending character arc provide the novel’s sympathetic focus. Malanthia is a darkly poetic, unputdownable fantasy novel that will greatly appeal to fans of both romantic and political fantasy fiction.

Also available in paperback.