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Road To Malevolence: A Dark Psychological Novel to Remember
A dark psychological novel exposing the secrets buried behind the illusion of a happy, God-fearing family.
Gary, Indiana, 1987: They seem like an ordinary, church-going family. But behind the facade…
Nine-year-old Janet Moore is tired of church. Boring clothes. Boring sermons. Boring family. Then, during Sunday service, her father, the church deacon, shocks her by rudely silencing a beautiful first-time visitor during testimony and ordering the band to crank up the volume.
Soon after, a toxic family secret is exposed, and Janet’s secure young life shatters. She calls on Jesus for help, but He doesn’t come. Neither does her mother, who has problems of her own.
Consumed by anger, Janet wants everyone who ruined her family to burn in hell.
If only she had a match.
Can she wait for the Lord’s vengeance? Or is this sassy, outspoken, nosy child about to become her holier-than-thou father’s worst nightmare?
The complete Road to Malevolence trilogy is now available.
Gary, Indiana, 1987: They seem like an ordinary, church-going family. But behind the facade…
Nine-year-old Janet Moore is tired of church. Boring clothes. Boring sermons. Boring family. Then, during Sunday service, her father, the church deacon, shocks her by rudely silencing a beautiful first-time visitor during testimony and ordering the band to crank up the volume.
Soon after, a toxic family secret is exposed, and Janet’s secure young life shatters. She calls on Jesus for help, but He doesn’t come. Neither does her mother, who has problems of her own.
Consumed by anger, Janet wants everyone who ruined her family to burn in hell.
If only she had a match.
Can she wait for the Lord’s vengeance? Or is this sassy, outspoken, nosy child about to become her holier-than-thou father’s worst nightmare?
The complete Road to Malevolence trilogy is now available.
- GenresThriller
262 pages, ebook
Published April 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 7, 2026
There is no way! I repeat there is NO WAY a 9 year old left my jaw on this here floor like this.Janet took me on quite an unexpected wild ride, that made me immediately want to dive into part 2! Samyra did a great job at writing from the POV as a child and I was so invested in this little girl! Did she stress me out? Absolutely! Yet I was still invested.
You can also tell that the author did their research, not only was she coming from a child’s POV, the story also took place in the 80s and she nailed it! From the types of cars to the phones, to the description of clothing!
Never could I have imagined this was how this story would unfold and I am still shook. Absolutely recommend this one.
You can also tell that the author did their research, not only was she coming from a child’s POV, the story also took place in the 80s and she nailed it! From the types of cars to the phones, to the description of clothing!
Never could I have imagined this was how this story would unfold and I am still shook. Absolutely recommend this one.
July 6, 2026
Road to Malevolence
Woah 🤯 Samyra take me through it every time I open a book by her! I just can’t believe where this has went. From the deacon to the dysfunctional family to secrets and the biggest mystery of them all!!! I feel as tho something is missing but my head is spinning. Janet o Janet! What have you done?!?!
Woah 🤯 Samyra take me through it every time I open a book by her! I just can’t believe where this has went. From the deacon to the dysfunctional family to secrets and the biggest mystery of them all!!! I feel as tho something is missing but my head is spinning. Janet o Janet! What have you done?!?!
May 29, 2022
awesome!
Wow Samyra ! I really enjoyed and loved this book so much I want it to reach the entire world ! Love your craft and I look forward to reading more of your work - masterpiece ❤️
Wow Samyra ! I really enjoyed and loved this book so much I want it to reach the entire world ! Love your craft and I look forward to reading more of your work - masterpiece ❤️
April 27, 2023
Damaged and Dangerous
Samyra Alexander has produced an intense and challenging read. A highly religious family in the US is torn apart by the infidelity of the husband and assistant pastor, and the book follows the reaction of Janet, a nine-year-old girl, as she discovers the truth and works to win her father back. Janet has a unique way of seeing the world, and she is devious, and intent on exacting revenge on the other woman, baby Maine, and her father.
Themes of mental illness, religion, and responsibility make this dark novel insightful and frightening. It is well-written, but a bleak view of life. Janet is damaged and dangerous.
Samyra Alexander has produced an intense and challenging read. A highly religious family in the US is torn apart by the infidelity of the husband and assistant pastor, and the book follows the reaction of Janet, a nine-year-old girl, as she discovers the truth and works to win her father back. Janet has a unique way of seeing the world, and she is devious, and intent on exacting revenge on the other woman, baby Maine, and her father.
Themes of mental illness, religion, and responsibility make this dark novel insightful and frightening. It is well-written, but a bleak view of life. Janet is damaged and dangerous.
December 10, 2022
wtf did I read?
Nah Janet was out of control from start to finish. I am disappointed in her actions especially when it came to the baby.
Nah Janet was out of control from start to finish. I am disappointed in her actions especially when it came to the baby.
September 2, 2024
As someone who grew up in a repressive religious environment, unable to express my authentic self, I found myself feeling sympathetic to Janet immediately.
I was really hoping she would pull it together and correct her choices from the minute she picked that baby up.
I've read a few books by this author and I feel like she does a great job taking very real issues people may face (in this book denial of self-expression by way of religion) and gets really creative with how far she can push her characters with the conflict their root issues cause.
I was really hoping she would pull it together and correct her choices from the minute she picked that baby up.
I've read a few books by this author and I feel like she does a great job taking very real issues people may face (in this book denial of self-expression by way of religion) and gets really creative with how far she can push her characters with the conflict their root issues cause.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
Me running to get book 2…
Janet was something else.
Her daddy Tremaine was something else!
I guess this is what happens when you try to shelter your children, and keep them locked in the church. They rebel! This is what happens when you don’t let your children listen to Janet Jackson. LOL. SMH.
The slow build up will keep you on the edge of your seat. You are not going to want to put this book until you get to the end. Whew!
Janet was something else.
Her daddy Tremaine was something else!
I guess this is what happens when you try to shelter your children, and keep them locked in the church. They rebel! This is what happens when you don’t let your children listen to Janet Jackson. LOL. SMH.
The slow build up will keep you on the edge of your seat. You are not going to want to put this book until you get to the end. Whew!
May 10, 2022
This book leaves an impression
I won’t stop thinking about this book any time soon. It’s a compelling, well-written, and unflinching look into the mind of a troubled child. I didn’t realize before starting the book that the author is a clinical psychologist, but I’m certainly not surprised. Road to Malevolence is a great read.
I won’t stop thinking about this book any time soon. It’s a compelling, well-written, and unflinching look into the mind of a troubled child. I didn’t realize before starting the book that the author is a clinical psychologist, but I’m certainly not surprised. Road to Malevolence is a great read.
September 16, 2022
This book made me think about many things. We usually think about these things fleetingly, too busy with our everyday worries. Still, “Road to Malevolence” by Samyra Alexander gives us a chance to see where such negligence might lead to.
Janet is nine. Her parents’ negligence of the fact that she is a child makes her life unbearable.
Janet’s father and mother expect their daughter to behave like an adult. I notice this trend in the nowadays society. People seem to expect children’s judgements and reactions to be the same as judgements and reactions of adults. It leads to permanent stress stemming from failed expectations and disappointment when the reflection of picture-perfect parenthood social media projects on us shatters into shreds under the pressure of reality.
Janet likes to dance, but her parents consider “worldly” dance styles sinful. Janet likes to discuss girly things with her best friend, but her parents expect her to sit still and quiet in church. Janet wants to explore the world, but her parents “build walls” of religious limitations and rules around her.
Isn’t it natural that when Janet sees that her pious father isn’t as God-fearing as he wanted to be seen, she rebels against the conservative life her parents impose on her? And isn’t it natural that being a nine-year-old girl, she gets the things that happen to her family wrong?
When Janet’s world, as unsatisfactory and vexatious as it was, crumbles, she acts not like an adult but as a child, unable to realise the consequences of her actions. She also doesn’t understand the motivations of grown-ups. “Road to Malevolence” by Samyra Alexander explores a possible scenario of what can happen if the fact that the workings of a child’s mind differ substantially from the way adults think is ignored.
The author included the following trigger warning in the book: corporal punishment, child kidnapping, and child murder without graphic details. I believe that author’s intentions were to make readers think rather than shudder with horror reading the story. For me, it has worked perfectly. After finishing the book, I can’t stop thinking about Janet’s struggle with the adults' world.
Janet is nine. Her parents’ negligence of the fact that she is a child makes her life unbearable.
Janet’s father and mother expect their daughter to behave like an adult. I notice this trend in the nowadays society. People seem to expect children’s judgements and reactions to be the same as judgements and reactions of adults. It leads to permanent stress stemming from failed expectations and disappointment when the reflection of picture-perfect parenthood social media projects on us shatters into shreds under the pressure of reality.
Janet likes to dance, but her parents consider “worldly” dance styles sinful. Janet likes to discuss girly things with her best friend, but her parents expect her to sit still and quiet in church. Janet wants to explore the world, but her parents “build walls” of religious limitations and rules around her.
Isn’t it natural that when Janet sees that her pious father isn’t as God-fearing as he wanted to be seen, she rebels against the conservative life her parents impose on her? And isn’t it natural that being a nine-year-old girl, she gets the things that happen to her family wrong?
When Janet’s world, as unsatisfactory and vexatious as it was, crumbles, she acts not like an adult but as a child, unable to realise the consequences of her actions. She also doesn’t understand the motivations of grown-ups. “Road to Malevolence” by Samyra Alexander explores a possible scenario of what can happen if the fact that the workings of a child’s mind differ substantially from the way adults think is ignored.
The author included the following trigger warning in the book: corporal punishment, child kidnapping, and child murder without graphic details. I believe that author’s intentions were to make readers think rather than shudder with horror reading the story. For me, it has worked perfectly. After finishing the book, I can’t stop thinking about Janet’s struggle with the adults' world.
May 24, 2022
What in the ODD, Anti-Social, ADHD, future Psychopath is going on here with Janet? Ms. Thang should have been across the street from her mother in the Pediatric Mental health residential treatment facility as a permanent under permanent one-to-one supervision by her RC. From the moment this book started I was engaged. Some things were seen coming. Like Yolanda couldn't have been more obvious showing up at church. I knew who she was. She was a little off herself. But learning about 'Senior's' vice, chile, listen. What in the Thundercat, Sword of Omen.. Anyway, Every moment going on in this book had something going on. I would have liked a little more on the ending, but it gave what it was supposed to, which was drama and psychological engagement.
This was a good read and I am glad I took the time out to give it a try.
This was a good read and I am glad I took the time out to give it a try.
April 22, 2023
I didn't see the author's trigger warning until I opened the book, but it was fine. I'm usually very sensitive to stories that portray child abuse, but I found the author's writing so gentle, it was as though she held my hand through those scenes, leading me to the main point of the story. Beyond the challenging scenes was a vibrant coming-of-age story told from the point of view of a 9-year-old girl. Through her eyes, I discovered a family with some dark secrets behind a fascade of happiness, functionality and normality. I felt I was also inside the head of all the other characters, too, such is the power of this author's writing. I highly recommend this story to anyone enjoys a story with psychological depth and a few surprises along the way.
July 16, 2022
I could not put this book down. This story is very gripping from start to finish. One of the few books that had me emotionally attached to the characters and speaking out loud while reading 😅. Samyra did an excellent job drawing the reader in and presenting us with unexpected events. I love not being able to predict the main characters next moves. Even though the narration is written in third person, the main character Janet reveals her thoughts & feelings to us in first person. This was tricky in the beginning, but Samyra stays consistent with the writing throughout the entire book which makes it easier to pick up on. I have been recommending and talking about this book with everyone.
January 19, 2025
I honestly don’t even know where to start. My brain is trying to process this book reasonably, but it’s tough. I feel a bit ashamed for finding some dark humor in it about 70% in. The way the story took a sharp left and never recovered… I definitely need to heal my spirit after this one. The author has a sauce for making you love and hate the characters at the same time. I enjoyed moments where I thought I knew what was coming, only to be pleasantly surprised when I was wrong—just enough to keep me engaged until the end. But be warned: the trigger warning is definitely triggering, so I’ll be taking my time with the second one. (The anger I feel toward Janet is still too fresh in my mind)
December 30, 2024
I would rate this book a 3.75! I was thoroughly surprised by this book! I really had no idea what I was getting myself into, but this was a quick, suspenseful read with many turns. I did not expect the ending, and honestly, I really like how the book ended. Janet is something else, that's for sure. At 9 years old, she was doing and getting into a whole lot of trouble. Benjie was a goody-two-shoes. I liked how this book explored extreme religion, mental health, affairs, and kids misbehaving.
January 12, 2026
Family secrets, deceptions and lies revealed from the eyes of a nine-year old girl. Road To Malevolence is an intense read in the life of one family when the father's infidelity turns their lives upside down.
Nine-year-old Janet is a compelling character who is thrust into an adult world and responds to the situations in her life without understanding the ramifications of her actions, as how a child often does, leading to an ending not for the faint at heart.
This book was well written and hard to put down. Well done.
Nine-year-old Janet is a compelling character who is thrust into an adult world and responds to the situations in her life without understanding the ramifications of her actions, as how a child often does, leading to an ending not for the faint at heart.
This book was well written and hard to put down. Well done.
May 4, 2022
Wild!!
Janet stressed me out from the beginning to the very end! This story definitely took some unexpected twists and turns. My heart hurt for Janet and everything she was dealing with but the way she handled things was just crazy. I wish we had a bit more in the ending, I definitely feel like Yolanda knew what she did but I wish I could know for sure!
Janet stressed me out from the beginning to the very end! This story definitely took some unexpected twists and turns. My heart hurt for Janet and everything she was dealing with but the way she handled things was just crazy. I wish we had a bit more in the ending, I definitely feel like Yolanda knew what she did but I wish I could know for sure!
May 17, 2022
🥰🥰🥰🥰
I have to say I really did enjoy this read. That Janet was something else I was laughing and in shock of her scandalous ways. You can tell the author really spent a lot of time thinking about this character. I absolutely loved the story but the ending got me like😭😭😭😭😭 I need answers to the un answered questions #butleronbooksreview
I have to say I really did enjoy this read. That Janet was something else I was laughing and in shock of her scandalous ways. You can tell the author really spent a lot of time thinking about this character. I absolutely loved the story but the ending got me like😭😭😭😭😭 I need answers to the un answered questions #butleronbooksreview
July 9, 2026
What did I just read! This 9 year old was able to get away with things most adults could never. Given that this book took place in the late 80's also played a part in it. Reading from the POV of a 9 year old was wild because you never know what kids actually hear and understand.
I will say Janet and her inner monolog was hilarious even though she was doing things most 9 years would never. The events in this book started somewhat slow and just escalated so fast and the ending had me shook, I definitely sat with this book before reviewing it. Psychological thriller indeed!
I will say Janet and her inner monolog was hilarious even though she was doing things most 9 years would never. The events in this book started somewhat slow and just escalated so fast and the ending had me shook, I definitely sat with this book before reviewing it. Psychological thriller indeed!
October 21, 2026
This will be the first and last book I read by this author. That little girl did all that evil stuff to father and his side chick when her own mother moved on. She hurt that baby and they ending up having more kids. This wasn’t for me and I only finished the book because I picked it for bookclub.
September 23, 2022
Wow!
This was a gripping story. It is not a genre I typically read, but I couldn't put it down.
Road to malevolence should be a warning that often, what we do as adults has a damaging effect on children.
This was a gripping story. It is not a genre I typically read, but I couldn't put it down.
Road to malevolence should be a warning that often, what we do as adults has a damaging effect on children.
October 28, 2022
I loved this book. Samyra has a unique writing style that pulls you into the story visually and emotionally. I felt connected to the characters. This is a definite must read.
February 20, 2025
Unbelievable
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading this novel. It is hard to believe the protagonist is 9 years old! Well-written page turner!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading this novel. It is hard to believe the protagonist is 9 years old! Well-written page turner!
July 26, 2026
Whew! Janet stayed in grown folks business! Her daddy, LAWD, what a mess! I guess this is what happens when you try to shelter your kids too much. That rebel in her came out CRAZY!
May 19, 2022
wow!!!
Wow is all I can say! Janet was a crazy child like her momma smh 🤦🏾♀️ I loved every bit of this book Janet is funny. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a good read
Wow is all I can say! Janet was a crazy child like her momma smh 🤦🏾♀️ I loved every bit of this book Janet is funny. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a good read
May 7, 2022
wow! that ending!?!
I enjoyed this book so much. Even if you don’t enjoy African American Literature/Fiction, you should read it for the cultural references. Some of us are old enough to remember 1987 - and even the church politics in the more fundamental apostolic evangelical Christian churches of the day. Check it out!
I enjoyed this book so much. Even if you don’t enjoy African American Literature/Fiction, you should read it for the cultural references. Some of us are old enough to remember 1987 - and even the church politics in the more fundamental apostolic evangelical Christian churches of the day. Check it out!
July 30, 2022
This book was extremely well written. I felt that I personally knew the characters and felt all their emotions. The church scenes took me back to when I was a little girl and church lasted FOREVER! Janet had me stressed and I to jump through the pages often to snatch her up. Definitely a page turner!
August 23, 2022
Whewww this little girl 😂😂😂😂
I loved this book from beginning to end. It was an interesting choice to have the story told from her perspective, but it definitely worked. I laughed at times, cried at times, and was mad at other times. It definitely envoked feelings but that's a good thing. Excellent job Samyra.
I loved this book from beginning to end. It was an interesting choice to have the story told from her perspective, but it definitely worked. I laughed at times, cried at times, and was mad at other times. It definitely envoked feelings but that's a good thing. Excellent job Samyra.
July 14, 2026
4.5 -Samyra!!! Ma’am this was good. First read from this author and i recommend.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a favorite character. Janet, fmc, was the show. That little lady moved to the beat of her own drum. Yes she did some not so good stuff but on the other hand some stuff to me was justified. Maybe i need to get my head checked lol.
Every piece to a beautiful puzzle was in this story. I was fully tuned in and couldn’t wait to read what happened next. Let’s talk about how samyra showcased mental health. The mother already had something going on. However, hurting someone you claim to love in the way Tremaine went about it can cause a mental breakdown. I think samyra did a good job. I wish Yolanda and Tremaine really took accountability and understanding how this impacted his kids. So i don’t feel bad for what happened to them. I’m ready for book 2.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve had a favorite character. Janet, fmc, was the show. That little lady moved to the beat of her own drum. Yes she did some not so good stuff but on the other hand some stuff to me was justified. Maybe i need to get my head checked lol.
Every piece to a beautiful puzzle was in this story. I was fully tuned in and couldn’t wait to read what happened next. Let’s talk about how samyra showcased mental health. The mother already had something going on. However, hurting someone you claim to love in the way Tremaine went about it can cause a mental breakdown. I think samyra did a good job. I wish Yolanda and Tremaine really took accountability and understanding how this impacted his kids. So i don’t feel bad for what happened to them. I’m ready for book 2.
December 15, 2024
I DNF. Nope, it wasn't for me.
June 30, 2025
I've been seeing posts about this little bad ass girl and jokes about calling CPS on her so I went into this knowing our FMC Janet was going to be something. But ya'll when this little girl had the audacity, the nerve, the balls, to get up in front of the church congregation and gyrate like Salt n Pepa I about died. One part of me wanted to laugh my ass off the other knew damn well that there was NO way her God-Fearing Black Mama would have allowed such behavior especially in public.
I'm not even old school but you best believe one of mine would have been yoked up with the quickness.
This story follows Janet and her family. Lil bit is only 8/9 years old, and her daddy is an ain't shit man. Fake as hell. In Chapter one this man is trying to win the spot of assistant pastor and a few chapters later he has the nerve to have his side piece in his car with his daughter and threaten the little for not acting right.
This story and the setting gave me Spike Lee Crooklyn vibes. I really started to think that maybe Janet wasn't "bad" maybe she was just acting out. Her mama is a crazy bible thumper that screams about Jesus and uses prayer as a threat and well, you saw what I said about the daddy. Janet's brother annoyed me as well.
While he did have a few strong moments, at the end of the day he was super beta and tried to forgive the dad and just go with the flow. Nope, nah, not me, let my daddy disrespect my mama and our household like that he would have become public enemy number one.
Sorry I digress... As I was saying there were moments where I felt like Janet was misunderstood, acting out, and rebelling against being raised in a strict religious household.
But all empathy I had for that little heifer left my body. Once you read it, you will know why and I'm sure you will agree that she's the devil.
I'm not even old school but you best believe one of mine would have been yoked up with the quickness.
This story follows Janet and her family. Lil bit is only 8/9 years old, and her daddy is an ain't shit man. Fake as hell. In Chapter one this man is trying to win the spot of assistant pastor and a few chapters later he has the nerve to have his side piece in his car with his daughter and threaten the little for not acting right.
This story and the setting gave me Spike Lee Crooklyn vibes. I really started to think that maybe Janet wasn't "bad" maybe she was just acting out. Her mama is a crazy bible thumper that screams about Jesus and uses prayer as a threat and well, you saw what I said about the daddy. Janet's brother annoyed me as well.
While he did have a few strong moments, at the end of the day he was super beta and tried to forgive the dad and just go with the flow. Nope, nah, not me, let my daddy disrespect my mama and our household like that he would have become public enemy number one.
Sorry I digress... As I was saying there were moments where I felt like Janet was misunderstood, acting out, and rebelling against being raised in a strict religious household.
But all empathy I had for that little heifer left my body. Once you read it, you will know why and I'm sure you will agree that she's the devil.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews