Thorns of Malice

Wilted Kingdom Duet #2

by Maggie Cole

For ten years she’s been under my skin and out of my grasp.

The last time I saw her, I decimated her and everything she valued.

Not a day passes that I don’t crave one more dose of her.

And Ivy Ford’s everything I remember.

Beautiful. Graceful. Seemingly innocent.

I wish that were the case.

There’s only one reason she’s reinserted herself into my life.

Revenge.

It’s nothing new in my world except for one thing.

Ivy learned from the best.

Me.

It’s clear there’s no longer anything naive about her.

She’s an uncontrollable stalk of poison spreading all over me.

Thorns of Malice is book two of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s begins continues in Book 1 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Seeds of Malice. See author website for trigger warnings.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Dark Romance, BDSM, Second Chance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Dark

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2024

About the author

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Maggie Cole is committed to bringing her readers alphalicious book boyfriends and fiercely strong heroines.

She’s been called the literary master of steamy romance. Her books are full of raw emotion, suspense, and will always keep you wanting more. She is a masterful storyteller of contemporary romance and loves writing about broken people who rise above the ashes. Her books can often be found hanging out in the top 100, even years after publication.

Maggie lives in Florida with her son. She loves tennis, yoga, paddleboarding, boating, other water activities, and everything naughty.

Her current series were written in the order below:
All In (Stand alones with entwined characters)
It's Complicated (Stand alones with entwined characters)
Together We Stand (Brooks Family Saga - read in order)
Behind Closed Doors (Read in order)
Mafia Wars
Mafia Wars New York
Club Indulgence Duet
Mafia Wars Ireland
Wilted Kingdom Duet
The Underworld
The Cartwright Family (Holiday Romance)

Reviews

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a page turner and a must read! I couldn’t get enough of Ivy and Dax. It’s ten years later and Ivy is out for revenge on Dax and those who did her wrong. Will she get it? What happens to her and her dad once they left Dax’s world. Trance definitely affected Ivy, but how? Wait til you find out!

Dax has never forgotten Ivy. It seems he still wants her even after all the bad that happened at the end of book one. When he sees her after ten years, it seems his mission is getting her back. That definitely seems to be a task. Ivy is definitely on a mission to right all the people who did her wrong. This includes Dax who she thinks had a hand in the video being leaked all those years ago. Wait til you find out who that really was! I’m just mind blown!

This book is full of shock, lies, secrets and deceit. Dax is trying to get a cure to slow down what Ivy has wrong with her. He is trying to prove to her he loves her and wants to be with her. Will he be able to do that? The chemistry between them is so hot and electric it’s off the charts. It’s a race for Dax to prove others did Ivy wrong, and he’s not to blame. He will go to any lengths to take them down. Even if it’s his family and best friend.

[Rachel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I love you. I always have. I always will. And I'll spend the rest of my life proving it to you if need be. I'm here when you need me. No matter what you want. Because all I want is you, Ivy. You're all I've ever wanted.”

Thorns of Malice is book two of the Wilted Kingdom duet. After the end of seeds of malice, I was very excited for how the book starts. Book 2 takes place 10 years after Ivy is kicked out of the Carrington estate; after a major life change she is looking for revenge on the people who have made her life miserable.

Dax is also looking for payback. For the last 10 years he was made to believe that he was betrayed not only by family, but by friends as well, and he will do anything to take them down. He wants justice for what was done to him and he has his own revenge in mind.

When Ivy comes back, it’s hard for Dax to resist, and all he wants to do is help her. But she is jaded from the past and doesn’t know who she can trust.

This read was much quicker for me than book one I think, because book one left me wanting more that’s why it was almost immediate that I read book two. Thank you Maggie so much but please remember to read your triggers as this one does have a lot of trigger warnings. Happy Reading!

[Laurenreadingrecs · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tropes:
🩷revenge
🖤bully romance
🩷second chance
🖤emotional scars
🩷enemies to lovers
🖤dual pov

Book 2 in the duet takes place 10 years after book 1 ended. This book is not a standalone and you must reed book 1 before reading this.

The FMC, IVY, has not succeeded in moving on. Ivy has returned to seek revenge not only for herself but for her father as well. She’s having trouble not only overcoming her trauma, but also figuring out exactly who she can actually trust.

Dax, the MMC, is seeking his own revenge and wants everyone to crash and burn. He wants a second chance with Ivy. He won’t let anyone get in the way. He’s pining and waiting while now Ivy is the one plotting.

I absolutely loved this book. I felt that Ivy n Dax had this immense connection. The author did a good job with all the twists n turns in the story so we knew not to trust anyone.. be suspicious of everyone n everything.

Thank you to the Author Agency for allowing me to read in advance. Please read TW before beginning these books.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorns of Malice is the epic ending to the Wilted Kingdom duet,and boy did it not disappoint! Its moved on 10 years from the finish of book 1 and Ivy is hellbent on getting revenge for her father...and truthfully for herself too. So much happened in the first book,that I wasn't sure how it would all turn out in the end of I was entirely honest,but I enjoyed every page. All along,Dax has had a plan against everyone who has wronged him,and he didn't stop until he did...but the biggest thing he needed back in his life...his very existence...Miss Ivy Ford...even though they both wanted the same end-game,the push and pull between the two of them was pure fire! In my opinion,this duet has been one of the best from this author,and I need more!

[Kolleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has absolutely blown me away. I feel like nothing I say can do this book justice. This is may favorite series from the author. This is the perfect conclusion to this story. It's angsty and spicy.

This is book 2, and it takes place 10 years later. Ivy (FMC) is out for revenge. What she doesn't expect is all her old feelings to resurface. Can she forgive, or will she take everyone down?

Dax has made a lot of changes in the 10 years. He never stopped loving Ivy and will do anything to get her back. But is it too late?

Check Triggers

[~lil maso~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Natalie for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner

10 years later and Ivy still hasn't forgotten Dax, still chasing the high that was Dax Carrington!
But hating him and wanting revenge after the sudden death of her father.

Ivy blames Dax, Bobby, and Avery for the death of her dad and goes into full-on revenge mode when she returns.

This story is full of twists and turns, everyone has secrets and the drama and sexual exploits heat up the pages.

What a way to finish a duet, I can't recommend these stories highly enough!

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
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[Ajla Obic · Rating 4 out of 5]

10 years after Ivy had her life ruined by the man she loved & trusted & was kicked off his estate, she is back to get her revenge on him & everyone else who helped him ruin her life. However, when she arrives back at Carrington estate she founds out that Dax also has a revenge plan & has already set it in motion…

Wow what a redemption arc!! I’m SO glad that the duet ended with a book that was this good because I really wasn’t a fan of the first book. A redemption arc was REALLY needed after everything that happened in the first book so I’m glad this storyline played out the way it did. This was very fast-paced & I found myself flying through it, however it is quite heavy & deals with some really heavy themes so please check TW’s before reading. All the little twists & turns & secrets that are exposed along the way had me gasping & on the edge of my seat. It was a crazy ride…

If there is anyone in the world that needed a redemption arc it was Dax Carrington. I absolutely hated this man in book 1 but the HUGE growth & improvement that this man went through had me rooting for him in book 2. He was so remorseful, & it was so obvious how deeply he regretted everything he did 10 years ago & that the blame of it all still kills him. Then you learn that he’s been working his ass off for the last decade trying to make up for all the shit he was involved in, even the things he wasn’t even responsible for. But everything he ever did was for ivy & so that she could one day hopefully forgive him🥹 I believe he went above & beyond to make up for his mistakes, & learnt a lot in the years him and Ivy were separated. His grovelling was fantastic & I absolutely loved the way he took control over taking down everyone FOR Ivy so that she wouldn’t potentially ruin/taint her own life by trying to ruin everyone else. As much as I wanted Ivy to get her revenge I’m glad Dax took it upon himself to do it & spare her, but also because he was clearly much more powerful than her & knew exactly how to play the game.

Ivy is finally the badass b*tch that she was born to be. She’s not naive anymore, however she is still kindhearted, & I loved that she owned her wild & risky side & didn’t see it as a shameful thing. The tension and chemistry between Dax & Ivy was almost tangible, & the spice was off the charts. They’re so explosive together💥

Great ending to the duet & a massive step up from the first book🙌🏼

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞: revenge romance, billionaire romance, redemption, dark bully romance, business rivals, enemies to lovers, second chance romance

I received an arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Jo Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the conclusion of the Wilted Kingdom duet. As the saying goes karma’s a bitch. DAX Carrington has loved Ivy Ford from the beginning but destroyed their love when jealousy and rage overtook his thinking. Ivy Ford had been drugged by Bobby and Avery and the side effects of that drug has made her a sex addict and she doesn’t care who or how she satisfies her addiction until she finds her father in the throes of a fatal heart attack while watching Avery and DAX tell the world they have created Seducing Ivy perfume, which Ivy discovers was actually her father’s creation. She then set out for revenge only to discover DAX is already set revenge in motion.
This is their story and a good one at that.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorns of Malice by Maggie Cole is book Two in the Wilted Kingdom Duet. This continues the story of Ivy Ford and Dax Carrington. Their story started in the previous book "Seeds of Malice". That book should be read before starting this one. This book picks up about 10 years later from the last one. We see how much Ivy has changed due to those that hurt her in book one. Dax has never forgotten Ivy and when she is back in his sites he wants her back. But Ivy is out to right the wrongs down to her and her dad. Enjoyed.

[Lammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed book 1 more than book 2. The sex addiction/drug and flower hybrid aspects of the story were interesting and unique 🤔.

Bobbi, Avery, Dyer, and now Cooper all got their due. The exception to this was Dax who bought his redemption. That being said the author made me like him in book 2 🤷. Nice ending 😁.

[Booze Boobs Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This right here was the conclusion I was waiting for! After completely devouring the first book, Seeds of Malice, I was on the edge of my seat - not only wanting but needing more from Dax and Ivy! A dark romance tale of revenge that will leave you feeling completely breathless. A rollercoaster ride full of emotions and feelings form every end of the spectrum. I absolutely loved the way this entire story came together!

[Victoria Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this duet the wilted KINGDOM and it This is the conclusion to Dax and Ivy's story. This book is just as dark as the first book and you must read book 1 first.
This is a dark romance, dual POV, enemies to lovers second chance romance that is a MUST READ.

This story has moved on 10 years and it seems for Ivy and Dax time means nothing when your he'll bent on payback.
Ivy is hell bent on getting revenge and she's going to get it no matter what.She has been through so much and after she was drugged its left her with lasting affects.
Dax has destroyed everything but he is on a mission himself.


There is alot of push and pull between these two and the chemistry is still mega hot even though times past. I've loved reading this duet between Ivy and Dax its been gripping and has held my attention all the way through. This story is intense has so many twists, and turns and shockers, secrets, lies and drama and will shock the pants off of the readers. This is real page turner and once you start book one you'll be hooked and ready for book 2. I always love the way this author writes and the plot flows throughout and the characters feel like real people.

Please check trigger warnings before you start this book.

[Joy Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶

Angst: 💔💔💔💔

Cliffhanger? ❌️

Do I recommend it? ✔️

Tropes: dark bully romance, enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance, opposites attract, opposite sides of the tracks

For ten years she’s been under Dax's skin and out of his grasp. The last time he saw her, he decimated her and everything she valued. Not a day passes that he doesn't crave one more dose of her. And Ivy Ford’s everything he remembers. Beautiful. Graceful. Seemingly innocent. He wished that were the case. There’s only one reason she’s reinserted herself into his life. Revenge. It’s nothing new in his world except for one thing. Ivy learned from the best. Dax. It’s clear there’s no longer anything naive about her. She’s an uncontrollable stalk of poison spreading all over him.

I am speechless! Upon finishing the first book, I questioned whether I should read the next book in the duet. I want to go back and slap myself for ever having that thought. This book went above and beyond everything I needed it to be. Maggie Cole weaved an incredible conclusion that was impossible to put down for any amount of time. Both Dax and Ivy grew and became who they needed to be. She has become one hell of a badass who is determined to get the revenge she sought. Prepare to read on the edge of your seat as you follow one twist after another. I highly recommend this read. This is my honest opinion, freely given.

[Cal D · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book 2 of a duet; cannot be read as a stand-alone!✨

It’s been 10 years and Ivy can’t move on from her past.

Revenge. That’s the name of the game now. She’s going to take them all down… Unless she can’t control her urges with Dax.

It’s hard to tell who to trust. There’s uncertainty and blurred lines and confusion; I felt anxious as this book unfolded; will she/he/they, won’t she/he/they? I was S U S P I C I O U S of EVERYONE!

THOUGHTS 💭
🖤 The tables have turned and now Dax is pining and “loving,” while Ivy is playing her own game.
🖤 The cunning, vicious characters from the first half of this duet are not nearly as sharp in this second half.
🖤 Dax’s redemption arc happened a bit too quickly for me; I didn’t trust it, because Maggie has hurt us before. 😂
🖤 All I can say… they got what was coming to them. 🙌

Thanks so much to Maggie Cole and Literally Tours PR for the ARC of this book!

🚨Please check your TWs before diving into this read.🚨

[Keza Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story. Thorns of Malice was actually so freaking good. Life went on pause while I read it today.

Ivy was used as a pawn by Dax 10 years ago. No longer the same naive girl she once was sets out to get revenge on not just Dax but his siblings and friend as well.

Dax isn't the same manipulative bastard he once was. He is lying in wait to get his own revenge. For Ivy!

I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. It was satisfying in the sense of knowing karma hits its target/s. Ivy was a flipping queen. She would no longer allow anyone control of her life anymore. Dax honestly surprised me. He redeemed himself 10 times over for me. Sweet thoughtful and caring and more.

Absolutely recommend reading this duet. 👌

[Megan Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

Thorns of Malice is the second installment of the Wilted Kingdom Series and takes place ten years after the end of Seeds of Malice. We were left with so many questions and so much anxiety at the end of book one that I absolutely had to read this book in one sitting!

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and boy, was the revenge absolutely satisfying! I loved how the love between the characters never truly died. I loved that through all the twists and turns of the story, the broken trust was rebuilt! The ending was wrapped up in a perfect little bow! So happy to see how their story ended!

Readers, please be cautious as this book contains dark themes. Please check all trigger warnings.

[Karon Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part two in the duet starts with a bang (a literal smexual one). I must admit I had a change of heart with Dax in this story, but unfortunately I had a change of heart with Ivy as well. As Dax improved, Ivy seemed to be more of a challenge. Now some of her issues were explained, but she still wasn't my favorite character. And, I must admit there was one phrase the author repeated soooo much I literally started to cringe when I read it. Wh0re red. No, just no. Thankfully there was a HEA finally, so yay!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rena Spensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I left the review of Seeds of Malice with a question. Will Ivy Ford get her revenge? For the answer you’ll need to read Thorns of Malice(see what I did there). I just don’t want to give away any spoilers.

Thorns of Malice takes place 10 years later. Ivy has grownup, not so naive but has a lot of anger and addiction issues. Dax is still Dax and is still manipulative but now uses it towards the people who hurt Ivy all those years ago. His love for her never went away, holding on to hope that maybe one day she can love him once again.

This is an epic conclusion of the duet. The character development is written so beautifully, so much that you’ll love Dax and Ivy and their story will live rent free in your head. Once again PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read the trigger warnings as some scenes might be unsettling for some.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Katherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good series. Book one was so shocking and unbelievable so I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Book two takes place 10 years later. Ivy has a lot of issues stemming from what happened back and Dax finally realizes that he needs to right his wrongs. Ivy is conflicted and understandably. I loved the back and forth banter between everyone and the crazy things they all said and did. No one knows what’s really going on and what is true or not. I felt book two was a little outrageous and over the top at times, but then again that is the world they live in. I am happy they got their HEA though and all wrongs have been righted.

[Laura Blakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the epic conclusion to this duet and it does not disappoint!
Dax and ivy’s relationship is push and pull throughout the book and she is his exsitence and his life.
Dax wants revenge for anyone that’s wronged him and boy does he get it!!
The dark romance bully theme is well handled in the book but if you have a triggers that you don’t like these are highlighted on the authors website.
This seamlessly links from the first book seeds of mailce and draws to an epic conclusion tying up all the loose ends!
Epic read for and page turner off a book x
One of my faves from Maggie Cole x

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to Seeds of Malice and takes place ten years in the future so it is important to read that book first. Ivy was a much stronger character in this story than in the first book and I loved that for her. I also loved the shift in Dax’s character as well. I won’t spoil anything, but I will say the ending was very satisfying.

[K Webz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorns Of Malice wraps up the Wilted Kingdom beautifully. It takes place 10 years after Seeds Of Malice and everyone who set out to destroy Ivy Ford needs to duck for cover because Dax is out to make them all fall.
Ivy returns to seek revenge not only for herself, but for her father and other victims. But she is experiencing left over trauma from what happened to her. She also does not know who she can trust.
Dax, who is aware of certain events from the past, has made it his mission to bring everyone down. Especially since Ivy is back and he will do what ever it takes to win her back. He has been empty since she left all those years ago.
So many twists thrown in that I did not expect. Loved the intense connection between Ivy and Dax that no amount of time erased.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorns of Malice is the continuation of the Wilted Kingdom Duet. It picks up where Seeds of Malice left off and boy what a ride of revenge that the FMC has set out on. The gullibility and naivete is gone but the seeking of taking advantage is not. Friendship is made, Karma comes full circle and the MMC is regretfully sorry for all that he has done. Some answers are explained, some not, but those elites will look pretty good in orange. This book is still just as magnetic and the spicy scenes are just as hot but we get a much calmer story that will satisfy all aspects of characters and bring a HEA that is much deserving.

I would like to Thank @Maggiecoleauthor and @theauthor.agency for an early copy and I voluntarily gave my honest review in return.

[Natalie Yanez · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! The conclusion of Dad and Ivy's story was so good! I couldn't put it down. Ivy got her revenge and it was great! I'm glad Dax helped her seek her revenge and everything he did for her. I felt so bad for her though when everything happened and she was trying to seek help for her addiction. Bobby, Avery, Professor Dryer and Cooper got what was coming to them. I'm reading for Maggie Cole's next duet.

[Greene Lau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Wilted Kingdom duet did not disappoint.

It’s 10 years later and Ivy wants revenge.

The characters matured and showed growth except for the “villains”, they deserve maximum jail time.

It was a perfect ending! I would’ve liked to know more about why John Ford did what he did and didn’t do but other than that it was 💯!

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb:
For ten years she’s been under my skin and out of my grasp.
The last time I saw her, I decimated her and everything she valued.
Not a day passes that I don’t crave one more dose of her.
And Ivy Ford’s everything I remember.
Beautiful. Graceful. Seemingly innocent.
I wish that were the case.
There’s only one reason she’s reinserted herself into my life.
It’s nothing new in my world except for one thing.
Ivy learned from the best.
Me.
It’s clear there’s no longer anything naive about her.

Thorns of Malice is book two of the Wilted Kingdom duet. It’s a dark college bully romance between the rich kid and the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Dax and Ivy’s story started in Book 1 of the Wilted Kingdom duet, Seeds of Malice and concludes in this second instalment.
An incredible read, 5 stars.

[Megan Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an ending!!!! Where Seeds of Malice gives us the spice and really shows us what Dax is about, Thorns of Malice really shows us who Ivy is meant to be! This book really gave us all the answers we wanted. Loved that Ivy got the revenge she was searching for and Dax was willing to stop at nothing to prove to Ivy he changed for her. Such a great duet!

[Maria Capparelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of Ivys growth in this book.

[Jennifer Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 10 years later, and there's a new game at play. Revenge.

Ivy is stronger, more confident, and has kissed her naivety goodbye. Dax has grown and matured; taken charge of his life in a whole new way.

The book started out strong, the "where are they now" and then the intrigue behind "what is Dax up to?" and "Ivy's either lost her mind or gone full baddie."

Then things changed. Revenge was still on the table, but the methods were a little more "tidy" than I anticipated, and a lot of what drove the story fell by the wayside. The stakes were high, but for different characters, which drove down my excitement level a bit.

[Sandra Aguilar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Romance at its finest! Dark (check), intense (check), hot (definitely check), drama (check), and did I say Intense? (Double check). Maggie Cole has out done herself with this duet. Dark bully romance with Seeds of Malice and now the 2nd book Thorns of Malice. I for one am not too big of a fan of dark bully romances, but I am obsess with Maggie Cole’s work. This book, this duet is the best I’ve read. And she has once again open my eyes to this type of trope. Loved it so much, I wish we can give it more than five stars. Maggie Cole this was one of the best yet.