Quest: Mortal Path Book 4

Mortal Path #4

by Dakota Banks

The thrilling conclusion to the Mortal Path series.

Maliha Crayne, once bound by a demonic pact, now races against time to reassemble the Great Lens—an ancient artifact with the power to banish the demons threatening the progress of humanity. Facing deadly trials, fierce and powerful enemies, and haunting sacrifices, Maliha and her loyal team journey across the globe from volcanic peaks to the depths of the Underworld. As the final shards of the Lens fall into place, the fate of Maliha—and the Earth—hang in the balance.

Will Maliha balance the scales of her past and save the world from domination by ancient demons? Immerse yourself in a tale of myth, magic, and redemption where courage and sacrifice define the path forward.

Full of action, drama, suspense, and romance, Quest has it all.

Praise for the Mortal Path Series:

"The Mortal Path” is a novel to be savored for both its edge of suspense and the pure joy of its storytelling. Part immortal, all human, Maliha is a heroine who will leave readers breathless and craving more. Not to be missed!" (James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Arkangel)

"A breakneck ride through worlds visible and invisible - who knew the ancient Sumerians were this thrilling?" (Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of House on Fire)

"Readers who like their paranormal romantic suspense novels to feature nonstop action, twisting plots, and deadly heroines will devour Banks' clever and compelling Mortal Path series." (Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Kiss Her Goodbye)

"Dakota Banks is firing on all Cylinders!" (Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Medici Return)

"Fans of supernatural and dark fantasy will be intrigued by Maliha Crayne's quest to save her soul." ( Publishers Weekly )

Genres: Urban Fantasy

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 10, 2025

About the author

I have to believe that growing up in a converted turn-of-the-century funeral home, complete with blood gutters and a drain in the basement floor, warped my mind.

I set aside all those macabre thoughts spawned by reading books in the basement at night with a flashlight and undertook a relatively normal life. College, science fiction, husband, computers, Star Trek, mortgage, fantasy, Star Wars, kids, mysteries, writing, thrillers, horror, and cats. I'm not sure in which order all those things happened, but I haven't killed off enough gray cells yet that I've forgotten any of them. That brings me up to now, or at least the last decade.

I wrote short stories in high school and college, submitted them, and got rejection letters. I still have some of them. Writing was shelved while life ran amuck, and I came back to it in the 1990s. I published five books (the PJ Gray series), all hard-edged suspense thrillers dealing with virtual reality, written under my real name of Shirley Kennett. I enjoyed these books because they were my first taste of the writing life, not to mention that they brought in some money and put 500,000 published words under my belt.

I even wrote a middle-grade book about a native American boy and his horse, Honor's Journey, as D.B. Ayers. Fun times!

Something was missing, though, and it took me six books to find out what the missing piece was. Although my books were highly imaginative and extrapolated then-current trends in forensic science, computer simulation, and virtual reality, they didn't go far enough. I felt hemmed in by reality.

I needed to get back into the basement with a flashlight.

I took a deep breath and thought about what I really wanted to do with my writing career. I had an idea that had been playing around at the edge of my mind for a while, and I decided to see what I could make of it. Combining my love of archaeology with the freedom that comes from using mythological elements in a story, I came up with the basic concepts for the Mortal Path series. Developing that world and the characters who bring it to life has been tremendously rewarding for me, and I hope the books provide pleasurable reading for you.

I live on the western fringe of St. Louis, Missouri with my husband. Our two sons, one adopted from Peru and the other from Ethiopia, are well on their way to independent lives. My cats Squeaks and Snickers sometimes ghostwrite my books by walking on my keyboard. Good stuff, too, if you speak Cat.

I'm a member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, the Horror Writers Association, and Mystery Writers of America.

Reviews

[Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

tMortal Path series. Quest delivers everything I hoped for and more bringing Maliha Crayne’s long, brutal, and emotionally charged journey to a powerful close.
From the very first pages, the stakes are sky-high. Maliha, once bound by a demonic pact, is now racing against time to reassemble the Great Lens, an ancient artefact capable of banishing the demons threatening humanity itself. The story spans breathtaking locations from volcanic landscapes to the depths of the Underworld, and every setting feels vivid, dangerous, and steeped in myth.
What truly sets this book apart is Maliha herself. She is fierce, flawed, resilient, and deeply human despite her supernatural burdens. Her internal struggle balancing the weight of past choices with the cost of redemption adds real emotional depth to the nonstop action. The sacrifices made along the way feel earned, painful, and meaningful, and the loyalty of her team adds heart to the chaos.
Dakota Banks masterfully blends myth, magic, romance, and relentless suspense. The pacing is sharp, the trials are brutal, and the enemies are formidable. Every shard of the Great Lens brought a new layer of tension, and by the final act, I was completely unable to put the book down.
Quest is a thrilling, emotionally resonant finale that honours the entire series. Fans of supernatural fantasy, dark mythology, and strong heroines will find this deeply rewarding. Maliha Crayne’s story is one of courage, sacrifice, and redemption, and it’s a journey I won’t soon forget.

[Sabol]

Dakota Banks expertly interweaves urban fantasy with rich mythological elements, bringing ancient Sumerian magic and demonic lore to life with clarity and authenticity. Through this blend, the novel transcends conventional fantasy and delivers a world that is immersive, intellectually engaging, and dramatically satisfying a hallmark that Caxton Book Club consistently celebrates in our curated reviews.

[Marion M.Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quest: Mortal Path Book Four delivers an epic, heart stopping conclusion to the Mortal Path series, showcasing Dakota Banks’ remarkable ability to balance high stakes action with deep, emotional resonance. At Caxton Book Club, we were particularly impressed by how the story honors the journey of Maliha Crayne while building toward a finale that feels both inevitable and satisfying.

[Annemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The protagonist, Maliha Crayne, is a masterfully crafted character fierce, determined, and layered with complexity. Her centuries-long struggle, moral dilemmas, and unwavering commitment to protecting humanity create a heroine whose courage and vulnerability resonate profoundly. Caxton Book Club members noted that Maliha’s journey is not only thrilling but also emotionally cathartic.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action sequences are breathtaking and meticulously choreographed, particularly the martial-arts combat and supernatural battles. Each confrontation is high stakes and vividly described, immersing the reader in danger, strategy, and exhilaration. Caxton Book Club was especially impressed by how these scenes enhance, rather than overshadow, character development.

[P. McMann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pacing is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Dakota Banks maintains relentless momentum while allowing space for introspection and emotional depth. Caxton Book Club highlighted how these moments of quiet reflection balance the narrative, giving readers the opportunity to connect deeply with the characters’ motivations, fears, and triumphs.

[Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world-building is rich and immersive, from volcanic peaks to the shadowy depths of the Underworld. Each location is carefully designed, serving not only as a backdrop for action but also as a reflection of the narrative’s emotional and thematic stakes. Caxton Book Club readers felt transported into a world that is vivid, cinematic, and full of texture.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes of redemption, loyalty, sacrifice, and balance are intricately woven throughout the story, offering layers of meaning that resonate beyond the page. Dakota Banks’ exploration of moral and emotional consequences is both thoughtful and compelling, earning high praise from Caxton Book Club for its narrative sophistication.

[Madascores Lilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Book Of the year

[Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watching Maliha race to reassemble the Great Lens while knowing her past pact could destroy everything was brutal in the best way. This book made every decision feel heavy, like there was no clean way out.

[Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning conclusion to the Mortal Path series. Maliha Crayne is one of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in years, flawed, fierce, and unforgettable. Quest delivers nonstop action, emotional depth, and a finale that truly honors the journey.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Underworld chapters were genuinely unsettling. Not flashy scary, slow, creeping dread that made me uneasy while reading.

[Mark Whitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were moments where I genuinely didn’t know if Maliha was going to survive her own choices, let alone save the world.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed Maliha through every book, and this finale felt true to her character, strong, stubborn, and deeply human despite everything she’s become.

[Tamara Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The trials to recover each shard of the Great Lens were intense and varied. None of them felt like filler, which I really appreciated.

[Sarah Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The demons in this book felt ancient and calculating, not just violent. Their threat to humanity felt real and long-term.

[Elsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sacrifices in this book hurt. Not shock-value hurt, but slow, emotional pain that stayed with me after I finished.

[Yasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maliha’s struggle with her demonic pact is what carried this finale for me. The external battles were huge, but her internal fight was even bigger.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how global this book felt. From volcanic landscapes to the depths of the Underworld, the journey never felt repetitive or small.

[Engelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This didn’t give Maliha an easy redemption, and I’m so glad. She had to face what she’d done and who she’d become, and that made the ending hit harder.

[Synder Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most exciting fantasy heroes I've encountered in years

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dakota banks delivers nonstop thrills and unforgettable characters

[Randall Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This finale respects the reader. It doesn’t over-explain or soften the consequences, it trusts you to sit with them.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The volcanic settings were vivid and intense. I could almost feel the heat and danger through the pages.

[Alaric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quest feels like the natural end of a long, dangerous road. You can feel the weight of every previous book in this one.