Evil Lurks Beneath

by Jennifer Anne Davis

Upon a deathbed, a secret is whispered-breathing life into a long dormant evil.

Mabel finds herself locked in the kingdom's legendary dungeon-not for a crime she committed, but simply for existing. When she manages to escape, she comes face-to-face with the man sent to kill her, righting a wrong committed twenty-one years ago.

When Declan discovers something from his father's past, he realizes it has the power to destroy the kingdom of Valdis. As the Crown Prince, he has an obligation to protect his people. Suddenly torn between duty, family, love, and loyalty, he must decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for what is right.

Brielle has always enjoyed living a quiet life at home with her books, despite being the daughter of the duke of Miervades. However, when the king and prince arrive unexpectedly at her father's doorstep demanding back taxes, a bargain is made, leaving her as the insurance. Finding herself engaged to the Crown Prince Declan, Brielle is thrust into a world she knows little about.

One kingdom. Three people. And a secret big enough to destroy it all.

Genres: Fantasy

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 6, 2022

About the author

Jennifer Anne Davis is the bestselling, award-winning author of YA fantasy and NA paranormal romance. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She lives in the San Diego area with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their rambunctious, spoiled GSP.

Her three adult children are in college and graduate school. When she’s not writing, Jennifer can be found reading, crocheting, or baking sourdough bread.

Jennifer has always loved writing stories where the stakes are high and the tension is even higher.

Awards:
Cage of Deceit: Winner 2018 Kindle Book Awards
The Key: Finalist 2014 USA Book Awards
The Voice: Finalist 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
The Voice: Winner 2013 San Diego Book Awards

Visit Jennifer at:
www.JenniferAnneDavis.com

Reviews

[Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Favorite Characters Die:
*Suddenly💫A Wedding💫*
😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑😑

Me: *Contemplates throwing book out window* 😡

[Leah Alvord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who do you root for? Who do you actually want to win?

That's the question when you start this book. Because there's no "evil for the sake of being evil" here. Each character is a complex creature with their own motives, opportunities, and penchant for poor decision making. People you thought were all bad may/not have excellent motives. Those you pegged for the hero/ine early on may prove you wrong by the end. And then there are the twists you didn't see coming.

This was a book that could easily have gone the route of a series, but instead leaves you with an ending you can fully embrace. Enjoy the standalone! There are so few in the realm of fantasy, and that makes it a particular joy.

[Aidan Zeissler · Rating 3 out of 5]

While overall a decent read, I feel that this book wasn’t fully flushed out. From the World Building to the characters themselves, we don’t really see any detail other then the basics. For the characters, we learn contradictory info about the already few details we have about them. World Building we kinda learn about the realm, but I’ve been left with more questions then answers. Additionally, the book can’t decide on what it wants it’s main plot to be, it shuffles about from 3 possibilities, covering them all, but not in enough detail to make them the main arc of the story.

[Carol Edholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of 5 kingdoms joined together hundreds of years ago through a most unusual manner. Can this bond be broken? Who are the two “outsiders”? Are they royal? But the mysteries go even deeper. Come along on this mystery and discover the deep, dark, surprising secrets.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really into this story. Lots of intrigue. Trying to bring it all together and guess where it’s going. But then the end was weird and kind of sudden. Not sure how I felt about Mabel’s destiny.

[Jessica Pool · Rating 5 out of 5]

good but rushed

I love this author but I do feel like this book was rushed a bit! I hope she will expand on it at some point