Plot Summary
Apocalypse Broadcast Begins
The story opens with a tongue-in-cheek video broadcast from Remi and Asher, two supernatural allies, as they document the chaos of the apocalypse: fire in the sky, earthquakes, and the gathering of supernatural factions. Their banter masks the urgency and fear as they call for help, revealing the world is unraveling and only a coalition of the most powerful beings—wolves, fae, vampires, and gods—might stand a chance. The tone is darkly comedic, but the stakes are clear: the end is coming, and only unity and hope can resist the encroaching darkness.
Lilith's Desperate Escape
Lilith, ancient and cunning, narrowly escapes Lucifer's clutches with the help of her fae companion, Drystan, who reveals a hidden power to suspend time. Their flight is desperate, as Lilith must avoid leading Lucifer to Merri, the story's true target. Using her demonic mark, she teleports to Rosie, a marked ally, and demands an audience with Asher and the resistance. The tension is palpable—Lilith's presence signals that the rules have changed, and the apocalypse is no longer a distant threat but an immediate crisis.
Gathering the Resistance
Lilith confronts the resistance leaders—Asher, Remi, Hades, and others—revealing that Lucifer seeks Merri not just to end the world, but to conceive the antichrist. The group's knowledge is fragmented, and Lilith's revelations about succubus bonds, ancient bloodlines, and the true nature of the apocalypse force everyone to reconsider their roles. The urgency to protect Merri and outmaneuver Lucifer becomes the group's unifying mission, even as old rivalries and mistrust simmer beneath the surface.
Succubus Hunger Unleashed
Merri, a succubus with a hidden heritage, is overtaken by a ravenous, supernatural hunger. Her four protectors—the Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Malice, Sin, Chaos, and Grim—are drawn to her, compelled to satisfy her need or risk her death. The ensuing scene is both erotic and desperate, as Merri's hunger is revealed to be tied to her Famine lineage, threatening to consume her and those around her. The Horsemen must balance their own desires, fears, and the growing bond with Merri as they struggle to keep her alive.
The Horsemen's Dilemma
The Horsemen, each with their own emotional scars and secrets, debate the implications of their connection to Merri. They realize that their bond is not just physical but magical, and that Merri's survival—and the fate of the world—depends on their willingness to embrace their roles as her mates. The group's dynamic is fraught with jealousy, longing, and the looming threat of apocalypse, as they grapple with the possibility that their love for Merri may be both their salvation and their undoing.
Dreamwalks and Dangerous Bonds
Merri's ability to dreamwalk—entering the dreams of others—becomes both a tool and a danger. Through dream encounters, she deepens her bonds with each Horseman, exploring their vulnerabilities and desires. But these dreamwalks also risk strengthening the magical ties that could enslave them all, echoing ancient warnings about succubus magic. Meanwhile, Lucifer begins to infiltrate Merri's dreams, seeking to seduce and manipulate her from within, raising the stakes for both her heart and her soul.
The Truth About Merri
The resistance uncovers the truth of Merri's heritage: she is the daughter of Famine, one of the Horsewomen, and a direct descendant of Eve, making her the only vessel capable of bearing Lucifer's antichrist. The Horsemen confess their mission—to impregnate Merri before Lucifer can—and the emotional fallout is devastating. Merri must choose between her autonomy and the fate of the world, wrestling with the knowledge that her body is a battleground for cosmic forces.
Lucifer's Obsession Revealed
Lucifer's obsession with Merri is rooted in ancient history, his desire to possess her echoing his fixation on Eve. As the apocalypse accelerates—volcanoes erupt, the sky burns, and the world's barriers collapse—Lucifer manipulates his Princes and the Horsewomen, seeking to gather power and allies. His ability to infiltrate dreams and twist reality makes him a nearly unstoppable adversary, and the resistance realizes that time is running out to thwart his plan.
The Battle for Control
The magical wards protecting the Horsemen's sanctuary are breached, first by desperate humans and then by demons using human bodies as Trojan horses. The group is forced into brutal combat, revealing the full extent of their powers—and Merri's. In a moment of crisis, Merri unleashes her Famine-born ability to steal souls, saving her allies but horrifying herself. The cost of survival becomes clear: to win, they must embrace the darkness within themselves.
The World Burns
As the sixth Prince is released, the world's destruction accelerates: oceans turn to acid, the Great Barrier Reef dies, and the supernatural community is pushed to the brink. The resistance, now a makeshift army of shifters, fae, vampires, and gods, struggles to maintain order and hope. The formation of a new supernatural council—the Hades Society—offers a glimmer of unity, but the threat of betrayal and the overwhelming power of Lucifer loom ever larger.
Allies and Armies Assemble
Lilith, Hades, and other leaders gather the supernatural factions, forging uneasy alliances and planning for the final battle. Through magical means and dreamwalks, they attempt to contact the Horsemen and Merri, seeking to coordinate their efforts. The council's debates are fraught with old grudges, power plays, and the ever-present risk that Lucifer's agents are already among them. The fate of the world hangs on the ability of these disparate forces to trust one another.
The Wards Are Breached
Despite their best efforts, the Horsemen's sanctuary is invaded by a horde of humans and demons. In a harrowing battle, Merri's powers reach new heights—and new horrors—as she drains the souls of her enemies to protect her found family. The aftermath leaves the group shaken, questioning the morality of their actions and the true nature of the bonds that tie them together. The line between hero and monster blurs as survival demands ever greater sacrifices.
Merri's Power Awakens
Merri's awakening as a true Horsewoman—her horns, her soul-stealing, her command of hunger—marks a turning point. The Horsemen, awed and afraid, must confront the reality that Merri is no longer just a victim or a lover, but a force of nature in her own right. Her power is both their greatest weapon and their greatest liability, and the group must decide whether to embrace or fear the woman at the center of their world.
Demons at the Gate
The aftermath of the battle brings no respite, as lust demons rise from the corpses of the fallen, each more dangerous and seductive than the last. The Horsemen and Merri fight side by side, their bonds tested by temptation, violence, and the ever-present threat of Lucifer's influence. The cost of victory grows higher, and the group is forced to confront the reality that they may not all survive the coming storm.
The Cost of Survival
In the quiet after the storm, the Horsemen and Merri grapple with the emotional fallout of their actions. Confessions of love, jealousy, and fear threaten to tear them apart even as the world demands their unity. Merri, wracked with guilt and doubt, questions whether she can bear the burden placed upon her. The group's silence and denial in the face of her vulnerability set the stage for a devastating betrayal.
Love, Mates, and Denial
Merri, believing she has found her soulmates, confesses her realization to the Horsemen—only to be met with denial and silence. Grim, the most wounded and stubborn, rejects the possibility of happiness, and the others' hesitation shatters Merri's heart. Feeling used and abandoned, she resolves to leave, seeking freedom and self-determination even as the world crumbles around her.
Betrayal and Escape
With the help of Christian, Merri escapes the sanctuary, using magic to flee to the only friend she believes she can trust. The Horsemen, realizing too late what they have lost, are left to confront their own failings and the consequences of their denial. The bonds that once held them together are broken, and the resistance's greatest hope is now in the hands of the enemy.
Lucifer's Triumph
Merri, seeking refuge, unknowingly walks into Lucifer's trap. Disguised as her friend Cole, Lucifer welcomes her with open arms, finally bringing his obsession full circle. The resistance is fractured, the world is burning, and the apocalypse is all but assured. As the story closes, the fate of Merri, the Horsemen, and humanity itself hangs in the balance, awaiting the final confrontation between love and malice.
Characters
Merri (Meredith Deveraux)
Merri is a succubus with a hidden heritage: the daughter of Famine, one of the Horsewomen, and a direct descendant of Eve. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with her supernatural hunger, the burden of being the only vessel capable of bearing Lucifer's antichrist, and the emotional turmoil of being both desired and used by those around her. Merri's relationships with the Horsemen are complex—she is their lover, their charge, and ultimately their equal. Her power grows from passive to terrifyingly active, culminating in her ability to steal souls and command hunger itself. Psychologically, Merri is torn between her longing for love and autonomy and the crushing weight of destiny. Her arc is one of agency: from pawn to player, from victim to force of nature.
Malice (Pestilence)
Malice is the Horseman of Pestilence, a man marked by centuries of emotional repression and guilt, especially regarding his estranged son. He is logical, cold, and fiercely protective, but beneath his exterior lies a deep yearning for connection and redemption. His relationship with Merri is fraught with tension—he is both her teacher and her would-be mate, struggling to reconcile his duty with his desire. Malice's arc is one of thawing: learning to accept love, vulnerability, and the possibility of happiness, even as he fears it will be taken from him.
Sin (Famine)
Sin, the Horseman of Famine, is an incubus rockstar whose humor and bravado mask deep insecurities and a fear of abandonment. He is the most emotionally open of the Horsemen, quick to confess love and eager to please, but haunted by the knowledge that his power can be both a gift and a curse. Sin's connection to Merri is intense and immediate, rooted in shared hunger and the need to be needed. His arc is one of growth: from self-indulgence to self-sacrifice, from playboy to partner.
Chaos (War)
Chaos, the Horseman of War, is a former Spartan whose identity is built on strength, control, and loyalty. He is the most physically imposing and the most emotionally volatile, prone to jealousy and possessiveness. Chaos's relationship with Merri is marked by a desire to protect and possess, but also by a fear of being unworthy or left behind. His arc is one of humility: learning to share, to trust, and to accept love without domination.
Grim (Death)
Grim, the Horseman of Death, is the most enigmatic and tragic of the group. Unable to touch without killing, he is isolated by his own power and past failures. His connection to Merri is both a miracle and a torment—she is the first person he can touch (through her magic), and the first to make him hope for more. Grim's arc is one of acceptance: facing his fear of happiness, his belief in his own unworthiness, and the possibility that even Death can be loved.
Lilith
Lilith is a demon queen, Merri's mentor, and a master of secrets. She is pragmatic, ruthless, and fiercely protective of her own, but her motives are always layered. Lilith's relationship to Merri is maternal but also transactional—she marks, manipulates, and ultimately tries to save her. Psychologically, Lilith is driven by survival and the need to control chaos, but her affection for Merri reveals a softer side.
Lucifer
Lucifer is the Prince of Darkness, the architect of the apocalypse, and Merri's would-be lover and captor. His obsession with Merri is both personal and cosmic, rooted in ancient history and the desire to create the antichrist. Lucifer is charming, manipulative, and terrifyingly powerful, able to infiltrate dreams and twist reality. His psychological profile is that of a narcissist: unable to accept rejection, driven by the need to possess and destroy.
Christian
Christian is the human groundskeeper and mage who aids the Horsemen and Merri. He is resourceful, kind, and quietly powerful, providing both practical support and emotional comfort. Christian's loyalty is tested as he becomes Merri's accomplice in her escape, risking his own safety for her autonomy.
Asher
Asher is a leader among the resistance, a hacker, and a mate to Rosie. He is pragmatic, compassionate, and often the voice of reason, helping to unite the supernatural factions. Asher's role is that of the everyman elevated to hero, bridging the gap between humanity and the divine.
Rosie
Rosie is a supernatural queen, marked by Lilith and mated to Asher and others. She is nurturing, diplomatic, and fiercely protective, serving as both a symbol of hope and a practical leader in the resistance. Rosie's presence grounds the group, reminding them of what is at stake and what is worth fighting for.
Plot Devices
Apocalypse as Catalyst
The looming apocalypse is not just a backdrop but the engine of the plot, driving characters together, exposing secrets, and demanding impossible choices. It accelerates relationships, heightens emotions, and strips away the illusion of safety, forcing every character to confront their true nature.
Succubus Bonding and Dreamwalking
Merri's ability to bond through sex and dreamwalking is both her greatest strength and her greatest danger. These powers create deep, magical connections with the Horsemen, but also risk enslaving them or opening her to Lucifer's influence. The dream realm becomes a battleground for control, intimacy, and manipulation, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
Found Family and Polyamory
The central romance is not a traditional pair but a polyamorous bond between Merri and the four Horsemen. Their journey from distrust and rivalry to unity and love mirrors the larger theme of disparate factions coming together to resist evil. The found family trope is subverted by the supernatural stakes: love is not just personal, but world-saving.
Foreshadowing and Prophecy
The story is laced with prophecies, ancient books, and the revelation of Merri's unique heritage. These elements foreshadow the true stakes and the inevitability of confrontation with Lucifer. The use of Eve's bloodline, the Book of Lilith, and the recurring motif of destiny versus choice deepen the narrative's mythic resonance.
Moral Ambiguity and Survival
The resistance is forced to embrace darkness—soul-stealing, violence, manipulation—in order to survive. The line between good and evil blurs, raising questions about what is justified in the face of extinction. The characters' willingness to do whatever it takes is both their strength and their greatest risk.
Council and Coalition Building
The formation of the Hades Society and the gathering of supernatural armies highlight the necessity—and difficulty—of unity in the face of existential threat. Old grudges, power struggles, and mistrust threaten to undermine the coalition, mirroring the personal struggles of the main characters.
Betrayal and Escape
Merri's decision to leave the Horsemen is both an act of self-preservation and a tragic rupture. The use of magical escape, aided by Christian, underscores the theme of agency: even in a world of destiny and manipulation, choice matters. But her escape also sets the stage for the final confrontation with Lucifer, who is always one step ahead.
Analysis
is a dark, sensual, and emotionally charged reimagining of the apocalypse as both a cosmic and deeply personal crisis. At its heart, the novel explores the tension between destiny and agency, love and survival, and the cost of hope in a world on the brink. The polyamorous romance between Merri and the Horsemen is not just titillating but thematically resonant: unity, vulnerability, and the willingness to embrace the "other" are the only antidotes to destruction. The book interrogates the nature of power—sexual, magical, and political—and the ways it can both liberate and enslave. Merri's journey from pawn to player, from object of desire to wielder of terrifying power, is a metaphor for reclaiming agency in a world that seeks to define and use her. The resistance's struggle to unite mirrors the personal struggles of the main characters: only by embracing their flaws, their darkness, and their capacity for love can they hope to survive. The novel's use of humor, banter, and found family softens its bleakest moments, offering a vision of hope that is hard-won and never guaranteed. Ultimately, Malice
asks: What are we willing to become to save what we love? And can love, in all its messy, complicated forms, truly be the force that resists the end of the world?
Last updated:
Review Summary
Malice by Meg Anne and K. Loraine receives an overall rating of 4.55 out of 5. Readers praise the multi-cast audiobook narration as exceptional, highlighting the full-cast duet style performance. The book features high spice levels with breeding kink content and multiple POVs in this reverse harem paranormal romance. While some find the plot repetitive with excessive focus on relationships over story progression, most celebrate the character development, especially Malice and Grim. The cliffhanger ending leaves readers desperate for the next installment, though some critique the juvenile reactions of protagonist Merri and find certain characters interchangeable.
