Evelyn Speckleplum: The Monarch’s Inferno

By: D. Golden Conlin

Narrated by: D. Golden Conlin

They whisper her name . . . the Black-Veined Mistress.

No one knows where she came from. No one has seen her face. Only that wherever she passes, the air turns cold with fog, and blood-red poppies bloom—just before someone vanishes.

The signs are spreading. The owls have begun to circle. The monarch butterflies flutter away. And through the leaves, a rattling breath carries a name: Evelyn Speckleplum.

It’s been over a year since Evelyn returned from the Fey Realm. Her new life in an old Victorian foster home ought to feel like a fresh start. But one unexpected day, in the corner of a dusty dressing room mirror, she glimpses a flash of green—a curious creature from the Fey Realm, desperate for her help. Elm, her mentor, has been claimed by the Mistress. Evelyn has no choice but to return.

But now the realm is different. The rules are stricter, the challenges more rigorous and deadly . . . and not everything is as it seems.

Will Evelyn survive the lurking dangers, or will everything she knows and loves—fracture?

©2026 D. Golden Conlin (P)2026 D. Golden Conlin

Magical fantasy adventure

There’s something about returning to a magical world that feels a little like coming home—and that’s exactly how I felt picking up Evelyn Speckleplum: The Monarch’s Inferno by D. Golden Conlin. I was curious to see where Evelyn’s journey would take her next, and this installment definitely brings more danger, more mystery, and higher emotional stakes.

This story takes place some time after Evelyn’s first adventure in the Fey Realm. She’s back in the human world, trying to live a normal life in her Victorian foster home. Of course, “normal” doesn’t last very long. When a strange creature appears in her mirror with a desperate plea for help, Evelyn learns that her mentor Elm has been captured by a dark and terrifying figure known as the Black-Veined Mistress. Without much hesitation, Evelyn knows she has to return to the Fey Realm.

What I loved most about this book is how the world feels both magical and slightly unsettling at the same time. The Fey Realm is still full of wonder, but there’s a darker tone running underneath everything. It feels more dangerous this time around, which makes Evelyn’s journey feel even more intense.

Evelyn continues to be such a brave and determined character. She isn’t fearless—she questions herself and struggles with the weight of what she’s facing—but that actually made me like her even more. Watching her step back into a world she knows could hurt her, simply because someone she cares about needs help, made her feel like a truly strong heroine.

The adventure itself kept me engaged, with strange creatures, magical twists, and a growing sense that something powerful and sinister is at work behind the scenes. I also appreciated how the story expands the Fey Realm, giving readers a deeper look at its dangers and secrets.

Overall, this was a fun and atmospheric fantasy read that builds nicely on Evelyn’s story. It feels like her journey is getting bigger and more complicated, and I’m definitely curious to see what she’ll face next.

If you enjoy portal fantasies, magical realms, and brave young heroines, this one is worth the trip back into the Fey world