The Dread Descendant

The Dread Series, Book 1

By: Lauren Cate Leake

Narrated by: Sasha Higgins, Will M. Watt

"Maeve crossed the hall between them with confidence. In three short steps, she stood before his throne. A decaying skull broach appeared on his own breast pocket. The final piece of his Dread Mark. She and Abraxas were the mouth and the sword. He was Death incarnate."

Dark Magic comes at a cost, but Maeve Sinclair is willing to sacrifice more than just her Magic in exchange for freedom. She is the only witch with the ability to jump through minds. She and her magical world live in hiding on Earth, desperately waiting for the rise of the prophesied Dread Descendant. While praying for this Prince of Darkness to return them to their ancient home realm, the humans wage wars that threaten magic's very existence on Earth. When an unlikely friendship with Malachite Peur blossoms at the most prestigious magical academy in the world, the pair discovers that together they could be unstoppable.

©2023 Lauren Cate Leake (P)2025 Podium Audio

My first fantasy book to read

You definitely have a new fan in the fantasy series of books. Lauren Cate Leake is an exceptionally gifted writer, that brought the characters and the setting to life with vivid details and magical expressions. I was hesitant to read a book like this, but I’m so glad that I did and look forward to the next book in her series. So thankful that Lauren Cate’s book was brought to life on Audible, which is my choice method of reading and enjoying books. She is definitely an author that I will follow for years to come.

Need book 2 and 3 ASAP!

I have already read this book but thought it would be nice to listen back during car rides and BOY was I right! Listening had me notice things I hadn’t before when simply reading the book. Also, I do not say this lightly, hearing the Mal POV chapters in Will Watt’s voice changed my life for the better!

More, please and thank you

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance: 🩷🩷🩷🩷
Plot: 📖📖📖📖
Side Characters: 👯‍♂️👯‍♂️👯
Pacing: 🏎️🏎️🏎️.5
Ending: 🎬🎬🎬🎬
MC’s: 👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏼👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏼👫👫
Maeve Sinclair - Malachite Peur
Tropes:
Forbidden Love
Enemies to Lovers
Dark Academia
Morally grey MC’s
Oh man! The Harry Potter vibes. So good. As good? Come on. No. Obviously not but still very good. I will ABSOLUTELY read book 2!!!
Cons:
1. MC’s desires for power and adoration over desire for each other or advancing the world of magic
2. Side characters could be more engaging
3. Pacing could have been better and made this story gripping
4. She’s in a position to serve him and they’re both good with that
Pros:
1. Powerful MC’s
2. Forbidden Romance
3. Both MC’s are morally grey and on the same page with their mayhem

DNF

I really wanted to like this. It read like fanfic and that's not what I wanted to read. Sad i wasted a credit tbh. The cover art is 10/10.

very obviously Harry Potter fanfiction...

I know it was supposed to have HP vibes but like come on. it dragged so much. I really wanted to like it. it sounded amazing on Instagram but I just wanted to get though it.