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The Poison Daughter
Sheila Masterson
4.6
The Dread Descendant
by Lauren Cate Leake
Published Dec 12, 2023
About this book
Maeve Sinclair navigates the rigid social hierarchy of high-society magical academia with grace, content to master the nuances of Practical Magic. Her orderly existence unravels when Malachite Peur—the youngest Supreme in history and a man haunted by a rebellious, dark reputation—intervenes. He offers to mentor Maeve in the volatile art of Combative Magic, a proposition that promises to unlock her hidden potential but threatens to shatter her carefully curated life.
As Maeve is thrust into a world of clandestine training sessions and high-stakes magical duels, she discovers that her lineage harbors secrets far more dangerous than the whispers surrounding Malachite’s past. An ancient prophecy looms over them, pointing toward the emergence of a "Dread Descendant," a figure destined to alter the fabric of their society. Forced into an uneasy alliance, the pair must navigate a landscape where political ambition clashes with raw, forbidden power.
Amidst the tension of elegant ballroom galas and the lethal precision of the dueling floor, Maeve and Malachite find their fates inextricably tethered. When blood calls to blood, they must decide if their growing connection is the key to their survival or the catalyst for the destruction of everything they hold dear.
Available Formats
Kindle: $9.99 Kindle: $8.99
What readers are saying
Karla⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dread Descendent was an engaging read and a great pick for fans of dark academia and magical schools. It gave me some nostalgic Harry Potter vibes but with a moodier, more mature edge. I really enjoyed Maeve as a character and found myself invested in her journey and growth. There were a few spots where I wished for a bit more depth or detail, but it didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed the overall story. (I think I was just a glutton for MORE) I’m definitely curious to see where things go next in The Dread Prince. ["
July 1, 2025 Verified Purchase
Kat MillerVery Interesting Storyline
"I enjoyed this book, just not as much as I hoped I would after the hype it got on TikTok. The storyline was very interesting and I liked the aspect of the magic and how it is done. I did notice some similarities to Harry Potter while reading, which was okay, as I enjoyed the Harry Potter books. ["
August 28, 2025 Verified Purchase
Riah516 pages of perfection
"This book is so beautifully written with all of my favorite tropes. For starters, I’m obsessed with Anakin Skywalker, so the fact that the male lead is inspired by him only made this more delightful for me. Aspects of magic, darkness, family secrets, academic rivalry, and a slow burn = a delicious combination. I devoured this book entirely too fast and immediately bought the second book, which was even better somehow. This is one of those books that leaves you staring at the wall blankly because each plot line has so much attention to detail. I would love to see this adapted to screen, however nothing quite tops escaping into a book. I appreciate the author’s dedication to building each character thoughtfully, no matter how significant they may or may not be to the entire storyline. I love that the female lead, Maeve, is intelligent, competitive, strong, witty, and an overall enjoyable character. Don’t even get me started on Malachite, aka perfection. This series will easily go down as one of my all time favorites. ["
October 26, 2025 Verified Purchase
Rachael BThe storyline is intricate and compelling
"The Magicals are stranded on Earth after their land is ravaged by a blight. The prophecy foretells that the Dread Descendent will lead them back to their world. The story follows the FMC, Maeve, a witch from a wealthy, renowned pureblood family, and the MMC, Malachite, the most powerful magical orphan. They meet at an elite magical school and share an undeniable connection. The storyline is intricate and compelling, with twists that gave me all the feels! While there are a few editing issues that you’ll need to look past, once you’re immersed in the magical world, you’ll be completely captivated. I have so many questions after finishing this book, and I’m hoping some of them get answered in the next installment! My favorite character was Reeve. The banter between Maeve and Reeve was spot on, and I’m definitely hoping to read more about him in book 2! One of my favorite quotes: “It’s as though I’ve been suffocating and you are- The very air I need to breathe.” ["
November 14, 2025 Verified Purchase
