Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seeds of Malice | 2024 | Maggie Cole | Buy |
| 2 | Thorns of Malice | 2024 | Maggie Cole | Buy |
| 3 | Thorns of Malice Special Edition: A Dark Billionaire Romance | 2024 | Maggie Cole | N/A |
The Wilted Kingdom Duet arrived in 2024 with Seeds of Malice and Thorns of Malice, plus a special edition of the latter. The botanical naming – seeds, thorns – signals something that grows under difficult conditions, which fits the dark romance territory Cole maps out here.
The duet format means the story is complete in two books, which makes it a contained read. Seeds of Malice sets up the dynamic and the threat, while Thorns of Malice carries it through to resolution. The special edition packaging of the second book suggests Cole’s readers responded well to the story.
Billionaire romance with dark elements is a well-established corner of the romance genre, and Cole works within its conventions while keeping the tension high. The Wilted Kingdom Duet is a good pick for readers already familiar with her darker output.