ONCE A VILLAIN

Trapped in a world where monsters have subjugated humans, Joan Chang-Hunt and her friends desperately search for a way to fix the timeline in this third series entry following 2023’s Never a Hero.

When Eleanor reshaped the timeline, Joan managed to protect herself and a few others from being erased from existence. Joan, Ruth, Nick, Aaron, and Jamie emerge into a twisted version of London where, under the reign of Queen Eleanor, humans must give 50 years of their lives to monsters either in service or by shortening their lifespan to power monsters’ time-travelling ability. While chasing rumors of a human resistance group, Joan uncovers a chilling secret: Eleanor’s timeline is rapidly decaying, and once it’s sufficiently weakened, Eleanor will be able to assume control and establish it as the one true timeline. The narrative leans into the series’ overarching theme of fate versus choice by putting the characters in a position to witness versions of themselves in an alternate reality. Joan, who was previously established as having a Chinese human father and English monster mother, is again torn in loyalty and affection as she finds herself drawn to Nick, the hero with whom she shares an unbreakable bond, as well as Aaron, who has chosen to aid and protect her despite his monster family’s influence. A smoldering romance, gripping action sequences, and strategic plot twists will keep pages turning until the end.

An absorbing trilogy closer featuring high stakes and emotions.