God of Malice Summary, Characters and Themes
God of Malice by Rina Kent is a dark romance that dives headfirst into the twisted psyches of two emotionally scarred individuals: Glyndon King and Killian Carson.
Set between the elite and eerie atmospheres of Royal Elite University and The King’s U, the book explores obsession, trauma, and the razor-thin line between fear and desire. Rina Kent doesn’t shy away from the gritty or the morally complex—this is a romance drenched in shadows, where love feels more like war and salvation wears the mask of a predator. It’s not for the faint-hearted—but it’s riveting for those who crave psychological depth and emotional chaos.
Summary
Glyndon King is no stranger to pain.
Still reeling from the suicide of her close friend Devlin, she seeks solitude and answers on the cliffs of Brighton Island. But what she finds instead is Killian Carson—a chilling, magnetic presence from the rival school across the island, The King’s U.
Their first encounter is anything but romantic: he saves her from falling off the cliff, only to manipulate her emotionally, turning her vulnerability into a twisted power play. From that moment on, Killian is fixated on her, and Glyndon is left both terrified and enthralled.
Back at Royal Elite University, Glyndon struggles to hide her trauma from her family and friends. Her twin brothers, especially Brandon, sense that something is off. Her artwork begins to reflect her inner torment—dark, raw, and unsettling.
As the new semester starts, she tries to distract herself with friends and the arrival of a new girl, Annika.
But Glyndon’s internal world unravels as she starts receiving anonymous messages—taunts from someone who knows exactly what happened on that cliff.
That someone, of course, is Killian. From his perspective, Glyndon is a puzzle he’s determined to unravel—and own.
When Glyndon is lured into a sinister event called the Heathens’ initiation, she becomes prey in a literal hunting game, only to find Killian waiting for her at the end.
Instead of helping her escape, he continues to manipulate her fear and fascination. Their encounters grow more intense, teetering between psychological warfare and erotic obsession.
Despite everything, Glyndon can’t pull away. She taunts him online, tests his boundaries, and pushes back, sparking Killian’s possessiveness into a dangerous frenzy. He marks her publicly, sending shockwaves through her social circle and triggering conflict with her fiercely protective brothers.
As their physical relationship escalates, so does the emotional chaos—Killian’s darker sides are exposed, especially in a violent altercation with his own brother Gareth, hinting at deep familial trauma.
The tension explodes when Glyndon discovers a horrifying video suggesting Killian played a role in Devlin’s death.
Devastated, she runs, only for Killian to stalk and abduct her, bringing her to meet his powerful and emotionally distant father.
The confrontation reveals the root of Killian’s fractured soul—raised in a cold, controlling environment, he’s learned to survive through dominance and detachment. But Glyndon’s presence chips away at that armor.
Back home, Glyndon has a cathartic conversation with her mother that helps her regain emotional clarity.
Killian, too, has a breakthrough with his mother, revealing cracks in his stone façade. In a defining moment, Glyndon stands up to her brother Landon and reclaims control over her life. She and Killian reunite—not as captor and captive, but as two broken people choosing each other.
The book ends with two epilogues that show how far they’ve come. In Glyndon’s, three months later, she’s fully immersed in their obsessive relationship—safe, desired, and entirely claimed by Killian.
In his epilogue, two years later, Killian reflects on how Glyndon transformed him.
He’s still dark, still possessive, but now capable of love and loyalty. His promise is hauntingly romantic: he’ll never let her go, not even in death.
Characters
Glyndon King
Glyndon is a complex protagonist whose emotional journey revolves around trauma, vulnerability, and growing emotional independence.
At the start of the book, she is grieving the suicide of her friend, Devlin, and struggling with deep emotional wounds. Her encounter with Killian serves as a catalyst for her internal conflict—caught between fear and an inexplicable attraction to him. Glyndon’s emotional growth is evident throughout the novel as she learns to confront her fears, assert her autonomy, and come to terms with her own desires.
She shifts from a victim of manipulation to a more self-aware individual, able to see the complexity in Killian’s behavior. This growth is particularly notable in her interactions with her family and Killian, where she begins to carve out a sense of agency in her life, despite the dark circumstances that surround her.
Killian Carson
Killian is a dark and brooding figure whose actions are fueled by a mixture of obsessive love, emotional trauma, and a desire for control. From the outset, he is portrayed as a cold, calculating figure who thrives on power dynamics and manipulation, viewing relationships as games to be won.
His obsession with Glyndon evolves over the course of the story, with his desire for control becoming increasingly apparent in both emotional and physical dimensions.
While his actions are undeniably toxic, Kent subtly humanizes him, revealing his own vulnerability, especially in the epilogues. His relationship with Glyndon is built on a mixture of manipulation and genuine attachment, creating a complex dynamic where dominance, obsession, and love become indistinguishable.
Throughout the novel, Killian’s journey reveals his internal struggle between maintaining control and allowing himself to experience real emotional connection.
Brandon King
Brandon, Glyndon’s twin brother, serves as a contrasting figure to Killian. He is more emotionally attuned to Glyndon’s needs, offering her support and empathy.
He notices the subtle signs of her trauma and is one of the few people who seems to recognize that something is wrong with Glyndon’s relationship with Killian.
His character highlights the theme of familial love and protection, and while he does not understand the full complexity of Glyndon and Killian’s bond, he represents the more traditional idea of safety and concern for loved ones.
His interactions with Glyndon underscore her emotional isolation, as she begins to pull away from her family, driven by her own complicated emotions.
Landon King
Landon, Glyndon’s other brother, represents a more controlling and domineering figure within her family.
Unlike Brandon, Landon often exerts a sense of authority over Glyndon, especially when he perceives that she is in a dangerous or toxic relationship. His role in the narrative is pivotal in illustrating the dynamics of familial control and protection, but it also highlights the tension between Glyndon’s desire for independence and the pressure she faces from her family.
His confrontational approach with Killian further deepens the conflict between the characters, as Glyndon is forced to choose between her family’s expectations and her own desires.
Annika
Annika is a new addition to Glyndon’s circle of friends, offering a fresh perspective in the narrative. As an American ballerina, she represents a link to the outside world, contrasting with the insular and tense environment of Royal Elite University.
While she is not as deeply involved in the emotional core of the story as Glyndon or Killian, Annika’s presence helps to illuminate Glyndon’s internal struggles. She serves as a subtle reminder of the life Glyndon could have had, one that is free from the chaos and emotional manipulation that defines her relationship with Killian.
Annika’s role emphasizes the theme of independence and the possibility of escape from toxic dynamics.
Gareth Carson
Gareth, Killian’s brother, plays a crucial role in deepening the tension within the Carson family. He represents the more rebellious, chaotic element in Killian’s life, often taunting him and challenging his authority.
Gareth’s interaction with Glyndon, particularly when he dares to touch her, sparks one of the most intense moments in the story, revealing Killian’s deep-seated anger and possessiveness. His relationship with Killian is one of competition and bitterness, and through his character, the novel explores themes of family dysfunction and unresolved trauma.
Gareth’s provocations lead to moments of violence and emotional reckoning, particularly for Killian, whose actions reveal the depths of his emotional turmoil.
Asher Carson
Asher, Killian’s father, represents the authoritarian figure who embodies power and control.
His interactions with Killian are tense, filled with unspoken resentments and expectations. Asher’s cold demeanor and lack of emotional connection with his son contribute to Killian’s need for approval and his subsequent obsessive behavior.
The father-son dynamic is central to understanding Killian’s emotional struggles, with Asher often serving as a reminder of Killian’s inadequacies in his eyes.
Their strained relationship is pivotal in understanding Killian’s motivations and his actions toward Glyndon, as much of his need for control stems from his unresolved issues with his father.
Reina Carson
Reina, Killian’s mother, offers a different side to the Carson family dynamic. She is one of the few characters who shows a level of empathy and understanding toward Killian, acknowledging his pain and trauma.
Her interactions with Killian in the latter parts of the book show that there is more to him than the obsessive, possessive persona he presents.
Reina’s influence provides a subtle layer of vulnerability to Killian’s character, offering him a glimpse of emotional support and care that he has long been deprived of from his father.
Themes
Psychological Manipulation and Power Dynamics
A central theme in God of Malice revolves around the manipulation of emotions and power dynamics within relationships. Killian Carson, as a master manipulator, is portrayed as a person who sees others as pieces to control and bend to his will.
His obsession with Glyndon, while seemingly romantic, is far more sinister as he uses fear, dominance, and deceit to psychologically break her down.
This manipulative behavior extends beyond mere attraction, veering into a dangerous game where control is the ultimate objective. Glyndon, initially vulnerable, finds herself slowly drawn into his web of dominance, where attraction becomes intertwined with the fear of losing autonomy.
The story delves into the blurred lines between manipulation and affection, making readers question what truly defines love when one party holds all the power.
The Trauma of Abuse and Emotional Dependence
Another complex theme that the novel addresses is the trauma induced by abusive relationships and the emotional dependence that follows.
Glyndon’s initial trauma, rooted in the suicide of her close friend, spirals into a deeper emotional entanglement with Killian, whose abusive behaviors chip away at her sense of self. Despite the escalating violence and manipulation, Glyndon’s psychological response to Killian’s dominance reveals the complex nature of trauma bonds.
As she experiences moments of fear and longing, it becomes evident that her emotional dependency on Killian grows stronger, even as she recognizes the harm he causes.
This theme explores the cyclical nature of trauma in relationships, where a victim’s emotions can become inextricably linked to the very person causing their pain, creating a psychological bind that is hard to escape.
Obsession, Possession, and Identity
A key theme explored through Killian’s obsession with Glyndon is the way obsession can evolve into a possession of not just the person but their very identity.
Killian sees Glyndon not as a person in her own right, but as an object to be owned and controlled. His obsessive behavior manifests through surveillance, public claims, and the ultimate violation of her autonomy.
This obsession becomes an expression of control, where Glyndon’s identity is continually shaped by Killian’s actions and manipulations. However, as the story progresses, Glyndon begins to challenge this possession, seeking to assert her own independence while grappling with the complicated emotions tied to Killian’s intense fixation.
The theme delves deeply into the darker aspects of love and possessiveness, asking whether love can truly exist when one person is reduced to an object of control.
The Dark Side of Family Dynamics and Generational Trauma
God of Malice also addresses how family dynamics and generational trauma influence the characters’ behaviors and relationships. Killian’s tumultuous relationship with his father, Asher, provides insight into the roots of his violent tendencies and obsessive nature.
The breakdown of familial relationships, particularly between Killian and his father, is pivotal to understanding his emotional instability. Killian’s actions are partly shaped by a lifetime of attempting to gain approval from a distant and authoritarian father. This theme is not only present in Killian’s story but is also mirrored in Glyndon’s interactions with her family, particularly her protective brother, Landon.
The novel presents the idea that unresolved trauma within families often shapes individuals into who they are, perpetuating cycles of dysfunction that can impact future generations.
Through this, the author explores the deep scars left by familial expectations and the power struggles that play out within these relationships.
The Blurred Line Between Love and Abuse
Perhaps one of the most compelling and unsettling themes is the exploration of the fine line between love and abuse.
Throughout the story, the relationship between Glyndon and Killian evolves in such a way that it becomes difficult to distinguish where love ends and abuse begins. Glyndon, despite her terror, begins to feel a deep, twisted sense of attachment to Killian, who continues to blur the lines between affection and cruelty.
His actions, though often abusive, are framed as expressions of his obsessive love, challenging the reader to question what it means to love another person.
The novel thus critiques the notion of toxic love, showing how emotional manipulation, control, and violence can be mistaken for passion, ultimately leading to a warped understanding of what love should look like.
This theme raises important questions about consent, autonomy, and emotional vulnerability within relationships.
Reconciliation, Growth, and the Shifting Power Balance
In the latter chapters of the book, there is a shift in the power balance between Glyndon and Killian. Despite the overwhelming darkness that defines their relationship, there is room for reconciliation and emotional growth.
Glyndon begins to reclaim her autonomy and confront the trauma that Killian has inflicted upon her. She asserts her independence, not only in her relationship with him but also within her family dynamic.
Similarly, Killian’s development as a character is shown through his attempts to understand and control his destructive obsession, recognizing that his need for dominance is rooted in his own childhood wounds.
This theme explores how individuals can grow and evolve, even in the most toxic and dysfunctional relationships, and how power dynamics can shift from one of complete control to a more balanced, albeit complex, form of love.
The conclusion reflects a more consensual and understanding relationship, where both parties, despite their past, navigate their deep emotional connection with brutal honesty.