Synopsis

No one knows what happened at Almswick, except that the King took an arrow to his chest, and his hundred-strong elite guard was slaughtered. Strangest of all, there was no indication that they had even faced an enemy. King   Roderic   8th   brought   the   kingdom   of   Thamaria   into   a   golden   age.   It   boasts   the   greatest   scientists, physicians,   soldiers,   and   artisans.   For   over   a   thousand   years,   nothing   could   approach   its   wealth   and   might   for one   reason:   Thamaria   could   assess   a   child's   potential,   and   then   throw   its   resources   into   sculpting   them   into that which they were meant to be. Liam,   a   gifted   tracker   and   archer,   missed   his   first   two   assessments,   and   now   at   the   age   of   twenty-five   is   too   old for   selection   into   the   kingdom.   He   is   left   to   make   his   own   way   in   life   with   no   hope   of   a   better   future   until   he meets   Jaylene   after   her   escort   is   attacked   in   the   Dourbern   forest. There's   something "off"   about   her,   and   Liam   is soon   thrust   into   a   plot   that   reaches   into   the   heart   of   the   kingdom—a   plot   that   threatens   to   tear   the   immortal kingdom   apart   as   well   as   everything   else   he   cares   about.   But   with   war   closing   in,   he   may   also   have   one   last chance to prove to himself and the kingdom that he has what it takes to finally be somebody. Fast-paced with deep, likeable characters set in a rich and compelling world, The wretched will keep you guessing until the explosive conclusion.