Malum Kindle Edition

An ancient evil has been awakened by two witless, would-be thieves and now it stalks the streets of the city taking lives wantonly and without any sense of regret. Malum is a demon that prays on all life but psychics most of all. Josephine is a bright-eyed young woman who sees more than she would like and hopes to meet her intended husband with the least amount of chaos. Sadly, her aunt is in no hurry to marry her off unless the suitor meets her standards. Josephine is soon swept up into a world she never knew existed with a domineering business intent on fixing her up with his foppish son and a demon that would turn her body and mind to its own nefarious purposes. And then there's that pack of gargoyles that have come to life and started popping up at the most inconvenient times.This was a great, fast-paced, action steampunk fantasy romp that I couldn't put down. Bender mixes magic, mystery and mayhem in a page turning frenzy. The mechanics of the long running war between the gargoyles and demons is a positive delight that will enliven the senses especially when we find out how mankind's burgeoning foray into science may tip the scale one way or another.Sylvia as the somewhat domineering if well-intentioned force of nature of an aunt captivated me. Although not the main character, she possessed an energy and intensity that the reader couldn't help but be swept away by. She is a little crazy and a little canny in the perfect measure to be Josephine's guardian as her world slips slowly more and more into the madness she fears.The gargoyles are quirky and iconic in all the right ways. The stand out from one another and have very unique personalities and physical traits. Sir Richard as their taciturn leader will keep the reader giggling as he endures indignity after indignity in learning to conform to the new world he's woken up to. All just to keep the world safe from a malevolent demon bent on sucking the life out of every man, woman and child it can.Oscar is the mad scientist, too clever for his own good that we all wish we could be. His energy and love of life is ultimately infectious winning over the prim and proper Josephine as well as the surly Sir Richard. It will take all his crazy inventions if they're going to defeat the demon that seems to have the entire city in its pocket in a matter of weeks.The pace of this book is breath taking. Prepare yourself for a long read because you're not going to be able to put this book down easily. Compelling characters, great action, superb world building and breakneck pace are just a few of the great things about this story. I liked it so much I read it twice.

Malum is filled with interesting characters. The wide range of powerful personalities Bender creates dominates the story, which is unusual for such an action-packed adventure novel. From the controlling aunt determined to rescue her neglected niece, to the domineering would-be father-in-law (and threatening rapist), to the wimpy suitor with no interest in his intended bride, to the dying aristocrat who has accepted his fate yet marshals his resources for one final fight, to the brilliant steampunk scientist who brings all of his technological knowledge to the battle, they all leap off the pages. And then there are the many imaginative gargoyles that the psychic heroine Josephine brings to life, each an individual in its own right. The Victorian setting is rendered in exquisite detail, especially in how it throttled women figuratively and physically with it's tight-laced corseted ethos.A fun fast-paced read for those who enjoy an imaginative fantasy.

Fun, imaginative read! Fighting evil with magic, cool “new-age” technology, and sassy gargoyles—what’s not to love? Lovable cast of characters. Would recommend for teens and up.