In the kingdom of Goldenpeak, two princesses venture to the edge of the forbidden forest, one becoming lost forever to its cursed inhabitants. Princess Ayla, now grown, has spent most of her youth as an only child after the loss of her sister, the princess Thiea.

Mychael is a knight-in-training his father being a commander of the King's forces. Handsome and kind, his good-hearted, honorable nature-and curiosity-brings him to the attention of Ayla, and young love begins to bloom as the looming threat of the forest begins to creep onto the gates of the kingdom. Mychael, the ever-faithful knight, swears to protect and aid Ayla and his kingdom through the war to come.

Spurred to action by the increasing danger,  Ayla embarks on a journey to discover the hidden truth behind the growing tensions between her kingdom and the forest-and the truth to her and her sister's lineage.

Maleficium is a high fantasy novel inspired by classic medieval literature such as Le Morte D'Arthur and Arthurian romances, as well as the cautionary tales of the Brothers Grimm and is set in the fictitious kingdom of Goldenpeak, based heavily upon medieval Scandinavia and Eastern Europe during the filteenth and sixteenth centuries. Historically, this time and region in our own world saw religious persecution and immense superstitions written in the Malleus Maleficarum rip Europe apart, of which this tale also cautions. Maleficium expresses major themes of reigious freedoms and the effects of suppressing those freedoms.

About the Author

Raised by a medical professional mother and an early civilization educator father, J. M. Pepe was encouraged at a young age to grow his love for the arts and pursue his education in that field.  After taking creative courses at Yale before college, and winning the Connecticut Outstanding Achievement in Fine Arts Award, Pepe went on to earning his MFA in Production Design from The Academy of Art University.  At this time his films garnered international attention for their historical detailing.  The Author is now happily living in Florida and continues many creative pursuits. 

Pepe, a former competitive fencer, had the opportunity to travel both with the sport and through his education to Russia, Poland, Germany, Italy, France, and Morocco, learning, retaining, and appreciating world cultures that would impact his writings and art to this day.