Mortal Among Demons

Rowan Morgenstern, a mortal college student haunted by her mother's unsolved murder, struggles with harassment from Jack, a privileged classmate. Her life is defined by anxiety, poverty, and a burning desire for revenge against the demon who killed her mother. Rowan's only solace is her best friend Shai, who studies at the exclusive, magical Belial University inside the City of Thorns—a demon enclave forbidden to most mortals. Rowan's obsession with the city and her mother's death grows, fueling her determination to infiltrate the city, find her mother's killer, and claim a place among the powerful. The city's gates, drawn over and over in her sketchbook, symbolize both her longing and her isolation. Rowan's world is about to collide with the supernatural, and she is unprepared for the consequences.

Obsession and Old Wounds

Rowan's life is shaped by trauma: her mother's murder, relentless bullying, and the suffocating weight of poverty. Her mother's warnings about demons and self-defense echo in her mind, fueling her obsession with the City of Thorns. Rowan's friendship with Shai is a rare comfort, but even that is tinged with envy and longing for a life she cannot have. The city represents both hope and danger—a place where mortals can achieve greatness or meet their doom. Rowan's fixation on revenge is not just about justice; it's about reclaiming agency in a world that has repeatedly rendered her powerless. Her preparations—fire extinguishers, fox urine, and survival gear—are both a shield and a symptom of her deep-seated fear.

City of Secrets

On her birthday, Rowan meets Shai for drinks, seeking escape from her troubles. Their conversation reveals the city's dark history: demon politics, magical wards, and the brutal Infernal Trial that newcomers must survive. The city is ruled by King Cambriel, a usurper who murdered his father, and haunted by the enigmatic Lord of Chaos, a demon with a violent reputation. Rowan's questions about demon marks and her mother's killer hint at deeper mysteries. The night takes a turn when Rowan encounters the Lord of Chaos himself—Orion—whose hatred for her is immediate and visceral. Their charged interaction leaves Rowan shaken, sensing that her fate is now entwined with his.

The Lord of Chaos

After witnessing Jack's attempted assault on another woman, Rowan intervenes, only to be outnumbered by his friends. The Lord of Chaos appears, unleashing terrifying magic to protect her, but his motives are unclear. He accuses Rowan of being Mortana, a notorious succubus from demon history, and abducts her. Rowan awakens in a dungeon, accused of crimes she doesn't remember, and faces execution. Orion's hatred is personal and ancient, but Rowan insists on her innocence. Alone in the dark, she confesses her secrets to a mysterious cellmate, unburdening herself of shame, guilt, and longing. Her resolve hardens: she will survive, find her mother's killer, and claim her place in the City of Thorns.

Violence and Vengeance

Orion, convinced Rowan is Mortana, torments her with memories of betrayal and loss. He demands proof of her mortality, forcing her to reveal her body and submit to a blood test. The encounter is charged with danger and desire, blurring the line between captor and captive. Rowan bargains for her life, offering to spy for Orion in exchange for a place in the city and the erasure of her crushing student debt. Their shared obsession with revenge creates a fragile alliance. Rowan's resourcefulness and psychological insight begin to sow doubt in Orion's mind, setting the stage for a dangerous game of deception and survival.

Captive in the Dark

Orion's doubts about Rowan's identity grow as she reveals her vulnerabilities and mundane mortal life. He agrees to her plan: she will impersonate Mortana, infiltrate the king's court, and uncover Cambriel's weakness. In return, Orion will pay her debts and protect her—at a price. Rowan is thrust into a world of luxury and peril, forced to learn the ways of demons, seduction, and power. Her transformation is both external and internal, as she adopts Mortana's confidence and cruelty. The city's beauty is matched only by its danger, and Rowan must navigate treacherous politics, jealous rivals, and her own awakening desires.

Bargains and Blood Oaths

To secure her place, Rowan swears a blood oath to Orion, binding her life to his secret mission. She is trained in the art of seduction, learning to wield Mortana's allure and arrogance. The city's wards, each ruled by a different demon, are a labyrinth of alliances and enmities. Rowan's every move is watched, and failure means death—for her and for Shai, who is also bound by oath. The stakes are raised as Rowan prepares to meet King Cambriel, whose interest in her is both political and personal. The line between performance and reality blurs as Rowan's shadow-self emerges, fueled by the city's magic and her own buried rage.

Becoming Mortana

Rowan's debut at court is a test of her acting, wit, and nerve. She must convince the king and his council that she is the legendary Mortana, last of the succubi. The court is a den of vipers: Lydia, the fire-wielding duchess; Nama, the jealous rival; and a host of powerful dukes, each with their own agendas. Rowan's performance is electric, drawing the king's envy and desire. She navigates insults, accusations, and the ever-present threat of exposure. Her alliance with Orion deepens, their chemistry undeniable, but trust is elusive. Rowan's survival depends on her ability to outplay demons at their own game.

Lessons in Seduction

As Rowan and Orion practice their charade, their attraction becomes real. Seduction is both weapon and vulnerability, and Rowan discovers a power she never knew she possessed. The city's social rituals—parties, dances, and public displays—are battlegrounds for status and influence. Rowan's rivals escalate their attacks, seeking to expose her as a fraud. The king's obsession grows, and Rowan must walk a razor's edge between tempting him and uncovering his secrets. The city's magic responds to her emotions, hinting at a deeper connection to Mortana and the demon world. Rowan's sense of self is tested as she becomes both hunter and hunted.

The King's Court

Rowan's success at court is short-lived. Lydia invokes the ancient law: Mortana must face the Infernal Trial, a deadly hunt through the Elysian Wilderness. Rowan has one night to survive against the city's most powerful demons, including those with elemental magic. Drawing on her mortal ingenuity, survivalist paranoia, and a cache of unconventional weapons, Rowan turns the trial into a spectacle. She uses fire, chemicals, and cunning to outwit her pursuers, earning both awe and enmity. Her victory secures her place as Duchess of the Asmodean Ward, but also paints a target on her back. The city is hers—if she can keep it.

The Infernal Trial

The trial is a crucible, forcing Rowan to confront her deepest fears and unleash her latent power. She faces betrayal, violence, and the relentless pursuit of her enemies. The city's magic responds to her will, and for the first time, she feels the stirrings of something inhuman within herself. Orion intervenes to save her, revealing his own secrets and vulnerabilities. Their bond is forged in fire and blood, but trust remains fragile. Rowan's victory is pyrrhic: she has proven herself, but at the cost of innocence and safety. The city's politics grow more dangerous, and the mystery of her mother's death deepens.

Fire and Survival

As Duchess, Rowan is both celebrated and reviled. Her enemies plot against her, and the threat of exposure looms. She explores the city's haunted past, seeking clues to her mother's fate and her own identity. The Asmodean Ward, once home to the succubi, is a place of tragedy and power. Rowan's connection to Mortana grows stronger, and she begins to suspect that her own history is entwined with the city's darkest secrets. Her relationship with Orion intensifies, blending passion, rivalry, and mutual need. Together, they navigate a world where love and violence are inseparable, and where every alliance is a potential betrayal.

Duchess of Thorns

Rowan's ascent to power is fraught with peril. Her rivals, especially Nama and Lydia, conspire to unmask her. The king's obsession becomes more dangerous, and Rowan must use every tool at her disposal to manipulate him. Her investigation into her mother's past leads her to a haunted mansion, a skeleton key, and a spellbook that hints at a hidden lineage. The city's magic reacts to her presence, and Rowan's own powers begin to surface. The line between Rowan and Mortana blurs, and she fears what she might become. The city is both a prize and a prison, and escape seems impossible.

Dangerous Alliances

Rowan's search for answers brings her closer to Orion, whose own secrets threaten to destroy them both. Their alliance is tested by jealousy, suspicion, and the revelation that both bear the mark of the Lightbringer—a sign of demonic royalty. The king's weakness remains elusive, but Rowan uncovers a prophecy that may hold the key to his downfall. As enemies close in, Rowan must decide whom to trust and how far she is willing to go for revenge. The city's politics are a deadly game, and every move has consequences. Rowan's identity crisis deepens as she confronts the possibility that she is not who she believes.

The Search for Truth

Rowan's investigation leads her to the abandoned mansion of the Asmodean Duke, where she discovers evidence linking her mother to the demon world. A spellbook reveals the existence of a magic that can lock away demonic powers, turning a demon into a mortal. Rowan is forced to confront the possibility that she is Mortana, her memories erased to escape persecution. The revelation is both liberating and terrifying, threatening her sense of self and her alliance with Orion. The city's tragedies are mirrored in her own life, and the ghosts of the past demand reckoning.

Haunted by the Past

Rowan and Orion are ambushed by Nama and her allies, who seek to expose Rowan as a mortal and claim power for themselves. In a moment of crisis, Rowan's true nature is unleashed: fire magic erupts from her, incinerating her enemies and revealing her as a demon. Orion, marked as the Lightbringer, confronts her with rage and heartbreak. Their battle is both physical and emotional, a clash of love, hate, and destiny. Rowan's memories return in fragments, and she is forced to flee, haunted by the fear that she may have killed her own mother. The city's darkness is now inside her.

Unlocking the Demon Within

Alone and desperate, Rowan returns to her mortal life, drowning in guilt and confusion. Messages from Shai remind her that evil is not defined by power, but by intent. Rowan's memories of childhood, love, and loss anchor her, but the question of her true nature remains. The city's magic calls to her, and her wings—once hidden—emerge, marking her as a true succubus. The prophecy hints at a destiny greater than revenge: Rowan is a Lightbringer, destined to challenge the king and claim her place in the city. The final confrontation with Orion looms, and the truth about her mother's death awaits.

Revelations and Betrayals

Rowan embraces her dual nature, accepting both her mortal memories and her demonic power. The city's gates, once a symbol of longing and exclusion, now beckon her home. The prophecy suggests that the city's fate is tied to her own, and that only by confronting the past can she shape the future. Orion, once her enemy and lover, is now both rival and ally. The battle for the City of Thorns is far from over, and Rowan's journey is just beginning. Her story is one of survival, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of truth in a world where nothing is as it seems.

Characters

Rowan Morgenstern / Mortana

Rowan is a mortal woman shaped by trauma, loss, and a burning desire for justice. Her mother's murder and years of bullying have left her anxious, hypervigilant, and fiercely independent. Rowan's obsession with the City of Thorns and her mother's killer drives her into the heart of demon politics, where she must impersonate Mortana, a legendary succubus. As she navigates deception, seduction, and violence, Rowan's true nature emerges: she is both mortal and demon, bearing the mark of the Lightbringer. Her journey is one of self-discovery, as she confronts the possibility that she is Mortana, her memories locked away by magic. Rowan's greatest fear is that she is inherently evil, but her actions—driven by love, loyalty, and a refusal to surrender—prove otherwise. Her relationship with Orion is fraught with passion, rivalry, and mutual need, reflecting her own internal struggle between darkness and light.

Orion / The Lord of Chaos

Orion is a powerful demon, infamous for his violence and feared as the Lord of Chaos. His hatred for Mortana is rooted in personal betrayal: as a child, he witnessed the slaughter of his family and endured centuries of imprisonment, blaming Mortana for her role in the purges. Orion's obsession with revenge defines him, but beneath his arrogance and cruelty lies a deep well of pain and vulnerability. His alliance with Rowan is both strategic and emotional, as he is drawn to her strength and haunted by her resemblance to Mortana. Orion's own secrets—his identity as an incubus, his mark as the Lightbringer, and his capacity for love—complicate his quest for vengeance. His relationship with Rowan is a crucible, forcing him to confront his own darkness and the possibility of redemption.

Shai

Shai is Rowan's best friend and confidante, a mortal student at Belial University. Her warmth, humor, and resourcefulness provide Rowan with much-needed support and perspective. Shai is adept at navigating both mortal and demon worlds, leveraging her intelligence and bargaining skills to secure safety for herself and Rowan. Her willingness to extract promises from Orion and her refusal to be a victim highlight her agency. Shai's presence grounds Rowan, reminding her of her humanity and the importance of connection. She is a voice of reason and compassion in a world defined by power and betrayal.

King Cambriel

Cambriel is the king of the City of Thorns, a demon who seized power by murdering his father. His rule is marked by paranoia, cruelty, and a desperate need for validation. Cambriel's obsession with Mortana—and by extension, Rowan—is fueled by envy and a desire to possess what others have. He is both charming and terrifying, capable of great generosity and sudden violence. Cambriel's invulnerability is a façade, masking deep insecurities and a fear of betrayal. His interactions with Rowan are a dance of seduction and suspicion, as he seeks to uncover her secrets and claim her for himself.

Lydia

Lydia is the Duchess of the Luciferian Ward, a powerful demon with fire magic and a burning ambition to become queen. Her rivalry with Rowan is immediate and intense, driven by jealousy and a sense of entitlement. Lydia is cunning, manipulative, and unafraid to use violence to achieve her goals. Her alliance with Nama and other dukes is opportunistic, and she is quick to turn on allies when it serves her interests. Lydia's hatred for Mortana is personal, rooted in the city's history of betrayal and purges. She is both a formidable enemy and a symbol of the city's toxic politics.

Nama

Nama is a demon duchess with ice magic, consumed by jealousy and a desire for Orion's affection. Her rivalry with Rowan is marked by cruelty, manipulation, and escalating violence. Nama's instability makes her unpredictable and dangerous, willing to betray allies and break taboos to achieve her aims. Her obsession with Orion blinds her to reason, and her actions ultimately lead to her downfall. Nama embodies the city's culture of envy, competition, and self-destruction.

Jack Corwin

Jack is a privileged mortal who torments Rowan, embodying the worst aspects of human entitlement and malice. His harassment, lies, and violence are a constant threat, and his family's history as demon hunters adds a layer of danger. Jack's actions catalyze key events, drawing Rowan deeper into the demon world and forcing her to confront her own capacity for violence. He is both a personal and symbolic enemy, representing the dangers of unchecked power and prejudice.

Mortana

Mortana is the last of the succubi, a figure of myth and infamy in the City of Thorns. Her reputation for cunning, seduction, and betrayal haunts Rowan, who must impersonate her to survive. Mortana's actions—her role in the purges, her alliances and betrayals—are the source of Orion's hatred and the city's fear. As Rowan's connection to Mortana deepens, the line between them blurs, raising questions about identity, memory, and the nature of evil. Mortana is both a historical figure and a psychological force, embodying the city's darkest impulses and Rowan's own shadow-self.

Moloch

Moloch is the former Duke of the Asmodean Ward, Mortana's father and a bastard son of the mad king Azriel. His fate—murdered, heart cut out, body burned—mirrors the city's history of violence and betrayal. Moloch's legacy is one of tragedy, loss, and the erasure of lineage. His connection to Rowan's mother and the key to the abandoned mansion are clues to Rowan's true identity. Moloch represents the cost of power and the consequences of history.

The City of Thorns

The City of Thorns is more than a setting; it is a character in its own right. Its wards, politics, and magic shape the destinies of all who enter. The city is a place of beauty and horror, opportunity and danger, haunted by the ghosts of its past. Its gates symbolize both exclusion and longing, and its magic responds to the emotions and desires of its inhabitants. The city's history of purges, betrayals, and power struggles is mirrored in Rowan's journey, making it both a prize and a prison.

Plot Devices

Doppelgänger and Identity

The central device is Rowan's uncanny resemblance to Mortana, the legendary succubus. This doppelgänger motif blurs the line between self and other, past and present. Rowan's impersonation of Mortana is both a survival strategy and a journey of self-discovery, forcing her to confront the possibility that she is, in fact, the demon she fears. The device raises questions about memory, agency, and the nature of evil, as Rowan's mortal and demonic selves collide.

Blood Oaths and Magical Contracts

Blood oaths are a recurring device, used to enforce loyalty, secrecy, and obedience. These magical contracts are unbreakable, with death as the penalty for betrayal. The oaths bind Rowan to Orion, Shai to Rowan, and the city's rulers to their subjects. They symbolize the inescapable consequences of choices and the cost of power. The device heightens tension, as characters are forced to navigate alliances and betrayals with their lives on the line.

The Infernal Trial

The Infernal Trial is both a literal and metaphorical test, forcing Rowan to confront her fears, unleash her power, and prove her worth. The trial is a rite of passage, separating the strong from the weak, the worthy from the expendable. It is a microcosm of the city's brutal politics, where survival depends on cunning, strength, and the willingness to break rules. The trial's outcome reshapes the balance of power and cements Rowan's place in the city.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

The story is laced with foreshadowing: Rowan's obsession with the city's gates, her mother's warnings, the prophecy in the spellbook, and the recurring motif of the skeleton key. These elements create a sense of inevitability, as Rowan's fate unfolds in accordance with ancient patterns. The prophecy suggests that Rowan is destined to challenge the king and reshape the city, adding a mythic dimension to her journey.

Psychological Realism

The narrative structure weaves Rowan's psychological struggles—anxiety, trauma, guilt—into the fabric of the plot. Her internal battles are as dangerous as the external threats she faces. The device of the shadow-self, or id, allows for a nuanced exploration of identity, morality, and transformation. The city's magic responds to emotion, making Rowan's psychological state a source of both power and vulnerability.

Unreliable Memory and Amnesia

Rowan's fragmented memories and the possibility of a magical locking spell create uncertainty about her true identity. The device of unreliable memory heightens suspense, as both Rowan and the reader question what is real. The gradual return of memories, triggered by trauma and magic, drives the narrative toward revelation and reckoning.

Analysis

City of Thorns is a dark, seductive urban fantasy that explores the boundaries between mortal and demon, self and other, victim and survivor. At its core, the novel is a meditation on trauma, identity, and the search for agency in a world defined by power and violence. Rowan's journey—from powerless mortal to demon duchess, from victim to Lightbringer—mirrors the psychological process of confronting and integrating the shadow-self. The city itself is a crucible, forcing characters to confront their deepest fears and desires. The novel interrogates the nature of evil, suggesting that it is not power or magic that corrupts, but the choices we make and the truths we refuse to face. Through its use of doppelgängers, blood oaths, and unreliable memory, City of Thorns challenges readers to question the stories we tell about ourselves and the possibility of redemption. In a world where survival demands both ruthlessness and compassion, the ultimate lesson is that identity is not fixed, but forged in the fires of adversity and choice.

Last updated: December 11, 2025