The games continue in New York Times bestselling author Michael Grant's sequel to Messenger of Fear—a haunting tale for fans of Stephen King that combines fantasy with real-world horror stories.

Mara has learned to punish the wicked as the Messenger's apprentice. Those who act out of selfishness and greed, and others who become violent because of prejudice and hate, pay the ultimate price. But Mara is constantly reminded that Messengers are serving their own kind of punishment—for every person who is offered justice, they wear a tattoo that symbolizes the heart of the crime. As Mara delves deeper into her harsh reality she will discover that in spite of all the terror she and Messenger inflict, caring in this world is the hardest part of all.

How can she save the world when every soul she judges leaves another scar on her own?

• A Game of Life and Death: Mara’s targets—from racist bullies to cruel pimps—must play for their souls. But when the Game Master arrives, losing is the least of their worries.
• An Apprentice to a Powerful Being: Her mysterious mentor, the Messenger, wields immense power, but he’s haunted by a lost love that could be his undoing… and Mara’s.
• Supernatural Powers and Terrible Curses: As her own power grows, Mara learns the true cost of her service: every wicked act she punishes is tattooed onto her own skin, a permanent chronicle of horror.
• Good vs. Evil: Mara must face down not just human cruelty, but literal demons like the seductive Oriax, who offers a tempting escape from her grim duty.