readingonsundays's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kfriend's review
5.0
Dark, twisted, and deliciously depraved, Malice is Coralee June’s most evocative and wickedly consuming work to date. As savage as it is seductive, this is a story that hooks you from start to finish and sticks with you long after you’ve turned the final page.
Fans by now should know to expect the unexpected when it comes to CLJ’s storytelling-this is not an author that conforms, plays to cliches, or rehashes tried and true trope contrivances. CLJ is a rule breaker- she subverts and deconstructs common themes and tropes and rearranges them into the beautiful masterpieces, into something reborn, all with the ease and gusto of a delightfully mad scientist. And Malice is perhaps the best articulation of her artistic point of view- nothing about this book is what you expect. Nothing is conventional. The harem, the villain, the character arcs, even the plot construction and narrative structure- all beat to the brilliant drum of Coralee June, and that drum alone.
There’s not much I can say about the content of this story without spoiling it- it’s meant to be jaring, shocking and unsettling- and going in as blind as you can will ensure you experience this world right alongside our heroine. Even speaking about the characters themselves could spoil the unique and interesting facets of their dynamics- so I’ll be as vague as possible. But, know this- this is definitely Cora’s most dark and depraved story yet. Cora isn’t just dabbling her toe in the dark, she’s basically somersaulted off the high dive straight into the darkest depths and is now gleefully doing the backstroke though degenerate and debauched waters. And I am here for all the wickedness! A few images I may never forget- not only because of Cora's gutsy and unapologetic dark prose but also because of my own conflicted and debauched response, finding myself both chuckling and swooning at some of this book’s most haunting moments. Such is the charm of Coralee June.
The heart of this story, though, is an emotional character journey. Sure, we have some mafia intrigue, ample steam and plenty of violence, but the life’s blood of Malice (and Cora’s story telling in general) comes down to emotional growth and acceptance. The story of a lost, detached, and broken girl who finds herself at the mercy of three men who share blood and legacy, and an interest in parts of her. And Cora really leans into the emotional explorations, giving us a story that is more psychological than anything- a story that is meta and emotive and meant to be FELT above all else.
What I love most about Malice’s characters are that they share one core central tenet- BAGGAGE. These are all characters who are broken in some way- in some cases from pain and trauma, in other cases with intentionality- but each has emotional, invisible scars that manifest in different ways as they cope within their dark lifestyle. We have our book’s namesake, Nick- a dark, twisted, emotionless man whose only vulnerability is his focus on protecting his family, as toxic as they may be. He expresses his baggage in control- the ways in which he manipulates and ruthlessly annihilates any obstacles. We have the observant and more refined William, the classic middle brother with a chip on his shoulder over being the back-up leader. He weaponizes his mystery and his subtle defiance to handle his anger, just a manifestation of his longing. And then we have the scene-stealing and entirely unhinged Anthony- the baby brother with perhaps the most complicated scars, but somehow the most emotionally available. He copes by finding connection in ways we might not understand- but ways that keep him safe emotionally. He’s the most demented, but the sweetest, too. And, of course, we have our heroine Juliet- the girl so desperate for connection she’ll take it in it’s most bare form- a girl just desperate enough to lean into some twisted dynamics just to feel wanted. To feel chosen. I loved watching all of their baggage collide- and collide it does. Their relationships are messy, turbulent and chaotic, and confusing. Those collisions and emotional tension comprise the central and most compelling part of this story- and make for a dynamic and unforgettable read. While facing down other dangers, these broken souls have to confront the real villain- facing their own CRAP. And then we see them start to break more, before they are reconstructed anew. More open, more aware, and more whole- individually annd as a family. We get to watch three men find peace with themselves all because of the love they have for a girl, and we get to watch our heroine finally find herself- and embrace the parts of herself she’s repressed, not only her darkness, but her strength, her vulnerability, and her pain. She faces down the largest of her demons, and in doing so she conquers not only these three powerfully dark and depraved men, but she also frees herself.
The harem is NOT the usual one- and that is why I love this story. The power dynamics are not equal, the relationships each vastly different between Juliet and her men. And while we have some other external fodder, this story is really about the evolution of this harem. HOw these characters confront themselves and each other- figure out how to live with themselves first so they can live with each other. Cora so brilliantly helps Juliet find herself by giving her men that represent VERY divergent parts of her personality. In discovering them, she discovers herself, but to choose between them would also be closing herself off to parts of her and her different needs. Each relationship is constructed and developed differently, each one playing to different needs. And that is real- and exactly the spirit of this book. The dark, depraved, and turbulent tone is mimicked in the relational chemistry of the harem- it’s complicated, visceral and volatile , and oh so deliciously interesting.
And, like everything else about Malice, our story unwinds in a climax both unexpected and unusual. But a conclusion befitting the true heart and soul of these characters- of this story. Even in the darkest of dark, Cora finds a way to unleash the full breadth of humanity, to explore the complexities of the human heart and mind- even if here the hearts and minds are perhaps irreparable broken. Turns out, sometimes to face your damage all you need is for someone else to see it and accept it, too. And that is the beauty in the dark.
Fans by now should know to expect the unexpected when it comes to CLJ’s storytelling-this is not an author that conforms, plays to cliches, or rehashes tried and true trope contrivances. CLJ is a rule breaker- she subverts and deconstructs common themes and tropes and rearranges them into the beautiful masterpieces, into something reborn, all with the ease and gusto of a delightfully mad scientist. And Malice is perhaps the best articulation of her artistic point of view- nothing about this book is what you expect. Nothing is conventional. The harem, the villain, the character arcs, even the plot construction and narrative structure- all beat to the brilliant drum of Coralee June, and that drum alone.
There’s not much I can say about the content of this story without spoiling it- it’s meant to be jaring, shocking and unsettling- and going in as blind as you can will ensure you experience this world right alongside our heroine. Even speaking about the characters themselves could spoil the unique and interesting facets of their dynamics- so I’ll be as vague as possible. But, know this- this is definitely Cora’s most dark and depraved story yet. Cora isn’t just dabbling her toe in the dark, she’s basically somersaulted off the high dive straight into the darkest depths and is now gleefully doing the backstroke though degenerate and debauched waters. And I am here for all the wickedness! A few images I may never forget- not only because of Cora's gutsy and unapologetic dark prose but also because of my own conflicted and debauched response, finding myself both chuckling and swooning at some of this book’s most haunting moments. Such is the charm of Coralee June.
The heart of this story, though, is an emotional character journey. Sure, we have some mafia intrigue, ample steam and plenty of violence, but the life’s blood of Malice (and Cora’s story telling in general) comes down to emotional growth and acceptance. The story of a lost, detached, and broken girl who finds herself at the mercy of three men who share blood and legacy, and an interest in parts of her. And Cora really leans into the emotional explorations, giving us a story that is more psychological than anything- a story that is meta and emotive and meant to be FELT above all else.
What I love most about Malice’s characters are that they share one core central tenet- BAGGAGE. These are all characters who are broken in some way- in some cases from pain and trauma, in other cases with intentionality- but each has emotional, invisible scars that manifest in different ways as they cope within their dark lifestyle. We have our book’s namesake, Nick- a dark, twisted, emotionless man whose only vulnerability is his focus on protecting his family, as toxic as they may be. He expresses his baggage in control- the ways in which he manipulates and ruthlessly annihilates any obstacles. We have the observant and more refined William, the classic middle brother with a chip on his shoulder over being the back-up leader. He weaponizes his mystery and his subtle defiance to handle his anger, just a manifestation of his longing. And then we have the scene-stealing and entirely unhinged Anthony- the baby brother with perhaps the most complicated scars, but somehow the most emotionally available. He copes by finding connection in ways we might not understand- but ways that keep him safe emotionally. He’s the most demented, but the sweetest, too. And, of course, we have our heroine Juliet- the girl so desperate for connection she’ll take it in it’s most bare form- a girl just desperate enough to lean into some twisted dynamics just to feel wanted. To feel chosen. I loved watching all of their baggage collide- and collide it does. Their relationships are messy, turbulent and chaotic, and confusing. Those collisions and emotional tension comprise the central and most compelling part of this story- and make for a dynamic and unforgettable read. While facing down other dangers, these broken souls have to confront the real villain- facing their own CRAP. And then we see them start to break more, before they are reconstructed anew. More open, more aware, and more whole- individually annd as a family. We get to watch three men find peace with themselves all because of the love they have for a girl, and we get to watch our heroine finally find herself- and embrace the parts of herself she’s repressed, not only her darkness, but her strength, her vulnerability, and her pain. She faces down the largest of her demons, and in doing so she conquers not only these three powerfully dark and depraved men, but she also frees herself.
The harem is NOT the usual one- and that is why I love this story. The power dynamics are not equal, the relationships each vastly different between Juliet and her men. And while we have some other external fodder, this story is really about the evolution of this harem. HOw these characters confront themselves and each other- figure out how to live with themselves first so they can live with each other. Cora so brilliantly helps Juliet find herself by giving her men that represent VERY divergent parts of her personality. In discovering them, she discovers herself, but to choose between them would also be closing herself off to parts of her and her different needs. Each relationship is constructed and developed differently, each one playing to different needs. And that is real- and exactly the spirit of this book. The dark, depraved, and turbulent tone is mimicked in the relational chemistry of the harem- it’s complicated, visceral and volatile , and oh so deliciously interesting.
And, like everything else about Malice, our story unwinds in a climax both unexpected and unusual. But a conclusion befitting the true heart and soul of these characters- of this story. Even in the darkest of dark, Cora finds a way to unleash the full breadth of humanity, to explore the complexities of the human heart and mind- even if here the hearts and minds are perhaps irreparable broken. Turns out, sometimes to face your damage all you need is for someone else to see it and accept it, too. And that is the beauty in the dark.
sakurastarr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mkosnopfal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jannaconda's review
4.0
I’m not disappointed
This was a great read. I loved the very minute of it. Would give it 5 stars but the end felt very rushed. So rushed that I thought parts were dreams.
Also, I hate Vicky.
This was a great read. I loved the very minute of it. Would give it 5 stars but the end felt very rushed. So rushed that I thought parts were dreams.
Also, I hate Vicky.
cierralm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
booksabrewin's review
3.0
Juliet had a normal life working at a diner with a best friend she saw on a semi-regular basis and a grandmother she loved to death. But her best friend of three years had secrets and while Juliet was fine letting her keep her secrets until her best friend's mob boss brother shows up at the diner she works at and calls Juliet out as a rat. Faced with the prospect of being tortured and killed by Nicholas Civella Juliet must harness her inner psychopath. Once Nick realizes Juliet has nothing to do with his organization outside of befriending his sister, he and his two other brothers start integrating her into their family. She is to be the fly on the wall that they need to sniff out their actual rat. Meanwhile she gets to know the brothers and how damaged each of them are.
Anthony was captured, tortured, and assaulted to the point where he is more comfortable with the dead than the living. He is a special kind of psychopath but she finds a kindred spirit within him. He was a sweet and beautiful soul inside a killer's body.
William has been listening and learning about her for the past three years as her best friend's bodyguard. He has an obsession with Juliet that borders on a tragic poem. He is romantic and willing to do anything for Juliet that she asked. But he has a hard time standing up to her older brother. In his words, Nick is the heir, William is the spare, and he lives his life exactly like that.
Nick is cruel, quick to anger, and psychotic in the worst way. He has the ability to shut himself off from his feelings. He is the least redeemable of the three men in my opinion. He is domineering and controlling to the point of being a monster.
I feel if the book had been written with a bit less of Nick and a bit more of Anthony or William it would have been a highly regarded book for me. Nick wasn't just domineering and controlling, he was abusive. His tantrums reminded me that of a child. He's so willing to burn everything down to get what he wants without any thought to the consequences of his actions. He was what spoiled the book for me. Juliet is a psycho disguised as a nice girl. There is a darkness in her I kept waiting to see come out completely but it just trickled out around the seams and never fully developed. I hope that in the next books she is a bit more fleshed out.
And as always, I always have at least one favorite in a harem. Anthony is it. I found him so delightfully quirky that, much like Juliet, I was able to overlook his clear mental issues. But I know that those issues aren't so quickly fixed.
All in all, the book was middle of the road for me. It would have rated higher if there was even an ounce of humanity to Nick's character.
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duntax's review
4.0
Malice. I liked this story. A lot. The opening chapter was really good and it got my attention right away.
Chapter 2 was even better.
On some kind of level I understood Juliet, and sometimes I didn't but that was okay.
I really loved Anthony's character the most. He speaks to my crazy I guess, which is weird, probably
Chapter 2 was even better.
On some kind of level I understood Juliet, and sometimes I didn't but that was okay.
I really loved Anthony's character the most. He speaks to my crazy I guess, which is weird, probably