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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Malice by Heather Walter
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: blood, violence, child abuse mention, torture, sexual content
Malice by Heather Walter is book one in the Malice Duology. This is a sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling that was absolutely incredible. Instead of following a princess, we follow the villain, and see how she became the monster everyone always insisted she was.
We follow Alyce, a Dark Grace living in Briar. Unlike all the golden blooded Graces whose powers are of the light, Alyce's blood is the green of the Vila, a dark fae. She is ostracized and reviled all the while nobles paying her to create curses. She and the other Graces are chained by the king. Alyce has never known kindness until she meets Princess Aurora, who shows her that she doesn't have to be the monster they make her out to be.
All the princesses in Aurora's family have been cursed to die at age 21 by a powerful Vila centuries ago, but the Fae of Etheria softened it so that true love's kiss can break it. Alyce and Aurora set out to break the curse and fight against everything Aurora's father has done to the kingdom. Meanwhile, Alyce is learning the true extent of her powers.
This book is so full of rage. I love that the author made an MC that isn't beautiful and sweet and "good". Alyce may have become villainous, but she could only be what everyone in the kingdom made her. I did guess a couple of twists, but it didn't make it less enjoyable. I loved Alyce's relationship with Aurora, and I loved that Aurora wasn't just a helpless damsel in distress.
We left off on a major cliffhanger, and now I really need book two!
Malice by Heather Walter is book one in the Malice Duology. This is a sapphic Sleeping Beauty retelling that was absolutely incredible. Instead of following a princess, we follow the villain, and see how she became the monster everyone always insisted she was.
We follow Alyce, a Dark Grace living in Briar. Unlike all the golden blooded Graces whose powers are of the light, Alyce's blood is the green of the Vila, a dark fae. She is ostracized and reviled all the while nobles paying her to create curses. She and the other Graces are chained by the king. Alyce has never known kindness until she meets Princess Aurora, who shows her that she doesn't have to be the monster they make her out to be.
All the princesses in Aurora's family have been cursed to die at age 21 by a powerful Vila centuries ago, but the Fae of Etheria softened it so that true love's kiss can break it. Alyce and Aurora set out to break the curse and fight against everything Aurora's father has done to the kingdom. Meanwhile, Alyce is learning the true extent of her powers.
This book is so full of rage. I love that the author made an MC that isn't beautiful and sweet and "good". Alyce may have become villainous, but she could only be what everyone in the kingdom made her. I did guess a couple of twists, but it didn't make it less enjoyable. I loved Alyce's relationship with Aurora, and I loved that Aurora wasn't just a helpless damsel in distress.
We left off on a major cliffhanger, and now I really need book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Child abuse