Title: Malice
Series: Malice Duology
Author’s Name: Heather Walter
Publisher: Del Rey
Genre: Fantasy
Page Count: 469 Pages
ISBN: 978-1984818652
Author or Book Website: https://heatherrwalter.com/
Link to Amazon purchase page: Amazon.com: Malice: A Novel (9781984818652): Walter, Heather: Books
Link to Goodreads: Malice (Malice Duology #1) by Heather Walter | Goodreads
Release Date: N/A
How I Got the Book: Review Copy
Summary of the Book:
A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.
Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.
You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.
Utter nonsense.
Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.
Until I met her.
Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.
But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.
Nonsense again.
Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—
I am the villain.
My Personal Review: I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. Once I started this book I could not put it down. It is a world that was so well put together that I almost believe that if I looked hard enough I could find it. I do have to say the book did start a little slow passed. It did pick up and move at a bit of an intense pace after that. I like the characters Aurora and Alyce. I am not going to tell the ending but it was a bit much and I am wondering who it will all get wrapped up in book two since that will be the last one. I did want to see what else I can find by this author I love the writing style and pictures I saw in my mind while reading.
My Rating of the Book: 4 Stars
From the Book Reviewer's Desk 