Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
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.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
You poured your heart out
I felt your emotion on every page. You opened up your heart and showed us your soul. I wish this wasn't a standalone. But Juliet 's story was so heavy I don't know if there was more to write. I loved this book Cora!! You are a fantastic storyteller and I just want to thank you for sharing this tribute.
I felt your emotion on every page. You opened up your heart and showed us your soul. I wish this wasn't a standalone. But Juliet 's story was so heavy I don't know if there was more to write. I loved this book Cora!! You are a fantastic storyteller and I just want to thank you for sharing this tribute.
Stunning story with a beautiful plot
If you’re looking for a book that will fill your evening with wickedly swoon worthy men and a kick butt main character, this is it.
If you’re looking for a book that will fill your evening with wickedly swoon worthy men and a kick butt main character, this is it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder
TW: LOADS of gore and bloody kills
This was one of the most unhinged books I've read but I'm starting to kind of creep into the deep end with dark romances these days, my favorite got to be Anthony, he's scary but scarred and traumatized. His self deprecating humor always gets me.
The characters? Addictive, I feel like it could have been 2 bros instead of 3, William is kind of forgettable. I love the Grandma hope she makes it out of this series alive lol and the smut?? I'm new to the kinky side of booktok lol but this was pretty tame and everything had a reason.
This was one of the most unhinged books I've read but I'm starting to kind of creep into the deep end with dark romances these days, my favorite got to be Anthony, he's scary but scarred and traumatized. His self deprecating humor always gets me.
The characters? Addictive, I feel like it could have been 2 bros instead of 3, William is kind of forgettable. I love the Grandma hope she makes it out of this series alive lol and the smut?? I'm new to the kinky side of booktok lol but this was pretty tame and everything had a reason.
3.5 stars
So this book went a lot darker than I expected, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I like that it was dark without all the violence directed towards the heroine. The brothers are a bit OTT, but still likable enough that I want to see their character growth in the following novels, and I really must know of we ever learn anything about the heroines missing mother.
So this book went a lot darker than I expected, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I like that it was dark without all the violence directed towards the heroine. The brothers are a bit OTT, but still likable enough that I want to see their character growth in the following novels, and I really must know of we ever learn anything about the heroines missing mother.
This was ridiculous. Absofuckinglutely ridiculous. Half the time I was like "how the hell is this happening???" and the other half of it was me cringing. Also miss author hasn't gotten her facts right. As a true crime junkie myself, there were so many faults that I found regarding that particular aspect in this book. First off, Jeffrey Dahmer was a homosexual who preyed on young men with the youngest victim being 14 and the oldest being in his thirties. He NEVER targeted women. Ever. Because he was gay - as I've mentioned before - and usually picked up his victims from bars. One more thing was that he never disguised himself or used a fake name - unlike Ted Bundy. The fact that the h thinks that Jeffrey Dahmer must have disguised himself as a single dad whom her missing mother was crushing on and then abducted said mother??? HELL NO. That shit don't make sense y'all. Please research before you go ahead and include inaccurate things in books. Maybe this isn't such a big deal to anybody else, but to me it is ig. Apart from that, the story was lacking in several aspects. Where was the romance huh??? It was all over the place and found myself being genuinely and thoroughly confused. The side characters were fucking useless (Vicky hon, I'm looking at you) and the men in harem literally had the personality of a dead fish. It seems like the Gods have been displeased with me since I've been subjected to disappointing read after disappointing read for a while now. Gimme a fucking break ffs ajsjsjjekeke
I normally love Coralee June's books but this one just fell a bit flat for me. I liked the story and the principle but it didn't blow me away. I feel like we only touched the surface and would've loved more books from the characters. Saying that, I did love the characters, especially Anthony (not sure what that says about me