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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I’m speechless. This is a beautifully written story.
I shred many tears reading this book (even more than the 1st book). Tears from hurt, anger, sadness, and love.
I love this book so much. It’s a love story that has fantasy elements while the first book is more of a fantasy book with romance elements.
I’m so blown away by the details in this book, I couldn’t predict what happens next and I must say that I’m intrigued to see what’s lurking around the corner for Alyce; even though I just want that girl to have a break already.
Alyce whom I love and feel for so much. That girl while has a dark side, obviously because she’s tired of proving everyone wrong and simply shows people the monster that they expect of her. But she’s such a cinnamon roll and her found family could see through her farce.
And Aurora… She’s wiser than I expected. There are questionable things about her for sure, but for the most part, she reacts more sane and mature than anyone would’ve in her situation.
Other characters are so well developed too that I was so immersed in the book. Their species and powers are described so vividly too. I’m just amazed by this world that Heather Walter created.
Idk what to tell you besides Misrule is a God-tier book. It has elements from Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales, and I kinda get a Romeo and Juliet vibe too.
I shred many tears reading this book (even more than the 1st book). Tears from hurt, anger, sadness, and love.
I love this book so much. It’s a love story that has fantasy elements while the first book is more of a fantasy book with romance elements.
I’m so blown away by the details in this book, I couldn’t predict what happens next and I must say that I’m intrigued to see what’s lurking around the corner for Alyce; even though I just want that girl to have a break already.
Alyce whom I love and feel for so much. That girl while has a dark side, obviously because she’s tired of proving everyone wrong and simply shows people the monster that they expect of her. But she’s such a cinnamon roll and her found family could see through her farce.
And Aurora… She’s wiser than I expected. There are questionable things about her for sure, but for the most part, she reacts more sane and mature than anyone would’ve in her situation.
Other characters are so well developed too that I was so immersed in the book. Their species and powers are described so vividly too. I’m just amazed by this world that Heather Walter created.
Idk what to tell you besides Misrule is a God-tier book. It has elements from Sleeping Beauty and other fairy tales, and I kinda get a Romeo and Juliet vibe too.
Alyce reigns in the realm of Briar. Within her heart, she keeps the memory of a waking Aurora alive, for Aurora herself sleeps a slumber unable to be broken, constant for a hundred years. This curse is wretched, nearly as wretched as the revenge that Alyce has spread across Briar, fashioning a new realm in her own image. They all shunned and scorned Alyce once, but now, she is feared, respected, and that has given Alyce some satisfaction, but has also created a new problem for her. Alyce is ready to do whatever is required to wake Aurora from this sleep as deep as death, yet once she wakes, will Aurora see Alyce as the woman she fell asleep loving? If not that, then will Alyce's revenge open Aurora's eyes and turn them against Alyce? Will their love stand the test of time, and can Alyce be loved even at her worst?
I really enjoyed reading Malice, the first entry in this duology, and Misrule jumps forward an entire century to offer us the long-awaited conclusion. Alyce has gone full dark queen here, wielding her power and influence as she pleases. This means all sorts of creatures, including hilarious Imps, are her subjects and part of her court. An unexpected turn of events finally brings Aurora out of her slumber, and as it turns out, a century changes individuals, whether sleeping or not. Alyce and Aurora do not see eye to eye on where Briar is, and where its future is going, and there are threats from the outside that Alyce must contend with as well.
This story is largely Alyce's, concerning her rule, how she reacts to events and the people around her, and how she seeks to hold onto her new persona while attempting to realign Aurora's soul with her own. The story was strongest at the beginning and particularly at the end, while the middle sagged under the weight of discord and the burden of power on Alyce's shoulders. Misrule is the story of humanity, creatures of magic, and two souls trying to find each other after a century of separation, and discord in the world. Recommended for readers who loved Malice, who appreciate sapphic romance, who like stories with grey moral threads, and who enjoy tales of magical creatures that offer up the villain's point of view, where love, acceptance, and a slice of revenge is all this villain desires.
Thank you Del Rey Books for the complimentary digital copy of Misrule. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading Malice, the first entry in this duology, and Misrule jumps forward an entire century to offer us the long-awaited conclusion. Alyce has gone full dark queen here, wielding her power and influence as she pleases. This means all sorts of creatures, including hilarious Imps, are her subjects and part of her court. An unexpected turn of events finally brings Aurora out of her slumber, and as it turns out, a century changes individuals, whether sleeping or not. Alyce and Aurora do not see eye to eye on where Briar is, and where its future is going, and there are threats from the outside that Alyce must contend with as well.
This story is largely Alyce's, concerning her rule, how she reacts to events and the people around her, and how she seeks to hold onto her new persona while attempting to realign Aurora's soul with her own. The story was strongest at the beginning and particularly at the end, while the middle sagged under the weight of discord and the burden of power on Alyce's shoulders. Misrule is the story of humanity, creatures of magic, and two souls trying to find each other after a century of separation, and discord in the world. Recommended for readers who loved Malice, who appreciate sapphic romance, who like stories with grey moral threads, and who enjoy tales of magical creatures that offer up the villain's point of view, where love, acceptance, and a slice of revenge is all this villain desires.
Thank you Del Rey Books for the complimentary digital copy of Misrule. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thoroughly enjoyed this duology, loved the world created and the characters… the magic is very cool! I felt immersed in this world, and found it haunting and beautiful.
literally crying this book was so good I love Aurora and Alyce so much absolute queens (this was the more important thing)
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As good if not better than the first in the duology Malice a wonderful retelling of the story of sleeping beauty.
The first book in this sleeping beauty retelling is incredible, and this second book does not let us down. In the first book Alyce (nicknamed Malice) and Aurora, the cursed princess, form an unlikely friendship that blossoms into more. This second book finds Aurora under a sleeping spell and Alyce running a court of outcasts and waging war against the Fae. I love that this second book heavily incorporated sleeping beauty lore as we know it and seamlessly transitioned from the first book but still gave us a fully unique and fleshed out story. I also adore that this book is a study in morality and perspective. Despite there being a Dark Court, most things are shades of gray. I will be keeping my eye out for more from Heather Walter in the future.
Another powerful installment, and conclusion, to this duology.
Alyce (now Nimara) rules with a ruthless iron fist, near ignorant that her own style emulates eerily close to those of the overthrown predecessors. The very things she tore the kingdom down for she is remaking in reverse.
Aurora's beauty, kindness, and damn stubbornness re-awakens the empathy in Alyce's heart. Their love is so sweet but also super problematic. Their both possessive, manipulative, vindictive, petty, and destructive to each other, yet, somehow always manage to hold each other closest.
I was heart broken over Regan's story -- from first to last. She was very near one of the best characters yet never really got enough light in the story and was certainly unfairly treated.
While not as earth shaking as "Malice", "Misrule" is a satisfying follow-up and conclusion to this creative retelling of Sleeping Beauty with lesbian romance at the center in multiple ways, all while showing the poisons wrought through the inequities of racism, bigotry, gender, class, and more. I still highly recommend.
Alyce (now Nimara) rules with a ruthless iron fist, near ignorant that her own style emulates eerily close to those of the overthrown predecessors. The very things she tore the kingdom down for she is remaking in reverse.
Aurora's beauty, kindness, and damn stubbornness re-awakens the empathy in Alyce's heart. Their love is so sweet but also super problematic. Their both possessive, manipulative, vindictive, petty, and destructive to each other, yet, somehow always manage to hold each other closest.
I was heart broken over Regan's story -- from first to last. She was very near one of the best characters yet never really got enough light in the story and was certainly unfairly treated.
While not as earth shaking as "Malice", "Misrule" is a satisfying follow-up and conclusion to this creative retelling of Sleeping Beauty with lesbian romance at the center in multiple ways, all while showing the poisons wrought through the inequities of racism, bigotry, gender, class, and more. I still highly recommend.
I should start by saying that I loved the first book and despite Alyce being a morally grey character, I loved her. The story ended on a complete cliffhanger, and it left me with high expectations for this book. Except 100 years have passed since the first book's events, so the pacing of this book was a lot slower than I was expecting. Aurora has been asleep that entire time and when this book begins, it takes a solid first part of the book for her to wake. When she does, you can imagine she's not happy. I will admit that I was reading another book at the same time that had fae in it, and I kept getting distracted by the other book. So the slow start may have been partly my fault. But once I finished the other book, I came back to this and ended up finishing this in a day and a half. But I still think that the pacing is a lot slower at the beginning than I was expecting. That said, once things started to pick up, it was pretty solid action to the end. The last 20%, in particular, is non-stop and the twists and turns keep happening. I ended up really loving the ending, even if it is not your typical happily ever after. Which is as it should be. Aurora and Alyce are most definitely morally grey, and I liked the world they built. The ending is somewhat left to our imagination, but I think it works very well. Those who want typical romantic happily ever afters might be left somewhat unsatisfied, but I personally loved it. So despite the slow start, I ended up really enjoying this book and I also loved that it was a duology and I didn't have to wait for a third book!
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy from NetGalley for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sadly, the first book was better - this one meanders for a while, wallowing in subplots and repetitive descriptions. Not awful, just not particularly good. And the last 20% or so is particularly tough slogging.