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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
TL;DR: An impressive what-if, a dichotomy of two vastly different worlds and times somehow existing together and a brilliant execution in terms of characters. Everything is all out of order in this story and it's honestly really cool how the author weaves us through it!
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: These characters! I think my favorite part about this book is that every character is both protag and antag. I've so rarely seen a book that manages such a feat. It's honestly incredible. I'm both rooting for and against all of them almost simultaneously. Or at least, it flip-flops constantly and left me wholly invested in them. I couldn't help but hurt on so many different levels for Alice, Bandit, and her brother. Bandit, in my opinion, is a highlight in terms of a character. He's wonderfully fleshed out in ways that I personally find rare in a lot of fiction I've read.
PLOT: For dealing with time-travel and a loss of chronological order as part of the conflict, I found the plot to be perfectly paced. There is, of course, a certain suspension of disbelief that is needed as a reader with something like this, but ultimately the author had the perfect balance of action and exposition, fast and gentle. And throughout, there is a constant confusion where Alice really needs to trust her gut and because the conventions of the story are so mixed up with this plot-line, I found myself ultimately having to do the same thing without using the characters and their decisions as crutches, which was really impressive.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5 on the scale. Definitely closer to therapist than beach read. Especially because every character to me was both protag and antag, having to ultimately make decisions on whether to be invested in them carried a lot of weight, because it had the potential to go so poorly at the end.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
Just shy of 100% fulfilled. Yes, this is a YA story, but I think that the climax that had been built up fell just shy of the height it could have been. I'm glad that we find mostly a success with all of them. Mostly is the keyword here. So while there are places where I was ready for more more more and didn't get it, it wasn't enough to leave me super disappointed.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
Yes, I'd definitely still go back and read this one.
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: These characters! I think my favorite part about this book is that every character is both protag and antag. I've so rarely seen a book that manages such a feat. It's honestly incredible. I'm both rooting for and against all of them almost simultaneously. Or at least, it flip-flops constantly and left me wholly invested in them. I couldn't help but hurt on so many different levels for Alice, Bandit, and her brother. Bandit, in my opinion, is a highlight in terms of a character. He's wonderfully fleshed out in ways that I personally find rare in a lot of fiction I've read.
PLOT: For dealing with time-travel and a loss of chronological order as part of the conflict, I found the plot to be perfectly paced. There is, of course, a certain suspension of disbelief that is needed as a reader with something like this, but ultimately the author had the perfect balance of action and exposition, fast and gentle. And throughout, there is a constant confusion where Alice really needs to trust her gut and because the conventions of the story are so mixed up with this plot-line, I found myself ultimately having to do the same thing without using the characters and their decisions as crutches, which was really impressive.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
4 out of 5 on the scale. Definitely closer to therapist than beach read. Especially because every character to me was both protag and antag, having to ultimately make decisions on whether to be invested in them carried a lot of weight, because it had the potential to go so poorly at the end.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
Just shy of 100% fulfilled. Yes, this is a YA story, but I think that the climax that had been built up fell just shy of the height it could have been. I'm glad that we find mostly a success with all of them. Mostly is the keyword here. So while there are places where I was ready for more more more and didn't get it, it wasn't enough to leave me super disappointed.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
Yes, I'd definitely still go back and read this one.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I went into Malice with a slight bias, but I'm glad that this book only cemented the fact that Pintip Dunn is my favorite author.
If you're a fan of well executed plot twists with Malice you're in for a treat. I found myself guessing along the way, only to be absolutely mistaken for the most part.
Dunn's leading ladies are always stellar, so I knew not to expect anything less. Alice was well developed, executed in a way that it was impossible not to feel for her. Bandit was one hell of a love interest, and the relationship between him and Alice was dynamic and fun to experience, their interactions as well. I have to note that all characters felt nuanced, I have a hard time picking who was my favorite.
I loved the world-building. The idea behind it all, the mechanics of the world were fun and unique. The story was engrossing, and the plot was paced to my liking. That, along with Dunn's writing style, made Malice hard to put down.
I recommend this book. I think it's an amazing addition to YA, and with it's perfect balance of sci-fi, romance and thriller, it's a book that you shouldn't skip.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review
*Rating: 5/5 stars
If you're a fan of well executed plot twists with Malice you're in for a treat. I found myself guessing along the way, only to be absolutely mistaken for the most part.
Dunn's leading ladies are always stellar, so I knew not to expect anything less. Alice was well developed, executed in a way that it was impossible not to feel for her. Bandit was one hell of a love interest, and the relationship between him and Alice was dynamic and fun to experience, their interactions as well. I have to note that all characters felt nuanced, I have a hard time picking who was my favorite.
I loved the world-building. The idea behind it all, the mechanics of the world were fun and unique. The story was engrossing, and the plot was paced to my liking. That, along with Dunn's writing style, made Malice hard to put down.
I recommend this book. I think it's an amazing addition to YA, and with it's perfect balance of sci-fi, romance and thriller, it's a book that you shouldn't skip.
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review
*Rating: 5/5 stars
Alice Sherman is more interested in taking delicious looking pictures of her not-always-edible cooking for her foodie Instagram account and dreaming of a future as a photographer for National Geographic than she is in math and science.
She knows the only reason that she is at her super competitive, STEM-focused school is because her older brother Archie is a certified genius and science prodigy. She doesn't mind. Someone has to keep an eye on Archie to make sure he remembers things like eating instead of equations sometimes--especially in the years since their mom left and their dad has become more and more distant.
Her mundane life is upended when a sudden, sharp pain hits during lunch. A voice in her head tell Alice that she can make the pain stop. All Alice has to do is tell Bandit Sakda that she loves him. Embarrassing, but easy enough.
Except the Voice isn't done with Alice. There's something else she has to do. Something that might prevent the creation of a virus that will kill two thirds of the population. Something that might make Alice a killer. Something that is going to be that much harder for Alice to do if she ever lets herself fall for Bandit in Malice (2020) by Pintip Dunn.
Dunn's latest standalone adventure follows Alice as she tries to figure out who the Voice is and how far she is willing to go to prevent the dire future the Voice warns her about.
While some of the twists and turns will be predictable for readers familiar with time travel shenanigans, Alice's journey remains unique and puts a strong focus on the ways in which free will and compassion can change everything. Alice's best friend Lalana Bunyasarn and Alice's reluctant love interest Bandit add some needed levity (and chemistry) to a potentially bleak story.
Malice is a delectable blend of time travel and suspense. Recommended for readers who like their romance with a little sci-fi or vice versa.
Possible Pairings: Loop by Karen Akins, Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Infinity of You & Me by J. Q. Coyle, The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Soulprint by Megan Miranda, Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor, All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
She knows the only reason that she is at her super competitive, STEM-focused school is because her older brother Archie is a certified genius and science prodigy. She doesn't mind. Someone has to keep an eye on Archie to make sure he remembers things like eating instead of equations sometimes--especially in the years since their mom left and their dad has become more and more distant.
Her mundane life is upended when a sudden, sharp pain hits during lunch. A voice in her head tell Alice that she can make the pain stop. All Alice has to do is tell Bandit Sakda that she loves him. Embarrassing, but easy enough.
Except the Voice isn't done with Alice. There's something else she has to do. Something that might prevent the creation of a virus that will kill two thirds of the population. Something that might make Alice a killer. Something that is going to be that much harder for Alice to do if she ever lets herself fall for Bandit in Malice (2020) by Pintip Dunn.
Dunn's latest standalone adventure follows Alice as she tries to figure out who the Voice is and how far she is willing to go to prevent the dire future the Voice warns her about.
While some of the twists and turns will be predictable for readers familiar with time travel shenanigans, Alice's journey remains unique and puts a strong focus on the ways in which free will and compassion can change everything. Alice's best friend Lalana Bunyasarn and Alice's reluctant love interest Bandit add some needed levity (and chemistry) to a potentially bleak story.
Malice is a delectable blend of time travel and suspense. Recommended for readers who like their romance with a little sci-fi or vice versa.
Possible Pairings: Loop by Karen Akins, Midnight at the Electric by Jodi Lynn Anderson, The Infinity of You & Me by J. Q. Coyle, The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Soulprint by Megan Miranda, Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor, All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.**
Title Malice
Author Pintip Dunn
Release Date February 4, 2020
Publisher Entangled Teen
Description from Amazon
What I know: a boy in my class will one day wipe out two-thirds of the population with a virus.
What I don’t know: who he is.
In a race against the clock, I not only have to figure out his identity, but I’ll have to outwit a voice from the future telling me to kill him. Because I’m starting to realize no one is telling the truth. But how can I play chess with someone who already knows the outcome of my every move? Someone so filled with malice they’ve lost all hope in humanity? Well, I’ll just have to find a way—because now they’ve drawn a target on the only boy I’ve ever loved…
Initial Thoughts
I don’t read a ton of sci-fi but one of my resolutions for 2020 was to read more of the genres that I previously designated as “out of my comfort zone”. The concept of this book sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a shot.
Some Things I Liked
Magic without including a fantasy element. I loved (pun intended) the role that love played in this story. There was something pseudo-magical about Alice’s relationships with her family and with Bandit. For a story centered around science, I really appreciated the elements of human emotion factored into the story.
Mystery/Thriller vibes. I really enjoyed being on the edge of my seat while reading this story. It’s not often that a book can keep me guessing for as long as Malice did, so major props to Pintip Dunn on that front.
One Thing I Didn’t Like
Sci-fi is always a tough genre for me. I spend way too much time thinking about the plausibility of the story and I find it difficult to suspend my disbelief. There were some moments in this book where I struggled to believe in the time travel elements. But, they were few and far between. My one, tiny, complaint about this book is that there were some small moments where the magic of the story fizzled for me and I got bogged down by my own overly-critical mind.
Series Value
While I did enjoy getting to know these characters, this story feels complete. If Pintip Dunn decides to revisit this world for more about Alice and company, I’d enjoy reading it, but, I am happy with the conclusion of Malice.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. I read it all in one shot because I couldn’t put it down. I had some small issues with the continuity of the time travel elements (but this is the main reason I avoid sci-fi as a genre). Overall, this was an interesting read with enjoyable and emotionally gripping characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – if you liked the race against the clock to prevent a terrible action element of Malice, try this standalone by Astrid Scholte.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman – if you enjoyed the more science fiction-y elements of this story, try the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman.
Caraval by Stephane Garber – ok, this seems like a weird rec, but hear me out. If you liked the idea of someone attempting to prevent something in the future because they have knowledge of said future, try this series. Also, if you liked that concept but wanted a more fantasy setting, you will enjoy this series.
Title Malice
Author Pintip Dunn
Release Date February 4, 2020
Publisher Entangled Teen
Description from Amazon
What I know: a boy in my class will one day wipe out two-thirds of the population with a virus.
What I don’t know: who he is.
In a race against the clock, I not only have to figure out his identity, but I’ll have to outwit a voice from the future telling me to kill him. Because I’m starting to realize no one is telling the truth. But how can I play chess with someone who already knows the outcome of my every move? Someone so filled with malice they’ve lost all hope in humanity? Well, I’ll just have to find a way—because now they’ve drawn a target on the only boy I’ve ever loved…
Initial Thoughts
I don’t read a ton of sci-fi but one of my resolutions for 2020 was to read more of the genres that I previously designated as “out of my comfort zone”. The concept of this book sounded interesting so I thought I’d give it a shot.
Some Things I Liked
Magic without including a fantasy element. I loved (pun intended) the role that love played in this story. There was something pseudo-magical about Alice’s relationships with her family and with Bandit. For a story centered around science, I really appreciated the elements of human emotion factored into the story.
Mystery/Thriller vibes. I really enjoyed being on the edge of my seat while reading this story. It’s not often that a book can keep me guessing for as long as Malice did, so major props to Pintip Dunn on that front.
One Thing I Didn’t Like
Sci-fi is always a tough genre for me. I spend way too much time thinking about the plausibility of the story and I find it difficult to suspend my disbelief. There were some moments in this book where I struggled to believe in the time travel elements. But, they were few and far between. My one, tiny, complaint about this book is that there were some small moments where the magic of the story fizzled for me and I got bogged down by my own overly-critical mind.
Series Value
While I did enjoy getting to know these characters, this story feels complete. If Pintip Dunn decides to revisit this world for more about Alice and company, I’d enjoy reading it, but, I am happy with the conclusion of Malice.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this book. I read it all in one shot because I couldn’t put it down. I had some small issues with the continuity of the time travel elements (but this is the main reason I avoid sci-fi as a genre). Overall, this was an interesting read with enjoyable and emotionally gripping characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendations for Further Reading
Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte – if you liked the race against the clock to prevent a terrible action element of Malice, try this standalone by Astrid Scholte.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman – if you enjoyed the more science fiction-y elements of this story, try the Arc of a Scythe series by Neal Shusterman.
Caraval by Stephane Garber – ok, this seems like a weird rec, but hear me out. If you liked the idea of someone attempting to prevent something in the future because they have knowledge of said future, try this series. Also, if you liked that concept but wanted a more fantasy setting, you will enjoy this series.
Time traveling to your younger self, stopping someone you’re close with from spreading a virus, lies, deceit....this book had me hooked. I enjoyed the time travel and the mystery of who is the person that’s suppose to die to save humanity. Just when I thought I figured it out, here comes the plot twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this and interested in other works that she’s done.