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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I liked the premise of this retelling. It sounded soild but for me it just wasn't working. Nothing really happened until maybe the last 20-25% of the book. And because of that you're able to figure out really quickly how everything with play out. There was a lot of the same things happening but said differently. The two main characters didn't have a lot of interactions for most of the book so when their "romance" started it didn't feel like much was there. Not really insta love since time did pass but just wasn't time spent for a true connection to form. I think Aurora said it as some point, that they mostly taked about the curse and that's basically it. . And I also found myself not really caring about these characters or what happens to them.
Few things I liked were, the premise, some of the magic and that it was wlw.
I probably should've dnf'ed but I guess it's was expecting it to pickup at some point but it never did.
Few things I liked were, the premise, some of the magic and that it was wlw.
I probably should've dnf'ed but I guess it's was expecting it to pickup at some point but it never did.
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed this retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I picked it up because I thought the idea of the evil sorceress being Aurora’s true love was such a clever twist. And the book did not disappoint. The middle was a little slow but the ending was perfect. I loved how it turned everything on it’s head. I definitely didn’t see it coming.
This book explores the complicated question of good vs. evil. And much like the movie Maleficent or the play Wicked, asks you to look at the motivations behind the “evil” and whether evil really is evil or just misunderstood or pushed to the brink.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. My opinions are my own.**
This book explores the complicated question of good vs. evil. And much like the movie Maleficent or the play Wicked, asks you to look at the motivations behind the “evil” and whether evil really is evil or just misunderstood or pushed to the brink.
**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. My opinions are my own.**
This title is exactly the type of YA material I have been looking for. Fantasy and magic (dungeons and dragons feeling) with LGBT+ characters and themes. This book would be a very solid read for most of my teens, but I will say it took a long time to lead up to the story and the worldbuilding was tedious. For some, that wouldn't be a problem...but I wanted it to start getting "can't put down good" sooner so that it would catch reader's interest faster.
4,5/5⭐️ loved it, this book had a lot of elements that just made me fall in love with it and the story. the only reason i’m not giving it 5 stars is solely because there’s elements of the book that i did not like or did not find much importance to when other things could have been explored more instead (but it’s more a personal feeling than a criticism because the book was very well written and everything brought up all had important to the story at one point.)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shortened Version of Blurb:
Let me tell you something, 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. The 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. 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.
Review:
So I want to start this review off with more of a question. Why is Alyce described as an evil sorceress villain? Yes, she is a sorceress, but it never made sense why in the blurb she calls herself the villain. Because this is a spoiler-free review, I won't get into examples of why I don't understand. That's just my paragraph on that.
Although I did rate this as a 5 star, there were some parts that I did not enjoy all that much. I was a better fan of part one than of part two. This is a duology so clearly, there are lots of things being set up and wrapped up still, so that's why this is not a four-star rating.
The second half did make me a little anxious for whatever the plot will be in the next book. Of course, a story has to progress, but its switch from a story about a princess and a sorceress working together to something else, is a little concerning, as I have rarely seen it done right.
I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot! While I do find the idea of Fae a bit overwritten at this point, I enjoyed the magic system and found it very easy to understand and follow. I also love retellings that are...this is going to be difficult to describe. Bear with me. I love retellings that are a bit a rewrite mixed with a sequel. For example, Alyce is not the witch who cast the spell. I don't think the original Sleeping Beauty witch had a name, but Alyce is not this book's version of Maleficent, meaning Aurora is not the original Sleeping Beauty. Aurora is a product of the original Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty from years past. Those original characters have a story of their own in this rewritten world, it's hidden and given out like lore. That's the rewrite. The main book is a product of that rewrite and is consequently a sequel. I hope that made sense.
The world-building was very well done and I could easily piece together a world history through the dialogue. Even though that was very strong, the description of the setting could often be lacking. I would assume that this takes place in a type of Medieval Europe, somewhere with a large hill, an ocean, and dry cliffs.
The characters could have used a bit more development. I feel like, besides a couple of characters, most of them were hated or loved due to an unreliable narrator. that isn't inherently bad, but a lot of characters seemed to have a one-dimensional motivation and one main personality trait. Again, this is a series so there is room for growth.
Alyce's character was also a breath of fresh air in a way. The book read awfully YA but is classified as an adult book. I believe the author has even stated that Malice can be read enjoyably by either group. Having said that, Alyce is a step up from the normal YA female protagonist. This may be because she's 20, but I have read very immature 20-year-olds before. To me, Alyce is kind at heart but protects herself with a cold attitude. She is not overly bitchy and she is not unrealistically selfish. She is not naive, she is not annoyingly insecure, and does not reject femininity.
Since there will be a conclusion to this duology soon, I'm not sure what else I can say other than I'm looking forward to it!
Let me tell you something, 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. The 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. 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.
Review:
So I want to start this review off with more of a question. Why is Alyce described as an evil sorceress villain? Yes, she is a sorceress, but it never made sense why in the blurb she calls herself the villain. Because this is a spoiler-free review, I won't get into examples of why I don't understand. That's just my paragraph on that.
Although I did rate this as a 5 star, there were some parts that I did not enjoy all that much. I was a better fan of part one than of part two. This is a duology so clearly, there are lots of things being set up and wrapped up still, so that's why this is not a four-star rating.
The second half did make me a little anxious for whatever the plot will be in the next book. Of course, a story has to progress, but its switch from a story about a princess and a sorceress working together to something else, is a little concerning, as I have rarely seen it done right.
I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot! While I do find the idea of Fae a bit overwritten at this point, I enjoyed the magic system and found it very easy to understand and follow. I also love retellings that are...this is going to be difficult to describe. Bear with me. I love retellings that are a bit a rewrite mixed with a sequel. For example, Alyce is not the witch who cast the spell. I don't think the original Sleeping Beauty witch had a name, but Alyce is not this book's version of Maleficent, meaning Aurora is not the original Sleeping Beauty. Aurora is a product of the original Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty from years past. Those original characters have a story of their own in this rewritten world, it's hidden and given out like lore. That's the rewrite. The main book is a product of that rewrite and is consequently a sequel. I hope that made sense.
The world-building was very well done and I could easily piece together a world history through the dialogue. Even though that was very strong, the description of the setting could often be lacking. I would assume that this takes place in a type of Medieval Europe, somewhere with a large hill, an ocean, and dry cliffs.
The characters could have used a bit more development. I feel like, besides a couple of characters, most of them were hated or loved due to an unreliable narrator. that isn't inherently bad, but a lot of characters seemed to have a one-dimensional motivation and one main personality trait. Again, this is a series so there is room for growth.
Alyce's character was also a breath of fresh air in a way. The book read awfully YA but is classified as an adult book. I believe the author has even stated that Malice can be read enjoyably by either group. Having said that, Alyce is a step up from the normal YA female protagonist. This may be because she's 20, but I have read very immature 20-year-olds before. To me, Alyce is kind at heart but protects herself with a cold attitude. She is not overly bitchy and she is not unrealistically selfish. She is not naive, she is not annoyingly insecure, and does not reject femininity.
Since there will be a conclusion to this duology soon, I'm not sure what else I can say other than I'm looking forward to it!
A fantastic queer twisted fairytale retelling. Read this if you like Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent, Inkmistress, Of Fire and Stars, Cinderella, The Sleeper and the Spindle, etc
I did really like this book and I look forward to reading the second book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
A retelling of sleeping beauty. However, told in the point of view of the protagonist/antagonistic, Alyce, A half Vila (a dark creature, who can only cause ugliness in the world) abandoned as an infant, in a kingdom that despises her for her blood. Throughout the story, all she wants is to fit in and be accepted by the Graces, an etherian creature that can grant blessings and gifts to the mortals of the Briar kingdom. One night a masque is held for the princesses 20th birthday, and Alyce goes in hopes to have one night to fit in. But it is striped from her when she is unveiled infront of everyone. Alyce runs to the gardens and that is where she meets Aurora, the crowned princess, her family cursed by Vila hundreds of years ago to die at the the age of 21, but was lessened by the Etherians so that true loves kiss can break the curse. Aurora is fascinated with Alyce, and tries befriending her. Alyce, is always wary of the princess, because no one can ever like a monster like her. Throughout the book Alyce and Aurora come together in hopes to break the curse without true loves kiss, before the year is up. Meanwhile, Alyce is training to strengthen her power in secret, with only one other person she has come to trust. Hardship rriendship, betrayal, and strong, powerful female characters.
Will they break the curse? Does the princess actually like Alyce or is she just using her? And will Alyce ever be accepted or will she come to accept the monster she is?
A retelling of sleeping beauty. However, told in the point of view of the protagonist/antagonistic, Alyce, A half Vila (a dark creature, who can only cause ugliness in the world) abandoned as an infant, in a kingdom that despises her for her blood. Throughout the story, all she wants is to fit in and be accepted by the Graces, an etherian creature that can grant blessings and gifts to the mortals of the Briar kingdom. One night a masque is held for the princesses 20th birthday, and Alyce goes in hopes to have one night to fit in. But it is striped from her when she is unveiled infront of everyone. Alyce runs to the gardens and that is where she meets Aurora, the crowned princess, her family cursed by Vila hundreds of years ago to die at the the age of 21, but was lessened by the Etherians so that true loves kiss can break the curse. Aurora is fascinated with Alyce, and tries befriending her. Alyce, is always wary of the princess, because no one can ever like a monster like her. Throughout the book Alyce and Aurora come together in hopes to break the curse without true loves kiss, before the year is up. Meanwhile, Alyce is training to strengthen her power in secret, with only one other person she has come to trust. Hardship rriendship, betrayal, and strong, powerful female characters.
Will they break the curse? Does the princess actually like Alyce or is she just using her? And will Alyce ever be accepted or will she come to accept the monster she is?
if you want a brilliantly queer retelling of a fairytale that also is a very well written villain origin story (but is she really the villain?) this is the book for you!!