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4.55k reviews for:

Malice

Heather Walter

3.93 AVERAGE

lottie1803's review

4.0
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thelibraryofminds's review

4.0

I am 1000% here for queer retellings of fairytales, especially when they give more nuance to villains. I really enjoyed this take on Sleeping Beauty-so interesting, and I want to know what happens next.
dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

I really enjoyed this. It was a great start to the duology and an interesting take on the beginnings of the depraved dragoness we know and love.

Alyce was a relatable underdog and compelling main character. There were times when I thought she was being too nice but I think I was just projecting my expectations of what I wanted her to be, and getting ahead of myself. I was expecting her to be the villain we’re used to, and ended up really enjoying the journey of how she got there. The pacing of the story was great.

The friendship between Alyce and Aurora gave me Elphaba/Glinda vibes at first before blossoming into something more. The love scene was tastefully done and not graphic/overly descriptive (not that I mind a descriptive love scene).

I found the world building and history of the different races (Humans, Elves, Veela) intriguing.

I’m glad I listened to the audiobook, but thought it was an odd choice to get an American narrator to put on a British accent (why not just get a British narrator?). It would occasionally take me out of the story when the narrator would pronounce words oddly. But overall I liked the tone of Gideon’s voice and her distinction between characters.

I’m looking forward to listening to the next book in this duology which I feel will show Alyce in more of a Maleficent-esque light. The big question though: what happens when true loves kiss can’t break a curse?

Content warnings:
⚠️torture
⚠️bullying

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

sarahb_13's review

4.0
fast-paced
Loveable characters: Complicated

nicolash412's review

5.0

This book was definitely one that I couldn't WAIT to pick up and read every evening! Eagerly awaiting the sequel! Dunno what I'll do with my life 'til then! ;)

So. Many. Feelings!
lauraabbs's profile picture

lauraabbs's review

4.25
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

dionne2677's review

3.0

3.5 stars
amandell's profile picture

amandell's review

3.0

The first part of the book was great. The ending however felt rushed. The world and characters are so carefully built. I really enjoyed the magic system and magic houses. Then the last 1/4th of the book collides with the current world with the classic fairy tale, throwing all that carefully built story into chaos.
notonlythemoon's profile picture

notonlythemoon's review

3.0

3⭐ tiratissime.

L'idea di base è buona e accattivante. Il world building un po' che ti fa rincoglionire con 70 nomi tutti in una volta, però okay ci sta mi rendo conto che sono anche io che vado in brainrot a volte.

Il problema per me sono stati i tempi morti della parte centrale. Veramente cose successe assolutamente INUTILI ai fini della trama (tutta la situazione con Rose, cioè e poi? BAH). Il cattivo sgamatissimo da subito e infatti non è che abbia avuto questo grande shock da plot twist.
Per la questione di Laurel me lo aspettavo ci fosse qualcosa sotto ma non totalmente, ma lei che impazzisce alla fine e la fa fuori ha avuto il suo perché.

NOTA DOLENTISSIMA: La parola Grazia/Grazie ripetuta 5 volte ogni pagina però, anche meno. Veramente.

Le ultime 100/150 pagine mi sono piaciute abbastanza, il fatto che lei si incattivisca totalmente trasformandosi e proteggendo in maniera ossessiva Aurora l'ho trovato molto fico. Loro due insieme mi sono piaciute anche se come "coppia" non si sono vissute per praticamente niente.
Chissà cosa succederà nel secondo? Sono dell'opinione che se fosse stato un NewAdult sarebbe stato tutto più unhinged e magari avrei apprezzato di più.

lori_micho's review

3.0

3.5 stars