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A review by caseythereader
Malice by Heather Walter
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
📚 MALICE is a Sleeping Beauty retelling that folds in a complex magic system and high society world. I was drawn in immediately, needing to know more about how the Graces' powers worked and how in a matriarchy the women were still held back.
📚 I loved Alyce and Aurora's vibe together and how they encouraged each other to want more than their lot in life.
📚 Some stretches of the book are a bit exposition-heavy, but as I said, it is a pretty complex world. I would happily read more novels set in other corners of this story.
📚 One thing I did find jarring is that several men who are described as either bumbling or evil are also portrayed as fat, and in a clearly meant-to-be-gross way.
📚 I loved Alyce and Aurora's vibe together and how they encouraged each other to want more than their lot in life.
📚 Some stretches of the book are a bit exposition-heavy, but as I said, it is a pretty complex world. I would happily read more novels set in other corners of this story.
📚 One thing I did find jarring is that several men who are described as either bumbling or evil are also portrayed as fat, and in a clearly meant-to-be-gross way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Murder, Torture, and Violence