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A review by my_corner_of_the_library
Malice by John Gwynne
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is so hard for me to review. I've never been so emotionally affected by a book I have so many criticisms of.
First, the bad...
Corban's Visions
I really struggled with Corban's visions right from the start. Every time we would get any insight into Corban's visions and connection to Elyon/Asroth it felt randomly dumped and forced. There was very little transition or reason for them to be happening when they did and then they weren't brought up again. Maybe it was just me, but this was the number one thing that really made me remember that this is a debut novel and would keep pulling me out of the story.
The Least Interesting POV's
There was definitely a point in the book where I had really lost interest and was struggling to keep reading. I had a hard time figuring out why, because the events that were happening weren't uninteresting, but I just couldn't find the motivation. It wasn't until I was talking it through with my husband that I realized what the problem was:
I constantly felt like I was reading the book from the least interesting POV. I so wanted to know more about Edana or Gar or anyone else in Ardan, and instead kept reading about Corban and Cywen (whose POV was only used as a plot device). I really didn't care about Veradis, but would have loved to read more about Nathair and what in the world was going through his head. I groaned whenever we got to Kastell because his POV was so incredibly boring and unnecessary, but we kept coming back to it. I just wish we would have read things from a far more intriguing POV
Edana's Friendship with Corban and Cywen
Edana's friendship with Croban and Cywen felt very random and out of nowhere. I really hated how Edana, a princess and heir to a throne, just randomly walked up to someone one day, befriended them, and started sneaking them around Dun Carreg to eavesdrop on meetings, etc. It felt very forced and unnatural.
HOWEVER, no one will ever convince me that Cywen and Edana didn't belong together. I know, Gwynne had Cywen falling for the guard, but Cywen and Edana had such great chemistry that shouldn't have been ignored.
Ronan's Grudge
I was on board with this for a while. A bully that just wouldn't stop and was harboring a grudge, I can get on board with that. But during that final battle??? UGH. At some point it should have died and been given up. That final battle was not the place to try and work out childhood grudges and just made me roll my eyes.
Now, the reason this book completely stole my heart, and I'll be reading the second...
Corban in general
For as much as I'm shitting on this book, I ADORED Corban. What a genuine sweetheart. When he saved the cub, I nearly swooned. There is no better way to get me to love a character than make them stand up for those that need it and love a dog.
The Familial Relationships
I really liked the interpersonal relationships in this book, ESPECIALLY the familial relationships around Corban. His family was so genuine...(view spoiler)
That Ending Though...
Despite all my complaints about this book, the last 50 or so pages hit me in a way I can't explain. I will be reading book #2.
First, the bad...
Corban's Visions
I really struggled with Corban's visions right from the start. Every time we would get any insight into Corban's visions and connection to Elyon/Asroth it felt randomly dumped and forced. There was very little transition or reason for them to be happening when they did and then they weren't brought up again. Maybe it was just me, but this was the number one thing that really made me remember that this is a debut novel and would keep pulling me out of the story.
The Least Interesting POV's
There was definitely a point in the book where I had really lost interest and was struggling to keep reading. I had a hard time figuring out why, because the events that were happening weren't uninteresting, but I just couldn't find the motivation. It wasn't until I was talking it through with my husband that I realized what the problem was:
I constantly felt like I was reading the book from the least interesting POV. I so wanted to know more about Edana or Gar or anyone else in Ardan, and instead kept reading about Corban and Cywen (whose POV was only used as a plot device). I really didn't care about Veradis, but would have loved to read more about Nathair and what in the world was going through his head. I groaned whenever we got to Kastell because his POV was so incredibly boring and unnecessary, but we kept coming back to it. I just wish we would have read things from a far more intriguing POV
Edana's Friendship with Corban and Cywen
Edana's friendship with Croban and Cywen felt very random and out of nowhere. I really hated how Edana, a princess and heir to a throne, just randomly walked up to someone one day, befriended them, and started sneaking them around Dun Carreg to eavesdrop on meetings, etc. It felt very forced and unnatural.
HOWEVER, no one will ever convince me that Cywen and Edana didn't belong together. I know, Gwynne had Cywen falling for the guard, but Cywen and Edana had such great chemistry that shouldn't have been ignored.
Ronan's Grudge
I was on board with this for a while. A bully that just wouldn't stop and was harboring a grudge, I can get on board with that. But during that final battle??? UGH. At some point it should have died and been given up. That final battle was not the place to try and work out childhood grudges and just made me roll my eyes.
Now, the reason this book completely stole my heart, and I'll be reading the second...
Corban in general
For as much as I'm shitting on this book, I ADORED Corban. What a genuine sweetheart. When he saved the cub, I nearly swooned. There is no better way to get me to love a character than make them stand up for those that need it and love a dog.
The Familial Relationships
I really liked the interpersonal relationships in this book, ESPECIALLY the familial relationships around Corban. His family was so genuine...(view spoiler)
That Ending Though...
Despite all my complaints about this book, the last 50 or so pages hit me in a way I can't explain. I will be reading book #2.