A review by thenovelmaura
Malice by Heather Walter

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I was excited to read this book for our #ViolentQueensBookClub because I love fairy tale retellings and this one promised a sapphic spin along with a villain origin story. Amazing concept but the execution was lacking, with flat characters and a huge letdown of an ending. I enjoy seeing a good character spiral into an evil one (see Marie Lu's "Young Elites" trilogy), whether they're motivated by a desire for revenge or are simply misunderstood. But Alyce was depicted as a goodhearted character until she randomly snapped at the end
and started murdering dozens of people???
. 

I did enjoy Alyce and Briar's relationship and how organic it felt. However, a few heartfelt moments between the two of them wasn't enough to make up for everything else.
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