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A review by theravenkingx
Malice by John Gwynne
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Disclaimer: This book is malicious to melancholy and will spark a sense of euphoria that makes staying in the real world an arduous task.
I know it's strange, but I found this book to be a very cozy read. Yes, the stakes were high, people died, and things happened, but something about this book made me want to snuggle up with a warm blanket, a hot cup of coffee, and read for hours. Maybe it was the classic and familiar tropes, the magical world that was extremely immersive, or the characters that were so easy to love. Simply put, it's one of those books that you want to cozy up with and get lost in its well-crafted world that feels both familiar and unique. When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it, and when I was reading, I wanted to do nothing else. It's highly addictive, and the writing is captivating.
The structure of the story adds to its charm. The story is told from many different perspectives, and even though the frequent shifts between points of view and the short chapters made it a slower read for me, I had a great time with it. Through multiple POVs, we are able to soak in the vastness and greatness of this world.
One of the standout aspects of the book is how it handles familiar tropes. The book tackles tropes like the chosen one, the prophecy, and the battle between good and evil in a refreshing and unique way. This book has near-perfect pacing. I don't recall any dull moments, except maybe for the beginning, where I got a bit overwhelmed by the large cast of characters. It was a struggle, but with each chapter, it got easier and easier, and before I knew it, I was totally immersed in the story. The author masterfully balances everything and even refreshes your memory whenever a less frequent character reappears by subtly mentioning past events they were involved in, without making it feel like repetition.
Another highlight is the book's animal companions. This book has the best animal companions. While most authors struggle to write compelling human characters, I liked how John Gwynne was able to give even the animals distinct personalities. I'm so excited to read the next book. I am pretty sure this is going to be my all-time favorite series.
LORE
The world where humans and giants once lived together in harmony, enjoying immortality gifted to them by their god Elyon, is shattered when the mysterious starstone appears, bringing with it the dark influence of the god of chaos, Asroth. While mankind feared the starstone, the giants forged items of power and wonder from it. Asroth expanded his influence, whispering and corrupting many souls. This enraged Elyon, who then punished his creation by taking away their immortality and disappearing into the other world, leaving humans and giants in an endless war. Few who survived the wars built an empire in the world called the Banished Lands.
Years later, the prophecy of the god-war looms large, threatening to bring further chaos and conflict to the Banished Lands. The avatar of chaos will rise again and only the Bright Star will be able to stop this coming war.
In this book, we follow three main perspectives along with a few others who make infrequent appearances. The main characters include:
1. Corban: Corban, a young boy whose father is a blacksmith serving the king of Dun Carreg dreams of becoming a warrior. Amidst dark prophecies and conflicting politics, he befriends a strange animal companion while facing his bullies and undergoing rigorous training.
2. Veradis: A dedicated and skilled warrior who joins the army of High Prince Nathair, one of the most powerful and ambitious leaders in the Banished Lands. His faith in the prince is tested and leads to transformative journey full of deceit and confusion, challenging is loyalty and prowess.
3. Kastell: A red-haired orphan and one of the contenders for the title of king regent, rivaling his cousin. Kastell's journey is fraught with political intrigue and personal vendetta, unlikely friendship as he navigates the treacherous path to power.
These three characters are situated in different parts of the Banished Lands, a world filled with ancient prophecies, looming God-war, different factions of giants, and intricate politics. They are supported by a vast and well-developed cast of characters, each contributing to the richness and depth of the story. Their lives intertwine as they face the unfolding chaos and destiny that binds them all together.
I know it's strange, but I found this book to be a very cozy read. Yes, the stakes were high, people died, and things happened, but something about this book made me want to snuggle up with a warm blanket, a hot cup of coffee, and read for hours. Maybe it was the classic and familiar tropes, the magical world that was extremely immersive, or the characters that were so easy to love. Simply put, it's one of those books that you want to cozy up with and get lost in its well-crafted world that feels both familiar and unique. When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it, and when I was reading, I wanted to do nothing else. It's highly addictive, and the writing is captivating.
The structure of the story adds to its charm. The story is told from many different perspectives, and even though the frequent shifts between points of view and the short chapters made it a slower read for me, I had a great time with it. Through multiple POVs, we are able to soak in the vastness and greatness of this world.
One of the standout aspects of the book is how it handles familiar tropes. The book tackles tropes like the chosen one, the prophecy, and the battle between good and evil in a refreshing and unique way. This book has near-perfect pacing. I don't recall any dull moments, except maybe for the beginning, where I got a bit overwhelmed by the large cast of characters. It was a struggle, but with each chapter, it got easier and easier, and before I knew it, I was totally immersed in the story. The author masterfully balances everything and even refreshes your memory whenever a less frequent character reappears by subtly mentioning past events they were involved in, without making it feel like repetition.
Another highlight is the book's animal companions. This book has the best animal companions. While most authors struggle to write compelling human characters, I liked how John Gwynne was able to give even the animals distinct personalities. I'm so excited to read the next book. I am pretty sure this is going to be my all-time favorite series.
LORE
The world where humans and giants once lived together in harmony, enjoying immortality gifted to them by their god Elyon, is shattered when the mysterious starstone appears, bringing with it the dark influence of the god of chaos, Asroth. While mankind feared the starstone, the giants forged items of power and wonder from it. Asroth expanded his influence, whispering and corrupting many souls. This enraged Elyon, who then punished his creation by taking away their immortality and disappearing into the other world, leaving humans and giants in an endless war. Few who survived the wars built an empire in the world called the Banished Lands.
Years later, the prophecy of the god-war looms large, threatening to bring further chaos and conflict to the Banished Lands. The avatar of chaos will rise again and only the Bright Star will be able to stop this coming war.
In this book, we follow three main perspectives along with a few others who make infrequent appearances. The main characters include:
1. Corban: Corban, a young boy whose father is a blacksmith serving the king of Dun Carreg dreams of becoming a warrior. Amidst dark prophecies and conflicting politics, he befriends a strange animal companion while facing his bullies and undergoing rigorous training.
2. Veradis: A dedicated and skilled warrior who joins the army of High Prince Nathair, one of the most powerful and ambitious leaders in the Banished Lands. His faith in the prince is tested and leads to transformative journey full of deceit and confusion, challenging is loyalty and prowess.
3. Kastell: A red-haired orphan and one of the contenders for the title of king regent, rivaling his cousin. Kastell's journey is fraught with political intrigue and personal vendetta, unlikely friendship as he navigates the treacherous path to power.
These three characters are situated in different parts of the Banished Lands, a world filled with ancient prophecies, looming God-war, different factions of giants, and intricate politics. They are supported by a vast and well-developed cast of characters, each contributing to the richness and depth of the story. Their lives intertwine as they face the unfolding chaos and destiny that binds them all together.