Author: Heather Walter
My Rating: 5*
Publisher: Del Rey
Publication Date: 13/04/21
Genre(s): Fairy tale retelling. Fantasy, LGBT
Pages: 496
Format Read: Ebook
Goodreads: A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.
Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.
You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.
Utter nonsense.
Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.
Until I met her.
Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.
But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.
Nonsense again.
Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—
I am the villain.
I love a fairy tale retelling and it's even better when it's sapphic! Malice is a retelling of the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty but a whole lot darker and intense with a shocking ending that will make you want book 2 immediately!
I am in awe of this story.
Beautifully written, amazing world building and so much drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! I loved Alyce's character, although she was never a villain in my eyes, only doing what she had to to stay alive. The princess Aurora was also an intriguing character, she wanted to create change and transform the way Briar was ruled and her stance was admirable.
Although in the first part of the book there was a lot of world building and a lot of information thrown at the reader making it quite slow to get through, it is definitely worth it to keep going because the way the story is developed is incredible!
The exceptional slow burn of the blossoming relationship between the two was intoxicating and I was desperate to keep reading to find out what happens next. There is so much going on in the story but it is written so well that you can keep up and enjoy the wild ride you are on. It really picks up the pace at about 70% and my emotions were everywhere with twist after twist and I was really starting to worry about how things were going to end!
The ending was definitely unexpected and I did sit in shock for a while after I finished it thinking about what could possibly happen next but luckily there is going to be a second book coming out next year which I need already!
Overall a fantastic book full of emotion and shocking events that will keep you reading all night. If you love gay fairy tale retellings then this is the perfect book for you!
*I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and Del Rey. This has not affected my review*
Have you read Malice yet? What did you think?
Let me know in the comments!
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