Name: Malice
Rating: 3.870967741935484 (62 reviews)
ISBN: 9780230758452

John Gwynne

Malice

Finishes book 1, immediately starts book 2!

I’m still somewhat confused about who is who! I thought the pacing was glacial until the last 20%. Yet I was hooked all the way through. Mr Gwynne, you clever clever man! 

Aims

Finishes book 1, immediately starts book 2!

I’m still somewhat confused about who is who! I thought the pacing was glacial until the last 20%. Yet I was hooked all the way through. Mr Gwynne, you clever clever man! 

Sometimes I feel like, I‘ve grown into a hard to please reader, because I smell plot twists from miles away and it’s rare that a book truly surprises me – not with John Gwynne, though. This man just says, “hold my beer, I’m gonna make you fear for every single character on every single page”. This, my fellow readers, is really, really good high fantasy. It has worldbuilding, heaps of it!, it does take a while to find your way in these worlds and for those with an attention span the average tiktok manages to break: if you don’t let characters grow, how are you supposed to care for them?

Growing characters is the one thing I mainly admire about Gwynne’s style of writing because we get to witness the growth from a barely thinking 10 year old into a world changing hero (or villain …) and we get to be there for every single step. I love watching these characters evolve, get back on their feet after setbacks and traumatic experiences and maybe I understand that some people just don’t have the patience for this kind of building up your storyline, that’s okay, too. But honestly, that’s on you.

Page by page Gwynne manages to unravel this massive ball of character threads, unveiling the so far maybe only hinted at connections between his characters and he never fails to convince me that I want to know what happens next. Which catastrophe is looming? What kind of revelation awaits me in the next chapter?

Another thing I truly enjoy in his books is the way he writes friendships, platonic relations and the bond formed between people fighting side by side. It’s not exactly found family as the romantasy readers love it, but somehow … more profound? I’ve come to enjoy this kind of relationship in books a lot more than the insta-friends type of stuff.

It does take me longer to read these books, but that might also be because I don’t want to miss a single thing, I’m back on the hunt for clues and finally, finally!, I’m excited for books again. This is such a cool feeling and John Gwynne is one of the most reliable authors in delivering this for me.

So, to cut this short: If you’re looking for fast-paced, romantasy style fantasy, you will not enjoy this. If you want proper worldbuilding, plotlines planned for more than a chapter ahead, character building over the lifetime of characters and Ken Follett style of connecting the dots step by step, then this is a must read.

I’m excited for the next book and also a little afraid. Exactly the way I like it.

Leonie

Sometimes I feel like, I‘ve grown into a hard to please reader, because I smell plot twists from miles away and it’s rare that a book truly surprises me – not with John Gwynne, though. This man just says, “hold my beer, I’m gonna make you fear for every single character on every single page”. This, my fellow readers, is really, really good high fantasy. It has worldbuilding, heaps of it!, it does take a while to find your way in these worlds and for those with an attention span the average tiktok manages to break: if you don’t let characters grow, how are you supposed to care for them?

Growing characters is the one thing I mainly admire about Gwynne’s style of writing because we get to witness the growth from a barely thinking 10 year old into a world changing hero (or villain …) and we get to be there for every single step. I love watching these characters evolve, get back on their feet after setbacks and traumatic experiences and maybe I understand that some people just don’t have the patience for this kind of building up your storyline, that’s okay, too. But honestly, that’s on you.

Page by page Gwynne manages to unravel this massive ball of character threads, unveiling the so far maybe only hinted at connections between his characters and he never fails to convince me that I want to know what happens next. Which catastrophe is looming? What kind of revelation awaits me in the next chapter?

Another thing I truly enjoy in his books is the way he writes friendships, platonic relations and the bond formed between people fighting side by side. It’s not exactly found family as the romantasy readers love it, but somehow … more profound? I’ve come to enjoy this kind of relationship in books a lot more than the insta-friends type of stuff.

It does take me longer to read these books, but that might also be because I don’t want to miss a single thing, I’m back on the hunt for clues and finally, finally!, I’m excited for books again. This is such a cool feeling and John Gwynne is one of the most reliable authors in delivering this for me.

 

So, to cut this short: If you’re looking for fast-paced, romantasy style fantasy, you will not enjoy this. If you want proper worldbuilding, plotlines planned for more than a chapter ahead, character building over the lifetime of characters and Ken Follett style of connecting the dots step by step, then this is a must read.

I’m excited for the next book and also a little afraid. Exactly the way I like it.

Savannah Winchell

DNF at 180
- you could not pay me to care about this plot or characters
- this feels super dated??? Like it should have been published in the eighties why are y’all so impressed?
- all the characters read the same
- why is the ratio of male to female main characters like 7 to 1?????

Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin's rule, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king's realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true price of courage.

Celeste Richardson

4.5 stars, rounded up. (Half-star taken off for a slow start. But man, did that ever change.)

Move over, Martin, because Gwynne is here to steal yo’ girl.

The A Game of Thrones comparisons here are completely understandable. As in Martin’s series, there is a varied cast of characters from whose perspectives we witness this story unfold. There is no time travel here, no resurrection for those who die. Death is final, and it is an equal opportunity reaper, not caring how good or bad a person is, how likable, or how important. As with Martin’s work, no one is truly safe here. 

However, Gwynne has already surpassed Martin in my mind, even though I’ve thus far only read this, Gwynne’s first novel. (Side note: I do really like A Song of Ice and Fire. This is in no way me dissing Martin. So don’t yell at me.) Martin is a king of backstory and plot twists, but Gywnne was far more successful in crafting characters that I care about. They aren’t just well polished pieces on a chess board; they breathe. The love and are loved and fight and mourn and laugh and rage. These people are as real as ink and page can produce. Their physical appearances aren’t touched on much, but I was actually okay with that. The characters took on the features of people in my life who shared their personality traits, causing me to care even more about their well being.

I also really appreciated Gywnne’s choice of setting. The Banished Lands weren’t overwhelmingly large, and I enjoyed the smaller scope of the story because of decision. The effects of disagreements between kingdoms was more immediately felt than in a larger fictional land like Westeros. And the Scottish feel of the setting, of the society, of the names, was wonderful. It gave a weight to the story that some fantasy series that focus more on unique setting and societal norms tends to lack, in my opinion. The many kings of small neighboring kingdoms, the importance of and methods of warring, the names of both places and people, all whispered of Scotland as I read, but with enough differences to plant this solidly in the fantasy genre. As far as I know, there aren’t actually giants or wyrms or saber-toothed wolves in Scotland.

Something else than made an impression on me was the mythos of the Banished Lands. The creation myth, beginning with the God-War. Asroth, Elyon’s beloved first-created and captain of the Ben-Elim, sowed seeds of discord and split the heavenly host. When Asroth was defeated, he turned his hatred on Elyon’s new creation: man. He wreaked havoc and Elyon, in his rage, almost destroyed the world. The He realized what He had done and almost done, He grieved. In the aftermath, Elyon vanished, turning His back on all creation to mourn. The Ben-Elim still seek to protect it, out of love for their Creator, while their fallen brethren still work toward destruction. The Judeo-Christian influence here is overwhelming, and I loved contemplating the theology here. The parallels are fantastic; Elyon is even a Hebrew name for God, meaning “Most High.” I don’t believe that He has abandoned us, as I’ve felt His presence in my life, but I understand how His disappearance works better for the story Gwynne is telling here. The Bright Star/Black Sun prophecy was also a big draw for me, the Bright Star as savior and the Black Sun as antichrist. The idea of a Chosen One is a trope as old as storytelling itself, but it was deftly handled here, and gave me all kinds of theological and philosophical goodies to chew on as I read.

One other thing Gywnne did incredibly well was present a wide variety of relationships. We were given fantastic friendships, mortal enemies, beautifully close families, and their dysfunctional counterparts. We see kings interact with subjects, warriors interact with their leaders and each other, and mentors training younger generations. And best of all, we see some incredible kinship between man and beast. The animals in this book had so much personality, and their relationships with their humans was beautiful to behold. Family was so important in this story, whether that family was formed by blood or bond, and some of these animals were truly part of an amazing family.

I’ve read some truly stunning debut novels in the past, but the best of them are standalones, and sometimes it’s many years before the author puts out another book. If ever. And often that next book is a letdown after the masterpiece that was their first book. But rarely have I read a debut as fantastic as this one that was the first in a series. A series that I have it on good authority only improves with each successive book. I am undeniably impressed. Congratulations, Mr. Gwynne; you’ve earned yourself another fan.

For more of my reviews, as well as my own fiction and thoughts on life, check out my blog, Celestial Musings.

A buddy read with my cyber darlings, Petrik, Haïfa, and Mary, with Sarah lurking in the wings. :)

The world is broken... Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve. But that day will come all too soon. And the price he pays will be in blood. Evnis has sacrificed - too much it seems. But what he wants - the power to rule -- will soon be in his grasp. And nothing will stop him once he has started on his path. Veradis is the newest member of the warband for the High Prince, Nathair. He is one of the most skilled swordsman to come out of his homeland, yet he is always under the shadow of his older brother. Nathair has ideas - and a lot of plans. Many of them don't involve his father, the High King Aquilus. Nor does he agree with his father's idea to summon his fellow kings to council. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, but now giants are seen, the stones weep blood and giant wyrms are stirring. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. For if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind's hopes and dreams will fall to dust... ...and it can never be made whole again. MALICE is a dark epic fantasy tale of blind greed, ambition, and betrayal.

Francis Buggey

4.5 stars!!! review to come when i’m not emotional

Annabel Kanters

I loved it! It had so many twist and turns. I loved the world building and can't wait to read the next book

Monae Reads

Standard stock fantasy, standard character archetypes, predictable to a fault. 
And the little showdown at the end did not make up for the 600 pages of snooze fest that came before it. 
I cared more about the animal companion than any of the characters, unfortunately not even that was flushed out( even with this being a first book in a series, it could have done better)
This has been the most detached reading experience I’ve had in a long time. The words went right into and out of my eyes. I switched to the audio for the last 40% and the words went in one ear and right out the other.

Luna

maybe i’ll figure out what’s going on and/or care about at least one character in book two??

Judy McClure

Been intimidated by the big books in this series. Worried I'd not be able to get into the series due to length etc. No fears! It's fabulous! Initially planned to read book one this month, book two next month and so on but nope am going straight into book two because I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!

Jenna Kathleen

It took me a while, but I really enjoyed the last 30% of the book. 

I went into Malice with plenty of warnings that it was going to take some effort to get into it but that it was all worth it in the end. Without people telling me this, I definitely would have given up on this book. I had to force myself to read the first half and then after the 50% mark, I started to care about some of the characters and wonder where the story was going. Suddenly, right arond the 70% mark, it was nearly impossible to put down. If my rating was based only on that last little bit, it would be a five-start read without question, but the pacing was just terrible.

Thank goodness for my friends over in FBR for getting me through it! Because of all of you, I am actually really excited to start on Valor. The ending set things up for a potentially great series that I am looking forward to getting into.

Tom Turner

A More Than Worthy Successor To David Gemmell

Words are going to fail me in describing how much I love this book! I've been a major fan of the works of David Gemmell, and ever since his tragicly early death in 2006 the world has been desperate for a worthy successor. I believe we have found such a man in John Gwynne. In this book he weaves incrediblly nuanced characters with awe inspiring world building and intricate action scenes and plotting. Sure, it is your big standard medieval fantasy world. But with all the other authors doing fantasy differently today, there is enough room for the more traditional stance. As you can probably tell, I love this book. I just hope it's follow ups don't let me down!

Nickie Mohler

Now I understand why everyone loves John Gwynne. I devoured this book! I loved it so much I just want to chuck my tbr for the month and continue on.
So many fantastic characters, but Corban and his sister are definitely my faves. I am excited for the next book!

Chau Nguyen

3.95 

when i first started reading this book, i read the intro multiple times before going past it and carrying on with the rest of the story. I dont mind the large cast of characters we have in the book, some POV's, i wouldve liked more of, and there is one particular antagonist i could do without in the book..my issue with the book, i felt like some scenes were slow and unnecessary and had me thinking why does this have any importance to the overall plot? i found the last bit of the book had me anticipating what came next and ill be continuing on the series later on.

Aline Wirth

I mean, gods war, giants, dragons... Need I say more?
This is really a great start to what I think will be a great epic fantasy series . The first 25% was a bit slow but necessary to introduce the world and the many characters and kingdoms in it. Once you push through that the story comes together. Although there is multiple point of views and many characters after the initial introduction it was very easy to keep up with. The story starts as a simple good vs evil but becomes far more complex as the characters themselves evolve and gain more depth.

Anyaconda

Slow start, but after page 88 I flew through this. If you like Joe Abercrombie, Brandon Sanderson or Mark Lawrence you will like this! Chapter style is same as in GOT. We follow different characters on both sides.
Immediately will binge through book 2 and 3.

Malice

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