Heather Walter

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.

A Novel

Malice

Julia Krauß

Shifting is easy once you know how to do it

Welcome to daily thoughts of a reality shifter

It will be hard for you to shift at first 

Well the first part is mean but the second part isn’t wrong 

Shifters are bloodthirsty monsters. […] they’re manipulative and cunning. They can turn themselves into whatever form they wish : […]

Me too lol just prob not the one they refer to

Mack Carroll

His next words, laced with misery, hurt worse than any torture the king could have devised. "Oh, Alyce. You already have."

But it's his next words that hurt the most. "Please do not mnake promises you cannot keep."

Mey-Thip Mortensen

__________________________________________________________ The princess isn't supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of Sleeping Beauty, true love is more complicated than a simple fairy tale. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Holly Black. 'Malice is the dark and wicked heart of a fairytale carved into a book. This story is beautiful, vicious magic.' Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand 'A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end - you'll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same again.' S.A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass __________________________________________________________ Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who cursed a line of princesses to die, and 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 actually cares about what happens to our princesses. I thought I didn't care, either. Until I met her. Princess Aurora. The last heir to the throne. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn't bothered that I am the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. 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. __________________________________________________________ 'The story grows deliciously darker at every turn . . . Fairy tale lovers of all ages will be thrilled' Publishers Weekly, starred review

anna elisabeth

Idk what it was but for some reason the last 30% fell off for me and I ended up skimming the rest of it

Jasper

Tatiana

Malice: 4.5/5

This is the first book I've read in months that actually felt fun. I genuinely could not put this book down, it was fast-paced, intriguing, the magic system is unique, and the characters are enthralling. 

Malice is a creative, sapphic, and angsty spin on Sleeping Beauty that is absolutely captivating. We follow Alyce, or Malyce, a Dark Grace who serves the other Graces through potions that have different abilities using her magic. Although she's super powerful, and all the Graces flock to her, people still hate on her because she's different and well.. we know how that's going to turn out.

Alyce strikes an unlikely friendship with Princess Aurora until shit hits the fan and I won't spoil anymore, you'll just have to read it for yourself. I absolutely ADORED this book and all its wicked, yet not, wickedness, and I absolutely NEED the second book ASAP!! One of the BEST retellings I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

paula

you know what? good for her 

they took everything from her, even the only person that has ever loved her

I really appreciated that the novel was so openly and unapologetically lesbian. This may no longer - fortunately - be a novelty but it felt refreshing nevertheless.

However, I wish I had connected to the characters slightly better. I feel like this would have both helped with reconciling the pacing and arrangement of the plot with the overall goals of the novel and by making the final more impactful.

I really appreciated that the novel was so openly and unapologetically lesbian. This may no longer - fortunately - be a novelty but it felt refreshing nevertheless.

However, I wish I had connected to the characters slightly better. I feel like this would have both helped with reconciling the pacing and arrangement of the plot with the overall goals of the novel and by making the final more impactful.

Katheryn

This was a great book. I love how the author takes a simple fairy tale and turns it into a powerful story, with betrayal and deception and good and evil and show how a person treated as a monster from the day they're born can succumb to being exactly what everyone calls them. It's a beautiful story

Cloudface

This was an easy and enjoyable read, but like some other reviewers I didn’t like the ending. I would have preferred this book as a standalone with a satisfying conclusion instead of a duology. <spoiler> Also why didn’t Aurora just let Alyce kill the king when she had the chance???? Like GIRL HE JUST ADMITTED TO KILLING YOUR SISTERS AND EXPERIMENTING ON INNOCENT PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR WILL. And you just wanna stand there like “No Alyce 🥺 don’t do it…..” WHAT??? The more I think about it the angrier I get. Alyce deserves someone better because Aurora has NO BRAIN CELLS</spoiler>

I actually did not think that I would like it that much! I now have to buy the 2nd part.

sharkie

Lauren Nicole

I was a little unsure about this book at first. As someone who is indifferent to Sleeping Beauty and various retellings of the story, I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did. 

The only thing I really felt that was missing was more of a connection between Alyce and Aurora. There were a few parts in the beginning of the book where it’s described that they talked for hours and I wish those parts weren’t just glazed over. I feel like there could have been more content to build a better foundation of their relationship. Although, I do recognize that the point of the story was not them, but Alyce and her struggle of alienation.

I also really loved Alyce’s character development and am excited to read the second part of this duology!

Gabriela Gorgoni

Honestly maybe a 3.5/5 stars but rounded down. The writing was beautiful and flowed super well. I enjoyed the magic system and even though there were a lot of unnecessary details, (specifically how many times the author used “fat” followed by a noun to describe things) it was fairly easy to get through. 

The relationship between Alyce and Aurora was fine for me? Kind of. Not really. Aurora was a well written character, or at least better than I had expected. I liked that she was rebellious and not a stereotypical princess. It was mainly Alyce that was completely unbearable. She was just so unlikeable and it was mostly her doing. If someone spoke to me and acted like her around me, I wouldn’t like them either. How can she complain about being hated when she ACTS LIKE THAT? I just don’t see what Aurora liked about her at all. 

The ending was pretty rushed too. It was one thing after another, too many details and twists happening at once. There wasn’t any time for consequences to seep in. I also read the prologue at the end of the book and it just skips ahead a year? How has NOTHING changed in a year? I’m not sure I want to read the next book and find out. If anyone does, let me know if it’s worth it.

Evelina

4.5 stars

I loved this book!! It's not exactly 5 stars, but I had so much fun reading it. Everything was interesting and the ending shocked me like????? I did not expect that to happen. The romance was nice and I liked the plot. Idk how to feel about Alyce right now but it just makes me more excited for the second book!!!

grace richards

this book has had me screaming and crying, kicking my feet like a schoolgirl and had me wholly enraged. the way alyce and aurora’s relationship is written is beautiful and i could tell about 10 chapters in that id be shelving this as one of my favourite books. 

the first 6 chapters did have me confused as we were introduced to the world and the world building but once we meet aurora things clicked into place and i couldn’t put the book down. it was so good that i destroyed my well crafted sleep schedule so i could stay awake till 4:30am burning through 80% of this book, and had the sun not been rising outside i think i would’ve read all 100. 

i am terrified for what is going to happen in the second book.

Crying and shaking, I can’t believe I’m finally done with this. Alyce and Aurora were so cute and the story itself was good but I found it so boring unfortunately and it put me in a huge reading slump.

More 

laura

that last 20% saved this book and i'm so glad it did bc i cannot stand slow paced fantasy but that last 20% was so action packed omgf i loved it.
GIVE ME THE SECOND BOOK RN HEATHER.

Daniela Pereira

I really enjoy this book , now just waiting for the next one to come ☺️☺️☺️

Avery Baumel

This had no right to be this good and then end this badly

Sheena

A show of hands, who else instant click after reading that incredible blurb? I was immediately intrigued by the premise and though I expected this to be a bit darker since we are approaching the story from the 'villains' point of view, I was overall pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this.
 
Starting from the world-building―unexpected―, the unique and refreshing concept, noteworthy dynamic between the Dark Grace Alyce and Princess Aurora, and the writing style that brought to life the 'villains' thoughts and real feelings―what a debut! Despite my raves, there are a few notable plot holes that I wish the author flesh out which unfortunately I can’t bring them to light since they'll spoil the story, endless amount of miscommunication between the main characters that was continuous throughout the read that could of been cut or shorten, and lastly, the very very predictable plot twist towards the end. Ugh. I wish I could get into it but once again: spoilers! 
 
Nonetheless, this queer retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" was magical and even with its rough edges, well worth the read.

nothing like a good fairytale retelling , alyce and aurora were soo cute and adorable at the begining i was kicking my feet twirling my hair BUT then the last 40% WOAHHHFKHJ alyce is my favourite character she's amazing and everything you can ask for in a protagonist 
really excited to read the second book

caly

•Air•

Usually retellings are hit and miss with me, maybe because I’m always on the hunt for NEW stories to obsess over. But this book right here soared for me. It didn’t stop at just being another retold story, it gave SO MUCH MORE. My only con would be that at points it was a little slow and took some extra motivation but the end result was definitely enjoyable to say the least.

Mariane Ferrantino 

I love a good fairy tale retelling and this was a great one. Strong characters and a twisty plot with the bones of the sleeping beauty story. I'm looking forward to the next in the duology.

summer

** spoiler alert **
           ok vamos lá. primeiro, a leitura pra mim só engatou depois dos 30%. segundo, uma coisa que eu achei bem chatinho foi a constante explicação das coisas tipo “isso aconteceu por isso” ou “é assim que isso funciona” e não tem problema NENHUM em explicar os elementos de uma história, mas nessa em específico eu achei bem >forçado<…. assim o final não me fez ficar suuuuper ansiosa pra ler o próximo livro da duologia (mas pelas gays né quem sabe). acho legal a ideia de recontar um conto de fada com duas mulheres se apaixonando, mas tirando isso não foi nada muito uau ou novo pra mim. em relação aos personagens eu nunca gostei de kal ainda bem q estava certa + pra mim a laurel é a personagem mais interessante de todas história pq até as protagonista mesmo sendo lgbt ainda era muito clichêzão e tals….. MAS ENFIM essa é a MINHA opinião e isso vem de uma pessoa que não curte muito fantasia então posso estar sendo um pouco amargurada.

Erika Mailhot 

I have no words. 
My inner English student knows she should be analyzing the depiction of femininity in the book. She knows that there is A LOT to be said about performative theory, but I just can’t find the words to say it all. As far as retelling goes, this is probably one of my favorites. Slow burn, queer, heart warming and gut wrenching. It has it all. 
The worldbuilding is flawless and uncomplicated. The mythos Heather Walters creates for her universe is *Chef’s kiss* and her attention to detail is amazing. 
Overall, I cannot recommend this book enough! 

🌶️🌶️

Malice A Novel

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