A truly unique spin on Sleeping Beauty that, although full of darkness, conveys how easily love can be twisted by the views of those outside a relationship that advances from antaganistic to love to bitterness in the blink of a curse. This is the first book of a duology that definitely weaves the fairy tale through an absolute darkness. I loved this book and will definitely be looking for book #2.

I love this dark, sapphic fairytale. The complex characters and relationships are so interesting, and I love how it defies fairytale tropes, and deconstructs the way 'true love' is portrayed in so many fairytales.
The friendship to romance development of her relationship with Aurora was done really well, and just the right amount. It really filled a niche of dark fantasy with a lesbian MC, and romance subplot (but not overbearing) that I crave! The twist and tone shift at the end was definitely a shock, but made me excited for what happens in the next one.


Here's some links to fanart I've done inspired by the book:

https://twitter.com/layahimalaya/status/1381745262608060418
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbOicK2JWcs/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccbi8zxhOCN/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcecE7IJVRN/?img_index=1

A brief note: I realize that this review is, as of July 3 2023, two years overdue. I originally requested an ARC for Malice in October of 2020. Unfortunately, life got in the way, as it often does, and I forgot to write a review and provide feedback to the publisher. While this review is late, I still want to fulfill my obligation as a book reviewer and ARC reader. Please note that this review is based on the ARC; it is not a reflection on the final publication, or any changes that may have been made prior to the book being sent for publication.


I would like to begin by thanking Del Rey Books and NetGalley. I was provided an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. In October of 2020, Malice was one of my most hotly anticipated fantasy reads for 2021. I am a sucker for retellings - mostly Greek myth retellings, admittedly, but I have always appreciated an author's ability to take familiar folklore or fairytales and rewrite them from a different culture or perspective. In that respect, Malice didn't disappoint. While it was far from perfect, and I did struggle, at times, with its narrative choices and pacing, overall it was an enjoyable read. I originally gave Malice a four star rating on Goodreads, and have made the decision to stand by my original score. The reason for this decision is explained in further detail/can be broken down by my individual scores per section.


Writing quality/readability - 4/5 Walter takes a balanced approach with her writing. While many of the descriptions in the novel - from the scenery and clothing to individual spells - are rich and lush, she avoids falling into the common trap of purple prose. Her writing is descriptive, without being overly verbose. With that being said, the majority of Walter's writing is very sensory heavy, in terms of its reliance on the description of the scenery, the spells, and the clothing. This was a delight for me, because I adore descriptive writing. However, it's so consistent that it could quickly get overwhelming for some readers, and at times the descriptions seem a bit redundant, which in turn detracts from the story. Walter is heavy on show, don't tell. She's adept at setting the scene, but unfortunately, less skilled when it comes to explaining a character's emotions or motives through exposition or the narrative of the text. Overall, her writing is clear and free of grammatical errors, with a standard and easily understood vocabulary, and a consistent style.


Plot - 2.5 out of 5 - This section is rounded up to a solid 2.5. This is largely due to the fact that it feels as if it's trying to accomplish two retellings, instead of one. Alyce is part-Vila; a race of dark faerie that was eradicated long ago, after a long and drawn out conflict. As a result, she is reviled, shunned, and feared; not only by the community that she provides her services as a Grace to, but among her fellow Graces, as well. (It should be noted that a 'Grace' is essentially a magic courtesan; they are inherent magic users, who are able to weave spells for cosmetic or superficial purposes, such as granting the consumer increased fortune and luck.) Due to her mixed lineage, Alyce is incapable of producing the same magic as her fellow Graces. Instead, she creates curses and hexes, which, inexplicably, still yields her a high number of clientele, despite the fact that she's actively ostracized and shunned by the bulk of her community.

There's a somewhat clumsy attempt at xenophobia and racism that is never properly addressed throughout the plot, and is overall hamfisted. Alyce's treatment at the hands of her fellow Graces feels vaguely Cinderellan, and seemed out of place and uncharacteristic for a business that relied on the income Aylce (mocking called Malice by her fellow Grace, Rose,) brought in.

The way that Aylce and Aurora meet is clichéd and, again, seems implausible and far-fetched, given that we're told, repeatedly, how aghast and repulsed the kingdom is by Aylce's employment and general existence. The pacing towards the second half of the novel felt rushed and sloppy. There are too many plot elements in play that are never revisited or addressed again (though perhaps the plot holes are addressed in the sequel.)

It's almost as if Walter couldn't decide whether she wanted to write a sapphic storyline, or a villian origin story. I'm hesitant to even agree with the claim that this is a villainous retelling at all (which is a shame. Maleficent was my favorite Disney villian as a kid.) The ending is rushed, and ends on a cliffhanger before Alyce can exact the revenge she swears to, a la Elphaba in Wicked.

Overall, the first half and the second half of the novel felt disjointed and unconnected.

Characterization - 4/5 Characterization is one area in which Malice excels. Rose, for example, is throughly unlikable, but still shows glimmers of compassion and a personality outside of her facade of open contempt for Alyce. Hilde is perhaps the most sympathetic and likeable character of them all. The characters are all fleshed out, and their motives, wants, and flaws are fully realized in a way that keeps them from being one dimensional.

Worldbuilding - 5/5 This is where this novel shines.The magic system is detailed and unique, and a pleasure to read about. The mythology and lore of the world is solid and intriguing, and clearly shapes the way the hierarchy of the kingdom is established. The world is fully fleshed out, immersible, and believable.

Overall, while this was a fun twist on a familiar fairytale, it is by no means groundbreaking, and poor pacing causes it to stumble. Unfortunately, while it is a duology, the second book in the series will be a miss from me.

It was frustrating how long it took for the characters to declare their love to one another and even more frustrating to see what happened as a result. Walter does a phenomenal job in expressing Alice's rage and agony and I could totally empathize with her plight and her actions (perturbing as they seem) and as a result my feelings were swirling all over the place when I finished this book . Now I anxiously await the second book in the duopoly to see how Walter fixes things.

Everything about this book screams Morgan, and it was one of my most anticipated reads for a long time. I didn’t love it as much as I expected but the second half is really good and I’m excited to pick up book 2! The first half of the book felt slow to me; I wasn’t connecting to Alyce and it was a bit of a chore to pick up even though I loved the lore and worldbuilding. But when Alyce met Aurora it definitely picked up, and the last 100 pages in particular were so good! I like how Heather Walter has twisted the Sleeping Beauty story, it’s very clever. And the characters grew on me; there were parts that felt kind of info dumpy, while also being purple prose. I don’t know. But I would still recommend it, it’s a good story that took a little while to capture my full attention.

When I first generously received the arc from netgalley, I was stoked! But unfortunately for me I couldn’t find an interest in where the plot began to progress. Maybe sometime in the future I’ll pick it up and give it another shot.

I love villain stories. I really love Disney villain stories that get retold. I especially love when those Disney villains and the heckin princesses are a thing, oh my gosh. This was everything I wanted and then some.

Ooo I love fairytale retellings!!! This story has you rooting for the villain to get the girl instead of the prince.

I finally got around to reading this. However, it just wasn’t for me. i think it’s because I waited too long to read it so my interest in it has gone down. I think I want to give it another chance down the line but at this time I just couldn’t get into it.

A great title and so was the sequel! I recommend this one all the time to fantasy readers, especially those interested in LGBTQIA titles.

This book is good I liked the premise of the book. But didn't really grab me and wanted to keep reading.

Fairytale retellings are always hit or miss for me. Malice was a nice, new take on Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed that it is a sapphic retelling versus the typical retelling.

Magic is regulated in Briar. The graces are provided group homes to live in, and they provide their services to the nobles. Alyce, the Dark Grace, provides hexes and end of life services that nobles want, but everyone scorns. She lives her life in the shadows. And then she meets Princess Aurora, full of life, beauty, and love. Together, they try to find a way to break Aurora’s curse, to find a future. Touching story of love, magic, good and evil.

First book in a new series by a new author. With Vila heritage and abilities, Alyce is compelled to serve the crown as a dark Grace. Reviled by the general populace and shunned by the other Graces, she accepts the mistreatment until she meets another of her kind. Then she meets Princess Aurora who treats her with dignity and who appreciates her differences. Compelling storyline with a sympathetic antiheroine.

I received an advanced copy of this ebook from the publisher for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. The graces are described well. The world building sucks you in from the first page. This is a fast paced science fiction fantasy book, with great LGBTQIAP representation. I enjoyed Alyce's character. I highly enjoyed this authors writing style and plan to read more books by her soon. This book is in stores for $27.00 (USD).

I haven't read many fairy tale retellings, but typically when I do, they're sapphic. This was one of those and I really enjoyed it. It's a fantastical retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the villain. It often takes me a while to get into any kind of fantasy story, and that was the case here, but once I was able to view the world and its characters more clearly, I was pretty immersed in the story. I thought it was written well and the story itself was really cool. The ending was pretty killer and I'm looking forward to reading the second book.

I've never read anything by this author, but was intrigued by the premise of this.

Alice, a part veela is one of the Graces who has magic and works to assist those of her kingdom. Unfortunately, as a part veela, Alice is considered an outcast because her people cursed the royal line to die unless they can find a true love's kiss. Princess Aurora, the last living royalty meets Alice by chance one day and somehow they are drawn together, trying to find a way to break the curse that set all those years ago. Little did they know that the power to break it was closer than it seemed.

Firstly, I actually really loved having the story of Sleeping Beauty told from this perspective. I think it was even better than Disney's half-hearted Malificent because you were able to see the story so deeply within Malice/Alice's head. I think it lent so deeply to an understanding of her character and the world she inhabited. I also really liked the idea that essentially we had the anti-hero telling the story. It's such a satisfying viewpoint.

And TWIST. Aurora's true love being Malice. LOVED IT. My little bi-heart was like, YES. I am here for this. Because honestly the fact that this world already embraced love between different sexes so openly, why couldn't her true love be a woman? Screw the 'natural' order.

I do wish that things had kind of went differently with the patriarchal characters in this book. I still feel like they go away with a lot more than they should have. I also don't know if I really like some of the overall issues with the Graces and how they're treated.

But mostly, it was a good tale.

Thank you for the ARC.

Malice was amazing, I was sad to hear that it was only going to be a duology because these are twisted and messed up fairytale characters that I love to read about. I love the relationship aspect between her and Aurora and just the banter. It's very dark and twisted, excited to read the next book.

I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had an amazing plot, but I felt the characters were a bit hard to connect to.

Thank you kindly to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this review copy.

5 STARS ALL AROUND!!! THE WRITING IS GORGEOUS. I JUST LOVED EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE IN IT, ESPECIALLY ALYCE AND AURORA. <3 UGH CAN'T WAIT TO READ EVERYTHING HEATHER WRITES!!