Malice by Heather Walter is a fantastic sapphic retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a few elements from Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast.
Long ago, okay I’ll be totally honest here—it was ages ago and I’m the only one who remembers that there was once a wicked and spiteful fairy who wanted to get back at the humans who were responsible for ruining her life and her homeland. So, she got her revenge when she cursed a line of princesses to die and only true love’s kiss could break the curse.
I’m pretty sure you’ve heard about the handsome prince, the never-ending celebration that happens when the princess wakes up and the nauseating happily ever after.
Pure foolishness.
I’ll tell you a little secret, no one in Briar is really bothered or concerned about what happens to their princesses. The people of Briar only care about their wealth, extravagant parties and charm-granting potions. There was a point in time when I didn’t care either.
But that was until I met her.
Princess Aurora is the last heir to Briar’s throne. She is kindhearted in every sense of the word and she has a lot of mischievous tricks up her sleeve. She is the future queen her realm desperately needs. Aurora isn’t bothered by the fact that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, hated and feared because of my evil lineage and the mysterious dark magic that I possess. I’ve been humiliated and ostracized by the same nobles who pay me to make ridiculous hexes and they have the audacity to call me a monster. Aurora says that I should fully embrace my unique gifts and I can tell that she truly cares for me even though one of my ancestors was responsible for her curse.
But I can’t picture a future with Aurora because in less than a year, the curse will kill her and we’re running out of time and she doesn’t want to kiss another pompous prince. I will do whatever it takes to help her break this curse. Once we get that huge hurdle out of the way, perhaps together we can create a new and wonderful world.
More foolishness again. Because we all know how this is going to go down, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess and I am nothing but an evil beast.
I am the villain.
Will Aurora and I be able to get a slice of happiness together or are we destined to stay apart?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Wait a minute, this is Heather Walter’s debut novel??? I can’t believe it! This author blew my mind with the way she crafted this marvelous and highly entertaining story. The vivid descriptions of Briar and its inhabitants and the stunning world-building kept me wide awake and totally engrossed until the wee hours of the morning. But seriously, who needs sleep when you can get caught up in a story that has Fae Lords, conceited Graces, ruthless rulers, an alluring princess and a powerful half-Vila who has a tender heart.
Here’s what I loved most of all about this story—I love the fact that the entire story was told from Alyce’s point of view because I had the rare opportunity to peep into the heart and mind of someone who has always been branded as the villain. This story differs from the usual fairytales because there isn’t a bold line between good and evil. Heather Walter has done a fabulous job of portraying how people who are perceived as evil can have good qualities within them and people who seem to be good can have evil intentions. I also loved the way the relationship between Princess Aurora and Alyce developed. It wasn’t love at first sight but it was a slow and steady build up and their deep connection to each other just made my little queer heart extremely happy. Last but certainly not least, have I mentioned how much I adore this gorgeous book cover?
Cons And Heads Up
As much as I enjoyed this captivating story, I’ve got to admit that there was a lot of info dumping in the first half of the novel and it ended with a major cliffhanger that left me with the worst book hangover I’ve ever had. By the way, this story also contains moderate descriptions of past and present torture, past suicides, lesbophobia and drug use.
The Conclusion
Malice is a deliciously dark new-adult fantasy that kept me bewitched and bound to my bed from the beginning until the last page. So, if you’re in the mood to devour a queer fairytale retelling with lots of surprising twists and turns, then you should definitely buy this book! Without a doubt, this is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I’m already counting down the days until I can have an all-night reading rave with the sequel.
Excerpt from Malice by Heather Walter
“We’re quite alone, I assure you.” She nears me, trailing one graceful hand along a hedge. A faint scent of appleblossoms and the peach-drenched wine from the celebration fills the garden. “I often come out here when I want a break from the court.”
I have no idea how to respond. What does one say to a princess? If her parents knew I was alone with her right now they would—I don’t even want to know. “It’s…nice.”
She steps back as a mud bubble erupts and splatters my gown. “That fountain has seen better days, though.”
I cringe at the dark brown liquid frothing at the base. “I’m sorry,” I begin quickly. “I didn’t mean—”
“I actually like it better this way.” She taps a fingertip to her chin. “Yes. It’s much more entertaining than anything the innovation Graces could have crafted.”
An awful sound between a laugh and a choke bursts from my mouth. I clamp my hands over my lips to smother it. Aurora pretends not to notice.
“Is that all you can do? Muck up fountains and horrify courtiers? It doesn’t seem like the sort of power that nearly vanquished the light Fae.” She watches me closely for a few beats. And then, softer, “I’m sorry they were so rude to you.”
She sounds sincere. I’ve never heard an apology uttered for anyone’s treatment of me, not one that wasn’t wrenched from Rose’s lips at Mistress Lavender’s insistence. I’m not sure what to make of it.
“I’m ashamed of them,” the princess says. “Would you like them banished? It’s the least I can do. The insult was given at my party, after all.”
It takes me a moment to realize she’s teasing me. Another of those clumsy, mortifying laughs punches through my lungs.
She grins. “Very well. Once I’m queen, it’s done.”
Quiet settles between us. I pick at the ruined parts of my dress. It feels far too tight now under her scrutiny, the seams like bars of a cage.
“I’ve heard stories about you,” she says finally. “You’re not as green as people claim.” She leans in. “A little pale, perhaps. Not a typical Grace, certainly.”
I stiffen as the familiar feeling of being found wanting expands in my chest. So she came to marvel at the half-Vila Dark Grace. Like I’m one of the creatures in the royal menagerie. “We can’t all be Grace-gifted.”
She doesn’t miss the vinegar in my tone. “Oh, no. I mean that as a compliment. The Graces are so vain.”
Another surprise. “You really think so?”
She tosses her hair over one shoulder and bats her long eyelashes, an exact copy of one of Rose’s gestures. “You can hardly expect otherwise, I suppose. The Fae magic goes right to their heads. The Royal Graces are the worst. They seem to think that because they live here, they can cluck over me and pour their newest elixirs down my throat. The witty ones are fun sometimes. And wisdoms aren’t so bad, when they’re not trying to prove you wrong. But the rest are absolutely tiresome.”
I let my shoulders drop, drinking up her words like honey. I’ve never met anyone besides Hilde who dislikes the Graces.
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Series
Malice Duology
Malice
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781984818652
Publisher: Del Rey
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