Set in the Kingdom of Briar, Alyce works as the Dark Grace in House Lavender. Her days are spent mixing exilrs, helping people pass away, and being verbally and emotionally abused by those around her as she is half Villa, a faerie race that is pretty much extinct and was at war with humans for hundreds of years. While in service under the Grace Laws she meets the Princess Aurora, the last heir to the kingdom and doomed to die on her 21st birthday if she does not kiss her true love. Together they begin to search for a way to save the princess and the kingdom from civil war and unrest should she die. But dark secrets and hidden agendas are just coming to light and Alyce finds herself using her destructive power more and more.

I really enjoyed this one. It's a sapphic retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale and I thought it was quite enjoyable and fun. I really liked the idea that only the blood heir could wear the crown and the Graces' magic worked. I thought the romance was very sweet and I cannot wait to see how it evolves in the sequel.

The ending was so strong and I desperately hope that the sequel is set one hundred years in the future, but that's just me.

I adored this book. Retellings are my favourite and this dark twist on sleeping beauty was Imaginative and fun to read! I honestly couldn't put it down

This book ended up being nothing like I thought it would be, but I really enjoyed it!

Alyce was the villain in the story, and though you usually wouldn't side with the villain, I actually felt for her, and really liked reading the story from her viewpoint. She wasn't as awful as people initially thought, trying her best to improve her skills and abilities, and growing more of a conscience as the story went on.

I did like this play on Sleeping Beauty - a bit twisted, but also intriguing. I would love to know what happens next!

This lovely debut novel is inspired by a story we all know. The story of a princess who needs true loves kiss to break a curse. However, this is much more than a re-telling despite it being packed with familiar elements. The story is told from the perspective of the villain which makes it a more delightful read.
Alyce, the Dark Grace is entirely different to the other Graces in the kingdom. A kingdom where Graces live separately from the people, in houses that are monitored by the Grace Council. They are to serve those that can pay the most for their services, usually the wealthiest of the kingdom. A kingdom where favour and prestige is bestowed upon those Graces who perform the best enchantments. Graces are blessed with magical blood and when it is added to enchantments can give the patrons gifts such as beauty or wisdom. However, the Dark Grace’s blood is somewhat different and the enchantments that her blood is added to create vile reactions. Why?Because Alyce’s blood shares the same characteristics as those of the Vila, a dark race of Fae that were eradicated after the war. A war that ended and started the curse to the royal line. Meaning the descendants, princesses, would die on their 21st birthday if they hadn’t been kissed by their true love.
When Alyce meets Princess Aurora, she knows that the future queen will be able to bring together a realm that is fractured. After all Aurora isn’t bothered that Alyce is the Dark Grace, isn’t horrified by Alyce’s dark magic and isn’t fearful of what the Dark Grace can do. So together they work on finding a way to break the curse that has befallen so many. Could the Dark Grace’s blood be the key? But isn’t this a tale about a villain?
What I found most compelling with this story is the detail that has gone into creating the world in which our characters live. There is such depth into the hierarchy of society and a rich history that it blended really nicely into the overall arc.
There is no happily ever after, and we are left with an ending that sparks the readers imagination into what does indeed happen next to fit in with what we know. Heather Walter has written a tale that could be ‘as old as time.’

MALICE is a sapphic retelling of Sleeping Beauty (of sorts) where the dark fairy has to race against time to stop her only friend’s deathly curse and undergoes a corruption arc – and I’d been excited about this book because I always have a soft spot for dark, passionate, morally gray stories—such as The Poppy War and The Young Elites—where the main characters aren’t so good, ruthless, and cruel.

I have quite some thoughts about this book, and I’ll try my best to articulate them here!

In Briar, Graces were the magical blood running through the kingdom’s veins. Fae who carried their will through their golden blood spilled in service to the kingdom. Our (villain) protagonist, Alyce, is seen as the black sheep of the kingdom with green Vila blood running through her veins. Her magic, earning her the moniker “the Dark Grace,” is deemed dark and monstrous unlike the “virtuous” powers other Graces have. She’s the go-to for…..less savoury magic the kingdom might need to solicit.

Of course, this sees Alyce herself belittled and hated. Alyce herself, is rightfully jaded of life as a result of her mistreatment and persecution – viewing the people of Briar as nothing but vapid creatures. Everything starts to change when she meets a man bearing the same blood she does, and run into Princess Aurora in a royal ball. For the first time, she feels kinship, warmth, and the comfort of someone who isn’t afraid of her. Who speaks to her and treats her like an equal. She quickly forms an attachment and form a secret friendship (that quickly evolves into something more in Princess Aurora’s case).

The only problem? Princess Aurora’s blood carries a generational curse inflicted by a Vila eons ago that would eventually kill her unless she is given a true love’s kiss. With her newfound connection to her roots, Alyce is determined to find a way to reverse the curse to save Aurora.

This book is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, so readers should probably have a general idea about the major components in this book. There’s a kingdom, faeries, a cursed princess, and there’s the stipulation that it can be broken by a true love’s kiss. This, however, is as much similarity it bears as Walter takes major creative liberties in Malice (not that I’m complaining) as well as drawing inspirations from other adaptations of the classic (e.g. Disney’s 1959 Sleeping Beauty animation and 2014 Maleficent film). What results from this is an original take much darker and more energetic compared to others.

Admittedly, I had trouble with the rough dialogues and pacing but this book somehow latched its vicious grip in me and spurred me to read more of Alyce’s journey. Malice‘s first half is peppered with classic YA fantasy tropes (e.g. not like other girls trope, chosen one vibes complete with magic more powerful than most) that may potentially affect enjoyment for readers wanting a more mature, grittier story. Alyce’s character arc, however, infuses the story with something darker, something more sinister that ultimately forces us to watch the classic narrative flipped. A hero’s journey, turned into a tragic descent of a villain driven to a corner by persecution, prejudice, stupidity, horrific revelations, and most of all betrayal. She keeps finding herself being pulled in a tug of war between hope and despair, good and evil — and with that kind of pressure on top of years-long resentful rage, one could hardly blame Alyce for the choices she ultimately makes. I doubt I would be able to forget this book’s heart-pounding, relentless, blood-soaked climax any time soon.

At first glance, one may find Malice a cookie-cutter YA fantasy distinguished by its unconventional adaptation choices from Sleeping Beauty based on its first half. Come the completion of its first half of the tale (for there would be a second book), however, Malice proves itself a darkly addictive, fast-paced read that aims to shred the beauty and innocence of the classic fairy tale and forge a breath of new life from its poisoned remains no matter the bloody cost it exacts. Its main character—complex, flawed, and passionate in face of her first respite from her desolate existence—forms an almost-electric chemistry with the narrative as her heart ebbs in-between hope for a brighter future and temptation for bloody revenge.

This book is something else. It feels as if I’ve read it, yet it also feels like I’ve never read anything quite like it before. It combines nostalgia, a jaded perspective of the classic, and a protagonist walking an incredibly thin line between love and hate, between hero and villain — a very risky mix indeed.

I came into this book hoping for a malicious story, and Malice perfectly delivered. This book utterly emanates stolen hope, vitriol, resentment, rage, and pure hate fitting for its title. I have to commend Walter for having the guts to write this kind of book. I will gladly wait for this story’s conclusion.

My many thanks to Del Rey for providing me with Advance Reader’s Copy of Malice in exchange for an honest review!

On some level, I’m sure we’re all the same in wanting more books with sapphic monster women. Or sapphic women who go on to become monsters, to be more specific to Malice. So Heather Walter has clearly done us all a great favour here by writing this book.

And it’s a great one. Atmospheric and dark, the book is an origin story for the evil witch of Sleeping Beauty tales. From page one, you’re rooting for Alyce (and, I might add, waiting impatiently for her to just stop being so patient and start taking revenge. I mean. That’s what we’re all here for isn’t it).

Her romance with Aurora is really what holds the book together best: it’s intense and very very gay in a way you don’t often see with sapphic couples. Yes, there’s that softness there too, but they’re also viscerally attracted to one another.

The whole book is a slow descent into Alyce’s monstrousness, which means that the ending is an absolute ride. You know it’s coming, sure, but it still leaves you breathless and desperately wanting the sequel (I mean. There is a sequel, right? There has to be a sequel after that). It’s the perfect conclusion to the book.

All of which to say, if you hadn’t thought about picking this book up before now (a shameful oversight on your part, I’m afraid to say), then there’s still time to get a preorder in. I’m just saying.

Firstly, I have to say that Angelina Jolie has nothing on Alyce.
Secondly, if I didn’t know that this was the first part of a duology, my review would be very different.
Thirdly, bring on the queer fairy tale adaptations!!!!!!

Some Trigger Warnings for mentions of abuse of a minor, suicide, racism. There are echoes of Dhonielle Claytons The Belles in the characters of The Graces, used by the wealthy and shallow elites for every whim. This is definitely not Disney! What it is is a slow burning, well crafted, moving and dark story of a woman who has been hated, reviled, and condemned by everyone around her, who thinks that she has found the one brightness in her life, and what happens if you push her too far. Slight spoiler, but the blurb is very clear that this is a story about a villian.
For those who love their Villains layered, their romance queer, and their darkness extra dark.

4.5 stars but not to be read by the unprepared!

Alyce, the Dark Grace is used by the people of Briar for her dark elixirs but still reviled. Then she meets princess Aurora, who not only doesn't shun her but grows to care for her. But the princesses & heirs of the realm are destined to die at 21 unless they receive true love's kiss. Can she lift the curse in time? Can the villain get the princess in the end?

Alyce steals into your heart from the very beginning thanks to her sharp wit and the unfairness of how the others treat her, because she is different even from her own kind. She doesn't like it, but feels trapped in the role of 'evil'. Is she the monster they accuse her to be? I immensely enjoyed the misunderstood villain theme.

Complimented with a rich and fascinating well thought out mythology complete with its own history, the inviting descriptions liven the world with plentiful, unexpected details. A narrative that is simultaneously cynical and sweetly melancholic, with figurative speech that pinpoints emotions & and images to the tee. I really like how the magic is presented.

I loved the writing, emotionally charged and utterly gorgeous. It just envelops you in a comfortable but still exciting way. I was pleasantly surprised by how immensely bigger in scope the plot is as it unfolds. The threading of the Sleeping Beauty tale into this great story in its own right is ingenious.

I really enjoyed that Aurora is not a vapid, shallow princess but a worthy future leader. The growing of feelings between her and Alyce is affectionate and makes you root for them.

A few takeaways from this book are: True beauty is on the inside and kindness is actually power not weakness. It's about finding the strength within, showing us that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it. But also the danger of wielding power, how it can warp you if you are not careful.

With a mischievous humor, flirting with darkness and a whole lot of twisty going on, Malice is a testament to extraordinary, punches you in the gut but in a good way, storytelling

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

think wicked and malificent and you are more than half way there...a new rewrite of the old classic sleeping beauty but with a twist...

the story kept me reading with its many twists and turns and i have to say i thoroughly enjoyed it and i cant wait to read more from this author

theres magic, mayhem, treachery and good old fashioned bloodshed in this tale with a modern day twist

keep an eye out for more of this authors works, she can write a story

Malice is the Sleeping Beauty story that should be told. It is a retelling that pushes the boundaries of the original story. Alyce is not a villian, she is an outcast, misunderstood. Aurora is a princess about the reach the fatal age in her family line and can only survive the curse with true loves kiss. The Briar is a place where magic is a fashion accessory and those with magic running in their blood are being bled dry to keep up with the demand.
The story itself follows Alyce as she tries her hardest to force herself to fit the grain, to make her magic conform to the Briar's norm. But she's different. Everyone knows that and people feel she doesn't belong. Until she mets the princess on a night where their paths finally intertwine.
Malice is female and female focused story that truly brings the bedtime story into the 21st century. I really enjoyed this take on the story as well as the evolution of Alyce's character. From the beaten and meek outside she starts off as to the fiery and powerhouse character we know Malificent to be.
I found the book to be an addictive read, it will definitely be a retelling i will be recommending. Its a story that needed to be told.

Malice is a sapphic retelling of Sleeping Beauty, weaving original elements of the fairy tale, while also having its own political and magical plotlines.

In the kingdom of Briar, the Graces are magical beings created by the Faes, who have gifts in areas such as beauty, charm or wisdom, echoing the gifts the fairies gave to Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. On the other hand, Alyce is the Dark Grace, a descendant of the people who cursed the line of Briar queens, and has mysterious powers she doesn’t understand. Forced to work for the kingdom, she’s feared and alone, until she meets Princess Aurora, who needs her help.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book beyond the retelling aspect of the story, but the plot was amazing. As it follows Alyce, the story is mainly about her discovering her powers and accepting who she is, but also about breaking Aurora’s curse. On top of that, the kingdom of Briar has changed greatly since the day of the first Briar Queen, with people only caring about power and money, so it has a strong political storyline, as Aurora wants to rule differently from the previous queens. All of these elements come together beautifully, and while the story might seem slow-paced to some readers in the beginning, Malice is an engrossing read that is so worth it.

I loved reading Alyce’s arc, to see her anger because of everything that had been done to her, then slowly reclaiming her powers and agency back throughout the course of the novel. Aurora was a compelling character, she also was a prisoner of the kingdom in her own way, but still remained kind and fought for what she wanted.

The romance between Alyce and Aurora was really well-written. Without any surprise, I loved that their ship dynamic was light/darkness or monster/maiden (I’m literally quoting Alyce here hehe), I eat these things up. After reading a few disappointing romances with instant attraction back-to-back, it was amazing to finally read a good slow-burn sapphic romance, where the characters first became friends, before realising there might be something more between them.

I really enjoyed Heather Walter’s writing; she took her time to show that in this story and this world, everything is nuanced and flawed to some extent, nothing is strictly black and white, which was very fitting for Alyce’s story. She managed to capture the essence of a fairy tale atmosphere in my opinion, without shying away from the dark elements in her story, which I really enjoyed. Because of that, she does rely on telling more than showing to explain her world, which might bother some readers, but due to the fairy tale aspect of the book, I thought it was a fitting way to explain everything.

Overall, Malice was a great fantasy novel. It’s a fresh take on Sleeping Beauty, it has compelling characters, is set in an interesting world, and has a wonderful sapphic romance. The ending was explosive, to say the least, so I cannot wait to read its sequel!

This was definitely one of the books I've enjoyed more this year!

Malice follows the character of Alyce, a Vila with dark magic, who has been made to feel like an outcast her entire life, until she comes across someone willing to help her see there's more to her than she may even realise.

There's a lot more to the story than this, including a great sapphic romance story arc, but any more than that would be spoilers!

I enjoyed the writing style in this book, but will say, for it being an adult fantasy, it was very much written in a young adult tone. It made the book more accessible, and I think it would be great for people wanting a story in which the characters are older and act older, but without being too hard to follow,

I loved the characters, the magic system, and the (slight) political intrigue in this novel.

I would say, this does feel like it suffers from first book syndrome a little bit, but it wouldn't stop me from recommending this book, or reading more of what the author will bring out next.

Honestly I thought this was a great retelling of Sleeping Beauty (one of my favourite Disney films), and I'm very excited to see what Heather Walter does next.

Malice by Heather Walter

I am a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, and I just loved Heather’s spin on the classic, Sleeping Beauty. She took the original and turned it on its head. Having the villain at the forefront and sapphic main characters, made this a truly wonderful read. Because at the end of the day, not every story needs a prince to break curses and for the happily ever after moments.

Princess Aurora and her royal line is cursed by a wicked fairy as an act of vengeance, if Aurora doesn’t find true loves kiss by her 21st birthday she will die, and not only that… she is the last heir of the Briar throne. All will be lost if she cannot find her true love in time.

Alyce, the main character is a Dark Grace. Feared by others, seen as a mongrel and treated like one. She is different to the other Graces, whose blood runs gold, they make enhancements to their patrons’ beauty and health. Alyce’s dark magic is used to create cursed elixirs, for nefarious deeds like cursing someone to grow ugly or fall victim to two left feet. Her blood is green, her magic is strong, A LOT stronger than anyone could have ever anticipated.

A chance encounter at a ball held at the royal palace, Alyce and Aurora become unlikely friends, something Alyce never saw coming. Aurora is sick of having to kiss strangers in the hopes that she will live past the year, and so enlists Alyces’ help, to break the curse once and for all.

This story was beautifully written, and I absolutely adored it. Aurora's kindness to Alyce was just perfection. I adored both characters. I cannot wait to see how the story progresses in the next instalment.

I’ve never been one for fairy tales, but when I came across this villain flipped story with LGBT representation I was all for it! I thought that maybe this could be a saving grace (pun intended!) for a tired storyline.

I enjoyed the world building, and the characterisation. There were some rich descriptions, and wonderful visualisations, with a great mix of personalities.

However, there was too much info dumping, and though Alyce was touted as the villain, she was so tame in the beginning. Other characters were far more terrible and evil. I spent the first half of the book waiting for the action to happen.
It was around the 60% mark where the action really ramped up. With intrigue, and romance, and betrayals, , and suspense, the drama was on point! I spent the next 20-30% glued to the pages! So eager to find out how everything would unravel.

And then the ending happened. And while it was obvious that that was where the climax was heading, Alyce went from very tame to very hard, very fast, and it was too reminiscent of Daenerys at King’s Landing. Don’t get me wrong, the flip was needed, but I’m not sure that I enjoyed how it played out.

In the end, I did enjoy the bones of the story, the setting, and the characters. It was fun to get lost in a flipped but familiar fantasy narrative. Thank you to Heather Walter, Random House UK/Cornerstone/Del Rey, and NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to love this book but I struggled with it. Trouble is not sure it was the book or just me being in a bit of a lockdown slump. I didn't finish it. I will hopefully try the second half soon.

Malice is a dark re-telling of Sleeping Beauty. A princess struck by a curse that only 'True loves' kiss can break, we all know that story! But that's about the only thing that's similar to the fairy tale we all know.

Alyce is half Villa, someone who's blood has magic abilities that she she bottles up and sells to patrons. It's her job to serve the people of Briar. Although Alyce provides a service, its one that no-one appreciates. She deals in dark magic and so the people of Briar look down on Alyce and see her as a half breed. She is shunned by the town and the 'Grace's that she works with.
The Graces too have power linked to their blood, but their magic is considered for good 'Beauty and wisdom'.

Then Alyce meets Princess Aurora. The last heir to the Briar's throne.
Aurora sees Alyce like no other, she doesn't turn away or fear from her. Instead Aurora cares for her and together they start to work to try and break the curse placed on Aurora.
A curse that will kill Aurora on her 21st birthday, which is soon approaching.

There's a slow burn romance between Alyce and Aurora, the cursed princess and the 'villain'.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two, what I really loved was that they stood by each other no matter what. Yes there was angst and secrets revealed but still they trusted one another and I love that Alyce was never turned into a villain in Auroras eyes.

I really love the fact that we don't have a prince charming that comes in saves the day, this is all about the women saving themselves, and I'm all here for that!

Morally grey characters are my all time favourite, and while I don't think Alyce was quite that throughout the book, the town certainly perceived her that way but following her POV its clear that she doesn't want to be in service to the people and really she just wants to be free.

The ending for me was a good one, I don't want to give anything away but its not your typical fairy-tale ending, and I really enjoyed that twist.

I've seen that this is going to have a book two, to be honest I would have been happy with how it ended, even though there was unfinished business I kind of liked that it was a little open ended. That being said I did enjoy this enough to definitely be picking book two.

Thank you to Random House UK, Cornerstone - Del Rey and NetGalley for an e-arc of this, in exchange for an honest review.

Im not sure this is for me. I found it really hard to get into and just found that it was a struggle for me to understand the world etc, but I think thats more on me than the book!

Malice is a fabulous read full of LGBT representation, a new spin on Sleeping Beauty. The book shows us sweet romantic beginnings between Malice and Aurora, including issues of inequality as well as looking at morals and diversity . Sadly for me the ending of the book let this all down ? Why suggest themes and then not explore them? It’s hard because I did enjoy this but the ending just ruined it for me. 3.5 stars

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

I received an advanced copy of Malice by Heather Walter for free on NetGalley by Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much Heather, Del Rey & NetGalley for this copy! This review is also available on my blog - Book, Blog & Candle!

I loved the look of Malice when I saw it on Twitter and I have been so excited to read it! I love a retelling and the fact that this is a sapphic version of Sleeping Beauty is just *chefs kiss*.

Our protagonist is Alyce and she is the dark grace, one of the evil Vila that were defeated years before. She's different to the other graces who can offer enhancements on things such as beauty and wisdom, whereas she offers elixirs and potions for evil deeds. If a patron wants to give someone warts for example they go to Alyce. Because of her heritage she is treated cruelly by those who are supposed to be her "sisters" and mocked yet also feared by everyone in town. However, the princess Aurora is different. She accepts Alyce for who she is and doesn't blame her for her ancestors curse. But a villain isn't supposed to fall in love with a princess is she? Especially when said princess doesn't have much time left before she succumbs to the curse.

I was immediately engrossed with this book from the first page! I usually make notes as I go along but I didn't want to put it down for a second - hence why this review is going to be mostly me gushing about how great Malice was!

Alyce was such a good main character! I love stories from the "villains" perspective and being able to see their side of the story. She was strong, super sarcastic, smart and wickedly talented. She's been through so much pain and been on her own for so long, like anybody else she just wants to be loved. I know she's technically a villain but I love her with all of my heart, don't judge me!

The chemistry, plus the character development, between Alyce and Aurora was amazing! Every scene they had together was magical and I can say with confidence it was one of the best f/f couples I've read!
Plus the worldbuilding, which is one of my favourite elements in a book, was excellent! I really enjoyed the rich and detailed history that the author gave us and the reminder that history is always written by the victors and we may not be given the full story!

Malice is one of my favourite books of the year and I am about to go and preorder myself a physical copy because I NEED this gorgeous story, and the beautiful cover, on my sapphic bookshelf! I'm really hoping that there is going to be a sequel because I need more Alyce & Aurora in my life! I know that I'm going to read anything Heather Walter writes from now on and she's definitely going to be an auto-buy author for me!

Malice is a delicious, magical and intelligent retelling that fans of fantasy will want to devour! Thank you so much Heather Walter, Del Rey and NetGalley for this advanced copy, I absolutely adored it!

Malice was a great book with phenomenal characters. You'll easily fall in love with Alice and break right along with her. You may initially have different thoughts about our Dark Grace but give it time. If you love dark fantasy with powerful females who fall in love, then this is for you. My hope is that readers give this one a chance. You won't be disappointed.