Slowly, but inexorably, those rivalries and conflicts build toward the larger picture. And, whilst some of the disputes between characters felt, to me, slightly contrived, the bones of the book are solid good versus evil, prophecies and misguided loyalties, chosen champions and warped perspectives. With so many characters at play, and numerous connections and disputes to consider, it’s not a fast flowing narrative. Because of the vast cast of actors and the levels of conflict between each, the book is slow going. Yet, at over 600 pages, it’s a massive opening novel. It’s a huge, complex story and Malice is merely the beginning. As each perspective builds, from young Corban, the son of a blacksmith, to others such as the ambitious prince Nathair, a sense of the mounting plot arc takes shape in the form of a prophecy which will affect the whole world. And, amongst the Banished Lands, giants and monsters lurk, remnants of past battles. A land divided into numerous kingdoms, born from an ancient war between gods, there is a huge sense of history colouring the narrative at every turn. Huge in scale and rife with history, it sets up a world full of conflict and intrigue.īouncing between multiple perspectives, the book takes a while to piece things together. The opening book in The Faithful and the Fallen series, Malice is an epic fantasy in that traditional canon of works which can be traced back to Tolkien. Kirsten M Corby on SPSFC 2: Team GSV Galactic… Thebookbeard on SPSFC2 – Team GSV Galact…

Review – A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher.Review – Fractal Noise by Christopher Paolini.Review (part 1) – Dark Forces edited by Kirby McCauley.

Malice fantasy book