‘Malice’ by Heather Walter

 

5 stars

Book Blurb:

“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.”

Review:

Narrated entirely by ‘the villain’ in the same lovely and flowing manner in which the book blurb was written, ‘Malice’ is a creative and original sapphic re-imagining of ‘Sleeping Beauty.’

Though Alyce resembles Maleficent quite a bit, she is not actually intended to be *the* dark fairy we’re all familiar with.  This re-telling includes other minor alterations as well as major plot changes and a richly developed world full of Fae, Vila, Demons, Shifters, Imps, and more. 

I appreciated that many elements of the classic tale were included, such as true love’s kiss, magic activating with the prick of a finger, and court-approved magic involving beauty, healing, and music.  Like Maleficent, Alyce often remains uninvited to palace events and parties, and is feared and hated for her different blood and magic abilities.

Highly recommended for fans of all fairy-tale retellings and F/F pairings.  ‘Malice’ will also likely appeal to readers who enjoy vivid descriptions of palaces, court wardrobes, makeup, and food, such as in ‘The Selection’ series.

‘Malice’ will be available on April 13, 2021.

#Malice #NetGalley - I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.