This heartfelt, ever-escalating story of true love burns bright, encouraging readers to brush aside shame or condescension and follow their hearts. Her growing love for Aurora and her increasing resistance to the status quo shine through her gloomy outlook, and as she learns about the history of Briar and the truth behind the treatment of the fae, Alyce learns some unexpected truths about her powers as well. Alyce is feared, yes, but for things she’s had from birth and can’t control. Alyce’s wry wit and determination to save Aurora make her instantly sympathetic, a refreshing change from other fairytale retellings that attempt to conjure some meticulous, outlandish backstory to explain the evil doings of a nefarious character. Told through the puckish voice of Alyce, Malice is a sympathetic take on the traditionally one-dimensional figure of the dark fairy. As Alyce and Aurora grow closer, the Dark Grace becomes determined to find a way to break the spell. She has been kissed by many noblemen, often strangers, to try and break the curse, but none have succeeded. Aurora must find her true love by age 21 or she will be cursed to sleep forever. Alyce flees, but Aurora runs after her and Alyce is shocked at how down-to-earth the princess is. When Alyce decides to attend a masquerade ball despite not being invited, she is outed as the dark fairy by one of Princess Aurora’s failed and jealous suitors.

Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Known as the Dark Grace, Alyce is the last descendant of a type of fae known as the Vila, and her relationship with the other fae is complicated-some avoid her, all fear her and most are willing to throw her under the bus. Misrule: Book Two of the Malice Duology - Kindle edition by Walter, Heather. The Graces can create beauty and light, but Alyce’s magic seems to produce only ugliness and pain. The fae, known as Graces, are kept as magical servants for cold-blooded mortal nobles. Walter’s immersive world building plunges readers into the Briar Kingdom, built on a system of inequality and discrimination.

Heather Walter’s debut novel, Malice, transforms the familiar fairytale of Sleeping Beauty into a captivating fantasy romance between the storybook Princess Aurora and the dark sorceress Alyce.

Malice heather walter summary