Book Review: Malice by John Gwynne
Genre(s): Epic Fantasy
Book Synopsis:
The Banished Lands have a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle. An uneasy peace reigns, but now signs of giants stir once more, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of gigantic wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a prophecy realized: sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield.
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors and yearns to join them, determined that he will make his family proud. It is only when everything he knows is threatened that he discovers the true cost of becoming a man.
As the Kings look to their borders, and priests beg answers from the Gods, only a chosen few know that the fate of the world will be decided between two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. And with their coming will be a war to end all wars.
Review:
This was a great introduction into The Faithful and the Fallen series, and I finally understand why so many people have recommended these books to me.
As with most first-in-series, this one sets the stage for everything that is sure to follow. There are a lot of characters and places to keep track of, but it does get easier along the way. While there are at least 6 point of view characters (there might be a couple more that I’ve forgotten about), I feel that there are really only two primary characters: Corban and Veradis (I’m basing this on page time.)
Corban is a young teen, trying to prove himself and make his family proud, but his path isn’t always easy. He’s often bullied by an older boy and his friends, yet it doesn’t stop him from trying to do what’s right, even if it means placing himself in danger. And Corban isn’t without allies, either. There’s his family, the stablemaster who trains him and teaches him how to control his emotions, his mentor in the Rowan Field who teaches him how to better wield a sword, and the local healer who takes him on as an apprentice.
Along the way, Corban also acquires a couple animal companions that I have to mention because they’re fun and integral to his story. Storm is a wolven he raises from a cub. She’s fiercely protective of him and startlingly intelligent. Shield is a colt Corban is given, and Shield also does his part to protect Corban.
Veradis is a bit older, in his early twenties, I believe. He’s named Prince Nathair’s first-sword (basically, the leader of the prince’s personal guards), and will do anything the prince asks of him. I like Veradis’ character, but I do not trust his prince. I have some theories about who the prince really is—and it isn’t who Veradis believes. As staunchly loyal as Veradis is, I have a feeling he’s either in for a shock later on, or he’ll deny the truth until he has no choice but to accept it. I guess I’ll find out which he is when the series reaches that point.
There isn’t much magic in this book, though it’s present at times. The real focus was on the pending God-War and how that will potentially play out as each side begins to maneuver. The politics between the various kingdoms is complex, and not every king or queen’s position is clear, even by the end. It’s going to be very interesting to see where all of that goes moving forward.
I’m also curious about what role the giant clans will really play in all of the turmoil. So far, they’ve been painted as aggressors, the “enemy,” but I suspect there’s more to them than that. There were plenty of battle/combat scenes between the various characters and the giants, as well as the creatures the giants train and tame (wyrms and draigs, foremost.) The combat sequences were really well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed Malice, and will be moving directly onto Valour, the second in the series, next.
Author’s Amazon Page: John Gwynne
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