I enjoyed the development of the main character Corban but didn't gain much of a connection with the other main characters. I could tell the passion was there and I think over time he will develop into a fantastic narrator (I also think a few of my issues could have been smoothed with a bit more editing). Some people say his voices are too similar but I found enough difference between them for the majority of the time. The narration was difficult for me mainly due to the cadence of the narrator (it was very halting with many unnecessary pauses and that took me out of the scene on many occasions). I did find the first half of the book to be slow and considered returning the book more than once for a few reasons (the story didn't grab me, it was difficult to follow so many characters, the narration at times was jarring).

I've seen this book pop up as a recommended title for some time and decided to give it a shot knowing ahead of time that the intro might be a little slow. Malice is a dark epic fantasy tale of blind greed, ambition, and betrayal. For if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind's hopes and dreams will fall to dust. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, but now giants are seen, the stones weep blood, and giant wyrms are stirring. Nor does he agree with his father's idea to summon his fellow kings to council. Many of them don't involve his father, the High King Aquilus. He is one of the most skilled swordsman to come out of his homeland, yet he is always under the shadow of his older brother. Veradis is the newest member of the warband for the High Prince, Nathair. And nothing will stop him once he has started on his path. But what he wants - the power to rule - will soon be in his grasp. And the price he pays will be in blood.Įvnis has sacrificed - too much it seems.

Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve.

Malice by John Gwynne