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A review by lefttoread
Malice by John Gwynne
Game of Thrones — but better? Absolutely. Malice by John Gwynne was everything I wanted and more. While it has been frequently compared to Game of Thrones, I found myself far more engrossed in this story, for two reasons: Gwynne stays true to the fantasy roots and I felt more connected to the characters in Malice. Unlike Game of Thrones, which I think sometimes forgets that it's meant to be a fantasy story, especially after the first book in the series, Malice embraces its fantasy elements fully.
The characters are what truly captured my heart. Gwynne crafts them with such care, depth, and authenticity that I couldn't help but become deeply invested in their journeys. I found myself rooting for them, feeling their pain, and celebrating their victories. There’s real growth and character development, a sense of purpose and evolution that made me care for them. I genuinely want nothing but the best for most of them, and that's a rare feeling in epic fantasy with multiple POVs. One POV in particular stood out for me though. Corban —what a character! I'm so excited to see where his journey leads next. He is easily one of my favorite characters, and I can't wait to continue this series and follow his path.
The book is filled with everything I love: exquisite world-building, amazing fantasy elements that still feel grounded in a sense of reality, and top-tier character dynamics that had me hooked from the start. John Gwynne has set a high bar with Malice, and I'm excited for the rest of the series.
The characters are what truly captured my heart. Gwynne crafts them with such care, depth, and authenticity that I couldn't help but become deeply invested in their journeys. I found myself rooting for them, feeling their pain, and celebrating their victories. There’s real growth and character development, a sense of purpose and evolution that made me care for them. I genuinely want nothing but the best for most of them, and that's a rare feeling in epic fantasy with multiple POVs. One POV in particular stood out for me though. Corban —what a character! I'm so excited to see where his journey leads next. He is easily one of my favorite characters, and I can't wait to continue this series and follow his path.
The book is filled with everything I love: exquisite world-building, amazing fantasy elements that still feel grounded in a sense of reality, and top-tier character dynamics that had me hooked from the start. John Gwynne has set a high bar with Malice, and I'm excited for the rest of the series.