Malice: Award-winning epic fantasy inspired by the Iron Age (The Faithful and the Fallen)
Product ID: 78386307
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Called a 'Hell of a debut' by author Conn Iggulden, Malice by John Gwynne is the first in The Faithful and the Fallen series. Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors, learning the art of war. He yearns to wield his sword and spear to protect his king’s realm. But that day will come all too soon. Only when he loses those he loves will he learn the true of courage. The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant-clans were broken in ages past, their ruined fortresses still scar the land. But now giants stir anew, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of giant wyrms. Those who can still read the signs see a threat far greater than the ancient wars. Sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield. Then there will be a war to end all wars. High King Aquilus summons his fellow kings to council, seeking an alliance in this time of need. Prophesy indicates darkness and light will demand two champions, the Black Sun and the Bright Star. They would be wise to seek out both, for if the Black Sun gains ascendancy, mankind’s hopes and dreams will fall to dust. Continue the epic fantasy series with Valour. Review: Malice. - Nice book, but packaging for books should improve in desertcart. Fortunately book was not damaged... Looking forward to read in my summer holidays.😁 Review: Very good series - with a couple of annoying aspects - My review is for the entire series. For the most part, i really liked it. To start with, it is well written with no awkward turn of phrases that spoil the flow. There is reasonably decent character development for the genre, and while the plot itself isnt too original, how it plays out is very well developed and original enough. My main isssue with the series is how often the author seems to go back to the same tools. To start with, there is a bit of obvious effort made by the author to prevent the main protagonists from coming head to head with each other early in the series - and this takes the form of random movements of large warbands all over the realm, kinda like chess pieces. It isnt really a huge deal and in some ways, it keeps the tension levels up, but the carefree way with which armies just seem to wander all of the place all the time just feels forced. However, what is more annoying is how often the author goes back to the same trope when it comes to avoiding a final resolution: Bad Guy is in a compromising position, something unexpected happens, Bad Guy escapes only to do more Bad Guy stuff later I get the use of this tool once or twice, but it seems to be happening far too often and with far too many characters. Also, Bad Guys can be shot, stabbed, etc. and rarely die - all being saved for the end, I guess. I can understand the rationale - it just gets a bit too much when it keeps happening over and over. Also, this book should have been a 3-book series. Far too much time is devoted to one story arc involving Lykos and his obsession with one particular character. That part is also repetitive and doesnt really add much to the plot except to act as a convenient tool to play with the reader's emotions. To be clear, these arent huge flaws. However, they stand out more precisely because of the otherwise high standard of writing of this series.
| Best Sellers Rank | #61,711 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #79 in Dystopian Fiction #80 in Contemporary Fantasy (Books) #133 in Historical Fantasy (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,922 Reviews |
B**R
Malice.
Nice book, but packaging for books should improve in Amazon. Fortunately book was not damaged... Looking forward to read in my summer holidays.😁
V**K
Very good series - with a couple of annoying aspects
My review is for the entire series. For the most part, i really liked it. To start with, it is well written with no awkward turn of phrases that spoil the flow. There is reasonably decent character development for the genre, and while the plot itself isnt too original, how it plays out is very well developed and original enough. My main isssue with the series is how often the author seems to go back to the same tools. To start with, there is a bit of obvious effort made by the author to prevent the main protagonists from coming head to head with each other early in the series - and this takes the form of random movements of large warbands all over the realm, kinda like chess pieces. It isnt really a huge deal and in some ways, it keeps the tension levels up, but the carefree way with which armies just seem to wander all of the place all the time just feels forced. However, what is more annoying is how often the author goes back to the same trope when it comes to avoiding a final resolution: Bad Guy is in a compromising position, something unexpected happens, Bad Guy escapes only to do more Bad Guy stuff later I get the use of this tool once or twice, but it seems to be happening far too often and with far too many characters. Also, Bad Guys can be shot, stabbed, etc. and rarely die - all being saved for the end, I guess. I can understand the rationale - it just gets a bit too much when it keeps happening over and over. Also, this book should have been a 3-book series. Far too much time is devoted to one story arc involving Lykos and his obsession with one particular character. That part is also repetitive and doesnt really add much to the plot except to act as a convenient tool to play with the reader's emotions. To be clear, these arent huge flaws. However, they stand out more precisely because of the otherwise high standard of writing of this series.
A**R
Brilliant read.
A throwback to Gemmel, especially the grittiness of his Parmenion books with a hint of Brent Weeks, but truly Gwynne's own style. I can't wait to lay my hands on Book 2.
N**A
Finishing a book is always a void. It's more of a void when it's ..a story like this.
"For whence But from the author of all ill could spring So deep a malice." - John Milton Finishing a book is always a void. It's more of a void when it's ..a story like this. John Gwynne is considered to be the best writer of action scenes in the world right now, but did not know he would be equally skilled at creating Epic goosbumpy moments, tearful moments, heartbreaking moments and action scenes that make me want to fight 10 men alone or do 50 pushups. This was a birthday gift to myself. Glad i did it. And glad I read the last 200 pages, which is arguably the best section of the book, on a windy morning, sitting on the terrace with rains coming in during the final pages.
M**.
A solid start to The Faithful and the Fallen series!
A really great start to the series, it starts off slow but near the end you get the payoff and it will be worth the wait. Will definitely continue on with the series.
X**X
Great read
Great book
P**R
Not for adults...more for teenagers
The first half is given to world building with few good scenes and battles. However even though there are wide range of characters...the emotions for them are very limited and one dimensional in a way. This is recommended for teenagers, not for adults.
D**I
My first actual Book
One of the best reads I have ever head. This was my first actual book
I**N
Absolutely Fantastic
Apparently, John Gwynne is the best kept secret in modern fantasy. This book moves like it’s grim-dark, it’s fast and gritty and dark. But it’s actual plot is more epic fantasy, with clear lines drawn between good and evil. I cannot begin to explain how surprised I was by the quality of this book I’d never heard of. I devoured it in days and cannot wait to start its sequel. This is a perfect marriage between the grime of George R. R. Martin and the sweeping world of Jordan or Sanderson. Do yourself a favour fantasy fans, just read it.
C**E
Great book!
This book is written well, with multiple ensnaring characters and a huge swell of excitement leading up to a dramatic cliffhanger. I was unable to put the book down and am finishing this review and starting the sequel immediately!
R**S
Genial libro
uno de mis libros favoritos no decepciona en nada me encantó
G**S
John Gwynne é excepcional
livro incrível! conheci o autor com a obra “The Shadow of the Gods” (inclusive é sensacional, fica a dica) e me apaixonei pela escrita, agora comecei essa série dele muito aclamada lá fora e hoje já afirmo que esse é um dos meus autores favoritos da atualidade, ele tem o domínio da escrita.
S**A
The Faithful and the Fallen 1
Fantastic book enjoyed every moment.
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