Description

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The princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of Sleeping Beauty, true love is more complicated than a simple fairy tale. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Holly Black.

‘Malice is the dark and wicked heart of a fairytale carved into a book. This story is beautiful, vicious magic.’ Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

‘A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end – you’ll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same again.’ S.A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass
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Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who cursed a line of princesses to die, and could only be broken by true love’s kiss. You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.

Utter nonsense.

Let me tell you, no one actually cares about what happens to our princesses. I thought I didn’t care, either. Until I met her.

Princess Aurora. The last heir to the throne. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.

But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating – and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.

Nonsense again. Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I-

I am the villain.
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‘The story grows deliciously darker at every turn . . . Fairy tale lovers of all ages will be thrilled’ Publishers Weekly, starred review

Publisher Review

A spellbinding debut ... for all the queer girls and women who've been told to keep their gifts hidden and for those yearning to defy gravity. * Oprah Magazine * Absolutely dazzling! Full of love, power, and betrayal, Malice is as compelling as a spell, as captivating as an enchantment, and as fascinating and delicious as a fairy-tale curse. I loved it! * Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of the Queens Of Renthia series * Bewitching characters. Fascinating story. An up-all-night read. Why are you not reading this book RIGHT NOW? * Tamora Pierce * Enchanting - and enchanted . . . a book to savor * Louisa Morgan, author of The Secret History of Witches * Heather Walter writes about magic-and with magic. Her retelling of Sleeping Beauty remains true to the beloved classic, yet every page is completely new and unexpected. * Richelle Mead, author of the Vampire Academy series * The story grows deliciously darker at every turn . . . Fairy tale lovers of all ages will be thrilled * Publishers Weekly, Starred Review * A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end - you'll never look at Sleeping Beauty the same again. * S.A. Chakraborty, author of City of Brass * A beautifully imaginative and feminist retelling of a fairytale so often swept into the dark. Walter's debut was engrossing from page one, with a vivid cast of characters, thrilling romance and a world so vivid it will wrap thorns around your dreams. * Roshani Chokshi, author of The Guilded Wolves * Malice is the dark and wicked heart of a fairytale carved into a book. This story is beautiful, vicious magic * Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand *