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Malice
(The Faithful and the Fallen #1)
by
A black sun is rising …
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, 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 price of courage.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and gia ...more
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, 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 price of courage.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and gia ...more
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Hardcover, 672 pages
Published
December 6th 2012
by Tor
(first published December 1st 2012)
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Start your review of Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen, #1)

Feb 20, 2017
Petrik
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Epic Fantasy & aSoIaF fans
Recommended to Petrik by:
Lady Luna. ✨
Shelves:
favorites
I have a Booktube channel now! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/petrikleo
4.5/5 Stars
Do you ever have this feeling, just after you finished reading the first book of a series, you knew immediately there's a huge potential for the series to become one of your favorite series of all time? Malice, the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen quartet by John Gwynne is one of those rare cases for me.
What started out as a simple classic tale of Good vs Evil ended up being not as simple as I tho ...more
4.5/5 Stars
Do you ever have this feeling, just after you finished reading the first book of a series, you knew immediately there's a huge potential for the series to become one of your favorite series of all time? Malice, the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen quartet by John Gwynne is one of those rare cases for me.
What started out as a simple classic tale of Good vs Evil ended up being not as simple as I tho ...more

Sep 04, 2012
Mark Lawrence
added it
I finished Malice by the excellent John Gwynne whilst at hospital with Celyn this week. It's taken me a very long time to read due to the many calls on my time, so I've read it in small chunks over many months - and that's exactly the opposite of how I would want anyone to read my own work. It's a particularly bad way to read complicated books, and with a GRRM-sized cast and many point-of-view characters this is a book that really needs your attention on it or you'll get lost in the whirl of nam
...more

Oct 23, 2016
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own,
fantasy-all

My thoughts . . .
Yeah!

I wanted to kill people seven ways til Sunday in this book! The damn bullies and the evil people. If you read this book you best not like anyone or anything because they are going to DIE! Well, not all of them, but still! You know how these epics go =)
Some of my favorite characters:
1. Corbin
2. Cywen (Corbin's sister)
3. Gar (stablemaster)
4. Thannon (the smith & Corbin/Cywen's father
5. Veradis
Okay, there are several more I loved but I can't list them all!
Corbin and his bes ...more

"That is my prayer, what use is prayer to a God that has abandoned all things..." - Halvor
Gwynne's debut is the foundation of what will arguably be a perplexing but ultimately breathtaking fantasy saga. One that is flowing with age-old and perhaps cliched elements preparing for the ultimate battle. Good vs. Evil. It features a whole range of species such as humans, giants, wolven, draigs and also incorporates a friendly intellectual talking crow.
A few wise people have envisaged through their ex ...more
Gwynne's debut is the foundation of what will arguably be a perplexing but ultimately breathtaking fantasy saga. One that is flowing with age-old and perhaps cliched elements preparing for the ultimate battle. Good vs. Evil. It features a whole range of species such as humans, giants, wolven, draigs and also incorporates a friendly intellectual talking crow.
A few wise people have envisaged through their ex ...more

Another buddy read with my fantasy addicted pals at BB&B
4.5 BRUTAL STARS ★★★★
'even the brave will fall'
Warning this book is not for the lighthearted I can't even count the amount of times I was shocked and saddened in this book.
I heard this is the authors first book... Umm wow what a great start to no doubt a wonderful career for John Gywnne!
This is another great fantasy read that I throughly enjoyed. I did however find the story extremely dark with little relief but it was a good read that ...more
4.5 BRUTAL STARS ★★★★
'even the brave will fall'
Warning this book is not for the lighthearted I can't even count the amount of times I was shocked and saddened in this book.

I heard this is the authors first book... Umm wow what a great start to no doubt a wonderful career for John Gywnne!
This is another great fantasy read that I throughly enjoyed. I did however find the story extremely dark with little relief but it was a good read that ...more

Have you ever heard me saying: The movie was better? I don’t think so, as such statement is an epitome of blasphemy for every self-respecting reader. But here comes Malice with each of its 672 pages like a severe toothache, and I promise: if they ever turn this book into a movie/series, it is going to be better than the original.
It took me (let me check) over a month to read Malice. I put it down twice and read two other books in between. And the only thing that kept me going was the sheer mali ...more
It took me (let me check) over a month to read Malice. I put it down twice and read two other books in between. And the only thing that kept me going was the sheer mali ...more

*** 4.55 ***
A second buddy read with the Fantasy Buddy Reads Group, because this book is awesome!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A buddy read with my Fantasy addicted friends at BB&B!!!! We are on a quest to read all worthwhile Fantasy ever written:-)
I loved it just as much the second time around! Everything anyone could want from a Fantasy Novel!
I loved it!!! A bit of a slow start, but needed to introduce all the main players and for us to get us ...more
A second buddy read with the Fantasy Buddy Reads Group, because this book is awesome!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A buddy read with my Fantasy addicted friends at BB&B!!!! We are on a quest to read all worthwhile Fantasy ever written:-)
I loved it just as much the second time around! Everything anyone could want from a Fantasy Novel!
I loved it!!! A bit of a slow start, but needed to introduce all the main players and for us to get us ...more

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews
Malice by John Gwynne is the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen series, and it is an epic fantasy that has flown under the radar of a lot of fantasy aficionados. After reading it, I can understand that to some extent, because – in this time when grimdark and its close cousins are all the rage – Malice is more of a classic fantasy story with many of the tropes that go along with that term. However, where some novels might flounder under those clas ...more
Malice by John Gwynne is the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen series, and it is an epic fantasy that has flown under the radar of a lot of fantasy aficionados. After reading it, I can understand that to some extent, because – in this time when grimdark and its close cousins are all the rage – Malice is more of a classic fantasy story with many of the tropes that go along with that term. However, where some novels might flounder under those clas ...more

This was a buddy read with my dear friend Orient and I thank her for encouraging me to start this series sooner than I planned.
Before I started Malice I was warned that the first half of the book is a slow burn but as soon as I was about fifty pages in I understood why. This book hosts a large cast of characters and we follow some of them through POV chapters so the slower pace was needed to get us acquainted with them and to lay the foundation of the story through them.
The premise of this story ...more
Before I started Malice I was warned that the first half of the book is a slow burn but as soon as I was about fifty pages in I understood why. This book hosts a large cast of characters and we follow some of them through POV chapters so the slower pace was needed to get us acquainted with them and to lay the foundation of the story through them.
The premise of this story ...more

4.5 stars, rounded up. (Half-star taken off for a slow start. But man, did that ever change.)
Move over, Martin, because Gwynne is here to steal yo’ girl.
The A Game of Thrones comparisons here are completely understandable. As in Martin’s series, there is a varied cast of characters from whose perspectives we witness this story unfold. There is no time travel here, no resurrection for those who die. Death is final, and it is an equal opportunity reaper, not caring how good or bad a person is, how ...more
Move over, Martin, because Gwynne is here to steal yo’ girl.
The A Game of Thrones comparisons here are completely understandable. As in Martin’s series, there is a varied cast of characters from whose perspectives we witness this story unfold. There is no time travel here, no resurrection for those who die. Death is final, and it is an equal opportunity reaper, not caring how good or bad a person is, how ...more

Looks like Joe Abercrombie has some competition..

Sep 30, 2013
Eon ♒Windrunner♒
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
fantasy lovers
Shelves:
favourites
4.5 Stars
Another great debut book which surpassed my expectations!
‘For whence But from the author of all ill could spring So deep a malice.’ John Milton, Paradise Lost
A classic fantasy story with the familiar end of the world, prophecy, chosen one arc that we see regularly (because we are suckers for epics obviously), but still a book every fantasy lover will enjoy. It is told from multiple POV's and as with such books you start favoring one or two characters above others, but I did not find ...more
Another great debut book which surpassed my expectations!
‘For whence But from the author of all ill could spring So deep a malice.’ John Milton, Paradise Lost
A classic fantasy story with the familiar end of the world, prophecy, chosen one arc that we see regularly (because we are suckers for epics obviously), but still a book every fantasy lover will enjoy. It is told from multiple POV's and as with such books you start favoring one or two characters above others, but I did not find ...more

Feb 14, 2014
Bentley ★ Bookbastion.net
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
cover-porn,
favorites
Second Read-Through Completed 4/17/17 - Review Updated to Reflect Current Thoughts
This book was just as awesome as I remembered it. It still amazes me that this is a debut novel. The character growth alone over the course of the story is enough to really set this one apart. I love watching all my little favorites grow and mature as they get pulled into the rapidly unfolding events of the plot. You can tell this was a story crafted with love and a lot of planning.
This is epic fantasy done right, ...more
This book was just as awesome as I remembered it. It still amazes me that this is a debut novel. The character growth alone over the course of the story is enough to really set this one apart. I love watching all my little favorites grow and mature as they get pulled into the rapidly unfolding events of the plot. You can tell this was a story crafted with love and a lot of planning.
This is epic fantasy done right, ...more

This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷
I have heard tons of great things about this series and I have been putting reading it off for a long time because I am intimidated by huge books and this is a series of huge books. I also thought it would have more rigid writing and it would be hard to follow but I am glad I was wrong. This book was a great introduction to what I would expect to be an amazing series ...more
“Come, boy, it is time for a lesson. Let me teach you the power of words,”
I have heard tons of great things about this series and I have been putting reading it off for a long time because I am intimidated by huge books and this is a series of huge books. I also thought it would have more rigid writing and it would be hard to follow but I am glad I was wrong. This book was a great introduction to what I would expect to be an amazing series ...more

"There is a hole in your heart, an empty space. You must fill it with meaning. You need a cause to live for, to fight for, perhaps to die for... Choose me."
4.5 Stars:✰✰✰✰½
Just a warning, this is less of a review and more of me explaining why this book was so personally meaningful to me. If you hate that stuff, please move on ;] haha. I almost feel like this book could have been written just for me, and very, VERY few books have ever done that. Simply fantastic opening to what I'm ...more

Apr 24, 2017
Orient
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Orient by:
Craig
A great BR with three swordsmen, who where with me in warrior trial and sat the Long Night: Samir, Terry and Jokoloyo.
When I first read a couple of reviews for “Malice”, I wasn’t sure if I want to try it. Mostly there were good reviews, but also I spotted some DNFs. So when Craig recommended this book and series to me, I thought I needed backup! Thank you guys for being there for me ❤
"Malice” is an interesting story, about how good fights evil. I found values that make “Malice” a great read: l ...more
When I first read a couple of reviews for “Malice”, I wasn’t sure if I want to try it. Mostly there were good reviews, but also I spotted some DNFs. So when Craig recommended this book and series to me, I thought I needed backup! Thank you guys for being there for me ❤
"Malice” is an interesting story, about how good fights evil. I found values that make “Malice” a great read: l ...more

4.5 stars.
Normally I like to leave some space between books in a series, but with this one, I feel I need to continue quite quickly. Let me explain: this was one hard book to get into- so many names, I kept losing track. I was also listening on audio and the narrator was using everything from a Liverpudlian, Irish, scouser, Australian and Bavarian accents and they were distracting! I wouldn't recommend starting this book on audio until you have all the characters clear in your head.
Having said t ...more
Normally I like to leave some space between books in a series, but with this one, I feel I need to continue quite quickly. Let me explain: this was one hard book to get into- so many names, I kept losing track. I was also listening on audio and the narrator was using everything from a Liverpudlian, Irish, scouser, Australian and Bavarian accents and they were distracting! I wouldn't recommend starting this book on audio until you have all the characters clear in your head.
Having said t ...more

4.5 Scottish stars!
Buddy read with my favorite warriors : Petrik, Celeste, Mary and my Evil Twin lurking in the shadows !
Actual review
With his debut (!!!) novel, John Gwynne has just joined my list of authors who reaaally know how to write an ending (along with Brandon Sanderson and Mark Lawrence among others)!! The man knows how to grip his readers and wrap things up at the end to give a really satisfying conclusion and yet letting all the doors open to numerous unpredictable possibilitie ...more
Buddy read with my favorite warriors : Petrik, Celeste, Mary and my Evil Twin lurking in the shadows !
Actual review
With his debut (!!!) novel, John Gwynne has just joined my list of authors who reaaally know how to write an ending (along with Brandon Sanderson and Mark Lawrence among others)!! The man knows how to grip his readers and wrap things up at the end to give a really satisfying conclusion and yet letting all the doors open to numerous unpredictable possibilitie ...more

You know you’ve read a great book when you can’t stop thinking about it and imagining all the different scenarios for the next book. This book turned out way better than I thought it would, it reminds me why I love fantasy. What I love most in fantasy(epic adult fantasy to be precise) is its originality and the way the authors play at words. And this is no exception, the author use a very rare story telling style in this book. Some fantasy books starts with a bang then backstory of the main char
...more

Aug 09, 2019
Markus
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Markus by:
Eon ♒Windrunner♒
"War eternal between the Faithful and the Fallen, infinite wrath come to the world of men. Lightbearer seeking flesh from the cauldron, to break his chains and wage the war again. Two born of blood, dust and ashes shall champion the Choices, the Darkness and Light."
See, this is quite a fun premise. A good god and a bad god will start a war, and each will have their mortal champion. Who are they, you wonder? Well, their identities are carefully hidden and you will have to work it out for yourself ...more
See, this is quite a fun premise. A good god and a bad god will start a war, and each will have their mortal champion. Who are they, you wonder? Well, their identities are carefully hidden and you will have to work it out for yourself ...more

Full Video Review Here: https://youtu.be/qBKf6Qfw12c
One thing I believe we see way too much after the success of HBO's Game of Thrones is every fantasy series labeled as "The NEXT Game of Thrones!" or "It's Game of Thrones meets the Arthur Legend!" etc. Denying the cultural impact of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin would be pretty stupid. So I understand why marketers are doing this, but the problem is that it rarely turns out to be true. It's either nothing like Martin's ...more
One thing I believe we see way too much after the success of HBO's Game of Thrones is every fantasy series labeled as "The NEXT Game of Thrones!" or "It's Game of Thrones meets the Arthur Legend!" etc. Denying the cultural impact of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin would be pretty stupid. So I understand why marketers are doing this, but the problem is that it rarely turns out to be true. It's either nothing like Martin's ...more

Took me a lot of time to get hang of things in this story but I really enjoyed last 25% of this book. A lot was going on from the start but author wrapped up things beautifully here. Definitely an introductory book to the great things that awaits in remaining three books.

Nov 05, 2017
Kayla
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Kayla by:
Piera
My series review is live on my youtube channel NOW!
TRUTH AND COURAGE BITCHES
This review was originally published on GracelingAccountant.

Hey Ya’ll!
This is my spoiler free review for Malice by John Gwynne, the first book in the Faithful and the Fallen series. I buddy read this book with my friend Devin and I’ve gotta say that I am obsessed with this series. I will probably be spending a good portion of OWNtober 2018 devouring at least the next book in the series. I gave this book five stars. Let’s ...more
TRUTH AND COURAGE BITCHES
This review was originally published on GracelingAccountant.

Hey Ya’ll!
This is my spoiler free review for Malice by John Gwynne, the first book in the Faithful and the Fallen series. I buddy read this book with my friend Devin and I’ve gotta say that I am obsessed with this series. I will probably be spending a good portion of OWNtober 2018 devouring at least the next book in the series. I gave this book five stars. Let’s ...more

Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen, #1), John Gwynne
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, 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 price of courage.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant- ...more
Young Corban watches enviously as boys become warriors under King Brenin’s rule, 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 price of courage.
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed shields in battle, the earth running dark with their heartsblood. Although the giant- ...more

Holy...
What an ending. It's almost as if John Gwynne is begging me to buy book two...
Oh wait, I already did.
A quick note before I get into the review:
I feel as if this series was written for me. In my mind, me and John Gwynne met up for coffee and he asked me what I loved about fantasy books and I wrote a list for him on a napkin and he then took it and wrote a book about it.
I will have two sections to this review. The Non-Spoilery version which will come first and the Super-Duper-Spoilery versi ...more
What an ending. It's almost as if John Gwynne is begging me to buy book two...
Oh wait, I already did.
A quick note before I get into the review:
I feel as if this series was written for me. In my mind, me and John Gwynne met up for coffee and he asked me what I loved about fantasy books and I wrote a list for him on a napkin and he then took it and wrote a book about it.
I will have two sections to this review. The Non-Spoilery version which will come first and the Super-Duper-Spoilery versi ...more

5+ Stars ( Outstanding)
This is my 2nd read through and overall, Malice jumped into my 'favorite' books of all times list for the sheer scope, genius, characterization and unrelenting action!
* Nearly every character is unique and shines in his/her own merit!
* A story of good vs evil- yet every turn there is a twist, a mystery and wild turn of emotions!
* A brutal book- where some of your favorite and most endearing characters perish- yet it all adds to the narrative and the vision of John Gwyn ...more
This is my 2nd read through and overall, Malice jumped into my 'favorite' books of all times list for the sheer scope, genius, characterization and unrelenting action!
* Nearly every character is unique and shines in his/her own merit!
* A story of good vs evil- yet every turn there is a twist, a mystery and wild turn of emotions!
* A brutal book- where some of your favorite and most endearing characters perish- yet it all adds to the narrative and the vision of John Gwyn ...more

I have been anticipating getting to this series for some time now, and I’m glad I finally did. This is an epic story of good versus evil at its finest. The world building had a unique quality that set it apart from other series in this genre. The characters were well developed and interesting. It did take me a little longer than usual to get familiar with all of the characters and kingdoms, but with the magnitude of characters and information in this story it is to be expected. At least for me a
...more

The only big regret I have while reading this book was reading it for three months straight. Am absolutely glad I was able to complete it cause it was absolutely worth it.
This first book is a little bit a coming of age story, which was quite interesting. I was able to witness the characters develop in and also in other skills.
‘Be very sure you mean the words that come out of your mouth. You cannot unsay them.’
The plot centres on an angel and demon war but in a fantasy setting. I truly can' ...more
This first book is a little bit a coming of age story, which was quite interesting. I was able to witness the characters develop in and also in other skills.
‘Be very sure you mean the words that come out of your mouth. You cannot unsay them.’
The plot centres on an angel and demon war but in a fantasy setting. I truly can' ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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The Procrastinato...: * Malice (February 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Ravi, Selina, Mina | 16 | 15 | Feb 23, 2021 10:21AM | |
Can we please get reprints of the HC editions for the LOVE OF GOD?!?! | 1 | 5 | Jan 16, 2021 11:08PM | |
Witch Plus Cat Bo...: Thoughts So Far ~ pg 211-422 | 2 | 9 | Jul 24, 2019 11:50PM | |
Witch Plus Cat Bo...: Thoughts So Far ~ 1-210 | 2 | 16 | Jul 23, 2019 03:40AM | |
Witch Plus Cat Bo...: Thoughts So Far ~ pg 423-628 | 1 | 5 | Jun 21, 2019 02:57AM |
Malice is my debut novel. Goldsboro Books of London, specialists in signed first-editions, have made Malice their 'Book of the Month' for December 2012.
I was born in Singapore while my dad was stationed there in the RAF. Up until he retired that meant a lot of traveling around, generally a move every three years or so.
I live with my wife and four wonderful (and demanding) children in East Sussex. ...more
I was born in Singapore while my dad was stationed there in the RAF. Up until he retired that meant a lot of traveling around, generally a move every three years or so.
I live with my wife and four wonderful (and demanding) children in East Sussex. ...more
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The Faithful and the Fallen
(4 books)
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“I shall stay and tell my tale, hope that it may serve some purpose, that eyes shall see it and learn, that the future will not repeat the mistakes of the past. That is my prayer, but what use is prayer to a god that has abandoned all things . . .”
—
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“Come, boy, it is time for a lesson. Let me teach you the power of words,”
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