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Malice
(The Faithful and the Fallen #1)
by
The Banished Lands has a violent past where armies of men and giants clashed in battle. An uneasy peace reigns, but now giants stir once more, the very stones weep blood and there are sightings of gigantic worms. Those who can still read the signs see a prophecy realised: sorrow will darken the world, as angels and demons make it their battlefield.
Young Corban watches env ...more
Young Corban watches env ...more
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Paperback, 628 pages
Published
July 4th 2013
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:
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

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

Really looking forward to joining a chat with Alan, Petrik, Abby, Alex and Philip about Wrath in a few days. If you want to catch up on their BookTube chat on Malice first, the link is here
Two of my boys have made a video talking about their Top 10 Moments of Malice. If you want to relive some moments that may have faded from the memory, you can find it here
Malice has hit 15,000 ratings! Thank you to all the wonderful Banished Lands readers who have rated or reviewed any book of mine. They reall ...more
Two of my boys have made a video talking about their Top 10 Moments of Malice. If you want to relive some moments that may have faded from the memory, you can find it here
Malice has hit 15,000 ratings! Thank you to all the wonderful Banished Lands readers who have rated or reviewed any book of mine. They reall ...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

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

Sep 11, 2016
Choko
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-grim,
fantasy
*** 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

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

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

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

Nov 23, 2021
Icey
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorite-books-that-linger,
5-star-beauties
- -Have you ever read a book that you cannot put down, but at the same time desperately trying to slow your reading pace, wishing the book will never end?
- -Have you ever got a feeling when just starting a book, almost like an intuition of a fortuneteller, that the book you are reading is going to become one of your all-time favorite books?
Well, Malice proved itself to be a self-fulfilled prophecy, and I’m that triumphant Seer who has successfully found my beloved treasure.
You heard the song of ...more
- -Have you ever got a feeling when just starting a book, almost like an intuition of a fortuneteller, that the book you are reading is going to become one of your all-time favorite books?
Well, Malice proved itself to be a self-fulfilled prophecy, and I’m that triumphant Seer who has successfully found my beloved treasure.
You heard the song of ...more

Looks like Joe Abercrombie has some competition..

Sep 30, 2013
Eon ♒Windrunner♒
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
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

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

Epic Debut!
I am not giving my normal backstory so just laying out my thoughts as this debut book for this series is huge and has lots of moving parts within that it would be hard to even attempt a backstory.
Thoughts:
This is my second reread of the first book but I plan on reading the rest of the series within the next few months as I want to see how it all turns out and how it all ends. This world within this story centers around the Banished Lands which has been known for death and strife in th ...more
I am not giving my normal backstory so just laying out my thoughts as this debut book for this series is huge and has lots of moving parts within that it would be hard to even attempt a backstory.
Thoughts:
This is my second reread of the first book but I plan on reading the rest of the series within the next few months as I want to see how it all turns out and how it all ends. This world within this story centers around the Banished Lands which has been known for death and strife in th ...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

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

"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

"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 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

For some incredibly exciting news regarding Malice and The Faithful and the Fallen, check out this video announcement from The Broken Binding - ANNOUNCEMENT
Made a video discussing my Top 10 Moments of Malice, with my brother. Check it out here if you're interested. Truth and Courage!
“Both the brave man and the coward feel the same. The only difference between them is that the brave man faces his fear, does not run.”
Malice is the first book in the epic fantasy series of The Faithful and the Falle ...more
Made a video discussing my Top 10 Moments of Malice, with my brother. Check it out here if you're interested. Truth and Courage!
“Both the brave man and the coward feel the same. The only difference between them is that the brave man faces his fear, does not run.”
Malice is the first book in the epic fantasy series of The Faithful and the Falle ...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
Shelves:
favorites-of-all-time,
2010-to-2016-releases
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

What a way to start a fantasy series!!
Malice is the first book that I've read of John Gwynne and it won't be the last. I'm already looking forward to reading Valor!
I'm hoping I will get a bit more information on the Elementals with the upcoming books. I really enjoyed that aspect in Malice and I'm looking forward to finding out how they work and who can tap into earth energy.
The beginning of the book is slow with world building and introducing all the main characters. Each chapter is a different ...more
Malice is the first book that I've read of John Gwynne and it won't be the last. I'm already looking forward to reading Valor!
I'm hoping I will get a bit more information on the Elementals with the upcoming books. I really enjoyed that aspect in Malice and I'm looking forward to finding out how they work and who can tap into earth energy.
The beginning of the book is slow with world building and introducing all the main characters. Each chapter is a different ...more

This book is outstanding!
There is enough going on to keep epic fantasy fans, like myself, happy with complexity and the short chapters keep things easy to follow. I also liked that the chapters were by a specific characters point of view. Some consecutive chapters were about the same scene but from different point of views. Very clever!
Action and fighting sequences were very well written. Edge of your seat type melee rumbles!
All the characters were well written and memorable.
Warning: John Gwy ...more
There is enough going on to keep epic fantasy fans, like myself, happy with complexity and the short chapters keep things easy to follow. I also liked that the chapters were by a specific characters point of view. Some consecutive chapters were about the same scene but from different point of views. Very clever!
Action and fighting sequences were very well written. Edge of your seat type melee rumbles!
All the characters were well written and memorable.
Warning: John Gwy ...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
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Fantasy Buddy Reads: Malice by John Gwynne [Feb 21, 2022] | 549 | 97 | Apr 15, 2022 07:33PM | |
what is best? | 1 | 8 | Aug 29, 2021 05:10PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Malice (#1 The Faithful and the Fallen) by John Gwynne - Starting May 15th 2021 | 15 | 12 | May 29, 2021 10:06PM | |
The Procrastinato...:
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30 | 29 | Mar 11, 2021 11:43AM | |
Can we please get reprints of the HC editions for the LOVE OF GOD?!?! | 1 | 13 | Jan 16, 2021 11:08PM |
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I am the author of epic fantasy series The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone and The Bloodsworn Saga. I'm also a Viking re-enactor and enjoy nothing more than standing in the shield wall with my three sons, who are as passionate about swords and axes as I am (when I'm not stuck in my coat of mail; it's harder than it looks).
I live on the south coast of the UK with my beautiful wife, thre ...more
I live on the south coast of the UK with my beautiful wife, thre ...more
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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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