Aurora does not see Alyce as a monster, simply as another Grace used by her kingdom. Walter does an incredible job of first establishing the friendship between these two incredibly. Malice is a character-driven story that follows Alyce and her relationship with Princess Aurora. Honestly, I loved the characterization above everything else. Learning more and more about the Vila gives the story more dimension, luring in the reader. However, Walter gives her story more history to built up the characterization, depth, and tension. Walter does a great job of drawing illusions between the original fairy tale. They have no problem using her magic in private, but in public, the kingdom shuns her. Nevertheless, of course, Alyce is taunted and ignored by her kingdom for being half Vila.

After the war that eradicated the Vila, the Fae gifted their human allies with magic, giving human girls what they call their Grace, turning their blood gold, and allowing them to provide the kingdom with magic and enhancements. There is the Fae, the humans, and the Vila, which is what Alyce is.Īlyce is called the Dark Grace, half-human and half-Vila, the dark counterpart of Fae.

Walter gives the story an engaging foundation, establishing three different races. Malice stands apart from typical retellings, foremost with the world-building.

Malice sleeping beauty retelling