Malice

#1 Faithful and the Fallen

John Gwynne

$21.99

Paperback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Tor U.K.
01 August 2013

Fantasy; Dark Fantasy / Grimdark; Sword & Sorcery; Mythological Creatures, People & Places; David Gemmell Legend Award

Series: The Faithful and the Fallen

GALAXY CHOICE AUGUST 2013 ----- It can sometimes get a bit tiring if I end up reading the same-old same-old, and in a way that’s nearly impossible to avoid, because to write good Fantasy (here’s my theory) you have to work within the lines that have already been drawn - show them respect - or it’s not really fantasy. This is why it's vital for new Fantasy authors to have previously been huge Fantasy readers. Elves need to act like Elves and Dwarves like Dwarves - or call them something completely different and be done with it. But don’t try to mess with lines that are old and are set in stone, or you dishonour all those who have gone before, and all your readers will know and rise up against you... (well, maybe I go too far).

That’s where books like this, that are just that little bit different, truly stand out and shine. Malice, takes the familiar ideas of the Fantasy book, and twists them back upon themselves, ever so slightly and it does it well. What’s more, it’s done with respect. Besides that. It’s well written. Win Win.

Malice appears to be a simple story, but it has many layers. It's a tale of humans and how passionate we are about the things we care for, how focused we are when so much depends on it, and how blind we can become when we wholly believe that we are right. Malice is a tale of humans, and how violent we can be when we are fighting for what we believe in... even if we are wrong. ~ Craig

-----

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 price 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.

By: John Gwynne
Imprint: Tor U.K.
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 197mm, Width: 130mm, Spine: 39mm
Weight: 430g
ISBN: 9780330545754
ISBN 10: 0330545752
Series: The Faithful and the Fallen
Pages: 640
Publication Date: 01 August 2013
Recommended Age: 16
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

John Gwynne studied and lectured at Brighton University. He's been in a rock 'n' roll band, playing the double bass, travelled the USA and lived in Canada for a time. He is married with four children and lives in Eastbourne, running a small family business rejuvenating vintage furniture. Malice is his debut novel.

Reviews for Malice (#1 Faithful and the Fallen)

With three-dimensional characters, a gripping plot, and a world that became real to me, John Gwynne's Malice is a great debut. In short, this is the kind of fantasy I love to read and I truly can't wait for the next volume in The Faithful and the Fallen! * Fantasy Book Critic * It's exciting when you find a strong new voice ringing out through the halls of fantasy, and John Gwynne hits all the right spots in his epic tale of good vs evil, the first in the Faithful & The Fallen series . . . there's a lot of pleasure to be had in this debut novel; Gwynne is definitely one to watch. * SFX * Malice is easily one of the best fantasy novels I read this year, and one which will appeal to most fans of the genre. * Iwillreadbooks.com * With its warring clans, sleeping giants, Banished Lands and omens and portents . . . is a strong contender for the if you like Game of Thrones, why not try this? award. * Independent blog * With all manner of battles, betrayals and revelations. I particularly enjoyed the battle scenes and duels ... If it sounds like your thing, then it probably is * Mark Lawrence * Influenced by Gemmell's Rigante and GRR Martin's Game of Thrones - two good strands of DNA. Great characters and plot - it gets faster and more fascinating by the page. All I want now is for the author to put everything else aside, including his health - and write two or three more as fast as humanly possible. Hell of a debut: Highly recommended * Conn Iggulden *