Malice
by John Gwynne
Book 1 of the The Faithful and the Fallen series
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A black sun is rising. Young Corban dreams of becoming a warrior, but when ancient monsters awaken and prophecy unfolds, he'll learn the true price of courage. Gwynne's Gemmell Award-winning debut: a tale of greed, ambition, and betrayal.
The first book in acclaimed epic fantasy author John Gwynne's Faithful and Fallen series, Malice is a tale of blind greed, ambition, and betrayal set in a world where ancient monsters are reawakening - and a war to end all wars is about to begin.
The world is broken...and it can never be made whole again. Corban wants nothing more than to be a warrior under King Brenin's rule - to protect and serve. But that day will come all too soon. And the price he pays will be in blood. In the Banished Lands, young Corban watches boys become warriors and yearns for his own chance at glory. His simple life changes forever when ancient prophecies begin to unfold and the very stones weep blood.
Evnis has sacrificed - too much it seems. But what he wants - the power to rule - will soon be in his grasp. And nothing will stop him once he has started on his path. Veradis is the newest member of the warband for the High Prince, Nathair. He is one of the most skilled swordsmen to come out of his homeland, yet he is always under the shadow of his older brother. Nathair has ideas - and a lot of plans. As multiple characters' paths converge, ancient prophecy speaks of two champions who will divide the world: the Black Sun and the Bright Star, locked in eternal conflict between darkness and light.
Giants stir anew across the Banished Lands. Ancient wyrms emerge from their slumber. Angels and demons prepare to make the world their battlefield. The God-War that shattered civilizations long ago threatens to return, and this time, no one will be safe. Through multiple POVs including Corban, Veradis, Nathair, and others, Gwynne slowly builds a complex world where the lines between good and evil blur with every choice.
Malice won the David Gemmell 'Morningstar' Award for Best Debut in 2012, establishing Gwynne as a major new voice in epic fantasy. Praised by Conn Iggulden as a "Hell of a debut" and compared to Game of Thrones by the Independent, this novel takes familiar fantasy tropes and breathes new life into them through authentic characters, visceral combat scenes informed by Gwynne's Viking reenactment experience, and patient worldbuilding that rewards investment with a mind-blowing finale.
Perfect for readers seeking classic high fantasy with dark edges, coming-of-age narratives with genuine consequences, multiple POV storytelling, detailed battle sequences, and epic tales that take their time establishing a world before shattering it completely.
Publication Details:
| Number of Pages | 640 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 9780330545754 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0330545754 |
| Published Date |
Other books in the The Faithful and the Fallen series
An ancient prophecy. Angels versus demons. The God-War comes to the Banished Lands. Gwynne's Gemmell Award-winning epic follows Corban from boy to warrior as kingdoms rise and fall. Four volumes of visceral combat, betrayal, and the true price of heroism.
About John Gwynne
New York Times bestselling author of brutal, epic fantasy. Creator of The Faithful and the Fallen, Of Blood and Bone, and The Bloodsworn Saga. David Gemmell Morningstar Award winner. Viking reenactor crafting tales of warriors, honor, and ancient gods.