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Cover of Malice by John GwynneMalice
Modern · Fiction, Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

Malice

by John Gwynne
2012 · 640 pages · Fiction
69.1Must-Read
Score Modern
Lifetime bestseller
≈ 16 hours to read · about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

A black sun is rising. John Gwynne's epic fantasy follows a young blacksmith's son and others across the Banished Lands as an ancient war between angels and demons begins again, drawing kingdoms into conflict.

Why it's worth reading

It opens The Faithful and the Fallen, a series beloved by epic fantasy fans for its battles and loyalty.

You'll love it if you liked

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The Eye of the WorldRobert Jordan
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A Game of ThronesGeorge R. R. Martin

Good to know

It starts slowly with many characters, then builds. It's the first of four books.

By the numbers

69.1Must-Read Score
  • Readers68 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Reads as

Epic, Adventurous

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
Fantasy booksTop 25 · 459 rankedModern booksTop 25 · 1,573 rankedBooks of the 2010sTop 25 · 736 rankedMysteries and thrillersTop 25 · 555 rankedLiterary novelsTop 25 · 309 rankedMemoirs and biographiesTop 25 · 290 rankedScience fiction booksTop 25 · 313 rankedRomancesTop 25 · 233 ranked

Quick answers

Is Malice worth reading?

Yes. It opens The Faithful and the Fallen, a series beloved by epic fantasy fans for its battles and loyalty. It ranks #1,408 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 69.1 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is Malice about?

A black sun is rising. John Gwynne's epic fantasy follows a young blacksmith's son and others across the Banished Lands as an ancient war between angels and demons begins again, drawing kingdoms into conflict.

How long does it take to read Malice?

About 16 hours (640 pages), or about 5 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after Malice?

If you liked it, try The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne, The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan or A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin.