The Faithful and the Fallen: Malice

The Faithful and the Fallen: Malice follows several characters across the Banished Lands as ancient prophecies begin to manifest. At the center are young Corban, who trains to become a warrior, and Nathair, a charismatic prince seeking to unite the realm's fragmented kingdoms. Warriors, giants, and dark forces clash as two prophesied figures - the Black Sun and the Bright Star - emerge to determine the fate of the world. The story moves between multiple perspectives, revealing a complex political landscape where alliances shift and betrayals lurk beneath the surface. In a realm where humans coexist with ben-elim (angels) and kadoshim (demons), characters must navigate both earthly conflicts and supernatural powers. The combat is visceral, the magic system is rooted in ancient beliefs, and the world-building draws from Celtic and Norse mythology. This first installment in the series examines themes of destiny versus free will, and how truth can become distorted through the lens of belief. The narrative raises questions about the nature of good and evil, suggesting that even prophecies might not be as clear-cut as they appear.

Readers describe Malice as a slow-burn epic fantasy that takes 200-300 pages to build momentum before picking up pace. Multiple reviewers note similarities to classic fantasy tropes but appreciate the Celtic/Anglo-Saxon influences. Likes: - Character development, especially Corban's coming-of-age story - Detailed worldbuilding that avoids info-dumping - Multiple perspective chapters that build tension - Battle scenes and combat descriptions Dislikes: - Slow first third of the book - Some character names are hard to keep track of - Fantasy tropes feel familiar (chosen one, prophecies) - Point-of-view switches can be jarring Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (32,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (3,000+ ratings) Reader quote: "The pacing is like a snowball rolling downhill - starts slow but builds into something unstoppable." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mention abandoning the book early but returning later to finish the series with satisfaction.

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🗡️ John Gwynne worked as a Viking reenactor before becoming an author, which helped him craft authentic battle scenes and period details. 📚 The story draws inspiration from Celtic and Norse mythology, particularly in its portrayal of the Banished Lands and its warrior culture. 🏰 The author wrote the entire first draft of "Malice" while running his family's small holding in East Sussex, balancing writing with farming duties. ⚔️ The novel won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer in 2013, despite being Gwynne's debut work. 🌟 Each chapter begins with a prophecy about the Bright Star and the Black Sun, creating a complex framework of foreshadowing that spans the entire series.