Malice

Malice takes place in the Banished Lands, where ancient prophecies speak of a great war between good and evil. Young Corban trains as a warrior while navigating court politics and trying to protect his family in an increasingly dangerous realm. Multiple storylines follow different characters across the Banished Lands as alliances form and shatter. Giants, warriors, and dark forces clash while signs point to the fulfillment of prophecies about a promised savior who will either save or destroy the world. The novel builds a complex mythology rooted in Celtic and Norse traditions, with detailed world-building that includes magical creatures, warring kingdoms, and ancient orders of warriors. The combat scenes and military strategy remain grounded in historical medieval warfare practices. This epic fantasy explores themes of destiny versus choice, the nature of good and evil, and how ordinary people respond when faced with extraordinary circumstances. The story raises questions about faith, loyalty, and the true cost of power.

Readers describe Malice as a slow-burning traditional fantasy that takes 200-300 pages to build momentum before accelerating into faster-paced action. Readers highlight: - Complex character development, especially Corban's coming-of-age journey - Battle scenes with detailed combat mechanics - Celtic and Norse mythology influences - Multiple POV structure that builds suspense - Low magic system that feels grounded Common criticisms: - Slow first third requires patience - Fantasy tropes feel familiar (young hero, prophecies, good vs evil) - Large cast of characters can be difficult to track - Some POV chapters interrupt story flow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.17/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) Fantasy Faction: 8/10 Reader quote: "The pace is glacial at first but the payoff is worth it. By the end, I couldn't put it down." - Goodreads reviewer "Like Game of Thrones meets Lord of the Rings, but needs faster early chapters." - Amazon reviewer

The Red Rising by Pierce Brown A lowborn hero infiltrates a ruling class and leads a rebellion against a tyrannical system in a blend of Celtic mythology and science fiction.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson Warriors, magic wielders, and nobles navigate political intrigue and ancient powers in a war-torn world of great scope and mythological depth.

Blood Song by Anthony Ryan A warrior's journey from military school to battlefield commander unfolds amid prophecies, betrayals, and dark forces that mirror Celtic-inspired fantasy elements.

The Black Prism by Brent Weeks A complex magic system based on light drives a tale of power struggles between rival states and family members in a world of political machinations.

The Ember Blade by Chris Wooding An occupied nation's resistance fighters challenge their conquerors through a blend of Celtic-inspired mythology and traditional fantasy elements.

🗡️ "Malice" was John Gwynne's debut novel, written while he worked as a lecturer by day and Viking re-enactor on weekends. 🏰 The world-building in the book draws heavily from Celtic and Norse mythology, with the author incorporating elements from his experiences in historical reenactment. 📚 The novel took six years to write and was chosen as one of the winners of David Gemmell's Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer in 2013. ⚔️ Gwynne wrote much of the book's battle scenes based on his practical knowledge of medieval combat, gained through his participation in Viking combat reenactments. 🌟 The story began as a tale the author would tell his daughter, who has Down's syndrome, and grew into the epic fantasy series "The Faithful and the Fallen."