MALICE BY HEATHER WALTER
Malice is a retelling of sleeping beauty. It takes a spin on this well know tale and focuses on sleeping beauty and the dark fairy turning it into a sapphic romance if they were both the same age and in their teens. It follows the life of Alyce, imagined as the dark fairy living in a household of “graces” who are “good” magic wielders, and she is the only one who is a dark grace. One day Princess Aurora comes to Alyce in search for a cure for a curse that will kill her in exactly one year. From there sparks fly and everyone knows how the story is going to end right? I loved this novel, as it is a fantasy retelling, it did take some time to dive into its world, but I would say quicker than the usual fantasy and I read it in one sitting thinking it was a standalone, it was left on such a large cliff-hanger. Thankful the sequel is coming out May 2022! I really enjoyed see a LGBTQIA+ focused romance in fantasy and am very excited to see more of the romance in the sequel to coming out soon. I would recommend to those looking for a novel with the classic “good” and “evil,” but with the back story and from the point of view of the villain.
Trigger warning: Abuse, torture, death, violence, bullying, homophobia.
Tag: #2021reads
My favourite books of 2021, part one. Girls with sharp sticks by Suzanne Young.
GIRLS WITH SHARP STICKS BY SUZANNE YOUNG.
Girls with sharp sticks explores the themes of sexism and misogyny. Throughout the entire trilogy these themes are prominent. It reflects and exaggerates the issues in our society. This trilogy is all about taking back power in a world where girls are seen as nothing but objects and pretty flowers. Their whole purpose is to serve as wives, mothers and caretakers to a man and to attend to his command. They are taught at a school called, “Innovations Academy” by mainly male teachers who pretend to have the best interest of the girls. There was an element of medical procedures that was extremely unexpected, which I personally enjoyed but worn other to be wary. It is definitely a painful read since many of the comments and instances still happen today. It is plot driven with unexpected plot twists at the end of each book. It makes you want to fight for freedom and against the patriarchy.
A trigger warning for the entire trilogy: sexism, misogyny, medical procedures [lobotomy], sexual assault, sexual harassment, racism, graphic scenes [gore], murder, strangulation, poison, suicide.
Enna Mari 