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MALICE
by Heather Walter

MALICE by Heather Walter

“Bewitching characters. Fascinating story. An up-all-night read. Why are you not reading this book right now?”

—Tamora Pierce

“A truly original and clever retelling of a classic that had me racing to the end—you’ll never look at ‘Sleeping Beauty’ the same way again.”

—S. A. Chakraborty, author of the bestselling Daevabad trilogy

“Absolutely dazzling! Full of love, power, and betrayal, Malice is as compelling as a spell, as captivating as an enchantment, and as fascinating and delicious as a fairy-tale curse. I loved it!”

—Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of the Queens of Renthia series

“Malice is the dark and wicked heart of a fairy tale carved into a book. This story is beautiful, vicious magic.”

—Tasha Suri, author of Empire of Sand

“A beautifully imaginative and feminist retelling of a fairy tale so often swept into the dark . . . Walter’s debut was engrossing from page one, with a vivid cast of characters, thrilling romance, and a world so vivid it will wrap thorns around your dreams.”

—Roshani Chokshi, author of The Gilded Wolves

“Heather Walter writes about magic—and with magic. Her retelling of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ remains true to the beloved classic, yet every page is completely new and unexpected. I spent a lot of late nights getting lost in this world of sorcery, intrigue, and—of course—true love. I'm sure I won't be the only one!”

—Richelle Mead, internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy

“Heather Walter’s enchanting—and enchanted—debut is a delight of a novel. She has deftly turned the old fairy tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ inside out, revealing hidden layers of history and meaning and emotion. Lively characters, a tempting sapphic romance, and a richly built world make this a book to savor.”

—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

“Heather Walter writes about magic—and with magic. Her retelling of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ remains true to the beloved classic, yet every page is completely new and unexpected. I spent a lot of late nights getting lost in this world of sorcery, intrigue, and—of course—true love. I'm sure I won't be the only one!”

—Richelle Mead, internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy

“Heather Walter’s enchanting—and enchanted—debut is a delight of a novel. She has deftly turned the old fairy tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ inside out, revealing hidden layers of history and meaning and emotion. Lively characters, a tempting sapphic romance, and a richly built world make this a book to savor.”

—Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

Malice

Heather Walter

A Del Rey Hardcover

On sale April 13, 2021

Rights sold to date: two books to Del Rey UK/Cornerstone, UK/BC

MALICE is the first in a two book series and a wonderful, darkly magical queer reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, in which a sorceress whose dark gifts earn her the hatred of a realm finds an unexpected bond with the last surviving heir whose curse can only be lifted by true love's kiss.

Alyce is our heroine’s name but everyone calls her the Dark Grace-- she is feared because of the nature of her powerful hexes and curses. Alyce meets the crown princess Aurora who tells her to be proud of her power and her gifts. And she asks for Alyce’s help because in one year, if she isn't kissed by her true love, she will die--and yet she can't stand to kiss yet another prince. So she hopes Alyce’s magic will be able to break the spell and free her to marry--and be--whoever she pleases.

MALICE is a subversive fairy tale, delivering what readers love about these stories--but also what they never delivered before: queer romance, a feminist reversal of problematic themes, and powerful heroines. And Alyce answers readers’ desires for darkly magical women who are unapologetically powerful.

The story is unique, the style is too, as Heather Walter weaves a playful and intelligent tale that might remind you of our very own Naomi Novik, but perhaps skewing slightly younger, but any way you look at it, Heather has found her own way of creating a vivid world with incredibly memorable characters.

Heather Walter is a former middle school English teacher and is currently a librarian in Austin, Texas.