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Fantasy · Epic fantasy · Adventure

Malice

by John Gwynne

4.1 out of 5, from 421 ratings from Hardcover readers

A boy in a quiet village dreams of becoming a warrior as old powers stir and a war between ancient forces begins to return. This is the first of the Banished Lands books, a big, battle-heavy epic fantasy.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2012
Pace
Medium
Length
Long
Pages
640
Format
Book 1 of 4 in The Faithful and the Fallen
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Read this if you like old-school epic fantasy with fighters, giants and a slow march toward war.

Skip this if you want something quiet or you dislike a lot of battle detail.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Violence
  • Death
  • War

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Bullying
  • Sexism
  • Blood
  • Kidnapping
  • Grief
  • Death of parent
  • Murder
  • Animal death

Quick answers about Malice

What is Malice about?
A boy in a quiet village dreams of becoming a warrior as old powers stir and a war between ancient forces begins to return. This is the first of the Banished Lands books, a big, battle-heavy epic fantasy.
Who should read Malice?
Read it if you like old-school epic fantasy with fighters, giants and a slow march toward war. Skip it if you want something quiet or you dislike a lot of battle detail.
How long and how fast is Malice?
It is a medium-paced, long read of about 640 pages, first published in 2012.
Does Malice have content warnings?
Content we flag: Violence, Death, War.
Can I borrow Malice for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Malice; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Malice?
Readers who liked it often move on to The Dragonbone Chair, The Blade Itself, The Black Company.

Where to get it

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