Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you find the experience of reading a book with such a large cast of characters and multiple points of view? Did it draw you deeper into the world of the Banished Lands, or did you find it challenging to follow? This style is common in epic fantasy, like George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. How do you think Malice compares?

2. The novel begins with two distinct prologues: Evnis’s pact with Asroth and a historical excerpt from the “The Writings of Halvor.” How did this combination of personal betrayal and epic mythology shape your expectations for the story that followed?

3. What was the most memorable scene or moment for you in the novel? Was it a visceral battle, a quiet character interaction, or a shocking betrayal?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Veradis is driven by a need for his distant father’s approval, which makes him fiercely loyal to Prince Nathair, who offers him a sense of purpose. How do validation and the desire for belonging shape the allegiances you form in your own lives?

2. Which of the novel’s many mentor figures did you find most compelling? Do you remember an important mentor from your own youth? How did they guide and support your growth?

3. Corban’s journey is defined by his struggle to overcome fear, moving from a boy who freezes during a fight to a young man who stands up for others. Have you ever experienced a similar shift toward courageous behavior? What prompted the change for you?

4. Loyalty is a central virtue in the Banished Lands, but it’s often tested. Has your loyalty to someone or something ever been tested? How did you respond?

5. The bond between Corban and his wolven, Storm, is a powerful one built on mutual trust and protection. What does their relationship say about the connections people can form with animals? Have you ever formed a similar bond with an animal?

6. Several characters, like Kastell and Evnis, are haunted by their family’s past. In your experience, how does family legacy affect one’s present life? How does it contribute to identity?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The world of Malice is defined by the absence of its creator god, Elyon, who has retreated from the world in grief. What are the potential consequences for a society that believes it has been abandoned by its highest moral authority?

2. The narrative explores how political ambition can be disguised as a righteous or divine cause, particularly with Prince Nathair. Can you think of any examples from history where leaders have used prophecy or a sense of destiny to justify their actions?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. What is the significance of the wolven as a symbol? How does their portrayal evolve over the course of the novel?

2. The book opens with an epigraph from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, connecting the novel’s villain, Asroth, to the literary archetype of the fallen angel. How does this reference to a classic work of Western literature influence your understanding of the God-War and the nature of evil in the story?

3. Nathair is convinced he is the prophesied “Bright Star,” while the narrative increasingly hints at Corban’s hidden destiny. How do these two characters serve as foils for each other, exploring different ideas about leadership, power, and what it means to be “chosen?”

4. The narrative structure shifts between the personal, ground-level struggles of characters like Corban and the high-stakes political maneuvering of kings and princes. How does this juxtaposition shape your understanding of the coming war?

5. The guide notes that John Gwynne was influenced by heroic fantasy authors like David Gemmell. For readers familiar with the genre, how does Malice uphold or subvert the classic tropes of heroic fantasy, particularly in its portrayal of good and evil?

6. How does Evnis’s motivation, rooted in a combination of resentment, ambition, and a deep love for his wife Fain, challenge a simple, black-and-white definition of villainy?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Imagine you are a loremaster tasked with adding a new chapter to “The Writings of Halvor” that chronicles the events of this novel. What key moments would you focus on to explain the start of the second God-War to future generations?

2. The story ends with a small group of survivors escaping a fallen fortress by sea. If you were to continue their story, what would be their first major decision as a group, and what conflicts might arise among them?