Review of Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen, Book 1) by John Gwynne

Introduction

Malice is the first book in The Faithful and the Fallen series by John Gwynne, a sprawling epic fantasy tale filled with war, prophecy, and destiny. First published in 2012, Malice introduces readers to the land of the Banished Lands, a world deeply rooted in ancient myths, where the forces of good and evil are preparing for an inevitable clash. With its deep character development, intricate world-building, and gripping storytelling, Malice stands as an excellent entry into the modern grimdark and epic fantasy genre.

《惡意》（Malice，《忠誠與墮落》第一部）書評

導言

《惡意》（Malice）是約翰·格溫（John Gwynne）所著的《忠誠與墮落》（The Faithful and the Fallen）系列的第一部，這是一部充滿戰爭、預言與命運的大型奇幻史詩。該書於2012年首次出版，帶領讀者進入一個充滿古老傳說的世界——流放之地（The Banished Lands），這片大地正面臨正義與邪惡之間的最終決戰。憑藉其深厚的角色塑造、錯綜複雜的世界觀以及引人入勝的敘事方式，《惡意》成為了現代黑暗奇幻（grimdark fantasy）與史詩奇幻（epic fantasy）中的傑出之作。

Plot Overview

At the heart of Malice is a classic struggle between light and dark, framed by an ancient prophecy predicting a war between the forces of good and evil. The story revolves around multiple characters, each with their own story arcs that eventually intertwine as the tale unfolds. The main protagonist, Corban, is a young boy training to become a warrior, dreaming of honor and glory but soon discovering that reality is far harsher than myths.

As the narrative progresses, other key characters emerge:

• Nathair – A young prince who is ambitious and charismatic but caught between truth and manipulation.
• Veradis – A skilled warrior and close friend to Nathair, serving as his first-sword.
• Cywen – Corban’s sister, whose own journey is filled with peril and growth.
• Evnis – A conniving and treacherous noble with dark motives.

Each of these characters plays a vital role in the overarching conflict, which gradually builds towards a larger confrontation between the legendary Bright Star and Black Sun, figures foretold in the prophecy.

劇情概述

《惡意》的核心是一場光明與黑暗之間的經典對決，並由一則古老的預言所推動，預言著一場將改變世界格局的戰爭。故事圍繞著多位主角展開，他們各自經歷不同的命運，最終交織成一場波瀾壯闊的史詩。

其中，故事的主角 科班（Corban） 是一名年輕的少年，夢想成為一名勇敢的戰士，渴望榮耀與勝利，卻逐漸發現現實遠比傳說殘酷。

隨著故事發展，其他幾位關鍵角色也逐漸浮現：

• 納賽爾（Nathair） —— 一位雄心勃勃且富有魅力的年輕王子，在真相與操控之間徘徊。
• 維拉迪斯（Veradis） —— 一名技藝高超的戰士，作為納賽爾的貼身護衛，忠誠卻面臨信仰的考驗。
• 席雯（Cywen） —— 科班的姐姐，擁有獨立而堅強的性格，在自己的旅途中面臨無數危機與成長。
• 艾夫尼斯（Evnis） —— 一名心機深沉、充滿野心的貴族，背後隱藏著不可告人的陰謀。

這些角色各自承載著預言的命運，而故事也逐漸朝向光明與黑暗的終極對決發展，最終將揭示誰是傳說中的「明亮之星」（Bright Star），而誰是「黑暗之日」（Black Sun）。

World-Building & Atmosphere

Gwynne’s Malice thrives on its rich and immersive world-building. The Banished Lands are depicted as a war-torn realm filled with rival factions, dangerous creatures, and ancient legends. The setting feels alive, with descriptions that bring forests, castles, and battlefields to life. The presence of magical elements is subtle at first, but they gradually become more pronounced as the novel progresses, adding depth to the world without overshadowing the human conflicts.

One of the standout aspects of the world-building is the moral ambiguity woven throughout the story. While Malice initially presents a seemingly clear-cut battle between good and evil, it quickly subverts expectations, showing that heroes and villains are not always easy to define. This creates a compelling narrative filled with betrayals, shifting allegiances, and moments of deep emotional impact.

世界觀與氛圍塑造

《惡意》 最為出色的地方之一便是其豐富而細緻的世界觀。流放之地是一片飽受戰爭摧殘的大地，充滿了敵對的王國、危險的生物與流傳千年的古老傳說。格溫以細膩的筆觸描繪了這個世界的森林、城堡與戰場，使讀者能夠身臨其境地感受到這片土地的真實感。

此外，魔法元素在初期較為隱晦，然而隨著劇情發展，這些超自然力量逐漸變得更加明顯，使得世界觀更加豐富且充滿神秘感。

值得一提的是，本書的道德觀並非簡單的「正義對抗邪惡」，格溫巧妙地顛覆了典型奇幻故事的二元對立觀念，塑造了一個充滿背叛、忠誠與道德灰色地帶的世界。這使得故事充滿了意想不到的轉折，每個角色的選擇與行動都可能帶來深遠的影響。

Characters & Development

One of Gwynne’s greatest strengths lies in his ability to create well-rounded and realistic characters. Corban, though initially resembling the archetypal farm-boy-turned-hero, is portrayed with authenticity, making his journey feel natural rather than forced. His growth from an innocent boy into a battle-hardened warrior is one of the book’s most compelling aspects.

Similarly, Nathair's arc is particularly fascinating, as he appears to be a heroic figure but gradually reveals layers of ambition and deception. Veradis serves as an interesting contrast to Nathair, being a genuinely honorable warrior whose loyalty is tested. Cywen, though not as prominent in the first book, is also a strong character in her own right, showing resilience and intelligence in the face of danger.

The secondary characters also shine, adding depth to the story and reinforcing the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of war. Gwynne ensures that even side characters have distinct personalities and motivations, making the world feel expansive and lived-in.

角色塑造與成長

格溫在角色塑造方面展現了極高的水準。科班雖然在故事初期看似是一個典型的「農家少年成長為英雄」的套路角色，但他的成長過程被描寫得非常真實而自然，使得他的轉變顯得可信且富有說服力。

納賽爾的角色發展同樣令人著迷，他起初被塑造成一位英雄王子，但隨著劇情推進，他的內心深處的野心與被操控的命運逐漸浮現，成為一個充滿悲劇色彩的角色。相較之下，維拉迪斯則是一位真正忠誠與正直的戰士，他的信仰與忠誠在戰爭中不斷受到考驗。

除了主要角色外，配角們的塑造同樣精彩，他們不僅僅是推動劇情的工具，而是真正具有個性與故事的角色，使整個世界觀顯得更加真實而飽滿。

Writing Style & Pacing

Gwynne’s writing is straightforward yet evocative, allowing for smooth readability while maintaining a sense of grandeur. He balances action, dialogue, and introspection well, ensuring that the pacing remains engaging. The novel starts with a slower, more methodical pace as it introduces the characters and world, but it gradually picks up momentum, culminating in intense battles and dramatic revelations.

One notable strength of Gwynne’s writing is his ability to craft emotional moments with authenticity. Whether it’s the pain of loss, the joy of camaraderie, or the tension of impending war, Malice captures the emotional weight of its characters' experiences without feeling melodramatic.

寫作風格與節奏

格溫的文筆簡潔而富有畫面感，使得閱讀體驗流暢且沉浸。他在敘述動作場面、人物對話與心理描寫之間保持了良好的平衡，使得故事既不會過於冗長，又能夠充分展現角色的內心世界。

小說的節奏在初期較為緩慢，因為作者需要鋪陳世界觀與角色背景，但隨著劇情推進，戰爭、陰謀與角色間的衝突逐漸升級，故事進入高潮，讓讀者欲罷不能。

此外，格溫擅長營造情感張力，無論是戰爭的殘酷、友誼的珍貴，還是角色間的矛盾衝突，都能夠觸動讀者的內心，使得整部作品充滿了深刻的情感共鳴。

Themes & Symbolism

At its core, Malice explores themes of fate, honor, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The prophecy that looms over the story serves as both a narrative device and a philosophical question—do people shape their own destinies, or are they bound by fate? This tension is reflected in the decisions of key characters, particularly Corban and Nathair, whose choices define their paths.

The novel also delves into the cost of power and ambition. Nathair’s storyline, in particular, showcases how noble intentions can be twisted by pride and manipulation. Meanwhile, Corban’s journey highlights the idea that true strength comes not from titles or victories, but from the relationships and values one holds dear.

主題與象徵意義

《惡意》圍繞著「命運」、「榮譽」與「善惡之間的界限」這幾大主題展開。貫穿整個故事的預言既是一種敘事推動力，也是一種哲學思考——究竟人們的命運是由自己決定的，還是早已被預言所束縛？

此外，小說也探討了權力與野心的代價，特別是在納賽爾的故事線中，他的轉變展示了「為了更高目標而犧牲道德底線」的危險性。而科班的成長則強調了真正的力量不來自於頭銜或勝利，而是來自於堅持內心的信仰與價值觀。

Final Thoughts

Malice is a strong beginning to The Faithful and the Fallen series, blending classic fantasy elements with fresh twists and compelling characters. While it starts off with a familiar coming-of-age structure, it quickly evolves into a much deeper and darker tale filled with intrigue, war, and moral complexity.

For readers who enjoy epic fantasy in the vein of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin or The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, Malice offers a gripping and rewarding read. It sets the stage for an even greater conflict in the subsequent books, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

總結

《惡意》作為《忠誠與墮落》系列的開篇之作，成功地將經典奇幻元素與獨特的角色塑造相結合，創造了一個扣人心弦的故事。雖然故事前期節奏較慢，但隨著劇情發展，小說逐漸展現出宏偉的格局與深刻的主題，為後續的故事埋下了精彩的伏筆。

對於喜愛 《冰與火之歌》（A Song of Ice and Fire）或 《時光之輪》（The Wheel of Time）的讀者來說，《惡意》無疑是一部值得一讀的佳作。它不僅是一部關於戰爭與預言的故事，更是一場關於人性與選擇的探索。

Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
Strong character development
Immersive world-building
Engaging themes and moral complexity
Well-written action scenes

Cons:
Slow-paced start
Some predictable fantasy tropes in early chapters

Overall, Malice is a promising first book that showcases John Gwynne’s talent for storytelling, setting the foundation for an epic saga that only gets better with time.

評分：4.5/5
優點：

出色的角色塑造

豐富的世界觀與沉浸式敘事

充滿道德灰色地帶的情節設計

精彩的動作與戰爭場面

缺點：

開篇節奏較慢

前期有部分奇幻小說常見的套路

整體而言，《惡意》是一部值得投入時間的奇幻鉅作，為一場史詩級的冒險揭開了序幕。