Scriptwriter for numerous films that have emerged from various festivals with awards, first-timer Dewes offers a world at the edge of the universe in The Last Watch, with only the scurvy Sentinels able to save the day (125,000-copy first printing). Two-time winner of South Korea's annual best sf novel competition, Kim offers two pairs of linked stories in I'm Waiting for You that go to the very heart of existence and its meaning (75,000-copy first printing). In First, Become Ashes, from Hugo and Nebula finalist Szpara, Lark grew up caged and scourged to build up his magic to fight monsters—and remains committed to his mission when he is later told by combined government forces investigating child abuse that the magic and the monsters are not real (75,000-copy first printing). Launching a new series, van Praag's The Night of Demons and Saints features two sisters torn apart after failing to defeat their demon father, with Goldie plotting a human sacrifice to redeem all she's lost and Liyana arguing that there's a better way (50,000-copy first printing). In librarian Walter's Malice, a debut that intriguingly retells the Sleeping Beauty story, Alyce, the Dark Grace, has cursed the kingdom of Briar's line of princesses to die young—but Princess Aurora changes everything by falling in love with Alyce.

DEBUT Once upon a time a fairy cursed a line of princesses to die. The Vila, those who cursed the princesses of Briar, have all died out—all except for Alyce. Living in a Grace house, a place where those who have magic in their blood can sell their spells to the people of Briar, Alyce serves as the only Dark Grace. People who look for beauty and wisdom also look for curses and vengeance. Alyce knows she is thought to be a monster, and most of the time, she is pleased to show that side to people. But now she has found a friend: the princess Aurora, who sees Alyce as a person. Their friendship grows, but Aurora must find her true love or die, and she has less than a year to discover it. If Alyce's ancestors were the ones to curse Aurora's line, maybe she can discover the cure and show the truth about her power. Yet it could be that truth will destroy it all. VERDICT Walter's debut weaves together fairy-tale tropes into an exciting, twisted tale of friendship, love, and legacy.—Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton

The villain takes center stage in Walter's superlative debut, a refreshing spin on Sleeping Beauty. Alyce, called "Malyce" by the Graces she lives with at Lavender House, has the green blood of the Vila, an evil race of magical beings, running in her veins. The Graces, meanwhile, are gold-blooded, gifted with Fae magic as part of an alliance between the humans of Briar and the Fae of Etheria. Known as the Dark Grace, Alyce is rejected publicly, even as the rich and powerful solicit her dark magic in secret. Thus, it is assumed that the invitation to Princess Aurora's 20th birthday party sent to Lavender House does not extend to Alyce—but she attends anyway. There she meets the princess, who is desperate to break the Vila curse that will kill her on her 21st birthday if she hasn't found true love. Alyce feels responsible for her people's spell and agrees to help Aurora—meanwhile working to build her own power in secret. As Aurora's 21st birthday approaches, Alyce must come to terms with her growing feelings for the princess while navigating the political minefield of Briar, as the king hopes to exploit her powers for his own gain. The story grows deliciously darker at every turn, though the youthful protagonists still ensure plenty of YA crossover appeal. Fairy tale lovers of all ages will be thrilled. (Apr.)