Malice

by Pintip Dunn
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: February 4th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

MALICE is about a girl who learns that ten years from now, a classmate will create a virus that wipes out two-thirds of the world. Not only does she have to figure out who he is, but she has to decide if she can take his still-innocent life today, in order to save millions in the future. 

Alice is bad at cooking and as loyal as the time stream is long. I almost feel badly about what I put her through... except I’m also giving her Bandit, the arrogant, blue-haired Thai boy who is absolutely my favorite hero. (I used to qualify that statement by saying that he “might” be my fav, but now I'm just going to come right out and say it. So there. Just don't tell Tanner. Or Carr. Or Logan.) 

Bandit, for sure! He was inspired by my confident eleven-year-old son, who’s dyed his hair blue no less than four times. It was a pure joy and honor for me to write a hero who is both Asian and swoony... even if my sister was horrified to learn that she was crushing on a grown-up version of her nephew! 

When I was a little girl, doing my very best to read every book in the children’s section of my public library, I never imagined that one day, I would be able to publish a novel that featured a Thai hero. I am so grateful to the YA community for helping to make this unrealized dream come true. 

I was having drinks with my amazing editor, and she mentioned this inkling of an idea that she thought was directly in my wheel-house — it had time travel and end-of-the-world stakes and big moral questions. I was instantly intrigued! We continued talking and brainstorming (and drinking), and by the end of the night, I had a new book deal!

Of course, it took many months and drafts to turn that quick high concept into a fully fleshed-out story! But that is where the idea was born — in a bar in Atlanta during the RT BookLovers Convention in 2017. 

Crystallize, by Lindsey Stirling. I’m a pretty big Lindsey Stirling fan — we’ve been to her winter concert the last two years — and this song is just magical. She explains that she thinks the song is about inner beauty, as water crystallizes differently whether it’s exposed to positive or negative comments. 

I think this song speaks to the faith that people are essentially good and can change for the better — which is what MALICE is about. 

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

You know, this question is always the most difficult one for me to answer, as I don’t watch a lot of tv. However, I think what I would be most concerned about is making sure they find the right person to play Bandit. It would be amazing if they could cast a young, handsome Thai actor, such as Nadech Kugimiya or James Ma! But if that weren’t possible, I would love someone like Ryan Potter — who even has green hair as Beast Boy! 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

For a perfect book date, I would take MALICE to a cute, trendy restaurant with great atmosphere and sip a kir royale (champagne with cassis), which is my drink of choice. In a really perfect fantasy, I would then order boiled rice and sea bass to eat — the ultimate comfort food that Bandit cooks for Alice. Full disclosure, though: this dish is really a breakfast or late night meal, so it might not be found in a trendy restaurant that servers kir royales! 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish MALICE?

Honestly, the novels that are most similar to MALICE are . . . my other novels. I’d recommended STAR-CROSSED if readers want another stand-alone. In this book, a princess has been tasked with finding a boy fit to die so that her father, the King, may continue to live. The only problem is: the best candidate is the boy she’s loved all of her life. If, instead, readers are interested in an epic trilogy, I’d recommend my FORGET TOMORROW series, which takes place in a world where memories can be sent to their younger selves. In Book 1, my heroine sees a vision of the unthinkable: her future self killing her beloved younger sister. 

I’m also a big fan of Lydia Kang’s TOXIC and NOVEMBER GIRL and Fonda Lee’s ZEROBOXER. This past year, I also read and really enjoyed Julie Dao’s FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS and Emiko Jean’s EMPRESS OF ALL SEASONS. Last but not least, I am dying to read Abigail Hing Wen’s LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI! 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

I think the most difficult part of writing a book is the muddy middle! Over the years, I’ve learned (or at least have gotten much better at!) writing the middle of a story, but there’s always a period during that time when I wonder if I’ve forgotten how to write. I look back at my previously published stories and am flabbergasted that I somehow managed to accomplish this seemingly impossible feat of writing an entire book! Every time, I am shocked when (and if!) I get to The End. Every. Single. Time.

What’s next for you?

I have a really fun #ownvoices YA rom com coming out in September, 2020! It’s called DATING MAKES PERFECT, and it features a Thai heroine and hero. The cover (which I hope we can reveal soon) is – dare I say it? – absolutely perfect. 

Here’s a bit about the book: 

The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name — hence the shortened, awkward moniker. 

But simply because they’re not allowed.

Until now.

Sixteen-year-old Panida just wants to find herself since her older sisters have deserted her for higher education. Midnight karaoke parties are not the same when there’s only one of you. Too bad her parents have other plans. 

In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, her parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” 

Her sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had LOTS of dating practice. 

So now, her parents have declared war on the status quo. Not only must their youngest daughter, Panida, date in high school in order to practice her relationship skills, but she must do so under their watchful eyes.

The Techs will decide when, where, and how each date occurs. And with whom. Especially with whom.

Their first candidate? The son of their long-time friends, Mat Songsomboon— arrogant, dreamy, and infuriating. 

Panida’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other —and he would be the perfect person for her to practice dating. 

If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.

Pintip Dunn is a New York Times bestselling author of young adult fiction. She graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B., and received her J.D. at Yale Law School.

Her novel FORGET TOMORROW won the 2016 RWA RITA® for Best First Book, and SEIZE TODAY won the 2018 RITA for Best Young Adult Romance. Her books have been translated into four languages, and they have been nominated for the following awards: the Grand Prix del'Imaginaire; the Japanese Sakura Medal; the MASL Truman Award; the TomeSociety It list; and the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award.

Her other titles include REMEMBER YESTERDAY, THE DARKEST LIE, GIRL ON THE VERGE, STAR-CROSSED, and MALICE.