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kelseyfontaine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don’t normally read fantasy, but this is what my book club chose, so it’s my first read.
Even though it’s not what I gravitate toward, I really enjoyed the book overall. I’m normally a romance reader, so I would’ve loved to see some more banter/enemies-to-lovers stuff between Emilia and Wrath, but I can get behind keeping the integrity of the story.
There were some parts of the book that confused me a bit, and required me to reread past parts to fully understand what was going on. I chalk it up to being new to magic-based writing, so it was hard for me to keep track of in my head. But, I absolutely loved the setting everything was placed in and fell even more in love with Sicily (and Italian food)!
While it’s not my normal read, I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what else is in store for Emilia.
Even though it’s not what I gravitate toward, I really enjoyed the book overall. I’m normally a romance reader, so I would’ve loved to see some more banter/enemies-to-lovers stuff between Emilia and Wrath, but I can get behind keeping the integrity of the story.
There were some parts of the book that confused me a bit, and required me to reread past parts to fully understand what was going on. I chalk it up to being new to magic-based writing, so it was hard for me to keep track of in my head. But, I absolutely loved the setting everything was placed in and fell even more in love with Sicily (and Italian food)!
While it’s not my normal read, I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series to find out what else is in store for Emilia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Violence
rangerelik's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Murder and Death
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I wanted to like this. Fan art really appealed to me and so I read this. But it’s just so boring. I skimmed so many sections. The plot was slow burn. The end was cliff hanger. I lost interest in finding out who kills these young women. I lost interest in emilias vengeance and her interactions with wrath.
I really disliked the way fancy fashion is used to make characters special. It highlights lack of depth in characterisation, dialogue and interpersonal tension.
I really disliked the way fancy fashion is used to make characters special. It highlights lack of depth in characterisation, dialogue and interpersonal tension.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
Moderate: Murder
ernea_navish's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gore, Murder, and Death
samflowerv6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A good book was its own brand of magic, one I could safely indulge in without fear of getting caught by those who hunted. I loved escaping from reality, especially during times of trouble. Stories made everything possible.
This world is so fun and entertaining. The witchy vibes, mystery, demon princes, spells, HOT DEMON PRINCES, feminist messaging, solving a murder, Italian culture in a fantasy setting and the food imagery. I devoured the imagery and beautiful prose. The banter between Amelia and Wrath was so good. I love them and he was hilarious. I love poetic men who have been around since the beginning of time. I think it's my kink. Eternally sexy poetic beings who are a little, if not a lot evil. The fanart of him had me keeling over like how is this fictional man taking me out. Anyways, the vibes were beautiful. I can't wait to see more of this world and more of Amelia and Wrath. I hope she gets meaner and maybe a little smarter but overall amazing vibes. I love witches.
“I do not wish to taint my body with the foulness of human food," I mocked. "But desserts are acceptable.” - Wrath, cannoli lover.
A reckoning awoke in me. The more I gave, the more he returned. We traded kisses like blows. And if this were a fight, I wouldn't know who was winning. I understood why some thought kissing one of the Wicked was addictive. Each time his tongue touched mine, it felt as if the ground beneath me quaked. Like we were a cataclysmic event that shouldn't be.
“Why do villains always wear black?”
“Better to hide the blood with, witch.”
His annoyance joined mine in unholy matrimony.
“One day you'll call me death. For now, Wrath will do.”
Cooking was magic and music combined. The crack of shells, the hiss of pancetta hitting a hot pan, the metallic clang of a whisk beating the side of a bowl, even the rhythmic thwack of a cleaver against a wooden cutting board.
Grief carved me in half. And fury honed the pieces into a weapon. Now it was time to unleash it.
This world is so fun and entertaining. The witchy vibes, mystery, demon princes, spells, HOT DEMON PRINCES, feminist messaging, solving a murder, Italian culture in a fantasy setting and the food imagery. I devoured the imagery and beautiful prose. The banter between Amelia and Wrath was so good. I love them and he was hilarious. I love poetic men who have been around since the beginning of time. I think it's my kink. Eternally sexy poetic beings who are a little, if not a lot evil. The fanart of him had me keeling over like how is this fictional man taking me out. Anyways, the vibes were beautiful. I can't wait to see more of this world and more of Amelia and Wrath. I hope she gets meaner and maybe a little smarter but overall amazing vibes. I love witches.
“I do not wish to taint my body with the foulness of human food," I mocked. "But desserts are acceptable.” - Wrath, cannoli lover.
A reckoning awoke in me. The more I gave, the more he returned. We traded kisses like blows. And if this were a fight, I wouldn't know who was winning. I understood why some thought kissing one of the Wicked was addictive. Each time his tongue touched mine, it felt as if the ground beneath me quaked. Like we were a cataclysmic event that shouldn't be.
“Why do villains always wear black?”
“Better to hide the blood with, witch.”
His annoyance joined mine in unholy matrimony.
“One day you'll call me death. For now, Wrath will do.”
Cooking was magic and music combined. The crack of shells, the hiss of pancetta hitting a hot pan, the metallic clang of a whisk beating the side of a bowl, even the rhythmic thwack of a cleaver against a wooden cutting board.
Grief carved me in half. And fury honed the pieces into a weapon. Now it was time to unleash it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, and Death
alxisrae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book is the CW of YA. It wouldn’t surprise me if this became a CW series, and I don’t mean that as a compliment. Just…no. First 1/2 I was interested and it quickly became a muddled mess of a FMC that was reckless beyond belief and a messy as fuck timeline. Also there is no spice (not that a good book needs one) but for booktok to scream of the “spice” in this book….there is one make out scene. ONE. Just do yourself a favor and skip this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
tabea1409's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Death, Child death, Blood, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
tiana_king's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It had such a strong start and then things pittered out. The love felt instant and really the main characters didn’t interact much. However when they did I think they had good enough banter. I’m going to read the next book because I feel the story has potential.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Body horror, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Hate crime, and Mental illness
hezzahrae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A solid read/listen. I really enjoy the way the author has clearly done her research on witchcraft or is possibly a practitioner herself. I'll have to look it up and update.
Emilia being 18 is both fitting and frustratingly accurate. At that age, it feels like the world is yours to explore, and it's time to make your mark in the world. Emilia was ready to take over the family business, debut her recipes and make the restaurant more successful than ever until she got caught up in dark plots of murder, betrayal, and the princes of Hell.
More than once though, I wanted to shake her. That age is also terrible for being stubborn and bull-headed, and she had that in spades. Her own beliefs were shaken to their core, and I understand it's a shock, but she needed to start questioning things a lot sooner. I forgot how invincible 18 year olds think they are; make them witches and it's 10x worse. By all rights, Emilia should have died at least 3 times and should have accepted help way sooner.
Wrath is still hard to pin, but there is clearly more to him than what was shown, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.
Solid characterization, and I was not expecting who the murderer was. Emilia will be a force to be reckoned with.
One thing I like about the audiobook is that it does feel more immersive. The background music during some of the more intense scenes really draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
TL;DR: Emilia is an oblivious 18yr old witch who gets in way over her head, but it's not her fault no one would tell her the truth. Hell is so not ready.
Emilia being 18 is both fitting and frustratingly accurate. At that age, it feels like the world is yours to explore, and it's time to make your mark in the world. Emilia was ready to take over the family business, debut her recipes and make the restaurant more successful than ever until she got caught up in dark plots of murder, betrayal, and the princes of Hell.
More than once though, I wanted to shake her. That age is also terrible for being stubborn and bull-headed, and she had that in spades. Her own beliefs were shaken to their core, and I understand it's a shock, but she needed to start questioning things a lot sooner. I forgot how invincible 18 year olds think they are; make them witches and it's 10x worse. By all rights, Emilia should have died at least 3 times and should have accepted help way sooner.
Wrath is still hard to pin, but there is clearly more to him than what was shown, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of him.
Solid characterization, and I was not expecting who the murderer was. Emilia will be a force to be reckoned with.
One thing I like about the audiobook is that it does feel more immersive. The background music during some of the more intense scenes really draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
TL;DR: Emilia is an oblivious 18yr old witch who gets in way over her head, but it's not her fault no one would tell her the truth. Hell is so not ready.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Grief, Murder, Violence, and Blood
shannonvonpesach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence