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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
measishouldbebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I loved this book. It kept me captivated from start to finish. I loved the characters and the slow-burn. The ending was unexpected. I understand where the author was going with it and I’m excited to see what happens next.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I felt like we never really got any answers to anything. There was a lot of “I will tell you” but then something prevents it from happening.
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because I felt like we never really got any answers to anything. There was a lot of “I will tell you” but then something prevents it from happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
thebookaddict's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
🇳🇱: een prachtig boek. Ik heb hem in drie dagen uitgelezen en ik moet zeggen dat ik er goed doorheen vloog. Van het moment dat toorn in beeld kwam was ik verkocht, wat een heerlijke man. ik vond het jammer dat hij zo veranderde op het einde. Al weet je natuurlijk nooit wat de ware aard is van de prinsen.... Ik vond de bijnamen heks en demon erg aandoenlijk, omdat het zo goed paste binnen het verhaal. Het waren koosnaampjes, die de nodige haat bevatte. Er was veel spanning, al vond ik die wat voorspelbaar. Ik kreeg bij dit boek geen vijf sterren gevoel wat ik erg jammer vond, omdat ik dit wel hoopte vanwege de prachtige special edition. De schrijfwijze is goed. In het begin werd ik wel wat verward door de italiaanse termen en bijnamen. Later heb je door wie ze ermee bedoelen. Ook de personages waren heel goed neergezet, je voelt echt goed met ze mee. De schrijfster zet heel mooi de karakter van de personages neer. Ook laat ze heel goed zien dat je niet iedereen kan vertrouwen.
Al met al een leuk fantasie boek en ik kan niet wachten op deel twee.
Al met al een leuk fantasie boek en ik kan niet wachten op deel twee.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical trauma, Vomit, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Death, Child death, Violence, Grief, Murder, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War
Minor: Stalking and Torture
rtrotzko's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
sweetordinary's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
If you are a fan of a dark mystery filled with self-discovery, love, and adventure, this is a book you need to try. Magic is infused every step of the way.
I love and appreciate the fact that the themes of love, romance, and intimate relationships took a back seat for the main character.
I love and appreciate the fact that the themes of love, romance, and intimate relationships took a back seat for the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Blood, Death, Grief, Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement and Hate crime
boliak_1014's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I honestly think I figured out the plot/ending already (or at least on aspect), but I'm intrigued enough to keep going. I honestly enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and find the story different from a lot of things I have read. The story's darker elements are also points in favor of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, and Gore
Minor: Sexual content
jadeandherbunny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Blood
Moderate: Death
direraven's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed the book a lot, want to see more of Wrath and Emilia. I did feel like a lot of this book was riding Emilia's emotions which made for a bit of a hectic read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death, Murder, Alcohol, and Torture
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, murder, blood, self-harm
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco is book one in the Kingdom of the Wicked series. I wasn't sure about this book at first, since I bought it at the top of the booksta hype, and honestly it didn't grab me at first (although that could be due to a book hangover from the previous book). I quite enjoyed this once I got into it, and now I need to know what happens next!
We follow Emilia di Carlo and her twin Vittoria, in Sicily. Emilia and Vittoria are witches, and are taught protection charms and stories of the Wicked, the seven demon princes of Hell, from their grandmother. When Vittoria is brutally murdered after a series of other witches being murdered, Emilia is consumed with vengeance, and seeks to use dark magic to find and kill the murderer. It does not go as planned.
Emilia finds herself embroiled in the middle of prophecy, and surrounded by demons that want something from her, including a very handsome and annoying one she has accidentally tied herself to. There is more going on than Emilia realizes, she's been lied to by so many people, she doesn't know who to trust. I did find myself being a bit annoyed with Emilia's naivete. Several times I muttered "you dumbass" to myself about her decisions.
I found her relationship with Wrath compelling, but I definitely don't get how people would want him as their book boyfriend. Maybe that's just the aro in me 😆. That cliffhanger was rough, but I can't say I'm completely surprised. Perhaps the next book will prove me wrong. This was an entertaining YA read, but nothing too impressive. I will be continuing with the series.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco is book one in the Kingdom of the Wicked series. I wasn't sure about this book at first, since I bought it at the top of the booksta hype, and honestly it didn't grab me at first (although that could be due to a book hangover from the previous book). I quite enjoyed this once I got into it, and now I need to know what happens next!
We follow Emilia di Carlo and her twin Vittoria, in Sicily. Emilia and Vittoria are witches, and are taught protection charms and stories of the Wicked, the seven demon princes of Hell, from their grandmother. When Vittoria is brutally murdered after a series of other witches being murdered, Emilia is consumed with vengeance, and seeks to use dark magic to find and kill the murderer. It does not go as planned.
Emilia finds herself embroiled in the middle of prophecy, and surrounded by demons that want something from her, including a very handsome and annoying one she has accidentally tied herself to. There is more going on than Emilia realizes, she's been lied to by so many people, she doesn't know who to trust. I did find myself being a bit annoyed with Emilia's naivete. Several times I muttered "you dumbass" to myself about her decisions.
I found her relationship with Wrath compelling, but I definitely don't get how people would want him as their book boyfriend. Maybe that's just the aro in me 😆. That cliffhanger was rough, but I can't say I'm completely surprised. Perhaps the next book will prove me wrong. This was an entertaining YA read, but nothing too impressive. I will be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm