elikatsy 's review for:

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

5.0

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I loved this book.

I love Kerri Maniscalco and her writing.

I love this book.

I love Wrath most of all.


Let me explain:

Compared to the intense detail in Stalking Jack The Ripper, this series is more focused on the dark emotions that a murdered loved one can bring in people, fighting the sinful emotions and love that the path brings, and wanting revenge. The way the characters are written is easily conceivable and the way the story flows makes one want to stay invested.

Emilia is not the smartest main character. She can also be aggravating. And I enjoy that - cause let's be honest, most people don't have five-hundred plans piled up and the deets on everyone and everything. She's just a twin who saw her twin's murdered body and swore for revenge, no matter what. She's not a genius, and doesn't know a lot of powerful spells (cause Nona freaking sucks!), but she has a summoning paper and a heart for vengeance.

Emilia being aggravating makes me want to keep reading - to see how she can fix her mistake or what she will do when she get's herself in trouble. Which she does. A lot. Emilia finds it hard to trust anyone - which I can't blame her - but her distrust leads her to make a lot of mistakes. A lot.
She isn't all-powerful and has a hard time fighting demons. She only barely manages to slip one past Greed, and hasn't managed to do anything on her own against Envy. Fell easily to Lust and can't escape Wrath.

Wrath...
I freaking love him.

Black hair - yes. Amazing eyes - yes. Best body - of course. Cold, slightly humorous personality - yes.
Multiple layers of emotions - yes. Is it hard to decipher everything about him - of course.

I always like a handsome male lead that makes your heart spin but also has a lot of layers to him. Wrath may be the hottest male character in the series so far, and I may be a sucker for brunettes, but I enjoy his personality a whole lot.

He's confident in himself and his abilities, and knows when he needs some extra help. He isn't eager to trust Emilia, and at times hates her, but will follow the rules of his bond to the T. Will help Emilia and confide in her just a tad the secrets of the Demons - but not enough to really tell us much information. He has no reason to save Emilia but does so anyways, and even after being banished to the summon circle, he still decides to stick by her side and help her. He warms up to Emilia bit by bit but is still hesitant to tell her everything in fear of losing her trust.

Which he kind of loses because Emilia was stupid.

Wrath has secrets up his sleeves and every reason to not help Emilia. But he still does - and we won't find out right now. Because now Emilia sold her soul to Pride.

Wrath does his best to keep his true self hidden, and now we need to find out whether he cares for Emilia or was it all a ploy to just get her soul. I personally think he started to care, even though it shouldn't be in his nature to care for a witch, but it was happening. And Emilia was stupid enough to run off and sell her soul to Pride because of revenge.
(though I am excited to be introduced to Pride).

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the way it kept pulling me back in. I love Wrath, hate Envy and Nona, and although I am annoyed by Emilia I still like her character.

I cannot wait to start Kingdom of the Cursed and read what will happen between the Devil, Prince of Wrath, and Emilia Maria di Carlo.