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A review by ellariawrites
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
I was really enjoying this book until a very specific moment happens, a very, uh, violent moment, shall we say and then all the momentum I had puttered out. Which I was hoping didn’t happen.
Wrath was criminally underused which was so frustrating because he was absolutely my favorite character (besides the grandmother) and the best parts of this book. He was perfectly written and such a delight on the pages. I really wish we got to see more of him and learn more about him and his realm; and I wish him and Emilia had more interactions. For example, Wrath enchants this palace so that Emilia could be safe. We get next to no interactions of them there. There was so much potential to further their relationship and the author didn't take advantage of that and it was super disappointing.
Speaking of Emilia. You know that scene in The Little Mermaid where King Triton and Sebastian are chastising Ariel for missing the concert and Sebastian said that Ariel’s behavior was “careless and reckless”? That is exactly how I would describe Emilia. At first I thought she was a very clever protagonist, but as the story progressed, I was almost marveling at how many dumb decisions she’d made.
I still liked the book, I just wished it didn’t end the way it did. The reveal of the murderer wasn't all that shocking. And honestly, it was kind of confusing what the true mastermind plan was. So Pride needs to marry someone to be free and he needs the horns to keep the gates sealed(?) and he tasks Wrath with finding his bride to strike the deal but Wrath was actually in it for his own motivations to get a soul to free himself. And then Envy was trying to usurp Pride by having Angelo murder the women who were supposed to strike a bargain with Pride and he does it because he hates witches. It all felt very...confusing.
I’m nervous about the sequel. The last book I read that I enjoyed like this was followed up with one of the worst sequels I’ve ever read. And for the love of god, please don’t let the sequel be some stupid love triangle. We barely got to see Wrath as it was so I’m really hoping he doesn’t get sidelined for some other characters.
Wrath was criminally underused which was so frustrating because he was absolutely my favorite character (besides the grandmother) and the best parts of this book. He was perfectly written and such a delight on the pages. I really wish we got to see more of him and learn more about him and his realm; and I wish him and Emilia had more interactions.
Speaking of Emilia. You know that scene in The Little Mermaid where King Triton and Sebastian are chastising Ariel for missing the concert and Sebastian said that Ariel’s behavior was “careless and reckless”? That is exactly how I would describe Emilia. At first I thought she was a very clever protagonist, but as the story progressed, I was almost marveling at how many dumb decisions she’d made.
I still liked the book, I just wished it didn’t end the way it did. The reveal of the murderer wasn't all that shocking. And honestly, it was kind of confusing what the true mastermind plan was.
I’m nervous about the sequel. The last book I read that I enjoyed like this was followed up with one of the worst sequels I’ve ever read. And for the love of god,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
This book talks about food a lot. If you aren't comfortable with depictions and detailed descriptions of food, I would be a little cautious while reading.