The publisher kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Two sisters.
One brutal murder.
A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…
And an intoxicating romance.
Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe — witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin … desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.
Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems …
Kingdom of the Wicked Review
After reading and loving the Stalking Jack the Ripper series last year, I’ve been eagerly anticipating Kingdom of the Wicked. While I didn’t love it as much as Stalking Jack the Ripper, it’s a great start to a new series!
Kingdom of the Wicked follows two sisters, Emilia and Vittoria, who are witches. After the death of Vittoria, Emilia sets out to find the murderer all while working alongside one of the wicked princes of Hell, Wrath.
I really enjoyed Emilia as a main character. She’s loyal, determined and is certainly a bit naive at times. But her dedication to solving her sister’s murder is really admirable. Her personality certainly shifts throughout the book, and it’s a really great character arc.
Just like in Stalking Jack the Ripper, there is a fantastic mystery solving companion. Wrath is bold, arrogant as well as a bit snappy. But there’s something really endearing about him. While there are times to be suspicious, there are a lot of moments to leave you swooning.
I think that Emilia and Wrath’s dynamic is a really enjoyable one. They have some great dialogue and enjoy some witty banter with one another. I’m certainly intrigued by the ending and am looking forward to seeing where their story picks up.
I also really enjoyed the plot of this book. It’s dark and twisted but oh-so enjoyable. I love the witches, the Princes of Hell and their manipulation. The Italian setting is fantastic but it also will leave you hungry … just trust me on this one.
Overall, Kingdom of the Wicked is a great start to this duology. I think I’ll always love what Kerri Maniscalco writes. Her stories are ones that constantly leave you wanting more.
While my heart will always have a strong pull towards Stalking Jack the Ripper, I think this is a really great addition to Kerri Maniscalco’s writing library.
Rating: ★★★★☆
Favourite Quote
She’d been right — nothing was fine. And I was starting to think it might never be again.
About the Author
Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.
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