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hazychapters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Jumping back to the story in itself, it had an interesting concept, but the poor writing and the insufferable MC ruined my reading.
I was hooked by the murder mystery, even if I’m disappointed we don’t have a clear conclusion to it by the end. Many questions remain and I’m scared the author forgets about it for the sequel. It was fast-paced, and I have to admit I enjoyed that. But the downside of it is, the plot felt rushed sometimes. I was also very interested in the worldbuilding, especially about the witches families, their history, their powers. Sadly, it felt set aside, and all the info dumping is focused solely on how sexy the princes of hell are rather than interesting facts about covens or even the Houses in Hell. Sometimes, the author herself seemed lost in her worldbuilding.
As for the characters, I hated Emilia. Her character was so unbalanced, her actions never stick to her personality (does she have a clear one?) and most of the time, she’s just dumb and horny. Also, the consequences of her actions aren’t relatable, I couldn’t believe she kept getting away without a scratch after being so disrespectful with literal demons that are supposed to kill her in a second. By the way, such a choice of writing dismissed Wrath and the other princes' characters because not once did they felt *that* dangerous. I’d also prefer more confrontations, especially with Envy, so that the plot twists could have a real impact on the reader experience.
Emilia's relationship with her twin and then her grief suffer from the same treatment. Their bound isn’t well described enough to me, I didn’t feel like they were that inseparable, and honestly Emilia could have grieved on her own for a few months, there would be no story. I can’t tell if I liked Vittoria, we don’t see her much (a problem when her death is the very reason of the book) and Wrath was okay (always humbling Emilia, I loved that) but I’m scared the author changes him too much in the sequel regarding his behaviour at the end.
Moving to the writing, it was a nightmare. I didn’t remember the author’s writing in "Stalking Jack The Ripper", but in this book? I really thought at some point it would be a DNF because of that. It was all "I do this, I do that, I think about this, I’m scared of that". It felt like reading a diary. The author kept losing herself in her descriptions. I know people liked all the food aspects, but I didn’t. I’m reading fiction, not a cooking book. I don’t care about recipes, I want to know more about the worldbuilding, the characters dynamics, what is happening and where.
By the way, we have no clue where and when the story is taking place. The author kept talking about "The Kingdom of Italy" which is very vague and not necessarily true depending on the time you’re focusing on (history student speaking here oops). I’ve also noted a lot of anachronisms, especially in the way of talking/thinking ( use of words such as "creepy", "cringe" or "nerve receptors" just after mentioning herbal medicine). Every description was unclear, you don’t know how the scenery and people look like, as if the author was waiting for you to fill the blanks by yourself.
Also, this book is the definition of "tell" rather than "show". Every needed information is introduced through dialogue (Emilia’s dumb questions, Wrath’s semi-answers, the grandma's stories). Even when Emilia dreams about something, the author makes her character re-thinking about her dream rather than making the reader live the dream at the same time as Emilia. And when I see how much effort the author put into describing food and recipes, I tend to think descriptions aren’t, in fact, such a problem for her. This brings me to the conclusion the writing is just lazy and could have been done way better.
In conclusion, a very disappointing book despite all those promises. I mostly feel angry after finishing this book, especially towards the author’s writing because it could have been so much better. The concept had a lot of potential but all of it was poorly executed. However, I see why and how it works. Because yes, I still enjoyed the murder mystery, despite having to endure pages of Emilia being annoying and reckless for nothing. And even stranger than that, I want to read the sequel? This is a weird feeling that definitely needs to be scientifically studied! That’s why I think I’ll give a try to the second book, and I hope the sequel will be a bit better. Because delulu is the solulu 🫠
📌 CW/TW: emesis, gambling, magical compulsion/mental manipulation, mutilation, non-consensual touching, self-harm (blood magic)
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
rinku's review against another edition
- 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? No
2.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Animal death and Sexual content
the_bookroyal's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Excrement
sweetordinary's review against another edition
- 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
I love and appreciate the fact that the themes of love, romance, and intimate relationships took a back seat for the main character.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement and Hate crime
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Self harm
theintrovertsbooks's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, Vomit, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
purplehulk713's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Beware the Malvagi, fellow streghe…
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
r1vana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
Blood ritual; talk about dark magic; griefka_ke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
faitherslibrary's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Grief
Minor: Alcohol