Scheduled to post 12/15/20.

Yes, please. Thank you. The second I heard about KINGDOM OF THE WICKED I've been anxiously and impatiently awaiting my chance to read it. And then I finally did and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. Witches working old magic in Palermo while fending off a handful of devils. Like, you can't get more perfect than that.

There's a level of brutality underlying the book that I really appreciate. There's some on the page, and it's rather horrific, but a lot of it is also insinuated and kept off-page so what could have been a rather gory book turned out not to be. Plus my black heart loves dark things. So there's that.

Emilia is wonderful. Wicked smart (pun intended), a talented chef, and vengeful to the point of fault, there isn't a damn thing (pun intended) that she will let get in her way to finding out who, or what, killed her sister. And I absolutely loved her antagonistic relationship with Wrath. Far more push than pull, it pushed that antagonistic simmer to its breaking point without it being overbearing on the plot, which I can TOTALLY appreciate. I won't say more than that simply because anymore would be a spoiler.

I loved, loved, LOVED the old world magic. I love how rooted in reality it is (by that I mean for real folk magic and herablist "magic" and superstition) but still threads in the fantastical. It created a unique urban fantasy almost that felt really fresh but ancient at the same time. Not sure if that makes a ton of sense.

The only irk I had was when is the story set? I don't know if I missed that or what, but it felt anachronistic and I'm not sure if that was actually the point. Emilia is a very modern-thinking woman with knowledge of modern science, but they use pens with inkwells. There's a family restaurant, but no cell phones and I don't remember reading about any cars. Emilia walked everywhere. Like, it nagged at me. Knowing when it's set won't change how I feel about the story at all, it's just bugging me. When is this supposed to be???

Overall I absolutely loved KINGDOM OF THE WICKED and I can't wait for the sequel. Seeing as how this just came out, I have a bit to wait. Dammit.

5

Kerri absolutely took my breathe away with this dive into “The Kingdom of the Wicked” The story revolves around a murder mystery in good Kerri style. The depth of feeling given to the main character Emiliano really pushed me as the reader to feel the emotions she felt— helping me get lost in the world. The many different characters developed moved the story in a way that made me think of the PACE of Caraval and how that plot unrolled.

I enjoyed this book and it was something I could escape into but I did feel like it was rushed. I loved the setting, I was really immersed in that and I wish I had more. I wasn’t feeling the relationship between Emilia and Warth, again it feel a little rushed and force. Though with all the being said, I did enjoy the book and it was a good book to read on a rainy day. I liked the writing and pacing of the book, I will probably try to pick this book again. I will get a physical copy of the book and not the ebook again. I would recommend this book to some of my friends and maybe to my family (we don’t read the same kind of books a lot).

It was a good story but I didn't like the main character wish made it a bit hard to get through. I think it could have been executed better. All the choices the main character didn't always make sense and as she is supposed to be a smart character her decisions makes even less sense.
The ending was predictable and didn't really make me excited for the next book.
I will probably read the next book when it comes out but it will probably not be a high priority read for me.
What I did like in the book was the setting and the food descriptions. I also liked Wrath and the other princes of hell.
I do recommend the book though and maybe you like the main character more than I did and feel more attached to the characters.

For the first book in a series, this one has really piqued my interest and managed to garner the coveted 5-star rating. Trying to explain why it got 5-stars without being spoiler central is going to be tough! With all my reviews I do try and remain spoiler-free so, I won't be sharing every reason I loved this book!

The Plot

This book was something new and different for my reading palette. I haven't read all the books about the underworld and its social structure that are out there. But this is the first one where there is more than one Prince of Hell. I found the read refreshing and enjoyed how Kerri built the world around her main characters so that you understand enough about Emilia's world and where she fits within it.

The book moved at a solid pace for me and managed to hold the mystery. I loved the way some of the other Princes of Hell are introduced and showcased so we could start to build our own theories, as the reader, on The Wicked ourselves.

There's a whole heap of mystery around the "who done it" plotline surrounding Emilia's twin sisters murder, which is maintained throughout the novel.

The ending has made me desperate for the next book I need to know what happens next and where the path Emilia is on will take her. This book offers so much promise for the next book in the series. I don't think I've been so eager for a second book in a long time!

Characters

Emilia, for me, gave off potential badass vibes but got lost in her naivety. I would have preferred her to be more in some senses but, as I read on, I could foresee an impressive opportunity of learning and growth and development throughout the series. Which I can totally get down with, character growth is a must in a series. Overall though, I did like her as a character and found her tenacious attitude quite endearing. I think it's easy to emotionally connect with her due to her loss and the need to get answers. Anyone who has lost someone will know that feeling of needing closure.

I'm a sucker for characters like Wrath. I wish that we had had more time learning about him in this book but I'm sat here with my fingers crossed that we will get more Wrath action in the second book. There's a lot of mystery behind him still. I found his interactions with Emilia to develop over time to be more sincere but with a Prince of Hell do you ever know what you're getting. Well, I got to the end of this book and was like "What?!" which makes it another reason I need the second. So I can find out more about Wrath and the other Princes and the Wicked. I just need more.

My favourite character though was Nonna, Emilia's Grandmother. Her wisdom and her strength is clear but lost on her granddaughters until it's nearly too late. I hope she is in the rest of the series. As I mentioned in the plot section the introduction of three other Princes of Hell was really well timed and they're characters could have a lot to offer.

Overall, I was encaptured by this book because I hadn't read anything like it (that doesn't mean there isn't anything like it, just I haven't read it). I loved the pace of the book, it didn't feel like it was dragging at any point and the writing was beautifully smooth and engaging. Reading this left me with a lot of questions and I cannot wait to find out more about the Wicked and Emilia's mission.

I am super excited about the second book and will be stalking GoodReads, Amazon and Kerri for a release date cause I'm going to have to pre-order it.

I absolutely adore kerri maniscalco’s books! This story was so intense and intriguing! The atmosphere was perfect, the friendship and love and angst was everything I wanted. The romance was unexpectedly amazing. I know that she knows how to write romance, but this took it over the top....in a great way. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Murder,Mayhem and Elemtal Magic. Kerri does it again with the start of an

amazing new series. The commitment to sisterhood no matter the consequences

felt real. Enemies to Lovers but the characters see it happening. The Prince of

Hell is such a broody man who really needs a squishy to squeeze. Emilia

seems lost and fragile but the girl is smart and can handle her shit. So

many deals to be made I have no clue how she keeps track. Overall this

is an incredible novel that deserves a long review written. I hope to give it

more credit later on when I can reread it and mark out sections in the book.

I have decided not to finish this book I successfully read 60% and I’ve decided that I don’t feel connected to the characters or the plot. There is so much love and hype for Kerri Maniscalco Newest book and I was expected to love it just as much as everybody else because from the blurb it sounded right up my alley. I was initially intrigued by the murder mystery element and I loved the Gothic and the foodie restaurant setting, however I lost interest in the characters and I just wasn’t as hectic as I thought i would be. In some ways it reminded me of daughter of Smoke and bone with the EuropeanSetting and the supernatural elements, they are very different books and have very different writing styles but they still gave me the same kind of...vibe?

The writing in this book was great, it really got me into the story. I enjoyed the way Kerri Maniscalco described things and the way the demons powers really reflected their personalities. In the beginning I did enjoy the characters, though towards the end I didn’t feel too much for either of the main characters, especially Emilia. I felt like she tried to hard which ended up with her not thinking about what she was doing.

There wasn’t any big twists that I hadn’t seen coming. The ending wasn’t really to my liking, but I might pick up the next book in this series as I did enjoy it.

Kingdom of The Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco was wicked and I loved every minute of it. Miss Maniscalco has been a favorite of mine since her Stalking Jack The Ripper series but she completely blew me away with Kingdom of The Wicked, the artistry and the magic in the words is just so delightful that I am still in utter awe and wonder of this book.

Dark, delicious, seductive - a phenomenal new series from Maniscalco that fans of her Jack the Ripper series will adore.

Kerri Maniscalco first came to light with her brilliant Stalking Jack the Ripper series. With Kingdom of the Wicked, she continues to provide fabulously strong and independent heroines alongside a sexy sidekick but this time with a kick of fantasy instead of science. And let me say that the addition of magic and the sultry demons are a VERY welcome addition.

Emilia is the most fantastic of heroines. Learning to stand on her own cognizance after years following in her twin's shadow, we see not only her strength and her strong morality but also her vulnerability. Anger and grief may fuel her mission in the beginning, but as she becomes more comfortable with breaking her self-imposed mold, you see her grow into someone whose intelligence and strength of character will take her far. It is an intriguing character development, especially as it makes her more attractive to the demons she was taught to avoid.

Let's speak of those demons for a minute. Ms. Maniscalco knows how to write sexy characters, but I think she has outdone herself with the seven princes. Seven princes of hell with each one representing/manifesting one of the seven deadly sins means seven times to create characters who you should fear but who you really want to meet. Thankfully, I feel as if we only scratch the surface when it comes to the princes and their machinations, so the next books in the series mean plenty of time to spend with these gorgeous but deadly minions of hell.

Kingdom of the Wicked is the first book in a series, so there are the requisite world-building and character introduction. Yet, Ms. Maniscalco avoids the tedium that such things can bring, melding both into her story so that we are learning while the story unfolds. All this means is that Kingdom of the Wicked is a story that grabs your attention with its luscious descriptions of food and holds it with its even more delicious descriptions of deadly princes of hell while watching Emilia learn her way among this treacherous new world. The cliffhanger ending is sufficiently annoying and enigmatic as to leave you wanting more. I am really excited to see where Ms. Maniscalco takes the series next!

Thank you so so much to the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kingdom of the Wicked begins a new series for Kerri Maniscalco, set in a world of witches and Demons. Emilia and Vittoria are twins who have been told by their Nonna since a young age that they are destined for greatness, but that they need to be weary of evil that may try to steer them wrong. Demon Princes linger in the shadows, waiting to unleash themselves upon the unsuspecting world. When Vittoria is murdered, Emilia calls on forces she doesn't understand to help her solve the murder and get revenge, sending herself spinning into a world she only thought she was prepared for.

Guys, stop what you're doing a go get this book. I'm not kidding, the only regret you'll have is having to wait for the next installment. Kerri does it again(I was a huge fan of her Stalking Jack the Ripper series) and I can't wait to sink deeper into the realms she has created. Her writing is truly a treat, one that I devour while thanking my lucky stars that books don't have calories. Emilia is such a relatable character and watching her metamorphosis throughout this story is just one of the great things about this book. Kerri had cracked the science on how/when to world build in the midst of non-stop action and definitely knows how to introduce new characters to the mix. Wrath is such a smartass, pistol whip smart and cunning. If his brothers are as interesting as he is I can't wait to meet the rest of them.

Five bright and shining stars for Kingdom of the Wicked. I recommend it for anyone 13+ as there is some graphic depictions of gore, but nothing that will turn your stomach. Fantasy/magic lovers will love this one and be just as hungry as I am for the sequel. Please write quickly, Kerri, and thank you for a bright moment in 2020's madness.

This book has trigger warnings: of self harm, grief depiction, murder, death, self harm, gore and violence among others.

This is my first Kerri book and what a ride it was. I don't normally read magical books other than cozy mysteries. The premise is what drew me in. The storyline was good not great. But that didn't stop the intrigue. The book starts out in the past and then fast forwards ten years into the future. And centers around Emilia and Vittoria, who at eighteen, had their lives shapes by one fateful night and continues to present day. Both are trying to live normal lives and help their families. But leading a normal life was never going to happen for these two.

This book involves demons, witch hunters and things that go bump in the night, and they all are centered around these two girls. When they girls figure out that their families are no longer safe, desperation comes at a steep price. Emilia finds herself forced together with someone she can't stand to investigate the murders going on but they're looking for different clues for different reasons. They find clues all over the place, taking you on a magical journey that will keep you enthralled.

As a person who has experienced a great deal of grief due to my parents passing, I think that Kerri Maniscalco did an amazing job of portraying the different stages of it. But she also gave us, the reader, that there is no wrong or right way to grieve. How someone deals with grief whether they're alone or surrounded with people is entirely up to that person. The romance department was 50/50 for the most part for me. I think I enjoyed Wrath more than Emilia for the most part because of her actions, which were idiotic and totally sporadic almost the entire book. As far as the mystery goes, something's were easy to see while there were a few parts that weren't. But I won't giveaway spoilers for that device. But it does set up the next installment of the series.

For theost part I really enjoyed the book. I would definitely recommend this for Kerri fans and those who like any magic in their books with some realism thrown in. The writing is great, as is the plot and setting for what the book was written for.

I want to thank Netgalley and the Publisher.

Amazing! This book was dark and adventurous! I couldn’t put it down. I have read other books by this author, and she never seems to disappoint!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own

Wow this was fantastic! I have heard nothing but good things about this book for at least six months, maybe longer so I was a little hesitant to get started since usually hype does not always match reality. I started the book and felt a little meh about everything- don't get me wrong, it was not bad, I was not not super invested in the story (I even asked a friend who had recently read the story if it gets better and she informed me that it was wonderful so I just needed to keep going). Well she and everyone else was correct, next thing I knew, I was caught up in this crazy story and super upset that I reached the end (don't get me started on how terrible the ending is!)

“What possessed you to swear a blood vow to me?”
“I wanted to offer a twig of trust.”
“You mean an olive branch.”
“Same concept, witch.” He tipped his face up at the moon. “Also, I might have wanted more of those… things you brought. If you died then I’d have to hunt them down. It would have been inconvenient.”
“The cannoli?” I asked, feigning incredulity at his attempt at humor. “You saved me in part for some sweetened ricotta?”


Let's spend a minute talking about the amazingness that is Emilia. She begins the story as a mild mannered girl whose ambitions are to make new recipes and run her family's restaurant. Sure she is secretly a witch, but more along the lines of happy useless magic. By the end of the book she is a crazy powerhouse of magic and rage and strength, attacking her enemies, making deals with all kinds of devils, ready to take on the king of hell and take no prisoners. Seriously, she is fantastic. If this is the kind of growth that occurs in one book, I am very interested to see what she is capable of in the next book.

There was a lot going on in the story (and all pretty dark, fyi), be it witches, magic, witch hunters, demons, secret societies, a battle for hell and earth, possible betrothals, murder, mayhem, shapeshifters...and my favorite part was the romantic tension with a certain unnamed "bad guy". Ok, I heart him and hope there is a love match in the second book. I will be rooting hard for you.

This was a really solid read! I definitely am not fan girling as hard as I thought I would be-but I did have a positive reading experience for sure. I would however definitely be interested in continuing on in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a rollercoaster of a ride! You have witches (strega) and princes of hell galore! Now, some of the excitement is due to some poor choices that Emilia makes on her quest for vengeance to find her sister's killer but since one of those poor choices gave her Wrath (such a gorgeous evil prince of hell) then I guess I can forgive her. He is definitely the best of the princes that you meet in the book. Yes, she should have asked her Nonna for aid before deciding to summon a demon but that would have totally changed the story. I did not expect who the killer would turn out to be but I enjoyed finding out the long way.

This ends on a major cliff hanger (which is annoying because I want to read the next book NOW!) but it also opens the series out to explore new worlds and kingdoms. I can't wait to see how it all turns out!

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco was high on my list of anticipated reads for the second half of 2020, and I am so thrilled that I was able to read the book! I really enjoyed her *Stalking Jack the Ripper series, and I couldn’t wait for this brand new story. It was definitely worth the wait.

Where do I even begin with this story? I really liked everything about it. Let’s start with the characters. Emilia was interesting. She had a wonderful family, (which is something I absolutely love in books), and a twin sister as well. After her sister is murdered, Emilia sets out to find out who took her sister's life. I love that she is fierce and wanted to get revenge, but I also felt she was a bit too hasty at times. But, I suppose I would feel the same way if I had a twin and something like that happened to them.

I was also absolutely fascinated by the princes of hell. They were all interesting, but Wrath especially. He was not at all what I expected, and I’m super suspicious about his motives and the future of the story with Emilia. I hope we see more of him in the future.

The storyline of the book was really interesting. There were quite a few twists that I didn’t see coming, but that I enjoyed nonetheless. I also really enjoyed the setting for the book as well. Kerri did such a fantastic job with the descriptions and I totally felt like I was there with the characters. Also, I loved the family restaurant and the historical aspects in the story as well.

I should also add that I opted to listen to the audio for this book after listening to a sample and loving it. The narrator, Marisa Calin, did a fantastic job with the voices and story. If you have an opportunity to check out the audiobook, you should definitely do so!

Overall; If you can’t tell by my rambling above, I definitely enjoyed Kingdom of the wicked! I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, which is currently untitled and without a release date other than 2021, but I am hoping that we will get some information on that soon. I can’t wait to check it out as well.

Happy Reading!

A great story by one of my favorite authors! Set in Italy and full of murder, magic, and secrecy, this is a great Halloween read. Kerri Maniscalco is a truly amazing writer and I enjoyed this book even more than her Stalking Jack the Ripper series. Emilia is a great main character; incredibly smart, talented, and brave. And Wrath is the perfect creepy, possibly completely evil love interest! There was so much happening in this book and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I highly, highly recommend this book to any fans of Kerri Maniscalco as well as anyone who likes magic and mystery.