If you're like me, and you read The Great Gatsby in school and loved the ~*~vibes~*~ but were left with a general feeling of "ugh, white men", then please pick this up.⁠
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In 1920s Britain, magic is prohibited, but on Crow Island, officials know to look the other way. Enter Annie, there to settle her late father's estate and reconnect with her best friend, Bea. ⁠
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She meets Emmaline, a gender-bending, magic peddling witch who throws lavish parties to distract Crow Island society from the blood magic she's doing in the backroom to make some cash.⁠
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This book was a wild ride. If you like your magic dark and with a price, this is the perfect world. It was a slow start, but once the Event happens (no spoilers!) things pick up quickly.⁠
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I couldn't help but love Emmaline and her little family of witches as they try and survive in a world that has outlawed their existence, all while healing from a traumatic childhood together.

This was such a fantastic and powerful read. I see that this was inspired by The Great Gatsby -- and I can see how -- but mostly when reading it, I was actually reminded of Practical Magic, which is another favorite of mine.

The characters are all compelling, the magic interesting, and everything is just beautifully and vividly described.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Redhook Books, and Francesca May for the eARC in exchange for a review.

Drawn to an island because of her fathers death, Annie meets neighbours who dabble in magic. The same magic that people she loved, fought and died in a war to combat. In addition to the neighbours, she sees an old friend, one who ran from her former life to find something new.

Annie becomes caught in a scheme of magic use that results in murder and mayhem.

This is very much a practical magic if it happened post WWII and it was the British against Magic users and Sandra Bullock was a lesbian.

The story touches on being gay, but seems as though it's still a taboo subject, similar to some current views, which might be a little bit triggering. It's more about finding someone you love.

There is a lot of domestic violence against women, and mansplaing and gaslighting, which for the time portrayed, is probably accurate.
4 stars!

Nothing about this novel worked for me, sadly. I didn't find the story or the world to be particularly interesting at best, and not a single character was likable. The only thing I liked about this really was the pretty cover.

Let's just get straight into the details.


WRITING:

I don't have many comments or complaints about the writing besides some spelling mistakes. I will say though that I am never a big fan of when certain chapters are completely italicized since it makes it hard to read. The only other comment I have is that this is told non-chronologically as there are flashbacks.


PLOT:

When this story wasn't being uninteresting, it was a chaotic mess in the form of dangerous magic and dangerous wielders. Warning flags went up for me right in the beginning when it was stated that real magic was cunning and should be stayed away from. Of course, that clearly wasn't going to happen or there would be no story, but that was setting it up for something I knew I wasn't going to particularly like.

I simply just wasn't a fan of the kind of plot that revolves around dangerous magic and its consequences, or the way it was tackled in this. This also turned out to be more of a drama than a fantasy because of the actions of the characters.

The story suffered due to pacing issues and the non-chronological timeline. It took a good chunk of the book for something to actually happen, and once it did, it was unrelenting to a point where things got messy.

And, as more layers were added to the story, the more I found it dragged on for me. It reached so many climaxes that I felt like the story could, and should, have been stopped several times. Honestly, this may have been better if this was half the length it was as this could have benefited from some condensing.


WORLD-BUILDING:

I kept forgetting the fact that this was set post-WWI, which probably isn't a good thing. There were mentions of prohibition and bootlegging, but because this takes place in a rich area, you didn't get a good sense of the times.

This is also set in a time where real magic and the promotion and consumption of it are prohibited. I honestly wasn't the biggest fan of the kind of magic depicted in this. Blood debts are a crucial part of this story, and I didn't particularly like the way it was depicted in this.


CHARACTERS:

Rumour has it that Crow Island was haunted by witches, and I disliked all of them. Absolutely none of the characters had any redeemable qualities except for, oddly enough, the villain of the story. Let's start with our main character, Annie.

First of all, I don't know why she was chosen to be the protagonist because, out of every character, she has the least relevance to what was happening. She very much felt like an outsider trying to force her way into a story that doesn't involve her. Besides that, I simply did not like her. I knew I was going to right from the start when she was described as a boring and meek girl, which was a red flag for me because I knew that she was going to do very questionable things to shift her personality.

And right I was because she became a bit insufferable with the way that she kept messing things up. There was one point in the story, that I will not go into detail about because of spoilers, but she almost crossed a line that shouldn't have been crossed, and I was just done with her.

Our two other main characters would be Emmeline and Bea. Emmeline is a witch who keeps her issues to herself and whose naivety has disastrous results. Bea was someone whose selfish desires and questionable actions also led to disaster. All-in-all, I didn't enjoy reading about either of them either.

As for the side characters, Nathan and Isobel, they were pushed to the side a little too much to the point where they didn't really feel like actual characters. We don't get much time with them nor do we get to learn much about them which was a shame.

There was another side character called Sam, who was technically not a side character because he is already dead. This presented an issue for me because a central part of Annie and Bea's friendship, and of their own characters, depended on someone we don't get to read about aside from vicariously through them. It didn't help develop their characters and relationships at all, rather it held it back.

Finally, we have Arthur, the villain who, ironically enough, was the only character whose actions made the most sense. Was he the best guy ever, no, but he was unwillingly put into a situation and I can't really fault him for going off the rails?

Moving backwards a bit, let's talk about Annie and Em. I couldn't even be happy that this was a sapphic romance because I didn't like the romance. When Annie and Em meet, they describe their connection as a magnetic force that tethers the two together. My issue with that is that it made their connection feel contrived. My other issue with their relationship was that there was so much back and forth with them that I didn't believe for one second that they had genuine feelings for each other.


Thank you NetGalley and Redhook Books for giving me the opportunity to review this in advance.

Pitched as Practical Magic meets Gatsby with sapphic witches, Wild and Wicked Things follows Annie, who has led quite the sheltered life up until very recently. After the death of her estranged father, she has to travel to the mysterious Crow Island, known for its blend of gaudy tourist traps and a glittering underbelly of dangerous magic users. However, Annie only wants to get in and out as quick as she can with the hopes of reconnecting with her best friend along the way. When she witnesses a dramatic encounter between her best friend and her very intriguing neighbour, Annie finds herself reluctantly drawn deeper and deeper into the illegal practices she's so feared and may be too late to learn the true cost of magic.

Unfortunately this did not work for me for quite a few reasons. A lot of this felt very surface level, from the character work to the world building and I just found myself bored throughout most of the story. While there were a lot of intriguing ideas, for example magic being banned because of it's use in WWI and its result was akin to prohibition was in theory interesting, but the setup was never actually explored and only mentioned in passing. The characters were pretty flat and stagnant throughout most of the story and would act foolishly just to move the plot along. Even the romance didn't work for me because of their 'inexplicable connection'. There were plot reasons for the insta-love/insta-lust vibes but it wasn't explored enough for my liking.

I think this book may work for you if you are a ~vibes~ reader because the atmosphere was top tier. The gloomy town with a bunch of dark rumours, decadent extravagant parties and magic with consequences all made for a great setting. But everything else simply didn't live up to par for me, personally. There is definitely an audience for this book, I just don't happen to be one of them.

Content Warnings: domestic violence, self-harm, child abuse, murder, drug use, sexual assault, gore, blood

Wild and Wicked Things blends witchcraft and 1920s Gatsbyesque glamour in a dark and enchanting story. The writing in this was really beautiful and descriptive and really transported you to this place full of dark magic and glamorous parties. The characters were charming and there was a great inclusion of sapphic leads which I really enjoyed. The pace was quite slow and I felt it could have been edited down a bit in my opinion but overall I enjoyed it. It was very magical and dark with a story that took many twists.

This is a historical fiction magical realism as it takes place during World War 1 and follows the events of the prohibition. We follow Annie and at the beginning of the novel we see her arrive on Crow Island because here is where the cottage her father owned who passed away and has given it to her through inheritance. She’s not there long when she hears a party at her neighbors house. Rumor has it that this house she lives next to has a reputation, both good but mostly bad. There is where the magic element comes in. Magic was used during the war to create these super soldiers and it was banned but Crow island is a place of fortune, it is where the rich live. People have so much money that using pieces of magic is just a game to them and Annie's popular neighbor is known for her parties where she uses this witchcraft like magic on her guests. So after reading so many fantasies where magic is just a given and then to read a book where it isn’t so much and it has a cool historical purpose behind it. really refreshing.

The first day I read this I was super into it. It was cozy, magical, interesting, flew through the first 100 pages but then the second day I picked it up it was like I was reading a different book. It became very serious and heavy. The whole Gatsby pitch to gone. There’s a lot of physical abuse that occurs and then There was actually a rape scene that just felt totally out of the blue for me and halfway through I realized man, this book wasn’t written for a reader like me. I will say I’m also disappointed in Emmeline who is the Gatsby like witch character. She felt like the weakest character in my opinion. All the side characters are constantly scolding her like a child. Constantly altering her choices and she just goes with it. She felt like a puppet for her roommates. So maybe it’s not that I had a problem with her, maybe her side character friends held her back from being the boss lady I wanted her to be.

I hate it when there’s constant arguing. No one can agree on anything and then they all hate each other. Nothing is getting done. Bad decisions are being made because of the arguing. That’s the entirety of the second half.

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book at 33%. I really wanted to like because like gothic, witchy, sapphic Gatsby. Murder, witchcraft, and relationships of all kinds.
I just could not get into the author's writing style.

This sapphic witch story is beautifully written and I felt very immersed in the story. I usually don’t read trigger warnings but for this one I think you should read them because this novel contains a lot of grim things. There’s child abuse, blood magic, murders, and domestic violence. It lives up to the Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic comparison. I personally hated reading the Great Gatsby but I love the vibe of that era so I liked reading about the characters in this world May created. Unfortunately, I was never able to connect with the characters, especially Bea. Also the story felt really slow at times and the time jumps were a little confusing. Overall, I’d still recommend the book because of the atmospheric writing and will definitely read more from Francesca May.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really really wanted to love this book, but i couldn't give it more than 3 stars. I got this book as an early release and was super excited to start reading but as I continued on it became clear that this book was just not it for me. Personally, I didn't love the magic systems, or the overall plot of the book. Overall development of the book was just way too slow for me. Ultimately I just wasn't rooting for any of the characters. While the general idea of this book is cool, the execution was just lacking energy and momentum.

A perfect mash-up of The Great Gatsby and Practical Magic with a sapphic twist, Wild and Wicked Things is engrossing and delicious fantasy. May imagines an early twentieth-century in which magic helped turn the tide of World War I-- and was promptly outlawed afterward. Nevertheless, magic still flows freely in the speakeasies and hedonistic house parties that characterized the Roaring Twenties. This is the world that young Annie stumbles into on a visit to Crow Island to set her late father's affairs in order. And it is here that she meets up with an old friend, Bea, and a mysterious new one, Emmeline, who awaken in her new curiosities and desires. This is a book with an engaging story and dark, dreamy vibes. I could not recommend it highly enough.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

Francesca May’s Wild and Wicked Things is a dark, engrossing story where magic is both something that’s craved & feared…if you’re smart.

It’s set in the years immediately after magic helped ravage soldiers in war & opens with protagonist Annie going to Crow Island, where the father who left her & her mother lived & died.

As the blurb mentions Annie’s soon fascinated by her neighbor Emmeline, a rumored witch who seems to know Annie’s estranged best friend Bea—also on the island & newly married.

Basically this is a twisting, twisted book that’s quite dark but also has hope, found family, & love too. I’ll be honest—some of the discussions of magic confused me (like it’s premise within the book 🥴) but the setting & the plot-points are compelling & entertaining to watch unfold. As is the complex characterization (though I didn’t really find a lot to grab onto with Bea).

This book isn’t for the faint of heart, really. It is scary & gory in spots 😆. But the Sapphic representation, the sense of danger & recklessness, of throwing off weight & enjoying oneself, are all winning.

4 ⭐️. Release date: 03/29


[ID: an ebook rests on a black sweater with red & pink & green flowers. Everything is on a light pink sheet.]

The Great Gatsby meets gay witches! This book was everything I wanted in a witchy retelling. The setting and story are meticulously setup in a way that I couldn't get enough information, The characters are full of layers and likable. The prose was stunning and I highly recommend this story if you love witchy reads!

This book is BEAUTIFUL! An intricately woven historical fiction fantasy that’s overflowing with magic, romantic vibes and mystery. I love the dark atmosphere of the entire novel. It’s a wonderful slow building story with a great sapphic love story.

Tense and dark with an underlying tone of hope, Wild and Wicked Things is a book you won’t want to miss!

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

CONTENT WARNING: mention of death, grief, blood, trauma, mention of suicide, anxiety, abuse, murder, self-harm, mention of rape, violence

Recently, I came across a bookstagrammer who described a book as slow/fast — a book that starts out slow and gets fast after a while. And it was the perfect way to describe this book. I was so hyped to read this, although it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting.

It’s set in the 1920s, but in an alternate version, one where magic is real … and prohibited. But when Annie’s father dies, a man that she barely knew at all, and he leaves his estate to her, she heads to Crow Island. A place rooted in magic and danger, and one where her estranged best friend moved to. She came to go through her father’s house and belongings, and hopefully reunite with her friend. But of course, nothing goes as expected.

“The law was explicit: the consumption of real magic, in any form, but especially mixed with other state-altering substances, was strictly prohibited.”

Annie finds herself staying in a cottage next to an alluring house, which turns out to be home to a few witches who love to party. And the POV switches between Annie and Emmeline, one of the witches next door, along with some excerpts from a journal interspersed between sections. Emmeline is an out and proud lesbian, who dresses in men’s clothes and predictably, doesn’t care much for societal standards. But there’s darkness in her past and occurring presently, which takes a while to be revealed. Emmeline hosts wild parties and sells her magic, with caveats.

“There were only two rules: if anybody official asked, the magic wasn’t real; and if the spell didn’t work, if the unfaithful lover grew too attentive, too possessive of a client after they applied my charm, or if their newfound wealth seemed to cause them nothing but strife, they could not say I hadn’t warned them.”

The story starts out slow for the first 40%, offering a chance to get to know the characters and build some mystery around what is going on in each of their lives, both in the past and as their lives become twined together. But after that, things speed up a whole lot. And while there is a lot of action, especially in the last part of the book, there’s also a ton of character growth for Annie throughout. I loved seeing her go from being a shy, quiet, meek girl to someone who is more confident and able to speak up for herself and what she wants.

“Living with my mother, losing Sam: both had made me small-minded, turned me into a mouse, quiet and obedient and lonely and sad, when all I wanted was to be more. I wanted to be adventurous. I wanted to be bold.”

This was a great story, but there are some significant trigger warnings involved. Since much of the magic relies on blood, some of the characters self-harm in order to draw blood, even though it isn’t in There’s also significant mention of violence and abuse, and while it never felt glorified, it was tough to read about at times. However, it was still a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed. There were some plot twists, and I definitely figured out one of them in advance, but there were still some surprises even after that. And it was totally worth the wait to get to them.

I wanted to like this, but it just wasn't for me. It was really boring and the main two perspectives sounded like the same person. The writing was ok but I didn't like any pf tje characters.

Wild and Wicked Things is a lush, atmospheric, historical fantasy that feels like The Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic.

We primarily follow two POVs, both written in first person. I did find it hard at times to tell the difference between the two main characters. Annie has just moved to Crow Island after her father passed away. She lives next door to Emmaline, who is known for throwing parties with magic involved. The two women feel an immediate connection. The story is about these two women and the effects/consequences of their magic.

I enjoyed the atmospheric setting mixed with parties and blood magic. There is a focus on friendships, as well as a sapphic relationship, but my favorite part of the book was the atmosphere and descriptions.

Wow! I loved every second of this book! May has a way with writing characters that draw you in, wanting to know them intimately. This book takes place in post-war 1920s, with a Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic feel. Our Antagonist, Annie, finds herself on the magical and mysterious Crow Island after her father dies, with the goal of packing his house and selling it. She reconnects with an old friend and finds herself drawn to the magical woman next door, her wild parties, and illegal dealings in the magical drug, Kazam. Annie begins to unravel the connection between her old friend and new, becoming entangled in magic, malice, and a romance she could have never expected. May perfectly weaves together past and present to bring everything crashing together at the end. She leaves no plot lines open, makes no character irrelevant. She even gives the "bad guy" righteous anger that made space for some compassion for him. This easily became one of my favorite witchy books!

I was really excited to receive this story, unfortunately I was left feeling like I was missing something in the story. I am enthralled with all things that remind me of Great Gatsby, but here I was just lost so many times while slogging through the story. I found it really hard to stay in the story. I put down the book so many times, with always picking it back up with the hope that it would reveal a gem at some time. I am rating this book a 3.75. I would say this was more a disappointing story than anything else. The characters come across as immature, I could not get a feel on how old Annie or Bea were and Is and Emmeline are portrayed as old souls, so are they young or older? I was left so confused in some of the wording. I am sure there are many people who may relate to this story better than I have. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book for an honest review.

I was very interested in reading this after seeing the summary. Gatsby vibes—yes! Magic—yes!

The writing is lush and evocative, the descriptions rich and engaging.

The start was slow though. It took awhile for the action to start. It’s worth pressing through, although at times I wasn’t sure the plot was moving forward. The latter half of the book picked up the pace.

I like the varied POVs but some of the time jumps confused me. I do like having various characters weigh in, particularly when there’s an unreliable narrator vibe.

Overall an entertaining read, with very good writing, but with a slow start and I felt a bit muddled in the middle of the book. There is darkness, as promised. This is not a fluffy read by any stretch. Very serious topics discussed and hinted at. The end is far more active than the beginning of the book.

Overall 3.5. The writing was good but for some reason I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I’d hoped. I don't know if it was the slow start of the book, with the characters having somewhat detached POVs or if I was distracted by trying to figure out the world building and magical hierarchy and interwoven relationships.