I really enjoyed the mythical writing style and the characters. What I didn’t enjoy was how predictable it was. I also felt it was really slow paced. Though I think many will really enjoy this one, it just wasn’t for me. Not a fan of gothic, mystically, magic.

Wild and Wicked Things is a stunningly written tale about a glittery world replete with dark magic, sapphic romance, and murder.

Crow Island is said to be a magical island, with witches that wield magic with abandon for a price. One of the most powerful witches, Emmeline, and her siblings throw extravagant and magical parties where Annie, an island visitor to catalogue her late father’s belongings, finds herself and succumbs to the secretive world.

Crow Island is lush and secretive and built around the magic that Emmeline and siblings provide. There are many suspenseful moments, but at times, they get caught up in the slow moving plot and immersive details. The history of the witches combined with their current events really takes you into the world and pulled the whole story together. The ending brings all the wickedness and magic to a head.

If you’re into lush descriptions, magical realism, and suspense, this novel is definitely for you. A sapphic, Great Gatsby inspired, gothic tale indeed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for sending this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

In a world where magic is real but illegal to use, Annie comes to the secluded Crow island to take care of her father's affairs and finds a world she never could have imagined. From first spotting her elusive but magnetic neighbor during a party, to finding her childhood friend married to a man who has no clue who she really is, the island draws her in with secrets and magic in equal measure.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I loved this book. Witches, blood magic, magical debts, found family, trauma, and a sapphic love story woven throughout? Sign me up. I never quite knew what was coming next and I absolutely loved the story for it every step of the way.

The Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic with morally grey lesbians, on a secluded island that is rife with magic, mystery, and madness. An instant classic for anyone who loves sapphic stories, retellings, or witches fighting for their own future.

This hauntingly dark and vivid, sapphic witch story was beautifully written. I really enjoyed the mystical writing style, dark magic, and the intense chemistry between these characters. I wanted to love this book and I’m sure lots of readers will. However it felt slow paced, a bit too somber & traumatic, and dare I say… predictable?!? Also I never mention trigger warnings because I’m not easily triggered. But this book has a ton of blood magic, parental figure abuse, alluded rape, and multiple murders.

Thank you to Francesca May and the publisher Redhook Books for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book was alright. The premise is interesting and the author has a way with descriptors. It’s more of the type of book that you read and forget about it in a year.

Bea, the main character’s best friend, isn’t a likable character. She’s pretty selfish, which of course is a legit way to write a character. The problem is she never changes until the very end. It’s sudden and nothing until that point suggested she’d change. Her selfishness isn’t acknowledged at all in the book until the last chapter or two and overall her character feels flat.

I also don’t like the romance. It is a sapphic relationship (which is 100% fine that’s not why I don’t like it), but the relationship feels so needy. They don’t seem to love each other or like each other past friendly co-workers. Annie, the main character, basically throws herself at Emmeline. Their relationship has stronger unhealthy aspects and foundations than it does healthy ones.

But other than that the book was alright. It’s not bad, but it’s not good. The plot didn’t really seem to move forward until the last few chapters of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Orbit for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I had a difficult time with this book. Though the author is certainly a lush descriptor, it could not click with me, and therefore my reaction is critical, as I felt as if I was forcing myself through this book.

I was expecting something sapphic and Great Gatsby-esque, with witches. I was not expecting love potions and forcing others to be in love. Though this fault may be mine for not checking the CWs the author has posted in her own review/her webpage, I think that is something that could have been mentioned in other reviews more than it has been. I also felt the insta-connection between two fo the characters not particularly my thing, and I had a great deal of difficulty in hoping the protagonists succeeded against the antagonist due to to the aforementioned love potion. Like, they're *wrong*, but.... were they that wrong?

late father’s estate and, hopefully, reconnect with her long-absent best friend, Beatrice, who fled their dreary lives for a more glamorous one.

Yet Crow Island is brimming with temptation, and the biggest one may be her enigmatic new neighbor.

Mysterious and alluring, Emmeline Delacroix is a figure shadowed by rumors of witchcraft. And when Annie witnesses a confrontation between Bea and Emmeline at one of the island's extravagant parties, she is drawn into a glittering, haunted world. A world where the boundaries of wickedness are tested, and the cost of illicit magic might be death.

~~~~ 3.5 Stars ~~~~

This sapphic witchy tale showcased the good the bad and the ugly of witchcraft especially blood magic. Although other branches were represented, the primary culprit was the dark, forbidden, magically delicious Blood Magic. With a bunch of Magic being thrown around you'd think it would be a page turner but alas, it took a looooong time to finish and it wasn't just because I read it during the holiday crush when scores of family and old friends come out of the proverbial woodwork and try to score some extra karma points (and scotcheroos) by dropping by and never leaving... at least that's what it felt like for this stressed out, biblio-introvert. Anyway, I was only able to pick this up at nighttime, and pick it up I did. Over and over and over again I picked up this book... I could sense that it had great potential but I just wasn't getting that from what I was reading. The best I can say was that it was decent. The writing was not bad, the characters were on par with any other average read and the premise was interesting enough not to quit and move onto greener pastures. Sounds rough? It kind of was. Sounds rude? Maybe, but I only had a few hours to read each night and all I got for my precious time was middle of the road Meh! And to make matters even worse, there was... dum dum duuuuum... the dreaded insta-love... man do I loathe the insta-love trope and this had two beefy helpings of it. Pacing woes + double insta-love = no bueno in my world BUT it did redeem itself towards the end which helped save this one from some seriously disappointed review ranting.


Overall:
This read was dark. Dark and at times deeply disturbing. There were definitely trigger worthy moments. This should come with some warnings attached. Warnings of necromancy, witchy exorcism, drug use, self harm, child abuse, quasi-gruesome murder and (if that wasn't enough to turn your stomach) there was (continual) (mostly implied but described briefly once) non consensual intimacy with a minor... that and an all around air of depravity. Though there was a pacing issue for most of the book, the last 15% or so had loads of action and suspense. The end was both tense and satisfying... it wrapped things up nicely.

All in all, I say that if you are into suspenseful, multi-trope, witchy Magical Realism and can stomach a cornucopia of trigger worthy content then this one is a good contender for your next read

~ Enjoy

*** I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily ***

The Great Gatsby meets The Umbrella Academy in this sapphic, witchy book. reading “Wild and Wicked Things” was quite an experience in the best way. the characters are well-developed, morally grey, and capable of—you guessed it—wild and wicked things.

this is a masterpiece of modern gothic literature that i couldn’t put down. all the characters were so compelling and sympathetic even in their darkest moments. it was great to watch Annie really come into her own as the plot progressed. the twists and mysteries were set up very well and the pacing was fast while still allowing time to breathe. Annie and Emmeline have become my favorite canon wlw ship!

i recommend this book for readers who enjoy kingdom of the wicked/kingdom of the cursed, sapphic romance, and dark fantasy in general.

cw: self harm (not mental illness related), child abuse, graphic scenes of blood/violence, marital abuse, memory of rape

Wow I really enjoyed this book. The book was well written and was full of plot twists and points. i like the way the characters were written. The storyline moved at a steady pace I didn’t feel like it was slow or taking a while to get to the good part. It was suspenseful, funny, and always a love story all at once.

Gothic great gatsby!

This story was an easy read and had me pulled in from the beginning! I was so intrigued by the fact that Annie is moving to this mysterious island with witches and trying to find answers! I mean who wouldn’t want to keep reading just from that! This reminded me of a story that you would read when the leaves are turning and falling! While I’m not sure I would give it 5 stars it was a solid 4 for me!

I love love loved this book. The characters are relatable and imperfect. I loved the world building and lore surrounding magic and the island AND it's sapphic? I can't wait to purchase a physical copy once it's released!

I had high hopes for this book, but it fell short of my dreams. Francesca May's writing style did not maintain my attention throughout the story. In fact, I found certain sentences distracting and poorly written, which made it difficult to remain invested in the storyline. There were certainly moments of great imagery and storytelling, but overall was not a book match for me.

I really liked the magical world created in this book. Magic is dark and dangerous and prohibited. The relationship between Annie and Emmaline is wonderfully developed and poignant. I also enjoyed the descriptive writing - it painted a very rich world.

“Wild and Wicked Things” by Francesca May is an enticingly gothic and witchy tale full of mesmerizing magic, forbidden romance, and elaborate parties. This bewitching tale is one that readers won’t want to miss.

Annie Mason’s position on magic is simple: she has no interest in meddling with something dangerous and forbidden. Until her father’s death brings her to Crow’s Island to settle his estates, an island known for its supernatural power.

Having a known witch living next door who throws enticing and elaborate parties doesn’t help matters. Though Annie has sworn to stay away from magic and everything that comes along with it, her stance changes when an old friend, who mysteriously disappeared from back home, shows up at one of these parties arguing with the witch herself: Emmeline. Drawn into a world of deadly magic, damning secrets, and unlikely romance, Annie finds herself caught up in a world of illusions and deception that threatens to put many in danger’s way unless she can find a way to stop it.

Fans of the gothic genre, witchcraft, and supernatural thrillers will enjoy “Wild and Wicked Things.” It’s full of enticing, dark magic that has serious consequences but will draw characters and readers into its magnetic pull of promises and possibilities. The LGBTQ characters add depth to the time period and the story, providing realistic hardships and relationships that feels tangible and relatable. The characters are very much at the centerpiece of this story; wild and chaotic in their own rights rather than pawns moved across a narrative chessboard. They are hugely a part of what makes this gothic tale one of mystery and interest.

The beginning was a bit slow going, and there were moments of suspense and high action that lost a bit of traction due to too much detail or was clouded by the character’s thoughts. This created difficulty in being gripped by the tale the whole way through. Even still, the wildly imaginative moments of magic and illusions generated enough interest to be enthralled by the story and its characters.

Readers should be on the lookout for this novel on its expected publication date of March 29, 2022.

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for providing me with a free e-arc of this story and the opportunity to share my honest opinion in this review.

The best way for me to describe my experience reading this book is actually one of my favorite quotes from it; A humming brightness filled me, a wild and wicked thing.
When I say that I enjoyed this book, that is probably the biggest understatement of the year. From the very beginning I was drawn in with Gatsby meeting Practical Magic in this alluringly dark debut novel.
Annie moving to Crow Island for the summer turned out to be nothing like she expected. From her mysteriously enchanting neighbor, to the new life her estranged best friend has made for herself- Nothing on Crow Island is what it seems, especially when she starts digging into her estranged father's questionable past.
Will she be able to come to terms with everything she must face in time to save the people that she cares about, or will she be dragged asunder?

If you like gothic fantasy, strong queer characters, and plot twists, then this is the book for you. Don't sleep on Qild and Wicked Things, for you will assuredly regret it.

this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 and I was super excited for the arc! But I just felt that the story is dragging and some of the characters fell flat to me to where I just ended up losing interest in the story.

I absolutely love love love this book! I ordered it previous to getting it as an ARC so I am really excited to get my hands on a physical copy to reread and cherish. Gatsby retellings and anything set in the 20s always catches my interest... this one adds on magic! It was so interesting to see the difference with this book and The Chosen and The Beautiful by Nghi Vo on how magic is used between the two retellings. My favourite thing was that it also gender bended the whole Gatsby idea. There were also LGTBTQ+ themes involved which made me super happy. Thank you thank you thank you for this masterpiece!

Francesca May did a great job writing this book. The plot was interesting and the figurative language was just enough and not overdone. May crafted an island where magic runs rampant. Even the witches in the island are unable to completely control it. Not only is this a story about magic, but shows the reader what it’s like to risk everything for love. The beginning of the book was my favorite. The middle got a little lost, but the end brought us back to where we belonged.

I am thankful that NetGalley and the publisher allowed me a chance at reading Wild and Wicked Things prior to its debut.

If you enjoy f/f pining / relationships, magic, post second war settings, and looking for Great Gatsby meets Practical Magic - read this book. Because it has all of that.

The author makes no hide that this is a little homage or a book inspired by the The Great Gatsby. Overall, what I can tell you is that the narrative form and the time frame the book takes place in would call to mind that book. Once you get settled with the plot it becomes its own thing.

You have a girl named Annie who travels to an island where there are known to be witches to take care of things. They provide their magic for money and sometimes it has good results, sometimes it has bad results. Magic has a price. Her father had a house on this island and passed away. You come to wonder who was he and why was his life so ostracized from his daughter? Annie rents a house that sits next to a famous house on the island known to be where witches have their gatherings and have parties all night. It is there that Annie finds a woman named Emmaline who is taken to wearing mens clothes and is both beautiful and masculine (androgynous). You also find out that her friend Bea is on this island, too, and is married - she left a year prior without saying goodbye.

The house, Bea, and Annie's lives all become intertwined. And it's after they do that the Great Gastbsy turns into Practical Magic. How? I can't exactly tell you because it will ruin the story.

While this isn't a 5 star read, I'd debate between 3 and 4 stars. While the prose, the characters, and the plot is interesting... the world building isn't as strong as you want it to be, and details aren't that well connected to the main plot. Some of the issues I had was this council of witches that is mentioned a couple of times but you never see them or see them do anything. (They're supposed to be some sort of witch government that watches over the witches to make sure they don't go too crazy with their powers.) There is also the character Nathan who is there, but I feel he was a bit of a wasted character in the end because he didn't really do much but has such a sensitive soul. Same with Isobel. They live with Emmaline and kind of just prop her up and don't really have any strength besides the moment the story needs them in the plot. The magic is at times subtle but also can be quite physical and fantasy (this is apparent more so in the end).

The way the book ends makes you think there could be more stories with other characters / women / men of the island. I'd welcome it.

The book is the kind of book you would read in the summer or early fall.