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.

This was an interesting witchy tale that got better and better as the book went on. The characters were really strong - I enjoyed the growth of the main character from an innocent, shy young woman to becoming a brave witch. The emotional connection between characters was great - I loved that this had a lesbian romance for the main characters. The pacing was slow at first but then by the last third of the book it picked up as everything in the story started clicking together. But even in the end I felt there was a lot left unknown about the world and magic system.

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.

5 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬💫

•This book is absolutely stunning. The prose and writing style are so aesthetic and comforting. It is able to perfectly depict the scenes and the emotions of the characters. I ate this story up in three days and even though Ebooks are not my favorite, it was well worth it to read this book.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭
•The story in Wild and Wicked Things is very well built and full of plot points and twists that kept me turning the page and interested in learning the history of the island. It moved at a good pace and I found the ending to be satisfying and was able to wrap up any loose threads in the story.

•The actual events that occur all make sense and push the story forward. They give the main characters something to work for and there are constant obstacles that you hope they overcome to meet their goal.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
•I adored the characters in this book and it is 100% my favorite feature. Every character was so full of layers and life they all were different and none were ever flat or basic. All of them were full of motives and differences that truly drove them and besides that, the interactions they had with other characters all made sense and represented who they were made to be.

•These characters also developed thoroughly throughout the book and change was evident in most characters, even side characters. This development was written so well and made perfect sense with the story and was done at a proper pace. Simply, I loved all of these characters!

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
•The lore and story behind the island are so well thought out and were very immersive. I was able to be enthralled by the magic and the overall aesthetic that the town and island held. The history with witches and other characters in the story also pulled the story together and gave everything a true feel of being connected instead of it being a distant irreverent history.

•Going back to the writing style, the way the descriptions flow and create such visuals also enhanced the story in numerous ways such as allowing me to feel like I was right there alongside the characters, and in doing so it really pushed the idea of the island being real and not a flimsy fantasy world.

𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥
•Obviously, I adored this book and I heavily recommend it for anyone who enjoys a witchy novel and beautiful prose. Thank you again for this ARC and I am definitely considering purchasing an in-hand copy in March!

I really wanted to like this one... I enjoy alternate histories and fantasy although the recent spate of Gatsby-themed reimaginings is starting to grate on me. But something about this one just never grabbed me. From the opening pages I just couldn't connect to the characters and found myself struggling to feel engaged with the plot lines. It has a lot of fans, but just wasn't for me.

Dark magic, romance, murder... and parties and glitz and bloodmagic... in the after math of WW1 a young woman is swept into a glitter world that will change her forever. Annie Mason has come to Crow island to visit her father’s home as his last wish, but on Crow Island... magic exist and her neighbors happen to be the people who host lavish parties every weekend and deal in illegal magic. Annie finds herself drawn back to old friendship and hurts and to new ones as well, as she meets the mysterious and beautiful Emmeline Delacroix. Emmeline has darkness in her, magic in her every pore threatening to unleash itself, and a blood debt that is slowly killing her. Annie and Emmeline find themselves drawn together, not only through a mysterious connection that leaves the other yearning for each other, but also through a mutual acquaintance who will throw their life in shambles, especially when events take the turn for the worst and murder and magic throw itself into the mix. The story definitely gave me Great Gatsby vibe except with magic, murder, and trauma. With magic comes a price, and there is always a debt to collect. This was a stunning and lush story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The murder was so intriguing and the way the magic was used was brilliant. The romance was bittersweet yet soft and the consequences of the actions and decisions of each character was so interesting. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book if you love magic, murder, and romance!

*Thanks Netgalley and Redhook Books, Redhook for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Taking place in an alternate, post WW England, this is a beautifully written book.

This is a very character driven book and will disappoint readers who enjoy a lot of action.

While there are witches and magic, it is primarily the story of women finding their truth and the courage to live it fully.

I highly recommend this book and thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read it. This is my honest review.

I requested a digital copy in order to sample the prose on my phone (since I don't have a eReader) before requesting a physical copy for review. I will update Netgalley once I read & review a physical copy.

My review will be based on the physical ARC I read.

I went into this expecting something akin to a Lesson In Vengeance but. Great Gatsby.

What I read completely blew me away. The magic system was wonderful. I can honestly say that I loved this book so much because no part of it was unnecessary

So spooky and lyrical! I couldn’t put it down. This is definitely a world I didn’t want to leave! I loved the characters so much!

Well this one just wasn’t for me ultimately! Sorry—i do tend to like lighter fluffier magic books(all the unicorns please) and tend to avoid to ones with blood magic. Anyway thanks for the free book for review from Netgalley.

I found myself annoyed in the first 25% or so by the main character and her insta love esque reaction to her next door neighbor (literally sparks flying and everything 😅🙄🙄) and her constant seeking out of her old not-quite-friend. I really could not connect with Annie at all and found her a bit of an idiot in addition to her more understandable naivety.

After that excruciatingly slow start things became relatively more interesting, so I kept on reading. I /probably/ should have quit . . . But I stuck with it anyway. I was intrigued by the backstory mostly I think, and I wanted to see how things with Bea would finally play out.

The book does have important things to say about friendship and love might be like, although in this case I’d say most of it is fairly toxic.

I’d say this will probably fare better with those who enjoy darker reads and lbgtq+ rep. It’d be a perfect Halloween read.

.

Triggers for:


blood magic, pro-abortion, child abuse (past)> prostitution, necromancy, murders, drugs (magical and otherwise), alcohol, magic is not your friend, neither are the police

While the writing was beautiful, I really could not get into this story. Something was just missing … The overall plot was decent.. but the characters felt a little flat to me. While the book was an easy read. It is not one that I will re-read

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May is a cozy, sapphic and beautifully told story. It begins when we meet one of our narrators, Annie, while she is relocating to the slightly terrifying Crow Island. The island is shrouded in rumours of illegal magic, witches and astounding wealth, earning quite the reputation. Tasked with tending to her recently deceased father’s home and belongings, Annie’s personal belief system is challenged almost immediately with her discoveries about the island, it’s folklore and the truth behind the residents. The second point-of-view narrative we are introduced to is Annie’s neighbour, Emmeline. Drawn to each other by a strange connection that they both try to fight, Annie and Emmeline face a dark and twisted path towards their blurry fates. Annie’s perspective poetically depicts the turmoil of wrestling with ones sexuality and true self. Emmeline’s perspective focuses more on self-doubt, grief and regret. This story is about personal growth, magic, friendship and love. It is about power in owning every part of yourself, even the undesirable bits.

This is an excellent read for fans of witchy books and feminist texts. The character development is truly this story’s strong point. A perfect novel for getting cozy on a rainy, thunder-filled evening.

I really, really wanted to like this book. Alternate history set post-WWI with sapphic witches? It sounded great. But it was just so slow. I didn’t dislike any of the characters, (except for Bea’s husband), but the plot dragged so much that I felt like I spent too much time in the characters’ heads and not enough actually experiencing what was happening on Crow Island. I liked the Gatsby-esque vibe a lot, but the action took so long to set up that eventually I just didn’t care what was happening. I think I would’ve really liked this if it was a bit shorter, because I liked the concept a lot and I thought the writing itself was nice.

The writing of this book is gorgeous. It is comparable to a painting. It is seriously so beautifully written. The characters are rich, and captivating. The story is enthralling. I loved how it was historical fiction with a huge twist. Also, yes lesbian. Thank you! I highly recommend this. This witchy tale is worth the read.

(I will be posting in my goodreads, and tik tok)

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May is a witchy novel that oozes dark glamour and drama. Set on a magical island off the coast of England in an alternate 1920s, magic is outlawed and bootlegged for those attuned to the craft. Annie comes to Crow Island after her estranged father passes away and becomes entranced by her mysterious neighbours next door who seem to be hiding something dark beneath their wild partying ways. Cross House is home to a family of witches whose ties to the island implicate them in something evil and malevolent. When their paths cross with Annie, crime, blood, rituals, and ominous crows seek to bind them all to a deadly fate.

This book was a lot darker and bloodier than I was expecting. The enchanting cover gave the impression that it was going to be a bit lighter than it was. The writing was lyrical with all of its luscious descriptions and passionate emotions but at times it felt a bit too much. The decadence of the glittering 1920s aesthetic was abundant and the premise of a 1920s magical island reminded me of 'Bright Ruined Things' by Samantha Cohoe, It was slow paced and there were quite a few loose ends left dangling at the end.

Overall Wild and Wicked Things is a dark witchy fantasy featuring flapper-esque witches, creepy crows, and blood magic that explores themes around debt, guilt, sacrifice, and awakening.

3.5/5 Stars because it was slow paced, redundant, ans anticlimactic despite its vivid writing.

Thank you so much for my copy of Wild and Wicked Things! The storyline had me engaged from the very beginning and was delightful! I am a sucker for witchy reads and this was so magical and so glamorous I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to read more from this author!