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

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!

Thank you so much NetGalley for approving me for this title in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a mood reader so it took me a while to get into the book, which is no fault of the author's or the writing. But when I was finally feeling fantasy I launched into Wild and Wicked Things and it was so so amazing! The writing style was so good and it was quite lyrical and poetic which I totally appreciated. It also combined some of my favorite aesthetics which totally made the book worth a read. I'm a big fan of spookier reads and lesbian witches, so if you like those things then this book is perfect for you. It can be gory, sure, but who doesn't like a bit of action to make the book pass by?

I'm excited to see what else May writes!

Sapphic? RETELLING- Sold.

No need to tell me anything else but a Great Gatsby Sapphic retelling? I was absolutely enthralled by this cover and barely skimmed the synopsis but as I began reading everything slotted into place.

What an absolutely incredible way to spend an evening. I devoured this book in a single sitting and I wish I could scrub my brain and do it again. The settings were superb. The characters are enchanting and the writing? The writing is enthralling.

I cannot wait to hold this gorgeous book in my hands and in the meantime begin telling every single human I know that they must purchase it the second it becomes available.

My favourite book of 2022 before 2022 has even begun? Quite possibly.

A sapphic, Great Gatsby inspired gothic story about witches? Sign me right up. Wild and Wicked Things largely delivered on much of what the premise promised — the dark romance, murder and lush writing were all exactly what I hoped it would be. The magical side of things was what really drew me in, blood magic that demands a cost is always intensely interesting to me, especially when that magic is woven into the real world. The setting for WaWT is pretty much our world in post WWI England, but magic exists and is bound by laws and treated almost like alcohol during prohibition. This part was fascinating and I really wish it was explained more. Which draws me into my main critique —

I truly loved the atmospheric writing and characters, but felt like there was a lot to be desired when it came to properly setting the scene and fleshing out the backstory. Whilst a huge exposition isn’t always necessary, I felt like this book could’ve used more info when it came to Bea and Annie’s relationship in particular. I didn’t feel much connection with Bea like I did Emmeline because I didn’t know much about her. Her desires and motivations were largely glossed over or alluded to and I feel like the reader really would’ve benefited with knowing more about her. If perhaps some extraneous plot details were trimmed and more focus was given to really fleshing out the characters, it would’ve been a five star read for me.

Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed Wild and Wicked things and love seeing more sapphic representation in publishing. If you’re a fan of witches, magical realism and gothic tales, you’ll love this book.

I devoured this book on a weekend. Wow, it was that great. It’s been quite some time since I read a book and that left my head spiralling in elation. I loved how the elements that were put in work to make this so whole and complete. I especially enjoyed the writing, it was quite easy for me to get into it and live vicariously through the words.

Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May is an awesome and totally unique novel that has it all: mystery, suspense, murder, action, an element of science fiction, historical fiction, and so much more. I loved it!

This book has so many elements within it that it easily could have been too much and too complicated…but it all fit together perfectly. I was sold from the first chapter…and devoured this book in two days.

This book takes place in the post-WWI timeframe, and the historical aspect is truly felt…however the author was able to impressively weave magic, suspense, high-stakes suspense and drama into the plot so that I was gripping the edge of my seat several different times, just to see how it all plays out.

This book has so many facets to it, that I can’t even begin to explain its premise. I loved Emmeline and Annie. Such intriguing and complex main characters that bring a lot to the table. I loved the interplay, the internal and external conflicts surrounding one another, their pasts, and between one another as well. The ghosts that are sought after and that are dealt with head on…brilliant. I dare anyone to read this and not be blown away.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Redhook Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/29/22.

A fairly light read with a magical and historical setting. Some lovely delights sprinkled here and there.

2.5 stars

I finished this in a day so suffice to say it's a quick read; however it's structured a bit odd.

The opening prologue didn't set the tone for the novel at all. It took a while for the book to pick up speed and start to make sense with the various threads weaving a tapestry of a story. The central love story didn't feel very earned BUT the growth of Annies character and as the bits and pieces of her backstory came to light, it made more sense. The side characters deserved more though. It felt like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meet Practical Magic in a lot of ways. I wish there was more about the lore of the Island actually as opposed to what was dealt with just on the surface as it seemed very rich.

the only Gatsby call out I truly got was the purple light and the parties to lure someone there.