Kingdom of the Wicked
Kerri Maniscalco, 2020
A Sicilian witch, a family murder, and a demon prince who is far too sure of himself: fantasy romance with teeth. A Sicilian witch story that mixes sharp wit with creeping dread and a dramatic, power-charged pull.
Feels like dread. About power.
Who it’s for
You may like it if you enjoy YA fantasy romance with Italian folklore, family secrets, and a demon prince who is too sure of himself. The family murder and dread make it darker than a light witchy romp, so go in ready for a dramatic tone.
Why read it
It gives you a murder mystery wrapped in Sicilian folklore and demonic courtship, with a narrator whose wit cuts through the dread.
A page from the book
The world resumes; she refuses to let it resume quietly.
Young women died. Life resumed. Such was the way of the world, at least according to men. Kerri Maniscalco.Maniscalco wrote the Stalking Jack the Ripper series before this; Kingdom of the Wicked was her first fantasy, set in Sicily and steeped in Italian folklore.
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Where to get it
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Questions readers ask
- Is Kingdom of the Wicked for me?
- You may like it if you enjoy YA fantasy romance with Italian folklore, family secrets, and a demon prince who is too sure of himself. The family murder and dread make it darker than a light witchy romp, so go in ready for a dramatic tone.
- What is Kingdom of the Wicked like?
- A Sicilian witch story that mixes sharp wit with creeping dread and a dramatic, power-charged pull. Feels like dread. About power.
- What should I read after Kingdom of the Wicked?
- If you liked Kingdom of the Wicked, try Winter (Marissa Meyer), The Ritual (Shantel Tessier) and A Game of Thrones (George R.R. Martin).
A taste of the feed
What it costs to look away from something you cannot stop.
This was when Winter looked away. When she always looked away. She watched her own fingers burrow into her dress, her fingernails scraping at the fabric until she could feel the sting on her thighs. She watched the ice climb over her wrists, toward her elbows. Where the ice touched, her flesh went numb.
Winter · Marissa Meyer
The famous definition of love, and someone who won't be measured by it.
They say love is patient and kind. I’m not either one of those things when it comes to Blakely.
The Ritual · Shantel Tessier
What it costs to be the cleverest man in a room that pities you.
You are your mother’s trueborn son of Lannister." "Am I?" the dwarf replied, sardonic. "Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he’s never been sure." "I don’t even know who my mother was," Jon said. "Some woman, no doubt. Most of them are." He favored Jon with a rueful grin. "Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs." And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.
A Game of Thrones · George R.R. Martin
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