Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco: Many a Side Eye From Me

What: Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1) by Kerri Maniscalco

Who: Hodder & Stoughton

When: October 27th 2020

How: A copy of this novel was provided by Hachette Australia for review.

Emilia and her twin sister Victoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Victoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to discover who did this, and to seek vengeance at any cost—even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, the outlier among the seven demon brethren, always choosing duty over pleasure. He’s been tasked by his master with investigating a series of women’s murders on the island. When Emilia and Wrath’s fates collide, it’s clear this disturbing mystery will take a bewitching turn…

Okay so this year is basically me being excited for a book and that book ultimately letting me down. And Kingdom of the Wicked was no different. There was nothing essentially bad about it but there was nothing that drew me in, either.  It really pains me to write this three star review because like I say so often: I really wanted to love this book. I did. And the fact that it was average for me is wearying.

Basically there were things in Kingdom of the Wicked that left me with major side eye. First thing to make me side eye was the fact that Emilia’s sister is brutally murdered and Emilia is sad for about… two seconds. Sure, it could be argued that the novel is a vengeance quest and I suppose it is but vengeance isn’t grief. Nor did the book try to imply that Emilia was dealing with her grief in this toxic way. No. Emilia had her grief (apparently) and her vengeance. But aside from crying and being sad in about one scene she sure got over the death of her twin sister pretty quickly.

Another thing that made me side eye was Emilia’s relationship with her parents. She’s eighteen and of course living at home in 19^th century Italy. But in the entire book she speaks to her mother all of two times. Her father? I don’t even think they spoke at all. How is this possible? How can you not spend time with your parents when you live with them and work at their restaurant? How can you not lean on each other in the face of a sister and daughter’s death? It was just so strange to have the classic YA absentee parents in this situation.

Also Emilia moves out and doesn’t even have a conversation with her family about it!! How is this possible?? In the NINETEENTH CENTURY!! The sheer ridiculousness of this part of the plot had me absolutely reeling.

The romance between Emilia and Wrath was predictable and lacklustre. At first Emilia thinks he killed her sister but once he bats his pretty eyelashes at her she’s pretty much a goner. I suppose the way they call each other “witch” and “demon” was supposed to be endearing but I was just rolling my eyes because who does that!! Just say their name or nothing at all, come on.

It might be harsh of me to say but I am so well and truly over the “I’m a badass girl and they will get what they deserve!!11!1” trope. Like okay we get it. You’re angry and you’re going to bring hell down on the people you think need to pay. Does your internal monologue need to be so goddamn cringey about it?

I know it sounds like I’m complaining a lot about Kingdom of the Wicked which I guess I am but in the end I did quite enjoy it. Despite being quite dark it wasn’t too heavy and it was quite fun to read if I could let go of the things that made me side eye so much. Will I read the next novel? Perhaps. Do I recommend this one? I do, to hardcore fans of the author or those wanting a dark but yet somehow silly book about witches and demons and hell.

© 2020, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

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