About the Book:

Title: Kingdom of the Wicked

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books

Release Date: October 27, 2020

Pages: 448

Genre: YA Fantasy

Synopsis:

Kerri Maniscalco introduces her next series, a dark tale of a beautiful young witch, a troubled demon, and their epic romance, set against a 19th century Italian backdrop.

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…

 

 

 

 

 

Review:

*I received an e-arc from Netgalley and the publisher Jimmy Patterson Books in exchange for an honest review*

I absolutely adored the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco so I was very excited when I heard she was starting a new series. I am over the moon that I was able to review this early! Thank you Netgalley and Jimmy Patterson Books.

I was totally unprepared for this book! I was completely and utterly spellbound, and drawn in from the very first page. A beautiful witch, a demon prince, and an Italian backdrop, who could ask for more?!

The story begins with a family in Palermo, Sicily that runs a popular restaurant called the Sea & Vine. I could totally relate to this family, their love and affection for each other, and the phrases used by Nonna, the main character’s grandmother. I had an Italian American grandmother and an Italian great grandmother that was from Sicily, and the descriptions of Nonna cooking with Emilia and Vittoria just made me feel so happy, and it felt like home. The twins help their parents and Nonna with all the cooking and the cleaning at the restaurant. The thing that makes this family different though, is that Emilia and her twin, Vittoria, are witches that live secretly among humans. They have been told since they were little girls to always wear their amulets, or cornicello, and to beware the Malvagi.

Vittoria does not show for dinner service at the restaurant one night, and Emilia finds her body completely desecrated. Emilia is completely devastated, goes out looking for vengeance, and doesn’t care what the consequences are. She uses dark magic to summon one of the Malvagi, or seven princes of hell. In comes Wrath, the demon prince who chooses duty over pleasure. Their fates become intertwined and Emilia gets pulled into Wrath’s investigation of the murders of women on the island.

I loved Emilia Di Carlo, and watching her character throughout the journey. After the loss of her sister, she goes through so much, but she keeps fighting. She’s so smart and so fierce! I completely fell for the sexy demon Prince Wrath! I always seem to fall for the bad boys, lol.  I highly enjoyed the witty banter between him and Emilia.

If you’re looking for something deliciously wicked, then look no further! I suggest that you preorder/library request/add to your TBR as soon as possible. You are not going to want to miss this one! Now to wait for the sequel with bated breath.

 

About the Author:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

She is the #1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the STALKING JACK THE RIPPER quartet. The final installment, CAPTURING THE DEVIL, will be released on 9/10/19. KINGDOM OF THE WICKED, the first in a new YA fantasy series, is slated for fall 2020.

For more information, visit Kerri online:
www.kerrimaniscalco.com
www.facebook.com/KerriManiscalcoAuthor