Title: Kingdom of the Wicked (Kingdom of the Wicked #1)
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Rating: ★★★½

Books that instantly transport readers into their atmospheric world are my favorite kind, and Kingdom of the Wicked does exactly that. From the prologue, we are introduced to a 19th-century setting that is dark, decadent, and devilishly delicious. Witches, demon Princes, dark magic, and Italian food?? There’s nothing more I could have asked for!

The story itself is pretty simplistic. I was really excited by the premise but overall the plot ended up being one of the downfalls. It felt predictable and underdeveloped. The plot twists were easily guessed and I was able to unravel most of the reveals. There were also quite a few plot holes and moments where I found it hard to believe Emilia could be that naive. Despite lacking the complexity I typically crave in stories, I did enjoy reading this and following Emilia as she navigated the secrets surrounding her sister’s death.

The dynamic between Emilia and Wrath is the saving grace of this novel, in my opinion. I’m obviously a huge fan of enemies-to-lovers, but the way these two were written was perfect. Between their magical pact and the sizzling chemistry, there was plenty to keep my invested in their romance.

If you’re looking for a book full of enticing romance, demons, witches, and familial relationships, this is for you. If you prefer your plots to be more developed and complex, this may not work as well. Overall, I found Kingdom of the Wicked to be an enjoyable story and look forward to reading the next book!