Witches. Demons. Cannoli. Honestly, it shouldn’t work as well as it does, but Kerri Maniscalco somehow managed to bottle lightning with Kingdom of the Wicked.
You’ve probably seen the cover everywhere. That stark, moody aesthetic with the snake and the dagger. It’s a staple of BookTok for a reason. But if you think this is just another generic "girl meets bad boy" fantasy, you’re missing the actual meat of the story—and I mean that literally, considering how much time the protagonist spends in a kitchen.
It’s dark.
Set in 19th-century Sicily, the book follows Emilia, a stria (witch) who is basically just trying to live her life, cook some incredible pasta, and stay under the radar of the Malvagi. Then her twin sister gets brutally murdered. That’s the catalyst. Emilia doesn’t just mourn; she summons a Prince of Hell to help her find the killer. It’s messy, it’s angry, and it’s deeply rooted in real Italian folklore that most American YA authors wouldn't know where to start with.
Why Kingdom of the Wicked Isn’t Your Typical YA Fantasy
Most people go into this expecting a light romp. It isn’t. Maniscalco leans heavily into the "wicked" part of the title. What makes the Kingdom of the Wicked stand out is the atmosphere. You can almost smell the rosemary and the blood.
The Seven Princes of Hell—the Sinister Ones—aren't just names pulled out of a hat. They are based on the traditional seven deadly sins, but Maniscalco gives them a distinct, terrifying hierarchy. Wrath, Pride, Envy, Lust, Greed, Gluttony, and Sloth. They aren't "misunderstood heroes" at first. They’re monsters.
Wrath, the primary love interest (if you can call him that in book one), is cold. He’s calculation personified. The tension between him and Emilia works because it’s built on mutual necessity and genuine loathing. It’s not that "instant love" trope that makes so many readers roll their eyes these days. It’s a slow, agonizing burn that actually makes sense given the stakes.
The Sicilian Connection
Maniscalco has been very vocal about her own heritage influencing the world-building. This isn't a generic European fantasy setting. It’s specifically Southern Italian.
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The "Evil Eye" (malocchio) isn't just a gimmick here; it’s a lived reality for the characters. The superstitions—the salt over the shoulder, the charms, the specific herbs—are pulled from actual Mediterranean folk magic traditions. For readers tired of the same old pseudo-medieval English settings, the sun-drenched, spice-filled world of Sicily feels like a fever dream.
It’s tactile.
When Emilia is cooking, the descriptions are so vivid they’re borderline distracting. You’ll want to go make a carbonara immediately. This groundedness makes the supernatural elements feel more jarring. When a demon shows up in a place that feels so real and domestic, the horror actually lands.
Breaking Down the Seven Princes of Hell
Let's talk about the brothers. This is where the series really builds its lore.
- Pride: The king. He’s the one everyone is terrified of, the one who supposedly rules the Underworld.
- Wrath: General of the war-hordes. He’s covered in scars and carries a massive amount of baggage.
- Envy: A manipulative snake who thrives on what others have.
- Lust: Exactly what you’d expect, but with a more dangerous edge than the romance tropes usually allow.
- Greed: Focused on acquisition.
- Gluttony: Often underestimated, but his "hunger" isn't just for food.
- Sloth: The most mysterious of the bunch for a good portion of the series.
The dynamic between these brothers is purely Machiavellian. They don't love each other. They barely tolerate each other. This isn't a "found family" story; it's a "how do I survive these sharks" story. Emilia is a human girl (mostly) thrown into a shark tank, and her only weapon is her wits and a few forbidden spells.
The Mystery of the Twin
The core of the first book is the murder of Vittoria. This is where Maniscalco flexes her muscles as a former mystery writer (she wrote the Stalking Jack the Ripper series, after all).
The clues are laid out carefully. You’re looking for a killer, but you’re also looking for the reason. Why would a Prince of Hell be involved in the death of a seemingly insignificant witch in a small town? The answer involves ancient prophecies, blood sacrifices, and a betrayal that most readers don't see coming until it's right in their faces.
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Honestly, the ending of the first book is a gut-punch. It flips the script on everything Emilia thought she knew about her family and her craft. It forces her to leave the world she knows—the world of sun and sea—for the literal Kingdom of the Wicked.
The Underworld: A Masterclass in Gothic World-Building
By the time the story moves into the later books (Kingdom of the Cursed and Kingdom of the Feared), we get a full view of the Underworld.
It’s not just a cave with fire. It’s a sprawling, decadent, terrifying empire. Each Prince has his own court, reflecting his sin. Wrath’s court is military-focused, cold, and efficient. Envy’s court is a masquerade of jealousy and shifting alliances.
Maniscalco avoids the "Disney-fication" of hell. It’s a place of sensory overload. The fashion is described in excruciating, beautiful detail—velvets, silks, jewels, and masks. It feels like a high-fashion runway show directed by Guillermo del Toro.
But there’s a cost to being there. The magic in this world isn't free. Emilia has to trade pieces of herself, her memories, and her soul to navigate the politics of the Sinister Ones.
Addressing the Spicy Elephant in the Room
We have to talk about the "heat level."
The first book is solidly YA (Young Adult). The romance is tense but mostly "behind closed doors" or focused on longing looks and sharp dialogue. However, as the series progresses into the second and third books, it shifts firmly into "New Adult" or "Romantasy" territory.
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Some readers were caught off guard by this. If you’re coming for a chaste fairy tale, you’re in the wrong kingdom. The relationship between Emilia and Wrath becomes intensely physical and explicit. It’s a reflection of Emilia’s own growth and her embracing of her darker impulses. She isn't the "good girl" from the village anymore. She’s becoming something else. Something more dangerous.
Common Misconceptions About the Series
A lot of people think this is a retold myth. It's not. While it uses the names of demons you might find in the Ars Goetia or Christian theology, the lore is Maniscalco’s own invention.
Another big one: "It's just another ACOTAR clone."
Wrong.
While both series fall under the fantasy-romance umbrella, Kingdom of the Wicked is much more focused on mystery and folklore. It feels more "urban fantasy" in its grit, despite the historical setting. The stakes feel more personal and claustrophobic. It’s not about saving the world; it’s about a girl finding out who killed her sister and why her grandmother lied to her.
What You Need to Know Before Diving In
If you’re planning on starting this series, here is the reality of the experience.
- The Pacing: The first book starts as a slow-burn mystery. It takes its time. If you’re looking for non-stop action from page one, you might find the early chapters focused too much on the kitchen. Stick with it. Once the summoning happens, the pace accelerates.
- The Language: Maniscalco uses Italian phrases throughout. Usually, you can figure them out from context, but having a basic understanding of the culture helps. It adds flavor (pun intended).
- The Moral Grayness: There are no "pure" heroes here. Emilia makes questionable choices. Wrath is, by definition, a monster. If you need your protagonists to be morally perfect, you’re going to be frustrated.
- The Shift in Tone: Be prepared for the series to grow up with the characters. Book one is a mystery; book two is a gothic romance; book three is a high-stakes supernatural war.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Reader
To get the most out of the Kingdom of the Wicked experience, don't just skim the surface.
- Read the Stalking Jack the Ripper series first? You don't have to, but it helps you understand Maniscalco’s writing style. She loves a good mystery and a brooding male lead.
- Keep a "Sin" Cheat Sheet: When you get into the second book, the different courts and their rules can get confusing. Knowing which Prince represents which Sin—and what the "opposite" virtue is—helps you predict the political moves.
- Don't Ignore the Food: Pay attention to what Emilia cooks. In Italian folk magic, food is often the vessel for the spell. The ingredients usually hint at what's about to happen emotionally or magically in the scene.
- Check the Author’s Website: Kerri Maniscalco often releases bonus scenes and character art that flesh out the Princes of Hell. It adds a lot of context to the "off-page" lives of the secondary characters.
The Kingdom of the Wicked is more than just a trend. It’s a deeply researched, atmospheric dive into the dark side of folklore. It’s about the rage of a sister and the price of power. Whether you’re here for the demons or the dinner descriptions, it’s a world that stays with you long after you close the book.
Research and Contextual Notes:
For those interested in the real-world roots of the series, look into the Benandanti (the "Good Walkers") of 16th and 17th-century Italy. While Maniscalco creates her own secret society of witches, the historical reality of folk magic in rural Italy provides a fascinating backdrop to the fictional world of the Malvagi. Furthermore, the concept of the Seven Princes of Hell dates back to Peter Binsfeld's 1589 classification of demons, which is the primary source for the character names used in the series. Understanding this history makes the "wickedness" of the kingdom feel all the more grounded in our own history.